Buying a home in Ohio

Property taxes, transfer taxes, home values and first-time buyer help in Ohio.

Effective property tax rate

1.31%

Median tax $2,822 ÷ median value $214,800 (ACS 2020–2024)

Typical home value

$248,803

Zillow ZHVI, 2026-08

State transfer tax

0.1%

Usually paid by: seller. Ohio Rev. Code § 319.54 (conveyance fee). Official source. Local taxes may add more.

Estimated buyer closing costs Estimate

$2,300–$4,100

On a $248,803 home: typical lender fees + title insurance + deed recording (TallyClose) + the buyer’s share of transfer/recording taxes. Excludes prepaids, escrow and local taxes.

At Ohio's effective rate of 1.31%, a typical $248,803 home would owe about $3,259/year ($272/month) in property taxes. Actual bills depend on your county, city and exemptions. Run your numbers.

First-time homebuyer programs

Ohio Housing Finance Agency

Your state housing finance agency offers down payment assistance and low-rate mortgages for eligible buyers. Visit Ohio Housing Finance Agency →

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year (B25103, B25077); Zillow Home Value Index; TallyClose closing-cost dataset (CC BY 4.0), which cites each state statute; NCSHA HFA directory. Last updated 2026-10-15.