In short
Chicago charges 3 local taxes on a home sale: Chicago Real Property Transfer Tax - City portion, Chicago Real Property Transfer Tax - CTA portion, Cook County Real Property Transfer Tax. On the median owner-occupied home ($341,200), local taxes come to $3,756; with the Illinois state tax of $342, the total is $4,098, or 1.2% of the price.
Median value: $341,200 median value of owner-occupied homes, Chicago city, Illinois (Census ACS 2024 1-year, table B25077). It is an owner estimate, not a sale price.
What you pay at different prices
| Price | Chicago Real Property Transfer Tax - City portion | Chicago Real Property Transfer Tax - CTA portion | Cook County Real Property Transfer Tax | Illinois state tax | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $2,250 | $900 | $150 | $300 | $3,600 |
| $341,200 median home | $2,561 | $1,025 | $171 | $342 | $4,098 |
| $500,000 | $3,750 | $1,500 | $250 | $500 | $6,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $7,500 | $3,000 | $500 | $1,000 | $12,000 |
| $2,000,000 | $15,000 | $6,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $24,000 |
Before exemptions and credits (first-time buyers, transfers between relatives…), which are listed below when the source gives them. The tax due on your deed is the one the recorder computes.
The rates, tax by tax
Chicago Real Property Transfer Tax - City portion
$3.75 per $500 of transfer price or fraction thereof (0.75%), generally paid by the buyer.
Who pays: In general, The Buyer is responsible for $3.75 and the Seller is responsible for $1.50.
Exemptions: Transfers for less than $500 (among listed exemptions).
In force: In force (page read October 2026). Source: City of Chicago Department of Finance - Real Property Transfer Tax (7551).
Chicago Real Property Transfer Tax - CTA portion
$1.50 per $500 of transfer price or fraction thereof (0.30%), generally paid by the seller.
Who pays: In general, The Buyer is responsible for $3.75 and the Seller is responsible for $1.50.
Exemptions: Refund of the CTA portion for transferees aged 65+ who occupy the property for at least one year, if the transfer price is $250,000 or less.
In force: Transfers on or after April 1, 2008. Source: City of Chicago Department of Finance - Real Property Transfer Tax (7551).
Cook County Real Property Transfer Tax
$0.25 per $500 of transfer price (0.05%).
Who pays: SELLER (Cook County Clerk list)
In force: Enacted 1/1/1968 per Clerk list. Source: Cook County Clerk, Transfer Tax by Municipality - City or Village (updated October 2025).
Questions
How much local transfer tax do you pay on a median home in Chicago?
$3,756 on $341,200, the median value of owner-occupied homes (Census ACS). Payotte computes it from the rates published by the official sources cited on the page.
Who pays the Chicago Real Property Transfer Tax - City portion in Chicago?
In general, The Buyer is responsible for $3.75 and the Seller is responsible for $1.50.
Is the local tax on top of the Illinois tax?
Yes. The local taxes listed here are added to the Illinois state transfer tax.
General information drawn from the official sources cited and dated on this page. It is not legal, tax or financial advice: for your own situation, ask a licensed professional.