California FHA Loan Limits for 2025

Find the maximum FHA loan amount for your California county.

California FHA Loan Limits Overview

California has some of the highest FHA loan limits in the country due to its high housing costs, particularly in coastal and metropolitan areas. Many California counties are at the FHA ceiling limit of $1,089,300 for single-family homes, while others fall somewhere between the floor ($472,030) and ceiling limits.

The wide range of housing costs across California means that FHA loan limits vary significantly from county to county. Urban areas like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego have much higher limits than rural counties in the Central Valley or Northern California.

Important: FHA loan limits are updated annually, typically in December for the following year. The limits shown on this page are current for 2025 and were last updated on December 1, 2024.

California FHA Loan Limits by County

Below is a complete list of FHA loan limits for all 58 counties in California. The limits shown are for single-family homes. For multi-unit properties (2-4 units), higher limits apply.

County Single-Family Limit Category
Alameda $1,089,300 Ceiling
Alpine $647,200 Between
Amador $546,250 Between
Butte $472,030 Floor
Calaveras $510,400 Between
Colusa $472,030 Floor
Contra Costa $1,089,300 Ceiling
Del Norte $472,030 Floor
El Dorado $675,050 Between
Fresno $472,030 Floor
Glenn $472,030 Floor
Humboldt $472,030 Floor
Imperial $472,030 Floor
Inyo $529,000 Between
Kern $472,030 Floor
Kings $472,030 Floor
Lake $472,030 Floor
Lassen $472,030 Floor
Los Angeles $1,089,300 Ceiling
Madera $472,030 Floor
Marin $1,089,300 Ceiling
Mariposa $472,030 Floor
Mendocino $529,000 Between
Merced $472,030 Floor
Modoc $472,030 Floor
Mono $728,000 Between
Monterey $816,500 Between
Napa $948,750 Between
Nevada $598,000 Between
Orange $1,089,300 Ceiling
Placer $675,050 Between
Plumas $472,030 Floor
Riverside $598,000 Between
Sacramento $675,050 Between
San Benito $816,500 Between
San Bernardino $598,000 Between
San Diego $977,500 Between
San Francisco $1,089,300 Ceiling
San Joaquin $546,250 Between
San Luis Obispo $816,500 Between
San Mateo $1,089,300 Ceiling
Santa Barbara $816,500 Between
Santa Clara $1,089,300 Ceiling
Santa Cruz $1,089,300 Ceiling
Shasta $472,030 Floor
Sierra $472,030 Floor
Siskiyou $472,030 Floor
Solano $598,000 Between
Sonoma $816,500 Between
Stanislaus $472,030 Floor
Sutter $472,030 Floor
Tehama $472,030 Floor
Trinity $472,030 Floor
Tulare $472,030 Floor
Tuolumne $472,030 Floor
Ventura $948,750 Between
Yolo $675,050 Between
Yuba $472,030 Floor

Multi-Unit Property Limits in California

If you're purchasing a multi-unit property (2-4 units) in California, higher FHA loan limits apply. Below are the limits for multi-unit properties in counties at the floor and ceiling:

Property Type Floor Counties Ceiling Counties
Two-Family $604,400 $1,394,775
Three-Family $730,525 $1,685,850
Four-Family $907,900 $2,095,200

For counties with limits between the floor and ceiling, multi-unit property limits are also proportionally adjusted.

California Counties with the Highest FHA Loan Limits

The following California counties have FHA loan limits at the ceiling ($1,089,300) for single-family homes:

  • Alameda
  • Contra Costa
  • Los Angeles
  • Marin
  • Orange
  • San Francisco
  • San Mateo
  • Santa Clara
  • Santa Cruz

These counties are primarily located in the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California, where housing costs are among the highest in the nation.

California Counties with the Lowest FHA Loan Limits

The following California counties have FHA loan limits at the floor ($472,030) for single-family homes:

  • Butte
  • Colusa
  • Del Norte
  • Fresno
  • Glenn
  • Humboldt
  • Imperial
  • Kern
  • Kings
  • Lake
  • Lassen
  • Madera
  • Mariposa
  • Merced
  • Modoc
  • Plumas
  • Shasta
  • Sierra
  • Siskiyou
  • Stanislaus
  • Sutter
  • Tehama
  • Trinity
  • Tulare
  • Tuolumne
  • Yuba

These counties are primarily located in the Central Valley, Northern California, and rural areas where housing costs are lower than the state average.

California Housing Market and FHA Loans

California's housing market is known for its high prices, particularly in coastal areas and major metropolitan regions. This can make it challenging for first-time homebuyers to enter the market, even with FHA loans.

Challenges in High-Cost Areas

In counties with high housing costs, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Orange County, even the ceiling FHA loan limit of $1,089,300 may not be sufficient for many properties. In these areas, buyers may need to:

  • Make larger down payments to reduce the loan amount
  • Consider conventional or jumbo loans for higher-priced properties
  • Look at condominiums or townhouses instead of single-family homes
  • Explore less expensive neighborhoods or suburbs

Opportunities in Lower-Cost Areas

In counties with lower housing costs, such as those in the Central Valley or rural areas, FHA loans can be an excellent option for homebuyers. In these areas:

  • The floor limit of $472,030 is often sufficient for many properties
  • Buyers may be able to purchase larger homes or properties with more land
  • Down payment requirements (3.5% with a 580+ credit score) are more manageable
  • Overall affordability is better, even with FHA mortgage insurance premiums

Tips for California FHA Loan Borrowers

Check County-Specific Limits

California has significant variation in FHA loan limits from county to county. Always check the specific limit for the county where you're buying.

Consider Commutable Areas

If you work in a high-cost area like San Francisco or Los Angeles, consider buying in a nearby county with lower limits and housing costs.

Explore Down Payment Assistance

California offers various down payment assistance programs that can be used with FHA loans, such as the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) programs.

Be Prepared for Competition

California's housing market can be competitive. Having a pre-approval letter and being ready to act quickly can help your offer stand out.

Budget for Property Taxes

California property taxes are based on the purchase price of the home. Be sure to factor these into your affordability calculations.

California FHA Loan Resources

For more information about FHA loans in California, check out these resources:

Calculate Your California FHA Loan

Now that you know the FHA loan limits for your California county, use our calculators to estimate your monthly payments and determine how much house you can afford.

Explore FHA Loan Limits in Other States

Texas

Texas has a mix of loan limits, with major metropolitan areas having higher limits than rural counties. Most counties have the floor limit of $472,030.

View Texas Limits

Florida

Florida's FHA loan limits vary significantly by county, with higher limits in areas like Miami-Dade and lower limits in rural counties.

View Florida Limits

New York

New York has some of the highest FHA loan limits, particularly in New York City and surrounding counties, where limits reach the ceiling.

View New York Limits

Calculate Your California FHA Loan

Now that you know the FHA loan limits for your California county, use our calculators to estimate your monthly payments, determine how much house you can afford, and explore your options.

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