USDA Loans in New Jersey (2026): Requirements & Lenders

USDA loan snapshot for New Jersey

Item	Estimate
Minimum down payment	0%
Minimum credit score	Typically 640 for automated approval
Typical NJ home value	$427,600
3.5% down on typical home	$14,966
20% down on typical home	$85,520
Avg. effective property tax	2.23%/yr (~$795/mo)
Income for typical home (31% rule)	$153,000

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

Which New Jersey programs pair with USDA loans?

First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Program: A fixed-rate first mortgage for eligible first-time buyers.
Down Payment Assistance Program: Forgivable assistance (up to a set dollar amount) paired with an NJHMFA first mortgage.

Details and current limits: New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA).

How do I know if a home is USDA eligible?

Use the USDA eligibility map on the Rural Development website. Areas outside major cities — including many fast-growing suburbs and small towns — often qualify. Eligibility is reviewed periodically, so check the specific address.

USDA income limits

Income limits are based on the county and household size, and they count income from all adult household members, not just borrowers. Many areas allow roughly $110,000–$150,000+ for a household of 1–4 people.

USDA loans in New Jersey cities

Newark Jersey City Paterson Elizabeth Toms River Edison Trenton Clifton Camden Hamilton Bayonne Lakewood Passaic East Orange Union City Vineland Hoboken New Brunswick Perth Amboy Plainfield West New York Hackensack Sayreville Sicklerville Linden Kearny Fort Lee Atlantic City Fair Lawn Garfield Long Branch Westfield Princeton Rahway Englewood Bergenfield Old Bridge Millville Bridgeton Paramus Ridgewood Lodi Cliffside Park Carteret South Plainfield Somerset Glassboro North Plainfield Summit Roselle Hillsborough Parsippany Lindenwold Secaucus Elmwood Park Pleasantville Morristown Palisades Park Woodbridge Harrison Hawthorne Tinton Falls Point Pleasant Iselin Rutherford Ocean Acres Preakness Dover Colonia Dumont Avenel New Milford Madison North Arlington South River Springdale Princeton Meadows Tenafly Phillipsburg Asbury Park Metuchen Highland Park Fairview Williamstown Cherry Hill Mall Hammonton Ramsey Edgewater Moorestown-Lenola Middlesex Hopatcong Short Hills Bradley Gardens West Freehold Collingswood Roselle Park Westmont Mercerville Echelon New Providence Eatontown Franklin Park Woodland Park Ridgefield Park Florham Park Fords Somerville Holiday City-Berkeley Red Bank Oakland Freehold Haddonfield Upper Montclair Pennsville Glen Rock Hasbrouck Heights River Edge Bound Brook Martinsville Robertsville Wallington Bellmawr Hamilton Square Guttenberg Ringwood Gloucester City Ridgefield Ocean City Westwood Wanaque Greentree Franklin Lakes Pompton Lakes Beachwood Little Ferry Totowa Lincoln Park Manville Oak Ridge McKee City Pompton Plains Kendall Park Pine Hill The Hills Marlton Somers Point Lake Hiawatha Lake Hopatcong East Franklin Blackwells Mills East Rutherford Hackettstown Budd Lake Wood-Ridge Waldwick Hillsdale Brookdale Maywood White Horse

Frequently asked questions

Only in USDA-eligible areas. Many rural and suburban parts of New Jersey qualify; check a specific address on the USDA eligibility map.

Often yes. New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) and local programs frequently pair assistance with FHA, conventional, VA or USDA first mortgages. Eligibility depends on income, price and program rules.

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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.

USDA loans in New Jersey