San Francisco, California Mortgage Refinance Interest Rates
Discover the latest mortgage interest rates to make informed decisions about your home refinancing.
Interest rate over time in San Francisco, California
Timeframe
Daily refinance averages provided by the Mortgage Research Center.
Compare mortgage rates in San Francisco, California
Showing results for: 15-Year Fixed and 30-Year Fixed refinance offers for Single Family or Townhome properties in CA, total loan amount of $228,000.
| Lender | APR / Rate | Monthly Payment | |
|---|---|---|---|
Rate data provided by RateUpdate.com. Displayed by Mortgage Research Center, NMLS #1907, Equal Housing Opportunity. Rates and fees are estimates and subject to change without notice. Payments do not include taxes and insurance premiums. Actual payments may be higher. Not all lenders participate in this marketplace. Loan availability and terms may vary by state and lender. Lender offers, including badges like “Lowest APR” or “Lowest Payment,” are based only on results displayed here and may not reflect the absolute lowest offer available in the market. Rate and product details
Should You Refinance in San Francisco?
0.9% annual appreciation
· Data updated 9/13/2026While San Francisco's market is currently experiencing slower appreciation (0.9% annually), refinancing to lower your interest rate can help reduce monthly costs and build equity faster.
Local Market Context
San Francisco, California homes have a median value of $425,000, with 0.9% year-over-year appreciation. While appreciation is slower, refinancing to a lower rate can help you build equity faster and reduce monthly costs.
Estimated Monthly Payment in San Francisco
Based on the median home price of $425,000 with 20% down at 7.12% (30-year fixed):
| Principal & Interest | $2,288.34/mo |
| Property Tax | $269/mo |
| Homeowner's Insurance (est.) | $125/mo |
| Estimated Total (PITI) | $2,682/mo |
Rate Savings Scenarios for San Francisco
How your monthly principal & interest payment changes at different rates (20% down on $425,000 median home):
| Interest Rate | Monthly P&I | vs. Current Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Current rate (7.12%) | $2,288 | — |
| 6.62% (–0.5%) | $2,175 | –$113/mo |
| 6.12% (–1.0%) | $2,064 | –$224/mo |
Down Payment Impact in San Francisco
Monthly principal & interest at 7.12% for different down payments on the $425,000 median home:
| Down Payment | Loan Amount | Monthly P&I |
|---|---|---|
| 10% down ($42,500) | $382,500 | $2,574 |
| 15% down ($63,750) | $361,250 | $2,431 |
| 20% down ($85,000) | $340,000 | $2,288 |
Property Tax Impact
Property taxes in San Francisco, California average 0.76% of home value, which is lower compared to the national average. When refinancing, it's important to remember that your total monthly payment includes these taxes (approximately $269 per month for a median-valued home). A lower interest rate might reduce your principal and interest payment, but your property tax portion stays the same.
California ranks 35th (relatively low) nationally for property taxes, which directly affects your total monthly payment when buying or refinancing.
Cost of Living Context
San Francisco's cost of living is 10% above the national average (index: 110), meaning housing costs tend to run higher than typical — which typically means higher housing costs but also historically stronger equity growth potential.
Calculate Your Exact Refinance Savings
Get a personalized analysis based on your specific mortgage details, compare multiple offers, and see your break-even point.
Use Refinance CalculatorSmart Refinancing Strategies for San Francisco Homeowners
Hey San Francisco! The Bay Area real estate market is finding its footing with steady, reliable growth. This stability is a huge advantage when you are planning your financial future and calculating your equity.
FHA to Conventional & Your LTV
Refinancing relies heavily on your Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio.
When your LTV dips under 80%, refinancing from an FHA loan into a standard Conventional loan is one of the smartest moves you can make to eliminate monthly mortgage insurance.
Property Tax Tip for San Francisco Homeowners
A cash-out refinance is incredibly popular in stable, low-tax-rate markets like this. You can use your built-up equity to pay off high-interest credit cards, rolling that debt into your much lower-interest mortgage.
Hero & Housing Programs for San Francisco
The CalHFA offers great resources right in your backyard. Be sure to ask your lender about state-backed advantages that can lower your effective interest rate or provide ADU grants.
What Interest Rate Drop Makes Refinancing Worth It in San Francisco?
In San Francisco's stable market with 0.9% annual appreciation, refinancing is generally worthwhile when you can reduce your rate by at least 0.75-1%. For a $425,000 home with an 80% LTV ($340,000 loan), dropping from 7% to 6% saves approximately $140/month. With typical closing costs around $8,500, you'd break even in about 61 months. If you plan to stay in your home at least 6 years, refinancing makes financial sense.
How Do I Calculate My Break-Even Point for Refinancing in San Francisco?
Calculate your break-even point by dividing total closing costs by monthly savings. In San Francisco, closing costs typically run 2-3% of your loan amount. If you're refinancing $340,000 (80% of San Francisco's $425,000 median home value), expect around $8,500 in costs. Compare your current monthly payment to your new payment including the 0.76% property tax, insurance, and the new principal/interest. If refinancing saves $150/month, your break-even is 57 months. Don't forget to factor in how long you plan to keep the home.
Should I Refinance from a 30-Year to 15-Year Mortgage in San Francisco?
Shortening your term from 30 to 15 years can save substantial interest and typically offers rates 0.5-0.75% lower. On San Francisco's median home value of $425,000, you could save over $100,000 in interest over the loan's life. However, monthly payments increase significantly-a $340,000 loan at 6% jumps from approximately $2,308/month (30-year) to $2,962/month (15-year at 5.5%). Refinance to a 15-year if you can comfortably afford the higher payment and want to build equity faster in San Francisco's stable market.
Can I Refinance If I Still Have PMI in San Francisco?
Yes, and eliminating PMI is often a primary refinancing goal. PMI typically costs 0.5-1% of your loan amount annually. On a $340,000 mortgage in San Francisco, that's $200-400/month. With 0.9% annual appreciation plus principal paydown, you may have crossed the 80% LTV threshold. If you purchased with 5-10% down 3-4 years ago, appreciation likely brought you to 20%+ equity. Refinancing removes PMI permanently (unlike conventional loans where it can take years to cancel), immediately lowering your payment even if you get the same interest rate.
Is a No-Closing-Cost Refinance a Good Deal in San Francisco?
No-closing-cost refinances roll $10,200 in typical closing costs into your loan balance or offset them with a slightly higher interest rate (usually 0.25-0.5% higher). In San Francisco's stable market, this makes sense if you plan to move within 3-5 years, avoiding the $57-month break-even period on traditional refinances. However, if you're staying long-term, paying closing costs upfront and getting a lower rate saves more money over time. Calculate both scenarios: upfront costs with lower rate versus no costs with higher rate over your expected timeline.
How San Francisco compares across California
Median home prices vary widely across California, which changes what a typical refinance costs. Here is the estimated monthly principal and interest on a median-priced home (80% loan-to-value) at today's average 30-year fixed rate of 7.12%:
| City | Median home price | Est. monthly P&I | vs. San Francisco |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $425,000 | $2,288 | — |
| Santa Maria | $434,300 | $2,338 | +$50/mo |
| Riverside | $439,900 | $2,369 | +$81/mo |
| Los Angeles | $487,800 | $2,626 | +$338/mo |
Estimates use each city's median home price with the same statewide average rate; actual quotes vary by lender, credit profile, and loan size.