FHA Loan Limits: How They Work and How Much You Can Borrow

Find Out the FHA Loan Limits for 2026

Mortgage loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) can offer an accessible path to homeownership, thanks to qualification requirements that are often more flexible than other types of mortgages.

If you’re considering an FHA loan, it helps to be aware of FHA maximum loan limits, which are limits on the amount of money you can borrow with one of these loans. These limits are set at the county level, and all houses in a county are subject to the same loan limits.

2026 FHA Loan Limits

The 2026 FHA loan limits range from $541,287 for a single-family home in the most affordable counties to $1,249,125 in the most expensive. Homebuyers in certain areas, such as Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the Virgin Islands, may be able to borrow more than the limits for other typical, high-cost areas.

You can look up the 2026 FHA loan limits for your county by visiting the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development’s website.

How Do FHA Loan Limits Work?

The FHA is required by federal law to set county loan limits just above the median home price. This means that FHA loan limits can vary significantly from county to county because home prices do.

The FHA also sets different limits depending on the size of the home. FHA loan limits are higher for two-family, three-family, and four-family homes than they are for single-family homes.

Example of FHA County Loan Limits

Here’s an example of what 2026 FHA loan limits look like for some counties in New York State:

• $541,287: Many upstate counties with more rural settings and lower housing costs have the “floor” FHA loan limit for one-unit properties, such as Albany, Broome, Erie, Monroe, and Niagara County.
• $1,249,125: Many predominantly urban counties with higher housing costs have the highest FHA loan limit for one-unit properties, such as Bronx, Kings (Brooklyn), New York (Manhattan), Nassau, and Queens County.

Keep in mind that these examples reflect limits for single-family (one-unit) homes. Property type, median sale price, and number of units will affect how limits vary across counties.

How Are FHA Loan Limits Calculated?

FHA loan limits determine the maximum amount the FHA loan program will back. These limits are calculated annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the government agency that oversees the FHA. The limits are based on the national conforming loan limits for conventional loans established by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. When conforming limits rise, FHA limits typically increase.

FHA loan limits are set at 115% of the median home sale price within each county. A median price isn’t the same thing as an average price, although the two numbers may be similar. HUD then ensures the limit falls within FHA’s “floor” and “ceiling” range. The floor limit is 65% of the conforming loan limit, and the ceiling limit is 150% of that limit.

FHA Loan Limits and Home Affordability

While the FHA may allow you to borrow up to a certain amount of money, this doesn’t mean that you should borrow that full amount. Consider the big picture of your finances, and choose a loan amount that makes sense for your situation. Our home affordability calculator can help you decide how much home you can afford with an FHA loan.

Also, keep in mind that we, just like any lender, may approve you for an FHA loan amount that’s below the limit in your county. Like with all mortgages, you’ll need to meet our credit, income, and financial standards to be approved.

Additional FHA Loan Requirements

Beyond FHA loan limits, there are some other FHA loan requirements to be aware of, including:

• Down payment: You’ll need to make a minimum down payment of at least 3.5% to get an FHA loan.
• Credit score: A credit score of at least 550 is required to qualify for an FHA loan with Freedom Mortgage.
• Mortgage insurance premium (MIP): All FHA loans require mortgage insurance, which includes a one-time upfront fee (“UFMIP”), as well as monthly insurance payments.
• Debt-to-income ratio (DTI): While FHA loans don’t have income requirements, there’s often a maximum DTI to consider of no more than 43%.

Final Thoughts: FHA Loan Limits and Your Next Steps

Understanding your county’s FHA loan limit can help you get a sense of the price range you might qualify for with an FHA-insured mortgage. If you’re still considering your options, you can explore how FHA loans compare to conventional loans to determine which mortgage is the best fit for you.

And when you’re ready to take the next step, you can get prequalified to see how much you may be able to borrow with an FHA loan.