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First-time home buyer programs in Benton, AR

Quick answer

First-time buyers in Benton, AR can use 3%-down conventional loans (up to the $832,750 Saline County conforming limit), 3.5%-down FHA, or VA and USDA where eligible, plus 1 verified city, county or statewide assistance program. On the $199,400 median home, 3% down is about $5,982 and the estimated payment is $1,642/month at 7.18%.

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

Median household income: $69,638; value-to-income ratio 2.86. Benton ranks 16 by home value and 12 by population among 39 places in our AR dataset.

What does a first-time buyer loan cost on a typical Benton home?

ItemBenton
Median home value (Census ACS)$199,400
Arkansas median home value$175,300
Down payment (3%)$5,982
Loan amount$193,418
Estimated monthly payment (PITI + MI)$1,642
Income needed (28% / 36%)$71,000 / $55,000
Saline County 2026 conforming limit (1 unit)$832,750
Max purchase price at the limit$858,000

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

Payment includes Arkansas's 0.57% effective property tax rate (Census ACS), $1,870/yr homeowners insurance (NAIC state average) and an estimated 0.5% PMI.

What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in Benton?

Benton is in Saline County. Conventional 3%-down loans go up to the $832,750 conforming limit (price ≈ $858,000); FHA loans go up to $541,287.

The Benton median home value of $199,400 is 14% above the Arkansas median, and within what the county limit supports.

Which down payment assistance programs can Benton buyers use?

First-time buyer loans in nearby cities

BryantLittle RockMalvernMaumelleHot Springs VillageNorth Little Rock

First-time buyer loan FAQs for Benton

On the $199,400 median: 3% conventional ≈ $5,982, 3.5% FHA ≈ $6,979, and 0% for eligible VA or USDA buyers. Conventional loans above $832,750 in Saline County become jumbo loans.

At the $199,400 median value (above the Arkansas median of $175,300), the estimated payment of $1,642/month at 7.18% needs about $71,000 a year under the 28% housing guideline, or $55,000 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.