2026 FHA loan limits have risen 3.26% from 2025 levels, to $541,287 in standard areas and $1,249,125 in high-cost areas for a 1-unit home.
HUD has officially released 2026 FHA loan limits. Limits are rising from $524,225 in 2025 to $541,287 in 2026 for a 1-unit home in standard areas, a 3.26% increase.
FHA loan limits have risen for 2026 and it could help you buy more home.
Each year, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) updates FHA loan limits based on changes to conventional loan limits.
2025 and 2026 FHA Standard Loan Limits
| Units | 2025 FHA Loan Limits | 2026 FHA Loan Limits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $524,225 | $541,287 |
| 2 | $671,200 | $693,050 |
| 3 | $811,275 | $837,700 |
| 4 | $1,008,300 | $1,041,125 |
2025 and 2026 FHA High-Cost Loan Limits
| Units | 2025 FHA High-Cost Loan Limits | 2026 FHA High-Cost Limits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,209,750 | $1,249,125 |
| 2 | $1,548,975 | $1,599,375 |
| 3 | $1,872,225 | $1,933,200 |
| 4 | $2,326,875 | $2,402,625 |
How Were 2026 FHA Loan Limits Determined?
FHA loan limits will increase 3.26% from 2025 levels in 2026.
HUD sets FHA limits at 65% of national conventional loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or FHFA, the overseer of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
FHFA reviews year-over-year home price changes during the third quarter as measured by its Home Price Index. It released 2026 conventional loan limits showing a 3.26% increase from 2025.
(2025 Q3 HPI – 2024 Q3 HPI) / 2024Q3 HPI
= (419.12 – 405.90) / 405.90*
= 0.0326 (3.26%)
Conventional loan limits rose to $832,750 for 2026. In turn, FHA loan limits will rise to 65% of that number:
$832,750 X 65% = $541,287
In total, 2026 FHA loan limits will rise to the following amounts. Limits for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are set at 150% of the conventional high-cost limit.
| Units | 2026 FHA Standard Loan Limits | 2026 FHA High-Cost Loan Limits | 2026 FHA Limits AK, HI, Guam, USVI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $1,873,687 |
| 2 | $693,050 | $1,599,375 | $2,399,050 |
| 3 | $837,700 | $1,933,200 | $2,899,800 |
| 4 | $1,041,125 | $2,402,625 | $3,603,925 |
About FHA Standard and High-Cost Loan Limits
Like conventional loans, FHA loans allow higher loan limits for properties in high-cost areas.
Interestingly, FHA high-cost limits match those of conventional loans, allowing up to 150% of the standard conventional limit.
Standard areas: 65% of the conventional limit
High-cost areas: 150% of the conventional limit
HUD also maintains a list of about 350 areas in which loan limits are somewhere between standard and high-cost levels. The 2026 limits for these areas were determined on a case-by-case basis depending on home price changes within the area.
Could 2026 FHA Loan Limits Have Decreased?
FHA loan limits cannot decrease even if home prices decline. If home prices would have fallen, FHA loan limits would remain the same.
Likewise, if a certain county’s home prices drop, FHA loan limits will stay the same, following the same guidelines FHFA sets for conventional loans.
When Can FHA Applicants Start Using 2026 FHA Loan Limits?
Most lenders will start accepting new FHA loan limits on January 1, 2026. Higher limits apply to new FHA case numbers after that date. A case number is typically assigned when the homebuyer applies for the loan and a property is identified.
Unlike conventional loans, applicants likely can't take advantage of new higher limits before January 2026.
Should You Wait Until 2026 to Buy?
If you need slightly higher FHA loan limits, it could be worth waiting until January to apply. However, it's worth getting pre-approved for an FHA loan immediately if you are looking for homes within current limits.
*Loan limits are based on FHFA’s expanded-data indexes which is why the above figures differ from commonly-cited HPI numbers
