RealCostIQ

Closing Costs

Closing Costs in Tennessee (2026): What You'll Pay at the Table

Closing costs in Tennessee average 2.30% of the purchase price — $7,211 on a $313,544 home. That's on top of your down payment, including a 0.04% transfer tax, and optional attorney costs. Here's exactly what you'll pay at the table.

Viewing:
·Switch state to compare

As % of purchase price

2.30%

ClosingCorp 2021 / Urban Institute 2025

Transfer tax rate

0.04%

State revenue authority

What's Included in Tennessee Closing Costs

Breakdown on a $313,544 purchase with 6.4% rate

FeeEst. Amount
Loan origination fee$2,508
Appraisal$550
Title search & insurance$1,300
Transfer taxTennessee-specific$116
Prepaid interest$660
Homeowners insurance (escrow)$2,758
Property tax (escrow)$361
Recording & govt fees$250
Total estimated closing costs$7,211

Estimates based on $313,544 purchase. Actual costs vary by lender, county, and loan type.

Closing Costs Calculator — Tennessee

Pre-loaded with Tennessee's transfer tax rate and median purchase price of $313,544

Closing Costs Estimator

Tennessee rates pre-loaded

$
0%50%

Estimated Closing Costs

$5,248

1.7% of purchase price

Loan origination fee (est. 1%)$2,508
Appraisal$500
Title insurance — lender's policy (est. 0.5%)$1,254
Transfer tax (0.04%)$116
Recording fees$200
Prepaid interest (est. 15 days)$670

Estimates only. Actual costs vary by lender, title company, and county.

Full Calculator →

Tennessee Real Estate Transfer Tax

Transfer taxes are calculated on the sale price and paid at closing

Rate

0.04%

On median-price home

$116

Tennessee Documentary Tax: $0.37 per $100 of consideration on the deed (0.037%). Additionally, mortgage recordation tax of $0.115 per $100 on loan amount (0.115%), paid by buyer. Effective combined rate very low — among the lowest in the nation.

Source: Tennessee revenue authority

Attorney at Closing: Not Required in Tennessee

Tennessee uses title companies and escrow officers

An attorney is not required at closing in Tennessee. A title company or escrow officer handles the closing process. You may still hire an attorney for contract review — typically $300$800 — but it's optional.

Estimated Closing Costs by City in Tennessee

Based on each city's median price and Tennessee's closing cost rates

Closing cost estimates — Tennessee cities

CityMedian PriceTransfer TaxTitle InsuranceEst. Total
Nashville$438,000$162$1,300$10,074
Brentwood$870,000$322$1,300$20,010
Knoxville$325,000$120$1,300$7,475
Memphis$162,000$60$1,300$3,726
Chattanooga$305,000$113$1,300$7,015
Source: ClosingCorp 2021 / Urban Institute 2025 — estimated at 2.30% of purchase price

APR Calculator — True Cost of Your Loan

APR folds in closing costs so you can compare loans with different fee structures. Pre-loaded with Tennessee's median loan amount of $250,835 at 6.4%.

APR Calculator

Compare loans with different fee structures by seeing the true annual percentage rate — pre-loaded with Tennessee's median loan amount of $250,835.

Open Calculator →

Should You Buy Points to Lower Your Rate?

Each point costs 1% of the loan ($2,508) and reduces your rate by roughly 0.25%. This calculator shows your break-even month.

Mortgage Points Break-Even Calculator

Find your break-even month — pre-loaded with Tennessee's $250,835 median loan at 6.4%.

Open Calculator →

How to Reduce Closing Costs in Tennessee

1

Shop lenders — fees vary widely

Origination fees and points differ by lender. Get Loan Estimates from at least 3 lenders on the same day so you compare apples to apples. A 0.5% difference on a $250,835 loan is $1,254.

2

Negotiate seller concessions

In a buyer-friendly market, sellers may agree to cover 2-3% of closing costs. On a $313,544 Tennessee home, a 2% concession is $6,271 — nearly your entire closing cost budget.

3

Understand who pays transfer tax

Tennessee Documentary Tax: $0.37 per $100 of consideration on the deed (0.037%). Additionally, mortgage recordation tax of $0.115 per $100 on loan amount (0.115%), paid by buyer. Effective combined rate very low — among the lowest in the nation. Transfer tax is sometimes negotiable between buyer and seller depending on local custom and market conditions.

4

Compare title insurance quotes

In most states, you can choose your own title company. Call 2-3 providers — rates are often filed with the state but there can be flexibility in bundled services.

5

Close near end of month

Closing at month-end minimizes prepaid interest (you only owe interest from closing date to month-end, then your first payment isn't due for ~6 weeks). On $250,835 at 6.4%, each day saved is $44.

Mortgage Payment Calculator — Tennessee

After closing costs, here's what your monthly payment looks like on $313,544 in Tennessee

Mortgage Estimator

Tennessee rates pre-loaded

$
3%50%
%

Monthly Payment (P&I)

$1,569

principal & interest only

Loan amount$250,835
Est. property tax$261/mo
Est. total with tax$1,830/mo
Total interest (30 yr)$314,001

Estimate only — excludes insurance, PMI, HOA.

Full Calculator →

Frequently Asked Questions

What are average closing costs in Tennessee?
Closing costs in Tennessee average 2.30% of the purchase price. On the state median of $313,544, that's approximately $7,211. Tennessee ranks Below average — very low transfer tax and no income tax make Tennessee a low-cost state overall nationally. Source: ClosingCorp 2021 / Urban Institute 2025.
Does Tennessee have a real estate transfer tax?
Yes. Tennessee Documentary Tax: $0.37 per $100 of consideration on the deed (0.037%). Additionally, mortgage recordation tax of $0.115 per $100 on loan amount (0.115%), paid by buyer. Effective combined rate very low — among the lowest in the nation. On a $313,544 home, the transfer tax alone is $116.
Is an attorney required to close on a home in Tennessee?
No — Tennessee does not require an attorney at closing. A title company or escrow officer handles the closing process. You may still choose to hire an attorney for contract review, which is optional.
What is title insurance and how much does it cost in Tennessee?
Title insurance protects the lender (and optionally you) against ownership disputes, liens, and title defects discovered after closing. In Tennessee, lender's title insurance averages $1,300. Owner's title insurance is separate and typically costs 0.5–1% of the purchase price. Unlike other insurance, it's a one-time premium paid at closing.
Can closing costs be rolled into the mortgage in Tennessee?
You cannot roll closing costs into a purchase mortgage — lenders fund only the home's purchase price. However, you can negotiate seller concessions (seller pays your closing costs), use a slightly higher rate in exchange for lender credits, or apply down payment assistance funds toward closing costs. On a $250,835 loan in Tennessee, 1 point of lender credit costs about $627/mo extra in payment.
When do I get the Closing Disclosure in Tennessee?
Federal law (TRID) requires your lender to provide the Closing Disclosure at least 3 business days before closing. It shows final loan terms, monthly payment, and itemized closing costs. Compare it carefully to your Loan Estimate — lenders are limited in how much certain fees can change between the two documents.
What closing costs are tax-deductible in Tennessee?
Most closing costs are not deductible. Exceptions: prepaid mortgage interest (the interest accrued between closing and your first payment), and mortgage points paid to buy down your rate may be deductible in the year paid or amortized over the loan term. Property taxes prepaid at closing are deductible up to the $10,000 SALT cap. Consult a tax professional for Tennessee-specific guidance.

Related Calculators