USDA home loan eligibility for rural and small-town buyers
Stop 2: household income
Plain answer
USDA sets a maximum household income for each county, which rises with household size. It counts the income of every adult who will live in the home, even someone not on the loan. Look up the current limit for your county and household size on the USDA eligibility site rather than relying on a figure quoted online.
Last reviewed against the primary sources listed below.
Who counts
- Every adult member of the household who will live in the home.
- Income from jobs, self-employment, benefits and other regular sources.
- Some allowed deductions, such as for dependents, can lower the figure USDA compares with the limit.
Where the limits are published
USDA updates limits periodically. The USDA eligibility site has an income check that applies the current limit for your county and household size. The program handbook explains the calculation.
Two different income questions
USDA checks that household income is not too high for the program. The lender separately checks that your own income is high and steady enough to repay. You need to pass both.
Neighbors also ask
Are there income requirements for a USDA loan?
Yes. Household income must be at or below USDA's limit for your county and household size, and the borrower's income must be enough to repay the loan.
What are the USDA loan income limits for 2026?
USDA publishes current limits by county and household size on its Income and Property Eligibility site. Check there, because figures vary by place and are updated.
What are the USDA loan income limits for single people in 2026?
The limit for a one-person household is listed for each county on the USDA eligibility site's income check.
How much do I need to make to buy a 300k house in USDA?
There is no single figure. The lender decides whether your income can repay a given loan, and USDA separately caps household income. Both depend on your county, debts and household.