USDA VS FHA in Helena-Valley-Northwest, Lewis and Clark County, MT

For 2026, the USDA loan limit in Helena-Valley-Northwest, within the county of Lewis and Clark, MT, is $285,000. The FHA limit for a single-family home is $356,362.

Leverage the Lendersa® USDA loan calculator to compare the top USDA vs. FHA rates today and find out the necessary income, credit requirements, reserves, and documentation to qualify. Our state-of-the-art mortgage calculator allows you to view USDA, FHA, Conforming, and VA options side by side, assisting you in determining which program is most suitable for your financial context in .

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2026 Loan Limits and Down Payment Nationwide in Helena-Valley-Northwest, County of Lewis and Clark, MT

Loan Type Loan Limit Down Payment
USDA $285,000 0%
FHA $356,362 3.5%
Conventional Conforming $548,250 3%

Exploring USDA and FHA Loan Choices in Helena-Valley-Northwest, MT

Lendersa® strives to secure you the best possible USDA or FHA loan quickly and with ease. Choose one of three starting paths to connect with lenders and USDA loan programs that match your needs.

Lendersa USDA loan request and matching results

Understanding USDA Loans in MT

A USDA home loan, also dubbed a USDA rural development loan or USDA mortgage, is insured by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is only available in rural neighborhoods. This loan does not require any down payment, setting it apart from FHA loans that mandate a minimum of 3.5% down.

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



Helena-Valley-Northwest Lenders

  • Rocky Mountain Credit Union
  • 3400 N. Montana Ave, Helena, MT, 59602
  • Lends in Montana
  • RMCU is here to help you through life’s events big or small. As a member, you are an owner. RMCU is a democratic financial cooperative and that means you have a say in how your credit union is run. We are also not-for-profit which allows us to offer low loan rates and higher interest deposits. RMCU puts people first.

  • Ascent Bank
  • 2037 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT, 59601
  • Lends in Montana
  • In 1970, Paul Caruso, Sr. moved to Helena and established Ascent Bank, formerly First Security Bank of Helena. Paul believed that being a family owned and managed bank meant truly supporting the community and creating a culture that saw every customer as having unique needs. Paul and the entire staff saw finding solutions.

  • Valley Bank of Helena
  • 3030 North Montana Ave., Helena, MT, 59601
  • Lends in Montana
  • Valley Bank proudly serves the Helena Valley and surrounding areas, helping businesses and individuals achieve their financial goals every day.

    We are a division of Glacier Bank, which is owned by Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (GBCI), a regional bank holding company headquartered in Kalispell, Montana.

  • Opportunity Bank of Montana
  • 1400 Prospect Ave, Helena, MT, 59601
  • Lends in Montana
  • At our heart we are a Montana community bank. We are part of each community we serve. We volunteer, donate, build, educate, and strive to make our communities stronger. Our mission is to provide strong financial futures for Montanans. Opportunity Bank of Montana opened our doors in Helena, Montana in 1922.

  • Vocal Credit Union
  • 2910 Prospect Ave, Helena, MT, 59601
  • Lends in Montana
  • Vocal Credit Union is an established financial institution whose operating principles are guided by our members. Since 1954, we have developed strong relationships with our membership and feel confident offering the full strength of our services to members at all stages of their lives. Our experienced and knowledgeable staff tailor.

  • Intrepid Credit Union
  • 915 Kessler St., Helena, MT, 59601
  • Lends in Montana
  • Intrepid Credit Union offers its members the latest in technology as well as a full menu of products — from all types of loans (including mortgage) to 24-hour account information by phone or internet, bill pay, free rewards checking, various savings accounts for all ages, as well as IRAs, Share Certificates, & Mastercard credit cards & debit cards.

  • Madison Valley Bank
  • 109 West Second, Boulder, MT, 59632
  • Lends in Montana
  • When Peter T. opened First Madison Valley Bank in 1965, on Main Street of Ennis, Montana, he waited outside the doors of his single-story bank building, with no indoor plumbing, and shook hands with each patron who entered. He intended for that bank to serve as a hub for the rural Montana community he loved.

  • Bank of The Rockies
  • 205 West Main Street, White Sulphur Springs, MT, 59645
  • Lends in Montana
  • We are a full-service bank with offices in Bozeman, Clyde Park, Emigrant, Helena, Lewistown, Livingston, and White Sulphur Springs. Our goal is to be the strongest financial partner that our community has by priortizing community involvement and service. As the oldest bank in Montana, we are constantly trying to improve the way we serve.

  • Mountain West Federal Credit Union
  • 400 E Park St., Butte, MT, 59702
  • Lends in Montana
  • Mountain West Federal Credit Union received its federal charter in 1952 and has been doing business as a non-profit, member-owned financial institution since. We are located in “Butte America”, Montana, and also Libby Montana. We have recently been granted a Rural Community Charter

  • First Citizens Bank of Butte
  • 3220 Harrison Avenue, Butte, MT, 59701
  • Lends in Montana
  • First Citizen's Bank of Butte began with the goal of serving individuals and businesses in our local community and today we're proud to continue that tradition. Our mission is to remain independent, as a locally owned and directed institution, managed by the people we serve in a way that promotes economic growth and stability within our community.