County closing cost calculator
Closing Cost Calculator for Billings County
Closing costs in Billings County are among the lowest in the country, largely because the county's 0.369% effective property tax rate keeps prepaid taxes small. Half a year's tax on a median home runs just $595 at closing — a fraction of what buyers pay in high-tax states. Combined with standard lender and third-party fees of roughly $9,675, total cash-to-close on a 20% down purchase runs about $74,770. 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. Compared with the rest of North Dakota, this county's rate is significantly lower — a rare position that keeps closing costs well contained relative to state and national benchmarks.(c, s) => ` Priced above the ${s.name} median, homes in ${c.name} at this level push the closing cost total higher through title insurance (which scales with loan amount), appraisal fees on larger transactions, and a larger prepaid tax collection. Buyers comparing this tier against state averages should expect the cash-to-close figure to run meaningfully above the county baseline.` Median household earnings of $81,250 place buyers here squarely in the mainstream lending pool for North Dakota. The cash requirement lands within what conventional underwriting tolerates at standard debt-to-income ratios. FHA, USDA, and state assistance programs remain available where loan limits and borrower profile allow, giving this tier the broadest range of financing options across the North Dakota market. With rents averaging $630, the Billings County rental market runs well below the national median. The lower rental baseline means ownership carries a larger relative monthly increase here, and buyers often need to plan the transition carefully — accumulating the full down payment plus closing costs while still carrying low rent. Entry-level buyers in this tier frequently rely on longer savings horizons and assistance programs to bridge the gap between the rental and ownership carrying costs. This locale ranks in the bottom quartile of North Dakota 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 between $250,000 and $400,000 place this jurisdiction in the middle price tier of the national distribution. Settlement charges here track the broad mainstream: title, appraisal, and origination fees fall within standard ranges, and prepaid tax sits proportional to assessed value. The market supports the full range of conventional, FHA, and VA financing, giving purchasers broad lender choice. For households comparing across states, the settlement profile here is what most publicly available closing-cost estimators model as typical. The chart below shows how transaction costs scale across five price points in Billings County.
Closing Cost Details
1 point = 1% of loan amount
Total Closing Costs
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Insights
Closing Cost Landscape in Billings County
Prepaid property tax in Billings County runs just $595 at closing — a fraction of the national average for this line item. The county's 0.369% effective rate is among the lowest in the country, and that shows up directly in the closing cost total. Buyers comparing options in North Dakota 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 North Dakota, Billings County ranks 1st lowest of 53 counties by effective property tax rate — which directly shapes the prepaid tax line here.
Cash needed to close in Billings County runs approximately $74,770 on a 20% down purchase — a substantial sum against the median household income of $81,250. 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. Median household income in Billings County tracks the North Dakota average, so the cash requirement here lands close to what buyers in comparable counties face.
Closing Costs by Home Price — Billings County
For buyers looking at homes above the Billings County median, closing costs scale proportionally with price. The scenarios below cover a range from entry-level to premium listings, showing the difference between the base transaction cost (roughly 2-3% of price) and the additional prepaid tax collected at closing.
| Home Price | Buyer Closing (3%) | Prepaid Property Tax | Total Est. Closing |
|---|---|---|---|
| $160,000 | $4,800 | $295 | $5,095 |
| $240,000 | $7,200 | $443 | $7,643 |
| $325,000 | $9,750 | $600 | $10,350 |
| $485,000 | $14,550 | $895 | $15,445 |
| $645,000 | $19,350 | $1,190 | $20,540 |
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 Billings County-specific figures.
How much are closing costs in Billings County?
Typical closing costs in Billings County run 2-5% of the purchase price. On a median-priced home of $322,500, that's roughly $9,675 at the 3% midpoint. Prepaid property tax at 0.369% adds another $595 at closing.
What is the total cash needed at closing in Billings County?
On a median $322,500 home with 20% down plus closing costs and prepaid items, total cash-to-close runs approximately $74,770. That represents a substantial cash burden relative to local income.
How does the property tax rate in Billings County affect closing costs?
Billings County's effective rate of 0.369% is among the lowest in the country, and runs well below North Dakota's statewide average. The rate directly determines the prepaid tax line at closing — roughly $595 on a median-priced home, collected in escrow to fund the next tax cycle.
What is the median home value in Billings County?
The county's median home value is $322,500 (Census ACS 2023). Median household income is $81,250, and median gross rent runs $630 per month.
Are closing costs negotiable in Billings County?
Partially. Lender origination fees, discount points, title insurance, and appraisal can be shopped across lenders. Government recording fees and prepaid property taxes ($595 on a median home) are fixed by Billings County and North Dakota statute.
How long does closing take in Billings County?
Financed purchases in Billings 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.