FHA loans were 9.8% of Pinellas County mortgage originations in 2025 and VA loans 6.8% (CFPB/FFIEC HMDA). FHA mortgage insurance premiums are set by HUD and are the same at every lender, so compare FHA lenders on rate, lender fees and points using their Loan Estimates.
St Pete, Florida: 2026 Market Data
📊 LOCAL MARKET DATA
- Median household income (St. Petersburg): $75,192
- Median owner-occupied home value (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year): $371,100
- FHA share of mortgage originations (Pinellas County, HMDA 2025): 9.8%
- Conventional share of mortgage originations (Pinellas County, HMDA 2025): 83.4%
- Median real estate taxes paid by homeowners (Pinellas County, ACS 2024 5-year): $2,474 a year
Data from U.S. Census Bureau, HMDA
FHA Loans in St Pete: 2026 Market Snapshot
If you're considering an FHA loan in St Pete, it helps to understand where the local market stands heading into 2026. The median owner-occupied home value in St Pete is $371,100 (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year). In 2025, 83.4% of Pinellas County mortgage originations were conventional loans, 9.8% were FHA and 6.8% were VA (CFPB/FFIEC HMDA). Don't forget to factor in property taxes when you budget. In Pinellas County, the rate is 0.94%, which affects your monthly payment and overall affordability. A number of established banks operate in the St Pete market, including Regions Bank, Chase, and Wells Fargo, so you have options worth exploring. Before committing, compare offers from several lenders, ask questions about fees, and read the fine print carefully. Taking the time to shop around can make a real difference in your home financing decision.
St Pete Property Taxes: How They Hit Monthly PITI
Pinellas County homeowners paid a median $2,474 a year in real estate taxes (Census ACS 2024 5-year), about 0.70% of the county's $355,100 median owner-occupied home value in the same survey. At that 0.70% rate, a St Pete home at the city's $371,100 median owner-occupied home value (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year) would carry roughly $2,598 a year, or close to $216 tacked onto your monthly PITI before you even add insurance. FHA loans escrow taxes and insurance together, so that number lands inside your single monthly payment rather than as a surprise bill each November. Florida's Save Our Homes cap and the homestead exemption can soften the blow once you've owned and occupied the place, knocking up to $50,000 off your taxable value. But during your first year, before the exemption kicks in, expect your escrow to reflect the full assessment. Smart St Pete buyers ask their lender to run PITI with the actual millage rate for their specific parcel, since rates vary slightly between city and unincorporated areas. Getting that number right upfront keeps your debt-to-income ratio honest and your approval solid.
