San Diego, California Mortgage Calculator

San Diego median home prices reach $960,000 in 2025, showing strong coastal demand despite inventory increases. La Jolla and Del Mar command $2M-$3M+ (coastal luxury), Pacific Beach ranges $800K-$1.5M (beach lifestyle), North Park $650K-$900K (urban hip), Gaslamp condos $500K-$1M. Affordable South Bay: Chula Vista $650K, National City $630K, Spring Valley $700K, El Cajon $680K. Inventory increased 47% year-over-year creating more buyer options. Homes averaging 33-38 days on market versus under 20 days in 2022 peak.

For San Diego's $960,000 median, buyers need $240,000-$280,000 annual household income with 20% down ($192,000). Monthly costs run $6,500-$7,500 including mortgage, 1.0-1.25% property tax (Prop 13 base 0.75% plus local assessments), insurance, HOA fees. California state income tax (9.3-13.3% top brackets) reduces take-home significantly. Strong employment from biotech (Illumina, Thermo Fisher), military (Navy, Marines major bases), healthcare (Scripps, Kaiser), and tourism supports high incomes. More affordable Chula Vista ($650K) requires $160,000-$180,000 income.

San Diego County base property tax is 0.75% under California Proposition 13, plus local assessments 0.25-0.50%, totaling 1.0-1.25% effective rate. On $960,000 home, expect $9,600-$12,000 annual property tax. Prop 13 limits annual increases to 2% until property sells, providing long-term predictability (versus market value reassessment in other states). San Diego has lower property tax than Texas (1.65%) but higher state income tax than Texas (zero). Tax stability attracts long-term homeowners.

Value-conscious San Diego buyers target South Bay and East County: Chula Vista $650K (largest suburb, good schools), National City $630K (affordable entry), Spring Valley $700K, El Cajon $680K (inland east). Within city: City Heights $550K-$700K (gentrifying central), North Park condos $400K-$550K (urban living lower entry), Allied Gardens $800K (established mid-city). Always factor HOA fees $200-$500/month for condos. Avoid coastal La Jolla ($2M+), Del Mar ($2.5M+), Coronado ($1.5M+) unless high budget.

San Diego shows normalizing balanced conditions in 2025. Inventory increased 47% year-over-year, rental prices declined 2.1% (new apartment supply), homes averaging 33-38 days on market. More negotiating power than competitive 2022. However, market remains fundamentally strong: year-round perfect weather (70°F average), limited new single-family construction (geographic constraints), strong biotech/military economy, lifestyle appeal (beaches, outdoor recreation). Good time for buyers with more options and less bidding frenzy than pandemic years.

With a $70,000 annual salary, you can typically afford a home priced between $210,000-$280,000, assuming good credit, 20% down payment, and following the 28/36 debt rule. Use our calculator above for your exact situation.

Minimum credit scores vary by loan type: Conventional loans require 620+, FHA loans accept 580+ (or 500+ with 10% down), VA loans have no minimum but lenders typically want 620+, and USDA loans need 640+.

A 20% down payment eliminates PMI requirements, which typically costs 0.5-1% annually. However, many buyers purchase with less down. This is educational information - evaluate your specific situation and consult professionals.

Closing costs typically range from 2-5% of the home price. On a $300,000 house, expect $6,000-$15,000 in closing costs including appraisal, inspection, title insurance, and lender fees.

A fixed-rate mortgage has the same interest rate for the life of the loan, meaning your monthly principal and interest payments are stable. An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) has a rate that changes periodically, so your monthly payments could increase or decrease.

To improve your DTI ratio, you can either increase your income or decrease your debt. Consider strategies like paying down high-interest loans, avoiding new debt, and exploring opportunities to boost your earnings.

A home appraisal is a professional assessment of a property's value. It is important because lenders use it to ensure they are not lending more money than the property is worth. A low appraisal can impact your ability to secure a loan.

A 15-year mortgage typically has a lower interest rate and you will pay less interest over the life of the loan. However, the monthly payments are higher. A 30-year mortgage has lower monthly payments, but you will pay more in interest over time.