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Mortgage Calculator California — 2026 Payment Estimates
Pre-filled with California's estimated median home price of $750,000 and 0.73% effective property tax rate. Adjust any input for your specific situation. All calculations run in your browser.
Reviewed for accuracy June 2026 by Gary Sing
Median home price
$750,000
Monthly P&I (30yr)
$3,792.41
Property tax/month
$456.25
Est. total PITI/month
$4,529.91
Optional — unlocks affordability analysis
Enter gross income to check affordability
At the 28% front-end guideline, this payment requires ~$162,532/year in gross income. The monthly shown is principal and interest only — add ~$57 for taxes, insurance.
- ›A 15-year term saves $424,471 in total interest but raises the payment by $1,434/month
- ›Total interest ($765,267) exceeds the loan itself ($600,000) — every extra principal payment saves its full remaining interest
⚡ Total interest ($765,267) exceeds the loan principal — consider extra principal payments or a shorter term
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California mortgage payment scenarios — $750,000 home at 6.5%
Monthly P&I and estimated total PITI (principal, interest, tax, insurance) at three down payment levels. Property tax uses California's 0.73% effective rate; insurance estimated at 0.45% of home value annually.
| Down payment | Down amount | P&I (30yr) | P&I (15yr) | Total PITI (30yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% down | $75,000 | $4,266.46 | $5,879.97 | $5,003.96 |
| 15% down | $112,500 | $4,029.43 | $5,553.31 | $4,766.93 |
| 20% down | $150,000 | $3,792.41 | $5,226.64 | $4,529.91 |
P&I only (30yr and 15yr). PITI adds property tax (0.73%) and estimated homeowners insurance (0.45% annually). Does not include PMI — required when down payment is below 20%.
Property tax and insurance in California
California's low effective property tax rate (0.73%) is a direct result of Prop 13, which limits reassessments. New buyers pay 1% of purchase price as a base rate, but the effective rate on older homes is much lower — the state average blends these.
California property tax
Effective rate: 0.73%. On a $750,000 home, annual property taxes are approximately $5,475 — or $456.25/month. Many lenders collect this monthly into an escrow account.
Homeowners insurance
Estimated at 0.45% of home value annually — roughly $281.25/month on a $750,000 home. Rates vary by coverage, age of home, and local risk factors. Get quotes from multiple insurers before closing.
PMI (if under 20% down)
Private Mortgage Insurance is required on conventional loans with less than 20% down, typically costing 0.5–1.5% of the loan amount per year. On a $600,000 loan, PMI adds roughly $450.00–$750.00/month.
Income needed
The 28% front-end DTI guideline requires approximately $194,139/year in gross income to qualify for the median California home with 20% down. This is principal, interest, tax, and insurance — not counting other debt.
California housing market 2026
California is the most expensive housing market in the continental US. Bay Area and coastal communities regularly see median prices above $1.5M. Prop 13 caps annual property tax increases at 2% for existing owners, creating a wide gap between long-term homeowner costs and new buyer costs. Inland areas — Fresno, Bakersfield, Riverside — are dramatically more affordable.
Key numbers for California buyers
- Median home price: $750,000 (2026 estimate)
- Down payment (20%): $150,000
- Loan amount (80% LTV): $600,000
- Monthly P&I at 6.5% / 30yr: $3,792.41
- Est. PITI (with tax + insurance): $4,529.91/month
- Income needed (28% DTI): $194,139/year
Compare mortgage payments by state
📍 Texas
Median $315,000 · ~$1,593/mo P&I · 1.6% tax
📍 Florida
Median $405,000 · ~$2,048/mo P&I · 0.89% tax
📍 New York
Median $415,000 · ~$2,099/mo P&I · 1.4% tax
📍 Georgia
Median $325,000 · ~$1,643/mo P&I · 0.83% tax
📍 Arizona
Median $365,000 · ~$1,846/mo P&I · 0.6% tax
📍 North Carolina
Median $325,000 · ~$1,643/mo P&I · 0.77% tax
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Mortgage calculator California — frequently asked questions
What is the average mortgage payment in California?
Based on California's median home price of $750,000, a 30-year mortgage at 6.5% with 20% down produces a monthly principal and interest payment of $3,792.41. Adding property tax (~$456.25/month at 0.73%) and homeowners insurance (~$281.25/month) gives an estimated total PITI of approximately $4,529.91/month.
What is the median home price in California in 2026?
The estimated median home price in California in 2026 is approximately $750,000. Prices vary significantly by metro area — use this as a benchmark and enter the specific price you are evaluating in the calculator above.
How much income do I need to afford a house in California?
Using the 28% front-end DTI guideline, an estimated total monthly payment (PITI) of $4,529.91 on the median California home requires approximately $194,139/year in gross income. This assumes 20% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year term, and 0.73% property tax.
What are property taxes in California?
California's effective property tax rate is approximately 0.73%. On a $750,000 home, that is roughly $456.25/month or $5,475/year. California's low effective property tax rate (0.73%) is a direct result of Prop 13, which limits reassessments. New buyers pay 1% of purchase price as a base rate, but the effective rate on older homes is much lower — the state average blends these.
Is a 15-year or 30-year mortgage better in California?
At 6.5% on a $750,000 home with 20% down: the 30-year P&I is $3,792.41/month; the 15-year P&I is $5,226.64/month — $1,434.24/month more. The 15-year saves $424,471 in total interest. If the higher payment is affordable, the 15-year is almost always the better long-term financial choice.