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FHA loans in Santa Maria, CA

Quick answer

The 2026 FHA loan limit in Santa Maria, CA (Santa Barbara County) is $941,850 for a single-family home, enough for a purchase price up to about $976,000 with 3.5% down. On the $478,200 median home value, that down payment is about $16,737 and the estimated payment is $3,812/month at 7.18%, which needs roughly $164,000 a year in income.

By Purchase Mortgage Loan Editorial Team Checked against official sources per our editorial standardsData last updated

Median household income: $84,617; value-to-income ratio 5.65. Santa Maria ranks 361 by home value and 63 by population among 502 places in our CA dataset.

What does an FHA loan cost on a typical Santa Maria home?

ItemSanta Maria
Median home value (Census ACS)$478,200
California median home value$695,400
Down payment (3.5%)$16,737
Loan incl. 1.75% upfront MIP$469,539
Estimated monthly payment (PITI + MI)$3,812
Income needed (28% / 36%)$164,000 / $128,000
Santa Barbara County 2026 FHA limit (1 unit)$941,850
Max purchase price at the limit$976,000

Rate assumption: 7.18% (Freddie Mac PMMS 30-year fixed average, week of November 5, 2026). Change it in the payment calculator.

Payment includes California's 0.71% effective property tax rate (Census ACS), $1,655/yr homeowners insurance (NAIC state average) and 0.55% annual FHA MIP.

What is the 2026 FHA loan limit in Santa Maria?

Santa Maria is in Santa Barbara County, a designated high-cost area, where HUD's 2026 one-unit FHA limit is $941,850. With the minimum 3.5% down, that caps the purchase price at about $976,000; above that you'd need a bigger down payment or a conventional loan (conforming limit $941,850).

The Santa Maria median home value of $478,200 is 31% below the California median, and within what the county limit supports.

Which down payment assistance programs can Santa Maria buyers use?

FHA loans in nearby cities

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FHA loan FAQs for Santa Maria

Santa Maria is in Santa Barbara County, where HUD's 2026 FHA limit for a one-unit home is $941,850. With 3.5% down, that supports a purchase price up to about $976,000.

3.5% of $478,200 is about $16,737 with a 580+ credit score (10%, or $47,820, with a 500–579 score), plus closing costs.

At the $478,200 median value (below the California median of $695,400), the estimated payment of $3,812/month at 7.18% needs about $164,000 a year under the 28% housing guideline, or $128,000 if your total debts stay under 36%.

0 city-level, 0 county-level and 1 statewide programs are verified for this city (1 total). Check each official administrator's eligibility rules and available funds.

Sources

Data last updated October 23, 2026.

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Figures on this page are estimates for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, loan limits, fees and assistance programs change frequently and vary by lender, location and borrower profile. Confirm current terms with a licensed loan officer.