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Mortgage Calculator Louisiana — 2026 Payment Estimates
Pre-filled with Louisiana's estimated median home price of $198,000 and 0.55% effective property tax rate. Adjust any input for your specific situation. All calculations run in your browser.
Reviewed for accuracy June 2026 by Gary S.
Median home price
$198,000
Monthly P&I (30yr)
$1,001.20
Property tax/month
$90.75
Est. total PITI/month
$1,166.20
Optional — unlocks affordability analysis
Enter gross income to check affordability
At the 28% front-end guideline, this payment requires ~$42,908/year in gross income. The monthly shown is principal and interest only — add ~$15 for taxes, insurance.
- ›A 15-year term saves $112,060 in total interest but raises the payment by $379/month
- ›Total interest ($202,030) exceeds the loan itself ($158,400) — every extra principal payment saves its full remaining interest
⚡ Total interest ($202,030) exceeds the loan principal — consider extra principal payments or a shorter term
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Louisiana mortgage payment scenarios — $198,000 home at 6.5%
Monthly P&I and estimated total PITI (principal, interest, tax, insurance) at three down payment levels. Property tax uses Louisiana's 0.55% 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 | $19,800 | $1,126.35 | $1,552.31 | $1,291.35 |
| 15% down | $29,700 | $1,063.77 | $1,466.07 | $1,228.77 |
| 20% down | $39,600 | $1,001.20 | $1,379.83 | $1,166.20 |
P&I only (30yr and 15yr). PITI adds property tax (0.55%) and estimated homeowners insurance (0.45% annually). Does not include PMI — required when down payment is below 20%.
Property tax and insurance in Louisiana
Louisiana's effective property tax rate of 0.55% is low, but buyers should prioritise getting homeowners and flood insurance quotes before committing — premiums in high-risk areas can range from $3,000 to over $10,000/year.
Louisiana property tax
Effective rate: 0.55%. On a $198,000 home, annual property taxes are approximately $1,089 — or $90.75/month. Many lenders collect this monthly into an escrow account.
Homeowners insurance
Estimated at 0.45% of home value annually — roughly $74.25/month on a $198,000 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 $158,400 loan, PMI adds roughly $118.80–$198.00/month.
Income needed
The 28% front-end DTI guideline requires approximately $49,980/year in gross income to qualify for the median Louisiana home with 20% down. This is principal, interest, tax, and insurance — not counting other debt.
Louisiana housing market 2026
Louisiana is one of the most affordable purchase markets in the US, but homeowners insurance is the critical variable. Coastal and low-lying areas face flood zone designations that can make insurance premiums a larger monthly expense than the mortgage payment itself. New Orleans and Baton Rouge lead activity.
Key numbers for Louisiana buyers
- Median home price: $198,000 (2026 estimate)
- Down payment (20%): $39,600
- Loan amount (80% LTV): $158,400
- Monthly P&I at 6.5% / 30yr: $1,001.20
- Est. PITI (with tax + insurance): $1,166.20/month
- Income needed (28% DTI): $49,980/year
What you need at closing in Louisiana: beyond the down payment
The down payment dominates the conversation, but closing costs typically add another 2–4% of the purchase price on top. On Louisiana's median home of $198,000, a buyer putting 20% down should realistically plan to bring $45,540–$49,500 to closing — $39,600 down payment plus approximately $5,940 in closing fees. Getting a Loan Estimate (LE) from your lender within three business days of application will itemise every charge so there are no surprises on closing day.
| Cost item | Estimate on a $198,000 home |
|---|---|
| Down payment (20%) | $39,600 |
| Loan origination fee (~0.75% of loan) | $1,188 |
| Title insurance (owner + lender) | $990 |
| Home inspection | $450 |
| Appraisal | $550 |
| Prepaid property tax (3 months) | $272 |
| Homeowners insurance (first year) | $891 |
| Recording, transfer, and misc. fees | $792 |
| Estimated total cash needed at closing | $44,733 |
Estimates vary by lender, county, and negotiated seller concessions. Some buyers negotiate seller-paid closing costs — typically up to 3% on conventional loans — which reduces the cash needed at closing.
True monthly cost of owning a home in Louisiana
The PITI payment of $1,166/month is the number lenders use for qualification, but it understates the real monthly cost of ownership. Experienced homeowners budget an additional 1–2% of the home's value per year for maintenance and repairs — covering items like HVAC servicing, roof maintenance, plumbing, appliance replacement, and exterior upkeep. On a $198,000 home, that's $165–$330/month in reserve. Newer homes trend toward the low end; homes older than 15–20 years or in harsh climates often exceed 2%.
HOA fees add another layer in many communities. Condo and townhome HOAs in Louisiana commonly run $150–$500/month; master-planned communities and high-rise condos can exceed $1,000/month. HOA fees cover shared maintenance and amenities but are not included in any mortgage payment estimate. Always confirm HOA fees before making an offer — they can meaningfully change the affordability equation.
Summing PITI, a 1.5% annual maintenance reserve, and a conservative HOA estimate gives a realistic "total monthly cost of ownership" of $1,664–$1,896/month for a typical $198,000 home in Louisiana. Use this range — not just the mortgage payment — when comparing the true cost of owning versus renting in your target area.
Compare mortgage payments by state
📍 California
Median $750,000 · ~$3,793/mo P&I · 0.73% tax
📍 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
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Mortgage & housing guides
All guides →What Salary Do I Need for a $400K House? The Exact Math (2026)
You need about $109,000/year for a $400,000 house with 20% down at 6.5% (28% DTI standard; $2,539 PITI). With 10% down it rises to ~$126,000; with $1,000/mo of debts, ~$118,000. Full breakdown with rate sensitivity.
How to Calculate Home Affordability: The 4 Rules Lenders Use
Home affordability is calculated using four ratios: the 28% front-end rule, the 36% back-end rule, the 43% DTI ceiling, and the 3x–5x income rule. Most buyers are constrained by their back-end DTI, not their income. A worked example shows exactly what you can borrow at $90,000 gross income with $500/month in existing debt.
How to Remove PMI: When It Cancels Automatically and How to Request It Early
PMI cancels automatically at 78% LTV but you can request removal at 80%. With appreciation, a new appraisal can eliminate PMI years earlier. At $1,200/year per $200,000 borrowed, removing PMI 5 years early saves $6,000. Here is the exact process, the lender rules, and when refinancing beats an appraisal.
Mortgage calculator Louisiana — frequently asked questions
What is the average mortgage payment in Louisiana?
Based on Louisiana's median home price of $198,000, a 30-year mortgage at 6.5% with 20% down produces a monthly principal and interest payment of $1,001.20. Adding property tax (~$90.75/month at 0.55%) and homeowners insurance (~$74.25/month) gives an estimated total PITI of approximately $1,166.20/month.
What is the median home price in Louisiana in 2026?
The estimated median home price in Louisiana in 2026 is approximately $198,000. 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 Louisiana?
Using the 28% front-end DTI guideline, an estimated total monthly payment (PITI) of $1,166.20 on the median Louisiana home requires approximately $49,980/year in gross income. This assumes 20% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year term, and 0.55% property tax.
What are property taxes in Louisiana?
Louisiana's effective property tax rate is approximately 0.55%. On a $198,000 home, that is roughly $90.75/month or $1,089/year. Louisiana's effective property tax rate of 0.55% is low, but buyers should prioritise getting homeowners and flood insurance quotes before committing — premiums in high-risk areas can range from $3,000 to over $10,000/year.
Is a 15-year or 30-year mortgage better in Louisiana?
At 6.5% on a $198,000 home with 20% down: the 30-year P&I is $1,001.20/month; the 15-year P&I is $1,379.83/month — $378.64/month more. The 15-year saves $112,060 in total interest. If the higher payment is affordable, the 15-year is almost always the better long-term financial choice.