California Mortgage Calculator & Rates Guide (2026)
Estimate your monthly payment on a California home with California-specific property tax, insurance, PMI, and HOA. Median home price in California is roughly $790,000, and the average effective property tax rate is about 0.71%.
California has one of the lowest effective property tax rates in the country thanks to Prop 13, but high home prices push many buyers into jumbo-loan territory. The calculator below is pre-filled with California's median home price and an estimated property tax bill of roughly $5,609 per year (about 0.71% of $790,000). Adjust the home price, down payment, and rate to match your real-world California scenario — your monthly payment updates instantly.
Loan details
Payment breakdown
- Principal & Interest$4,099
- Property Tax$467
- Home Insurance$121
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California mortgage and housing snapshot
| Median home price | $790,000 |
|---|---|
| Average effective property tax rate | 0.71% of home value |
| Estimated annual property tax on median home | $5,609 (~$467/mo escrowed) |
| Average homeowners insurance premium | $1,450 / year |
| 2026 conforming loan limit (most counties) | $1,209,750 |
| Transfer / recording tax | California's documentary transfer tax is $1.10 per $1,000 statewide, but many cities (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland, Berkeley) layer on substantial local transfer taxes that can exceed 1-2% on higher-priced homes. |
| Homestead / property tax cap | Proposition 13 caps assessed value increases at 2% per year until the property is sold, which keeps long-term owners' tax bills far below market value. |
Figures are 2025/2026 approximations from public data (Census, NAR, FHFA, NAIC, Tax Foundation). Use them for planning; confirm exact tax bills, insurance, and conforming limits with your lender, insurer, and county assessor.
Why California's housing math is different
Property tax burden. California's average effective property tax rate of about 0.71% of home value sits well below the U.S. national average of roughly 1.0%. Proposition 13 caps assessed value increases at 2% per year until the property is sold, which keeps long-term owners' tax bills far below market value. On the median California home, that translates to roughly $5,609 a year — money that's escrowed into your mortgage payment whether you notice it or not.
Insurance and disaster risk. The typical California homeowners policy runs about $1,450 per year. That's well below the national average, helping California stay one of the friendlier states for total monthly housing cost.
Closing-cost reality. California's documentary transfer tax is $1.10 per $1,000 statewide, but many cities (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland, Berkeley) layer on substantial local transfer taxes that can exceed 1-2% on higher-priced homes. Add roughly 2-3% of the price for typical lender fees (origination, appraisal, title, escrow), and California buyers should plan for total closing costs in the 3-5% range on top of the down payment.
Loan-limit context. The 2026 conforming loan limit for most counties in California is $1,209,750. Several high-cost California counties qualify for the FHFA's high-cost ceiling, which keeps a lot of buyers below the jumbo threshold even at premium price points.
Common loan types in California
The default for most California buyers with 5%+ down and a 620+ credit score. Loans up to $1,209,750 (most counties) avoid jumbo pricing. PMI is required under 20% down and auto-cancels at 22% equity.
Backed by the Federal Housing Administration. Low 3.5% down with credit scores down to 580. Popular with first-time California buyers, but FHA mortgage insurance (MIP) usually stays for the life of the loan unless you put 10%+ down.
Zero-down loans for eligible active-duty service members, veterans, and qualifying surviving spouses. No PMI and competitive rates. California has a large veteran population, and VA loans are heavily used here.
Zero-down loans for buyers in USDA-designated rural and many suburban areas with moderate incomes. California's urban metros are usually outside USDA-eligible zones, but smaller-town and suburban-fringe properties may still qualify.
Run any of these scenarios in the calculator above by adjusting the down payment and rate. For a side-by-side, see our FHA vs. conventional, VA loan, and USDA loan guides.
California mortgage FAQ
What are typical mortgage rates in California in 2026?
Mortgage rates in California closely track national averages because most home loans are sold to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or government-backed agencies that price loans on a national basis. Your actual rate depends far more on your credit score, down payment, loan term, and discount points than on the state you live in. Use the calculator above with your target rate to see how a small rate move changes your California monthly payment.
How much is property tax on a typical home in California?
California's average effective property tax rate is approximately 0.71% of home value. On a median $790,000 home in California, that works out to roughly $5,609 per year, or about $467 per month escrowed into your mortgage payment. Actual bills vary by county and city.
What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in California?
For most counties in California, the 2026 conforming loan limit for a one-unit home is $1,209,750. Loans above that are 'jumbo' loans and typically have stricter credit and down-payment requirements. Some high-cost counties in California may use a higher limit set by the FHFA — check your specific county before locking a rate.
How much homeowners insurance should I budget for in California?
The average annual homeowners insurance premium in California is roughly $1,450. Coastal, wildfire, hail, and flood-prone areas can be substantially higher. Your lender will require proof of coverage at closing, and the premium is typically escrowed monthly along with property tax.
Do I have to pay PMI on a California mortgage?
PMI rules are federal, not state-specific. Most conventional California mortgages require private mortgage insurance when your down payment is below 20% of the home's price, typically 0.3%-1.5% of the loan amount per year. PMI auto-cancels at 22% equity per the federal Homeowners Protection Act. FHA loans use MIP instead, and VA and USDA loans skip PMI entirely.
What transfer or recording taxes do California buyers and sellers pay?
California's documentary transfer tax is $1.10 per $1,000 statewide, but many cities (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland, Berkeley) layer on substantial local transfer taxes that can exceed 1-2% on higher-priced homes.
Is there a homestead exemption in California?
Proposition 13 caps assessed value increases at 2% per year until the property is sold, which keeps long-term owners' tax bills far below market value.
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Ready to find your real rate?
Compare personalized rates from top lenders. Most checks are a soft credit pull only.
Compare 5+ Lenders
See personalized rate quotes from multiple top lenders in one place.
- ✓Soft credit pull only
- ✓5+ competing rate quotes
- ✓Free, no obligation
Get Your Rate in 60 Seconds
Modern, fully online lender with fast pre-approvals.
- ✓100% online application
- ✓Pre-approval in minutes
- ✓No origination fees on most loans
America's Largest Mortgage Lender
Established direct lender with a full range of loan products.
- ✓Wide loan-product selection
- ✓Full-service support
- ✓Highly rated for borrower satisfaction
Advertiser disclosure: cards above are sponsored. We may earn a commission when you compare lenders through our partners — at no cost to you. Compensation does not influence which lenders are shown.