Average Real Estate Commission by State
National average total commission is 5.70% (2.88% listing side + 2.82% buyer side). Rates below are state averages for planning, not fixed prices; every rate is negotiable.
| State | Total | Listing side | Buyer side | On a $400,000 sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 5.96% | 2.96% | 3.00% | $23,840 |
| Alaska | 5.51% | 2.73% | 2.78% | $22,040 |
| Arizona | 5.82% | 2.90% | 2.92% | $23,280 |
| Arkansas | 5.66% | 2.82% | 2.84% | $22,640 |
| California | 5.47% | 2.73% | 2.74% | $21,880 |
| Colorado | 5.71% | 2.98% | 2.73% | $22,840 |
| Connecticut | 5.57% | 2.90% | 2.67% | $22,280 |
| Delaware | 5.66% | 2.82% | 2.84% | $22,640 |
| Florida | 5.57% | 2.75% | 2.82% | $22,280 |
| Georgia | 5.66% | 2.80% | 2.86% | $22,640 |
| Hawaii | 5.51% | 2.73% | 2.78% | $22,040 |
| Idaho | 5.71% | 2.98% | 2.73% | $22,840 |
| Illinois | 5.53% | 2.81% | 2.72% | $22,120 |
| Indiana | 5.50% | 2.65% | 2.85% | $22,000 |
| Iowa | 5.84% | 2.96% | 2.88% | $23,360 |
| Kansas | 5.84% | 2.96% | 2.88% | $23,360 |
| Kentucky | 5.66% | 2.82% | 2.84% | $22,640 |
| Louisiana | 5.66% | 2.82% | 2.84% | $22,640 |
| Maine | 5.57% | 2.90% | 2.67% | $22,280 |
| Maryland | 5.41% | 2.77% | 2.64% | $21,640 |
| Massachusetts | 5.57% | 2.90% | 2.67% | $22,280 |
| Michigan | 6.20% | 3.09% | 3.11% | $24,800 |
| Minnesota | 5.84% | 2.96% | 2.88% | $23,360 |
| Mississippi | 5.66% | 2.82% | 2.84% | $22,640 |
| Missouri | 5.94% | 2.96% | 2.98% | $23,760 |
| Montana | 5.71% | 2.98% | 2.73% | $22,840 |
| Nebraska | 5.84% | 2.96% | 2.88% | $23,360 |
| Nevada | 5.71% | 2.98% | 2.73% | $22,840 |
| New Hampshire | 5.57% | 2.90% | 2.67% | $22,280 |
| New Jersey | 5.20% | 2.70% | 2.50% | $20,800 |
| New Mexico | 5.82% | 2.90% | 2.92% | $23,280 |
| New York | 5.69% | 2.93% | 2.76% | $22,760 |
| North Carolina | 5.53% | 2.80% | 2.73% | $22,120 |
| North Dakota | 5.84% | 2.96% | 2.88% | $23,360 |
| Ohio | 5.90% | 3.10% | 2.80% | $23,600 |
| Oklahoma | 5.82% | 2.90% | 2.92% | $23,280 |
| Oregon | 5.51% | 2.73% | 2.78% | $22,040 |
| Pennsylvania | 5.77% | 2.97% | 2.80% | $23,080 |
| Rhode Island | 5.57% | 2.90% | 2.67% | $22,280 |
| South Carolina | 5.88% | 2.91% | 2.97% | $23,520 |
| South Dakota | 5.84% | 2.96% | 2.88% | $23,360 |
| Tennessee | 6.05% | 2.95% | 3.10% | $24,200 |
| Texas | 5.88% | 2.93% | 2.95% | $23,520 |
| Utah | 5.71% | 2.98% | 2.73% | $22,840 |
| Vermont | 5.57% | 2.90% | 2.67% | $22,280 |
| Virginia | 5.50% | 2.75% | 2.75% | $22,000 |
| Washington | 5.90% | 2.75% | 3.15% | $23,600 |
| Washington DC | 4.50% | 2.00% | 2.50% | $18,000 |
| West Virginia | 5.66% | 2.82% | 2.84% | $22,640 |
| Wisconsin | 5.84% | 2.96% | 2.88% | $23,360 |
| Wyoming | 5.71% | 2.98% | 2.73% | $22,840 |
The average realtor commission rate in every state
The same numbers as the table, written out one state at a time, with what the total works out to on a $400,000 sale and how it compares to the 5.70% national average.
Alabama: the average real estate commission rate is 5.96% total, split roughly 2.96% to the listing side and 3.00% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $23,840, $1,040 above the national average.
Alaska: the average real estate commission rate is 5.51% total, split roughly 2.73% to the listing side and 2.78% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,040, $760 below the national average.
Arizona: the average real estate commission rate is 5.82% total, split roughly 2.90% to the listing side and 2.92% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $23,280, $480 above the national average. Full Arizona breakdown.
Arkansas: the average real estate commission rate is 5.66% total, split roughly 2.82% to the listing side and 2.84% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,640, $160 below the national average.
California: the average real estate commission rate is 5.47% total, split roughly 2.73% to the listing side and 2.74% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $21,880, $920 below the national average. Full California breakdown.
Colorado: the average real estate commission rate is 5.71% total, split roughly 2.98% to the listing side and 2.73% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,840, $40 above the national average. Full Colorado breakdown.
Connecticut: the average real estate commission rate is 5.57% total, split roughly 2.90% to the listing side and 2.67% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,280, $520 below the national average. Full Connecticut breakdown.
Delaware: the average real estate commission rate is 5.66% total, split roughly 2.82% to the listing side and 2.84% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,640, $160 below the national average. Full Delaware breakdown.
Florida: the average real estate commission rate is 5.57% total, split roughly 2.75% to the listing side and 2.82% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,280, $520 below the national average. Full Florida breakdown.
Georgia: the average real estate commission rate is 5.66% total, split roughly 2.80% to the listing side and 2.86% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,640, $160 below the national average. Full Georgia breakdown.
Hawaii: the average real estate commission rate is 5.51% total, split roughly 2.73% to the listing side and 2.78% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,040, $760 below the national average.
Idaho: the average real estate commission rate is 5.71% total, split roughly 2.98% to the listing side and 2.73% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,840, $40 above the national average.
Illinois: the average real estate commission rate is 5.53% total, split roughly 2.81% to the listing side and 2.72% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,120, $680 below the national average. Full Illinois breakdown.
Indiana: the average real estate commission rate is 5.50% total, split roughly 2.65% to the listing side and 2.85% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,000, $800 below the national average. Full Indiana breakdown.
Iowa: the average real estate commission rate is 5.84% total, split roughly 2.96% to the listing side and 2.88% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $23,360, $560 above the national average.
Kansas: the average real estate commission rate is 5.84% total, split roughly 2.96% to the listing side and 2.88% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $23,360, $560 above the national average.
Kentucky: the average real estate commission rate is 5.66% total, split roughly 2.82% to the listing side and 2.84% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,640, $160 below the national average.
Louisiana: the average real estate commission rate is 5.66% total, split roughly 2.82% to the listing side and 2.84% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,640, $160 below the national average.
Maine: the average real estate commission rate is 5.57% total, split roughly 2.90% to the listing side and 2.67% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,280, $520 below the national average.
Maryland: the average real estate commission rate is 5.41% total, split roughly 2.77% to the listing side and 2.64% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $21,640, $1,160 below the national average. Full Maryland breakdown.
Massachusetts: the average real estate commission rate is 5.57% total, split roughly 2.90% to the listing side and 2.67% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,280, $520 below the national average. Full Massachusetts breakdown.
Michigan: the average real estate commission rate is 6.20% total, split roughly 3.09% to the listing side and 3.11% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $24,800, $2,000 above the national average. Full Michigan breakdown.
Minnesota: the average real estate commission rate is 5.84% total, split roughly 2.96% to the listing side and 2.88% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $23,360, $560 above the national average. Full Minnesota breakdown.
Mississippi: the average real estate commission rate is 5.66% total, split roughly 2.82% to the listing side and 2.84% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,640, $160 below the national average.
Missouri: the average real estate commission rate is 5.94% total, split roughly 2.96% to the listing side and 2.98% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $23,760, $960 above the national average.
Montana: the average real estate commission rate is 5.71% total, split roughly 2.98% to the listing side and 2.73% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,840, $40 above the national average.
Nebraska: the average real estate commission rate is 5.84% total, split roughly 2.96% to the listing side and 2.88% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $23,360, $560 above the national average.
Nevada: the average real estate commission rate is 5.71% total, split roughly 2.98% to the listing side and 2.73% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,840, $40 above the national average.
New Hampshire: the average real estate commission rate is 5.57% total, split roughly 2.90% to the listing side and 2.67% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,280, $520 below the national average.
New Jersey: the average real estate commission rate is 5.20% total, split roughly 2.70% to the listing side and 2.50% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $20,800, $2,000 below the national average. Full New Jersey breakdown.
New Mexico: the average real estate commission rate is 5.82% total, split roughly 2.90% to the listing side and 2.92% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $23,280, $480 above the national average. Full New Mexico breakdown.
New York: the average real estate commission rate is 5.69% total, split roughly 2.93% to the listing side and 2.76% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,760, $40 below the national average. Full New York breakdown.
North Carolina: the average real estate commission rate is 5.53% total, split roughly 2.80% to the listing side and 2.73% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,120, $680 below the national average. Full North Carolina breakdown.
North Dakota: the average real estate commission rate is 5.84% total, split roughly 2.96% to the listing side and 2.88% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $23,360, $560 above the national average.
Ohio: the average real estate commission rate is 5.90% total, split roughly 3.10% to the listing side and 2.80% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $23,600, $800 above the national average. Full Ohio breakdown.
Oklahoma: the average real estate commission rate is 5.82% total, split roughly 2.90% to the listing side and 2.92% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $23,280, $480 above the national average. Full Oklahoma breakdown.
Oregon: the average real estate commission rate is 5.51% total, split roughly 2.73% to the listing side and 2.78% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,040, $760 below the national average.
Pennsylvania: the average real estate commission rate is 5.77% total, split roughly 2.97% to the listing side and 2.80% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $23,080, $280 above the national average. Full Pennsylvania breakdown.
Rhode Island: the average real estate commission rate is 5.57% total, split roughly 2.90% to the listing side and 2.67% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,280, $520 below the national average.
South Carolina: the average real estate commission rate is 5.88% total, split roughly 2.91% to the listing side and 2.97% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $23,520, $720 above the national average. Full South Carolina breakdown.
South Dakota: the average real estate commission rate is 5.84% total, split roughly 2.96% to the listing side and 2.88% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $23,360, $560 above the national average.
Tennessee: the average real estate commission rate is 6.05% total, split roughly 2.95% to the listing side and 3.10% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $24,200, $1,400 above the national average. Full Tennessee breakdown.
Texas: the average real estate commission rate is 5.88% total, split roughly 2.93% to the listing side and 2.95% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $23,520, $720 above the national average. Full Texas breakdown.
Utah: the average real estate commission rate is 5.71% total, split roughly 2.98% to the listing side and 2.73% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,840, $40 above the national average.
Vermont: the average real estate commission rate is 5.57% total, split roughly 2.90% to the listing side and 2.67% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,280, $520 below the national average.
Virginia: the average real estate commission rate is 5.50% total, split roughly 2.75% to the listing side and 2.75% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,000, $800 below the national average. Full Virginia breakdown.
Washington: the average real estate commission rate is 5.90% total, split roughly 2.75% to the listing side and 3.15% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $23,600, $800 above the national average. Full Washington breakdown.
Washington DC: the average real estate commission rate is 4.50% total, split roughly 2.00% to the listing side and 2.50% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $18,000, $4,800 below the national average.
West Virginia: the average real estate commission rate is 5.66% total, split roughly 2.82% to the listing side and 2.84% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,640, $160 below the national average.
Wisconsin: the average real estate commission rate is 5.84% total, split roughly 2.96% to the listing side and 2.88% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $23,360, $560 above the national average.
Wyoming: the average real estate commission rate is 5.71% total, split roughly 2.98% to the listing side and 2.73% to the buyer side. On a $400,000 sale that is $22,840, $40 above the national average.
Highest and lowest commission states
The spread from top to bottom is 1.70 percentage points, which is $6,800 on a $400,000 sale. Worth knowing, but smaller than the spread you will find between two agents inside the same state.
Highest average rates
- Michigan, 6.20% ($24,800)
- Tennessee, 6.05% ($24,200)
- Alabama, 5.96% ($23,840)
- Missouri, 5.94% ($23,760)
- Ohio, 5.90% ($23,600)
Lowest average rates
- Washington DC, 4.50% ($18,000)
- New Jersey, 5.20% ($20,800)
- Maryland, 5.41% ($21,640)
- California, 5.47% ($21,880)
- Virginia, 5.50% ($22,000)
Rates are averages of what agents actually charged, not a schedule anyone is bound by. There is no legal commission rate in any state, and price fixing between brokerages is illegal, so the number your agent quotes is a starting point. Run yours through the commission calculator or see what a point of negotiation is worth in the net proceeds calculator.
Why rates vary by state
Commission rates aren't set nationally or by any single rule. They reflect local market norms, competition among agents and brokerages, and how much negotiating happens in each state. The table above uses averages from a February 2026 survey of 533 real estate agents across the US (Clever Real Estate, supplemented by Zillow and St. Louis Fed market data). Rates range from 4.50% in Washington DC to 6.20% in Michigan, around a national average of 5.70%.
How the total splits between the two sides
The total commission is normally shared between two agents: the listing agent who represents the seller, and the buyer's agent. Nationally that works out to about 2.88% on the listing side and 2.82% on the buyer side. Since the August 2024 NAR settlement, the buyer-side amount is negotiated on its own rather than automatically bundled into one listing rate, so the two halves can now move independently. The per-state listing and buyer columns in the table above show how that split looks in each state.
These are averages, not prices
An average commission rate tells you what similar sellers are typically paying in your state, not what you're required to pay. Every commission is a negotiated agreement between you and your agent, and since the 2024 NAR settlement, a separate negotiation covers whatever compensation is offered to a buyer's agent. Use these numbers as a starting point for your own conversation, not a fixed number to accept.
Who pays it, and when
In a standard sale the seller pays the commission out of the sale proceeds at closing, and it is deducted from what the seller walks away with rather than billed separately. After the 2024 settlement, buyers may also agree to pay their own agent directly in some deals, so who covers the buyer side is now part of the negotiation. Either way the money changes hands at closing, not upfront.
Put your own numbers in
State averages are a planning figure. To see the dollar amount on a specific price, run your sale price and rate through the real estate commission calculator, check what you would actually keep with the net proceeds calculator, or see how the total divides between brokerages with the commission split calculator. For a deeper state breakdown, the featured states in the table above each have their own page with a worked example.
Frequently asked questions
- Which state has the highest real estate commission?
- Michigan has the highest average total commission at 6.20%, per the February 2026 survey. Tennessee (6.05%) and Alabama (5.96%) are close behind.
- Which state has the lowest real estate commission?
- Washington DC has the lowest average at 4.50%, followed by New Jersey (5.20%) and Maryland (5.41%).
- Do commission rates differ by city, not just state?
- Yes, these are statewide averages. Rates can vary within a state by metro area, price range, and how competitive the local agent market is, so treat these as a starting benchmark rather than an exact local number.
- What are realtors' commission rates?
- Realtor commission rates typically run from about 4.50% to 6.20% of the sale price depending on the state, with a national average near 5.70% split roughly evenly between the listing agent and the buyer's agent. There is no fixed industry rate. Every rate is set by agreement between a seller and their agent and is negotiable.
- What is the average real estate commission rate right now?
- The national average total commission is about 5.70% of the sale price as of early 2026, roughly 2.88% to the listing agent and 2.82% to the buyer's agent. State averages in the table above run from about 4.50% to 6.20%. All of these are negotiable, not fixed rates.
- Who pays the real estate agent commission?
- Traditionally the seller pays the full commission from the sale proceeds at closing, covering both the listing agent and the buyer's agent. Since the August 2024 NAR settlement, buyers can also agree to pay their own agent directly in some transactions, so who covers the buyer side is now negotiated deal by deal.
- How is the commission split between the two agents?
- The total is usually divided between the listing side and the buyer side, close to half and half on average (about 2.88% and 2.82% nationally). Each agent then typically shares their side with their brokerage. The commission split calculator shows how a given total divides between the two sides and their brokerages.
- What is the average realtor commission rate in my state?
- Find your state in the table or the state-by-state list above. Every state is listed with its total rate, the listing and buyer split, and what that works out to in dollars on a $400,000 sale. The national average is 5.70%.
- Is there a standard commission rate?
- No. There is no legal or standard commission rate in any state, and brokerages agreeing on one would be price fixing. The state averages here describe what agents charged in the survey, not what you have to pay.
- How much is commission on a $400,000 house?
- At the 5.70% national average it is $22,800 total, usually split close to evenly between the listing side and the buyer side. State averages run from about $20,500 to $24,700 on the same sale.