New Hampshire FHA Loan Requirements 2026
2026 FHA loan limits for all 10 New Hampshire counties, one-to-four unit figures, HUD’s credit and minimum investment rules, how FHA mortgage insurance works, and how FHA pairs with New Hampshire Housing programs.
New Hampshire FHA Loan Limits by County (2026)
FHA sets its limits by county and by the number of units in the property. In New Hampshire, six counties sit at the CY2026 national floor, and Carroll, Hillsborough, Rockingham and Strafford are set higher.
| County Group | One Unit | Two Units | Three Units | Four Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belknap, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Merrimack, Sullivan (national floor) | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
| Carroll | $546,250 | $699,300 | $845,300 | $1,050,500 |
| Hillsborough (Manchester-Nashua metro) | $589,950 | $755,250 | $912,900 | $1,134,550 |
| Rockingham, Strafford (Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro) | $962,550 | $1,232,250 | $1,489,500 | $1,851,100 |
Confirm any county before relying on it at the HUD FHA Mortgage Limits lookup, selecting Limit Type “FHA Forward” and Limit Year CY2026.
New Hampshire FHA Loan Requirements
FHA rules are federal, so they do not change between New Hampshire and any other state. What changes is the loan limit and the price of the homes you are applying them to.
| Requirement | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum required investment | 3.5% of the adjusted value | Required for FHA to insure the maximum mortgage amount |
| Credit score 580 or above | Eligible for maximum financing | Lenders may apply a higher overlay |
| Credit score 500–579 | Maximum 90% loan-to-value | Effectively 10% down |
| Credit score below 500 | Not eligible | HUD minimum decision credit score |
| Mortgage insurance | Required | Both upfront and annual — see below |
| Loan limit | $541,287 in 6 counties | Up to $962,550 in Rockingham and Strafford |
Sources: HUD on the minimum required investment and on minimum decision credit scores.
FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP)
Every FHA loan carries two mortgage insurance charges: a one-time upfront premium and an annual premium paid monthly. These are national figures set by HUD, not New Hampshire figures.
| Premium | Rate | How It Is Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront (UFMIP) | 1.75% of the base loan amount | One-time premium |
| Annual, base loan up to $726,200, LTV above 95% | 55 basis points | Monthly, for the life of the loan |
| Annual, base loan up to $726,200, LTV above 90% up to 95% | 50 basis points | Monthly, for the life of the loan |
| Annual, base loan up to $726,200, LTV 90% or below | 50 basis points | Monthly, for 11 years |
| Annual, base loan above $726,200, LTV above 95% | 75 basis points | Monthly, for the life of the loan |
| Annual, base loan above $726,200, LTV above 90% up to 95% | 70 basis points | Monthly, for the life of the loan |
| Annual, base loan above $726,200, LTV 90% or below | 70 basis points | Monthly, for 11 years |
These rates apply to loans with a term longer than 15 years. For one-unit homes, the higher bands come into play in New Hampshire only in Rockingham and Strafford Counties; two-unit limits also exceed $726,200 in Hillsborough County, and three- and four-unit limits exceed it in every county. Source: HUD Mortgagee Letter 2023-05.
FHA vs. Conventional in New Hampshire
With New Hampshire’s conforming limit at $832,750 in eight counties and $962,550 in Rockingham and Strafford, conventional financing reaches at least as high as FHA in every county.
| Factor | FHA | Conventional |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum down payment | 3.5% | 3%–20% (practical range) |
| Practical credit threshold | 580 | 620 |
| Mortgage insurance | Upfront plus annual; annual for the life of the loan above 90% LTV | Private mortgage insurance, which can be removed as equity builds |
| 2026 New Hampshire limit | $541,287 to $962,550 by county | $832,750; $962,550 in Rockingham and Strafford |
| Best suited to | Thinner credit, limited savings | Stronger credit, or avoiding permanent mortgage insurance |
See our guide on how to remove PMI for how private mortgage insurance ends on a conventional loan.
Combining FHA with NH Housing Programs
An FHA loan and New Hampshire Housing’s programs are not alternatives. NH Housing’s Home First program can use an FHA-insured mortgage, and its down payment assistance can be added.
| NH Housing Program | Works With FHA | What It Adds |
|---|---|---|
| Home First / First Plus | Yes — FHA-insured mortgage allowed | Rate-advantaged mortgage within town income and purchase price limits |
| Down payment assistance | Yes, with an NH Housing first mortgage | Up to $15,000 at 0%, no monthly payments, 30-year term |
Pairing FHA with NH Housing means meeting both sets of rules: FHA’s minimum investment and credit thresholds, and NH Housing’s income and purchase price limits and homebuyer education requirement. Check current terms with New Hampshire Housing.
