FHA Loan Limits in Pennsylvania
Mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), known as FHA loans, offer homebuyers low down payments and low minimum credit score requirements, but they come with loan limits. The FHA loan limit for single-family homes is $472,030 in most of Pennsylvania, though it rises in more expensive parts of the state. It tops out at $1,089,300 in Pike County, the only Pennsylvania county that’s part of the New York City metropolitan area.
Pennsylvania FHA loan limits by county
| County name | One unit | Two units | Three units | Four units | Median sale price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADAMS | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $240,000 |
| ALLEGHENY | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $286,000 |
| ARMSTRONG | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $286,000 |
| BEAVER | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $286,000 |
| BEDFORD | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $116,000 |
| BERKS | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $201,000 |
| BLAIR | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $130,000 |
| BRADFORD | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $139,000 |
| BUCKS | $529,000 | $677,200 | $818,600 | $1,017,300 | $460,000 |
| BUTLER | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $286,000 |
| CAMBRIA | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $80,000 |
| CAMERON | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $70,000 |
| CARBON | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $300,000 |
| CENTRE | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $290,000 |
| CHESTER | $529,000 | $677,200 | $818,600 | $1,017,300 | $460,000 |
| CLARION | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $94,000 |
| CLEARFIELD | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $92,000 |
| CLINTON | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $150,000 |
| COLUMBIA | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $185,000 |
| CRAWFORD | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $105,000 |
| CUMBERLAND | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $268,000 |
| DAUPHIN | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $268,000 |
| DELAWARE | $529,000 | $677,200 | $818,600 | $1,017,300 | $460,000 |
| ELK | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $87,000 |
| ERIE | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $141,000 |
| FAYETTE | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $286,000 |
| FOREST | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $73,000 |
| FRANKLIN | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $209,000 |
| FULTON | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $108,000 |
| GREENE | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $100,000 |
| HUNTINGDON | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $111,000 |
| INDIANA | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $110,000 |
| JEFFERSON | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $75,000 |
| JUNIATA | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $140,000 |
| LACKAWANNA | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $170,000 |
| LANCASTER | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $285,000 |
| LAWRENCE | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $100,000 |
| LEBANON | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $200,000 |
| LEHIGH | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $300,000 |
| LUZERNE | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $170,000 |
| LYCOMING | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $160,000 |
| MCKEAN | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $75,000 |
| MERCER | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $150,000 |
| MIFFLIN | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $90,000 |
| MONROE | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $240,000 |
| MONTGOMERY | $529,000 | $677,200 | $818,600 | $1,017,300 | $460,000 |
| MONTOUR | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $185,000 |
| NORTHAMPTON | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $300,000 |
| NORTHUMBERLAND | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $76,000 |
| PERRY | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $268,000 |
| PHILADELPHIA | $529,000 | $677,200 | $818,600 | $1,017,300 | $460,000 |
| PIKE | $1,089,300 | $1,394,775 | $1,685,850 | $2,095,200 | $1,010,000 |
| POTTER | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $94,000 |
| SCHUYLKILL | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $90,000 |
| SNYDER | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $175,000 |
| SOMERSET | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $106,000 |
| SULLIVAN | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $98,000 |
| SUSQUEHANNA | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $125,000 |
| TIOGA | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $135,000 |
| UNION | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $225,000 |
| VENANGO | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $75,000 |
| WARREN | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $76,000 |
| WASHINGTON | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $286,000 |
| WAYNE | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $201,000 |
| WESTMORELAND | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $286,000 |
| WYOMING | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $170,000 |
| YORK | $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 | $232,000 |
How are FHA loan limits determined?
Each year the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets limits for FHA loans — the maximum loan amounts the Federal Housing Administration will insure. Limits are set for each county in the United States, based in part on that year’s conforming loan limit for a conventional mortgage. Because of rapidly rising home costs in 2022, conforming loan limits are 12% higher this year, and FHA loan limits have risen in tandem.
The lowest FHA loan limit nationally, also known as the “floor,” is 65% of the conforming loan limit; the “ceiling,” or highest loan limit nationally, is 150% of the conforming loan limit. The floor is $472,030, with a ceiling of $1,089,300 in high-cost areas.
How to qualify for an FHA loan in Pennsylvania
The FHA loan program can help prospective homebuyers who don’t have flawless credit scores or sizable down payments. Here is what you’ll need for an FHA loan:
At least a 500 credit score. You may qualify for an FHA loan with a score of 500 to 579. However, your lender will also require at least a 10% down payment.
At least a 3.5% down payment. If your credit score is 580 or higher, you may only need to put down 3.5% of the price of the home. As noted above, this percentage will increase if your score is lower.
Mortgage amount. The amount you borrow can’t be higher than the FHA limit in your region. If you want to buy a home that costs more than that, you’ll have to make a larger down payment to cover the difference.
Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of 43% or less. A DTI ratio is a comparison of your monthly debt spending to your total monthly income. A maximum of 43% is what mortgage lenders prefer. However, some lenders may allow a higher DTI ratio in certain circumstances.
FHA home appraisal. Before you can get an FHA loan, you’ll need an FHA appraisal to confirm the value of the property you wish to buy.
Mortgage insurance. You’ll need to pay two kinds of mortgage insurance: an annual mortgage insurance premium (MIP) of 0.15% to 0.75% of the loan amount, as well as an upfront premium (UFMIP) equal to 1.75% of the loan amount. The UFMIP is typically financed into the cost of your loan, while the MIP is added to your monthly payment.
Occupancy. You’ll need to live in the home you purchase with an FHA loan for at least the first 12 months.
Buying a multifamily property with an FHA loan
Qualified borrowers can buy a multifamily home (duplex, triplex or fourplex) with an FHA loan instead of seeking an investment property mortgage. To qualify, you’ll need to live in one unit for at least 12 months, but you can rent out the other units. You’ll also need to meet the same FHA loan requirements as you would for a single-family home.
FHA lenders in Pennsylvania
| Lender name | LT rating | Minimum FHA credit score |
|---|---|---|
| Truist Mortgage | 4 stars | 580 |
| Fairway Independent Mortgage | 3 stars | 580 |
| Guild Mortgage | 3 stars | 540 |
| Mr. Cooper | 4.5 stars | Not disclosed |