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Buying a home

Data from November 2026

Buying a home in Kansas

A typical home in Kansas is worth $217,200 (Average 2020–2024). The FHA limit for one unit is $541,287 depending on the county. Here is the minimum down payment each loan type asks at that price, every county’s limit, and the state’s assistance programs.

Minimum down payment Limits by county
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Typical home
$217,200
median value, Average 2020–2024
35% less than the U.S.
FHA limit
$541,287
one unit, by county
All of Kansas uses the national floor ($541,287).
Conforming limit
$832,750
one unit, 2026 data
Above this amount, the loan is a “jumbo” loan.
Minimum FHA down payment
$7,602
3.5% of a $217,200 home
VA and USDA ask for no down payment if you qualify.

Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Average 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Source: FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Data from 2026 data FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Source: Conforming loan limits (FHFA) Data from 2026 data Conforming loan limits (FHFA)

Down payment

How much each loan asks up front

For a $217,200 home, the typical value in Kansas. The minimum down payment is each program’s rule. The monthly figure is an example of principal and interest over 30 years at the 7.18% average rate (November 5, 2026): no taxes, insurance or mortgage insurance.

Your price, rate and down payment will differ: run the calculator with your numbers. Closing costs are extra.

Minimum down payment and monthly payment for a $217,200 home in Kansas

  1. FHA Program rule

    Minimum down3.5%

    In dollars$7,602

    Per month$1,420

    With a credit score of 580 or more. Carries mortgage insurance (MIP) up front and every month.

    HUD Handbook 4000.1 (Update 18), II.A.2.a.iv — Minimum Required Investment · In effect since September 14, 2016

  2. Conventional Program rule

    Minimum down3%

    In dollars$6,516

    Per month$1,427

    3% is the lowest standard option. With less than 20% down you pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) until you have more equity.

    Fannie Mae Selling Guide B5-6-01 — HomeReady Mortgage Loan and Borrower Eligibility · In effect since January 1, 2024

  3. VA Program rule

    Minimum down0%

    In dollars$0

    Per month$1,471

    For veterans, service members and some spouses. No down payment as long as the price is not above the appraisal; charges a one-time funding fee.

    VA: Purchase loan — benefits · In effect since January 1, 2020

  4. USDA Program rule

    Minimum down0%

    In dollars$0

    Per month$1,471

    Only homes in eligible rural areas and households within USDA’s income limit. Finances the full price.

    7 CFR §3555.103 — Maximum loan amount (Guaranteed Rural Housing Program) · In effect since December 9, 2013

  5. ITIN or other Example, not a rule

    Minimum down15%

    In dollars$32,580

    Per month$1,251

    ITIN loans follow no federal rule: each lender sets its own down payment and rate, and usually asks for more. 15% is an example.

Loan limits

FHA and conforming limit in every county

In 2026 data, every county in Kansas uses the national FHA floor ($541,287) for one unit. The conforming limit is the most Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy; above it, the loan is a “jumbo”.

One unit. For 2- to 4-unit homes, each county page has the full table. Source: FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Data from 2026 data FHA mortgage limits (HUD)

Down payment help

Kansas programs for buyers

1 verified program that put money toward the down payment or closing costs, or give a tax credit. With the source wording and the date we checked it.

Some help is a grant you never repay; other help is a second loan that is forgiven over the years or repaid when you sell. Each program’s tag says which kind it is.

See all programs

  • First Time Homebuyer Program

    Verified November 5, 2026

    Kansas state corporation 0% loan for 15% or 20% of the price for the down payment and closing costs, forgiven after 10 years in the home, for households with income up to 80% of the area median; not available in Johnson County or in Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka and Wichita

    • Forgivable
    See details

What the state publishes

Kansas rules that change the math

Exemptions that lower property tax and taxes paid when the deed is recorded, summarized from the official page each one cites.

Property tax in Kansas

Exemptions and caps

  • Residential exemption from the statewide school levy

    The law exempts up to $75,000 of the appraised valuation of property used for residential purposes from the statewide school levy. It applies from tax year 2024 on.

    K.S.A. 79-201x · Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes (Kansas Statutes Annotated) · Verified October 24, 2026

  • Homestead refund (Form K-40H)

    The Homestead refund gives back part of the property tax you paid on your Kansas home. The percentage depends on your total household income, and the maximum is $700. For 2025 claims, the page requires that you lived in Kansas all of 2025, had household income of $43,389 or less, owned and lived in a Kansas home during 2025, and that the home is valued at no more than $350,000. You must also meet one of these: be 55 or older all of 2025 (born before January 1, 1970); be blind or totally and permanently disabled all of 2025, at any age; have a dependent child who lived with you the whole year, born before January 1, 2025 and under 18 all of 2025; be a disabled veteran; or be the surviving spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty or of a disabled veteran (until you remarry). The income limit is the 2025 figure and changes each year.

    Kansas Department of Revenue · Verified October 24, 2026

  • SAFESR refund for low-income seniors (Form K-40PT)

    SAFESR is a property tax refund program run by the Kansas Department of Revenue. It refunds 75 percent of the property taxes actually and timely paid on the property used as your principal residence. You claim it on Form K-40PT. For 2025 claims, the page requires being 65 or older all of 2025 (born before January 1, 1960), living in Kansas all of 2025, household income of $25,380 or less, owning and living in a Kansas home during 2025, and a home valued at no more than $350,000. These figures are for 2025 claims.

    Kansas Homestead Act · Kansas Department of Revenue · Verified October 24, 2026

When the sale is recorded

  • Mortgage registration tax: repealed beginning in 2019

    Before 2019, Kansas law had a tax on mortgage registration paid to the county register of deeds. It was phased out from 2015 through 2019 and was repealed altogether beginning in 2019. To make up for it, the statutory fees for filing documents with registers of deeds went up from 2015 through 2018.

    Kansas Legislative Research Department (KLRD) · Verified October 24, 2026

Your next steps

Where to go next in Kansas

What you can do today, free and without giving personal information. Go in order: your numbers first, then the help.

  1. Run the numbers with your figures

    The Kansas calculator already has the typical value, the average rate and the state’s property tax.

  2. Check whether you qualify for help

    Each program says what it gives, who qualifies and when we checked it.

  3. Talk to a counselor for free

    3 HUD-approved agencies help you prepare to buy; 2 say they serve in Spanish.

  4. Follow the steps to buy a home

    From the budget to the keys, in order.

Frequently asked questions

How much down payment do I need for a typical home in Kansas?

For a $217,200 home (typical value, Average 2020–2024), the FHA minimum (3.5%) is $7,602 and the conventional minimum (3%) is $6,516. VA and USDA ask no down payment if you qualify. State programs can cover part of it.

Are there high-cost counties in Kansas?

No. In 2026 data, every county in Kansas uses the national FHA floor ($541,287) for one unit.

What is the conforming loan limit in Kansas?

In 2026 data, the conforming limit for one unit is $832,750 in every county in Kansas: the most Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy. Above it, the loan is a “jumbo” and each lender sets its own terms.

What would the monthly payment be on a typical home in Kansas?

With $217,200, the FHA minimum down payment ($7,602) and the 7.18% average rate (November 5, 2026), principal and interest over 30 years comes to about $1,420 a month. Tax, insurance and mortgage insurance are missing: the calculator adds them.

What down payment help is there in Kansas?

We have verified 1 state program in Kansas that put money toward the down payment or closing costs, or give a tax credit. Each shows the source wording, who qualifies and the date we checked it.