The Mortgage Ledger

Home cost snapshot — California

$765,000 home · 20% down · 6.65% benchmark rate · 30-year term

Estimated monthly cost

Principal & interest
$3,929/mo
Property tax
$478/mo
Home insuranceregional average — your quote varies
$133/mo
Estimated monthly total
$4,540/mo

Cash needed to buy

Down payment (20%)
$153,000
Estimated closing costsexcludes items that vary — see below
$17,765
Estimated cash to close
$170,765

Not the full picture:US transfer tax is set by your state, county, and sometimes city, so it isn't included above — ask your closing agent for the local rate and add it.

See the closing-cost breakdown
Transaction / transfer tax
varies
Loan origination (~0.75% of loan)
$4,590
Appraisal
$600
Credit report
$50
Lender's title insurance + search
$3,825
Owner's title insurance (optional)
$3,060
Escrow / settlement
$900
Recording
$150
Prepaids (tax/insurance/interest escrow)
$4,590

Income to qualify

A median-priced home in California needs about $192,600/year at the standard 28% debt-to-income guideline — about $92,000 more than the $100,600 a typical local household earns, which is why many buyers here need two incomes.

Estimates for guidance only — not a loan offer or financial advice. Figures use a benchmark rate and regional averages; your actual quote will vary. Figures use the same verified regional data as the rest of The Mortgage Ledger — property tax and the survey-average insurance premium for California.