San Diego vs Los Angeles: Mortgage Cost Comparison
Thinking about buying in San Diego or Los Angeles? Here's a side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs in both cities.
$4,998
San Diego PITI
$5,404
Los Angeles PITI
$406/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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San Diego vs Los Angeles: Full Mortgage Comparison
Buying a home in San Diego is $406/month cheaper based on average home prices and local costs.
| San Diego, CA | Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Home Price | $850,000 | $920,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | $170,000 | $184,000 |
| Loan Amount | $680,000 | $736,000 |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.73% | 0.72% |
| Annual Property Tax | $6,205 | $6,624 |
| Annual Insurance | $2,200 | $2,400 |
| Monthly P&I | $4,298 | $4,652 |
| Monthly PITI | $4,998 | $5,404 |
| Total Interest (30yr) | $867,303 | $938,727 |
What Drives the Difference?
Home prices are the biggest factor — Los Angeles’s average home costs $70,000 more than San Diego’s.
Property taxes also favor Los Angeles — San Diego’s 0.73% rate is higher than Los Angeles’s 0.72%.
Insurance is $200/year more in Los Angeles.
Income Needed to Buy
Using the 28% rule (PITI under 28% of gross income):
| San Diego | Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly PITI | $4,998 | $5,404 |
| Income needed | $214,221 | $231,601 |
Try Your Own Numbers
The calculator above is pre-filled with San Diego’s averages. Adjust the values to match your situation, or try the Los Angeles calculator for Los Angeles-specific numbers.