How Much Does It Cost to Buy a House? (Price Guide)

Buying a house costs more than the price on the listing. Before you get the keys, you pay a down payment, closing costs, an appraisal, an inspection, and the expense of moving. Later come property taxes, insurance, and repairs, which this page does not total up.

The headline figure above spans a wide range because the down payment is the biggest variable. A buyer putting down the minimum faces a very different bill than one putting down a fifth of the price. The sections below take each piece in turn and show where the published numbers come from.

The down payment is usually the largest single cash item. It is a share of the purchase price, so the dollar amount scales with the home.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) figures, reported by NerdWallet, show that first-time buyers put down less than repeat buyers. Repeat buyers often bring equity from a previous home. Redfin gives its own average and a typical range. A conventional loan can allow a down payment as low as the share shown above, though lenders often attach mortgage insurance when the down payment is less than a fifth of the price.

Redfin's dollar average is tied to a median price from June 2026, and the CNBC Select closing figure is for 2025. The two come from different years and different sources, so they should not be added together as a single estimate.

Closing costs cover lender fees, title services, recording, prepaid taxes and insurance, and other charges due when the sale is finalized.

Sources disagree slightly on the base. NerdWallet measures closing costs against the loan amount. Redfin measures them against the purchase price. CNBC Select cites a share of the mortgage. CNBC Select also reports an average share and dollar amount, shown in the next table. Your lender's Loan Estimate itemizes the real figures, and it matters more than any national average. For a full breakdown, see a dedicated closing cost guide.

Several smaller items can come due before or at closing.

The home inspection is typically optional but common, and the buyer usually pays for it. The appraisal is ordered by the lender, and the borrower pays the fee. Moving costs depend on distance and how much you are moving. These items are easy to overlook when you are focused on the down payment.

Other expenses can show up, depending on your situation: a survey, a home warranty, utility deposits, and immediate repairs or furnishings. The sources used here do not give figures for those, so ask your agent and lender what to expect.

The two overall estimates below are not a like-for-like comparison.

NerdWallet gives a low-to-high scenario for a sample home, from a small down payment to a large one. Redfin works from a single example home with a 15 percent down payment. The Redfin figure is a single point, and the NerdWallet row is a range, so the Redfin number can fall within or outside it depending on how each source counted. Price, down payment size, and which costs are included may all differ, so these numbers show how much results can swing.

• Purchase price. Almost every item scales with it.
• Down payment size. This is the biggest swing factor, from the minimum to a fifth or more of the price.
• Loan type. Conventional and government-backed loans carry different requirements.
• Location. Taxes, recording fees, and moving costs differ by area.
• Lender and title company. Fees vary, so compare Loan Estimates.
• Seller concessions. A seller may agree to cover part of your closing costs as part of the offer.

• Get Loan Estimates from several lenders and compare the fee sections.
• Ask about down payment assistance programs in your state or city. A lender or housing counselor can tell you what exists.
• Negotiate seller concessions in your offer.
• Shop for the services your lender lets you choose, such as title.
• Decide how much to put down based on your monthly budget and cash reserves. A lender or financial professional can help you weigh that.

The costs above are the entry fee. Ownership adds property taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance, and utilities, and these continue as long as you own the house. Keep some cash in reserve after closing so one repair does not become a financial emergency. For advice about your own budget, talk to a lender or a licensed financial professional.