What is the average down payment on a house? | U.S. Bank (2024)

There are many costs to factor in when you’re shopping for a home. One of the most important? The down payment. Let’s go over minimum down payments on mortgages, what percentage you may want to save to feel confident going into the mortgage process and some common down payment myths.

Down payment: 101

A down payment is a portion of the cost of a home, that you pay up front. It represents your initial investment in your home. When you put more money down, you're taking some of the risk away from the lender – proof that you’re invested in the purchase and a sign that you’re committed to making all your mortgage payments. In return, the lender may offer you a lower mortgage interest rate.

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Do you have to put 20% down on a house?

No, in fact the median down payment for first-time home buyers in 2021 was just 6% according to the National Association of Realtors.1 You may have heard that a down payment should be 20% of a home’s purchase price, and while it does have advantages, it’s not necessary.

A Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Mortgage has a minimum down payment of only 3.5%. It’s available to all qualified buyers, regardless of income level. Also, you can buy a home with no down payment if you meet the specific restrictions of a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) loan or a Veteran Affairs (VA) loan.

Minimum down payments on mortgages

Mortgage type

Minimum down payment

Other restrictions?

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM)

10%

The loan limit varies by region.

Jumbo loans

10%

Loan amounts up to $3,000,000. For loan limits above conforming loan limits, it’s currently set at $766,550.

Conventional fixed-rate loans

5%

The loan limit varies by region but is generally set at $766,550.

FHA loans

3.5%

The maximum home price in most areas is $498,257 but can be as much as$1,149,825 where home prices are higher.

VA loans

0%

Borrower must be a Military Service Veteran, currently active military service personnel or a surviving spouse.

Mortgage type

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM)

Minimum down payment

10%

Other restrictions?

The loan limit varies by region.

Mortgage type

Jumbo loans

Minimum down payment

10%

Other restrictions?

Loan amounts up to $3,000,000. For loan limits above conforming loan limits, it’s currently set at $766,550.

Mortgage type

Conventional fixed-rate loans

Minimum down payment

5%

Other restrictions?

The loan limit varies by region but is generally set at $766,550.

Mortgage type

FHA loans

Minimum down payment

3.5%

Other restrictions?

The maximum home price in most areas is $498,257 but can be as much as$1,149,825 where home prices are higher.

Mortgage type

VA loans

Minimum down payment

0%

Other restrictions?

Borrower must be a Military Service Veteran, currently active military service personnel or a surviving spouse.

Benefits of putting 20% down

While saving up enough money for a 20% down payment may not be necessary, there are benefits. A 20% down payment means you’ll have a smaller monthly mortgage to pay (because you paid for more of the house up front). Plus, you’ll usually get a better interest rate because a larger down payment is a sign that you’re financially stable and a good credit risk.

Another cost savings: not being required to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI) on conventional loans. PMI is insurance that a lender might require you to purchase for a conventional loan if your down payment is less than 20% because you would be considered a higher-risk borrower. This is an extra monthly expense you'll need to pay along with your mortgage payment, and it typically costs between 0.5% and 1% of the mortgage amount each year but may run higher. Keep in mind, FHA and USDA loans require a monthly mortgage insurance premium (MIP) and this will be required even if you put 20% or more down.

Reasons for not putting 20% down

While a 20% down payment may help save costs, there are plenty of reasons why it might not be possible. For some, waiting to save up 20% for a down payment may “cost” too much time. While you’re saving for your down payment and paying rent, the price of your future home may go up. So putting less than 20% down might be worth it to get into your first home sooner and start building valuable equity.

If you have high-interest credit card debt or other debt, it’s wise to work to pay down your balances even if that means you’ll have less for a down payment. Also, private mortgage insurance (which may be required on a conventional loan with a down payment of less than 20%) is an extra monthly cost, but it’s not a bad idea to weigh the pros and cons of PMI to become a homeowner.

Our down payment calculator can help you understand the costs and benefits of different down payment amounts so you can decide what makes the most sense for you.

The down payment amount that’s right for one person, won’t necessarily be right for another. It’s important to consider the benefits of different down payment amounts and get advice from loved ones, your real estate agent and a mortgage loan officer to determine what’s right for you.

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FAQs

What is the average down payment on a house? | U.S. Bank? ›

How Much Is The Average Down Payment On A House? The average first-time buyer pays about 6% of the home price for their down payment, while repeat buyers put down 17%, according to data from the National Association of REALTORS® in late 2022. The median home sale price in the U.S. was $416,100 as of Q2 in 2023.

What is the average down payment on a house in the US? ›

How Much Is The Average Down Payment On A House? The average first-time buyer pays about 6% of the home price for their down payment, while repeat buyers put down 17%, according to data from the National Association of REALTORS® in late 2022. The median home sale price in the U.S. was $416,100 as of Q2 in 2023.

How much down payment do I need for a $200 000 house? ›

FHA Mortgages

For a government-backed mortgage like an FHA mortgage, the minimum down payment is 3.5%. For a home that costs $200,000, you'll need to save $7,000 to get a home mortgage loan.

What credit score do you need for a home loan at US Bank? ›

Credit score and mortgages

The minimum credit score needed for most mortgages is typically around 620.

What is the minimum down payment on a $250000 house? ›

Putting down the standard 20% can help you avoid paying mortgage insurance and interest and could save you thousands of dollars. So you can expect to pay between $7,500 an $50,000 as a down payment on a $250,000 purchase. Keep in mind, besides the down payment amount, you will also have to factor in closing costs.

Is $3000 enough for a down payment on a house? ›

How little can a down payment be? “Well, $3,000 is not enough for a down payment on most houses,” says Jill Gonzalez, an analyst with WalletHub. “The lowest percentage of down payment required is 3.5% for an FHA loan.

Is $10000 enough for a down payment on a house? ›

It sure is. There are loan programs requiring as little as 3% down. Your choices are considerably broader with $100,000 available.

How much house can I afford if I make $70,000 a year? ›

As a rule of thumb, personal finance experts often recommend adhering to the 28/36 rule, which suggests spending no more than 28% of your gross household income on housing. For someone earning $70,000 a year, or about $5,800 a month, this means a housing expense of up to $1,624.

What credit score is needed to buy a house? ›

You'll typically need a credit score of 620 to finance a home purchase. However, some lenders may offer mortgage loans to borrowers with scores as low as 500. Whether you qualify for a specific loan type also depends on personal factors like your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), loan-to-value ratio (LTV) and income.

What salary can afford a 200K house? ›

Assuming you have enough in savings to cover the down payment, closing costs and cost of regular upkeep, yes, you probably could afford a $200K home on a $50K annual salary. Using our example above, the monthly mortgage payment on a $200K home, including taxes and insurance, would be about $1,300.

Is U.S. Bank hard to get approved for? ›

You need a credit score of at least 750 to get most U.S. Bank credit cards, but the actual credit score requirements vary by card.

Which FICO score does U.S. Bank use? ›

Reports indicate U.S. Bank pulls credit scores and reports from TransUnion most often, but this isn't always the case. The card issuer also sometimes pulls credit scores from Equifax and Experian.

What credit score do I need to buy a $250000 house? ›

To qualify for a conventional loan, you'll need a credit score of at least 620, though some lenders may choose to approve conventional mortgage applications only for borrowers with credit scores of 680 and up.

Can I get a house making 25K a year? ›

Yes, you can buy a house if you make 25K a year. But purchasing a home on any income takes planning. You first need to understand how banks assess whether or not they'll give you a mortgage loan, what down payment assistance is available, and other factors that influence your ability to buy a house.

What should your income be for a 250k house? ›

It depends on things like your debts, your down payment amount, and the interest rate on your home loan. The salary requirement could range anywhere from $40,000, up to $75,000, or more.

How much house can I afford with a 30k salary? ›

One rule of thumb is to aim for a home that costs about two-and-a-half times your gross annual salary. If you have significant credit card debt or other financial obligations like alimony or even an expensive hobby, then you may need to set your sights lower.

What is the average down payment on a 300k house? ›

How much down payment for a $300,000 house? The down payment needed for a $300,000 house can range from 3% to 20% of the purchase price, which means you'd need to save between $9,000 and $60,000. If you get a conventional loan, that is. You'll need $10,500, or 3.5% of the home price, with a FHA loan.

What is the average down payment on a 500k house? ›

DOWN PAYMENT AND CLOSING COSTS

FHA loans require a down payment of 3.5%. For a $500,000 home, this amounts to $17,500. Closing costs should also be taken into consideration. These include various fees and taxes and generally fall between 2% and 2.25% of the listing price.

What percentage of Americans put 20% down on a house? ›

Despite misconceptions, most homeowners don't put 20% down

Despite this, the majority (59%) of current homeowners who have or have had a mortgage say their down payments were less than 20% of the home's purchase price, while just 29% put down 20% or more.

Is 10% down payment enough for a house? ›

Yes, you can buy a house with 10% down or less in California. According to the National Association of Realtors, first-time buyers often pay an average of 6% as a down payment for a house or condo.

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