Kentucky · Buyer closing costs2024 Census data

Kentucky Closing Cost Calculator

Across Kentucky's 120 counties, buyer closing costs run $3,037 to $10,331 at each county's median home value with 20% down. Cash needed at closing, with closing costs and the down payment, runs $16,522 to $88,951. Pick your county for your own figures.

Data reviewed October 16, 2026 · Transfer tax verified April 2026 · Mortgage rates weekly · Methodology

CountyOptional. Picking your county refines the property tax in your closing costs.

Purchase price

$Kentucky median: $148,150

Down payment

$20.0% downLTV: 80.00%

Loan term

7.40% fixed, Freddie Mac average, week ending October 15, 2026.

HOA duesMonthly, if any

$/moLeave at $0 if the property has no homeowners association.

Special assessmentsYearly, if any

$/yrDistrict levies or special assessments on the tax bill. Leave at $0 if none.

Estimated closing costs$5,376Likely $3,614 – $7,138 · 3.6% of the priceUsing Kentucky's median figures. Pick your county to refine the property tax part.

Lender fees$593 – $1,185
Third-party services$2,150 – $4,800
Taxes and government fees$100 – $300
Prepaid and escrow$772 – $852

Every closing cost, and what you can do about it

Fees marked Shop around are where buyers save: compare Loan Estimates and quotes. In Kentucky that is $2,343 – $5,285 of your costs.

Lender fees

$593 – $1,185

Loan origination feeShop aroundIndustry norm is 0.5%-1.0% of the loan amount; shop multiple lenders to compare$593 – $1,185

Third-party services

$2,150 – $4,800

Title insuranceShop aroundCombined lender's and owner's policies typically run $800-$2,000; rates are regulated in FL, TX, and NM$800 – $2,000

Home appraisalLender orders2026 single-family appraisals typically run $400-$700; larger or complex homes cost more$400 – $700

Home inspectionShop aroundStandard single-family inspections run $350-$600 in 2026; specialty tests (radon, mold, termite) are extra$350 – $600

Real estate attorneyShop aroundFlat fees for a standard residential closing run $600-$1,500; metro markets like NYC can exceed this$600 – $1,500

Taxes and government fees

$100 – $300

Recording feesSet by countyCounty government fee to record the deed and mortgage; 2026 national average is around $125$100 – $300

Prepaid and escrow

$772 – $852

Prepaid mortgage interestPaid in advanceApproximately 15 days of interest at your rate, depending on closing date$360

Homeowners insurance (2 months)Paid in advanceLenders typically collect 2 months of premium upfront and hold it in escrow$250

Property tax escrow (2-3 months)Paid in advanceLenders typically collect 2-3 months of property tax upfront and hold it in escrow$161 – $242

In Kentucky the seller usually pays the transfer tax.

After closing: monthly

$985 – $1,068

Mortgage (30yr, 7.40%)$821/mo

Property tax$81/mo

Homeowners insurance (est.)$83 – $167/mo

Year one

$47,321

Cash at closing (midpoint)$35,006

12 months of payments (midpoint)$12,315

Estimated year-one total$47,321

Closing costs$3,614 – $7,138Fees, taxes and prepaid items

Cash to close$33,244 – $36,76820% down plus closing costs

Year one$47,321Cash to close plus 12 months of payments

All figures are estimates for planning purposes only. Mortgage payment assumes a 30-year fixed rate of 7.40%, the Freddie Mac PMMS average for the week ending October 15, 2026. Your lender will confirm the actual rate. Closing costs vary by lender and transaction. Consult a licensed real estate attorney and lender before making any financial decisions.

Kentucky closing cost facts

What is specific to buying in Kentucky, with sources.

Transfer tax

Sellers usually pay the 0.1% transfer tax. $0.50/$500 (0.1%) on grantor per KRS 142.050. Seller pays.

Verified April 2026. Source

Closing attorney

Kentucky is an attorney-closing state: a real estate attorney typically handles the closing. The calculator includes $600 – $1,500 for it.

Property tax at closing

Lenders collect two to three months of property tax at closing for escrow. In Kentucky, the calculator estimates it from the county's median taxes paid divided by its median home value.

Closing costs by county in Kentucky

Each county at its own median home value with 20% down and a 30-year loan. Open a county for its full breakdown.

County	Median home	Closing costs	Cash at closing
Adair County	$150,800	$3,632 – $7,166	$33,792 – $37,326
Allen County	$192,300	$3,911 – $7,618	$42,371 – $46,078
Anderson County	$225,100	$4,231 – $8,123	$49,251 – $53,143
Ballard County	$145,800	$3,615 – $7,137	$32,775 – $36,297
Barren County	$178,000	$3,847 – $7,510	$39,447 – $43,110
Bath County	$129,800	$3,477 – $6,917	$29,437 – $32,877
Bell County	$89,000	$3,193 – $6,459	$20,993 – $24,259
Boone County	$277,300	$4,679 – $8,836	$60,139 – $64,296
Bourbon County	$229,300	$4,246 – $8,149	$50,106 – $54,009
Boyd County	$130,700	$3,533 – $7,002	$29,673 – $33,142
Boyle County	$209,900	$4,139 – $7,973	$46,119 – $49,953
Bracken County	$125,000	$3,496 – $6,941	$28,496 – $31,941
Breathitt County	$70,300	$3,037 – $6,211	$17,097 – $20,271
Breckinridge County	$156,700	$3,661 – $7,214	$35,001 – $38,554
Bullitt County	$247,200	$4,432 – $8,441	$53,872 – $57,881
Butler County	$111,100	$3,322 – $6,670	$25,542 – $28,890
Caldwell County	$118,500	$3,370 – $6,747	$27,070 – $30,447
Calloway County	$183,200	$3,878 – $7,560	$40,518 – $44,200
Campbell County	$252,000	$4,547 – $8,618	$54,947 – $59,018
Carlisle County	$120,400	$3,432 – $6,842	$27,512 – $30,922
Carroll County	$140,900	$3,585 – $7,087	$31,765 – $35,267
Carter County	$132,800	$3,463 – $6,898	$30,023 – $33,458
Casey County	$136,300	$3,512 – $6,975	$30,772 – $34,235
Christian County	$173,600	$3,805 – $7,443	$38,525 – $42,163
Clark County	$205,800	$4,066 – $7,860	$45,226 – $49,020
Clay County	$90,700	$3,189 – $6,455	$21,329 – $24,595
Clinton County	$122,200	$3,392 – $6,784	$27,832 – $31,224
Crittenden County	$127,300	$3,441 – $6,861	$28,901 – $32,321
Cumberland County	$141,100	$3,534 – $7,012	$31,754 – $35,232
Daviess County	$199,900	$4,065 – $7,854	$44,045 – $47,834
Edmonson County	$160,300	$3,678 – $7,243	$35,738 – $39,303
Elliott County	$123,500	$3,420 – $6,827	$28,120 – $31,527
Estill County	$119,500	$3,402 – $6,797	$27,302 – $30,697
Fayette County	$293,500	$4,812 – $9,047	$63,512 – $67,747
Fleming County	$134,700	$3,511 – $6,972	$30,451 – $33,912
Floyd County	$98,700	$3,260 – $6,567	$23,000 – $26,307
Franklin County	$216,600	$4,179 – $8,039	$47,499 – $51,359
Fulton County	$79,100	$3,115 – $6,334	$18,935 – $22,154
Gallatin County	$178,200	$3,892 – $7,578	$39,532 – $43,218
Garrard County	$204,900	$4,055 – $7,843	$45,035 – $48,823
Grant County	$209,500	$4,087 – $7,894	$45,987 – $49,794
Graves County	$147,800	$3,612 – $7,134	$33,172 – $36,694
Grayson County	$164,600	$3,714 – $7,300	$36,634 – $40,220
Green County	$125,000	$3,440 – $6,858	$28,440 – $31,858
Greenup County	$134,000	$3,557 – $7,041	$30,357 – $33,841
Hancock County	$141,200	$3,563 – $7,056	$31,803 – $35,296
Hardin County	$225,800	$4,199 – $8,075	$49,359 – $53,235
Harlan County	$73,700	$3,096 – $6,302	$17,836 – $21,042
Harrison County	$202,100	$4,021 – $7,790	$44,441 – $48,210
Hart County	$146,000	$3,600 – $7,114	$32,800 – $36,314
Henderson County	$171,900	$3,864 – $7,531	$38,244 – $41,911
Henry County	$197,900	$4,042 – $7,817	$43,622 – $47,397
Hickman County	$115,700	$3,374 – $6,752	$26,514 – $29,892
Hopkins County	$142,800	$3,603 – $7,116	$32,163 – $35,676
Jackson County	$111,500	$3,332 – $6,685	$25,632 – $28,985
Jefferson County	$248,400	$4,454 – $8,476	$54,134 – $58,156
Jessamine County	$268,100	$4,551 – $8,637	$58,171 – $62,257
Johnson County	$120,200	$3,405 – $6,802	$27,445 – $30,842
Kenton County	$244,400	$4,471 – $8,499	$53,351 – $57,379
Knott County	$77,000	$3,091 – $6,296	$18,491 – $21,696
Knox County	$118,700	$3,393 – $6,783	$27,133 – $30,523
Larue County	$183,500	$3,865 – $7,541	$40,565 – $44,241
Laurel County	$159,500	$3,677 – $7,241	$35,577 – $39,141
Lawrence County	$111,700	$3,351 – $6,714	$25,691 – $29,054
Lee County	$83,900	$3,157 – $6,402	$19,937 – $23,182
Leslie County	$69,000	$3,038 – $6,211	$16,838 – $20,011
Letcher County	$67,400	$3,042 – $6,215	$16,522 – $19,695
Lewis County	$96,000	$3,220 – $6,506	$22,420 – $25,706
Lincoln County	$147,300	$3,625 – $7,153	$33,085 – $36,613
Livingston County	$125,600	$3,436 – $6,853	$28,556 – $31,973
Logan County	$164,900	$3,729 – $7,323	$36,709 – $40,303
Lyon County	$189,500	$3,918 – $7,626	$41,818 – $45,526
Madison County	$232,000	$4,275 – $8,195	$50,675 – $54,595
Magoffin County	$89,000	$3,188 – $6,452	$20,988 – $24,252
Marion County	$168,100	$3,774 – $7,393	$37,394 – $41,013
Marshall County	$173,800	$3,827 – $7,476	$38,587 – $42,236
Martin County	$86,900	$3,178 – $6,436	$20,558 – $23,816
Mason County	$161,500	$3,715 – $7,299	$36,015 – $39,599
McCracken County	$188,100	$3,945 – $7,665	$41,565 – $45,285
McCreary County	$85,300	$3,141 – $6,378	$20,201 – $23,438
McLean County	$148,500	$3,614 – $7,138	$33,314 – $36,838
Meade County	$207,900	$4,072 – $7,871	$45,652 – $49,451
Menifee County	$125,800	$3,417 – $6,823	$28,577 – $31,983
Mercer County	$202,300	$4,080 – $7,878	$44,540 – $48,338
Metcalfe County	$110,200	$3,333 – $6,685	$25,373 – $28,725
Monroe County	$115,900	$3,394 – $6,782	$26,574 – $29,962
Montgomery County	$172,200	$3,819 – $7,463	$38,259 – $41,903
Morgan County	$118,200	$3,390 – $6,778	$27,030 – $30,418
Muhlenberg County	$127,400	$3,451 – $6,877	$28,931 – $32,357
Nelson County	$238,000	$4,346 – $8,306	$51,946 – $55,906
Nicholas County	$123,000	$3,413 – $6,816	$28,013 – $31,416
Ohio County	$121,400	$3,406 – $6,805	$27,686 – $31,085
Oldham County	$393,100	$5,615 – $10,331	$84,235 – $88,951
Owen County	$168,700	$3,789 – $7,415	$37,529 – $41,155
Owsley County	$80,100	$3,110 – $6,328	$19,130 – $22,348
Pendleton County	$159,800	$3,741 – $7,336	$35,701 – $39,296
Perry County	$91,800	$3,198 – $6,468	$21,558 – $24,828
Pike County	$112,000	$3,349 – $6,711	$25,749 – $29,111
Powell County	$141,100	$3,553 – $7,041	$31,773 – $35,261
Pulaski County	$166,900	$3,750 – $7,355	$37,130 – $40,735
Robertson County	$165,100	$3,711 – $7,296	$36,731 – $40,316
Rockcastle County	$123,600	$3,394 – $6,788	$28,114 – $31,508
Rowan County	$161,800	$3,688 – $7,259	$36,048 – $39,619
Russell County	$163,200	$3,705 – $7,285	$36,345 – $39,925
Scott County	$288,500	$4,674 – $8,837	$62,374 – $66,537
Shelby County	$304,800	$4,850 – $9,114	$65,810 – $70,074
Simpson County	$229,400	$4,204 – $8,086	$50,084 – $53,966
Spencer County	$330,000	$4,987 – $9,340	$70,987 – $75,340
Taylor County	$174,200	$3,821 – $7,468	$38,661 – $42,308
Todd County	$166,700	$3,724 – $7,316	$37,064 – $40,656
Trigg County	$207,700	$4,030 – $7,807	$45,570 – $49,347
Trimble County	$172,000	$3,796 – $7,429	$38,196 – $41,829
Union County	$104,500	$3,327 – $6,672	$24,227 – $27,572
Warren County	$258,000	$4,438 – $8,459	$56,038 – $60,059
Washington County	$179,200	$3,848 – $7,513	$39,688 – $43,353
Wayne County	$135,700	$3,499 – $6,955	$30,639 – $34,095
Webster County	$112,900	$3,392 – $6,776	$25,972 – $29,356
Whitley County	$131,800	$3,489 – $6,937	$29,849 – $33,297
Wolfe County	$75,800	$3,057 – $6,244	$18,217 – $21,404
Woodford County	$299,700	$4,779 – $9,003	$64,719 – $68,943

Estimates for planning only. Cash at closing is the 20% down payment plus closing costs and the buyer's transfer tax.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to common questions about closing on a home in Kentucky.

How much are closing costs in Kentucky?

With 20% down, buyer closing costs in Kentucky run $3,037 in Breathitt County to $10,331 in Oldham County, each at its median home value: lender and title fees, appraisal, inspection, recording, and prepaid interest, insurance and property tax. Pick your county in the calculator for your own figures.

Does Kentucky have a transfer tax, and who pays it?

Yes. Sellers usually pay the 0.1% transfer tax. $0.50/$500 (0.1%) on grantor per KRS 142.050. Seller pays.

Do I need an attorney to close on a home in Kentucky?

Typically, yes. Kentucky is an attorney-closing state, so the calculator includes a real estate attorney fee in the closing cost range.

How much cash do I need to close on a home in Kentucky?

With 20% down, cash due at closing in Kentucky runs $16,522 in Letcher County to $88,951 in Oldham County, each at its median home value: the down payment plus closing costs.

More on Kentucky

Property tax by county, exemptions and median home values are on the Kentucky property tax page. Compare other states on the closing cost calculator. How every figure is built is on the methodology page.