San Diego County, CA FHA Loan Limit — 2026
2026 FHA loan limits for San Diego County. Verify eligibility and estimate FHA MIP costs.
| Units | FHA Limit | Conforming |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Unit | $1,006,250 | $1,006,250 |
| 2 Unit | $1,288,200 | $1,288,200 |
| 3 Unit | $1,557,150 | $1,557,150 |
| 4 Unit | $1,935,150 | $1,935,150 |
Source: HUD. Data as of 2025-01-15.
2026 Loan Limits — San Diego County, CA
| Limit Type | 2026 Limit | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FHA Loan Limit (1-unit) | $1,006,250 | Max loan for FHA-insured mortgage |
| Conforming Loan Limit (1-unit) | $1,006,250 | Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac eligible |
Source: HUD / FHFA. Data as of 2025-01-15.
Local Home Values & Affordability
With a median home value of $890,000, San Diego County is 187% above the national median of $310,000 — placing it firmly in premium territory where careful loan-type selection matters.
A 20% down payment on a median San Diego County home requires $178,000 in cash — or $31,150 for an FHA-minimum 3.5% down payment. Buyers with less than 20% down will also need to budget for PMI or FHA MIP.
San Diego County's $890,000 median sits between Kern County ($340,000) and San Francisco County ($1,350,000) within the California counties we track.
Property Tax in This Market
San Diego County has one of the lowest property tax rates in our dataset at 0.75% — 32% below the national average of 1.10%. This keeps monthly PITI payments notably lower than in high-tax markets with comparable home values.
Based on the 0.75% effective rate and a median home value of $890,000, a typical homeowner in San Diego County pays approximately $6,675 in annual property taxes — or $556 per month added to their mortgage payment.
Sources: Tax Foundation 2025
Homeowners Insurance Costs
Homeowners insurance in San Diego County runs approximately $1,500/year ($125/month), in line with the national average of $1,600.
Premium quotes in San Diego County typically range from $950 to $2,200 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 San Diego County home ($890,000) with FHA's minimum 3.5% down would borrow $858,850 — well within the $1,104,000 elevated FHA limit for this county. FHA financing is a viable option for most buyers here.
San Diego County is designated a high-cost area by both FHFA and HUD, meaning local FHA and conforming limits are elevated above the national baseline. This expanded purchasing power is a meaningful benefit for buyers compared to most-of-the-country baseline markets.
With 20% down on a median-priced home, the loan amount of $712,000 stays $392,000 below the $1,104,000 conforming limit — giving buyers access to conventional Fannie/Freddie pricing without jumbo underwriting.
Sources: HUD ML 2025-23, FHFA 2026
Advertisement