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Home Affordability Calculator Los Angeles, CA — 2026
Median home price in Los Angeles: $900,000. At 6.5% on a 30-year loan with 20% down, the estimated total monthly payment (PITI) is $5,706 — requiring $244,543/year in gross income. Enter your income below for a personalised estimate.
Reviewed for accuracy June 2026 by Gary Sing
Median home price
$900,000
Income needed (annual)
$244,543
Est. monthly PITI
$5,706
Property tax/month
$818
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How much house can you afford in Los Angeles at your salary?
Maximum home price at each income level: 6.5% rate, 30-year term, 20% down payment, no existing debt. Property tax (1.09%) and insurance (0.45%) included in the 28% front-end DTI budget.
| Annual income | Max home price | Max monthly budget | Affords Los Angeles median? |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $184,013 | $1,167/mo | ✗ No |
| $75,000 | $276,019 | $1,750/mo | ✗ No |
| $100,000 | $368,026 | $2,333/mo | ✗ No |
| $125,000 | $460,032 | $2,917/mo | ✗ No |
| $150,000 | $552,039 | $3,500/mo | ✗ No |
| $175,000 | $644,045 | $4,083/mo | ✗ No |
| $200,000 | $736,052 | $4,667/mo | ✗ No |
Assumes 20% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year term, zero existing monthly debt. Property tax at 1.09% effective rate; insurance estimated at 0.45% annually. PMI required below 20% down — not included here.
Monthly payment breakdown on the median Los Angeles home
$900,000 purchase price with 20% down ($180,000) at 6.5% on a 30-year loan.
Principal & interest (30yr)
$4,551/month on a $720,000 loan at 6.5% over 30 years. Total interest paid over the life of the loan: $918,360.
Property tax (1.09% effective rate)
$818/month ($9,816/year). New buyers in LA pay approximately 1.25% of purchase price as their Prop 13 base rate — higher than the blended 1.09% effective rate that includes older, lower-assessed properties. On a $900,000 home, this translates to roughly $938/month in property taxes in year one.
Homeowners insurance (est.)
$337/month estimated at 0.45% of home value annually. Rates vary significantly by coverage level, age of home, and local risk factors — always get quotes before closing.
Total PITI (monthly)
$5,706/month estimated. Income needed to keep this under 28% of gross monthly income: $244,543/year.
Los Angeles housing market 2026
Los Angeles County is the second most expensive housing market in the US by median price, driven by limited developable land, entertainment industry employment, and persistent net in-migration. The San Fernando Valley and Pomona offer relative affordability within commuting range of the Westside. Prop 13 caps annual reassessments at 2%, creating a growing gap between long-term owners and new buyers.
Key numbers for Los Angeles buyers
- Median home price: $900,000 (2026 estimate)
- 20% down payment: $180,000
- Loan amount (80% LTV): $720,000
- Monthly P&I at 6.5% / 30yr: $4,551
- Monthly P&I at 6.5% / 15yr: $6,272
- Est. PITI (P&I + tax + insurance): $5,706/month
- Income needed (28% front-end DTI): $244,543/year
Compare home affordability by city
📍 Chicago, IL
Median $330,000 · income needed $101,614/yr · 2.1% tax
📍 Houston, TX
Median $290,000 · income needed $89,143/yr · 2.09% tax
📍 Phoenix, AZ
Median $400,000 · income needed $102,429/yr · 0.65% tax
📍 Miami, FL
Median $580,000 · income needed $155,143/yr · 0.97% tax
📍 Seattle, WA
Median $740,000 · income needed $195,257/yr · 0.87% tax
📍 Denver, CO
Median $560,000 · income needed $141,171/yr · 0.54% tax
📍 Austin, TX
Median $525,000 · income needed $161,614/yr · 2.1% tax
📍 Atlanta, GA
Median $385,000 · income needed $103,071/yr · 0.98% tax
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Home affordability Los Angeles — frequently asked questions
How much house can I afford in Los Angeles?
On a $100,000 annual income with no other debt, 20% down, and a 6.5% 30-year mortgage, you can afford approximately $368,026 in Los Angeles. The median home price in Los Angeles is $900,000, which requires approximately $244,543/year in gross income using the 28% front-end DTI rule (principal, interest, property tax, and insurance all within 28% of gross monthly income).
What income do I need to buy a home in Los Angeles?
To afford Los Angeles's median home price of $900,000 at 6.5% on a 30-year loan with 20% down, you need approximately $244,543/year in gross income. This assumes the full PITI payment of $5,706/month (P&I $4,551 + property tax $818 + insurance $337) stays within 28% of gross monthly income. Existing debts reduce this buying power further.
What is the median home price in Los Angeles in 2026?
The estimated median home price in Los Angeles in 2026 is approximately $900,000. This varies significantly by neighbourhood — enter the specific purchase price you are evaluating in the calculator above for a personalised estimate.
What are property taxes in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles, CA's effective property tax rate is approximately 1.09%. On a $900,000 home, that is roughly $818/month or $9,816/year in property taxes. New buyers in LA pay approximately 1.25% of purchase price as their Prop 13 base rate — higher than the blended 1.09% effective rate that includes older, lower-assessed properties. On a $900,000 home, this translates to roughly $938/month in property taxes in year one.
Is Los Angeles affordable to buy in 2026?
Los Angeles's median home price of $900,000 requires an annual gross income of approximately $244,543 to qualify under the 28% front-end DTI rule at 6.5% with 20% down. The estimated total monthly payment (PITI) is $5,706/month. Los Angeles County is the second most expensive housing market in the US by median price, driven by limited developable land, entertainment industry employment, and persistent net in-migration.