How much house can I afford on $70,000 in California?
About $252,000 with 20% down ($201,000 with an FHA loan), using California's 0.72% property tax rate.
That is $509,494 less than the typical California home ($761,538), so on $70,000 you'd look at cheaper areas or a smaller home. The payment of $1,633 covers $1,356 principal and interest, $151 property tax and $126 insurance.
Counties in California you can afford on $70,000
3 of 58 counties have a typical home value at or below $252,000:
| County | Typical home | 1-yr change | Tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity County | $235,389 | -2.5% | 0.58% |
| Lassen County | $230,824 | +1.5% | 0.72% |
| Modoc County | $192,295 | +3.4% | 0.69% |
Affordable metro areas
Assumes a 30-year fixed loan at 7.11%, property tax of 0.72% of the home value a year, homeowners insurance of 0.6% a year, PMI of 0.5% of the loan a year when the down payment is under 20%, and FHA mortgage insurance of 0.55% a year plus a 1.75% upfront premium added to the loan. Your rate, taxes and insurance will differ.
Other salaries in California
Frequently asked questions
How much house can I afford on $70,000 in California?
About $252,000 with 20% down at 7.11%, keeping the payment (with California's 0.72% property tax and insurance) under $1,633 a month.
Is $70,000 enough to buy a house in California?
Not the typical home: the typical California home is worth $761,538 (Zillow, September 2026) and $70,000 supports about $252,000. 3 of 58 counties are within budget.