State data
California Mortgage Calculator
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Enter a ZIP code to use that area's property tax rate and loan limit.
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Estimated monthly payment
$0/month
& interest
- Principal & interest$0
- Property tax$0
- Home insurance$0
- HOA dues$0
- Mortgage insurance (PMI)$0
- Total interest over the loan
- $0
- Paid off
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| Term | Monthly | Total interest |
|---|
Same price, down payment and rate. Real rates are usually lower for shorter terms.
Loan balance over time
| Year | Principal | Interest | Balance |
|---|
Monthly payment
$0 /mo
Typical monthly cost of the median home in California
Principal and interest
$4,022
$587,760 loan at 7.28%, 30 years
Property tax
$484
0.79% of $734,700 a year
Together
$4,505
before insurance, HOA and PMI
That is about 55% of the median household income in California ($99,122 a year), before insurance and other costs.
Counties in California
Property tax rates and home values differ by county. Payment is principal, interest and property tax on the median home.
| County | Median home | Tax rate | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | $834,200 | 0.76% | $5,094 |
| San Diego County | $854,700 | 0.75% | $5,213 |
| Orange County | $962,600 | 0.73% | $5,855 |
| Riverside County | $557,300 | 0.85% | $3,445 |
| San Bernardino County | $505,000 | 0.77% | $3,088 |
| Santa Clara County | $1,490,600 | 0.67% | $8,991 |
| Alameda County | $1,090,100 | 0.87% | $6,757 |
| Sacramento County | $534,200 | 0.80% | $3,280 |
| Contra Costa County | $866,800 | 0.91% | $5,402 |
| Fresno County | $388,800 | 0.81% | $2,391 |
| Kern County | $338,300 | 0.99% | $2,131 |
| Ventura County | $822,700 | 0.75% | $5,017 |
| San Francisco County | $1,394,500 | 0.72% | $8,470 |
| San Joaquin County | $530,700 | 0.82% | $3,268 |
| San Mateo County | $1,559,600 | 0.64% | $9,369 |
| Stanislaus County | $450,100 | 0.79% | $2,760 |
| Sonoma County | $815,500 | 0.76% | $4,980 |
| Tulare County | $330,100 | 0.79% | $2,024 |
| Solano County | $617,700 | 0.81% | $3,798 |
| Santa Barbara County | $790,700 | 0.73% | $4,809 |
| Monterey County | $781,000 | 0.71% | $4,737 |
| Placer County | $688,100 | 0.89% | $4,277 |
| Merced County | $391,800 | 0.75% | $2,389 |
| San Luis Obispo County | $824,700 | 0.74% | $5,023 |
| Santa Cruz County | $1,027,500 | 0.72% | $6,241 |
| Marin County | $1,507,300 | 0.66% | $9,080 |
High-cost counties with higher loan limits
Most California counties use the $832,750 one-unit conforming limit. These counties have a higher limit:
- Los Angeles County$1,249,125
- San Diego County$1,104,000
- Orange County$1,249,125
- Santa Clara County$1,249,125
- Alameda County$1,249,125
- Contra Costa County$1,249,125
- Ventura County$1,035,000
- San Francisco County$1,249,125
Frequently asked questions
What is the property tax rate in California?
Using Census Bureau medians, homeowners with a mortgage in California pay about $5,839 a year in property tax on a median home value of $734,700, an effective rate of 0.79%. That ranks 32 of 51 (the states and DC, highest first) and is below the U.S. median of 1.05%. Rates vary by county and city, and your bill depends on the assessed value and any exemptions.
How much is the monthly payment on a median-priced home in California?
On a $734,700 home with 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (the Freddie Mac weekly average), principal and interest is about $4,022 a month and property tax about $484, so roughly $4,505 before homeowners insurance, HOA dues and mortgage insurance.
What is the conforming loan limit in California?
Most counties in California have a one-unit conforming loan limit of $832,750, set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Higher limits apply in high-cost counties such as Los Angeles County ($1,249,125), San Diego County ($1,104,000), Orange County ($1,249,125). Loans above the limit are jumbo loans, which can have different rates and down payment rules.
Where do these numbers come from?
Home values, property taxes and incomes are U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year medians. Loan limits come from the Federal Housing Finance Agency and rates from Freddie Mac. The methodology page lists each source and when it was retrieved.
Data and method. Home values, property taxes and incomes: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year (2020-2024) (medians, with sampling error; property tax is for owners with a mortgage). Loan limits: FHFA. Rates: Freddie Mac weekly average as of October 1, 2026. Retrieved October 1, 2026. Payment figures assume 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and exclude insurance, HOA dues and mortgage insurance. Estimates only; see the methodology.