With no down payment or mortgage insurance requirements, VA loans are hard to beat.

But even if you’re eligible for a VA loan, an FHA loan might be worth a look, especially if you have a lower credit score.

Both mortgages are popular with first-time home buyers. VA loans, backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, are open only to those who have served or are serving in the military and for some surviving spouses. FHA loans, insured by the Federal Housing Administration, are open to anyone. Beyond that, specific features and requirements of the two loans differ as well. The mortgage that’s right for you will depend on your circumstances.

VA loan vs. FHA loan

Loan requirement

VA loan

FHA loan

Property type

Primary home.

Primary home.

Minimum down payment

Zero in most instances.

3.5%.

Loan limits

No federal loan limits for most borrowers.

$472,030 in low-cost counties to $1,089,300 in high-cost counties.

Mortgage insurance and fees

One-time VA funding fee of 1.25% to 3.3% of loan amount for purchase mortgages.

Upfront premium of 1.75% of loan amount and annual premium of 0.15% to 0.75% of loan amount for purchase mortgages.

Credit score requirement

No minimum set by VA, but 620 is a common lender requirement.

500 to 579 to qualify with minimum 10% down payment; 580 or higher to qualify for 3.5% down payment.

Maximum debt-to-income ratios

Lenders will apply more scrutiny if DTI is over 41%.

50% or less, depending on credit score and other factors.

Average mortgage rates

Tend to be lower than for FHA loans.

Tend to be higher than for VA loans.

Property type

VA loans and FHA loans can be used to purchase or refinance a primary residence, as long as the home is safe and structurally sound. The property must meet minimum requirements set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for an FHA loan and the Department of Veterans Affairs for a VA loan.

The takeaway: Shop for a conventional mortgage, which isn’t backed by the federal government, to buy a vacation home or investment property.

» MORE: VA vs. conventional loans

Minimum down payment

VA loans

VA loans usually don't require a down payment. 

FHA loans

The minimum down payment for FHA loans is 3.5% for borrowers with a credit score of 580 or higher. The minimum down payment is 10% for borrowers with a credit score of 500 to 579. 

The takeaway: VA loans win for the lowest down payment requirement. 

Loan limits

VA loans

VA loan limits apply only to borrowers with other active VA loans or who have defaulted on a VA loan. 

Those limits mirror the guidelines set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency for conforming loans. The limit for 2023 is $726,200 in a typical U.S. county and higher in expensive real estate markets, such as San Francisco County. You can borrow more than the limit, but you'll need to make a down payment.

FHA loans

FHA loans have limits, which vary by county and may reset annually. The most you can borrow with an FHA loan ranges from $472,030 in low-cost counties to $1,089,300 in high-cost counties. See the FHA loan limit in your area at the Department of Housing and Urban Development website.

The takeaway: Unlike FHA loans, VA loans don't have federal limits for many borrowers.

Mortgage insurance and fees

Mortgage insurance reimburses the lender if you default on the loan. It’s an expense to calculate when getting a mortgage.

VA loans

VA loans don’t require mortgage insurance. Instead you pay a one-time VA funding fee, which ranges from 1.25% to 3.3% for purchase mortgages as of April 7, 2023. The fee amount depends on your down payment amount and whether you’ve had a VA-backed loan before. You can pay it upfront or roll it into the loan.

» MORE: Learn more about the VA funding fee

FHA loans

FHA loans require mortgage insurance. You pay an upfront insurance premium, or fee, and an annual premium, which is divided into monthly installments and added to your mortgage payment. Like the VA funding fee, you can roll the upfront cost into your FHA loan. The upfront premium is 1.75% of the loan amount. The annual premium ranges from 0.15% to 0.75% of the loan amount, depending on the loan and down payment amounts, and the length of the loan term. Most home buyers will pay 0.55%, according to the FHA.

» MORE: FHA mortgage insurance

The takeaway: Include the cost of the VA funding fee and FHA mortgage insurance when comparing loans.

Credit score requirements

VA loans

The VA doesn’t specify a minimum credit score for VA home loans, but lenders can set their own thresholds. A minimum credit score in the mid-600s is a common requirement. The average credit score of borrowers whose VA purchase mortgages closed in the last 30 days as of March 28, 2023, was 719, according to ICE Mortgage Technology, a mortgage data provider.

FHA loans

The lowest score you can have and still qualify for an FHA loan is 500. But a score of 580 is required for a down payment of 3.5%. A 10% down payment is required for a credit score of 500 to 579. The average credit score FHA purchase mortgages closed in the last 30 days as of March 28, 2023, was 673, according to ICE Mortgage Technology.

The takeaway: An FHA loan might be an alternative if your credit score is too low to meet VA lender requirements.

Maximum debt-to-income ratios

Your debt-to-income ratio is the percentage of gross monthly income you pay toward debt, including the mortgage.

VA loans

The VA does not set a maximum DTI. But it requires that loan applicants with a DTI of more than 41% undergo a closer review to make sure they will have enough money to cover living expenses after making mortgage and other debt payments.

FHA loans

The maximum debt-to-income ratio for FHA loans is generally 50%, although the threshold may be lower, depending on your credit score or other factors.

The takeaway: Regardless of the mortgage type, lenders will consider your debt-to-income ratio to weigh your ability to make mortgage payments. Paying down debt to improve your DTI can help you qualify for a mortgage at better rates.

Average mortgage rates

Generally, VA loans have slightly lower mortgage interest rates. For example, the average 30-year fixed rate for VA loans was 6.22%, compared with 6.35% for FHA loans closed in the 30 days ending March 28, 2023, according to Ice Mortgage Technology. Mortgage rates also depend on your financial characteristics, including your credit score, income and debt.

The takeaway: With any type of mortgage, lenders generally give the best rates to borrowers with high credit scores and low debt-to-income ratios.