RealHomeCost.net

New Orleans, LA Mortgage Calculator

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

Local Home Values & Affordability

A 20% down payment on a median New Orleans home requires $48,000 in cash — or $8,400 for an FHA-minimum 3.5% down payment. Buyers with less than 20% down will also need to budget for PMI or FHA MIP.

New Orleans's median home value of $240,000 is close to the national median of $310,000, putting most buyers in the conforming loan range with conventional or FHA options readily available.

Property Tax in This Market

Orleans Parish has one of the lowest property tax rates in our dataset at 0.60% — 45% 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 0.60% effective rate and a median home value of $240,000, a typical homeowner in Orleans Parish pays approximately $1,440 in annual property taxes — or $120 per month added to their mortgage payment.

Sources: Tax Foundation 2025

Homeowners Insurance Costs

Homeowners insurance in Orleans Parish averages around $2,800/year ($233/month) — roughly 75% above the national average of $1,600.

Premium quotes in Orleans Parish typically range from $1,800 to $4,200 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 New Orleans home ($240,000) with FHA's minimum 3.5% down would borrow $231,600 — well within the $541,287 baseline FHA limit for this county. FHA financing is a viable option for most buyers here.

With 20% down on a median-priced home, the loan amount of $192,000 stays $640,750 below the $832,750 conforming limit — giving buyers access to conventional Fannie/Freddie pricing without jumbo underwriting.

All FHA loans require an upfront mortgage insurance premium (UFMIP) of 1.75% of the loan amount, plus an annual MIP of 0.55%–0.75% of the loan balance paid monthly. On a $231,600 FHA loan, expect approximately $106/month in ongoing MIP — added to principal, interest, taxes, and insurance.

Sources: HUD ML 2025-23, FHFA 2026, HUD MIP Rates 2023

$
%

≈ $48,000

%

Illustrative — check with your lender

$

Extra Monthly Payment

$

Estimated Monthly Payment

$1,624

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

FHA Eligible

Loan Amount: $192,000

LTV: 0.01%

P&I Payment

$1,271

Total Interest

$265,538

over loan life

Payoff

30 yr

Closing Costs

$3,531–$6,591

est. range

Monthly Payment Breakdown

2026 Loan Limit Context

FHA Limit

$541,287

Conforming Limit

$832,750

Amortization Schedule

Mo.PaymentPrincipalInterestBalanceTotal Interest
1$1,271$159$1,112$191,841$1,112
2$1,271$160$1,111$191,681$2,223
3$1,271$161$1,110$191,520$3,333
4$1,271$162$1,109$191,359$4,442
5$1,271$163$1,108$191,196$5,551
6$1,271$164$1,107$191,032$6,658
7$1,271$165$1,106$190,868$7,764
8$1,271$166$1,105$190,702$8,870
9$1,271$166$1,104$190,536$9,974
10$1,271$167$1,104$190,369$11,078
11$1,271$168$1,103$190,200$12,180
12$1,271$169$1,102$190,031$13,282
Months 112 of 360

2026 Loan Limits — Orleans Parish, LA

Limit Type2026 LimitNote
FHA Loan Limit (1-unit)$524,225Max loan for FHA-insured mortgage
Conforming Loan Limit (1-unit)$806,500Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac eligible

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

FAQ — New Orleans Mortgage

What is the average mortgage payment in New Orleans?
Based on the median home value of $240,000 in New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?
The 2026 FHA loan limit for New Orleans (Orleans Parish) is $524,225.
What is the conforming loan limit in New Orleans?
The 2026 conforming loan limit for New Orleans is $806,500. Loans above this are considered jumbo.
How does Louisiana's homestead exemption affect property taxes?
Louisiana offers a generous homestead exemption — the first $75,000 of a home's assessed value is exempt from property taxes for owner-occupied primary residences. Since assessed value is 10% of market value in Louisiana, this effectively exempts the first $750,000 of market value for most homeowners. This keeps property tax bills very low for typical buyers.
Why is homeowners insurance so expensive in Louisiana?
Louisiana's Gulf Coast location makes it one of the highest hurricane-risk states in the country. Post-Katrina (2005) and Laura/Ida (2020–2021) storms caused massive insured losses, leading many insurers to exit the market or dramatically raise rates. Buyers should expect homeowners insurance to be among the highest components of their PITI payment — particularly in coastal parishes.
What does PITI mean and why does it matter in New Orleans?
PITI stands for Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance — the four components of a full monthly mortgage payment. Lenders qualify you based on your total PITI payment, not just principal and interest. In New Orleans, property taxes and insurance can add hundreds of dollars per month to your P&I payment, so it's essential to use a calculator that includes all four components.
What credit score do I need to buy a home in New Orleans?
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%.

Related Calculators