Our real estate calculator can help you estimate how much you can expect to pay in realtor fees when selling your home. Real estate agent commission is typically the largest expense you'll face as a home seller, which means it's the biggest bite out of your net proceeds.
The average real estate commission is 5.44% nationwide. This includes a listing agent average fee of 2.77% and an average buyer's agent rate of 2.67%.
For the typical U.S. home seller, this means about $20,000 subtracted from the sale price.
Fortunately, you don't need to pay 2.77% in listing agent commission. Our free referral service pre-negotiates a 1.5% rate with top-rated agents in your area. The typical home seller saves over $6,000!
💰 Ready to save thousands on realtor fees? Fill out this form to get matched with top-rated local agents who charge a 1.5% listing fee!
Real estate commission calculator
How to use our calculator
- Enter your expected sale price in the 'Home sale price' field.
- Find your state's average realtor fees in the state average commission table below.
- Enter the listing agent and buyer's agent concession percentages to see your estimated costs.
- Find ways to save! Adjust the commission rates to target a negotiable commission rate, or simply note the savings available when using a 1.5% realtor.
Our commission calculator provides estimates only and should not replace a detailed seller's net sheet from a real estate professional. Your actual costs and savings may vary based on your specific circumstances and local market conditions.
Average real estate commission by state
| State | Average listing agent commission | Average buyer agent commission | Total average commission rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 5.68% | 2.91% | 2.77% |
| Alaska* | 5.22% | 2.57% | 2.65% |
| Arizona | 5.44% | 2.70% | 2.74% |
| Arkansas* | 5.41% | 2.68% | 2.73% |
| California | 5.18% | 2.57% | 2.61% |
| Colorado | 5.74% | 2.83% | 2.91% |
| Connecticut* | 5.45% | 2.56% | 2.89% |
| Delaware* | 5.41% | 2.68% | 2.73% |
| Washington DC | 5.36% | 2.71% | 2.65% |
| Florida | 5.65% | 2.77% | 2.88% |
| Georgia | 5.22% | 2.57% | 2.65% |
| Hawaii* | 5.67% | 2.79% | 2.88% |
| Idaho* | 5.18% | 2.58% | 2.60% |
| Illinois | 5.35% | 2.66% | 2.69% |
| Indiana | 5.62% | 2.69% | 2.93% |
| Iowa* | 5.62% | 2.69% | 2.93% |
| Kansas* | 5.41% | 2.71% | 2.70% |
| Kentucky* | 5.43% | 2.59% | 2.84% |
| Louisiana* | 5.29% | 2.53% | 2.76% |
| Maine* | 5.13% | 2.39% | 2.74% |
| Maryland | 5.53% | 2.64% | 2.89% |
| Massachusetts* | 6.03% | 2.98% | 3.05% |
| Michigan | 5.75% | 2.63% | 3.12% |
| Minnesota | 5.41% | 2.68% | 2.73% |
| Mississippi* | 5.77% | 2.87% | 2.90% |
| Missouri | 5.67% | 2.79% | 2.88% |
| Montana* | 5.62% | 2.69% | 2.93% |
| Nebraska* | 5.67% | 2.79% | 2.88% |
| New Hampshire* | 5.29% | 2.53% | 2.76% |
| New Jersey | 4.92% | 2.33% | 2.59% |
| New Mexico* | 5.60% | 2.82% | 2.78% |
| New York | 5.36% | 2.58% | 2.78% |
| North Carolina | 5.46% | 2.63% | 2.83% |
| North Dakota* | 5.62% | 2.69% | 2.93% |
| Ohio | 5.87% | 2.73% | 3.14% |
| Oklahoma* | 5.60% | 2.82% | 2.78% |
| Oregon | 5.22% | 2.57% | 2.65% |
| Pennsylvania* | 5.37% | 2.62% | 2.75% |
| Rhode Island* | 5.29% | 2.53% | 2.76% |
| South Carolina | 5.34% | 2.67% | 2.67% |
| South Dakota* | 5.62% | 2.69% | 2.93% |
| Tennessee | 5.42% | 2.67% | 2.75% |
| Texas | 5.64% | 2.82% | 2.82% |
| Utah* | 5.67% | 2.79% | 2.88% |
| Vermont* | 5.29% | 2.53% | 2.76% |
| Virginia | 5.35% | 2.76% | 2.59% |
| Washington | 5.33% | 2.58% | 2.75% |
| West Virginia* | 5.45% | 2.50% | 2.95% |
| Wisconsin | 5.41% | 2.68% | 2.73% |
| Wyoming* | 5.71% | 2.44% | 3.27% |
| Nevada* | 5.67% | 2.79% | 2.88% |
How much is my house worth?
The most accurate ways to determine home value are a comparative market analysis and a home appraisal.
A comparative market analysis (or CMA) is prepared by a realtor using publicly available information about your local real estate market. The realtor will look at recently sold homes similar to yours in the area and use that information to determine a listing price for your home.
An agent will typically prepare a CMA for a potential client to discuss during an initial meeting.
A home appraisal is conducted by a licensed appraiser who inspects the home before writing a detailed appraisal report with a valuation. Home appraisers are typically hired by mortgage companies as part of the loan process.
Home value estimators can help with a rough idea of your home's value, but they're not as accurate or comprehensive as a CMA.
Who pays realtor fees?
Traditionally, home sellers have been responsible for paying the entire real estate commission, covering both their listing agent's fee and the buyer's agent's commission. These fees are typically deducted from your sale proceeds at closing, so you don't pay anything upfront.
Recent industry changes following the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement have created more flexibility in how commissions are structured:
- Sellers are no longer required to offer compensation to buyer's agents
- Buyers may now directly negotiate their agent's fees
- Listing agents can no longer advertise buyer's agent commissions in the MLS
Despite these changes, most sellers still choose to offer a buyer's agent concession (typically 2.5–3%) to attract more potential buyers and ensure their property receives maximum exposure.
Why would a seller choose to pay for the buyer's agent?
Most home sellers still offer a buyer's agent concession because most listing agents recommend doing so. Offering to pay for the buyer's agent makes the home more affordable, which creates a larger group of eligible buyers.
Arguably, it's easier for the seller to pay for the buyer's agent commission, since they can adjust the price of the home to cover it. This extra amount can then be folded into the buyer's mortgage loan.
If, on the other hand, the buyer has to pay for their own agent, they'll need to come up with an extra 2–3% on top of the down payment. That could be just enough to make them cross your home off their list of possibilities.
Save on commission
Here are a few common ways to save on commission and increase your net profits from your home sale.
Low-commission real estate agents
Some brokerages connect sellers with top local agents who have agreed to work for a 1.5% listing fee. These services offer:
- Full-service representation from experienced agents at established brokerages
- The same marketing, support, and expertise as traditional 3% agents
- Pre-negotiated low rates, eliminating the need for uncomfortable commission discussions
- Potential savings of $6,000 and up, depending on your home's value
💰 Start interviewing 1.5% agents today! Fill out this form to find top-rated agents near you.
Sell without a realtor (FSBO)
Selling a house without a realtor is one way to avoid paying real estate commission, but you'll need to do all of the work an agent would normally handle.
Also, several studies of FSBO sales suggest these homes often sell for less than those sold through agents.
Negotiate with traditional agents
Real estate commission is always negotiable. You can attempt to negotiate lower commission rates with conventional agents.
Your level of success will depend on your circumstances. For example, if you're selling a desirable property in a seller's market, an agent may be more likely to work for a lower rate because the sale will require less work. The same agent might be unwilling to lower their rate for a fixer-upper that takes more effort to sell for less money.
Some things to consider about negotiating real estate commission:
- Typically results in modest reductions (0.25–0.5% off standard rates)
- Requires strong negotiation skills
- May be uncomfortable or difficult for many sellers
Frequently asked questions
When do I pay the real estate commission?
Commission is paid at closing and is deducted from your sale proceeds. You don't need to pay anything upfront or out of pocket.
Who pays real estate agent commissions?
Traditionally, sellers have covered both agents' commissions. With recent industry changes, buyers may now be responsible for negotiating and paying their own agent's fees in some cases, though many sellers still offer to pay a buyer's agent concession to attract more potential buyers.
Are real estate commissions negotiable?
Yes, all real estate commissions are negotiable. There is no standard or required rate. However, many sellers find it easier to work with a low-commission real estate company with pre-negotiated low rates rather than trying to negotiate directly with agents.
Methodology
Our commission data is based on a nationwide survey of 806 real estate agents conducted in April 2025. The survey asked agents to report typical commission rates for buyer and listing agents in their respective markets.
We analyzed this data to calculate average commission rates nationally and by state, considering regional variations and market trends. Additional information on home values was gathered from authoritative sources like Zillow and the U.S. Federal Reserve to provide context for commission calculations.
All savings estimates are based on the difference between the average listing fee in each state and a 1.5% listing fee, applied to median home values in those areas. These calculations assume the buyer's agent commission remains at the state average rate.
