A $100,000 USD down payment may or may not be sufficient to buy a house in the United States, depending on location, home price, and loan type. In moderate-cost areas, it could cover a 20% down payment for a mid-priced home, while in high-cost regions, it might only cover a smaller percentage or require additional funds for closing costs.

The sufficiency of a $100,000 down payment hinges on several factors. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the U.S. median home price was $465,800 in Q2 2023. For a conventional loan requiring 20% down, this equates to $93,160, meaning $100,000 is adequate for a home at or below the median price. However, in high-cost markets like New York or San Francisco, where median prices exceed $800,000, a 20% down payment would require $160,000, making $100,000 insufficient.

Loan type also impacts affordability. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans allow 3.5% down payments, enabling a $100,000 down payment to purchase a home up to $2,857,142 theoretically, though conforming loan limits cap this at $765,800 in most areas. For a $765,800 home, a 3.5% down payment is $26,775, leaving $73,225 for closing costs (typically 2–5% of the loan amount). In contrast, conventional loans with less than 20% down require private mortgage insurance (PMI), adding long-term costs.

Closing costs, averaging $8,000–$15,000 for a $400,000 home, further strain affordability. A $100,000 down payment on a $500,000 home ($100,000 down + $15,000 closing costs) totals $115,000, exceeding the available funds. Conversely, in lower-cost regions (e.g., Midwest), a $250,000 home would need a $50,000 down payment (20%), with $15,000 for closing costs, fitting within a $100,000 budget.

In summary, $100,000 is viable in moderate-cost areas with conventional loans or FHA financing but insufficient for high-cost regions without leveraging lower down payment percentages or additional savings for closing costs.