Every year, HUD reviews home price data across the country and adjusts FHA loan limits to reflect what’s happening in the real housing market. These limits matter because they determine how much a buyer can borrow using an FHA loan before needing to move into conventional or jumbo financing. For 2026, HUD made updates that reflect continued home price pressure nationwide—even though the changes didn’t affect every county equally.

FHA Loan Limits: 2025 vs. 2026

In 2025, FHA loan limits were already elevated due to strong home price growth following the pandemic years. The national FHA floor—the minimum limit used in lower-cost areas—was approximately $524,225, while the high-cost ceiling reached $1,209,750 for a single-family home.

For 2026, HUD increased those numbers again. The new national FHA floor is $541,287, and the high-cost ceiling increased to $1,249,125 for a one-unit property. That represents a modest but meaningful increase across the board, aimed at keeping FHA loans usable in markets where prices continue to rise.

What Happened in Sonoma County

For Sonoma County, the FHA loan limit for a single-family home remained unchanged at $897,000 from 2025 to 2026. While some buyers expect annual increases, no change simply means Sonoma County was already positioned at a level HUD considers appropriate based on local median home prices. FHA limits don’t automatically rise every year in every county—they only adjust when price data supports it.

For buyers in Sonoma County, the takeaway is simple: FHA remains a viable option up to $897,000, but the ceiling didn’t expand further in 2026.

Which States and Counties Did See Increases

Although Sonoma County stayed flat, many states and counties across the U.S. did see FHA loan limit increases from 2025 to 2026. These increases were concentrated in markets where home values continued to climb, including parts of:

• California (outside certain already-maxed counties)

• Washington

• Colorado

• Utah

• Arizona

• Texas

• Florida

• Several Northeastern states

In these areas, rising median home prices pushed FHA limits higher so buyers wouldn’t be priced out of FHA financing altogether. Counties that were already near or at their effective cap—like Sonoma—saw fewer or no adjustments.

What This Means for the Broader Housing Market

These changes tell a bigger story about the housing market. FHA loan limits are tied directly to home prices, so increases signal that affordability pressures are still very real. By raising limits where needed, HUD helps ensure that buyers—especially first-time and moderate-income households—can continue using low-down-payment financing instead of being forced into conventional or jumbo loans that require stronger credit and more cash.

At a market level, higher FHA limits help support buyer demand, reduce friction in higher-priced areas, and promote overall housing stability. Without periodic adjustments, fewer buyers could qualify for financing, which would slow transaction activity and add pressure to already tight inventory conditions.

Bottom Line

For 2026, FHA loan limits increased nationally, with the maximum one-unit limit rising to $1,249,125, while Sonoma County remained steady at $897,000. Some states and counties saw meaningful increases, others didn’t—but all of it reflects a housing market that continues to wrestle with affordability. Knowing your local FHA limit is a key part of planning a smart, realistic home purchase.

Looking for a mortgage? Get free quote today!