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First-time home buyer programs in New Castle, PA

Quick answer

First-time buyers in New Castle, PA can use 3%-down conventional loans (up to the $832,750 Lawrence County conforming limit), 3.5%-down FHA, or VA and USDA where eligible, plus 1 verified city, county or statewide assistance program. On the $72,000 median home, 3% down is about $2,160 and the estimated payment is $685/month at 7.18%.

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

Median household income: $41,478; value-to-income ratio 1.74. New Castle ranks 85 by home value and 29 by population among 87 places in our PA dataset.

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

ItemNew Castle
Median home value (Census ACS)$72,000
Pennsylvania median home value$240,500
Down payment (3%)$2,160
Loan amount$69,840
Estimated monthly payment (PITI + MI)$685
Income needed (28% / 36%)$30,000 / $23,000
Lawrence 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 Pennsylvania's 1.35% effective property tax rate (Census ACS), $1,217/yr homeowners insurance (NAIC state average) and an estimated 0.5% PMI.

What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in New Castle?

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

The New Castle median home value of $72,000 is 70% below the Pennsylvania median, and within what the county limit supports.

Which down payment assistance programs can New Castle buyers use?

First-time buyer loans in nearby cities

HermitageSharonButlerFranklin ParkCarnot-MoonAllison Park

First-time buyer loan FAQs for New Castle

On the $72,000 median: 3% conventional ≈ $2,160, 3.5% FHA ≈ $2,520, and 0% for eligible VA or USDA buyers. Conventional loans above $832,750 in Lawrence County become jumbo loans.

At the $72,000 median value (below the Pennsylvania median of $240,500), the estimated payment of $685/month at 7.18% needs about $30,000 a year under the 28% housing guideline, or $23,000 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.