FHA vs. Conventional: The Real Differences

FHA and conventional loans get compared constantly, and the honest answer is: it depends on your credit, your down payment, and how long you plan to stay in the home.

FHA tends to be more forgiving on credit and debt-to-income, with typically lower down payment minimums — but its mortgage insurance often sticks around for the life of the loan depending on your down payment.

Conventional loans can require stronger credit to get the best pricing, but private mortgage insurance is generally removable once you build enough equity — a real long-term advantage if your credit supports it.

There's no universal winner here. See the full breakdowns on the FHA and Conventional pages, or better yet, let's compare both against your actual numbers.