San Francisco vs Sacramento: Mortgage Cost Comparison
Thinking about buying in San Francisco or Sacramento? Here's a side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs in both cities.
$7,791
San Francisco PITI
$2,942
Sacramento PITI
$4,849/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 Francisco vs Sacramento: Full Mortgage Comparison
Buying a home in Sacramento is $4,849/month cheaper based on average home prices and local costs.
| San Francisco, CA | Sacramento, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Home Price | $1,350,000 | $490,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | $270,000 | $98,000 |
| Loan Amount | $1,080,000 | $392,000 |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.65% | 0.75% |
| Annual Property Tax | $8,775 | $3,675 |
| Annual Insurance | $2,800 | $1,900 |
| Monthly P&I | $6,826 | $2,478 |
| Monthly PITI | $7,791 | $2,942 |
| Total Interest (30yr) | $1,377,480 | $499,974 |
What Drives the Difference?
Home prices are the biggest factor — San Francisco’s average home costs $860,000 more than Sacramento’s.
Property taxes also favor San Francisco — Sacramento’s 0.75% rate is higher than San Francisco’s 0.65%.
Insurance is $900/year more in San Francisco.
Income Needed to Buy
Using the 28% rule (PITI under 28% of gross income):
| San Francisco | Sacramento | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly PITI | $7,791 | $2,942 |
| Income needed | $333,896 | $126,098 |
Try Your Own Numbers
The calculator above is pre-filled with San Francisco’s averages. Adjust the values to match your situation, or try the Sacramento calculator for Sacramento-specific numbers.