FHA Loan Limits in New Hampshire for 2026 by County
The 2026 FHA loan limit in New Hampshire ranges from $541,287 to $962,550 for a one-unit property, depending on the county. Six New Hampshire counties use the national FHA floor of $541,287, while Carroll, Hillsborough, Rockingham, and Strafford have higher limits based on local housing costs. HUD's 2026 limits apply to FHA case numbers assigned on or after January 1, 2026.
Buying a single-family home, condo, or other eligible one-unit property? Use the 1 Unit column below. If you're considering an eligible duplex, triplex, or four-unit property, use the corresponding column.
2026 FHA Loan Limits for Every New Hampshire County
New Hampshire County | 1 Unit | 2 Units | 3 Units | 4 Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Belknap | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
Carroll | $546,250 | $699,300 | $845,300 | $1,050,500 |
Cheshire | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
Coos | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
Grafton | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
Hillsborough | $589,950 | $755,250 | $912,900 | $1,134,550 |
Merrimack | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
Rockingham | $962,550 | $1,232,250 | $1,489,500 | $1,851,100 |
Strafford | $962,550 | $1,232,250 | $1,489,500 | $1,851,100 |
Sullivan | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
Official source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD sets the 2026 national FHA floor at $541,287 for a one-unit property. Its official higher-cost-area data lists Carroll County at $546,250, Hillsborough County at $589,950, and Rockingham and Strafford Counties at $962,550.
2026 New Hampshire FHA Limits at a Glance
$541,287: Belknap, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Merrimack, and Sullivan counties.
$546,250: Carroll County.
$589,950: Hillsborough County, including Manchester and Nashua.
$962,550: Rockingham and Strafford counties.
The county limit tells you the maximum FHA-insured mortgage available for the applicable property type, not how much you personally qualify to borrow.
Buying your first home? See First-Time Homebuyer Options →
What Is an FHA Loan Limit?
An FHA loan limit is the maximum mortgage amount the Federal Housing Administration can insure for an eligible property in a particular geographic area.
HUD recalculates these limits annually. For 2026, the nationwide FHA floor is $541,287 for a one-unit property, while the nationwide high-cost ceiling is $1,249,125. The limits increase for eligible two-, three-, and four-unit properties.
The nationwide limits for 2026 are:
Property Size | FHA Floor | FHA High-Cost Ceiling |
|---|---|---|
1 Unit | $541,287 | $1,249,125 |
2 Units | $693,050 | $1,599,375 |
3 Units | $837,700 | $1,933,200 |
4 Units | $1,041,125 | $2,402,625 |
New Hampshire's county limits fall between the nationwide floor and ceiling.
Why Do FHA Loan Limits Differ by County in New Hampshire?
FHA limits are tied to local housing costs and the national conforming loan limit.
The 2026 national conforming loan limit is $832,750 for a one-unit property. FHA's low-cost floor is set at 65% of that amount, while its maximum high-cost ceiling is 150% of the conforming limit.
For areas where local home values justify a higher amount, FHA can establish a limit above the national floor. HUD uses county and Metropolitan Statistical Area housing data when calculating those higher limits.
That is why most of New Hampshire uses the $541,287 floor while four counties have higher one-unit limits.
Hillsborough County FHA Loan Limit for 2026
The 2026 FHA loan limit in Hillsborough County is $589,950 for a one-unit property. Because both Manchester and Nashua are in Hillsborough County, that same limit applies to eligible one-unit properties in those cities.
Property Size | Hillsborough County FHA Limit |
|---|---|
1 Unit | $589,950 |
2 Units | $755,250 |
3 Units | $912,900 |
4 Units | $1,134,550 |
HUD categorizes Hillsborough County within the Manchester-Nashua, NH metropolitan area and places its FHA limits above the national floor for 2026.
If you're considering FHA financing in Nashua, Manchester, or another Hillsborough County community, the county limit is only one part of the calculation. Your income, debts, credit profile, down payment, property expenses, and other underwriting factors determine your actual borrowing power.
Rockingham County FHA Loan Limit for 2026
The 2026 FHA loan limit in Rockingham County is $962,550 for a one-unit property, making it one of the highest FHA limits in New Hampshire.
Property Size | Rockingham County FHA Limit |
|---|---|
1 Unit | $962,550 |
2 Units | $1,232,250 |
3 Units | $1,489,500 |
4 Units | $1,851,100 |
For FHA limit purposes, HUD includes Rockingham County within the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan area. Its higher local housing costs support a substantially higher limit than the FHA floor used across much of New Hampshire.
The higher limit does not mean every FHA borrower can receive a $962,550 mortgage. It establishes the maximum FHA-insured amount for an eligible one-unit property in the county.
Strafford County FHA Loan Limit for 2026
Strafford County has the same FHA limits as Rockingham County in 2026. The one-unit limit is $962,550.
Property Size | Strafford County FHA Limit |
|---|---|
1 Unit | $962,550 |
2 Units | $1,232,250 |
3 Units | $1,489,500 |
4 Units | $1,851,100 |
HUD also includes Strafford County in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area for FHA loan-limit purposes.
This gives FHA buyers in Strafford County significantly more borrowing room under the FHA program than borrowers purchasing in counties that use the national floor.
Carroll County FHA Loan Limit for 2026
Carroll County is a smaller but important exception to New Hampshire's standard FHA floor.
The 2026 one-unit FHA limit in Carroll County is $546,250, slightly higher than the nationwide floor of $541,287.
Property Size | Carroll County FHA Limit |
|---|---|
1 Unit | $546,250 |
2 Units | $699,300 |
3 Units | $845,300 |
4 Units | $1,050,500 |
HUD identifies Carroll County as a non-metropolitan New Hampshire area with FHA limits above the national floor.
What Are the FHA Limits in the Rest of New Hampshire?
Belknap, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Merrimack, and Sullivan counties use the nationwide FHA floor for 2026.
For each of these counties, the limits are $541,287 for one unit, $693,050 for two units, $837,700 for three units, and $1,041,125 for four units. Those figures are HUD's national 2026 low-cost-area limits.
This means the county makes a meaningful difference when comparing FHA financing in New Hampshire. A one-unit buyer in Rockingham or Strafford County has a maximum FHA loan limit more than $400,000 higher than a buyer in one of the state's floor-limit counties.
Does the FHA Loan Limit Apply to the Home Price?
No. The FHA limit applies to the FHA-insured loan amount, not necessarily the purchase price of the home.
For example, suppose you are purchasing a one-unit property in Hillsborough County. The 2026 FHA loan limit is $589,950, but that does not mean $589,950 is the maximum price you can pay for a home.
A purchase price can be higher if the borrower contributes enough money for the final FHA loan amount to remain within the applicable county limit and the transaction meets all other FHA and lender requirements.
The opposite is also true: having a $589,950 county limit does not mean you will automatically qualify to borrow $589,950. Your individual mortgage approval is based on your financial profile.
How Much Down Payment Does an FHA Loan Require?
FHA financing can allow a 3.5% minimum required investment in many cases. HUD also permits certain acceptable sources, including borrower funds, gifts, second mortgages, and eligible down payment assistance, to help satisfy that requirement.
FHA policy permits maximum financing for borrowers meeting the applicable 580-or-higher credit-score threshold, while borrowers with scores between 500 and 579 generally need at least 10% equity or down payment under FHA policy. Individual lenders may apply additional underwriting requirements beyond FHA's minimum standards.
If the amount you need to borrow is below your county's limit, the next step is determining whether the monthly payment and overall FHA qualification fit your financial situation.
Explore FHA Loan Requirements and Options →
How Do FHA Loan Limits Work for Duplexes, Triplexes, and Four-Unit Properties?
FHA loan limits increase based on the number of residential units in the property. A qualifying two-unit property therefore has a higher limit than a one-unit property in the same county, while eligible three- and four-unit properties have still higher limits.
For example, Hillsborough County's limit increases from $589,950 for one unit to $1,134,550 for four units. In Rockingham and Strafford counties, the four-unit limit reaches $1,851,100.
FHA financing can be used for eligible two- to four-unit properties when program requirements are met, including applicable owner-occupancy and underwriting rules. HUD confirms that FHA-insured mortgages can finance eligible one- to four-unit properties.
This can make FHA worth exploring for buyers considering an owner-occupied multi-family property rather than only a traditional single-family home.
FHA Loan Limits vs. Conventional Loan Limits in 2026
FHA and conventional conforming loan limits are different.
The baseline 2026 conforming loan limit is $832,750 for a one-unit property in most of the United States. FHA's nationwide one-unit floor is lower at $541,287, although FHA limits rise above that amount in qualifying higher-cost markets such as Rockingham and Strafford counties.
That means a buyer who exceeds an FHA county limit may still have conventional financing options. Likewise, staying below the FHA limit does not automatically make FHA the better choice.
Credit, down payment, mortgage insurance, debt-to-income ratio, property type, available assistance, and overall monthly cost should all be considered when comparing programs.
Are FHA Loans Only for First-Time Homebuyers?
No. FHA loans are not restricted to first-time homebuyers.
However, FHA financing is often considered by first-time buyers because of its relatively low minimum required investment and flexible eligibility characteristics compared with some other mortgage structures. HUD states that the FHA minimum required investment is 3.5% in most cases.
First-time buyers may also have access to separate down payment or closing-cost assistance programs, depending on income, location, first-time-buyer status, funding availability, and other eligibility requirements.
If this will be your first home, review your broader options rather than looking only at the FHA limit.
Explore First-Time Homebuyer Programs →
How Much Can I Actually Borrow With an FHA Loan in New Hampshire?
The county limit establishes the maximum FHA-insured mortgage amount, but your individual approval may be significantly lower.
A lender still needs to evaluate your income, employment, debts, credit history, available funds, property taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance, property type, and other underwriting requirements. Your target monthly payment can therefore be more important than the maximum county limit.
For example, a Rockingham County buyer may live in an area with a $962,550 one-unit FHA limit but qualify for a smaller mortgage based on their income and existing obligations. The county limit tells you the program ceiling; pre-approval tells you what may be realistic for your specific finances.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2026 NH FHA Loan Limits
What is the FHA loan limit in New Hampshire for 2026?
There is no single statewide FHA loan limit. For a one-unit property, New Hampshire's 2026 FHA limits range from $541,287 to $962,550, depending on the county.
Which New Hampshire counties have the highest FHA loan limits?
Rockingham and Strafford counties have New Hampshire's highest 2026 FHA limits. The maximum for a one-unit property is $962,550 in both counties.
What is the FHA loan limit in Nashua, NH?
Nashua is in Hillsborough County, so the 2026 FHA loan limit for a one-unit property in Nashua is $589,950. The Hillsborough County limits are $755,250 for two units, $912,900 for three units, and $1,134,550 for four units.
What is the FHA loan limit in Manchester, NH?
Manchester is also located in Hillsborough County. The 2026 FHA limit for a one-unit property in Manchester is $589,950.
What is the FHA loan limit in Rockingham County, NH?
The 2026 FHA loan limit for a one-unit property in Rockingham County is $962,550. The limit rises to $1,232,250 for two units, $1,489,500 for three units, and $1,851,100 for four units.
What is the FHA loan limit in Strafford County, NH?
Strafford County uses the same limits as Rockingham County in 2026. The one-unit FHA loan limit is $962,550.
What is the FHA loan limit in Carroll County, NH?
The 2026 Carroll County FHA loan limit is $546,250 for a one-unit property. The limits are $699,300 for two units, $845,300 for three units, and $1,050,500 for four units.
What is the minimum FHA loan limit in New Hampshire?
The lowest 2026 FHA limit in New Hampshire is the nationwide FHA floor of $541,287 for a one-unit property. Belknap, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Merrimack, and Sullivan counties use that amount.
Does a higher FHA loan limit mean I qualify for more money?
Not automatically. The county limit is the maximum FHA can insure for that property type and location, while your personal borrowing amount depends on underwriting factors such as income, debt, credit, down payment, taxes, insurance, and other obligations.
Can an FHA loan be used to buy a duplex in New Hampshire?
Yes, FHA financing can be available for eligible two- to four-unit properties, subject to FHA and lender requirements. The applicable loan limit is higher for multi-unit properties, as shown in the county table above.
When do the 2026 FHA loan limits take effect?
HUD states that the 2026 FHA forward mortgage limits apply to FHA case numbers assigned on or after January 1, 2026.
When will 2027 FHA loan limits be announced?
FHA updates its loan limits annually. The 2026 limits were announced in December 2025, and future limits will depend in part on the national conforming loan limit and applicable home-price data used under FHA's statutory formula.
Ready to See What You May Qualify For?
Knowing your county's FHA limit gives you the maximum allowed under the program. The more useful number for your home search is the mortgage amount and monthly payment you may personally qualify for.
NextGen Mortgage Loans can help you review your FHA financing options, estimate your purchasing power, and compare FHA with other mortgage programs available for your situation.
Buying your first home in New Hampshire? Explore First-Time Homebuyer Options →
FHA loan limits and program information reviewed September 18, 2026. Loan limits, underwriting requirements, mortgage programs, and lender requirements may change. The information above is for educational purposes and does not constitute a commitment to lend. Confirm your applicable FHA limit and eligibility with a licensed mortgage professional before making a financing decision.
