A USDA loan lets you buy a home with no down payment in eligible small towns and suburban areas across the United States. You do not need to be a first-time buyer, and the annual fee is lower than FHA mortgage insurance. Use the free checker below to see if the address and your household income qualify, then see your numbers.
USDA loans have two make-or-break tests. The home must be in a USDA-eligible area, and your household income must be at or under the limit for that county. Check both below in about a minute using USDA's own eligibility map and the FY2026 income limits, then see your numbers.
Enter the full address of the home you want to buy (or a street and town you are looking in).
USDA counts the income of every adult who will live in the home, even people who will not be on the loan. Your area fills in automatically after step 1, or choose it here.
See the most USDA guidelines allow for your monthly payment and an estimated price range. No credit pull, nothing is saved.
Property results come from USDA Rural Development's eligibility map. Income limits are the FY2026 USDA guaranteed-loan limits (115% of area median income). This is an estimate, not a loan approval or commitment to lend. Final eligibility is confirmed by the lender and USDA.
A USDA loan is a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program. It lets you buy a home with no down payment in eligible rural and suburban areas, as long as your household income is under the limit for the county. You do not have to be a first-time buyer, and you do not have to live on a farm. Most USDA borrowers buy ordinary single-family homes in small towns and on the edges of metro areas.
The program is run through approved lenders. USDA guarantees the loan, which is why lenders can offer zero down. In exchange, you pay a 1% upfront guarantee fee (usually rolled into the loan) and a 0.35% annual fee that is built into your monthly payment. Both are typically lower than FHA mortgage insurance.
The first test is the location. USDA publishes an official map of eligible and ineligible areas, and the checker above reads that same map. A few things surprise most buyers:
You can also check any address on the official USDA eligibility site.
The second test is income. USDA sets the limit at 115% of the area median income, and it updates the limits each year. The FY2026 limits took effect July 13, 2026. Most U.S. counties use the baseline limits below. Higher-cost areas have higher limits, and the checker above looks up the exact limit for your county.
| Household size | Baseline limit (most counties) | Higher-cost areas |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 4 people | $122,800 | Higher, set by county |
| 5 to 8 people | $162,100 | Higher, set by county |
| 9 or more people | Add 8% of the 4-person limit for each extra person ($9,824 at baseline) | Same rule |
| Area | 1 to 4 people | 5 to 8 people |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL area | $139,750 | $184,500 |
| Kendall County, IL | $153,550 | $202,700 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $153,550 | $202,700 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $153,550 | $202,700 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $152,600 | $201,450 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA area | $135,500 | $178,900 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $132,100 | $174,400 |
USDA starts with the gross yearly income of every adult in the household, then subtracts allowed deductions to get your adjusted income. That adjusted number is what gets compared to the limit.
| Cost | How it works |
|---|---|
| Down payment | $0 required |
| Upfront guarantee fee | 1% of the loan amount, usually added to the loan so you do not pay it at closing |
| Annual fee | 0.35% of the loan balance per year, split into your monthly payment |
| Closing costs | Typically 2% to 5% of the price. The seller can pay them (commonly up to 6% of the price), and they can be financed if the home appraises above the price |
| Reserves | Not required, though savings help your approval |
| USDA | FHA | Conventional | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum down payment | 0% | 3.5% | 3% |
| Upfront fee | 1% guarantee fee (can be financed) | 1.75% upfront MIP (can be financed) | None |
| Ongoing fee | 0.35% per year | 0.55% per year for most loans | PMI until about 20% equity, if under 20% down |
| Where you can buy | USDA-eligible areas only | Anywhere | Anywhere |
| Income limit | Yes, by county | No | No (except some first-time buyer programs) |
| Typical credit score | 640+ automated | 580+ for 3.5% down | 620+ |
| Best for | Buyers with little savings in eligible areas | Lower scores or higher debt | Stronger credit, any location |
If the address or income does not qualify for USDA, an FHA loan, a 3% down conventional loan or down payment assistance may get you close to the same result. One application lets me compare all of them for you.
For most counties, the FY2026 limit is $122,800 for households of 1 to 4 people and $162,100 for 5 to 8 people, effective July 13, 2026. Higher-cost areas have higher limits. For households over 8, add 8% of the 4-person limit per extra person. Use the checker above to see your county's exact limit.
Enter the address in the checker at the top of this page. It reads USDA Rural Development's official eligibility map. You can also check on the USDA eligibility website. Always check the exact address, since eligibility can change from one street to the next.
Yes. USDA loans allow 100% financing, and the 1% guarantee fee can be added to the loan. You will still have closing costs, but the seller can pay them, and they can be financed if the home appraises above the price.
USDA does not set a minimum score, but a score around 640 or higher usually allows automated approval through USDA's Guaranteed Underwriting System. Lower scores may still qualify through manual underwriting with stronger compensating factors.
A 1% upfront guarantee fee, usually financed into the loan, and a 0.35% annual fee paid monthly. Both are generally lower than FHA's mortgage insurance.
No. Repeat buyers can use a USDA loan, as long as the home will be their primary residence and they meet the income and property rules.
Yes. USDA counts the income of every adult who will live in the home, even if they are not on the loan. Deductions for dependents, child care and older or disabled household members lower the amount that is compared to the limit.
Guaranteed USDA loans have no set loan limit. The amount you can borrow is set by your income, your debts and the 29% and 41% payment guidelines.
Often, yes. Many suburbs and towns on the edges of metro areas are USDA eligible. The only way to know is to check the specific address.
Yes. Sellers can pay closing costs, commonly up to 6% of the sales price, which can bring your cash to close close to zero.
Usually about 30 to 45 days. After the lender approves the loan, USDA does a final review and issues a conditional commitment before closing.
If you already have a USDA loan, USDA streamline refinance options may lower your payment with limited paperwork. You cannot refinance a non-USDA loan into a USDA loan.
Send me the address and your household size. I will confirm the property and income eligibility and show you real numbers from 30+ lenders. Free, no obligation.
USDA income limits shown are the FY2026 Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program limits published by USDA Rural Development and are subject to change. Property eligibility results come from USDA's public eligibility map and are not a guarantee of eligibility. Estimates on this page are for illustration only, are not a commitment to lend, and do not include all costs. Rates, fees and terms depend on credit, property and market conditions. Not all applicants will qualify. Dan Frio | NMLS #246527 | PBT Bancorp | NMLS #257781. Mortgage products are originated by PBT Bancorp, NMLS #257781. 524 Main St, Hazard, KY 41701. Equal Housing Lender.
