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How to buy a home in Utah

Quick answer

To buy a home in Utah, most buyers use an FHA, conventional, VA or USDA loan, often combined with Utah Housing Corporation down payment assistance. With a typical home around $455,000, a 3.5% FHA down payment is about $15,925 and the estimated monthly payment is roughly $3,547 at a 7.18% rate.

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

Utah is a higher-priced market, so buyers often lean on low-down-payment programs and state assistance to bridge the gap between savings and the cash needed to close. Because Utah has a smaller population, local lenders and the state housing agency play an outsized role — it pays to compare a few loan officers. A household earning around $137,000 a year could comfortably afford a typical Utah home under the 31% housing guideline.

What does a home cost in Utah?

ItemUtah estimate
Typical home value$455,000
3% down (conventional)$13,650
3.5% down (FHA)$15,925
20% down$91,000
Est. monthly payment (FHA, 3.5% down)$3,547
Household income to afford (31%)$137,000

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

What first-time home buyer programs does Utah offer?

Utah Housing Corporation is Utah's housing finance agency. Its programs are offered through approved lenders and usually require homebuyer education plus income and purchase-price limits.

  • FirstHome: Loans for first-time buyers with income and price limits.
  • HomeAgain: Assistance for first-time and repeat buyers as a second mortgage.

Check current terms at Utah Housing Corporation. Many Utah cities and counties also run their own down payment assistance.

What are the Utah loan limits for 2026?

Utah has 29 counties; 4 are high-cost areas. Here are the official 2026 one-unit limits for its most populous counties (FHFA and HUD):

CountyConformingFHA
Salt Lake County$832,750$637,100
Utah County$832,750$601,450
Davis County$832,750$744,050
Weber County$832,750$744,050
Washington County$832,750$607,200
Cache County$832,750$541,287
Tooele County$832,750$637,100
Iron County$832,750$541,287
Box Elder County$832,750$541,287
Summit County$1,150,000$1,163,800
Uintah County$832,750$541,287
Wasatch County$1,150,000$1,163,800

See all Utah county loan limits → VA loans have no limit for borrowers with full entitlement.

How much house can I afford in Utah?

Use Utah's own property tax rate and insurance average: $60k, $80k, $100k, $150k salaries, or see FHA requirements in Utah.

How do property taxes affect buying in Utah?

Homeowners in Utah pay a median of $2,412 a year in property taxes — an effective rate of about 0.53% of the median home value, below the national average, which helps keep monthly payments down (Census ACS). Actual rates vary by county and municipality.

Which loan types are popular in Utah?

  • Conventional Loan — Not government-backed; as little as 3% down for first-time buyers, PMI removable at 20% equity.
  • FHA Loan — Government-insured; 3.5% down with a 580 credit score and flexible debt-to-income rules.
  • VA Loan — For eligible veterans, service members and surviving spouses: 0% down and no monthly mortgage insurance.
  • USDA Loan — 0% down for moderate-income buyers in eligible rural and suburban areas.
  • Jumbo Loan — For loan amounts above the conforming limit; usually 10–20% down and 700+ credit.
  • First-Time Home Buyer Loans — Low-down-payment loans plus state assistance programs designed for first-time buyers.

Buying a home in Utah cities

Browse every city page →

Utah home buying FAQs

On a typical Utah home of about $455,000, a 3.5% FHA down payment is roughly $15,925 and a 3% conventional down payment about $13,650, plus closing costs of 2%–5% of the loan.

Yes. Utah Housing Corporation offers programs including FirstHome, HomeAgain. Income, price and credit limits apply.

The 2026 baseline conforming limit for a one-unit home is $832,750 in most Utah counties; designated high-cost counties can be higher.

FHA limits are set by county. For 2026 they start at $541,287 for one-unit homes in lower-cost areas and rise in higher-cost counties.

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.