Compare Today's Mortgage Rates.
Browse today's rate comparisons and see exactly what your full monthly payment looks like. Principal & interest is only part of it — this calculator shows the full PITI, including taxes, insurance, and PMI.
Estimates only. PMI rates vary by program, credit score, and loan-to-value. HOA dues, MIP (FHA), and VA funding fees aren't included. Final terms depend on underwriting. Not a commitment to lend.
PITI, in plain English.
Most online calculators show "principal & interest" and call it a day. The real number includes four (sometimes five) parts. Here's the short version of what each one means and why it matters:
- Principal. The portion of each payment that pays down the loan balance. Builds your equity.
- Interest. What the lender earns on the outstanding balance. The bulk of each payment in the early years of a 30-year loan.
- Taxes. County property tax, prorated monthly and held in your escrow account until the bill comes due. California averages around 1.1% of assessed value annually but varies considerably by county and Mello-Roos area.
- Insurance. Homeowners insurance, also escrowed monthly. Typically 0.25–0.5% of home value annually.
- PMI. Private mortgage insurance, required by most conventional loans when down payment is below 20%. Drops off automatically once your loan-to-value reaches 78%.
What's not in the calculator above: HOA dues, FHA mortgage insurance premium, VA funding fee, supplemental tax bills, and earthquake/flood insurance riders where applicable. We'll cover all of those when we put together a real quote.
Want a real number?
Calculator estimates are useful. A real loan officer working with your actual numbers is better.