Buying a home
Data from November 2026
Buying a home in Utah
A typical home in Utah is worth $489,400 (Average 2020–2024). The FHA limit for one unit is $541,287–$1,163,800 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.
Key numbers in Utah
- Typical home
- $489,400
- median value, Average 2020–2024
- 47% more than the U.S.
- FHA limit
- $541,287–$1,163,800
- one unit, by county
- In 13 of the 29 counties, the limit is above the national floor ($541,287).
- Conforming limit
- $832,750
- up to $1,150,000 in high-cost areas
- Above this amount, the loan is a “jumbo” loan.
- Minimum FHA down payment
- $17,129
- 3.5% of a $489,400 home
- VA and USDA ask for no down payment if you qualify.
Down payment
How much each loan asks up front
For a $489,400 home, the typical value in Utah. 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$17,129
Per month$3,199
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$14,682
Per month$3,216
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$3,315
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$3,315
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 county
FHA sets the limit by area: 13 of the 29 counties in Utah are high-cost and sit above the national floor ($541,287). The conforming limit is the most Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy; above it, the loan is a “jumbo”.
| Summit County | $1,163,800 | $1,150,000 | $1,067,700 | High-cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasatch County | $1,163,800 | $1,150,000 | $787,300 | High-cost |
| Wayne County | $997,050 | $997,050 | $411,800 | High-cost |
| Grand County | $839,500 | $839,500 | $538,700 | High-cost |
| Morgan County | $744,050 | $832,750 | $654,900 | High-cost |
| Davis County | $744,050 | $832,750 | $505,500 | High-cost |
| Weber County | $744,050 | $832,750 | $426,700 | High-cost |
| Salt Lake County | $637,100 | $832,750 | $525,700 | High-cost |
| Tooele County | $637,100 | $832,750 | $431,600 | High-cost |
| Washington County | $607,200 | $832,750 | $510,700 | High-cost |
| Utah County | $601,450 | $832,750 | $538,700 | High-cost |
| Juab County | $601,450 | $832,750 | $425,400 | High-cost |
| Rich County | $579,600 | $832,750 | $334,600 | High-cost |
| Cache County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $444,400 | National floor |
| Kane County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $410,900 | National floor |
| Box Elder County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $403,600 | National floor |
| Iron County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $379,000 | National floor |
| Sanpete County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $347,200 | National floor |
| Garfield County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $318,100 | National floor |
| Sevier County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $311,200 | National floor |
| Uintah County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $298,600 | National floor |
| Millard County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $284,700 | National floor |
| Beaver County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $283,700 | National floor |
| Duchesne County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $283,700 | National floor |
| Daggett County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $282,300 | National floor |
| Piute County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $264,800 | National floor |
| Carbon County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $228,500 | National floor |
| San Juan County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $224,200 | National floor |
| Emery County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $218,700 | National floor |
- Summit $1,163,800$1,150,000
- Wasatch $1,163,800$1,150,000
- Wayne $997,050$997,050
- Grand $839,500$839,500
- Morgan $744,050$832,750
- Davis $744,050$832,750
- Weber $744,050$832,750
- Salt Lake $637,100$832,750
- Tooele $637,100$832,750
- Washington $607,200$832,750
- Utah $601,450$832,750
- Juab $601,450$832,750
- Rich $579,600$832,750
- Cache $541,287$832,750
- Kane $541,287$832,750
- Box Elder $541,287$832,750
- Iron $541,287$832,750
- Sanpete $541,287$832,750
- Garfield $541,287$832,750
- Sevier $541,287$832,750
- Uintah $541,287$832,750
- Millard $541,287$832,750
- Beaver $541,287$832,750
- Duchesne $541,287$832,750
- Daggett $541,287$832,750
- Piute $541,287$832,750
- Carbon $541,287$832,750
- San Juan $541,287$832,750
- Emery $541,287$832,750
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) (external site)
Down payment help
Utah 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-
Utah Housing Down Payment Assistance Second Mortgage
Verified November 5, 2026
Utah state agency second mortgage for the down payment or closing costs alongside its first mortgage: up to 6% of the loan with monthly payments, or up to 3.5% at 3.5% with deferred interest and no payments; capped at $27,500
- Repayable
- Deferred
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First-time Homebuyer Assistance Program
Verified November 5, 2026
Utah state loan, run by Utah Housing, of up to $20,000 with no interest or monthly payments for the down payment, closing costs or a lower rate; only for first-time buyers of a newly built home with a Utah Housing mortgage
- Deferred
What the state publishes
Utah 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 UtahExemptions and caps
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Primary residential exemption (45 percent of value)
A home that is a primary residence (yours or a tenant's) is taxed on only 55 percent of its market value: the law takes 45 percent off. It applies to one primary residence per household and up to one acre of land per unit.
Utah Code §59-2-103(3)-(6) · Utah State Legislature (Utah Code) · Verified October 23, 2026
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Low-income homeowner's tax credit
You may qualify if you own your home (or manufactured home) and live in it, your 2025 total household income was under $44,221, you lived in Utah all year and you owned the home all year. In addition, one of these is true: you qualified for the credit in 2025, you are at least 67, or you are an unmarried surviving spouse. You must be able to prove Utah residency and household income. Up to $1,412 of property tax can be abated, based on income, plus a credit equal to the tax on 20 percent of the home's fair market value. You file the application with your county government by September 1. The income limit and the amount change each year.
Utah Code Title 59, Ch. 2a, Part 3 (Homeowner's Credit); §59-2a-101(17) · Utah State Tax Commission (Publication 36) · Verified October 24, 2026
Your next steps
Where to go next in Utah
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 Utah 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
7 HUD-approved agencies help you prepare to buy; 2 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 Utah?
For a $489,400 home (typical value, Average 2020–2024), the FHA minimum (3.5%) is $17,129 and the conventional minimum (3%) is $14,682. VA and USDA ask no down payment if you qualify. State programs can cover part of it.
Are there high-cost counties in Utah?
Yes. In 2026 data, 13 of the 29 counties in Utah have an FHA limit above the national floor ($541,287); the highest is Summit County ($1,163,800).
What is the conforming loan limit in Utah?
In 2026 data, the conforming limit for one unit runs from $832,750 to $1,150,000 depending on the county in Utah: 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 Utah?
With $489,400, the FHA minimum down payment ($17,129) and the 7.18% average rate (November 5, 2026), principal and interest over 30 years comes to about $3,199 a month. Tax, insurance and mortgage insurance are missing: the calculator adds them.
What down payment help is there in Utah?
We have verified 2 state programs in Utah 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.