Closing Costs in Scranton, PA: What Buyers Actually Pay in 2026
Buyer closing costs in Scranton average about 3.6% of the purchase price — roughly $7,380 on a $205,000 home. Scranton closing costs generally track the Pennsylvania state average, with variance driven by lender fees, title insurance, and county recording fees.
The typical Scranton closing-cost breakdown
"Closing costs" is a catch-all for six categories of expenses due at settlement in Scranton: lender fees (origination, underwriting, credit report), title work (title insurance and search), appraisal, prepaid items (property taxes, homeowners insurance, prepaid interest), the escrow reserve your lender requires, and the state and local taxes on the transaction itself. Together they typically add up to 3.6% of the purchase price for a Scranton buyer — or about $7,380 on a $205,000 home.
Transfer / recordation tax. Pennsylvania has a 1% state transfer tax plus 1% local tax (higher in Philadelphia), typically split 50/50.
Title companies close; attorneys are optional (common in Philadelphia). In most Scranton closings you'll pay a title or escrow company rather than an attorney.
Estimated line-item costs on a $205,000 Scranton home
| Category | Typical range | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Lender fees (origination, underwriting) | 0.5–1.5% of loan · $1,640–$3,075 | Buyer |
| Title insurance & title search | 0.4–0.9% of price · $820–$1,845 | Split (varies) |
| Appraisal | $500–$800 | Buyer |
| Prepaid property tax & insurance | 3–12 months of escrow | Buyer |
| State/local transfer & recordation tax | Varies (see above) | Split — check locally |
| Attorney fee (optional) | $500–$1,500 | Buyer |
| Total (typical buyer) | ~3.6% · $7,380 | Buyer |
Directional estimates for Scranton in 2026. Real closing costs vary by lender, title company, county recording fees, loan type, and negotiated seller concessions. Always compare Loan Estimates from at least three lenders — the same Scranton buyer can save $2,000–$5,000 by shopping around.
What's unique about closing in Scranton
The single biggest local variable
Pennsylvania has a 1% state transfer tax plus 1% local tax (higher in Philadelphia), typically split 50/50.
Title/escrow close market
Title companies close; attorneys are optional (common in Philadelphia).
How Scranton buyers negotiate
Concessions of 2–3% are standard.
Stack with Scranton DPA
Many Pennsylvania DPA programs also cover closing costs — combining a state or city grant with seller concessions can bring cash-to-close well under 1% of price. See Scranton grants →
Run a real Scranton closing-cost estimate — free
Plug in your target price, loan type, and county. Get a full itemized estimate with lender fees, taxes, and prepaids — the same breakdown a lender's Loan Estimate uses.
Scranton closing costs: FAQ
What are average closing costs in Scranton, PA?▾
Buyer-side closing costs in Scranton average about 3.6% of the purchase price — roughly $7,380 on a $205,000 home. That covers lender fees, title insurance, appraisal, prepaid taxes and insurance, escrow deposits, transfer tax, and recording fees. Actual numbers vary by lender, county, and loan type.
Does Scranton charge a transfer tax at closing?▾
Pennsylvania has a 1% state transfer tax plus 1% local tax (higher in Philadelphia), typically split 50/50.
Do I need a real estate attorney to close in Scranton?▾
Usually not. Title companies close; attorneys are optional (common in Philadelphia). Pennsylvania rules apply throughout the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area. Attorney fees, when required, typically run $500–$1,500.
Can the seller pay my closing costs in Scranton?▾
Yes — seller concessions are common. Concessions of 2–3% are standard. Conventional loans cap concessions at 3% when you put 5% or less down; FHA allows up to 6%; VA up to 4%. Ask your lender before writing the offer on a Scranton home.
How can I lower my closing costs in Scranton?▾
Four levers work in every Scranton deal: (1) shop title insurance and lender fees — they're not fixed; (2) ask the seller for concessions in your offer; (3) apply for down payment and closing-cost assistance programs — many PA programs cover closing costs, not just down payment; (4) time the closing to reduce prepaid interest. Home Approach's Grant Finder shows every Scranton-area program you may qualify for in 30 seconds.