PMI Calculator

Calculate private mortgage insurance cost and when it will be removed. Compare 20% down vs lower down payment with PMI.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: CFPB — Owning a Home

$
$
Down Payment Mode
%
years

LTV Ratio

90.00%

Monthly PMI

$180.00

Monthly Payment

$2,395.09

Annual PMI

$2,160.00

Months Until PMI Removed

115

Total PMI Paid

$20,700.00

PMI Analysis

Home Price$400,000.00
Down Payment (10.0%)$40,000.00
Loan Amount$360,000.00
Loan-to-Value (LTV)90.00%
PMI RequiredYes
PMI Rate0.60%
Monthly PMI$180.00
Annual PMI$2,160.00
PMI Auto-Removed at 78% LTV115 months
Total PMI Paid$20,700.00

20% Down Payment Comparison

Current Monthly Payment (with PMI)$2,575.09
Monthly Payment with 20% Down$2,128.97
Monthly Difference$446.12
Additional Down Payment Needed for 20%$40,000.00

Use the PMI Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Private Mortgage Insurance is the charge lenders attach to a conventional loan when the down payment comes in under 20%. It rides on top of your monthly payment until you have built enough equity, so estimating it ahead of time gives you a truer picture of what the house actually costs each month.

The premium is set as an annual percentage of the original loan amount, generally landing somewhere between 0.3% and 1.5% depending on credit and loan profile. That yearly figure is split across twelve months, and the resulting amount is folded into your regular mortgage payment.

PMI is not permanent: once your equity reaches 20%, you can usually request that it be dropped. The angle borrowers overlook is the down payment itself, since putting more down at the start can sidestep PMI entirely and save a meaningful sum over the years you hold the loan.

Example: Buying a Home with PMI

  1. 1 Let's say you're buying a home for $300,000 and make a 10% down payment, which is $30,000. This means your loan amount will be $270,000. Your lender quotes a PMI rate of 0.8% annually.
  2. 2 First, calculate the annual PMI: $270,000 (loan amount) * 0.008 (PMI rate) = $2,160. Then, divide by 12 to get the monthly PMI: $2,160 / 12 = $180.
  3. 3 Your estimated monthly PMI premium will be $180.
  4. 4 This $180 will be added to your principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI) payment each month until you cancel the PMI. While seemingly small, this adds up to $2,160 annually, highlighting the benefit of reaching 20% equity.

Source: CFPB — Owning a Home · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does PMI cost?
PMI typically costs 0.5-1.5% of the loan amount per year, or $50-$150/month per $100,000 borrowed. The exact rate depends on your credit score, down payment percentage, and loan type.
When can I stop paying PMI?
For conventional loans, you can request PMI removal at 80% loan-to-value (20% equity) and it is automatically cancelled at 78% LTV. FHA loans require mortgage insurance for the life of the loan unless you put 10%+ down.
Is it better to pay PMI or wait to save 20% down?
It depends on home price appreciation in your area and how long it would take to save 20%. Paying PMI to buy sooner can be worthwhile if home values are rising faster than your savings rate, since you start building equity immediately.