San Francisco vs Seattle: Mortgage Cost Comparison
Thinking about buying in San Francisco or Seattle? Here's a side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs in both cities.
$7,791
San Francisco PITI
$4,774
Seattle PITI
$3,017/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 Seattle: Full Mortgage Comparison
Buying a home in Seattle is $3,017/month cheaper based on average home prices and local costs.
| San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Home Price | $1,350,000 | $800,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | $270,000 | $160,000 |
| Loan Amount | $1,080,000 | $640,000 |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.65% | 0.88% |
| Annual Property Tax | $8,775 | $7,040 |
| Annual Insurance | $2,800 | $1,700 |
| Monthly P&I | $6,826 | $4,045 |
| Monthly PITI | $7,791 | $4,774 |
| Total Interest (30yr) | $1,377,480 | $816,285 |
What Drives the Difference?
Home prices are the biggest factor — San Francisco’s average home costs $550,000 more than Seattle’s.
Property taxes also favor San Francisco — Seattle’s 0.88% rate is higher than San Francisco’s 0.65%.
Insurance is $1,100/year more in San Francisco.
Income Needed to Buy
Using the 28% rule (PITI under 28% of gross income):
| San Francisco | Seattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly PITI | $7,791 | $4,774 |
| Income needed | $333,896 | $204,582 |
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 Seattle calculator for Seattle-specific numbers.