Mortgage Guide

Mortgage Calculator with Taxes and Insurance — Full Monthly Payment Breakdown

Your mortgage payment is more than just principal and interest. Property taxes, homeowner's insurance, and PMI can add hundreds of dollars per month. Learn exactly what goes into your total monthly payment — with real examples.

What Makes Up Your Total Monthly Mortgage Payment?

Most people focus only on the principal and interest (P&I) payment, but your actual monthly housing cost — called PITI — includes four components:

P

Principal

The portion of your payment that reduces your loan balance. Starts small, grows over time.

I

Interest

The cost of borrowing. Starts large, shrinks as your balance decreases.

T

Taxes

Property taxes collected monthly and held in escrow. Typically 1–2% of home value annually.

I

Insurance

Homeowner's insurance + PMI (if down payment < 20%). Usually $100–$300/month combined.

The Full Mortgage Payment Formula

Step 1 — Principal & Interest (P&I)

M = P × [r(1+r)ⁿ] ÷ [(1+r)ⁿ − 1]

P = loan amount, r = monthly rate, n = total payments

Step 2 — Monthly Property Tax

Annual Property Tax ÷ 12

Step 3 — Monthly Insurance

Annual Homeowner's Insurance ÷ 12

Step 4 — PMI (if applicable)

(Loan Amount × 0.01) ÷ 12  ≈ typical PMI

Total Monthly Payment (PITI)

P&I + Monthly Tax + Monthly Insurance + PMI

Real Examples — Total Monthly Payment with Taxes & Insurance

$300,000 Home — 10% Down, 6.5% Rate, 30 Years

Loan Amount

$270,000

P&I Payment

$1,707

Monthly Tax

$375 (1.5% annually)

Insurance

$100

PMI

$225 (0.1%/mo)

Total Monthly

$2,407

PMI applies because down payment is under 20%. Once you reach 20% equity (~$60K paid down), PMI drops off, saving $225/month.

$500,000 Home — 20% Down, 7% Rate, 30 Years

Loan Amount

$400,000

P&I Payment

$2,661

Monthly Tax

$625 (1.5% annually)

Insurance

$150

PMI

$0 (20% down)

Total Monthly

$3,436

With 20% down, no PMI required. The higher rate (7%) significantly increases the P&I vs a 6% rate ($2,398).

$250,000 Home — 5% Down, 6% Rate, 15 Years

Loan Amount

$237,500

P&I Payment

$2,004

Monthly Tax

$260 (1.25% annually)

Insurance

$80

PMI

$198

Total Monthly

$2,542

15-year mortgage has higher monthly payments but saves ~$100,000 in interest vs 30 years. PMI applies until 20% equity.

Property Tax Rates by State (Approximate)

StateAvg Tax RateOn $400K Home
New Jersey2.49%$9,960/yr ($830/mo)
Illinois2.27%$9,080/yr ($757/mo)
New Hampshire2.18%$8,720/yr ($727/mo)
Texas1.80%$7,200/yr ($600/mo)
California0.76%$3,040/yr ($253/mo)
Florida0.89%$3,560/yr ($297/mo)
Hawaii0.32%$1,280/yr ($107/mo)

Rates vary significantly by county. Check your local assessor's website for exact rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is escrow in a mortgage?

Escrow is an account your lender manages to collect and pay your property taxes and insurance. Each month, a portion of your payment goes into escrow, and the lender pays your tax and insurance bills when due.

How much is PMI per month?

PMI typically costs 0.5–1.5% of the loan amount annually. On a $300,000 loan, that's $1,500–$4,500/year or $125–$375/month. The exact rate depends on your credit score and down payment.

When can I remove PMI?

You can request PMI removal when your loan balance reaches 80% of the original home value (20% equity). Lenders must automatically cancel PMI when you reach 78% LTV based on the original amortization schedule.

Is homeowner's insurance required?

Yes, lenders require homeowner's insurance as a condition of the mortgage. It protects both you and the lender if the home is damaged or destroyed.