In 2026, $1 million homes are common in West Coast metro areas, with median prices exceeding $1 million in cities like San Diego and San Francisco. At a 7.32% average 30-year mortgage rate, monthly payments range from about $5,495 (20% down) to $6,182 (10% down), excluding taxes and insurance. Including these, payments can reach $6,937 to $8,187. Shorter 15-year loans have higher payments. Lower payments can be achieved by choosing longer terms, improving credit scores, buying discount points, or opting for less expensive homes.