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Arcadia sits in the San Gabriel Valley, well within Los Angeles County's developed suburban core. USDA loans are designed for rural and eligible suburban areas — Arcadia does not qualify.
This isn't a technicality you can work around. USDA eligibility maps are set by the federal government. Arcadia properties will not pass the geographic check.
No
USDA Eligible in Arcadia
0%
USDA Down Payment
640
Typical Min Credit Score
3.5%
FHA Alt Down Payment
USDA Loans in Arcadia
USDA loans require zero down payment and have income limits tied to area median income. Credit standards are flexible — many lenders approve at 640 or above.
Borrowers also need to meet debt-to-income requirements and occupy the home as a primary residence. Investment properties and vacation homes are not eligible.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Arcadia.
Arcadia sits in the San Gabriel Valley, well within Los Angeles County's developed suburban core. USDA loans are designed for rural and eligible suburban areas — Arcadia does not qualify.
This isn't a technicality you can work around. USDA eligibility maps are set by the federal government. Arcadia properties will not pass the geographic check.
USDA loans require zero down payment and have income limits tied to area median income. Credit standards are flexible — many lenders approve at 640 or above.
Most retail lenders in the LA area don't push USDA hard. It's a niche product, and without eligible geography nearby, few brokers keep it front of mind.
As a wholesale broker with 200+ lenders, we know which ones have strong USDA programs. The problem here isn't lender access — it's property location.
I see buyers come in with USDA in mind because they heard "zero down." That's a real benefit — but only where the map allows it. Arcadia won't clear that hurdle.
If your priority is low or no down payment in Arcadia, FHA at 3.5% down or CalHFA assistance programs are the real conversation to have.
FHA loans are available anywhere in Arcadia with 3.5% down and a 580+ credit score. That's the closest substitute for buyers who need flexibility on down payment.
VA loans beat USDA on every metric for eligible veterans — zero down, no mortgage insurance, and no geographic restriction. If you've served, that's the first call to make.
Arcadia is a high-demand city with strong prices, top-rated schools, and a competitive buyer pool. The loan programs that move deals here are conventional, jumbo, and FHA.
As of April 2026, buyers in Arcadia need strong financials to compete. A USDA search in this zip code is time you could spend getting pre-approved on a program that actually fits.
No. Arcadia does not meet USDA's geographic eligibility requirements. The program is limited to rural and certain suburban areas outside LA's core.
VA loans are the only true zero-down option in Arcadia for eligible veterans. CalHFA programs can reduce out-of-pocket costs for other buyers.
Possibly. Some areas further east or north in LA County may be eligible. We can run the USDA map check on any specific address for you.
Most USDA lenders want a 640 credit score minimum. Some approve lower with stronger compensating factors, but 640 is the practical baseline.
Yes. USDA charges an upfront guarantee fee and an annual fee. It's typically lower than FHA's mortgage insurance premium.
FHA at 3.5% down is the most common starting point. CalHFA can layer on down payment assistance for qualifying buyers.