VA Loan Rates In California
See current VA mortgage rates in CA, compare purchase and refinance options, and learn how eligible veterans can buy with $0 down and no monthly mortgage insurance.
Current California VA Mortgage Rates
Legal Disclosures
| Loan Type | Rate | APR | Points | Monthly Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VA 30-Year Fixed | 5.375% | 5.693% | 2.000 | $1,984 |
| Loan Type | Rate | APR | Points | Monthly Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VA 30-Year Refinance | 5.490% | 5.768% | 2.500 | $1,994 |
| Loan Type | Rate | APR | Points | Monthly Payment |
|---|
VA 30-Year Fixed: Interest rate offered based on $354,375 loan amount with 5.693% APR and $1,984 monthly payment at 70% loan-to-value (LTV) and 2.000 discount points. Payment is Principal and Interest example only.
VA 30-Year Refinance: Interest rate offered based on $351,750 loan amount with 5.768% APR and $1,994 monthly payment at 70% loan-to-value (LTV) and 2.500 discount points. Payment is Principal and Interest example only.
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VA Loan Benefits For California Borrowers
An eligible borrower may be able to use a VA-backed loan to buy a primary home in California with no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance. Your eligibility, entitlement, lender approval and the property’s appraised value determine whether those benefits apply to your transaction.
| VA Loan Feature | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Potentially No Down Payment | Eligible borrowers with full entitlement may qualify without a down payment when the purchase price does not exceed the appraised value. Lender approval is still required. |
| No Monthly Mortgage Insurance | VA-backed loans do not require private mortgage insurance or a monthly mortgage insurance premium. |
| Competitive Mortgage Rates | VA loans may receive favorable pricing, although the rate offered depends on the lender, market conditions and transaction details. |
| Reusable Benefit | VA entitlement can be used more than once. Restoration rules or remaining-entitlement calculations may apply. |
Who Qualifies For A VA Loan In California?
VA loan eligibility in California is based on federal military service and status requirements rather than California residency alone. Eligible applicants may include veterans, active-duty service members, qualifying National Guard and Reserve members and certain surviving spouses.
You generally need a Certificate of Eligibility, or COE, to document your eligibility and available entitlement. The service requirement that applies depends on when and how you served, your duty status and your discharge history.
The VA determines whether you meet the program’s service-related eligibility requirements. The lender separately evaluates your credit, income, employment, debts, debt-to-income ratio, residual income and the property.
The home must meet VA property requirements, and you generally must intend to occupy it as your primary residence. The same federal requirements apply whether you are buying in Southern California, the Bay Area, the Central Valley or another part of the state.
The VA Funding Fee In California
The VA funding fee is a one-time federal charge that applies to many VA purchase and refinance loans. The percentage does not change based on the California county where you buy.
Your funding fee depends on the loan purpose, your down payment and whether you have used the VA home loan benefit before. The fee can generally be paid at closing or financed into the mortgage. Financing it increases the starting loan balance.
| Scenario | First Use | Subsequent Use |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase, Less Than 5% Down | 2.15% | 3.30% |
| Purchase, 5% To 9.99% Down | 1.50% | 1.50% |
| Purchase, 10% Or More Down | 1.25% | 1.25% |
| IRRRL | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Cash-Out Refinance | 2.15% | 3.30% |
Borrowers who may be exempt from the funding fee include:
- Veterans receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability
- Veterans entitled to receive compensation but receiving retirement or active-duty pay instead
- Qualifying surviving spouses receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
- Eligible active-duty service members who received the Purple Heart
Your COE and lender documentation should confirm whether an exemption applies before closing.
Estimate Your VA Loan Payment In California
Use the estimator to compare a potential California home price, interest rate, down payment, funding-fee treatment, property taxes and homeowners insurance.
VA Loan Payment
Calculator
Estimate a VA purchase payment with the funding fee, including options to finance the fee, switch between first-use and subsequent-use, and apply a disability exemption.
Estimated Monthly Payment
VA Funding Fee
Estimated Cash to Close
$0Educational estimate only — not a loan offer, Loan Estimate, or commitment to lend. VA funding fee tiers reflect rates effective April 7, 2023, which remain in effect as of 2026 per the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The funding fee exemption applies to veterans receiving service-connected disability compensation, certain surviving spouses, and active-duty Purple Heart recipients — your Certificate of Eligibility confirms your status. "First use" and "subsequent use" depend on prior VA loan history and entitlement restoration. Property taxes and homeowner’s insurance are estimated as percentages of home price and vary by location. Actual rates, fees, and eligibility depend on credit, market conditions, and a full application. Lower, LLC NMLS #1124061. Equal Housing Lender. Not all products available in all states.
How this calculator works
Move the sliders to test scenarios, or tap any blue value pill to type an exact number. The headline result and supporting detail pills update live as you change inputs.
Methodology: Base loan = home price − down payment. The VA funding fee is calculated from the schedule (2.15% / 1.50% / 1.25% for first use at <5% / 5–9.99% / 10%+ down; 3.30% / 1.50% / 1.25% for subsequent use). When "Finance the Funding Fee" is on, the fee is added to the loan before computing P&I; otherwise it’s paid at closing. The disability exemption zeros the fee. Monthly payment = P&I (30 or 15-yr amortization) + property taxes ÷ 12 + insurance ÷ 12. VA loans do not require monthly mortgage insurance.
Worked example: $400,000 home, $0 down, 6.25% rate, 30-year, first use, fee financed: base loan = $400,000; funding fee = $400,000 × 2.15% = $8,600; financed loan = $408,600; P&I ≈ $2,516/mo; taxes + insurance add ≈ $533/mo; total ≈ $3,049/mo.
Use these estimates to compare options and prepare questions for a lender. Funding fee classification and entitlement status should be confirmed against your Certificate of Eligibility.
2026 VA Loan Limits In California
Eligible borrowers with full VA entitlement generally do not have a VA loan limit. You may be able to finance a California home above the applicable county conforming loan limit without a down payment, subject to lender approval, sufficient income, acceptable credit, residual income, property eligibility and the home’s appraised value.
The absence of a VA loan limit does not guarantee approval for any loan amount. The lender still determines how much you qualify to borrow and may apply its own maximum exposure or underwriting requirements.
County conforming loan limits become more relevant when you have partial entitlement. This can occur when you:
- Have another active VA-backed mortgage
- Have not fully restored entitlement from a previous VA loan
- Experienced a loss or claim on a previous VA-backed loan
For these borrowers, the lender uses the applicable county conforming loan limit and the entitlement shown on the COE to calculate the available VA guaranty. A down payment may be required when the available guaranty does not support the new loan amount.
California’s 2026 one-unit conforming loan limits vary by county. Most counties use the $832,750 baseline limit. Higher-cost counties use limits between the baseline and the national high-cost ceiling of $1,249,125.
2026 California jumbo loan limits by county
| County | 1-Unit Limit | 2-Unit | 3-Unit | 4-Unit |
|---|
Conforming loan limits are set annually by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). Loans above these limits are considered jumbo loans and typically require stricter underwriting. This map is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a loan offer or commitment to lend. Actual loan eligibility depends on credit, income, property, and lender guidelines.
These county figures do not cap the loan amount for an eligible borrower with full VA entitlement. They are most relevant when calculating the guaranty and potential down payment for a borrower with partial entitlement.
Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency 2026 conforming loan limits.
California County VA Loan Limit Examples
California includes standard-limit counties, intermediate high-cost counties and counties at the national high-cost ceiling. The county where the property is located can therefore affect the partial-entitlement guaranty calculation.
| County | 2026 Conforming Loan Limit For One-Unit Properties | Zero-Down Ceiling For Partial Entitlement | Limit Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | $1,249,125 | Depends on the borrower’s remaining entitlement and guaranty calculation | High-Cost Ceiling |
| San Francisco County | $1,249,125 | Depends on the borrower’s remaining entitlement and guaranty calculation | High-Cost Ceiling |
| San Diego County | $1,104,000 | Depends on the borrower’s remaining entitlement and guaranty calculation | High-Cost |
| Ventura County | $1,035,000 | Depends on the borrower’s remaining entitlement and guaranty calculation | High-Cost |
| Monterey County | $994,750 | Depends on the borrower’s remaining entitlement and guaranty calculation | High-Cost |
| Sacramento County | $832,750 | Depends on the borrower’s remaining entitlement and guaranty calculation | Standard |
| Fresno County | $832,750 | Depends on the borrower’s remaining entitlement and guaranty calculation | Standard |
These county figures do not cap the loan amount for an eligible borrower with full VA entitlement. They are most relevant when calculating guaranty and down payment requirements for partial-entitlement borrowers.
When A VA Down Payment May Be Required In California
A borrower with full entitlement generally is not subject to a California county conforming loan limit when determining whether the VA requires a down payment. The purchase price still cannot exceed the appraised value without the borrower covering the difference, and the lender must approve the requested loan amount.
A borrower with partial entitlement may need a down payment when the remaining entitlement does not provide enough guaranty for the proposed loan. The calculation depends on the county limit, entitlement already used, entitlement remaining and the requested loan amount.
| Entitlement Status | Loan Amount | County Limit | Down Payment Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Entitlement | $900,000 | $832,750 | Generally no VA-required down payment, subject to lender approval and appraisal |
| Full Entitlement | $1,400,000 | $1,249,125 | Generally no VA-required down payment because the county limit does not apply to full entitlement |
| Partial Entitlement | $900,000 | $832,750 | Depends on the borrower’s remaining entitlement and required guaranty |
| Partial Entitlement | $1,300,000 | $1,249,125 | A down payment may be required after the remaining-entitlement calculation |
These examples are illustrative. They do not replace a lender’s review of the COE or calculation of the guaranty available for a specific California property.
Frequently Asked Questions About VA Loans In California
Who Is Eligible For A VA Loan In California?
Eligibility is based on federal military service, duty status, discharge history or qualifying surviving-spouse status. California residency does not create VA eligibility by itself. You generally need a COE, and the lender must approve your credit, income, debts, residual income and property.
Do VA Loans Have A Loan Limit In California?
Borrowers with full VA entitlement generally do not have a VA loan limit in California. County conforming loan limits primarily affect borrowers with partial entitlement because the lender uses the applicable limit when calculating the available guaranty and potential down payment.
Are VA Loan Limits The Same In Every California County?
No. The 2026 one-unit conforming limit is $832,750 in most California counties, but higher limits apply in designated high-cost areas. The limit reaches $1,249,125 in counties such as Los Angeles, Orange, San Francisco and Santa Clara.
What Is The VA Funding Fee In California?
The VA funding fee is a federal charge and does not vary by California county. For a purchase with less than 5% down, the fee is currently 2.15% for first use and 3.30% for subsequent use. Lower percentages apply with down payments of at least 5% or 10%. Some borrowers are exempt.
Can I Use My VA Loan Benefit More Than Once In California?
Yes. The VA home loan benefit can be reused. You may need to restore entitlement after paying off or disposing of a previous VA-financed property. Some borrowers can have more than one active VA loan when they have enough remaining entitlement.
Can I Really Buy A Home With $0 Down In California?
An eligible borrower with full entitlement may qualify to buy a California home without a down payment when the purchase price does not exceed the appraised value. Approval still depends on the lender’s review of income, credit, debts, residual income, occupancy and the property.
Can I Refinance With A VA IRRRL In California?
A VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan, or IRRRL, may be available when your current mortgage is VA-backed. The new loan must satisfy current VA seasoning, recoupment and net-tangible-benefit requirements. Occupancy certifications and lender requirements also apply.
Are VA Mortgage Rates Different In California?
The state of California does not set VA mortgage rates. Your rate can vary based on market conditions, lender pricing, credit profile, loan amount, term, purchase or refinance purpose, discount points and lender credits.
Can I Get A VA Cash-Out Refinance In California?
A VA cash-out refinance may be used to refinance an eligible California primary residence and may allow you to access equity. The transaction generally requires full underwriting and an appraisal. Loan-to-value, seasoning, occupancy and lender requirements apply.
What Are Alternatives to a VA Loan in California?
VA loans aren't the only flexible loan option in California. You might also qualify for an FHA loan, which can require a down payment as low as 3.5% depending on your credit score. If you need a loan above your county's conforming loan limit, you might consider a California jumbo loan.
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