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Cypress sits in Orange County's suburban landscape where USDA-eligible properties offer a rare zero-down path to ownership. At 5.625%, a $200,000 purchase runs $1,151 monthly for principal and interest alone.
The county's median household income of $113,702 qualifies many Cypress families for USDA financing. Properties must fall within USDA-eligible rural zones—not all of Cypress qualifies, but pockets do.
5.625%
Interest Rate
$1,151
Monthly P&I
$0
Down Payment
740
Min FICO
$130,758
Income Limit
USDA Loans in Cypress
USDA loans require a 740 FICO minimum and zero down payment. Your income must not exceed 115% of the area median—for Orange County, that's roughly $130,758 for a household of four.
The county's $113,702 median household income sits comfortably below the USDA ceiling. A family earning $100,000 annually qualifies easily. The property itself must be in a USDA-eligible rural area—that's the real gatekeeper in Cypress.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Cypress.
Cypress sits in Orange County's suburban landscape where USDA-eligible properties offer a rare zero-down path to ownership. At 5.625%, a $200,000 purchase runs $1,151 monthly for principal and interest alone.
The county's median household income of $113,702 qualifies many Cypress families for USDA financing. Properties must fall within USDA-eligible rural zones—not all of Cypress qualifies, but pockets do.
USDA loans require a 740 FICO minimum and zero down payment. Your income must not exceed 115% of the area median—for Orange County, that's roughly $130,758 for a household of four.
USDA loans move slower than conventional or FHA because USDA itself must approve the property and the borrower. Lenders in California handle USDA as a specialty product—it's not a commodity like conforming loans. Expect 45-60 days to close, not 30.
USDA guidelines shift regularly. Recent updates affect income calculations and property eligibility. Work with a lender who tracks those changes daily.
USDA makes sense in Cypress only if your address falls in an eligible rural zone. Call USDA's Property Eligibility Tool before you start the application—it takes five minutes and saves weeks of wasted effort.
The real advantage: no PMI ever. FHA at the same price point carries mortgage insurance for life. Over 30 years, that's tens of thousands in extra cost. USDA's annual fee (0.35%) is a fraction of FHA's insurance premium.
FHA also goes zero-down in Cypress, but it carries mortgage insurance for life if you put down less than 10%. USDA has no mortgage insurance at all. On a $200,000 loan, FHA's annual insurance cost runs roughly $200-300 per year forever.
Conventional loans demand 3-5% down minimum and PMI above 80% LTV. At that price point, you're looking at $6,000-10,000 out of pocket just to start. USDA requires zero down and zero PMI.
Cypress is part of Orange County's broader suburban corridor. The county's infrastructure and school systems matter more than Cypress-specific amenities because USDA eligibility is the real constraint here.
Recent mortgage guideline updates affect USDA, FHA, and VA programs. Lenders are adjusting income calculations and property standards. That means your approval odds depend partly on timing.
No. USDA loans require zero down payment. You finance 100% of the purchase price. The only upfront cost is the 1% guarantee fee, which can be rolled into the loan amount.
At 5.625% (as of April 23, 2026), principal and interest run $1,151 per month on a $200,000 loan. Add property taxes, insurance, and the 0.35% annual USDA fee to get your full payment. The scenario assumes 740 FICO, primary residence, 30-year fixed.
Yes. USDA defines eligible properties as rural—not all of Cypress qualifies. Use USDA's Property Eligibility Tool online to check your address. It takes five minutes and tells you immediately if the property is eligible.
Your household income must not exceed 115% of the area median. For Orange County, that's roughly $130,758. The county's median is $113,702, so most families earning under $100,000 qualify easily.
Yes, if you're eligible. USDA has no mortgage insurance. FHA carries insurance for life unless you put down 10%+. Over 30 years, USDA saves you thousands in insurance premiums compared to FHA.