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Colton sits in San Bernardino County where median household income of $82,184 stretches to cover homes in the $200K range. At 5.625%, a $200K purchase runs $1,151 monthly for principal and interest alone.
The county's population of 2.19 million means competition for inventory, but USDA eligibility opens doors that conventional financing closes. Zero down means no PMI, no funding fee, and no waiting to save a 20% nest egg.
5.625%
Interest Rate
$1,151
Monthly P&I
740
Min FICO
$0
Down Payment
~$94,512
Income Limit
USDA Loans in Colton
USDA loans require 740+ FICO and zero down payment. Income limits cap at 115% of area median — that's roughly $94,512 for a single borrower in San Bernardino County. Your debt-to-income ratio must stay under 41% to qualify.
A $200K purchase at $1,151 monthly P&I fits easily within the county's median household income. The property must sit in a USDA-eligible rural area — Colton qualifies.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect usda loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Colton.
Colton sits in San Bernardino County where median household income of $82,184 stretches to cover homes in the $200K range. At 5.625%, a $200K purchase runs $1,151 monthly for principal and interest alone.
The county's population of 2.19 million means competition for inventory, but USDA eligibility opens doors that conventional financing closes. Zero down means no PMI, no funding fee, and no waiting to save a 20% nest egg.
USDA loans require 740+ FICO and zero down payment. Income limits cap at 115% of area median — that's roughly $94,512 for a single borrower in San Bernardino County. Your debt-to-income ratio must stay under 41% to qualify.
USDA loans move through both retail banks and mortgage brokers in California. Brokers typically close faster — 30 to 45 days versus 45 to 60 at big banks. The USDA guarantee backs the loan, so lenders compete on rate and service, not credit overlays.
Underwriting focuses on income stability and property eligibility. USDA doesn't require reserves or a specific credit score floor the way VA does. Most lenders price USDA loans within 0.125% of conventional conforming rates at the same LTV.
USDA makes sense in Colton when you're under the income cap and the property qualifies. At $82,184 county median income, most first-time buyers here fit the profile. Zero down eliminates the biggest barrier to homeownership in this market.
It doesn't work if the property falls outside USDA-eligible boundaries or your income exceeds $94,512. Above that threshold, conventional or FHA becomes your only path. The income limit is the real gatekeeper, not credit or down payment.
FHA loans also accept lower credit scores and smaller down payments, but they carry mortgage insurance for life if you put down less than 10%. USDA has no insurance at all — the USDA guarantee replaces it. Over 30 years, that's thousands in savings.
Conventional loans require 20% down to skip PMI and typically demand 740+ FICO anyway. USDA gets you in with zero down and the same credit floor. The tradeoff is property location — USDA only works in rural-eligible areas.
Colton's location in the Inland Empire puts buyers near major employment hubs in San Bernardino and Riverside. The county's infrastructure continues to expand, supporting long-term property values.
San Bernardino County's median household income of $82,184 aligns with USDA income limits. Buyers in Colton often work in logistics, manufacturing, or retail — stable employment that USDA underwriters recognize and approve quickly.
Yes — zero down is the defining feature of USDA loans. You can put money down if you want, but it's not required. The USDA guarantee lets lenders skip the down payment entirely for eligible rural properties.
At 5.625% (as of April 21, 2026), principal and interest run $1,151 monthly on a $200K loan. That's before property taxes, insurance, and the USDA annual fee of 0.35%. The full payment depends on your exact property and insurance costs.
Yes — the income limit is 115% of area median for San Bernardino County, roughly $94,512. If you earn more, USDA won't approve you. Conventional or FHA becomes your option instead.
Most USDA lenders require 740+ FICO. Some will go lower with compensating factors like larger reserves or a co-signer. Call to discuss your specific credit profile — 720 might work depending on the lender.
USDA eligibility depends on the exact address. Colton has eligible and ineligible zones. Your lender runs a property check during pre-approval — it takes 24 hours. If the address doesn't qualify, you'll know before you make an offer.