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in Upland, CA
Both FHA and USDA loans are government-backed. Both help buyers with limited cash get into a home. But they are built for very different situations.
Upland sits in San Bernardino County. That location matters — it affects which loan you can even use. USDA eligibility is tied to geography, and not every Upland address qualifies.
FHA loans require 3.5% down with a 580 credit score. Drop below 580 and you need 10% down. These loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration.
FHA is flexible on debt-to-income ratios. Lenders will approve borrowers carrying more existing debt. That matters for Upland buyers with student loans or car payments.
USDA loans require zero down payment. That's the headline. But you must buy in an eligible area and stay under the income limit for your household size.
USDA charges a guarantee fee instead of traditional mortgage insurance. The annual fee is lower than FHA's monthly premium — that saves money over time.
The biggest difference is geography. FHA has no location rules. USDA requires the property to sit in an approved rural or suburban zone — confirm any Upland address before assuming it qualifies.
Bankrate's lender survey put 30-year rates at 6.27% as of March 2026. USDA rates typically run close to conventional rates. FHA rates vary by lender. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
Choose FHA if your Upland target property isn't in a USDA zone, or if your household income is too high for USDA limits. FHA has no income ceiling.
Choose USDA if you qualify on income, the property is eligible, and you want to preserve every dollar of cash. Zero down is a real advantage in a county where closing costs add up fast.
Parts of Upland may qualify — eligibility depends on the specific property address. Check the USDA eligibility map before shopping.
580 gets you 3.5% down. Below 580, lenders require 10% down. Some lenders set their own minimum above 580.
USDA doesn't publish hard loan limits the way FHA does. Your purchase price is constrained by the income limits and debt ratios.
USDA's annual fee is typically lower than FHA's monthly insurance premium. Run both scenarios — the gap compounds over 30 years.
FHA allows up to four units if you occupy one. USDA is single-family primary residences only.
Yes. Neither FHA nor USDA allows investment properties. You must live in the home as your primary residence.