Kern County, CA FHA Loan Limit — 2026
2026 FHA loan limits for Kern County. Verify eligibility and estimate FHA MIP costs.
| Units | FHA Limit | Conforming |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Unit | $524,225 | $806,500 |
| 2 Unit | $671,200 | $1,032,650 |
| 3 Unit | $811,275 | $1,248,150 |
| 4 Unit | $1,008,300 | $1,551,250 |
Source: HUD. Data as of 2025-01-15.
2026 Loan Limits — Kern County, CA
| Limit Type | 2026 Limit | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FHA Loan Limit (1-unit) | $524,225 | Max loan for FHA-insured mortgage |
| Conforming Loan Limit (1-unit) | $806,500 | Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac eligible |
Source: HUD / FHFA. Data as of 2025-01-15.
Local Home Values & Affordability
Among the California counties we track, Kern County is among the most affordable at $340,000 — significantly below San Francisco County at $1,350,000.
A 20% down payment on a median Kern County home requires $68,000 in cash — or $11,900 for an FHA-minimum 3.5% down payment. Buyers with less than 20% down will also need to budget for PMI or FHA MIP.
Kern County's median home value of $340,000 is close to the national median of $310,000, putting most buyers in the conforming loan range with conventional or FHA options readily available.
Property Tax in This Market
Based on the 0.77% effective rate and a median home value of $340,000, a typical homeowner in Kern County pays approximately $2,618 in annual property taxes — or $218 per month added to their mortgage payment.
Kern County's property tax rate of 0.77% is close to the national average of 1.10%. On a median-priced home of $340,000, expect an annual tax bill of approximately $2,618.
Sources: Tax Foundation 2025
Homeowners Insurance Costs
Homeowners insurance in Kern County runs approximately $1,300/year ($108/month), in line with the national average of $1,600.
Premium quotes in Kern County typically range from $850 to $1,950 per year depending on home age, construction type, coverage limits, and your insurer. Always get multiple quotes.
Sources: NAIC 2024
Loan Limits & Financing Options
A buyer purchasing the median Kern County home ($340,000) with FHA's minimum 3.5% down would borrow $328,100 — well within the $541,287 baseline FHA limit for this county. FHA financing is a viable option for most buyers here.
With 20% down on a median-priced home, the loan amount of $272,000 stays $560,750 below the $832,750 conforming limit — giving buyers access to conventional Fannie/Freddie pricing without jumbo underwriting.
All FHA loans require an upfront mortgage insurance premium (UFMIP) of 1.75% of the loan amount, plus an annual MIP of 0.55%–0.75% of the loan balance paid monthly. On a $328,100 FHA loan, expect approximately $150/month in ongoing MIP — added to principal, interest, taxes, and insurance.
Sources: HUD ML 2025-23, FHFA 2026, HUD MIP Rates 2023
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