USDA Vs. FHA Pro and Con comparison in Ellicott-City, Howard County, MD

In 2026, the USDA loan limit in Ellicott-City, within Howard county, MD, is $430,500. Meanwhile, the FHA limit for a single-family home is $538,200.

Utilize the Lendersa® USDA loan calculator to compare today's best USDA and FHA rates. Determine the necessary income, credit, reserves, and documents for eligibility. Our advanced mortgage calculator provides a side-by-side comparison of USDA, FHA, Conforming, and VA loans, guiding your decision for the best suited option considering your financial situation in Alabama.

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Loan Limits and Down Payment Requirements for 2026 in Ellicott-City, Howard, MD

Loan Type Loan Limit Down Payment
USDA $430,500 0%
FHA $538,200 3.5%
Conventional Conforming $548,250 3%

Options for USDA and FHA Loans in Ellicott-City, MD

The mission of Lendersa® is to quickly connect you with the ideal USDA or FHA loans, hassle-free. Select from three starting paths to match with lenders and USDA loan programs.

Lendersa USDA loan request and matching results

Understanding USDA Loans in MD

A USDA home loan, also referred to as a USDA rural development loan or USDA mortgage, is supported by the Department of Agriculture and is designated for rural areas. Notably, unlike FHA loans that require a minimum down payment of 3.5%, USDA loans require no down payment.

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



Ellicott-City Lenders

  • KPG Mortgage LLC
  • 3745 Running Springs Road, Ellicott City, MD, 21042
  • Lends in Maryland
  • KPG Mortgage is a full-service mortgage company offering some of the lowest interest rates on the market for refinances and new home purchases and also We have a simple process, from a straightforward application to an on-time closing. Our expertise translates to a great customer experience. Let us be your trusted advisor.

  • Abiz Mortgage
  • 9977 Old Annapolis Road, Ellicott City, MD, 21042
  • Lends in Maryland
  • Our mission is to serve our customers with honesty, integrity and competence. Our goal is to provide home loans to our clients while providing them with the lowest interest rates and closing costs possible. Furthermore, we pledge to help borrowers overcome roadblocks that can arise while securing a loan.

  • Corridor Mortgage Group
  • 11085 Stratfield Ct, Marriottsville, MD, 21104
  • Lends in Maryland
  • Corridor Mortgage Group, we nurture the integrity in every employee. We believe each employee should bring strong relationships and build new ones within the company that foster an atmosphere where teamwork is second nature. Every employee should excel at their position; we hire only employees with the highest level of competency.

  • Integrated Financial Solutions LLC
  • 11110 Dovedale Ct, Suite 28A, Marriottsville, MD, 21104
  • Lends in Maryland
  • We will treat you with the respect due an esteemed customer and give you the personal service you deserve. We understand the big commitment you are making in buying a home, refinancing a mortgage, or cashing out your home equity. So we make a commitment to you: we will help you qualify, apply and be approved for the ideal mortgage for you.

  • Clarksville Mortgage Corporation
  • 5533 Adams Ridge Rd, Clarksville, MD, 21029
  • Lends in Maryland
  • Clarksville Mortgage Corporation, where we specialize in residential mortgages. At Clarksville Mortgage Corporation, we will find a loan that fits each borrower. Unlike big banks that have "order takers" helping you with your loan, we have highly skilled loan consultants. Our consultants know what it takes to get through underwriting quickly.

  • Howard County Education Federal Credit Union
  • 3458 Ellicott Center Drive, Suite 106, Ellicott City, MD, 21043
  • Lends in Maryland
  • In 2011, the HCTA Federal Credit Union petitioned NCUA to expand our charter from a Single Common Bond Charter to a Multiple Common Bond Charter. This allows us to offer membership to other entities in Howard County who are in some way affiliated with schools. Our first new membership group was the High School Students of HCPSS, beginning 2012.

  • United Equity Lending LLC
  • 5230 Harvey Lane, Ellicott City, MD, 21043
  • Lends in Maryland
  • Our mission is to serve our customers with honesty, integrity, and transparency. Our goal is to provide home loans to our clients while providing them with the lowest interest rates and closing costs possible. Furthermore, we pledge to help borrowers overcome roadblocks that can arise while securing a loan.

  • Leading Home Mortgage LLC
  • 6412 Saddle Drive, Columbia, MD, 21045
  • Lends in Maryland
  • Nick Hoffner is the founder of Leading Home Mortgage LLC, a licensed mortgage company providing residential mortgages to customers purchasing or refinancing a home in Maryland. Nick has been in the mortgage business since 2006 and has helped more than a thousand people purchase or refinance their homes over the past 14 years.

  • Apex Mortgage LLC
  • 8850 Columbia 100 Parkway, Suite 215, Columbia, MD, 21045
  • Lends in Maryland
  • APEX Mortgage LLC team is committed to providing clients with the highest quality financial services combined with the lowest rates available in your area. The outstanding mortgage professionals here will work with you one on one to ensure that you get a financial solution that is tailored specifically to meet your financing needs