Florida FHA lending limits by county (2026)
FHA loan limits in Florida vary by county and are set annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). South Florida', coastal and urban counties qualify for higher limits than inland markets, giving buyers in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade significantly more FHA borrowing power than buyers in lower-cost counties.
How FHA loan limits are set in Florida
HUD sets FHA limits based on area median home prices. Each county falls into one of three tiers: the national floor for low-cost markets, standard limits for mid-range counties, or the high-cost ceiling. Florida's coastal counties consistently rank among the higher-limit markets in the Southeast. For 2026, the FHA national floor for a single-family home is $524,225. The high-cost ceiling is $1,209,750.
2026 FHA lending limits by Florida county
The limits below apply to single-family (1-unit) owner-occupied homes. Multi-unit limits are higher — FHA supports up to 4 units when the buyer occupies one as a primary residence.
- Palm Beach County — $776,400
- Broward County — $621,900
- Miami-Dade County — $776,400
- Martin County — $621,900
- St. Lucie County — $524,225 (national floor)
- Monroe County — $966,800 (high-cost designation)
- Highlands County — $524,225 (national floor)
Always verify the current limit with HUD's FHA Mortgage Limits lookup at hud.gov before finalizing financing. Limits update each December and take effect January 1.
FHA loan limits for multi-unit properties in Florida
FHA financing covers 2- to 4-unit properties when the buyer occupies one unit as a primary residence. Multi-unit FHA limits for Palm Beach County in 2026 run approximately $994,050 for a duplex, $1,201,650 for a triplex, and $1,492,950 for a 4-unit property. South Florida's rental demand makes multi-unit FHA purchases a viable entry strategy — buy with 3.5% down, live in one unit, and offset the mortgage with rental income from the others.
What the FHA limit means for your purchase
The FHA loan limit caps the loan amount, not the purchase price. If you find a home above the county FHA limit, bring a larger down payment to reduce the loan below the ceiling, or switch to conventional financing. A 3.5% down payment on an FHA loan in Palm Beach County allows a maximum purchase price of approximately $804,000 at the $776,400 loan limit.
FHA vs. conventional above the limit
For buyers in South Florida purchasing above the county FHA limit, conventional financing is the standard alternative. Conventional loans require stronger credit — typically 680+ for the best rates — and different mortgage insurance rules. FHA mortgage insurance lasts the life of the loan on most low-down-payment purchases. Conventional PMI cancels automatically at 80% loan-to-value. For buyers with solid credit and 5–10% down, the long-term comparison between FHA and conventional is worth running with your loan officer before committing to either path.
FHA loan requirements in Florida
Qualifying under the county limit is just one component. Florida FHA loans require a minimum 3.5% down payment with a 580+ credit score, or 10% down with a 500–579 score. Debt-to-income ratios typically cap at 43–50% depending on compensating factors. The property must be owner-occupied and meet FHA minimum property standards. Our full Florida FHA loan requirements guide covers every eligibility condition in detail.
For personalized guidance on buying or selling in South Florida, contact the team at Pure Equity Realty. We serve Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, St. Lucie, and Highlands counties with expert representation and a 1% listing fee.
Onias Derilus is the Broker/Owner of Pure Equity Realty, a South Florida brokerage specializing in 1% listing commissions and free buyer representation across Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, St. Lucie, and Highlands counties. He holds an NMLS mortgage originator license and founded Mortgage Capital and Verified Title to serve clients through every step of the transaction.