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San Diego's median home price sits near $937,500, where a conforming 30-year fixed at 5.875% carries a principal-and-interest payment of $4,437 monthly. That's the baseline for a $750,000 loan with 20% down and a 740 FICO score.
Conforming loans dominate the San Diego market because they fit within the $1,104,000 limit set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Lenders compete aggressively on these loans, which means tighter spreads and faster underwriting than jumbo products.
5.875%
Interest Rate
$4,437
Monthly P&I
680
FICO Minimum
$1,104,000
Conforming Limit
5–20%
Down Payment
30–45 days
Closing Timeline
Conforming Loans in San Diego
Conforming loans in San Diego typically require a 680+ FICO score, though 740+ gets the best rates. Down payment ranges from 5% to 20%; at 20% down (80% LTV), you skip PMI entirely.
San Diego County's median household income of $102,285 stretches to cover a $937,500 purchase comfortably at a 43% debt-to-income ratio. Most lenders cap DTI at 43–50%, so income verification and clean credit matter more than raw down-payment size.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect conforming loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in San Diego.
San Diego's median home price sits near $937,500, where a conforming 30-year fixed at 5.875% carries a principal-and-interest payment of $4,437 monthly. That's the baseline for a $750,000 loan with 20% down and a 740 FICO score.
Conforming loans dominate the San Diego market because they fit within the $1,104,000 limit set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Lenders compete aggressively on these loans, which means tighter spreads and faster underwriting than jumbo products.
Conforming loans in San Diego typically require a 680+ FICO score, though 740+ gets the best rates. Down payment ranges from 5% to 20%; at 20% down (80% LTV), you skip PMI entirely.
California's conforming market is dominated by large retail banks and mortgage companies that sell loans to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These lenders compete on rate, closing costs, and speed—most close in 30–45 days for a straightforward application.
Brokers like SRK CAPITAL source conforming loans from multiple lenders, which gives borrowers access to better pricing than a single bank's retail window.
Conforming loans make sense for San Diego buyers under $1,104,000 who have 20% down and a 740+ FICO. At that profile, you get the lowest rate available and no PMI—the math is clean.
If you're putting down 5–15%, a conforming loan still works, but PMI adds $150–$300 monthly. FHA might offer a lower rate, but its lifetime mortgage insurance (under 10% down) often costs more over 10 years than conventional PMI.
Conforming loans run higher rates than FHA but skip the lifetime mortgage insurance that FHA carries below 10% down. If you're putting 20% down, conforming has no PMI at all—FHA always has MIP, even after 11 years.
Jumbo loans above $1,104,000 typically require 20% down and 700+ FICO, with rates running 0.25–0.5% higher than conforming. Conforming's agency backing makes it the cheaper option for San Diego buyers under the limit.
San Diego's job market spans biotech, defense, tourism, and tech—sectors that support steady income verification for mortgage qualification.
The region's strong property appreciation means your equity builds faster than in slower markets. A conforming loan at 5.875% locks in your rate while San Diego's coastal and urban neighborhoods continue to appreciate.
Principal and interest run $4,437 monthly at 5.875% on a 30-year fixed. That's based on a $750,000 loan, $937,500 purchase price, 20% down, 740 FICO, primary residence, single-family home, 30-day lock as of April 17, 2026.
Yes. At 20% down (80% LTV), there is no PMI. Below 20%, mortgage insurance is required and adds $150–$300 monthly depending on your LTV and credit score. PMI cancels automatically at 78% LTV under the Homeowners Protection Act.
Minimum is 680 FICO, but 740+ gets the best rates. At 680–699, expect a rate bump of 0.25–0.5%. Most San Diego lenders tighten overlays above 43% DTI, so a strong credit score helps offset higher debt ratios.
Typical timeline is 30–45 days from application to funding. Conforming loans have standardized underwriting rules, so there are fewer surprises. A clean application with verified income and assets closes faster.
If you have 20% down, conforming wins—no PMI, lower rate, no upfront MIP. If you're putting 5–15% down, FHA's lower rate might offset its lifetime mortgage insurance, but conforming PMI cancels at 78% LTV. Run both scenarios with your lender.