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Home Affordability Calculator San Diego, CA — 2026
Median home price in San Diego: $850,000. At 6.5% on a 30-year loan with 20% down, the estimated total monthly payment (PITI) is $5,134 — requiring $220,029/year in gross income. Enter your income below for a personalised estimate.
Reviewed for accuracy June 2026 by Gary Sing
Median home price
$850,000
Income needed (annual)
$220,029
Est. monthly PITI
$5,134
Property tax/month
$517
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How much house can you afford in San Diego at your salary?
Maximum home price at each income level: 6.5% rate, 30-year term, 20% down payment, no existing debt. Property tax (0.73%) and insurance (0.45%) included in the 28% front-end DTI budget.
| Annual income | Max home price | Max monthly budget | Affords San Diego median? |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $193,152 | $1,167/mo | ✗ No |
| $75,000 | $289,729 | $1,750/mo | ✗ No |
| $100,000 | $386,305 | $2,333/mo | ✗ No |
| $125,000 | $482,881 | $2,917/mo | ✗ No |
| $150,000 | $579,457 | $3,500/mo | ✗ No |
| $175,000 | $676,034 | $4,083/mo | ✗ No |
| $200,000 | $772,610 | $4,667/mo | ✗ No |
Assumes 20% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year term, zero existing monthly debt. Property tax at 0.73% effective rate; insurance estimated at 0.45% annually. PMI required below 20% down — not included here.
Monthly payment breakdown on the median San Diego home
$850,000 purchase price with 20% down ($170,000) at 6.5% on a 30-year loan.
Principal & interest (30yr)
$4,298/month on a $680,000 loan at 6.5% over 30 years. Total interest paid over the life of the loan: $867,280.
Property tax (0.73% effective rate)
$517/month ($6,204/year). San Diego's 0.73% effective property tax rate reflects Prop 13's base rate, moderated by older homeowner assessments. New buyers pay approximately 1.25% of purchase price including local Mello-Roos assessments on many newer developments — a meaningful addition on an $850,000 purchase.
Homeowners insurance (est.)
$319/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)
$5,134/month estimated. Income needed to keep this under 28% of gross monthly income: $220,029/year.
San Diego housing market 2026
San Diego is California's second-largest city with a housing market dominated by military employment, biotech, and tech workers. Limited buildable land and persistent demand keep prices elevated. Coastal communities like La Jolla and Del Mar command 2–3× the inland median; Chula Vista and El Cajon are relatively more accessible for first-time buyers.
Key numbers for San Diego buyers
- Median home price: $850,000 (2026 estimate)
- 20% down payment: $170,000
- Loan amount (80% LTV): $680,000
- Monthly P&I at 6.5% / 30yr: $4,298
- Monthly P&I at 6.5% / 15yr: $5,923
- Est. PITI (P&I + tax + insurance): $5,134/month
- Income needed (28% front-end DTI): $220,029/year
Compare home affordability by city
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Median $900,000 · income needed $244,543/yr · 1.09% tax
📍 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
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Home affordability San Diego — frequently asked questions
How much house can I afford in San Diego?
On a $100,000 annual income with no other debt, 20% down, and a 6.5% 30-year mortgage, you can afford approximately $386,305 in San Diego. The median home price in San Diego is $850,000, which requires approximately $220,029/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 San Diego?
To afford San Diego's median home price of $850,000 at 6.5% on a 30-year loan with 20% down, you need approximately $220,029/year in gross income. This assumes the full PITI payment of $5,134/month (P&I $4,298 + property tax $517 + insurance $319) stays within 28% of gross monthly income. Existing debts reduce this buying power further.
What is the median home price in San Diego in 2026?
The estimated median home price in San Diego in 2026 is approximately $850,000. 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 San Diego?
San Diego, CA's effective property tax rate is approximately 0.73%. On a $850,000 home, that is roughly $517/month or $6,204/year in property taxes. San Diego's 0.73% effective property tax rate reflects Prop 13's base rate, moderated by older homeowner assessments. New buyers pay approximately 1.25% of purchase price including local Mello-Roos assessments on many newer developments — a meaningful addition on an $850,000 purchase.
Is San Diego affordable to buy in 2026?
San Diego's median home price of $850,000 requires an annual gross income of approximately $220,029 to qualify under the 28% front-end DTI rule at 6.5% with 20% down. The estimated total monthly payment (PITI) is $5,134/month. San Diego is California's second-largest city with a housing market dominated by military employment, biotech, and tech workers.