How to Use This Mortgage Calculator
Enter your home price, down payment percentage, interest rate, and loan term to get your estimated monthly payment. Add optional property tax and insurance estimates to see your full PITI (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance) payment.
Understanding Your Mortgage Payment Components
Principal & Interest (P&I)
This is the core loan payment — the amount you pay each month to repay the money you borrowed plus interest. Early in the loan, most of your payment goes to interest. Over time, more goes to principal. This is called amortization.
The formula used is the standard PMT function: M = P × [r(1+r)ⁿ] / [(1+r)ⁿ − 1], where P is principal, r is the monthly rate, and n is the number of payments. This is identical to what every U.S. bank uses.
Property Taxes
Property taxes vary widely by location — from under 0.3% in Hawaii to over 2.4% in New Jersey. The national average is approximately 1.1% of home value per year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Most lenders collect taxes monthly in an escrow account and pay your tax bill on your behalf.
Homeowner's Insurance
Required by all mortgage lenders, homeowner's insurance typically costs $1,200–$2,400 per year ($100–$200/month), depending on home value, location, and coverage level. Like taxes, it's often escrowed by your lender.
PMI — Private Mortgage Insurance
PMI is required when your down payment is less than 20%. It protects the lender — not you — against default. PMI costs approximately 0.5%–1.5% of the loan amount per year. Under the Homeowners Protection Act (CFPB), you can request PMI cancellation once you reach 20% equity, and lenders must automatically cancel it at 22%.
30-Year vs. 15-Year Mortgage: Which Is Better?
| Factor | 30-Year Fixed | 15-Year Fixed |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Rate (Mar 2026) | 6.11% | 5.50% |
| Monthly Payment* | $2,124 | $2,893 |
| Total Interest* | $364,640 | $170,740 |
| Interest Savings | — | $193,900 |
| Equity Build Speed | Slower | Faster |
| Monthly Cash Flow | Better | Tighter |
*Based on $350,000 loan. Principal & interest only.
Current Mortgage Rates (March 2026)
Source: Freddie Mac PMMS / Bankrate / Fortune. Rates as of March 2026. Your rate will vary.