2026 FHA Loan Limits
The current FHA loan limit for most Wisconsin counties in 2026 is $541,287 for a single-family home. Pierce County and St. Croix County, which are part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Statistical Area, have elevated limits above the statewide baseline. See full WI FHA program requirements →
2026 Wisconsin FHA Loan Limits: Single-Family Homes by County
The table below shows the 2026 FHA single-family loan limit for all 72 Wisconsin counties. FHA Loan Limits vary by county, but most are at the standard statewide baseline.
| County | 2026 FHA Loan Limit (1 Unit) |
|---|---|
| Adams | $541,287 |
| Ashland | $541,287 |
| Barron | $541,287 |
| Bayfield | $541,287 |
| Brown | $541,287 |
| Buffalo | $541,287 |
| Burnett | $541,287 |
| Calumet | $541,287 |
| Chippewa | $541,287 |
| Clark | $541,287 |
| Columbia | $541,287 |
| Crawford | $541,287 |
| Dane | $541,287 |
| Dodge | $541,287 |
| Door | $541,287 |
| Douglas | $541,287 |
| Dunn | $541,287 |
| Eau Claire | $541,287 |
| Florence | $541,287 |
| Fond du Lac | $541,287 |
| Forest | $541,287 |
| Grant | $541,287 |
| Green | $541,287 |
| Green Lake | $541,287 |
| Iowa | $541,287 |
| Iron | $541,287 |
| Jackson | $541,287 |
| Jefferson | $541,287 |
| Juneau | $541,287 |
| Kenosha | $541,287 |
| Kewaunee | $541,287 |
| La Crosse | $541,287 |
| Lafayette | $541,287 |
| Langlade | $541,287 |
| Lincoln | $541,287 |
| Manitowoc | $541,287 |
| Marathon | $541,287 |
| Marinette | $541,287 |
| Marquette | $541,287 |
| Menominee | $541,287 |
| Milwaukee | $541,287 |
| Monroe | $541,287 |
| Oconto | $541,287 |
| Oneida | $541,287 |
| Outagamie | $541,287 |
| Ozaukee | $541,287 |
| Pepin | $541,287 |
| Pierce | $552,000 |
| Polk | $541,287 |
| Portage | $541,287 |
| Price | $541,287 |
| Racine | $541,287 |
| Richland | $541,287 |
| Rock | $541,287 |
| Rusk | $541,287 |
| Sauk | $541,287 |
| Sawyer | $541,287 |
| Shawano | $541,287 |
| Sheboygan | $541,287 |
| St. Croix | $552,000 |
| Taylor | $541,287 |
| Trempealeau | $541,287 |
| Vernon | $541,287 |
| Vilas | $541,287 |
| Walworth | $541,287 |
| Washburn | $541,287 |
| Washington | $541,287 |
| Waukesha | $541,287 |
| Waupaca | $541,287 |
| Waushara | $541,287 |
| Winnebago | $541,287 |
| Wood | $541,287 |
Pierce County and St. Croix County are part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area and carry elevated FHA limits reflecting that MSA’s higher median home prices. These counties are considered high-cost areas.
2026 Wisconsin FHA Loan Limits: Multi-Unit Properties
FHA loan limits for Wisconsin increase substantially for 2-4 unit properties. These higher limits apply across all Wisconsin counties at the baseline level and are proportionally higher in elevated-limit counties.
| Property Type | Standard County Limit | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| 1 unit (single-family) | $541,287 | All standard counties |
| 2 units (duplex) | $693,050 | All standard counties |
| 3 units (triplex) | $837,700 | All standard counties |
| 4 units (fourplex) | $1,041,125 | All standard counties |
Buyers using FHA to purchase a 2-4 unit property must occupy one unit as their primary residence. Rental income from the remaining units can be used to help qualify. See how to buy a duplex with FHA →
How HUD Sets FHA Loan Limits
HUD sets FHA loan limits annually using a formula tied to the national conforming loan limit and local area median home prices. Two thresholds govern the result.
The floor is set at 65% of the national conforming loan limit. For 2026, the conforming limit is $832,750, placing the FHA floor at $541,287. Most Wisconsin counties fall at this floor because local median home prices do not push the calculation above it.
The ceiling applies in high-cost metropolitan areas where median home prices significantly exceed the national median. FHA loan limits in these areas rise to a maximum of 150% of the conforming loan limit ($1,249,125 for 2026). Pierce County and St. Croix County’s connection to the Minneapolis-St. Paul MSA places them in elevated territory between the floor and ceiling.
Limits are published by HUD each November for the following year. The official lookup tool reflects the current year’s figures and is the only authoritative source for a specific county’s exact limit.
Why the Loan Limit Matters
The FHA loan limit is the maximum amount FHA will insure for a purchase in that county. A buyer purchasing a home above the limit in their county cannot use FHA for the full purchase; they would need to either bring a larger down payment to keep the loan within the limit, or use a different loan program.
For the vast majority of Wisconsin buyers, the $541,287 limit is more than sufficient. The median single-family home price in most Wisconsin counties is well below this figure. The limit becomes a relevant constraint primarily for buyers in the Milwaukee metro area pursuing higher-priced properties or in markets where asking prices approach or exceed the limit.
Frequently Asked Questions about FHA Loan Limits for 2026
The most common question Wisconsin buyers ask about FHA loan limits is straightforward: for most counties in 2026, the limit is $541,287 for a single-family home, and $693,050 for a duplex. The questions below address what happens above that ceiling, how credit and income interact with it, and when multi-unit or jumbo financing changes the calculation.
What is the FHA loan limit in Wisconsin for 2026?
The standard limit for most Wisconsin counties is $541,287 for a single-family home. Pierce County and St. Croix County have elevated limits as part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul MSA; verify their current specific limits at the HUD county lookup tool. Multi-unit properties have higher limits up to $1,041,125 for a four-unit property in standard counties.
Can I borrow more than the FHA limit in Wisconsin?
Not with an FHA home loan. The limit is the maximum the loan can reach for FHA insurance to apply. Homebuyers needing more than the county limit must bring an additional down payment to keep the loan within the limit, or use a conventional loan or jumbo financing instead. Talk to your mortgage lender or Loan Officer for additional information.
Do FHA maximum loan limits change every year?
Yes. HUD publishes new limits each November for the following calendar year, tied to changes in the national conforming loan limit and area median home price data. The figures in this table are current; verify limits at the HUD tool for future years or if you are in a county with a limit that may shift with MSA median price changes.
Are FHA loan limits different for condos and multi-unit properties?
The limits apply equally to condos and single-family homes within the same unit count. However, FHA condo purchases also require the development to meet FHA approval requirements, either through full HUD project approval or Single Unit Approval. The loan limit is separate from project approval status. See FHA condo approval requirements →
What if my county’s limit isn’t listed accurately here?
Always verify at the official HUD county lookup tool at entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/hicostlook.cfm. This table reflects the 2026 standard Wisconsin limits as published; HUD’s tool is the definitive source for the current year and accounts for any mid-year revisions.
Is there a maximum income limit for FHA loans?
No. FHA loans have no household income ceiling. Any buyer who meets the credit, down payment, and debt-to-income requirements can use FHA financing regardless of how much they earn. This distinguishes FHA from state programs like WHEDA and IHDA, which do have income limits, and from USDA, which caps household income at 115% of area median income. If you earn above WHEDA’s county income limit but still want FHA financing, a standard market FHA loan remains available.
What credit score is needed for an FHA loan in Wisconsin?
FHA’s program minimum is 580 for a 3.5% down payment and 500-579 for a 10% down payment. Most Wisconsin lenders apply overlays requiring 600-640. At 680 or above, conventional financing becomes increasingly competitive because conventional PMI cancels at 20% equity, while FHA mortgage insurance with less than 10% down lasts for the life of the loan.
What is the typical down payment for an FHA loan in Wisconsin?
The minimum is 3.5% for borrowers with a 580 or higher credit score. On a $280,000 purchase, that is $9,800. The entire down payment can be a gift from a family member, employer, or eligible organization. WHEDA’s Easy Close DPA second mortgage can also cover the down payment for income-qualifying Wisconsin buyers, potentially reducing out-of-pocket cash at closing to near zero. See WHEDA program details →
Is there a limit on how many FHA loans you can have?
In most circumstances, FHA only insures one loan per borrower at a time, since FHA financing requires owner-occupancy of the property being purchased. There are narrow exceptions: a borrower who has relocated for work more than 100 miles from a current FHA-financed home may qualify for a second FHA loan while retaining the first; a co-borrower situation where one borrower is being removed from an existing FHA loan may also qualify. These exceptions are evaluated case by case and are not automatic.
Can FHA loans be used for multi-unit properties in Wisconsin?
Yes. FHA allows purchase of 2-, 3-, and 4-unit properties when the borrower occupies one unit as their primary residence. The loan limits are higher for multi-unit properties: $693,050 for a duplex, $837,700 for a triplex, and $1,041,125 for a fourplex in most Wisconsin counties. Rental income from the other units can help with qualification. This is one of FHA’s most practical features for Wisconsin buyers interested in duplexes and small multi-family properties.
What are the jumbo loan limits for Wisconsin in 2026?
There is no official “jumbo loan limit”; jumbo is defined by what it is not. Any loan exceeding the 2026 conventional conforming limit of $832,750 (set annually by the Federal Housing Finance Agency) is considered a jumbo loan and falls outside Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines. Since the 2026 FHA limit for most Wisconsin counties is $541,287, buyers purchasing above that figure but below $832,750 can use conventional conforming financing. Buyers purchasing above $832,750 need jumbo financing, which carries its own qualification standards, including higher credit score minimums, larger down payments, and more extensive reserve requirements.
Looking for FHA Mortgage Program Details and FHA Loan Requirements?
This page covers loan limits only. For the complete guide on how to qualify for an FHA loan in Wisconsin, IHDA and WHEDA programs, credit score, mortgage insurance premiums, 3.5 percent down payment requirements, max loan amounts, mortgage rates, and the application process, see our comprehensive Wisconsin FHA loan page.
See Wisconsin FHA Loan Requirements and Guidelines → Apply Online →
FHA loan limits are set annually by HUD and subject to change. The figures on this page reflect 2026 limits as published by HUD. Always verify current limits at the official HUD county lookup tool before making financing decisions. MadisonMortgageGuys.com is not acting on behalf of or at the direction of HUD or the Federal Housing Administration.
