CALCMONEY // HOME AFFORDABILITY // CA // LA JOLLA
How much house can you afford in La Jolla? Based on local median home prices, current CA mortgage rates, and La Jolla property tax data.
$2,800,000
$18,411/mo
$789,049/yr
$1,446,629
Monthly housing costs of $18,411 represent 45.6% of La Jolla's median gross monthly income ($40,417/mo). At 45.6%, median-income buyers in La Jolla are significantly stretched — well above the 28% guideline. A larger down payment or higher income is required.
| Median Home Price | $2,800,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | $560,000 |
| Loan Amount | $2,240,000 |
| Monthly PI Payment | $14,678 |
| Monthly Property Tax | $2,567 |
| Monthly Insurance Est. | $1,167 |
| Total Monthly PITI | $18,411 |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 45.6% |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $789,049/yr |
| Max Affordable Home | $1,446,629 |
$98,000
$23,352/mo
La Jolla Home Affordability Quick Reference 2026
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $2,800,000 | La Jolla city median |
| Down Payment (20%) | $560,000 | Conventional loan |
| Monthly PITI | $18,411 | 6.85% rate, 30yr fixed |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $789,049 | Annual gross |
| Max Affordable Home | $1,446,629 | Based on median income |
| FHA Down (3.5%) | $98,000 | Minimum FHA |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 45.6% | Median income: $485,000/yr |
| Property Tax Rate | 1.1% | $30,800/yr on median home |
Monthly PITI includes principal, interest, property tax, and homeowners insurance. Estimates only.
The median home price in La Jolla is $2,800,000, with a local 30-year mortgage rate of 6.85%. A buyer putting 20% down carries a loan of $2,240,000, generating a monthly P&I payment of $14,678. Adding property taxes ($2,567/mo) and homeowners insurance ($1,167/mo) brings total monthly PITI to $18,411.
La Jolla's property tax rate of 1.1% is near the national average, adding a standard increment to monthly housing costs. On the La Jolla median home, that is $2,567/month, or $30,800 per year.
California levies a state income tax, which affects take-home pay and effective buying power. High-income earners in La Jolla should factor state tax liability into their overall housing budget — mortgage interest may be deductible on both federal and state returns.
Using the 28% rule, a household earning La Jolla's median income of $485,000/year can afford up to $11,317/month in total housing costs. Based on La Jolla's mortgage rate of 6.85% and property tax rate of 1.1%, that translates to a maximum affordable home price of approximately $1,446,629 with 20% down on a 30-year loan.
To afford the median La Jolla home priced at $2,800,000, you need an annual gross income of approximately $789,049. Total monthly housing costs (principal and interest of $14,678, property taxes of $2,567, and insurance of $1,167) come to $18,411/month, which equals 28% of the required income.
At the median home price of $2,800,000 and median household income of $485,000, the total monthly housing cost of $18,411 represents 45.6% of gross monthly income. This is well above the standard 28% threshold, making La Jolla a challenging market for buyers at median income.
A conventional 20% down payment on the median La Jolla home of $2,800,000 is $560,000. An FHA loan requires just 3.5% down — $98,000 — but adds mortgage insurance of roughly $1,914/month, bringing total FHA payments to $23,352/month.
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