How Much House Can You Afford in California?

California property tax rate: 0.71%. Calculate your maximum affordable home price with California-specific rates.

You can afford a home up to

$285,445

Below entry-level in San Francisco

Based on your $75,000 income with 20% down

Studio in SoMa/Tenderloin
$285K$115K more →

Your $285,445 budget buys

San FranciscoNothing yetLos AngelesNothing yetPortland1-bedroom condoSeattleNothing yetNew York CityStudio in Upper Manhattan/BronxMiamiStudio apartmentDenver1-bedroom condoSalt Lake City2-bedroom condo/townhomeAustin2-bedroom condo/townhomeNashville2-bedroom condo/townhomePhoenix2-bedroom condo/townhomeRaleigh3-bedroom homeCharlotte3-bedroom homeTampa3-bedroom homeMinneapolis3-bedroom homeChicago2-bedroom condo
/San FranciscoLos Angeles
28%Recommended
$
%
%

Monthly payment breakdown

$1,750/mo

P&I$1,481
Tax$169
Insurance$100
Calculate your mortgage payment on $285,445Should you rent or buy at this price?

Home price

$285,445

Down payment

$57,089

Loan amount

$228,356

No PMI

Waived (20%+ down)

This is an estimate using California's average property tax rate of 0.71%. Actual rates vary by county. Consult a local lender for a pre-approval.

How it works

This calculator uses the 28/36 rule — a widely used guideline for mortgage affordability. Your total housing costs (mortgage, taxes, insurance, PMI, HOA) should not exceed your chosen DTI ratio of gross monthly income.

The calculator works backwards from your income to find the maximum home price that keeps monthly costs within your DTI limit. It uses the standard amortization formula and California's average property tax rate of 0.71%.

California housing quick facts

Average property tax rate 0.71%
Monthly property tax on $400K home $237
Affordable home at $100K income (28% DTI) $386,360
Monthly payment at $100K income $2,333/mo

Cities in California

City-specific affordability data with median home prices and local tax rates.

City Median price Property tax Insurance/yr
San Francisco $1.35M 0.73% $1,800
Los Angeles $950K 0.74% $1,500

FAQ

How much house can I afford in California?

On a $100,000 income with 20% down at 6.75% interest and California's 0.71% property tax rate, you can afford approximately $386,360 using the recommended 28% DTI ratio. Your monthly payment would be about $2,333.

What is the property tax rate in California?

The average effective property tax rate in California is 0.71%. On a $400,000 home, that's approximately $237/month in property taxes. Actual rates vary by county and municipality.

Is California expensive for homebuyers?

California has moderate property taxes at 0.71%, near the national average. On a $100,000 income, you can afford about $386,360.

What is the 28/36 rule?

The 28/36 rule says your total housing costs should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income (front-end DTI), and total debt payments should not exceed 36% (back-end DTI). This calculator lets you adjust the DTI ratio from 20% to 40% to find your comfort level.

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