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First-time home buyer programs in South St. Paul, MN

Quick answer

First-time buyers in South St. Paul, MN can use 3%-down conventional loans (up to the $832,750 Dakota County conforming limit), 3.5%-down FHA, or VA and USDA where eligible, plus 2 verified city, county or statewide assistance programs. On the $266,800 median home, 3% down is about $8,004 and the estimated payment is $2,258/month at 7.18%.

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

Median household income: $84,472; value-to-income ratio 3.16. South St. Paul ranks 72 by home value and 60 by population among 101 places in our MN dataset.

What does a first-time buyer loan cost on a typical South St. Paul home?

ItemSouth St. Paul
Median home value (Census ACS)$266,800
Minnesota median home value$305,500
Down payment (3%)$8,004
Loan amount$258,796
Estimated monthly payment (PITI + MI)$2,258
Income needed (28% / 36%)$97,000 / $76,000
Dakota 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 Minnesota's 1.04% effective property tax rate (Census ACS), $1,988/yr homeowners insurance (NAIC state average) and an estimated 0.5% PMI.

What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in South St. Paul?

South St. Paul is in Dakota County. Conventional 3%-down loans go up to the $832,750 conforming limit (price ≈ $858,000); FHA loans go up to $552,000.

The South St. Paul median home value of $266,800 is 13% below the Minnesota median, and within what the county limit supports.

Which down payment assistance programs can South St. Paul buyers use?

First-time buyer loans in nearby cities

West St. PaulInver Grove HeightsMendota HeightsSaint PaulWoodburyEagan

First-time buyer loan FAQs for South St. Paul

On the $266,800 median: 3% conventional ≈ $8,004, 3.5% FHA ≈ $9,338, and 0% for eligible VA or USDA buyers. Conventional loans above $832,750 in Dakota County become jumbo loans.

At the $266,800 median value (below the Minnesota median of $305,500), the estimated payment of $2,258/month at 7.18% needs about $97,000 a year under the 28% housing guideline, or $76,000 if your total debts stay under 36%.

0 city-level, 0 county-level and 2 statewide programs are verified for this city (2 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.