USDA and FHA Pro and Con in Altoona, Polk County, IA

In the year 2026, the USDA loan limit for Altoona in the county of Polk, IA stands at $336,500, while a single-family home FHA limit is set at $472,030.

To compare today's best USDA vs. FHA rates, try Lendersa® USDA loan calculator. Evaluate the income, credit, reserves, and documents required for qualification. Our advanced mortgage calculator allows you to see USDA, FHA, Conforming, and VA loans side by side, aiding your decision on the best program for your financial situation in .

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2026 Loan Limits and Down Payment Requirements in Altoona, Polk, IA

Loan Type Loan Limit Down Payment
USDA $336,500 0%
FHA $472,030 3.5%
Conventional Conforming $726,200 3%

USDA and FHA Loan Selections in Altoona, IA

Lendersa® strives to secure the optimal USDA or FHA loan for you quickly and with ease. Choose from three distinct starting methods to connect with suitable lenders and USDA loan offerings.

Lendersa USDA loan request and matching results

Understanding USDA Loans in IA

A USDA home loan, backed by the Department of Agriculture, is known as a USDA rural development loan or USDA mortgage. It's designed solely for rural areas, contrasting FHA loans, which necessitate at least a 3.5% down payment, as USDA mortgages require zero down payment.

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



Altoona Lenders

  • Legacy Bank.
  • 502 8th St. SW, Altoona, IA, 50009
  • Lends in Iowa
  • At Legacy Bank, we are committed to providing excellent customer service and quality financial products at competitive rates. Legacy Bank is a locally owned and operated community bank. We have been serving the area since 1904. We promote growth and development around central Iowa and look to foster success for all of our customers.

  • Iowa State Bank
  • 3818 Hubbell Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50317
  • Lends in Iowa
  • Iowa State Bank is proud to have called Des Moines home for 80 years. Our mission is to serve customers, prosper, have fun and remain an independent bank. We are confident you will find that Iowa State Bank is able to provide the perfect mix of convenience banking and traditional services.

  • Community State Bank - Des Moines, IA
  • PO Box 127, Ankeny, IA, 50021
  • Lends in Iowa
  • At Community State Bank, our name says it all. As a premier banking and financial services organization in central Iowa, we put our employees, clients and communities first - in everything we do. We strive to exceed this standard and care for the unique needs of our customers by providing industry-leading knowledge

  • Des Moines Metro Credit Union
  • 100 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50314
  • Lends in Iowa
  • Des Moines Metro Credit Union was established in 1938 to serve the employees of the city of Des Moines. Throughout the years, we have grown to serve other large and small employer groups, such as Unity Point, DART, and Warren County. In 1997, we became a community credit union, which allows us to serve those who live and work in Polk County.

  • Neighborhood Finance Corporation
  • 1912 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50314
  • Lends in Iowa
  • NFC provides unique lending programs & other services to facilitate neighborhood revitalization in Polk County & Cedar Rapids, Iowa through partnerships with residents, governments, community-based organizations, lending institutions & the business community. To date, NFC has provided more than $250, 000, 000 in loans and grants in its lending area

  • Premier Credit Union Credit Union of Des Moines
  • 800 9th Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309
  • Lends in Iowa
  • Premier Credit Union is your community credit union located in Des Moines, Iowa with branch locations in West Des Moines and Ames. We’re proud to support our members with the financial resources, lending opportunities and digital banking solutions they need. Premier Credit Union began as Bankers Life Employees Credit Union on September 11, 1933.

  • Polk County Credit Union
  • 111 Court Avenue, Room 110, Des Moines, IA, 50309
  • Lends in Iowa
  • Our membership is a closed membership limited to Polk County employees, Broadlawns Hospital employees, city of Altoona employees, Heartland AEA employees, and Fifth Judicial employees. We have been in existence since 1955. The credit union has assets totaling $7.27 Million and provides banking services to more than 700 members.

  • Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines
  • 909 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309
  • Lends in Iowa
  • Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines is one of 11 regional Banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBank) System. Established by Congress in 1932 to support mortgage lending, the FHLBanks are a stable source of funding for more than 7, 300 federally insured depository institutions of all sizes and types. Including Banks, Credit Unions.

  • Bankers Trust Company
  • 453 7th St, Des Moines, IA, 50309
  • Lends in Iowa
  • For more than 100 years, Bankers Trust has been a leading financial institution for commercial and consumer banking services. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, Bankers Trust is the largest privately held financial institution in the state, and employs 565 people across the country.