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Ridgecrest sits in Kern County's high-desert region where a $200,000 home is within reach for families earning near the county's $67,660 median household income.
USDA loans dominate rural California because they're the only program that lets you buy with zero down and no PMI. That's the entire appeal — you keep your cash and avoid mortgage insurance premiums that would otherwise run 0.5% to 1.5% annually on a...
6.125%
Interest Rate
$1,215
Monthly P&I ($200K)
640
Minimum FICO
$0
Down Payment
$77,809
Income Cap (Family of 4)
USDA Loans in Ridgecrest
USDA loans require a 640 FICO minimum, though 680+ gets better pricing. You must earn no more than 115% of Kern County's median household income — roughly $77,809 for a family of four. That income ceiling is strict and non-negotiable.
The county's $67,660 median household income means most working families here qualify by income. Debt-to-income limits run 41% to 50% depending on compensating factors.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Ridgecrest.
Ridgecrest sits in Kern County's high-desert region where a $200,000 home is within reach for families earning near the county's $67,660 median household income.
USDA loans dominate rural California because they're the only program that lets you buy with zero down and no PMI. That's the entire appeal — you keep your cash and avoid mortgage insurance premiums that would otherwise run 0.5% to 1.5% annually on a...
USDA loans require a 640 FICO minimum, though 680+ gets better pricing. You must earn no more than 115% of Kern County's median household income — roughly $77,809 for a family of four. That income ceiling is strict and non-negotiable.
USDA lending in California is dominated by a handful of correspondent lenders and portfolio shops. Retail banks rarely touch USDA because the guidelines are tight and the loan sizes are smaller than jumbo or conforming.
The USDA program itself sets the rules — lenders can't loosen them. You'll see variation in service quality and closing speed, but not in rates or terms. A broker with USDA expertise can close faster and flag income or property issues early.
USDA makes sense in Ridgecrest for buyers earning $50K to $75K who want to stay in the area long-term. Zero down and no PMI save you $3,000 to $6,000 upfront compared to a conventional 5% down loan. Over 30 years, that compounds.
The catch is property eligibility. Not every Ridgecrest address qualifies as USDA-eligible rural. Some newer subdivisions or properties near commercial zones get rejected. Verify before you fall in love with a house.
Conventional loans at 5% down require PMI that never cancels unless you refinance. USDA has zero down and zero PMI — you keep your cash and avoid insurance premiums. The tradeoff is income limits and property eligibility.
If you're above the USDA income limit or your property doesn't qualify, conventional is your fallback. You'll put 5% down ($10,000 on a $200K purchase) and carry PMI.
The Kern River Parkway Trail expansion in Bakersfield, 40 miles south, signals county-level investment in recreation and connectivity. That kind of infrastructure draws young families and supports home values long-term.
Downtown Bakersfield is adding restaurants and venues — Hoagies, Eggbred, and the Bakersfield Sound Music and Brew Fest in May 2026. For Ridgecrest residents, that's weekend culture 45 minutes away.
No. USDA loans require zero down payment. You bring no cash to the purchase price, only closing costs. That's the core advantage — you keep your savings and avoid PMI entirely.
Principal and interest run $1,215 monthly at 6.125% (6.182% APR) on a $200,000 loan. Add property taxes, insurance, and the USDA annual fee (0.35% of loan balance) for your total payment.
You must earn no more than 115% of Kern County's median household income — roughly $77,809 for a family of four. That's the income ceiling. You also need a 640 FICO minimum, though 680+ gets better rates.
Most Ridgecrest addresses do, but not all. USDA requires the property to be in a designated rural area. Some newer subdivisions or properties near commercial zones get rejected.
No mortgage insurance. USDA replaces PMI with an upfront fee (1% of loan amount) and an annual fee (0.35% of loan balance). Over 30 years, that's cheaper than conventional PMI, which runs 0.5% to 1.5% annually and never cancels unless you refinance.