USDA Loans in Florida: Eligible Areas, Requirements & Zero Down (2026)
USDA loans in Florida offer 100% financing with no down payment for eligible buyers in rural and suburban areas. Florida has more USDA-eligible land than most buyers realize. Large portions of St. Lucie, Highlands, and western Palm Beach County qualify. Coastal South Florida does not.
Which parts of Florida are USDA-eligible?
USDA eligibility is property-specific. Use the USDA Eligibility Map at eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov to check any specific address. In South Florida, western Palm Beach County (areas west of Florida’s Turnpike including unincorporated communities), most of St. Lucie County, and all of Highlands County are generally eligible. Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and most urban areas are not.
USDA loan income limits
USDA has both borrower income limits (to ensure the program serves moderate-income buyers) and property eligibility. Household income must not exceed 115% of the area median income for your county and household size. In Palm Beach County for 2026, limits run approximately $107,000–$141,000 depending on household size.
USDA loan requirements
- Zero down payment required
- Minimum credit score: 640 for most lenders
- Property must be owner-occupied primary residence
- 1% upfront guarantee fee (can be financed)
- 0.35% annual fee (similar to mortgage insurance)
USDA vs. FHA in Florida
USDA has lower mortgage insurance costs than FHA (0.35% vs. 0.55–0.85% annually) and requires no down payment vs. FHA’s 3.5%. If your property is USDA-eligible and your income qualifies, USDA is almost always the better deal. Talk to Mortgage Capital about current USDA-eligible properties in your target area.
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.