Down Payment by State Calculator
Calculate the down payment needed for a typical home in your state, using 2026 median home price data. See 3%, 5%, 10%, and 20% down scenarios with PMI status and monthly savings target.
| Target Down Payment | — |
| Monthly Savings Required | — |
| Closing Costs Estimate (3%) | — |
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How a Down Payment by State Calculator Works
A down payment by state calculator computes how much cash you need for the down payment on a typical home in your state, using current median home price data. The tool shows the down payment amount at multiple percentage tiers — 3%, 5%, 10%, and 20% — along with your monthly savings target based on your timeline. Median home prices vary dramatically across the US, from under $200,000 in West Virginia and Mississippi to over $900,000 in Hawaii and California, so a state-specific number is far more useful than a national average.
The data in this calculator uses Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) and Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) data. Each state's median price is updated annually and reflects the typical single-family home value, not the average sale price (which is skewed by luxury sales). The calculator also estimates closing costs at 2-5% of the home price per CFPB guidance, since you need cash for both down payment and closing costs at the same time.
State-by-State Median Home Prices in 2026
Median home prices in 2026 still reflect the post-pandemic price increases of 2020-2024 plus moderate growth through the rate-hike cycle. The most expensive states remain Hawaii (HI ~$840K), California (CA ~$790K), Massachusetts (MA ~$610K), Washington (WA ~$590K), and Colorado (CO ~$555K). The most affordable states are West Virginia (WV ~$170K), Mississippi (MS ~$185K), Oklahoma (OK ~$210K), Arkansas (AR ~$215K), and Louisiana (LA ~$220K).
According to Zillow's 2026 housing data and FHFA House Price Index (source: zillow.com/research, fhfa.gov/hpi), median home prices grew 1-3% nationally in early 2026 versus 2025, with some Midwest and Sunbelt states seeing higher growth and some West Coast metros seeing declines. The state where you buy dramatically affects your down payment requirement — a 5% down payment in California is more than a 20% down payment in West Virginia.
Down Payment Programs and Requirements by State
Federal loan programs apply nationwide regardless of state: FHA loans require a minimum 3.5% down with FICO 580+ (or 10% down for FICO 500-579), conventional loans permit as low as 3% down for first-time buyers via Fannie Mae HomeReady or Freddie Mac Home Possible, VA loans require $0 down for eligible veterans, and USDA loans require $0 down for rural-eligible properties (source: hud.gov, fanniemae.com).
Many states ALSO offer their own down payment assistance programs. California has the CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program. Texas has the My First Texas Home program. New York has the SONYMA Down Payment Assistance Loan. These can provide $5,000-$25,000 in down payment grants or forgivable loans, often based on income and first-time-buyer status. Check your state's housing finance agency for specific programs.
Down Payment vs Closing Costs vs Reserves
Many first-time buyers underestimate total cash needed at closing. The down payment is just one part. You also need: closing costs (2-5% of home price for lender fees, title insurance, prepaid taxes/insurance, recording fees), 1-2 months of mortgage payments held in escrow, and 2-6 months of reserves required by some loan programs. The total cash to close is often 1.5-2x the down payment amount. CFPB's Home Loan Toolkit details typical closing cost ranges (source: consumerfinance.gov).
Use this calculator alongside our general down payment calculator, the PMI calculator to see if you can avoid mortgage insurance, and the refinance savings calculator for once you own.
What 20% Down Costs in Each State — 2026 Snapshot
Using 2026 Zillow ZHVI medians, here is what a standard 20% down payment looks like in the most-searched states: California $158K, Hawaii $168K, Washington $118K, Colorado $111K, Massachusetts $122K, New York $94K, New Jersey $108K, Florida $80K, Texas $72K, Arizona $87K, Georgia $66K, North Carolina $66K, Ohio $44K, Michigan $46K, Pennsylvania $50K, Tennessee $62K, Illinois $52K, Virginia $76K, Indiana $42K, Missouri $46K. The cheapest states for a 20% down payment in 2026 are West Virginia ($34K), Mississippi ($37K), Oklahoma ($42K), Arkansas ($43K) and Louisiana ($44K). Per the FHFA House Price Index Q1 2026, state-level appreciation ranged from -1.2% in DC to +6.8% in Indiana year-over-year, so re-run this calculator every few months as your target state's median moves.
Last updated June 2026. Sources: zillow.com, fhfa.gov, hud.gov, cfpb.gov.