Sacramento vs Fresno: Mortgage Cost Comparison
Thinking about buying in Sacramento or Fresno? Here's a side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs in both cities.
$2,942
Sacramento PITI
$2,253
Fresno PITI
$689/mo
Difference
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? Monthly payment PITI with taxes & insurance included
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? Bi-weekly payment PITI if paid every other week
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Sacramento vs Fresno: Full Mortgage Comparison
Buying a home in Fresno is $689/month cheaper based on average home prices and local costs.
| Sacramento, CA | Fresno, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Home Price | $490,000 | $370,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | $98,000 | $74,000 |
| Loan Amount | $392,000 | $296,000 |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.75% | 0.78% |
| Annual Property Tax | $3,675 | $2,886 |
| Annual Insurance | $1,900 | $1,700 |
| Monthly P&I | $2,478 | $1,871 |
| Monthly PITI | $2,942 | $2,253 |
| Total Interest (30yr) | $499,974 | $377,532 |
What Drives the Difference?
Home prices are the biggest factor — Sacramento’s average home costs $120,000 more than Fresno’s.
Property taxes also favor Sacramento — Fresno’s 0.78% rate is higher than Sacramento’s 0.75%.
Insurance is $200/year more in Sacramento.
Income Needed to Buy
Using the 28% rule (PITI under 28% of gross income):
| Sacramento | Fresno | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly PITI | $2,942 | $2,253 |
| Income needed | $126,098 | $96,561 |
Try Your Own Numbers
The calculator above is pre-filled with Sacramento’s averages. Adjust the values to match your situation, or try the Fresno calculator for Fresno-specific numbers.