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Columbus, OH Mortgage Calculator

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

Local Home Values & Affordability

A 20% down payment on a median Columbus home requires $50,000 in cash — or $8,750 for an FHA-minimum 3.5% down payment. Buyers with less than 20% down will also need to budget for PMI or FHA MIP.

Columbus's median home value of $250,000 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

Franklin County's effective property tax rate of 1.73% is 57% above the 1.10% national average across the markets we track — placing it among the top 30% highest-tax counties in our dataset.

Based on the 1.73% effective rate and a median home value of $250,000, a typical homeowner in Franklin County pays approximately $4,325 in annual property taxes — or $360 per month added to their mortgage payment.

Sources: Tax Foundation 2025

Homeowners Insurance Costs

Homeowners insurance in Franklin County runs approximately $1,200/year ($100/month), in line with the national average of $1,600.

Premium quotes in Franklin County typically range from $850 to $1,800 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 Columbus home ($250,000) with FHA's minimum 3.5% down would borrow $241,250 — 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 $200,000 stays $632,750 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 $241,250 FHA loan, expect approximately $111/month in ongoing MIP — added to principal, interest, taxes, and insurance.

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

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%

≈ $50,000

%

Illustrative — check with your lender

$

Extra Monthly Payment

$

Estimated Monthly Payment

$1,784

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

FHA Eligible

Loan Amount: $200,000

LTV: 0.01%

P&I Payment

$1,324

Total Interest

$276,602

over loan life

Payoff

30 yr

Closing Costs

$3,825–$7,140

est. range

Monthly Payment Breakdown

2026 Loan Limit Context

FHA Limit

$541,287

Conforming Limit

$832,750

Amortization Schedule

Mo.PaymentPrincipalInterestBalanceTotal Interest
1$1,324$166$1,158$199,834$1,158
2$1,324$167$1,157$199,668$2,316
3$1,324$167$1,156$199,500$3,472
4$1,324$168$1,155$199,332$4,628
5$1,324$169$1,154$199,163$5,782
6$1,324$170$1,153$198,992$6,936
7$1,324$171$1,153$198,821$8,088
8$1,324$172$1,152$198,648$9,240
9$1,324$173$1,151$198,475$10,390
10$1,324$174$1,150$198,301$11,540
11$1,324$175$1,148$198,125$12,688
12$1,324$176$1,147$197,949$13,835
Months 112 of 360

2026 Loan Limits — Franklin County, OH

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 — Columbus Mortgage

What is the average mortgage payment in Columbus?
Based on the median home value of $250,000 in Columbus, 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 Columbus?
The 2026 FHA loan limit for Columbus (Franklin County) is $524,225.
What is the conforming loan limit in Columbus?
The 2026 conforming loan limit for Columbus is $806,500. Loans above this are considered jumbo.
What credit score do I need to buy a home in Columbus?
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 OH?
Closing costs typically range from 2–5% of the loan amount. For a $350,000 loan, that's roughly $7,000–$17,500. OH 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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