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    FHA Loans in Florida: 2026 Requirements & Limits

    Updated: October 7 2026 • 11 min read
    Written by Bennett Leckrone
    Bennett Leckrone

    Written by
    Bennett Leckrone
    Writer / Reviewer / Expert

    Bennett Leckrone is the editorial manager and an analyst for Lower. He specializes in making complicated mortgage topics accessible for consumers. That includes both in-depth product guides and analysis on what economic moves mean for homebuyers and refinancers. He is also a licensed loan officer in Ohio, NMLS ID 2782574. He was previously a business reporter with a focus on higher education and fintech at BestColleges. In that role, he reported on the development of fintech and AI curriculum, as well as the rapidly changing nature of finance education. He also wrote guides to help business students navigate AI and online education. He also reported on state politics at Maryland Matters, with a focus on how policy affected people and businesses. He holds a bachelor of science in journalism degree from Ohio University.
    Reviewed by Neel Patel
    Neel Patel

    Reviewed by
    Neel Patel
    Reviewer

    Neel Patel is a mortgage industry professional with more than a decade of hands-on experience across loan origination, customer experience, sales operations, and strategy. He has worked at every stage of the mortgage lifecycle, from advising individual borrowers to leading teams of loan officers. As an expert reviewer, Neel evaluates mortgage and personal finance content for accuracy, clarity, and real-world applicability. He specializes in ensuring information reflects how lending actually works in practice so consumers can make confident, informed decisions.
    Our Editorial Standards

    Key Takeaways

    • You may be able to get an FHA loan with as little as 3.5% down if your credit score is 580 or higher.
    • For most Florida homes, the 2026 FHA loan limit is $541,287. The limit is higher in some areas and reaches $990,150 in Monroe County.
    • Homeowners insurance can have a big effect on your monthly housing costs in Florida. Flood coverage is usually separate from homeowners insurance, and Florida policies can also have hurricane deductibles.
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    An FHA loan can be an option for Florida buyers who have a smaller down payment or less-than-perfect credit. The loans are made by approved mortgage lenders and insured by the Federal Housing Administration.

    The basic FHA loan requirements are the same nationwide, but where you buy in Florida matters. FHA loan limits vary by county, while property taxes, homeowners insurance, flood coverage and condo eligibility can all affect the cost of buying a home.

    Florida FHA Loan Basics

    Requirement What It Means for Florida Buyers
    Minimum down payment As little as 3.5% with a credit score of 580 or higher
    Credit scores from 500 to 579 Generally require at least 10% down
    2026 loan limits $541,287 in most counties and up to $990,150 in Monroe County for a single-family home
    Occupancy You generally need to use the home as your primary residence
    Mortgage insurance FHA loans generally include upfront and annual mortgage insurance
    Eligible homes Can include single-family homes, eligible condos and qualifying two- to four-unit properties

    Meeting FHA's minimum credit score and down payment rules does not automatically mean you'll qualify. Your lender will also look at your income, debts, credit history and the home you're buying.

    FHA Home Loan Rates in Florida for 2026

    FHA mortgage rates in Florida change with the broader mortgage market and can vary from one borrower to another. Your credit, loan amount, down payment, discount points and lender pricing can all affect the rate you're offered.

    Mortgage rates are currently high compared with much of the past decade. Freddie Mac reported an average 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 7.28% on Oct. 1, 2026, up from 7.03% the week before. That is a national conventional mortgage average rather than an FHA rate, but it shows the broader rate environment facing buyers.

    When comparing loans, look at both the interest rate and APR. The APR includes the interest rate along with certain loan costs and can make it easier to compare offers.

    Florida buyers should also look beyond principal and interest. Property taxes, homeowners insurance, flood coverage, condo or HOA fees and other housing costs can make two similarly priced homes very different monthly expenses.

    Rates can also differ depending on the type of mortgage you choose. Current Florida mortgage rates make it easier to compare FHA pricing with other common loan options before factoring in insurance, taxes and other housing costs.

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    Florida FHA Loan Calculator

    Most FHA home loans have an upfront mortgage insurance premium equal to 1.75% of the base loan amount. You can usually add this cost to the mortgage instead of paying the entire amount at closing.

    FHA loans also have annual mortgage insurance that is usually divided into monthly payments. The rate is not the same for every FHA borrower. It depends on your loan amount, loan term and how much you put down.

    The calculator below uses a 0.55% annual mortgage insurance rate as an estimate. That applies to many 30-year FHA purchase loans, but not every FHA loan. Larger FHA loans can have higher annual mortgage insurance rates, which is particularly worth noting in higher-cost parts of Florida.

    How long you pay FHA mortgage insurance also depends on the loan. On many 30-year FHA loans, putting at least 10% down means paying annual mortgage insurance for 11 years. With less than 10% down, it generally lasts for the life of the FHA loan unless you later refinance into another mortgage.

    Insurance is especially important when estimating a Florida payment. Standard homeowners insurance generally does not cover flooding, and your policy may have a separate hurricane deductible. Insurance costs and coverage can vary substantially based on the home and its location.

    If the home will be your permanent Florida residence, you may also qualify for a homestead exemption that can reduce its taxable value by as much as $50,000. The exact tax benefit depends on the property and the local taxes that apply.

    FHA Loan
    Calculator

    Model principal and interest, FHA mortgage insurance, property taxes, and upfront MIP.

    Est. Monthly FHA Payment

    $0

    What’s driving this estimateLive from your current assumptions
    Use the sliders for quick comparisons or tap the blue value pills to type exact numbers.
    Upfront MIP

    Illustrative FHA estimate only. Uses a 1.75% upfront MIP and 0.55% annual MIP assumption. Actual FHA MIP rules depend on loan amount, term, LTV, and case-specific factors. Not a loan offer.

    How this calculator works

    Move the sliders to test scenarios, or tap any blue value pill to type an exact number. The headline result and supporting detail pills update live as you change inputs so you can compare options without resetting your work.

    Methodology: Base loan = home price × (1 − down payment %). Upfront MIP = 1.75% of the base loan, optionally rolled into the loan. Principal & interest are amortized over 30 years using the standard fixed-rate formula M = P · r(1+r)n / ((1+r)n−1), where r is the monthly rate and n is months. Annual MIP of 0.55% is divided by 12 and added monthly. Property taxes are estimated as home price × tax rate ÷ 12.

    Worked example: Home price $400,000, 3.5% down, 6.5% rate, 1.1% taxes, UFMIP financed: base loan $386,000; UFMIP $6,755; financed loan $392,755; monthly P&I ≈ $2,482; monthly MIP ≈ $177; monthly taxes ≈ $367; total ≈ $3,026/mo.

    Use these estimates to compare options and prepare questions for a lender. Final pricing, eligibility, and approval depend on a full application and lender review.

    FHA Loan Requirements for Florida Borrowers

    Florida borrowers follow the same basic FHA qualification rules as borrowers in other states. Your lender will look at your credit, income, debts and the home you plan to buy.

    Credit Score and Down Payment Guidelines

    If your credit score is 580 or higher, FHA guidelines generally allow you to buy a home with as little as 3.5% down.

    If your score is between 500 and 579, you generally need at least 10% down. Individual lenders can require a higher score, so meeting FHA's minimum does not guarantee approval.

    Your score is only one part of qualifying for an FHA loan. Your income, debts, credit history and other parts of your application also matter.

    Debt-to-Income Ratio and Income Requirements

    Your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, compares your monthly debt payments with your monthly income. FHA does not have one 43% DTI maximum that applies to every borrower.

    If your loan has to be reviewed manually, 31% for housing expenses and 43% for total monthly debt are the standard starting points. Some borrowers can qualify with higher ratios when they meet FHA's requirements for additional financial strengths.

    Many FHA loans are reviewed through an automated underwriting system instead. In those cases, the system looks at your overall finances rather than treating one DTI percentage as an automatic cutoff.

    Your existing debts can still have a major effect on how much FHA financing you can qualify for.

    FHA does not set a maximum income limit for its standard home loan program. You still need enough documented income to afford the mortgage. Florida homebuyer-assistance programs can have separate income limits.

    Property and Occupancy Rules

    An FHA loan is generally meant for a home you plan to live in. At least one borrower typically needs to move into the property within 60 days and use it as a primary home.

    You can use FHA financing to buy an eligible property with two, three or four units as long as you live in one of them. That makes FHA financing for a multifamily home one option for buyers who want to live in one unit and rent out the others.

    Buying a Florida Condo With an FHA Loan

    Condos can qualify for FHA financing, but not every condo does. The unit may be in an FHA-approved condominium project, or an individual unit may qualify through FHA's Single-Unit Approval process.

    If you're shopping for a condo, check FHA eligibility early. A borrower's finances can meet FHA requirements even when the condo itself does not. Current project and unit rules are available through HUD's condominium program.

    Flood and Homeowners Insurance

    Insurance can be an important part of buying a home in Florida. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so flood insurance is normally a separate policy or added coverage.

    A lender may require flood insurance when a home is in an area where federal rules call for it. Even when it is not required, the property's flood exposure can still be worth considering when comparing homes.

    How to Apply for an FHA Loan in Florida

    1. Compare FHA financing with other mortgage options based on your credit, savings and budget.
    2. Apply with an FHA-approved lender and provide information about your income, employment, debts and assets.
    3. Your lender will review your finances and determine whether the loan meets FHA requirements.
    4. Choose a home that meets FHA property and occupancy rules.
    5. Complete the FHA appraisal and any other required property reviews.
    6. Review your loan terms, closing costs, mortgage insurance and estimated monthly payment before closing.

    FHA Loan Limits in Florida for 2026

    FHA limits how much you can borrow based on where the home is located and how many units it has.

    For most Florida counties, the 2026 FHA limit for a single-family home is $541,287.

    Some more expensive parts of Florida have higher limits. The limit is $667,000 in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, $764,750 in Collier County and $990,150 in Monroe County, which includes the Florida Keys.

    Use the county lookup below to check the limit where you plan to buy. You can also confirm it through HUD's FHA Mortgage Limits lookup.

    2026 FHA loan limits by county

    Loading map…
    County 1-Unit Limit 2-Unit 3-Unit 4-Unit
    Source: HUD, 2026 FHA forward mortgage limits

    FHA loan limits are set annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Limits vary by county and property type, with higher ceilings in designated high-cost areas and statutory special areas (Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). This map is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a loan offer or commitment to lend. Actual loan eligibility depends on credit, income, property, and lender guidelines.

    2026 FHA Loan Limits in Major Florida Counties

    Most Florida counties use the standard FHA limit, but buyers in several higher-cost markets can borrow more.

    County Major Market 1 Unit 2 Units 3 Units 4 Units
    Monroe Florida Keys $990,150 $1,267,600 $1,532,200 $1,904,150
    Collier Naples $764,750 $979,000 $1,183,400 $1,470,700
    Miami-Dade Miami $667,000 $853,900 $1,032,150 $1,282,700
    Broward Fort Lauderdale $667,000 $853,900 $1,032,150 $1,282,700
    Palm Beach West Palm Beach $667,000 $853,900 $1,032,150 $1,282,700
    Duval Jacksonville $580,750 $743,450 $898,700 $1,116,850
    Orange Orlando $541,287 $693,050 $837,700 $1,041,125
    Hillsborough Tampa $541,287 $693,050 $837,700 $1,041,125

    2026 FHA Loan Limits by Property Size

    The standard FHA limit for most of the country is $541,287 for a single-family home in 2026. FHA allows larger loans for properties with more units and for homes in certain higher-cost areas.

    Property Size Standard FHA Limit National High-Cost Limit
    1 Unit $541,287 $1,249,125
    2 Units $693,050 $1,599,375
    3 Units $837,700 $1,933,200
    4 Units $1,041,125 $2,402,625

    Florida does not reach the national FHA high-cost limit. Monroe County has the state's highest 2026 limit at $990,150 for a single-family home.

    FHA Loans in Major Florida Housing Markets

    Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach

    Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties share a 2026 FHA limit of $667,000 for a single-family home.

    Insurance and condo eligibility deserve particular attention in South Florida. Flood coverage is separate from a standard homeowners policy, and buyers using FHA financing for a condo should confirm that the property can qualify before getting too far into the purchase process.

    Florida Keys

    Monroe County has the highest FHA limit in Florida. Buyers can finance up to $990,150 on a single-family home in 2026, with higher limits for properties with two to four units.

    The higher limit reflects the area's housing costs, but it does not change the need to qualify based on your income, debts and other finances. Insurance and flood exposure can also add substantially to the cost of owning a home in the Keys.

    Naples

    Collier County has a 2026 FHA limit of $764,750 for a single-family home, making it one of the higher-limit counties in Florida.

    Jacksonville

    Duval County has a 2026 FHA limit of $580,750 for a single-family home. The same higher Jacksonville-area limit also applies in several surrounding counties.

    Orlando and Tampa

    Orange County in the Orlando area and Hillsborough County in the Tampa area both use the standard $541,287 FHA limit for a single-family home in 2026.

    That means a relatively expensive home can exceed the FHA borrowing limit even in a large Florida metro. The limit applies to the FHA loan amount rather than the home's total purchase price.

    Florida Property Taxes and the Homestead Exemption

    If a Florida home is your permanent residence, you may be eligible for the state's homestead exemption. It can reduce the property's taxable value by as much as $50,000.

    Florida also has a Save Our Homes limit that generally restricts annual increases in the assessed value of an existing homestead. If you already own a Florida homestead and move, you may also be able to transfer some of that tax benefit to another qualifying Florida home.

    Eligibility and the actual tax savings depend on your situation and local taxes. Homestead applications are handled by the property appraiser in the county where the home is located.

    Florida Down Payment Assistance for FHA Buyers

    Florida has programs that can help some buyers cover their down payment or closing costs. These programs have their own rules, so qualifying for an FHA loan does not automatically mean you'll qualify for assistance.

    Florida Assist

    The Florida Housing Finance Corporation offers Florida Assist to eligible buyers using its Homebuyer Loan Program.

    Florida Assist can provide up to $10,000 toward the down payment and closing costs on an FHA, VA, USDA or conventional loan. The assistance comes as a 0% deferred second mortgage with no monthly payments.

    The assistance is not forgiven. It generally has to be repaid when you sell the home, refinance the first mortgage, pay off the first mortgage, transfer the property or stop using it as your primary residence.

    Florida Housing's Homebuyer Loan Program also has separate requirements. These include a minimum credit score of 640, income and purchase-price limits, homebuyer education and, in most cases, first-time homebuyer eligibility.

    Program terms and funding can change, so check the current Florida Housing requirements before relying on assistance as part of your purchase budget.

    FHA Loans in Nearby States

    If you're considering homes elsewhere in the Southeast, FHA loan limits and state-specific costs are different in Georgia and Alabama.

    The basic FHA rules are federal, but county loan limits, taxes, insurance costs and homebuyer-assistance programs vary by state.

    Bottom Line

    You may be able to buy a Florida home with an FHA loan and as little as 3.5% down if your credit score is 580 or higher. For most Florida counties, the 2026 limit for a single-family home is $541,287, while higher-cost counties have larger limits that reach $990,150 in Monroe County.

    Florida buyers should pay close attention to costs beyond the mortgage itself. Homeowners insurance, flood coverage, hurricane deductibles, property taxes and condo or HOA costs can all change what a home actually costs each month.

    Frequently Asked Questions About FHA Loans in Florida

    What Is the Minimum Down Payment for an FHA Loan in Florida?

    You may be able to put down as little as 3.5% if your credit score is 580 or higher. With a credit score from 500 to 579, FHA guidelines generally require at least 10% down.

    What Credit Score Do You Need for an FHA Loan in Florida?

    A credit score of 580 or higher can make you eligible for FHA's 3.5% minimum down payment. Scores from 500 to 579 generally require at least 10% down. Individual lenders can set higher credit requirements.

    What Is the Maximum FHA Debt-to-Income Ratio in Florida?

    There is no single FHA DTI maximum that applies to every borrower. A 43% total DTI is a standard starting point for loans reviewed manually, but FHA allows higher ratios in certain cases. Automated underwriting can also approve different ratios based on the rest of your finances.

    What Are the FHA Loan Limits in Florida for 2026?

    For most Florida counties, the 2026 FHA limit for a single-family home is $541,287. Higher limits apply in some areas, including $667,000 in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, $764,750 in Collier County and $990,150 in Monroe County.

    Can You Use Florida Down Payment Assistance With an FHA Loan?

    Yes. Florida Assist can be paired with an eligible FHA loan through Florida Housing's Homebuyer Loan Program. It can provide up to $10,000 toward down payment and closing costs, but the program has separate credit, income, purchase-price and other requirements.

    Does FHA Have an Income Limit in Florida?

    No. FHA does not set a maximum income limit for its standard home loan program. You still need enough qualifying income to afford the mortgage. Florida Housing and other assistance programs can have their own income limits.

    Can You Buy a Condo With an FHA Loan in Florida?

    Yes, but the condo has to meet FHA requirements. The unit may be in an FHA-approved project, or an individual unit may qualify through FHA's Single-Unit Approval process.

    Do You Need Flood Insurance With an FHA Loan in Florida?

    Not for every home. Flood insurance can be required when a property is in an area where federal flood-insurance rules apply. Standard homeowners insurance generally does not cover flood damage, so some Florida buyers also choose flood coverage even when a lender does not require it.

    Can You Buy a Duplex or Multifamily Home With an FHA Loan in Florida?

    Yes. FHA financing can be used for eligible properties with two, three or four units as long as you plan to live in one of the units as your primary home.

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