Buying a home
Data from November 2026
Buying a home in Louisiana
A typical home in Louisiana is worth $216,500 (Average 2020–2024). The FHA limit for one unit is $541,287 depending on the parish. Here is the minimum down payment each loan type asks at that price, every parish’s limit, and the state’s assistance programs.
Key numbers in Louisiana
- Typical home
- $216,500
- median value, Average 2020–2024
- 35% less than the U.S.
- FHA limit
- $541,287
- one unit, by parish
- All of Louisiana 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
- $7,578
- 3.5% of a $216,500 home
- VA and USDA ask for no down payment if you qualify.
Down payment
How much each loan asks up front
For a $216,500 home, the typical value in Louisiana. 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.
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FHA Program rule
Minimum down3.5%
In dollars$7,578
Per month$1,415
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
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Conventional Program rule
Minimum down3%
In dollars$6,495
Per month$1,423
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
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VA Program rule
Minimum down0%
In dollars$0
Per month$1,467
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
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USDA Program rule
Minimum down0%
In dollars$0
Per month$1,467
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
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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 parish
In 2026 data, every parish in Louisiana 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”.
| Orleans Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $315,700 | National floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Tammany Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $284,000 | National floor |
| Plaquemines Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $282,900 | National floor |
| Ascension Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $279,600 | National floor |
| St. Charles Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $263,700 | National floor |
| Jefferson Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $251,400 | National floor |
| East Baton Rouge Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $248,800 | National floor |
| West Feliciana Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $245,700 | National floor |
| Lafayette Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $242,900 | National floor |
| Livingston Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $230,600 | National floor |
| West Baton Rouge Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $229,900 | National floor |
| East Feliciana Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $228,100 | National floor |
| Bossier Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $227,200 | National floor |
| Calcasieu Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $217,000 | National floor |
| Tangipahoa Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $212,900 | National floor |
| St. James Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $211,800 | National floor |
| Lincoln Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $210,100 | National floor |
| Cameron Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $202,500 | National floor |
| St. Bernard Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $202,500 | National floor |
| Ouachita Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $194,400 | National floor |
| Lafourche Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $193,900 | National floor |
| St. John the Baptist Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $193,200 | National floor |
| Terrebonne Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $187,200 | National floor |
| Rapides Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $181,100 | National floor |
| Pointe Coupee Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $179,300 | National floor |
| Caddo Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $175,700 | National floor |
| Iberville Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $172,800 | National floor |
| Natchitoches Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $171,300 | National floor |
| Iberia Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $164,500 | National floor |
| St. Martin Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $164,200 | National floor |
| Vermilion Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $163,300 | National floor |
| Beauregard Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $161,700 | National floor |
| Vernon Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $156,000 | National floor |
| Washington Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $155,700 | National floor |
| Acadia Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $155,500 | National floor |
| De Soto Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $154,900 | National floor |
| Jefferson Davis Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $150,800 | National floor |
| Assumption Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $150,300 | National floor |
| Grant Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $143,300 | National floor |
| St. Landry Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $142,500 | National floor |
| Richland Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $141,900 | National floor |
| St. Mary Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $138,900 | National floor |
| Evangeline Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $124,600 | National floor |
| Sabine Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $123,100 | National floor |
| Avoyelles Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $122,400 | National floor |
| Red River Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $119,700 | National floor |
| LaSalle Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $119,500 | National floor |
| Morehouse Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $118,800 | National floor |
| Jackson Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $115,600 | National floor |
| Webster Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $114,500 | National floor |
| Franklin Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $113,000 | National floor |
| Union Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $112,500 | National floor |
| Winn Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $108,500 | National floor |
| Allen Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $104,500 | National floor |
| Concordia Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $103,800 | National floor |
| Catahoula Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $101,800 | National floor |
| East Carroll Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $100,500 | National floor |
| Bienville Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $99,500 | National floor |
| Madison Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $96,200 | National floor |
| West Carroll Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $94,400 | National floor |
| Caldwell Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $93,300 | National floor |
| Tensas Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $86,300 | National floor |
| Claiborne Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $82,100 | National floor |
| St. Helena Parish | $541,287 | $832,750 | $77,300 | National floor |
- Orleans $541,287$832,750
- St. Tammany $541,287$832,750
- Plaquemines $541,287$832,750
- Ascension $541,287$832,750
- St. Charles $541,287$832,750
- Jefferson $541,287$832,750
- East Baton Rouge $541,287$832,750
- West Feliciana $541,287$832,750
- Lafayette $541,287$832,750
- Livingston $541,287$832,750
- West Baton Rouge $541,287$832,750
- East Feliciana $541,287$832,750
- Bossier $541,287$832,750
- Calcasieu $541,287$832,750
- Tangipahoa $541,287$832,750
- St. James $541,287$832,750
- Lincoln $541,287$832,750
- Cameron $541,287$832,750
- St. Bernard $541,287$832,750
- Ouachita $541,287$832,750
- Lafourche $541,287$832,750
- St. John the Baptist $541,287$832,750
- Terrebonne $541,287$832,750
- Rapides $541,287$832,750
- Pointe Coupee $541,287$832,750
- Caddo $541,287$832,750
- Iberville $541,287$832,750
- Natchitoches $541,287$832,750
- Iberia $541,287$832,750
- St. Martin $541,287$832,750
- Vermilion $541,287$832,750
- Beauregard $541,287$832,750
- Vernon $541,287$832,750
- Washington $541,287$832,750
- Acadia $541,287$832,750
- De Soto $541,287$832,750
- Jefferson Davis $541,287$832,750
- Assumption $541,287$832,750
- Grant $541,287$832,750
- St. Landry $541,287$832,750
- Richland $541,287$832,750
- St. Mary $541,287$832,750
- Evangeline $541,287$832,750
- Sabine $541,287$832,750
- Avoyelles $541,287$832,750
- Red River $541,287$832,750
- LaSalle $541,287$832,750
- Morehouse $541,287$832,750
- Jackson $541,287$832,750
- Webster $541,287$832,750
- Franklin $541,287$832,750
- Union $541,287$832,750
- Winn $541,287$832,750
- Allen $541,287$832,750
- Concordia $541,287$832,750
- Catahoula $541,287$832,750
- East Carroll $541,287$832,750
- Bienville $541,287$832,750
- Madison $541,287$832,750
- West Carroll $541,287$832,750
- Caldwell $541,287$832,750
- Tensas $541,287$832,750
- Claiborne $541,287$832,750
- St. Helena $541,287$832,750
One unit. For 2- to 4-unit homes, each parish page has the full table. Source: FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Data from 2026 data FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (external site)
Down payment help
Louisiana programs for buyers
2 verified programs 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-
HomeStart Assist
Verified November 5, 2026
Louisiana state corporation 30-year mortgage for first-time buyers with 4% of the loan in assistance, as a 0% second mortgage forgiven after 60 months
- Forgivable
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HomeStart Advantage
Verified November 5, 2026
Louisiana state corporation 30-year mortgage with 4% of the loan in assistance, as a 0% second mortgage forgiven after 60 months; you do not need to be a first-time buyer, but you cannot own another home at closing
- Forgivable
What the state publishes
Louisiana 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 LouisianaExemptions and caps
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Homestead exemption: $7,500 of assessed value
If you own (alone or with others) the home you live in, that home (homestead) is exempt from state, parish and special property taxes up to $7,500 of assessed value. The homestead can be up to 160 acres. The exemption also covers your primary residence, including a mobile home, even if you do not own the land; in that case, the land is not exempt.
La. Const. art. VII, §20(A)(1) · Louisiana State Legislature (Louisiana Constitution) · Verified October 24, 2026
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Assessment freeze for owners 65 and older and people with disabilities
If your home has the homestead exemption and you own and live in it, its assessment does not rise above the assessment for the first year you receive this benefit (special assessment level), as long as you still qualify. Those who qualify are people 65 or older; people with a service-connected disability rating of 50 percent or more from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; members of the U.S. armed forces or the Louisiana National Guard who owned and last lived in the home and who are killed in action, missing in action or prisoners of war for more than 90 days; and people who are permanently and totally disabled as determined by a final court judgment or by a state or federal agency. The other requirements of that section of the constitution also apply.
La. Const. art. VII, §18(G)(1)(a)(i) · Louisiana State Legislature (Louisiana Constitution) · Verified October 24, 2026
When the sale is recorded
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The constitution bars new taxes on the sale or transfer of real estate
The Louisiana Constitution says that after November 30, 2011, neither the state nor political subdivisions may levy a new tax or fee on the sale or transfer of real estate, including documentary transaction taxes or fees (on documents that convey real estate). Fees for recording, filing or keeping those documents, impact fees for development, annual parcel fees and property taxes do not count as taxes on the sale or transfer.
La. Const. art. VII, §2.3 · Louisiana State Legislature (Louisiana Constitution) · Verified October 24, 2026
Your next steps
Where to go next in Louisiana
What you can do today, free and without giving personal information. Go in order: your numbers first, then the help.
- Run the numbers with your figures
The Louisiana calculator already has the typical value, the average rate and the state’s property tax.
- Check whether you qualify for help
Each program says what it gives, who qualifies and when we checked it.
- Talk to a counselor for free
26 HUD-approved agencies help you prepare to buy; 5 say they serve in Spanish.
- 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 Louisiana?
For a $216,500 home (typical value, Average 2020–2024), the FHA minimum (3.5%) is $7,578 and the conventional minimum (3%) is $6,495. VA and USDA ask no down payment if you qualify. State programs can cover part of it.
Are there high-cost parishes in Louisiana?
No. In 2026 data, every parish in Louisiana uses the national FHA floor ($541,287) for one unit.
What is the conforming loan limit in Louisiana?
In 2026 data, the conforming limit for one unit is $832,750 in every parish in Louisiana: 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 Louisiana?
With $216,500, the FHA minimum down payment ($7,578) and the 7.18% average rate (November 5, 2026), principal and interest over 30 years comes to about $1,415 a month. Tax, insurance and mortgage insurance are missing: the calculator adds them.
What down payment help is there in Louisiana?
We have verified 2 state programs in Louisiana 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.