FHA Loan Limits Utah 2026: What You Can Borrow by County
Know your ceiling before you start shopping. Here's the complete 2026 FHA loan limit breakdown for every Utah county.
One of the first questions I get from buyers in Utah who want to use an FHA loan is some version of: "How much can I actually borrow?" It's the right question to ask — and the answer depends entirely on which county you're buying in.
FHA loan limits are set annually by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and adjusted by HUD for FHA purposes. They reflect local home prices, which means a buyer in Salt Lake County has a higher ceiling than a buyer in a rural part of the state. Here's everything you need to know for 2026.
What Are FHA Loan Limits?
FHA loans are government-backed mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Because the government is taking on risk, they cap how large the loan can be — that cap is the "FHA loan limit." If the home you want costs more than the limit, you either need to make a larger down payment, switch to a conventional loan, or look at a jumbo product.
Loan limits are set for different property types:
- 1-unit (single-family, condo, townhome)
- 2-unit (duplex)
- 3-unit (triplex)
- 4-unit (fourplex)
Multifamily limits are especially valuable if you want to house-hack: buy a duplex, live in one unit, and rent the other to offset your mortgage.
💡 Pro tip: FHA loans require just 3.5% down with a 580+ credit score. At the Salt Lake County limit of $644,000, that's a down payment of around $22,540 — dramatically less than a conventional loan on the same home.
2026 FHA Loan Limits — Utah by County (1-Unit)
| County | 1-Unit Limit | 2-Unit Limit | 3-Unit Limit | 4-Unit Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake | $644,000 | $824,450 | $996,550 | $1,238,500 |
| Utah | $644,000 | $824,450 | $996,550 | $1,238,500 |
| Davis | $644,000 | $824,450 | $996,550 | $1,238,500 |
| Weber | $644,000 | $824,450 | $996,550 | $1,238,500 |
| Washington | $644,000 | $824,450 | $996,550 | $1,238,500 |
| Summit | $1,149,825 | $1,472,200 | $1,779,525 | $2,211,600 |
| Wasatch | $1,149,825 | $1,472,200 | $1,779,525 | $2,211,600 |
| Morgan | $644,000 | $824,450 | $996,550 | $1,238,500 |
| Cache | $524,250 | $671,200 | $811,275 | $1,008,300 |
| Box Elder | $524,250 | $671,200 | $811,275 | $1,008,300 |
| Iron | $524,250 | $671,200 | $811,275 | $1,008,300 |
| Carbon, Duchesne, Emery, Garfield, Grand, Kane, Millard, Piute, Rich, San Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, Tooele, Uintah, Wayne | $524,250 | $671,200 | $811,275 | $1,008,300 |
Note: Summit and Wasatch counties are designated high-cost areas by HUD. Limits are updated annually — verify current limits at hud.gov before closing.
Why Summit and Wasatch Counties Have Higher Limits
Park City (Summit County) and Heber City (Wasatch County) are among the most expensive real estate markets in the Intermountain West. Because home prices there far exceed the national baseline, HUD designates them as "high-cost areas" — which means FHA buyers get a much higher borrowing ceiling, over $1.1 million for a single-family home.
This is a big deal. It means you can still use FHA financing (with just 3.5% down) on a $1.1M home in Park City — something that often surprises buyers who assume FHA is only for cheaper homes.
What If the Home I Want Costs More Than the FHA Limit?
You have a few options:
- Increase your down payment — The loan amount (purchase price minus down payment) just needs to come in at or below the FHA limit. If a home is $700,000 in Salt Lake County and the FHA limit is $644,000, you could put $56,000+ down and still use FHA.
- Switch to conventional — Conventional loan limits in most Utah counties are $806,500 in 2026 (conforming limit). If your target price is between $644,000 and $806,500, a conventional loan might work better.
- Consider a jumbo loan — For homes above $806,500, a jumbo loan is typically the route. Down payment requirements are higher, but rates are competitive for strong borrowers.
💡 Real-world scenario: You're buying a $680,000 home in South Jordan (Salt Lake County). FHA limit is $644,000. You need to bring $36,000 to closing as part of your down payment to get the loan under the limit — then your 3.5% MIP applies to the financed amount. I run these exact scenarios daily — reach out if you want me to model it for your situation.
FHA Loan Requirements to Qualify (2026)
Beyond the loan limit, you'll need to meet these baseline FHA requirements:
- Credit score: 580+ for 3.5% down; 500–579 qualifies but requires 10% down
- Debt-to-income ratio (DTI): Generally under 43%, though exceptions exist up to 50%+ with compensating factors
- Employment: 2 years of steady employment history (W-2 or self-employed with tax returns)
- Primary residence: FHA loans are for owner-occupied homes only — no investment properties
- MIP (Mortgage Insurance Premium): FHA loans require upfront MIP (1.75% of the loan amount) and annual MIP (paid monthly) for the life of the loan if you put less than 10% down
- Property standards: The home must meet FHA minimum property requirements — a basic safety and livability standard
FHA vs. Conventional — Which Is Right for You in Utah?
| Factor | FHA | Conventional |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Down Payment | 3.5% (580+ credit) | 3% (740+ credit) |
| Minimum Credit Score | 500 (with 10% down) | 620 (most lenders) |
| Mortgage Insurance | Required for life of loan (if <10% down) | Can be removed at 20% equity |
| Loan Limit (Salt Lake Co.) | $644,000 | $806,500 (conforming) |
| Property Condition | Stricter (FHA standards) | More flexible |
| Best For | Lower credit, first-time buyers | Higher credit, more equity |
The right choice depends on your credit score, how much you have saved, and how long you plan to stay in the home. I'll run both scenarios side by side and show you the real numbers — monthly payment, total cost over 5 years, when you'd break even on PMI removal. That way you're making a decision based on math, not guesswork.
Down Payment Assistance + FHA in Utah
Here's something a lot of buyers don't know: FHA loans can often be layered with Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) down payment assistance. That means:
- FHA loan covers up to the county limit
- UHC second mortgage covers your 3.5% down payment and closing costs
- You could potentially close on a home with very little out of pocket
Eligibility varies by income and property price, but this combination is one of the most powerful tools available to Utah buyers with limited savings. If you qualify, it's absolutely worth exploring before you assume you can't afford to buy yet.
Ready to Use Your FHA Limit?
Knowing the FHA loan limit for your county is step one. Step two is understanding whether FHA is actually the best product for your situation — and that's where I come in. As an independent loan originator at Edge Home Finance, I work with 100+ lenders and have access to FHA, conventional, USDA, VA, jumbo, and everything in between.
Whether you're buying in Salt Lake City, St. George, Logan, or anywhere in between — I'll tell you exactly which loan saves you the most money and gets you to the closing table with confidence.
Questions? Reach out directly. I respond fast and I don't do the runaround.
Ryan Taylor
Independent Loan Originator | NMLS# 1487488
Edge Home Finance Corporation | NMLS# 891464
West Jordan & Bountiful, Utah | Licensed in 40+ states