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California Mortgage Calculator

By SoFi Editors | Updated September 15, 2025

Getting a mortgage in California is easier when you’ve done your homework in advance. Put a few basic facts into this California mortgage calculator and you’ll learn the monthly payment amount and total interest cost for your home purchase. You can also use the calculator to try out different scenarios to find the home price, down payment, and interest rate that are the best combo for you.

  • Key Points
  • •  A mortgage loan calculator helps homebuyers quickly estimate the monthly and total costs of borrowing money to buy a home.
  • •  Generally speaking, monthly mortgage payments should not exceed 28% of gross income.
  • •  The calculator includes principal, interest, and estimated property tax.
  • •  Extending the loan term can reduce monthly payments, making home buying more affordable.
  • •  First-time homebuyer programs offer down payment and closing cost assistance.

California Mortgage Calculator


Calculator Definitions

• Home price: The home price is the purchase price you’ve negotiated with the seller. This price may differ from the initial listing price and your first offer.

• Down payment: The down payment is the amount you plan to pay upfront. It’s often expressed as a percentage of the total home price. Buyers put down anywhere from 3% to 20%. Down payment assistance programs help some buyers pull together the necessary funds.

• Loan term: The loan term is the length of time you have to repay the home loan. Common terms are 15 or 30 years. A shorter term can reduce total interest paid but increases monthly payments. A longer term offers lower monthly payments but results in more interest overall.

• Interest rate: The interest rate is the cost of borrowing money, expressed as a percentage of the loan amount. Interest rates vary based on borrower qualifications, market trends, and loan type.

• Annual property tax: The annual property tax is levied by local governments on land and buildings within their jurisdiction, and is expressed as a percentage of a property’s assessed value. In California, property taxes are capped by state law and the effective tax rate is 0.7%.

• Monthly payment: The monthly payment represents what you would pay toward the loan’s principal and interest each month, plus a sum that goes toward your property taxes. It does not include home insurance, private mortgage insurance (PMI), or homeowners association (HOA) fees.

• Total interest paid: The total interest paid represents the amount of interest you will pay over the life of your home loan. A larger down payment, lower interest rate, or shorter loan term can reduce this amount.

• Total loan cost: The total loan cost represents the all-in amount you will pay for the loan, including both the principal borrowed and the accumulated interest.

How to Use the California Mortgage Calculator

Step 1: Enter Your Home Price

Type in the agreed-upon purchase price of the property.

Step 2: Select a Down Payment Amount

Choose the percent of the home price you will pay upfront. A larger down payment lowers your loan amount and also reduces your monthly payment and total interest paid.

Step 3: Choose a Loan Term

Select the length of time to repay the mortgage, anywhere from 10 to 30 years. A longer term lowers monthly payments but increases total interest.

Step 4: Enter an Interest Rate

Input your estimated interest rate to the second or third decimal point. Lower rates reduce monthly payments and total interest paid.

Step 5: Add Your Annual Property Tax Rate

Enter the percentage of your property’s market value for annual property tax. California’s effective property tax rate averages .7%. For the specific percentage in your area, search online for the property’s town, county, or ZIP code and “effective property tax rate.”

Recommended: Average Monthly Expenses for One Person

Benefits of Using a Mortgage Payment Calculator

A mortgage calculator estimates monthly payments based on loan amount, interest rate, and term. Using it can help you determine affordability before house hunting — it will be particularly helpful if you’re buying your first home, because having a mortgage may be entirely new to you.

Comparing rates and terms aids in choosing the type of mortgage loan you will pursue — for example, whether you will have a fixed or variable interest rate. The calculator shows how a down payment impacts your loan.

If you’re unsure of how much home you can afford, another helpful tool is a home affordability calculator.

Deciding How Much House You Can Afford

In California, the median home sale price in mid-2025 was just over $830,000, well above the national median of around $443,000, according to Redfin. Lenders suggest a mortgage payment shouldn’t exceed 28% of gross monthly income. To afford a $830,000 home with a 20% down payment, you’d need an annual income of $192,000 if you took out a 30-year mortgage at 7.00%. This assumes you pay the average California property taxes and have home insurance costs of $2,500. Your monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, would be $4,417.

Another way to get a handle on how much house you can afford is to go through the mortgage preapproval process with a lender. You’ll emerge with a clear picture of your borrowing capacity.

Components of a Mortgage Payment

The main components of a mortgage payment are the principal and the interest. This mortgage calculator also factors in property tax, because property taxes are often included as part of your monthly loan payment. (It’s in your lender’s interest to make sure you keep up on your tax bills, after all.) Your monthly payment could also include private mortgage insurance (PMI, necessary if your down payment is below 20%) or homeowners association (HOA) fees, depending on your specific situation.

If you’re considering a home loan guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), use an FHA mortgage calculator, which takes into consideration both the loan’s upfront and ongoing mortgage insurance premiums.

A VA mortgage calculator is your best bet if you’re looking at a loan backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Recommended: Down Payment Calculator

Cost of Living in California

California’s high cost of living impacts affordability, with higher home prices and expenses in many areas. As a whole, the state has a cost of living that is 42% above the U.S. national average. Properties in coastal areas might require a jumbo loan. For more affordable living, consider Stockton, Bakersfield, Chico, or another of the Golden State’s best affordable places in the U.S. A California mortgage calculator can estimate homebuying expenses.

There is a significant variation within California in terms of cost, as this cost-of-living index data shows. In the chart below, 100 equals the average cost of living in the U.S.

California Cities’ Cost-of-Living Stats
Bakersfield 111.7
Los Angeles-Long Beach 149.4
Oakland 137.7
Orange County 156.3
Redding 110.5
San Diego 145.3
San Francisco 166.8
San Jose 180.7


Run the numbers on your home loan.

Using the free calculators is for informational purposes only, does not constitute an offer to receive a loan, and will not solicit a loan offer. Any payments shown depend on the accuracy of the information provided.

Tips on Reducing Your Mortgage Payment

Homebuyers in California are looking to do whatever they can to lower their mortgage payment. Here are some things you can do after purchasing a home to lower the payment:

•  Drop private mortgage insurance (PMI) once you reach 20% home equity. (Reach out to your lender to do this.)

•  Consider a mortgage recast. Make a lump-sum payment toward the principal that you owe and ask the lender to do a recast.

•  Consider appealing your property taxes if you feel they are too high. Use caution, however: Inviting closer scrutiny of a property’s worth can sometimes result in a tax increase.

•  Request that a lender modify your loan if you are facing financial hardship.

•  Extend your loan term to lower monthly payments.

•  Shop for cheaper homeowners insurance.

•  If mortgage rates have dropped since you made your purchase, consider a mortgage refinance.

People who qualify as a first-time homebuyer in California may be able to utilize programs that aid with down payments or closing costs, making homeownership accessible to those with limited savings. Best of all, you could qualify as a newbie buyer if you haven’t owned a primary residence in the past three years. The California Housing Finance Agency provides below-market-interest-rate loans and down payment help for eligible low- and middle-income buyers.

Consult a guide to first-time homebuying programs in California for advice.

The Takeaway

Using a California mortgage calculator is a good first step in understanding the financial implications of homeownership. It helps you estimate monthly payments and total interest, and provides a clear picture of the overall cost of borrowing. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or considering refinancing, a mortgage calculator is an invaluable tool for planning and budgeting.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.


SoFi Mortgages: simple, smart, and so affordable.



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FAQ

How does my credit score affect my mortgage loan interest rate?

Higher scores generally mean lower mortgage rates, as lenders see less risk.

What is the difference between principal and interest in a mortgage payment?

Principal repays the loan; interest is the lender’s fee. An amortization schedule details how much of each payment goes to each.

What is a recommended down payment for a mortgage?

A 20% down payment avoids PMI and secures better rates, but many buyers, especially first-timers, put down less. Explore assistance programs if needed.

Should I choose a 30-year or 15-year mortgage term?

A 30-year term has lower monthly payments but higher overall interest. A 15-year term has higher monthly payments but saves on interest. Choose the shortest affordable term; 30-year is most popular.

Learn more about mortgages:




SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information.


*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.


Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.


Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.



External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.


Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

¹FHA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by FHA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. FHA loans require an Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP), which may be financed or paid at closing, in addition to monthly Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP). Maximum loan amounts vary by county. The minimum FHA mortgage down payment is 3.5% for those who qualify financially for a primary purchase. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.


†Veterans, Service members, and members of the National Guard or Reserve may be eligible for a loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by VA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. VA loans typically require a one-time funding fee except as may be exempted by VA guidelines. The fee may be financed or paid at closing. The amount of the fee depends on the type of loan, the total amount of the loan, and, depending on loan type, prior use of VA eligibility and down payment amount. The VA funding fee is typically non-refundable. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.

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SoFi Checking and Savings

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Get a 0.70% APY boost for six months when you subscribe to SoFi Plus and open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account by 1/31/26.*

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SoFi Plus members can earn up to 4.30% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) with a limited-time 0.70% APY Boost to the current Savings APY of 3.60% (rate current as of 11/12/2025). Rates are variable and subject to change.

SoFi Boost APY Promotion Terms

The following terms and conditions (the “Terms”) apply to the SoFi APY Boost Promotion (the “Promotion”), which allows Eligible Members (as defined below) to receive a 0.70% annual percentage yield (“APY”) boost to the APY earned on their SoFi Savings account (the “0.70% APY Boost”) for up to six months by completing the required actions described below.

Promotion Period:

August 5, 2025 at 12:00 a.m. E.T. – January 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. E.T.

Who is eligible for the Promotion?

Members who are new to SoFi Checking and Savings AND new to SoFi Plus as of 8/5/25 are eligible for this promotion (“Eligible Members”). Members who have previously opened a SoFi Checking and Savings account and/or previously enrolled in SoFi Plus are not eligible. You may have previously enrolled in SoFi Plus by either receiving eligible direct deposits or paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee. Eligible Members must complete the qualifying activities described below in order to receive the 0.70% APY Boost.

What qualifying activities do I need to complete to earn the 0.70% APY Boost?

In order to receive the 0.70% APY Boost, you must complete all qualifying activities described in either Option 1 or Option 2 below.

Option 1

•  Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account between 8/5/2025 and 1/31/2026;

AND

•  Enroll in SoFi Plus within 60 days after opening your SoFi Checking and Savings account by either:

  Setting up and maintaining Eligible Direct Deposit, or

  Paying and maintaining the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee

AND

•  Maintain your SoFi Plus subscription for a period of six months.

Option 2

•  Enroll in SoFi Plus by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee between 8/5/2025 and 1/31/2026; AND

•  Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account by 1/31/2026; AND

•  Maintain your SoFi Plus Subscription Fee for a period of six months.

When will I begin earning the 0.70% APY Boost?

Once you have completed all qualifying activities described in either Option 1 or Option 2 above, you will begin receiving the 0.70% APY Boost on your Savings account balances by the following business day. However, if you enroll in SoFi Plus by setting up Eligible Direct Deposit, you will begin receiving the 0.70% APY Boost within one business day after SoFi recognizes your Eligible Direct Deposit.

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you’re earning the 0.70% APY Boost, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives. If your 0.70% APY Boost is not showing, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the 0.70%% APY Boost from the date you contact SoFi.

How long will I earn the 0.70% APY Boost?

You will continue to receive the 0.70% APY Boost for a period of up to six months (the “Boost Period”), provided that you remain enrolled in SoFi Plus for the full Boost Period. In order to remain enrolled in SoFi Plus for the full Boost Period, you must receive an Eligible Direct Deposit into your Checking or Savings account every 30 days or pay the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions for additional details.

During the Boost Period, if you lose your SoFi Plus status for any period, you will not earn the 0.70% APY Boost for that period. Your rates will revert to the standard rates set forth on the SoFi Bank Rate Sheet at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. However, you will be eligible to receive the 0.70% APY Boost again during the remainder of the Boost Period by re-enrolling in SoFi Plus.

Additional Important Terms:

•  Only one promotional APY offer may apply at any time. The 0.70% APY Boost may not be combined with other promotional rates.

•  Promotion is non-transferable and limited to one 0.70% APY Boost per account per member. Any subsequent accounts opened by the member will not receive the 0.70% APY Boost.

•  SoFi reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the Promotion at any time without notice.

•  Standard rates are variable and subject to change at any time. There is no minimum balance requirement.

Fees may reduce earnings. For current rates and additional disclosures, please see: https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

$10 subscription fee: Subscribers are billed every 30 calendar days based on the initial date of subscription.

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When your friends use your link to open and fund a new SoFi Checking and Savings account, you’ll get $100 per friend, and they’ll get $25, too. Terms apply.*

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Bank Referral Program:
The following terms and conditions govern your participation in the SoFi Bank Referral Program (“Bank Referral Program”) during the Promotion Period (as defined below).

Promotion Period:
July 30, 2025 at 12:00 a.m. E.T. -December 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. E.T.

Terms and Conditions:
To receive the referral bonus, a referrer must complete the following required activities: (i) share their unique referral link during the Promotion Period; (ii) have an existing SoFi Checking and Savings account at the time the referred member opens their SoFi Checking and Savings account; and (iii) be a SoFi Plus member at the time the referred member opens and funds their SoFi Checking and Savings account with the referrer’s unique referral link. To enroll in SoFi Plus, see the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions for additional details.

To receive the referral bonus, a referred member must complete the following required activities: (i) apply and successfully open a SoFi Checking and Savings account and (ii) make deposits totaling $50 or more that settle within 21 calendar days of clicking the referral link. Deposits must be made via an ACH transfer from a linked bank account, direct deposit, via “Instant Transfer” from a debit card (if available), from cash deposits, mobile check deposits (if available), or wires. Peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers are excluded (P2P transfers are defined as ACH-based P2P or debit-card based P2P transfers from Venmo, PayPal, Apple Cash, Square Cash, Zelle, etc).

Once the referrer and the referred member have completed all required activities, SoFi will: (i) credit the referrer a one-time cash bonus of $100 into their SoFi Checking account ; and (ii) credit the referred member a one-time cash bonus of $25 into their SoFi Checking account. Please note that, if the referrer is not a SoFi Plus member at the time the referred member opens and funds their SoFi Checking and Savings account, the referrer will only receive a bonus of $75.

Bonus payments will be credited to the referrer and the referred member’s respective SoFi Checking accounts within seven (7) business days following confirmation by SoFi that all required activities have been completed by the referrer and referred member.

This is a limited-time offer from SoFi with limited availability, and is subject to expire at any time.

Referrers will not earn a referral bonus if the referred member has previously opened a SoFi Checking and Savings account or does not use the unique referral link provided by the referrer to open a SoFi Checking and Savings account during the Promotion Period.

Employees of Social Finance, LLC and its affiliates are not eligible to receive referral bonuses under the Bank Referral Program. In no event will any referrer or referred member be entitled to receive more than $10,000 in cumulative referral or welcome bonuses under all available SoFi referral programs within any calendar year.

Bonuses are considered miscellaneous income, and will be reportable to the IRS on Form 1099-MISC (or Form 1042-S, if applicable). SoFi is required to do this reporting in compliance with the applicable federal and state reporting requirements. Recipient is responsible for any applicable federal, state or local taxes associated with receiving the bonus offer; consult with your tax advisor to determine applicable tax consequences.

This offer cannot be combined with the SoFi Checking and Savings “account $20 open offer.” In the case of joint accounts, only the first account holder that opens the new Checking and Savings account is eligible for this offer. SoFi reserves the right to disqualify any participant from the referral program at its sole discretion, including but not limited to cases of actual or suspected fraud, abuse, gaming of the program, or conduct inconsistent with the spirit or intent of these terms. SoFi further reserves the right to verify eligibility, withhold or revoke any bonus, or modify, suspend, or terminate this offer or the referral program at any time without notice.

Interest Rates:
SoFi members can earn the following annual percentage yields (APY):

With Eligible Direct Deposit:
Savings (including Vaults): 3.60% APY.
Checking: 0.50% APY.
No minimum Direct Deposit amount is required to earn the 3.60% APY on savings.

Without Eligible Direct Deposit:
Savings (including Vaults): 1.00% APY.
Checking: 0.50% APY.

Other Rates Details:
Rates are variable and are subject to change at any time.
Rates are current as of 11/12/25.
No minimum balance is required.
Fees may reduce earnings.
Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

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SoFi IRA Quiz Results – SEP

Based on your answers

SEP IRA Recommended (2025)

Based on your answers, here’s an account that may be a good fit.

SEP IRA

The Self-Employed Investor

Designed specifically for self-employed individuals and small business owners with no employees, a SEP IRA allows you to maximize retirement savings while lowering your current taxes. You have the flexibility to choose: manage your own investments with a Self-Directed account or let our automated technology build a portfolio for you with our Robo-Advisor service.1


  • High Contribution Limits: Contribute up to 25% of your net earnings, up to a maximum of $70,000 for 2025 (increasing to $72,000 for 2026).

  • Tax-Deductible Savings: Contributions are made by you (the employer) and are generally 100% tax-deductible, reducing your taxable income for the year.

  • Flexible Management: Choose between hands-on commission-free trading (stocks and ETFs2) or a hands-off automated portfolio built for your goals.


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SoFi Credit Card Money Moves Sweepstakes


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Sweepstakes

Each $10 purchase
could make a $20K
jackpot
more likely.1

Every SoFi Credit Card has unique advantages we hope you love. And from 12/5/25 through 2/15/26 each eligible purchase of $10 or more that you make with your card could put you one step closer to winning the SoFi Credit Card Money Moves Sweepstakes with a grand prize of $20,000.1 


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1NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the 50 states of the U.S. and DC who are legal age of majority at time/date of entry. Each $10+ signature-based purchase transaction qualifies for an entry. Debit, International, Small Business, Corporate, and transactions processed on a non-Mastercard operated network are ineligible. Ends 2/15/26. For Official Rules and complete details, click here.

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How it all works:

Simply make a purchase of $10 or more with your SoFi Credit Card between 12/5/25 and 2/15/26 to receive an entry. Keep in mind: Each eligible transaction counts as an entry so the more purchases you make, the more chances you have to win!

  • December prizes:

    • Each week, 10 winners will receive a $250 Mastercard® Prepaid Card.
    • At the end of the month, one winner will receive a $1,000 Mastercard Prepaid Card.

  • January and mid-February prizes:

    • Each week, 10 winners will receive a $100 Mastercard Prepaid Card.
    • At the end of each month, one winner will receive a $500 Mastercard Prepaid Card.

  • Grand Prize:

    • At the end of the sweepstakes, one Grand
      Prize winner will receive $20,000.

1NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the 50 states of the U.S. and DC who are legal age of majority at time/date of entry. Each $10+ signature-based purchase transaction qualifies for an entry. Debit, International, Small Business, Corporate, and transactions processed on a non-Mastercard operated network are ineligible. Ends 2/15/26. Screen images simulated. For Official Rules and complete details, click here.

{/* eligible purchases */}

Each eligible $10+ purchase
you make
could get you closer to one of these prizes.  

The SoFi Credit Card Money Moves Sweepstakes doesn’t just have a $20K grand prize. 

There are also weekly and monthly prize-winning opportunities!

Grand prize:

$20,000 (1 winner)

December prizes:

$1,000 Mastercard Prepaid Card (1 winner);
$250 Mastercard Prepaid Card (10 weekly winners)

January/mid-February prizes:

$500 Mastercard Prepaid Card (2 winners);
$100 Mastercard Prepaid Card (10 weekly winners)

1NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the 50 states of the U.S. and DC who are legal age of majority at time/date of entry. Each $10+ signature-based purchase transaction qualifies for an entry. Debit, International, Small Business, Corporate, and transactions processed on a non-Mastercard operated network are ineligible. Ends 2/15/26. For Official Rules and complete details, click here.

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