Average Closing Costs in Florida: What Buyers Should Budget in 2026

If you're trying to keep cash-to-close realistic, especially when using low-down-payment options, this guide will help you budget before you write an offer. Many buyers are relieved to learn they can buy with less down, but closing costs still need a plan.

1) What "closing costs" includes (plain English)

Closing costs are the fees and prepaid items required to close your mortgage and transfer ownership. They usually include:

• Title and settlement services (closing/escrow, title search, title insurance)

• Lender fees (origination-related charges, depending on the file)

• Appraisal and credit-related items (varies, but appraisal is common)

• Government fees (recording, etc.)

• Prepaids and escrows (homeowners insurance, property taxes, prepaid interest)

Important: "Cash to close" = down payment + closing costs + escrows/prepaids (minus any credits). For a full bucket-by-bucket breakdown for 2026 planning, we've put together a separate guide that walks through every component.

2) How much are closing costs in Florida for buyers in 2026?

A simple planning rule that stays accurate for most transactions:

• Closing costs:2%–4% of the purchase price (not the down payment)

Example: $450,000 purchase

• 2% = $9,000

• 4% = $18,000

Is 2%–4% normal for Florida closing costs?

Yes. This range is realistic for most buyers. That range can tighten or widen depending on:

• Insurance premium size and escrow setup

• County tax levels and reassessment expectations

• Condo vs single-family (HOA/condo docs can affect timing and some fees)

• Seller credits (which can reduce out-of-pocket)

If you're budgeting beyond the mortgage payment, remember that closing costs are just one piece. To understand the full ownership-cost context in South Florida, it helps to see what your mortgage statement won't show.

If you want a realistic cash-to-close estimate for your price range and county, it's best to run numbers before you offer—not after.

3) County-by-county (Miami-Dade vs Broward vs Palm Beach): what actually changes

The truth: many line items are similar across Florida, but your escrows/prepaids often swing more in South Florida.

Miami-Dade (often higher "cash at closing" feel)

Why it can trend higher:

• Insurance escrows can be higher (especially closer to the coast)

• Taxes and escrow buffers can push total cash needed up

Broward (often the "middle")

Why it often feels more predictable:

• Many buyers land in a mid-range escrow/prepaid bucket

• Master-planned communities can have stable processes (but HOA dues still matter)

Palm Beach (inland can trend slightly lower, coastal can trend higher)

Why it varies:

• Inland areas can feel more tax/insurance efficient at similar price points

• Coastal areas can behave more like Miami-Dade due to insurance exposure

If you're wondering why the insurance side of "prepaids" can move so much, that's tied to Florida's unique insurance market dynamics.

We see these patterns most often with buyers in cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Weston, and Boca Raton—where insurance exposure and escrow setup can vary block by block.

4) "Typical" closing cost categories (with realistic ranges)

These are common buyer-side ranges for a mid-priced South Florida purchase. Exact fees vary by file.

A) Title + settlement (common range: $1,800–$2,500+)

Includes closing/settlement, search, and title-related services. Title insurance base rates are regulated, but the total package varies by provider and transaction structure.

B) Recording / government fees (often $200–$500)

Usually not the big swing factor, but it's always part of the final number.

C) Inspection + appraisal (often $900–$1,600)

• Home inspection: commonly $350–$550

• Wind mitigation / 4-point: commonly $100–$250 (when needed)

• Appraisal: commonly $500–$700

D) Prepaids + escrows (often $3,200–$6,500+ in South Florida)

This is the category that surprises buyers most.

• Homeowners insurance can be paid up front and/or escrowed

• Taxes are escrowed and may require a buffer

• The closing date impacts prepaid interest

If you want to spot fee issues early, learning to compare Loan Estimates correctly can save you thousands.

For most South Florida buyers, prepaids, not lender fees, drive cash-to-close.

5) Two mistakes that inflate closing-day stress (and how to avoid them)

Mistake #1: Budgeting based on someone else's property taxes

Taxes can reset after purchase. Always plan based on your purchase price and realistic escrow expectations. We cover this in detail in our guide on what buyers need to know about property taxes in South Florida before closing.

Mistake #2: Treating insurance like a "last week" task

Insurance can change cash-to-close through escrows and can delay closings if handled late. (This also affects approval.) Our guide on what buyers must budget for with Florida home insurance in 2026 can help you plan ahead.

Final takeaway

In 2026, Florida closing costs are predictable when you treat them as a planning category, not a surprise. The biggest differences between Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach usually come from insurance and tax escrows, not random mystery fees. Get a realistic estimate early, and your offer strategy becomes calmer and cleaner.

Based on what we see daily in South Florida closings, most buyer surprises come from escrows—not fees.

Next steps

• Get pre-approved in minutes: Start your application now

• Explore Florida homebuyer programs: Learn about low-down-payment and first-time buyer options

• Book a strategy call: Schedule a call to review your plan and avoid costly mistakes

EZ Funding Group, Inc. NMLS #349022 | Jaime Charouf NMLS #348964 | Equal Housing Lender