USDA Vs. FHA your options comparison in Merced, Merced County, CA

In the year 2026, the USDA loan limit for Merced, within Merced county, CA, is $341,900, while the FHA limit for a single-family home is $472,030.

With the Lendersa® USDA loan calculator, effectively compare today’s top USDA versus FHA rates to assess the income, credit, reserves, and documents needed to qualify. Our sophisticated mortgage calculator allows you to view USDA, FHA, Conforming, and VA programs side by side, helping you choose the best option in for your specific financial needs.

Check loan offers from 100 various lenders

2026 Loan Ceilings and Down Payment Requirements in Merced, County of Merced, CA

Loan Category Loan Limit Down Payment
USDA $341,900 0%
FHA $472,030 3.5%
Conventional Conforming $726,200 3%

Exploring USDA and FHA Loan Options in Merced, CA

The mission of Lendersa® is to secure the best USDA or FHA loan swiftly and without hassle. Choose from three entry points that connect you with matching lenders and USDA loan programs.

Lendersa USDA loan request and matching results

Defining USDA Loans in CA

USDA home loans, backed by the government’s Department of Agriculture, also known as USDA rural development loans or USDA mortgages, are available solely in rural neighborhoods. Unlike FHA loans, which require at least a 3.5% down payment, USDA loans have no down payment required.

Enter your location to find out if it qualifies for USDA rural housing loan?



  • MoveHome Wilmington Mortgage, LLC
  • 1650 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 204, Wilmington, NC, 28403
  • The mortgage process can be confusing. Our mortgage experts help make the process easy to understand! With a single application and credit report, we can show you customized options from great lenders and make sure to find the right loan for you! we can show you great options from multiple lenders.
  • Alpha Mortgage Corporation
  • 1320 Airlie Rd, Suite 101, Wilmington, NC, 28403
  • "Alpha Mortgage Corporation is a full service mortgage banker with in-house processing, underwriting, closing and funding of your home. Formed in 1983, Alpha Mortgage has attained its growth and success through the introduction of a continuing series of innovative programs and services that have become standards in the mortgage lending industr
  • Coastline Mortgage Consultants LLC
  • 215 Racine Drive, Suite 105, Wilmington, NC, 28403
  • Coastline Mortgage Consultants, LLC is one of Wilmington’s oldest mortgage companies. Founded in 2002, Coastline Mortgage Consultants, LLC is locally owned and operated by John Russ and Chad Ludwig. With over 40 years combined experience in the mortgage industry, John and Chad have successfully navigated multiple industry changes
  • National Home Finance
  • 3205 Randall Parkway, Suite 211, Wilmington, NC, 28403
  • National Home Finance is a Wilmington, NC based mortgage brokerage and mortgage lenders company. Our philosophy is simple: treat our customers as we wish to be treated. We take a consultative approach instead of pushing everyone into a cookie-cutter loan; we will find the type of mortgage loan that is best for you
  • Atlantic Coast Financial Services
  • 4520 Fountain Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28403
  • At Atlantic Coast Financial Services we never charge an upfront Application Fee or Appraisal Fee. We are paid directly by our Approved Lender partners when your loan closes and only when your loan closes, so we have a direct interest in making sure everything is done right and efficiently.
  • MC Mortgage Group
  • 1908 Eastwood Road, Suite 221, Wilmington, NC, 28403
  • MC Mortgage Group is the premier & choice residential mortgage company in North Carolina. We continually sharpen our focus on our customers by delivering on our commitment to provide the very best mortgage loan experience; by individualizing loans with the best rates, always closing on time & providing the best customer service in the business.
  • Alpha Mortgage Corporation
  • 1320 Airlie Rd, Wilmington, NC, 28403
  • Alpha Mortgage Corporation is a full service mortgage banking firm, headquartered in Wilmington, NC. We offer the very best in interest rates, service and experience. Our products include 100% VA, 100% USDA, FHA & Conventional loans for first-time buyers and the most experienced of buyers.
  • VAntage Trust Federal Credit Union
  • 247 Wilkes Barre Township Boulevard, Wilkes Barre, PA, 18702
  • VAntage Trust Federal Credit Union has been serving its members since 1948 when it was founded by the employees of the VA Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. We now serve over 8, 000 members. Our membership also includes members from 70 active Select Employee Groups (SEG). We are chartered by the federal government.
  • Cross Valley Federal Credit Union
  • 640 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes Barre, PA, 18702
  • Cross Valley FCU was chartered by the National Credit Union Association in February 1969.Originally chartered as the Wilkes-Barre Federal Employees Federal Credit Union, its sponsor was the Data Operations Center of Social Security in Wilkes-Barre. Subsequent expansion of the Federal Charter was approved by NCUA to include Select Employee Groups.
  • Choice One Community Credit Union
  • 501 E Main Street, Wilkes Barre, PA, 18702
  • Choice One Community Credit Union is a member-owned and operated, not-for-profit financial cooperative, chartered under federal law. We strive to provide outstanding financial products, exceptional personal service and to always maintain the safety and soundness of members’ funds.
  • John E Young Mortgage LLC
  • 1550 Hwy 315, Suite 102, Wilkes Barre, PA, 18702
  • John E Young has been in the Mortgage Industry for 18 years and Licensed by PA Department of Banking for the past 15 years. In less than 3 years as a Mortgage Originator, he was able to open his own Mortgage Company, and over 85% of his company’s business comes from referrals.John has helped many clients fix and analyze their credit reports.
  • Utilities Employees Credit Union
  • 11 Meridian Boulevard, Wyoming, PA, 19610
  • Since 1934, Utilities Employees Credit Union (UECU) has been providing exclusive financial benefits to America’s utility and energy employees and their families. As a full-service, virtual credit union, UECU’s goal is to help workers and Pennsylvania residents improve their financial well-being, accumulate wealth.