Can I actually afford San Diego? It depends on your income, your monthly debts, your down payment and the mortgage rate. Enter yours below to see an estimated price range and monthly payment with property tax, insurance, PMI and HOA dues included. Under the calculator, a table shows the income needed at common San Diego prices.
Combined household, before taxes.
Cash saved for down payment + closing. First-time buyer programs may help. See the first-time buyer guide.
Car loans, student loans, credit card minimums (not rent).
Starts at 7.40%, Freddie Mac's weekly national average for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage as of Oct. 15, 2026. Your rate depends on credit, loan type, points and lender, and the APR will be higher once fees are included.
Common in condos, townhomes, and master-planned communities.
Illustration only, not a loan offer or approval. Assumes a 30-year fixed-rate loan repaid in 360 monthly payments, property tax of 1.1% and homeowners insurance of 0.35% of the price per year, PMI of 0.5% of the price per year when the down payment is under 20%, and a 43% limit on all monthly debts as a share of gross income. The APR on a real loan will be higher than the interest rate once fees are included. Closing costs are not included, and your actual approval may differ.
How much house you can afford in San Diego depends on your income, your other monthly debts, your down payment and the mortgage rate. This calculator keeps the full house payment plus your other debts at or under 43% of your gross monthly income. At Freddie Mac's 7.40% weekly average for a 30-year fixed-rate loan (as of Oct. 15, 2026), a household earning $120,000 a year with $50,000 down and $500 a month in other debts tops out near $485,000. San Diego County's $1,075,000 median single-family price (C.A.R., second quarter of 2026) takes about $202,000 a year with 20% down and no other debts.
Illustration, not a loan offer: 360 monthly payments, and the APR will be higher once fees are included. The assumptions are below the table.
The calculator's own math at its default rate, with no other debts or HOA dues. Illustration, not a loan offer: 30-year fixed rate at 7.40% (Freddie Mac weekly average as of Oct. 15, 2026), 360 monthly payments. The APR will be higher once fees are included. Tax and insurance are estimates.
| Home price | Down payment | Estimated monthly payment | Income needed (about) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $600,000 | 10% ($60,000) | $4,714 | $132,000 a year |
| $600,000 | 20% ($120,000) | $4,048 | $113,000 a year |
| $800,000 | 10% ($80,000) | $6,285 | $175,000 a year |
| $800,000 | 20% ($160,000) | $5,398 | $151,000 a year |
| $1,075,000 | 10% ($107,500) | $8,446 | $236,000 a year |
| $1,075,000 | 20% ($215,000) | $7,253 | $202,000 a year |
Use this range as a starting point. A lender's preapproval gives your real loan amount, and a Loan Estimate shows the APR and fees. First-time buyer? Compare the San Diego down payment assistance programs before you settle on a price. Karina can help you compare homes and areas in your range, in English or Portuguese (contracts and escrow documents are in English). Call 619-369-4598, email karinahomes@outlook.com, or start with the free client intake.
It depends on the price, your down payment and your other debts. With this calculator's assumptions (a 30-year fixed-rate loan at Freddie Mac's 7.40% weekly average as of Oct. 15, 2026, 360 monthly payments, no other debts and no HOA dues), the $1,075,000 county median single-family price takes about $202,000 a year with 20% down, and a $600,000 home takes about $113,000. The California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) puts the minimum income for that median-priced home at $268,000 for the second quarter of 2026, and says 17% of San Diego County households could afford it. C.A.R. uses a stricter test: the payment of principal, interest, taxes and insurance can be no more than 30% of income, with 20% down at a 6.54% effective rate. Both are illustrations, not loan offers, and the APR on a real loan will be higher once fees are included.
Yes. It adds property tax at 1.1% of the price per year and homeowners insurance at 0.35% per year, plus PMI when you put down less than 20%. California's basic property tax rate is 1% of assessed value under Proposition 13, plus rates for voter-approved bonds that vary by area within a county, so 1.1% is a round estimate. The calculator does not include Mello-Roos or other special taxes, HOA dues, or separate flood or earthquake coverage unless you add them. To include them, enter the monthly total in the HOA field.
Debt-to-income (DTI) is all your monthly debt payments, including the new house payment, divided by your gross monthly income. Limits depend on the loan type and the lender. For conventional loans, Fannie Mae's Selling Guide sets a maximum of 36% for manually underwritten loans, up to 45% for borrowers who meet its credit score and reserve requirements, and up to 50% for loans approved through its Desktop Underwriter system. This calculator uses 43%. FHA, VA and jumbo loans follow their own rules, so a lender's preapproval gives your real limit.
Assistance adds to the money you put down, which lowers the first mortgage and its monthly payment. To estimate the effect, add the assistance amount to the down payment slider. The calculator treats it like your own cash: it does not include any payment on a second loan, and lenders apply their own mortgage insurance rules when part of the down payment is borrowed. Most San Diego programs are deferred-payment second loans with income limits and their own repayment terms, so confirm them with the program and your lender.
Down payment assistance, first-generation buyer programs and VA loans can change what you can afford. The numbers above assume no assistance. With programs, the picture often looks better.