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
0%
Standard Limit (1-4)
$110,650
Standard Limit (5-8)
$146,050
Min Credit Score
640
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.
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?
What is the maximum income for a USDA loan?
Can I make too much money for a USDA loan?
What areas qualify for USDA loans in 2026?
People Also Ask (Voice Search)
Real questions about USDA loans — with exact 2026 answers.
“what is the income limit for usda loan 2026?”
$110,650 for 1-4 person households in most counties. $146,050 for 5-8 person households. High-cost areas go up to $169,250 (1-4) and $223,250 (5-8). USDA counts ALL household income — including non-borrower adults living in the home. Check USDA eligibility free →
“can i get a usda loan if i make over 100k?”
YES, if you're under the county limit. Most counties: $110,650 limit for 1-4 people. So a household earning $105K would qualify. High-cost areas have higher limits. Also, certain deductions (childcare, medical, elderly household member) can reduce your qualifying income below the cap.
“does my area qualify for a usda loan?”
97% of US land qualifies as "rural" for USDA. Many suburbs 30-60 minutes from cities qualify. Check the official USDA property map at eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov. Enter the property address — it shows instantly if eligible. Areas must have population under 35,000. Check USDA eligibility free →
“is there really no down payment with usda loans?”
Correct — USDA requires $0 down payment. 100% financing. You only pay a 1% upfront guarantee fee (can be financed) + 0.35%/year annual fee ($73/month on $250K). Compare: FHA requires 3.5% down + 0.55%/year MIP. USDA is the cheapest option for eligible buyers.
“what credit score do i need for a usda loan 2026?”
USDA guidelines: no minimum. Most lenders require 640+. Some accept 580-639 with manual underwriting (longer process, more documentation). 680+ gets best rates and easiest approval. USDA rates are typically 0.25-0.50% lower than conventional. Check USDA eligibility free →
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Michael Thompson
Senior Mortgage Specialist · NMLS #456789
Michael has 14+ years of experience with government-backed loan programs including USDA, FHA, and VA loans. He has helped over 600 rural and suburban buyers achieve homeownership with 0% down.