Median household income: $141,446; value-to-income ratio 9.76. San Francisco ranks 53 by home value and 4 by population among 502 places in our CA dataset.
What does a VA loan cost on a typical San Francisco home?
| Item | San Francisco |
|---|---|
| Median home value (Census ACS) | $1,380,500 |
| California median home value | $695,400 |
| Down payment (0%) | $0 |
| Loan incl. 2.15% funding fee | $1,410,181 |
| Estimated monthly payment (PITI + MI) | $10,505 |
| Income needed (28% / 36%) | $451,000 / $351,000 |
| San Francisco County 2026 county limit for partial VA entitlement | $1,249,125 |
Rate assumption: 7.18% (Freddie Mac PMMS 30-year fixed average, week of November 5, 2026). Change it in the payment calculator.
Payment includes California's 0.71% effective property tax rate (Census ACS), $1,655/yr homeowners insurance (NAIC state average); VA loans have no monthly mortgage insurance.
What is the 2026 VA loan limit in San Francisco?
VA loans have no loan limit for borrowers with full entitlement. If part of your entitlement is tied up in another VA loan, VA uses San Francisco County's 2026 conforming limit of $1,249,125 to calculate your zero-down maximum. The county's FHA limit is $1,249,125 for comparison.
The San Francisco median home value of $1,380,500 is 99% above the California median, and above what the county limit supports.
Which down payment assistance programs can San Francisco buyers use?
- Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (DALP) — Up to $500,000; deferred loan; city-level. San Francisco Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) · Verified October 25, 2026
- First Responders Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (FRDALP) — Up to $500,000; deferred loan; city-level. San Francisco Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) · Verified October 25, 2026
- Educators Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (Educator DALP) — Up to $500,000; deferred loan; city-level. San Francisco Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) · Verified October 25, 2026
- CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program — Up to the lesser of 3.5% of the purchase price or appraised value (FHA); deferred; state-level. California Housing Finance Agency · Verified October 23, 2026
VA loans in nearby cities
VA loan FAQs for San Francisco
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 2019–2023 5-Year Estimates
- FHFA — 2026 Conforming Loan Limit Values
- VA — Funding fee and closing costs
- NAIC — Homeowners Insurance Report, Data for 2023 (HO-3 average premium)
- Freddie Mac — Primary Mortgage Market Survey
- San Francisco Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) — Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (DALP)
- San Francisco Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) — First Responders Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (FRDALP)
Data last updated October 23, 2026.
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Get My MatchesFigures on this page are estimates for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, loan limits, fees and assistance programs change frequently and vary by lender, location and borrower profile. Confirm current terms with a licensed loan officer.