Minnesota 87-County 2026 Conforming ($832,750) and FHA ($541,287) Loan Limits — Loon & Lintel
Updated October 2026
For a one-unit home in 2026, Minnesota's baseline conforming mortgage limit is $832,750 in every one of its 87 counties. FHA's $541,287 figure is the national floor, not a promise that every Minnesota county has the same FHA maximum. That distinction matters when comparing a conventional loan with an FHA alternative.
Separate statewide rules from county checks
A conforming mortgage fits the applicable size limit and other purchase requirements of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Minnesota has no higher one-unit high-cost conforming ceiling above its $832,750 baseline for 2026.
FHA uses county-specific limits subject to its national floor and ceiling. Verify the property's county and number of units instead of treating the floor as a universal statewide cap.
| Property financing question | Correct starting point |
|---|---|
| One-unit conforming loan anywhere in Minnesota | $832,750 |
| One-unit FHA loan | $541,287 floor, followed by county verification |
| Two- to four-unit property | Applicable unit-count limit for the selected program |
| Conventional borrowing above the applicable limit | Jumbo financing comparison |
Check FHFA Loan Limits for conforming figures and HUD FHA Mortgage Limits for FHA county results. Select 2026 and the correct property category when reviewing official information.
Apply the limit to borrowing, not price
A $900,000 purchase with a $100,000 down payment produces an $800,000 base loan. That amount is below Minnesota's one-unit conforming limit, even though the purchase price exceeds it. Approval still depends on income, credit, assets, property eligibility, and other underwriting requirements.
For FHA, the county limit generally applies to the base mortgage amount. Financed upfront mortgage insurance is handled separately under FHA rules. Ask the lender to distinguish purchase price, base loan, financed insurance, and final note amount on the estimate.
A larger permitted mortgage does not establish an affordable household payment. Taxes, insurance, association dues, and mortgage insurance can change the comparison substantially.
Choose the program after checking eligibility
Use the mortgage options guide to compare conventional, FHA, VA, and jumbo structures. Then run the monthly payment calculator using realistic ownership expenses.
Minnesota Housing assistance introduces separate income and purchase-price restrictions; qualifying under a federal loan limit does not automatically qualify you for Start Up or Step Up. Review those restrictions early, particularly if assistance is essential to your down payment. Record the county, unit count, loan year, and program in your worksheet so later estimates use the same assumptions.
Compare Current Mortgage Rates
Compare current APRs, points, fees, and estimated monthly payments from participating lenders below.
Loan Program Comparison: 2026 Benchmarks
Minnesota 87 County 2026 Conforming ($832,750) and FHA ($541,287) Loan Limits — Compare the 3.5% down option at 580+ FICO with 10% at 500–579, lender overlays, 1.75% upfront MIP and the applicable annual MIP tier.
Historical 2025 one-unit comparison: conforming $832,750; FHA floor $541,287. County and unit-count limits can differ.
| Loan program | Down payment / equity | 2026 one-unit baseline | Costs and page-specific comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| FHA | 3.5% at 580+; 10% at 500–579 | $541,287 floor | 1.75% upfront MIP; 0.55% annual for >95% LTV, base loan ≤$726,200, term >15 years |
| Conventional | 3%–5% subject to eligibility | $832,750 | PMI generally below 20% down |
| VA | 0% for eligible borrowers | No VA limit with full entitlement | No monthly PMI; funding fee unless exempt |
| USDA | 0% for eligible borrowers | Income, address and repayment eligibility | Guarantee and annual fees; confirm current schedule |
| Jumbo | Lender-specific cash and reserves | Above applicable conforming limit | Lender-specific pricing and insurance |
| Home Equity / Refinance | Equity and underwriting dependent | Property and lender dependent | Compare closing costs, term and break-even |
Sources: FHFA limits; HUD FHA limits.
Editorial Methodology & Primary Sources
Verification date: Not recorded; check the primary source and lender timestamp before relying on an estimate.
Rate comparisons use participating lender feeds, not a whole-market survey or guaranteed offers. Freddie Mac PMMS is a market benchmark, not a personalized quote. Calculator models rely on published regulatory formulas and disclosed assumptions rather than fabricated first-person loan testing.
Monthly principal and interest use the amortization formula P × r / (1 − (1 + r)−n), where r is the monthly note rate and n is the number of payments; at zero interest use P / n. PITI adds monthly property taxes and homeowners insurance; PMI is separate. APR includes applicable finance charges under Regulation Z and is not the note rate used for payments. Compare lender Loan Estimates for actual APR and fees.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — Loan Estimates, APR and borrower disclosures; Regulation Z.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD / FHA) — FHA program guidance.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — VA loan eligibility and benefits.
- Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) — published rate benchmarks.
- U.S. Census state tax collections — state property tax benchmarks; confirm parcel-specific assessments and exemptions with the state revenue department and local assessor.
- Minnesota Housing — state housing finance and property tax authority.
- Minnesota Department of Revenue — state housing finance and property tax authority.
The payment snapshot uses illustrative annual taxes of 1% of home price, $1,200 insurance and 0.5% PMI below 20% down, not verified local quotes. Other calculators disclose their inputs and assumptions. Published guidance and lender feeds may change independently; confirm current program rules, taxes and offers before a decision.