Written by the Simply Approved Mortgages editorial team
Reviewed for program accuracy by our Simply Approved Mortgages underwriting desk — Licensed mortgage originators (NMLS) — Colorado & Florida. We summarize published federal program rules; we do not set them. This article is educational and is not a quote, approval, or commitment to lend.
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The FHA vs conventional question is the single most-Googled mortgage decision. The headline answer: FHA usually wins for credit scores under 680 and small down payments. Conventional usually wins for credit scores above 740 with at least 5% down. Between those, it depends on the math.
The credit score breakpoint
- 580–679 FICO: FHA almost always offers a better rate. Conventional pricing penalizes lower scores heavily (LLPAs), while FHA is risk-neutral.
- 680–739 FICO: It's close. Run both quotes.
- 740+ FICO: Conventional usually beats FHA on combined rate + MI cost, especially with 5%+ down.
Down payment mechanics
FHA's 3.5% minimum vs conventional's 3% minimum sounds like FHA loses, but conventional's 3% (HomeReady or Home Possible) requires a 620 FICO and income limits at 80% AMI in many areas. For most real buyers, FHA's 3.5% is the lower realistic option.
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Mortgage insurance — the real cost driver
FHA charges 1.75% upfront MIP (added to your loan balance) plus annual MIP of typically 0.55%. On a $400,000 loan that's $7,000 upfront + $1,833/yr for the life of the loan.
Conventional PMI is 0.5% to 1.5% annual depending on credit and LTV, and it drops off when you reach 78% LTV. On a $400,000 conventional with a 740 FICO and 5% down, you'd pay around $1,500/yr until the loan reaches 78% LTV, then $0 forever after.
The break-even logic
If you plan to keep the loan more than 5 years and your credit is 740+, conventional pulls ahead. If you'll refinance within 3 years or your credit is under 700, FHA's lower rate compensates for the longer MIP.
When FHA is the obvious choice
- Credit 580–680
- High debt-to-income ratios
- Gift-funded down payment
- Buying a 2-to-4-unit home as primary residence
- Past bankruptcy or foreclosure (2–3 years out)
Run both quotes side-by-side before you decide. Simply Approved Mortgages issues both an FHA Loan Estimate and a Conventional Loan Estimate for every pre-approval so you can compare APR, total monthly payment, and 5-year cost head to head.

