USDA LoansUpdated February 22, 2026

USDA Loan Income Limits 2026 by County: Complete Eligibility Guide

USDA loans offer 0% down payment — but you must earn LESS than the limit. Most counties: $110,650 (1-4 person household). Here's everything you need to know to qualify.

Down Payment

Standard Limit (1-4)

$110,650

Standard Limit (5-8)

$146,050

Min Credit Score

640

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What Income Does USDA Count? (Critical — Read This First)

⚠️ USDA counts ALL household income — not just borrowers

Unlike conventional loans, USDA counts the income of every adult living in the home, even if they are not on the loan. This catches many applicants off guard.

Income USDA Counts

✓W-2 wages of all adults in home
✓Self-employment income (net)
✓Social Security & disability
✓Child support & alimony received
✓Rental income
✓Investment income
✓Pension & retirement income
✓Part-time & seasonal income

Income USDA Excludes

✓Income of minors (under 18)
✓Full-time student income (up to $480)
✓Foster care payments
✓Medical reimbursements
✓Lump-sum additions to assets
✓Income of live-in aides
✓Earned income tax credit

USDA Income Limits 2026 by State (Standard Counties)

State / Region	1-4 Person HH	5-8 Person HH	High-Cost Areas
Most U.S. Counties (Standard)	$110,650	$146,050	Up to $169,250
California (High-Cost Counties)	$169,250	$223,250	Varies by county
Hawaii	$169,250	$223,250	All counties high-cost
Alaska	$169,250	$223,250	All counties high-cost
New York (Suburban NYC)	$169,250	$223,250	Nassau, Suffolk, etc.
New Jersey (Suburban NYC)	$169,250	$223,250	Bergen, Monmouth, etc.
Colorado (Denver Metro)	$132,750	$175,250	Boulder, Eagle, etc.
Texas (Most Counties)	$110,650	$146,050	Austin area higher
Florida (Most Counties)	$110,650	$146,050	Monroe Co. higher

Limits effective October 2025. Check USDA eligibility site for your exact county: eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov

USDA vs FHA vs Conventional: Which Is Best for You?

Feature	USDA	FHA	Conventional
Down Payment	0%	3.5%	3-20%
Min Credit Score	640	580	620
Income Limit	115% AMI	None	None
Location Requirement	Rural/Suburban	Any	Any
Mortgage Insurance	0.35%/yr	0.55%/yr	0.5-1.5%/yr (PMI)
Upfront Fee	1% guarantee fee	1.75% MIP	None
Rate vs Conventional	Similar	+0.25%	Baseline
Loan Limits	No limit	$524,225	$806,500

Check If You Qualify for a USDA Loan

Income under the limit + rural/suburban area = 0% down payment. Check your eligibility in 2 minutes.

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Full USDA Loan Requirements 2026

Income

Must be below 115% of area median income. All household members counted. Deductions available for childcare, disability, elderly household members.

Credit Score

Minimum 640 for automated approval. Below 640 requires manual underwriting with compensating factors. No minimum with strong compensating factors.

Property Location

Must be in a USDA-eligible rural or suburban area. Check eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov. Many areas within 30 miles of major cities qualify.

Property Type

Single-family primary residence only. No investment properties, vacation homes, or multi-family. Must be modest in size and cost for the area.

Debt-to-Income

Max 41% back-end DTI (all debts including mortgage). Up to 44% with strong compensating factors. No front-end DTI limit.

Citizenship

U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and qualified aliens eligible. Non-permanent residents may qualify in some cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the USDA loan income limits for 2026?

USDA loan income limits for 2026 are $110,650 for households of 1-4 people and $146,050 for households of 5-8 people in most counties. High-cost areas have higher limits — up to $169,250 (1-4 person) and $223,250 (5-8 person) in places like Hawaii, Alaska, and high-cost metro areas.

What is the maximum income for a USDA loan?

The maximum income for a USDA loan in 2026 is 115% of the area median income (AMI). For most U.S. counties, this is $110,650 for 1-4 person households. USDA counts ALL household income, including income from all adults living in the home, not just the borrowers on the loan.

Can I make too much money for a USDA loan?

Yes. USDA loans have income CAPS — you cannot earn more than 115% of the area median income. If your household income exceeds the limit for your county, you will not qualify for a USDA loan regardless of your credit score or debt-to-income ratio.

What areas qualify for USDA loans in 2026?

USDA loans are available in rural and some suburban areas with populations under 35,000. About 97% of U.S. land area qualifies, covering approximately 109 million people. Many areas within commuting distance of major cities qualify. Check the USDA property eligibility map.

0% Down — Check Your USDA Eligibility Now

If your income is under the limit and your area qualifies, USDA is the best loan available. Check in 2 minutes.