USDA Income Limits in Maine (2026)
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Your household income has to fall under the USDA Guaranteed Loan Program's county limit to qualify. Here are the 2026 numbers for every Maine county, plus what actually counts as "income" on a USDA application.
2026 USDA income limits — all 16 Maine counties
| County | 1–4 Person Household | 5–8 Person Household |
|---|---|---|
| Androscoggin | $119,850 | $158,250 |
| Aroostook | $119,850 | $158,250 |
| Cumberland Portland metro | $128,650 | $169,800 |
| Franklin | $119,850 | $158,250 |
| Hancock | $119,850 | $158,250 |
| Kennebec | $119,850 | $158,250 |
| Knox | $119,850 | $158,250 |
| Lincoln | $119,850 | $158,250 |
| Oxford | $119,850 | $158,250 |
| Penobscot | $119,850 | $158,250 |
| Piscataquis | $119,850 | $158,250 |
| Sagadahoc Portland metro | $128,650 | $169,800 |
| Somerset | $119,850 | $158,250 |
| Waldo | $119,850 | $158,250 |
| Washington | $119,850 | $158,250 |
| York Portland metro | $128,650 | $169,800 |
Based on 2025–2026 USDA Rural Development data. Limits are reviewed annually. Verify the current limit at eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov.
What counts as "household income" on a USDA loan?
This is where most borrowers get tripped up. USDA income counts differently than lender-qualifying income. USDA looks at the total projected income of every adult living in the home — not just the people on the loan.
- Included: base wages, self-employment income, overtime, bonuses, commissions, tips, rental income, child support received, alimony received, Social Security, pensions, VA benefits, disability income, investment income
- Excluded: earned income of minors (under 18), foster care payments, lump-sum insurance payments, earned income tax credit, certain educational benefits
Common surprise: If your adult son or daughter lives at home and works, their income counts toward the USDA limit — even if they're not on the loan. Families often don't realize this until late in the application.
Allowed deductions (how you can fit under the limit)
USDA allows specific deductions from gross household income before comparing to the limit:
- $480 per dependent (each child under 18 or full-time student)
- $400 per elderly or disabled household member
- Childcare expenses for children under 12 (documented)
- Medical expenses for elderly or disabled household members above a 3% threshold
- Disability-related expenses that enable someone to work
For a household with two kids under 18, that's a $960 deduction right off the top. If one parent pays $800/month for daycare, that's another $9,600/year in allowed deductions. These add up fast.
What about the higher "Direct Loan" limits?
USDA runs two programs: the Guaranteed Loan Program (run through private lenders like LeaderOne, with the limits in the table above) and the Direct Loan Program (run directly by USDA, with much lower limits for very low-income buyers). Most Maine buyers use the Guaranteed program because the income limits are higher and processing is faster.
Also need to check: debt-to-income
Qualifying under USDA requires hitting both the income cap (max) and your lender's debt-to-income ratio requirements. USDA's standard DTI guidelines are:
- Housing DTI (front-end): 29% of gross monthly income
- Total DTI (back-end): 41% of gross monthly income
Strong credit, steady employment, or compensating factors can push these higher.
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Check My Eligibility →Frequently asked questions
What if my income is just slightly over the limit?
Document every allowed deduction (dependents, childcare, medical). Many borrowers who look over the cap on paper actually qualify after deductions. FHA has no income cap at all and may be a better fit.
Does overtime count?
Yes, if it's consistent for at least the past 12 months. One-time bonuses or seasonal overtime may be averaged or excluded.
Do I have to re-qualify if my income changes?
Only at application. Once approved, your USDA loan stays in place even if your income later exceeds the limit.
What if I'm self-employed?
USDA uses the average of your last two years' net income from tax returns. A declining trend can hurt qualification, even if your current year is strong.