California Mortgage Calculator
2026Calculate your monthly mortgage payment in California. Factor in CA's 0.71% average property tax rate, homeowners insurance, and PMI for an accurate California home loan estimate.
Written and reviewed by Konstantin Iakovlev · Methodology · Updated
Monthly P&I
$1,733.12
Total Monthly Payment
$2,178.96
Total Interest Paid
$343,924.57
Monthly Payment Breakdown
| Loan Amount | $280,000.00 |
| Down Payment (20.0%) | $70,000.00 |
| LTV Ratio | 80.0% |
| Principal & Interest | $1,733.12 |
| Property Tax | $320.83 |
| Homeowners Insurance | $125.00 |
| Total Monthly Payment | $2,178.96 |
| Total Interest Over Life of Loan | $343,924.57 |
15-Year vs 30-Year Comparison
15yr Monthly P&I
$2,408.42
15yr Total Interest
$153,515.76
Interest Savings (15yr)
$190,408.81
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 does buying a home in California work tax-wise?
California's average effective property tax rate is 0.71% of assessed value (2026), among the moderate range. On a $400,000 home, that translates to roughly $2,840 per year, billed by your county or municipality. Homestead exemptions, senior or veteran reductions, and assessment caps can reduce the effective rate for primary residences in many jurisdictions.
At the federal level, mortgage interest is deductible if you itemize, capped at the interest on the first $750,000 of acquisition debt (or $375,000 for married filing separately). State and local taxes (SALT), including property tax, are deductible up to a combined $40,000 cap for 2026 under OBBBA (raised from $10,000), with a 30% phase-down on MAGI above $500,000 (floor $10,000); the cap is inflation-indexed through 2029 before reverting to $10,000 in 2030. Closing costs typically run 2–5% of the loan amount; transfer taxes and recording fees vary by county.
California also assesses state income tax, which interacts with your federal SALT deduction. Use this calculator to estimate your monthly principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI) payment given your loan terms and California's property-tax rate.
California mortgage market: foreclosure, transfer tax, and refinance rules
- Median home price (Q4 2025)
- $770,000
- Foreclosure type
- Non-judicial (power-of-sale)
- Real-estate transfer tax
- $1.10 per $1,000 (state Documentary Transfer Tax); cities like SF/LA add up to $30/$1,000+
California uses non-judicial foreclosure by default — typical timeline from notice of default to trustee sale is 4–6 months under the Homeowner Bill of Rights (2013) which mandates pre-foreclosure mediation. The state median home price of about $770,000 means many Bay Area and LA buyers exceed the $806,500 single-family conforming loan limit and finance with jumbo loans (limit rises to $1,209,750 in high-cost counties). The state Documentary Transfer Tax is $1.10 per $1,000, but San Francisco, Los Angeles (Measure ULA "mansion tax"), and Berkeley add steep local surtaxes.
California Mortgage & Property Facts (2026)
| Avg. Property Tax Rate | 0.71% |
| State Income Tax | progressive (up to 13.3%) |
| State Sales Tax | 7.25% |
| Estate Tax | No |
California mortgage — frequently asked questions
What are typical California mortgage rates in 2026?
California mortgage rates track national averages (6.5%-7.5% for 30-year conventional in 2026) but California has unique cost layers: high origination fees (~1% of loan), 0.65% Vehicle License Fee equivalent on assessed value via Prop 13. The state's high median home price ($770K) means many buyers exceed the $806,500 single-family conforming loan limit and finance with jumbo loans (limit rises to $1,209,750 in high-cost counties — nearly all of CA's coastal markets).
How does California foreclosure work?
California uses non-judicial foreclosure by default. Typical timeline from notice of default to trustee sale is 4-6 months under the Homeowner Bill of Rights (2013) which mandates pre-foreclosure mediation for owner-occupied properties. Substitute trustee sales held publicly. No statutory right of redemption after sale (California is "no redemption" state). California's 2020-2021 COVID moratoria added complexity but ended in 2022.
What property tax should I budget for a California home purchase?
Budget 1.0%-1.25% of purchase price annually as property tax. The 1% Prop 13 base rate + voter-approved bond add-ons (typically 0.05-0.20%) + local mello-roos special assessments (in newer developments, 0.5-2%). On a $1M home: ~$10K-$12.5K/year property tax. Compare to ~$5,500 if assessed at the lower Prop 13 base of an older purchase. Key planning point: prop tax doesn't reset to current market value at refinancing — only on transfer of ownership.
Do California buyers get any first-time homebuyer assistance?
Yes. Major programs: (1) CalHFA MyHome Assistance — up to 3.5% in down-payment/closing-cost assistance as a deferred junior loan. (2) Dream For All Shared Appreciation — up to 20% DPA in exchange for 20% of future appreciation (lottery-allocated). (3) Forgivable Equity Builder — up to 10% DPA forgiven after 5 years for under-80% AMI buyers. Plus locality-specific programs (Mortgage Credit Certificates, employer-assisted programs). All require CalHFA-approved homebuyer education.