County closing cost calculator
Closing Cost Calculator for Clarke County
Closing costs in Clarke County are among the lowest in the country, largely because the county's 0.499% effective property tax rate keeps prepaid taxes small. Half a year's tax on a median home runs just $285 at closing — a fraction of what buyers pay in high-tax states. Combined with standard lender and third-party fees of roughly $3,429, total cash-to-close on a 20% down purchase runs about $26,574. For buyers comparing markets, the prepaid tax savings here are material and worth factoring into the offer strategy. In this tax tier, the prepaid tax line often runs below $500 on a median-priced home — a minor line item compared with lender fees. Below Mississippi's statewide average, this county's effective rate keeps the prepaid tax line more modest than what buyers see in higher-tax parts of the state.(c, s) => ` Below the ${s.name} median, this price tier typically carries lower absolute closing costs — title insurance, appraisal, and prepaid tax all scale down with loan amount. First-time buyer programs and FHA financing often apply at this level, which can reduce the cash-to-close requirement further.` Household earnings of $46,054 run below the Mississippi median, making the total cash-to-close figure a larger share of typical annual household budgets. Buyers in this income tier often pair conventional financing with state down-payment assistance or FHA-backed loans to bridge the gap. Careful planning — timing the purchase, accumulating reserves over a longer horizon, and shopping lenders aggressively — matters more here than in higher-income markets where a single bonus or equity event can close the cash gap. Rents in Clarke County run below the national median at $803 per month. Buyers transitioning from rental housing may find the ownership carrying cost a larger step up relative to what they are currently paying, which raises the importance of budgeting the full cash-to-close figure before making an offer. The lower rental baseline also means less accumulated monthly savings momentum coming out of rental mode, so the savings plan often needs to start earlier. This locale ranks in the bottom quartile of Mississippi by effective property tax rate — a position that concentrates prepaid tax at the very modest end of the statewide distribution. Purchasers here see settlement statements where the prepaid-tax column is a minor line item relative to third-party services, and ongoing escrow funding that stays structurally low. The advantage compounds over holding periods: what looks like a small annual delta on a single tax bill aggregates into meaningful long-term carrying-cost savings when compared against higher-quartile jurisdictions in the same state. Median home values below $150,000 place this jurisdiction in the most affordable tier of the national housing distribution. Settlement charges are correspondingly low — title, appraisal, and origination fees scale down with loan amount, and prepaid tax on a lower assessed value remains modest. First-time buyer programs, USDA rural development financing, and state housing agency products are most impactful in this tier. Purchasers here frequently use a stack of assistance programs to reduce the upfront cash burden below what the raw settlement figure would otherwise require. The chart below shows how transaction costs scale across five price points in Clarke County.
Closing Cost Details
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Insights
Closing Cost Landscape in Clarke County
Prepaid property tax in Clarke County runs just $285 at closing — a fraction of the national average for this line item. The county's 0.499% effective rate is among the lowest in the country, and that shows up directly in the closing cost total. Buyers comparing options in Mississippi frequently find that this county allows a lower total cash-to-close than nearby jurisdictions. This is one of the smallest prepaid tax figures in the country — a meaningful cash-flow advantage at closing. Within Mississippi, Clarke County ranks 6th lowest of 82 counties by effective property tax rate — which directly shapes the prepaid tax line here.
Cash needed to close in Clarke County runs approximately $26,574 on a 20% down purchase — a substantial sum against the median household income of $46,054. Buyers here typically need more than a year's worth of median income saved to cover down payment, closing costs, and prepaid items. Many rely on gift funds, down payment assistance programs, or lender credits to bridge the gap. Planning the cash requirement early — before making an offer — matters more here than in lower-cost markets. Income levels in Clarke County run below the Mississippi average, making the cash-to-close figure a larger share of typical annual household budgets than in higher-income counties.
Closing Costs by Home Price — Clarke County
In an affordable market, even entry-level purchases carry meaningful transaction costs. The table below shows the breakdown across five price points, from below median to above. Prepaid property tax at the county's rate is included in each row's total, giving buyers a complete picture of cash needed at closing.
| Home Price | Buyer Closing (3%) | Prepaid Property Tax | Total Est. Closing |
|---|---|---|---|
| $55,000 | $1,650 | $137 | $1,787 |
| $85,000 | $2,550 | $212 | $2,762 |
| $115,000 | $3,450 | $287 | $3,737 |
| $170,000 | $5,100 | $424 | $5,524 |
| $230,000 | $6,900 | $574 | $7,474 |
Frequently asked questions
In a county with one of the lowest property tax rates in the country, questions tend to focus on how the prepaid line affects cash-to-close and what to expect on the Closing Disclosure. Answers use Clarke County-specific figures.
How much are closing costs in Clarke County?
Typical closing costs in Clarke County run 2-5% of the purchase price. On a median-priced home of $114,300, that's roughly $3,429 at the 3% midpoint. Prepaid property tax at 0.499% adds another $285 at closing.
What is the total cash needed at closing in Clarke County?
On a median $114,300 home with 20% down plus closing costs and prepaid items, total cash-to-close runs approximately $26,574. That represents a substantial cash burden relative to local income.
How does the property tax rate in Clarke County affect closing costs?
Clarke County's effective rate of 0.499% is among the lowest in the country, and runs moderately below Mississippi's statewide average. The rate directly determines the prepaid tax line at closing — roughly $285 on a median-priced home, collected in escrow to fund the next tax cycle.
What is the median home value in Clarke County?
The county's median home value is $114,300 (Census ACS 2023). Median household income is $46,054, and median gross rent runs $803 per month.
Are closing costs negotiable in Clarke County?
Partially. Lender origination fees, discount points, title insurance, and appraisal can be shopped across lenders. Government recording fees and prepaid property taxes ($285 on a median home) are fixed by Clarke County and Mississippi statute.
How long does closing take in Clarke County?
Financed purchases in Clarke County typically close in 30-45 days from accepted offer. Cash purchases can close in 2-3 weeks. Timeline depends on lender underwriting speed, appraisal scheduling, and title search turnaround.
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Disclaimer: This calculator and the content on this page are for educational purposes only. They do not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Rates, loan limits, and eligibility criteria vary by lender, location, and borrower profile. Always consult a licensed financial professional before making borrowing decisions. CalcPier is independent and not affiliated with any lender listed on this page.