Maryland FHA Loan Requirements 2026
FHA loan limits for every Maryland county, credit score requirements, MIP costs, and how FHA financing compares to other options in the Maryland housing market.
Maryland FHA Loan Limits by County (2026)
FHA loan limits are set by HUD and updated annually based on local median home prices. Maryland doesn’t follow a simple “standard vs. high-cost” split — the Washington D.C.-metro counties sit at the national high-cost ceiling, the Baltimore-metro counties sit at an intermediate tier, and the rest of the state uses the national floor.
| County | 1-Unit | 2-Unit | 3-Unit | 4-Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | $1,249,125 | $1,599,375 | $1,933,200 | $2,402,625 |
| Prince George’s County | $1,249,125 | $1,599,375 | $1,933,200 | $2,402,625 |
| Frederick County | $1,249,125 | $1,599,375 | $1,933,200 | $2,402,625 |
| Charles County | $1,249,125 | $1,599,375 | $1,933,200 | $2,402,625 |
| Anne Arundel County | $747,500 | $956,950 | $1,156,700 | $1,437,500 |
| Baltimore County | $747,500 | $956,950 | $1,156,700 | $1,437,500 |
| Baltimore City | $747,500 | $956,950 | $1,156,700 | $1,437,500 |
| Howard County | $747,500 | $956,950 | $1,156,700 | $1,437,500 |
| Carroll County | $747,500 | $956,950 | $1,156,700 | $1,437,500 |
| Harford County | $747,500 | $956,950 | $1,156,700 | $1,437,500 |
| Queen Anne’s County | $747,500 | $956,950 | $1,156,700 | $1,437,500 |
| Cecil County | $630,200 | $806,750 | $975,200 | $1,211,950 |
| Calvert, St. Mary’s counties | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
| All other Maryland counties | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
Loan limits vary more than a simple “standard vs. high-cost” split. Montgomery, Prince George’s, Frederick, and Charles counties sit at the national FHA high-cost ceiling due to their proximity to Washington D.C. — but Calvert and St. Mary’s counties, though also part of the DC/Southern Maryland region, sit at the national floor rather than the ceiling, so don’t assume every DC-adjacent county is high-cost. Anne Arundel, both Baltimore jurisdictions, Howard, Carroll, Harford, and Queen Anne’s counties sit at an intermediate Baltimore-metro tier. Cecil County (Philadelphia metro) has its own intermediate tier. Limits are set per-county by HUD and updated annually; always confirm your exact county limit using HUD’s official FHA Mortgage Limits lookup tool before making an offer.
FHA Requirements in Maryland
| Requirement | FHA Standard | Maryland Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum credit score (3.5% down) | 580 | Most Maryland lenders add 580–620 overlay |
| Minimum credit score (10% down) | 500 | Limited lender options below 580 |
| Minimum down payment | 3.5% | Can be covered by MMP DPA |
| Maximum DTI | 43–50% | 50% with compensating factors |
| Loan limits (statewide range) | $541,287–$1,249,125 | Floor in 12 jurisdictions; $747,500 across Baltimore metro; DC-metro counties at the high-cost ceiling — see table above |
| Upfront MIP | 1.75% of loan | Financed into loan or paid at closing |
| Annual MIP (LTV > 90%) | 0.55%/year | For 30-yr loan > $150K |
| MIP duration (<10% down) | Life of loan | Key FHA disadvantage vs. conventional |
| Property requirement | Primary residence | Must be owner-occupied |
FHA vs. Conventional for Maryland Buyers
| Factor | FHA | Conventional |
|---|---|---|
| Min credit score | 580 | 620 |
| Min down payment | 3.5% | 3–5% |
| Mortgage insurance | Life of loan (if <10% down) | Cancels at 20% equity |
| MMP DPA compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Best for Maryland buyers | 580–679 credit, limited savings | 680+ credit, stable income |
