USDA loans in Florida — 0% down, way more eligible than people think.
Many rural and outer-suburban Florida areas qualify. Zero down and lower fees than FHA for eligible buyers.
Why eligible Florida buyers love USDA
- 0% down payment on eligible Florida properties
- Lower fees than FHA: a 1% upfront guarantee fee and a 0.35% annual fee
- 30-year fixed-rate financing
- Flexible credit guidelines (we work with scores down to 620)
- Gift funds allowed, and sellers can pay up to 6% of the price toward eligible costs
- Available in many suburban Florida areas — not just deep rural
2026 USDA income limits in Florida
USDA's FY 2026 guaranteed loan limits for total household income. Source: USDA Rural Development, checked October 2026.
| Area | 1–4 people | 5–8 people |
|---|---|---|
| Most Florida counties (standard) | $122,800 | $162,100 |
| Jacksonville metro area | $125,000 | $165,000 |
| Cape Coral–Fort Myers (Lee) | $129,250 | $170,650 |
| North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota | $131,250 | $173,250 |
| Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater | $131,900 | $174,150 |
| Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford | $132,100 | $174,400 |
| Naples–Marco Island (Collier) | $139,150 | $183,700 |
| Fort Lauderdale (Broward) | $145,750 | $192,400 |
| West Palm Beach–Boca Raton | $147,800 | $195,100 |
| Miami–Miami Beach–Kendall | $156,650 | $206,850 |
| Monroe County (Keys) | $164,800 | $217,550 |
Your property must also be in an eligible area. Check your exact address on USDA's eligibility map, or send it to us.
Florida areas worth checking for USDA
Florida has more USDA-eligible land than most buyers realize. Eligibility is decided address by address, so we check every property on USDA's map.
Escambia (Pensacola area)
Rural parts of the county outside Pensacola, especially to the north, are where to look.
Bay (Panama City area)
Inland Bay County, away from Panama City and the beaches, is the place to start.
Charlotte (Punta Gorda area)
Areas outside Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda may qualify.
Volusia (Daytona Beach area)
Rural western Volusia, away from the coastal cities, is where eligible addresses tend to be.
St. Johns (St. Augustine area)
Rural parts of the county away from St. Augustine and the I-95 corridor may qualify.
Osceola (Kissimmee area)
Eastern and southern Osceola, outside Kissimmee and St. Cloud, is worth checking.
Alachua (Gainesville area)
Smaller towns and rural land outside Gainesville may qualify.
Marion (Ocala area)
Much of rural Marion County outside Ocala is worth checking.
Florida cities & areas we serve
Florida USDA loan FAQs
What parts of Florida are USDA eligible?+
USDA decides eligibility address by address on its property map, not by city or county. Rural and outer-suburban areas are the most likely to qualify, while large metro cores like Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville generally don't. We'll check the exact address on USDA's eligibility map before you write an offer.
What are USDA income limits in Florida?+
For USDA's FY 2026 limits, most Florida counties cap household income at $122,800 for 1–4 people and $162,100 for 5–8 people. Higher-cost areas have higher caps, up to $164,800 and $217,550 in Monroe County. USDA counts income from everyone in the household, including people who aren't on the loan.
Is Pensacola USDA eligible?+
USDA eligibility is set by address, so it depends on where the home is. Rural areas of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties outside the city are the most likely to qualify. Send us the address and we'll check it on USDA's map.
Can I use USDA for a vacation home?+
No. USDA requires the home to be your primary residence, and investment or short-term homes don't qualify. You can keep one other home only in limited cases, for example when it no longer meets your needs and you can afford both.
What are USDA fees in Florida?+
USDA charges a 1% upfront guarantee fee, which can be added to the loan, and a 0.35% annual fee. FHA charges 1.75% upfront and, for most 30-year loans with less than 5% down, 0.55% a year.
How long does USDA take to close in Florida?+
Typically 30–35 days. USDA loans require a final sign-off from the USDA Rural Development office in addition to the lender's underwriting, which adds a few days versus FHA or conventional. We submit early to keep your contract on track.
Check your Florida property for USDA eligibility
Send us the address — we'll confirm USDA eligibility and price your scenario the same day.