How much is the transfer tax on my house?
Quick examples at the state rate, the Cape Cod rate, and how to do the math.
Multiply the price by 0.456%. That is $4.56 for every $1,000. A $750,000 sale owes $3,420. A $1 million sale owes $4,560. In Barnstable County (Cape Cod) the rate is $6.48 per $1,000.
Examples
| Sale price | Most of MA ($4.56 per $1,000) | Barnstable County ($6.48 per $1,000) |
|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $2,280 | $3,240 |
| $600,000 | $2,736 | $3,888 |
| $750,000 | $3,420 | $4,860 |
| $900,000 | $4,104 | $5,832 |
| $1,000,000 | $4,560 | $6,480 |
| $1,250,000 | $5,700 | $8,100 |
| $1,500,000 | $6,840 | $9,720 |
| $2,000,000 | $9,120 | $12,960 |
How to figure your own
- Take the sale price. If the buyer is taking over your mortgage, subtract that amount.
- Round up to the next $500.
- Divide by 500.
- Multiply by $2.28. On Cape Cod, multiply by $3.24.
Example: a $612,300 sale rounds up to $612,500. That is 1,225 units of $500. 1,225 times $2.28 is $2,793.
What is not in these numbers
These are state rates only. No city or town we serve charges its own transfer fee as of October 2026, so there is no local line to add. See proposed local transfer fees for where that stands.
The excise is one of several seller costs. To see your full number with commission, attorney and payoff, use our cost-to-sell calculator.
Sources
Questions this page answers
How much is the transfer tax on a $500,000 house in Massachusetts?
$2,280 in most of the state. In Barnstable County (Cape Cod) it is $3,240.
How much is the transfer tax on a $1 million house in Massachusetts?
$4,560 in most of the state, or $6,480 in Barnstable County.
How do I figure it myself?
Round the price up to the next $500. Divide by 500. Multiply by $2.28, or by $3.24 on Cape Cod.
Does this include any local fee?
No. No city or town we serve charges a local transfer fee as of October 2026, so the state rate is the whole tax.