This calculator starts with California’s statewide averages: property tax of 0.71% of the price per year and homeowners insurance of $1,653 per year. They are estimates — replace them with your local rate (or the home’s actual tax bill) and a real insurance quote for an exact payment.
Monthly payment on a typical California home
The median owner-occupied home in California is worth $759,500 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 1-year). Here is the full monthly payment on a $760,000 home with a 30-year fixed loan at 7.03%, the Freddie Mac 30-year average for the week ending September 24, 2026, with 20% down and with 5% down:
| Monthly cost | 20% down | 5% down |
|---|---|---|
| Home price | $760,000 | $760,000 |
| Down payment | $152,000 | $38,000 |
| Loan amount | $608,000 | $722,000 |
| Principal & interest | $4,057.30 | $4,818.04 |
| Property tax (0.71% a year) | $449.67 | $449.67 |
| Homeowners insurance | $137.75 | $137.75 |
| PMI (0.5% of the loan a year) | $0.00 | $300.83 |
| Total monthly payment | $4,644.71 | $5,706.29 |
| Total interest over 30 years | $852,627 | $1,012,494 |
Putting 5% down instead of 20% raises the payment by $1,062 a month: $761 more in principal and interest on the bigger loan plus $301 for private mortgage insurance. PMI drops off automatically after about 11 years 10 months, when the balance is scheduled to reach 78% of the home’s original value (if your payments are current). Property tax and insurance make up 13% of the 20%-down payment.
California mortgage payments by home price
Monthly payments at 7.03% for 30 years with California’s 0.71% property tax rate and $1,653 a year of insurance. The highlighted row is the median-priced home. Insurance in real life rises with the home’s rebuild cost; this table holds it constant.
| Home price | Principal & interest | Property tax | Insurance | Total, 20% down | Total, 5% down + PMI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $1,068 | $118 | $138 | $1,324 | $1,603 |
| $250,000 | $1,335 | $148 | $138 | $1,620 | $1,970 |
| $300,000 | $1,602 | $178 | $138 | $1,917 | $2,336 |
| $400,000 | $2,135 | $237 | $138 | $2,510 | $3,069 |
| $500,000 | $2,669 | $296 | $138 | $3,103 | $3,801 |
| $600,000 | $3,203 | $355 | $138 | $3,696 | $4,534 |
| $700,000 | $3,737 | $414 | $138 | $4,289 | $5,267 |
| $760,000 | $4,057 | $450 | $138 | $4,645 | $5,706 |
| $800,000 | $4,271 | $473 | $138 | $4,882 | $5,999 |
California property tax rate and insurance costs
At 0.71%, California has the 20th-lowest effective property tax rate among the 50 states and D.C. — 6% lower than the middle state’s 0.75%. Its average homeowners insurance premium of $1,653 a year is the 11th-lowest of the 51.
| Measure | California | Middle state (median of 51) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effective property tax rate | 0.71% | 0.75% | Census (2024 ACS 1-year): median tax ÷ median value |
| Effective rate, aggregate method | 0.70% | Tax Foundation (ACS 2020–2024) | |
| Property tax rate rank (1 = highest) | 32 of 51 | Computed from the Census rates | |
| Median home value | $759,500 | $341,900 | Census (2024 ACS 1-year), table B25077 |
| Median property taxes paid | $5,369 / yr | $2,937 / yr | Census (2024 ACS 1-year), table B25103 |
| Average homeowners insurance | $1,653 / yr | $2,397 / yr | Insurance.com, 2026 ($300K dwelling) |
| Second insurance estimate | $2,040 / yr | Insurify, 2026 ($300K dwelling) | |
| Insurance rank (1 = most expensive) | 41 of 51 | Computed from the Insurance.com averages |
Insurance costs vary widely in California. The two 2026 surveys we checked put the average premium at $1,653 and $2,040, which differ by 21%, so treat the preset as a rough starting point and get quotes. Both rate surveys price a standard policy with $300,000 of dwelling coverage; the Census figures describe all owner-occupied homes, not recent purchases.
Notes on the California data:
- Prop 13 limits assessed-value growth until a change of ownership, so long-time owners pull the ACS ratio down; a new buyer is reassessed at purchase price (1% base levy plus voter-approved debt and assessments), so the effective rate on a new purchase is typically higher than this ACS figure.
California vs. neighboring states
The same $400,000 home with 20% down at 7.03% costs $2,510 a month in California. Principal and interest ($2,135) are identical everywhere, so the differences below come only from each state’s average property tax rate and insurance premium. The “middle state” row uses the median rate (0.75%) and median premium ($2,397) of all 51.
| State | Property tax rate | Insurance / yr | Monthly payment | vs. California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 0.47% | $1,876 | $2,448 | −$61 |
| Arizona | 0.43% | $2,397 | $2,479 | −$31 |
| California | 0.71% | $1,653 | $2,510 | — |
| Oregon | 0.78% | $1,647 | $2,533 | +$23 |
| Middle state (median) | 0.75% | $2,397 | $2,585 | +$75 |
See property tax rates and insurance costs for every state.
What drives housing costs in California
On the $760,000 example home, property tax is the larger add-on to the loan payment in California: $450 a month versus $138 for insurance (about 3.3 times as much). California’s median home value of $759,500 is 122% above the middle state’s $341,900, and each extra $50,000 of price adds about $297 to the monthly payment with 20% down at 7.03%.
- Local property tax rates. Property taxes are levied mainly by local governments — such as counties, cities, school districts and special districts — so bills in California can sit well above or below the 0.71% statewide average. Your local assessor or tax collector can tell you the rates that apply to a specific address.
- Exemptions and assessment limits. Many states offer homestead exemptions or credits for owner-occupied homes, and some limit how fast a home’s assessed value can rise. Where limits reset when a home sells, a new buyer usually pays a higher effective rate than the statewide figure, which averages long-time owners and recent buyers.
- Insurance risk and coverage. Premiums depend on the cost to rebuild, local weather and wildfire risk, the roof’s age, your deductible and claims history. Most homeowners policies do not cover flood damage; flood insurance is a separate policy.
- Down payment and PMI. With less than 20% down on a conventional loan, PMI adds to the payment until it is canceled: automatically when the balance is scheduled to reach 78% of the original value, or earlier at your request at 80%.
- HOA dues and extra costs. Condos and many newer subdivisions charge HOA dues. Add them in the calculator’s “Taxes, insurance, PMI & HOA” section to see your true monthly cost.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the price and down payment. The price starts at California’s median home value, rounded to $760,000.
- Set your loan term and rate from a lender quote or loan estimate.
- Replace the tax and insurance estimates. Switch property tax to “$ / yr” to enter the home’s actual tax bill, and use your insurance quote.
- Add HOA dues and extra payments, then copy the link to save or share your scenario.
To see what price fits your income, try the house affordability calculator, and check your ratios with the debt-to-income calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the mortgage payment on a median-priced home in California?
About $4,645 a month. That assumes a $760,000 home (near California’s $759,500 median value), 20% down and a 30-year fixed loan at 7.03%: $4,057 in principal and interest, $450 in property tax and $138 in homeowners insurance. With 5% down, the payment rises to about $5,706 because the loan is larger and PMI is added.
What is the property tax rate in California?
The statewide effective rate is about 0.71% of home value: the median homeowner paid $5,369 in real estate taxes on a median home worth $759,500 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 1-year). That is the 20th-lowest rate among the 50 states and D.C. The Tax Foundation’s aggregate method gives 0.70%. Your own bill depends on where the home is, how it is assessed and any exemptions you qualify for.
How much is homeowners insurance in California?
Two 2026 rate surveys put the average at $1,653 (Insurance.com) and $2,040 (Insurify) a year for a policy with $300,000 of dwelling coverage, or roughly $138 a month. The two estimates differ by 21%, a sign that premiums vary widely. Your premium depends on the rebuild cost, location, roof age, deductible and claims history, so compare quotes before you buy.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in California?
About $2,840 a year, or $237 a month, at California’s 0.71% statewide effective rate. At the middle state’s rate of 0.75%, the same home would owe $3,000. Actual bills vary with local rates, assessments and exemptions, and in states that cap assessment increases a sale can reset the assessment to market value, so check the home’s current tax bill before you buy.
Is California more expensive for homeowners than neighboring states?
For the same $400,000 home, California has the 2nd-highest monthly payment of the 4 (itself and its 3 neighbors): $2,510 with 20% down at 7.03%. Its neighbors range from $2,448 in Nevada to $2,533 in Oregon. The loan payment is identical, so the differences come entirely from property tax and insurance, before any difference in home prices.
How long will I pay PMI with 5% down in California?
On a $760,000 home with 5% down, PMI at 0.5% of the loan a year adds about $301 a month. Under the federal Homeowners Protection Act, if you are current on payments, the servicer must cancel PMI automatically when the balance is scheduled to reach 78% of the home’s original value — about 11 years 10 months into the loan at 7.03%. You can ask to cancel it earlier, at 80%, if you have a good payment history.