A USDA loan is a zero-down payment mortgage designed to help people buy homes in eligible rural and suburban areas. Backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this loan makes homeownership more affordable by offering competitive interest rates and relaxed credit requirements.
The USDA sets income limits to ensure the program meets its primary goal – provide safe and sanitary housing opportunities to low and moderate-income households.
The USDA's income limits take into account total household income and vary by location and household size. The USDA does not allow certain types of income to count towards a household’s income limit. Learn more about what income counts towards USDA income limits here.
The USDA income limits in the table below list all high-cost areas. For areas not listed in the table, the income limits are $112,450 for a 1-4 member household and $148,450 for a 5-8 member household.
* If a household exceeds 8 members, each additional member receives 8% of the 4-person income limit for their area towards the total.
Please note: The latest available USDA income limit data is from July 12, 2024. These limits are updated annually, typically during the summer months.