FHA Loan Limits and USDA Eligibility in Tulare County, California

2026 FHA one-unit limit in Tulare County is $541,287. Two-unit is $693,050, three-unit is $837,700, and four-unit is $1,041,125. USDA 502 Guaranteed 1–4 person moderate income is $124,900. ZIP centers in the table below are marked likely eligible or likely not eligible for USDA. Official eligibility is still the property address.

2026 FHA Loan Limits Map for California

California one-unit limits: —
Loading FHA loan limits map…
Loading California…
Standard Floor: $541,287Mid-Tier: $541,288–$750,000High-Cost: $750,001–$1,000,000Elite Zone: $1,000,001+

FHA Eligibility Requirements

You need to meet all six. Loan limits in Tulare County are set by county. DTI is a lender call. An FHA lender confirms the official answer.

3.5% down payment

Minimum is 3.5% (580+ score) or 10% (500–579). FHA allows the full amount to come from a gift: family, employer, labor union, or an approved program. A signed gift letter is required.

Credit score 580+ for 3.5% down

580+ qualifies for 3.5% down. 500–579 generally requires 10% down. Lenders often set their own floor above the FHA minimum.

Debt-to-income within FHA guidelines

Guidelines target a housing ratio around 31% and total DTI around 43%. Automated underwriting can approve stronger files above those thresholds. Manual underwriting uses tighter caps.

Check DTI on the affordability calculator

Primary residence only

The home must be your main residence, not a second home or investment property. You must move in within the timeline FHA and your contract require.

1–4 unit home that meets FHA standards

One-to-four unit homes, FHA approved condos, and some manufactured homes that meet FHA rules. For 2–4 units you must live in one unit. The home must pass an FHA appraisal.

Loan amount at or below the county limit

2026 one-unit limits start at $541,287 in most counties and go up to $1,249,125 in high-cost areas. 2–4 unit limits are higher. Enter a ZIP to see every FHA county on that ZIP.

See 2026 FHA loan limits

USDA Property Eligibility and Income Limits Map for California

Loading USDA map…
Loading California…
EligibleIneligibleUSDA ineligible boundary

USDA Eligibility Requirements

You need to meet all six. Property location and income in Tulare County vary by area. A USDA approved lender confirms the official answer.

Property in a USDA eligible area

The home must be in a USDA designated rural or suburban area. Over 97% of U.S. land qualifies, including many suburbs near major cities. Use the eligibility map to check any address.

Check your area on the map

Household income at or below the area limit

USDA caps household income at 115% of the area median, with a national floor of $122,800 for 1–4 person households. Every adult in the home counts, not just borrowers. Deductions for dependents and childcare can help.

Check income limits for your ZIP

Primary residence only

The home must be your full-time primary residence. Investment properties and second homes are not eligible. You must intend to occupy the home within 60 days of closing.

Single-family property (1 unit)

USDA Guaranteed loans cover single-unit homes only. Duplexes and multi-unit properties do not qualify, even with owner occupancy. Condos and manufactured homes are eligible under specific conditions. For house-hacking a 2–4 unit property, FHA and VA are the right tools. USDA is not.

U.S. citizenship or qualified alien status

You must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. non-citizen national, or qualified alien. Permanent residents with a green card generally qualify. Your lender will verify documentation.

Credit score 640+ typical

USDA does not set a hard credit floor, but most lenders require 640+ for streamlined approval. Some lenders go lower with compensating factors. Your full credit profile (payment history, DTI, reserves) matters as much as the score.

Tulare County FHA Limits, USDA Income, and ZIP Eligibility

FHA one-unit caps are county. USDA 1–4 person guaranteed income can split a county; when a ZIP lists more than one cap, both are listed. USDA property is a first look from each ZIP’s geographic center versus USDA ineligible-area boundaries — the official test is the address. City is the USPS primary city for that ZIP; a city is not USDA eligible or ineligible as a whole.

Cities in Tulare County: Alpaugh, Badger, California Hot Springs, Camp Nelson, Cutler, Dinuba, Ducor, Earlimart, Exeter, Farmersville, Goshen, Ivanhoe, Kaweah, Kernville, Kings Canyon National Pk, Kingsburg, Lemon Cove, Lindsay, Orosi, Pixley, Porterville, Posey, Reedley, Richgrove, Sequoia National Park, Springville, Strathmore, Sultana, Terra Bella, Three Rivers, Tipton, Traver, Tulare, Visalia, Woodlake, Yettem

ZIPCityUSDA propertyFHA one-unit loan limitUSDA 1–4 person moderate income
93201AlpaughLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93207California Hot SpringsLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93208Camp NelsonLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93218DucorLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93219EarlimartLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93221ExeterLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93223FarmersvilleLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93227GoshenLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93235IvanhoeLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93237KaweahLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93238KernvilleLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93244Lemon CoveLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93247LindsayLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93256PixleyLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93257PortervilleLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93258PortervilleLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93260PoseyLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93261RichgroveLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93262Sequoia National ParkLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93265SpringvilleLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93267StrathmoreLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93270Terra BellaLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93271Three RiversLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93272TiptonLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93274TulareLikely not eligible$541,287$124,900
93277VisaliaLikely not eligible$541,287$124,900
93286WoodlakeLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93291VisaliaLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93292VisaliaLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93603BadgerLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93615CutlerLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93618DinubaLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93631KingsburgLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93633Kings Canyon National PkLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93647OrosiLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93654ReedleyLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93666SultanaLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93670YettemLikely eligible$541,287$124,900
93673TraverLikely eligible$541,287$124,900

Connect with a Lender in Tulare County

Connect with a lender to confirm FHA loan limits, USDA income limits, and a specific California address. Only a lender can confirm your official eligibility.

Get your answer

Loan Options in Tulare County

A licensed lender can confirm USDA property eligibility, household income, and the FHA county cap for a specific Tulare County address. Then they can match you if you qualify.

Connect with a lender
Homebuyers reviewing loan options with a mortgage professional

NMLS-licensed lenders Fast Lender Matching No initial credit impact

Powered by Mortgage Research Center, NMLS #1907 — Trusted since 2002

FAQ for Tulare County

Learn More