USDA Loan Calculator

USDA Loan Calculator Definitions

Principal

The portion of your monthly payment that applies to and reduces your loan balance is called principal.

Interest

Interest accrues on your loan every day. When you make a payment, the interest that has accumulated since your last payment is paid first, bringing your accrued interest balance to zero.

USDA Guarantee Fees

Upfront Guarantee Fee

Financed into every USDA loan is a one-time premium charged at the loan’s inception. The guarantee fee is calculated from, and added to, the USDA base loan amount.

Annual Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP)

Annual MIP is actually paid monthly as part of your USDA loan payment. The premium is calculated every year, divided by 12, and included in your monthly payment.

Escrow/Impound

Property Taxes

USDA loans require that you pay your property taxes every year through your lender. The lender will divide your annual property tax amount by 12 and add the amount to your monthly house payment.

Homeowners Insurance

Similarly to property taxes, your lender will pay your homeowners insurance each year. The premium is divided by 12 and added to your monthly payment.

Since these payments are made annually (sometimes semi-annually or quarterly), your lender will hold the funds in an account called an escrow or impound account. The lender then pays from this account when the bills are due.

About Our USDA Loan Calculator

Our commitment to accuracy begins with calculating your USDA loan payment to the specifications demanded by the rural development guarantee program. We properly account for the upfront guarantee and annual mortgage insurance premium (paid monthly as part of your payment). You can trust our USDA loan calculator to compute an accurate USDA mortgage payment by accounting for the USDA guarantee fee, monthly USDA mortgage insurance, property taxes, and homeowner's insurance.

Tips for using our USDA loan calculator

• Change any field to automatically calculate your USDA payment.
• Check the USDA site for income and location eligibility.

What is a USDA loan?

This is a great question. The last thing most people picture when they hear “USDA” is a home loan option with no down payment. Usually, people think of steak—USDA Prime, USDA Choice, etc. Thankfully, the diversity of the U.S. Department of Agriculture gives us both.

Now, USDA loans aren’t for everybody. There is little reason to get all excited and gung-ho over a home loan for which you may not even be eligible. However, if you meet their requirements, excitement is warranted. USDA loans require no down payment, typically carry very competitive interest rates, have lower upfront and annual mortgage insurance premiums than FHA loans, and we’ll say it again - no down payment.

NOTE: If you or your spouse are eligible for veteran's benefits, VA loans also don't require a down payment and might be a better choice. Try our VA loan calculator to compare payments.

Also, if you've found your dream home but it falls outside an eligible area or your income is above allowable USDA limits, although your payment may be higher, an FHA loan might save the day.

USDA loans are no down payment home loans guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). For homebuyers in eligible areas who meet the income requirements, they are a wonderful option.

USDA Loan Requirements

The key to USDA is meeting the eligibility requirements. And let's get right to it. You're not buying a home in downtown Los Angeles with a USDA loan, so if you are interested in buying in a large metro area, stop reading.

The home you buy must be in an eligible area. Additionally, there are income caps that limit eligibility. You can find both eligible areas and income limits on the USDA website.

How do I obtain a USDA loan?

The process for obtaining USDA financing is similar to any other mortgage. Like FHA and VA, lenders must be approved by department that guarantees them. You apply for one just like any other mortgage loan. In fact, a good mortgage originator will walk you through your options and ensure that a USDA loan is indeed the best option. In many cases it will be. In some cases, it won't. As always, speaking to a lending professional is critical. Additionally, working with a real estate expert to ensure you are looking in an eligible area is also advised.