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 Los Angeles
Based on your $75,000 income with 20% down
Your $285,445 budget buys
Monthly payment breakdown
$1,750/mo
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
Cities in California
City-specific affordability data with median home prices and local tax rates.
| City | Median price | Property tax | Insurance/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $950K | 0.74% | $1,500 |
| San Francisco | $1.35M | 0.73% | $1,800 |
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.
What is included in the monthly payment for a California home?
The monthly payment combines four components — principal, interest, taxes, and insurance — known as PITI. For California, that means principal and interest on the mortgage, 0.71% property tax (about $237/month on a $400,000 home), homeowners insurance, and PMI if you put less than 20% down. HOA fees can be added if your property has them.
How much should I save for a down payment in California?
A 20% conventional down payment avoids private mortgage insurance (PMI) — for the example $100,000 income affording about $386,360 in California, that's roughly $77,272. FHA loans allow as little as 3.5% down for qualified buyers but require ongoing mortgage insurance. VA loans and some first-time-buyer programs may allow 0% down.
Related tools
- House Affordability Calculator — compare across all states
- California Paycheck Calculator — calculate your take-home pay
- Take-Home by State — compare across all 50 states
- Mortgage Calculator — estimate your monthly mortgage payment
- Rent vs. Buy Calculator — compare renting vs. owning long-term
- California Cost of Living — housing, groceries, utilities & more
- California Tax Brackets — see how taxes affect your take-home
- California Bonus Tax — bonuses can fund a down payment
- Pay Raise Calculator — see how a raise increases what you can afford