Skip to content
Purchase Mortgage Loan
Get Pre-Approved

USDA Loan requirements for 2026

Quick answer

To qualify for a USDA guaranteed loan, household income must be at or below 115% of area median income, the home must be in a USDA-eligible rural area and be your primary residence, and you need a credit history lenders accept (640+ for automated approval). No down payment is required; fees are a 1% upfront and 0.35% annual guarantee fee.

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

What are the USDA loan requirements?

RequirementUSDA
Minimum credit scoreNo USDA minimum; 640+ for GUS automated approval
Minimum down payment$0
Debt-to-income29% housing / 41% total guideline
Mortgage insurance1% upfront guarantee fee + 0.35% annual fee
Income limitHousehold income ≤ 115% of area median income
Property locationMust be in a USDA-eligible area

How does USDA mortgage insurance work?

USDA charges an upfront guarantee fee of 1% of the loan (can be financed) and an annual fee of 0.35% of the outstanding balance, paid monthly for the life of the loan.

What property rules apply?

The home must be a modest primary residence in a USDA-eligible rural or suburban area. There is no set loan limit, but your income must fall under the area limit.

Learn more on our USDA Loan guide or check 2026 loan limits by county.

USDA requirements by state

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

USDA options by credit score

500 credit score520 credit score540 credit score560 credit score580 credit score600 credit score620 credit score640 credit score660 credit score680 credit score700 credit score720 credit score740 credit score760 credit score780 credit score800 credit score

Frequently asked questions

No USDA minimum; 640+ for GUS automated approval

$0

USDA charges an upfront guarantee fee of 1% of the loan (can be financed) and an annual fee of 0.35% of the outstanding balance, paid monthly for the life of the loan.

The home must be a modest primary residence in a USDA-eligible rural or suburban area. There is no set loan limit, but your income must fall under the area limit.

Sources

See if you qualify for a USDA loan

Answer a few quick questions and get matched with purchase mortgage lenders in your area. Free, and it won't affect your credit score.

Get My Matches

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.