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title: “FHA Loan Limits 2026: Maximum Loan Amounts by County” ogImage: “/og/satori/fha-loan-limits-2026-guide.png” description: “Complete guide to 2026 FHA loan limits by county, how limits are calculated, what happens when you exceed them, and strategies for high-cost areas.” pubDate: 2026-03-18 faqSchema:

• question: “What is the FHA loan limit for 2026?” answer: “For 2026, FHA loan limits for single-family homes range from $524,225 in low-cost areas (the floor) to $1,209,750 in high-cost areas (the ceiling). These figures are adjusted annually based on conforming loan limits.”
• question: “Can I borrow more than the FHA loan limit?” answer: “No, you cannot exceed the FHA loan limit for your county. If the home price exceeds the limit plus your down payment, you would need to use a different loan type like a conventional jumbo loan.”
• question: “How are FHA loan limits determined?” answer: “FHA loan limits are based on the conforming loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). The FHA floor is 65% of the conforming limit, and the ceiling is 150%.”
• question: “Do FHA loan limits apply to the purchase price or loan amount?” answer: “FHA loan limits apply to the loan amount, not the purchase price. Your down payment reduces the loan amount, so you can buy a more expensive home with a larger down payment.”
• question: “Are FHA loan limits higher for multi-unit properties?” answer: “Yes, FHA loan limits are higher for 2-4 unit properties. For a duplex, the limit is roughly double the single-family limit; for triplexes and fourplexes, limits are even higher.”---

Quick Answer

FHA loan limits for 2026 range from $524,225 in low-cost areas to $1,209,750 in high-cost areas for single-family homes. These limits are set at the county level and adjusted annually based on median home prices. The limit applies to your loan amount, not the purchase price, so a larger down payment lets you buy a more expensive home while staying within limits.

Key Takeaways

• 2026 FHA floor: $524,225 (low-cost counties)
• 2026 FHA ceiling: $1,209,750 (high-cost counties)
• Limits are county-specific and updated annually
• Higher limits available for 2-4 unit properties
• Limit applies to loan amount, not purchase price

How FHA Loan Limits Work

FHA loan limits are tied to conforming loan limits set by the FHFA. The formula is:

• Floor: 65% of the national conforming limit ($524,225 for 2026)
• Ceiling: 150% of the national conforming limit ($1,209,750 for 2026)
• Between: Set at 115% of the area median home price

Each county gets its own limit based on local home prices. Most counties are at the floor, while high-cost metro areas like San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles are at the ceiling.

Multi-Unit Property Limits

If you are buying a multi-unit property, the limits are significantly higher:

Unit Type	Low-Cost Limit	High-Cost Limit
Single Family	$524,225	$1,209,750
Duplex	$671,200	$1,548,350
Triplex	$811,275	$1,872,225
Fourplex	$1,008,300	$2,326,650

What Happens If You Exceed the Limit

If the home you want exceeds the FHA loan limit plus your down payment, you have several options:

1. Increase your down payment to bring the loan amount under the limit
2. Switch to a conventional loan with higher limits or jumbo options
3. Negotiate the price down to fit within limits
4. Look for a different property in a more affordable area

Use our FHA vs Conventional Calculator to compare your options when approaching loan limits.

Strategies for High-Cost Areas

In expensive markets, consider:

• FHA for starter homes that fall within limits
• Conventional loans for properties exceeding FHA limits
• House hacking with a multi-unit property (higher FHA limits)
• Moving to adjacent counties with lower prices and potentially different limits

Check your county’s exact limit on the HUD website and compare with our conventional loan requirements guide for alternative options.