RealHomeCost.net

San Diego, CA Mortgage Calculator

Estimate your monthly mortgage payment in San Diego including property taxes, homeowners insurance, PMI, and 2026 loan limits.

Local Home Values & Affordability

With a median home value of $890,000, San Diego is 187% above the national median of $310,000 — placing it firmly in premium territory where careful loan-type selection matters.

A 20% down payment on a median San Diego home requires $178,000 in cash — or $31,150 for an FHA-minimum 3.5% down payment. Buyers with less than 20% down will also need to budget for PMI or FHA MIP.

San Diego County's $890,000 median sits between Kern County ($340,000) and San Francisco County ($1,350,000) within the California counties we track.

Property Tax in This Market

San Diego County has one of the lowest property tax rates in our dataset at 0.75% — 32% below the national average of 1.10%. This keeps monthly PITI payments notably lower than in high-tax markets with comparable home values.

Based on the 0.75% effective rate and a median home value of $890,000, a typical homeowner in San Diego County pays approximately $6,675 in annual property taxes — or $556 per month added to their mortgage payment.

Sources: Tax Foundation 2025

Homeowners Insurance Costs

Homeowners insurance in San Diego County runs approximately $1,500/year ($125/month), in line with the national average of $1,600.

Premium quotes in San Diego County typically range from $950 to $2,200 per year depending on home age, construction type, coverage limits, and your insurer. Always get multiple quotes.

Sources: NAIC 2024

Loan Limits & Financing Options

A buyer purchasing the median San Diego home ($890,000) with FHA's minimum 3.5% down would borrow $858,850 — well within the $1,104,000 elevated FHA limit for this county. FHA financing is a viable option for most buyers here.

San Diego County is designated a high-cost area by both FHFA and HUD, meaning local FHA and conforming limits are elevated above the national baseline. This expanded purchasing power is a meaningful benefit for buyers compared to most-of-the-country baseline markets.

With 20% down on a median-priced home, the loan amount of $712,000 stays $392,000 below the $1,104,000 conforming limit — giving buyers access to conventional Fannie/Freddie pricing without jumbo underwriting.

Sources: HUD ML 2025-23, FHFA 2026

$
%

≈ $174,000

%

Illustrative — check with your lender

$

Extra Monthly Payment

$

Estimated Monthly Payment

$5,276

Estimates are for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend.

FHA Eligible

Loan Amount: $696,000

LTV: 0.01%

P&I Payment

$4,607

Total Interest

$962,577

over loan life

Payoff

30 yr

Closing Costs

$10,958–$20,455

est. range

Monthly Payment Breakdown

2026 Loan Limit Context

FHA Limit

$1,104,000

Conforming Limit

$1,104,000

Amortization Schedule

Mo.PaymentPrincipalInterestBalanceTotal Interest
1$4,607$576$4,031$695,424$4,031
2$4,607$579$4,028$694,844$8,059
3$4,607$583$4,024$694,262$12,083
4$4,607$586$4,021$693,675$16,104
5$4,607$590$4,018$693,086$20,121
6$4,607$593$4,014$692,493$24,136
7$4,607$596$4,011$691,896$28,146
8$4,607$600$4,007$691,296$32,153
9$4,607$603$4,004$690,693$36,157
10$4,607$607$4,000$690,086$40,158
11$4,607$610$3,997$689,476$44,154
12$4,607$614$3,993$688,862$48,147
Months 112 of 360

2026 Loan Limits — San Diego County, CA

Limit Type2026 LimitNote
FHA Loan Limit (1-unit)$1,006,250Max loan for FHA-insured mortgage
Conforming Loan Limit (1-unit)$1,006,250Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac eligible

Source: HUD / FHFA. Data as of 2025-01-15.

FAQ — San Diego Mortgage

What is the average mortgage payment in San Diego?
Based on the median home value of $870,000 in San Diego, a 30-year conventional loan with 20% down at current illustrative rates would result in an estimated P&I payment. Add local property taxes and insurance for a full PITI estimate.
What is the 2026 FHA loan limit in San Diego?
The 2026 FHA loan limit for San Diego (San Diego County) is $1,006,250.
What is the conforming loan limit in San Diego?
The 2026 conforming loan limit for San Diego is $1,006,250. Loans above this are considered jumbo.
Do I need earthquake insurance in California?
Standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover earthquake damage. California has significant seismic risk in most populated areas. The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) offers policies that can be added to your coverage. Costs vary by ZIP code, home age, foundation type, and coverage level — typically $700–$3,000/year. Many lenders do not require it, but it's worth serious consideration.
Why are California conforming loan limits so high?
California home prices are among the highest in the country. FHFA sets elevated conforming limits for high-cost areas where 115% of the local median home price exceeds the national baseline. In many California counties (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Orange), the 2026 conforming limit is $1,249,125 — the national ceiling. This allows more buyers to access conventional Fannie/Freddie financing rather than jumbo loans.
What credit score do I need to buy a home in San Diego?
Most conventional lenders require a minimum 620 credit score, though the best rates go to borrowers with 740+. FHA loans allow scores as low as 580 with 3.5% down, or 500–579 with 10% down. VA loans have no official minimum but most lenders want 580–620. Your credit score affects both loan eligibility and the interest rate you receive — a difference of 50–100 points can change your rate by 0.25–0.75%.
How much should I budget for closing costs in CA?
Closing costs typically range from 2–5% of the loan amount. For a $350,000 loan, that's roughly $7,000–$17,500. CA buyers should also account for state and county transfer taxes, title insurance, and prepaid escrow items (property taxes and insurance). Always request a Loan Estimate from your lender within 3 days of application — it itemizes every cost.

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