Conforming Loan Limits 2026 by County: Complete Guide
The 2026 conforming loan limit is $806,500 for standard-cost areas and up to $1,249,125 for high-cost areas — a 5.4% increase from 2025. These limits determine whether you need a conforming loan (better rates, lower down payment) or a jumbo loan (stricter requirements). Here is everything you need to know.
Quick Summary: 2026 conforming limit: $806,500 (standard), $1,249,125 (high-cost). FHA: $472,030-$806,500. VA: $806,500-$1,249,125 (full entitlement = no limit). USDA: $806,500. Loans above conforming limit = jumbo (higher rates, 10-20% down, 700+ credit).
Check Your County Loan Limit
Find conforming, FHA, VA, and USDA loan limits for your county. Compare lenders that serve your area.
Compare Mortgage Lenders2026 Conforming Loan Limits by Unit Type
| Unit Type | Standard Limit | High-Cost Limit (150%) | Change from 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Unit | $806,500 | $1,249,125 | +5.4% |
| 2-Unit | $1,032,650 | $1,597,250 | +5.4% |
| 3-Unit | $1,248,150 | $1,930,800 | +5.4% |
| 4-Unit | $1,550,050 | $2,401,025 | +5.4% |
2026 FHA Loan Limits
| Unit Type | Low-Cost (Floor) | High-Cost (Ceiling) | Special Exception |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Unit | $472,030 | $806,500 | $1,249,125 |
| 2-Unit | $605,100 | $1,032,650 | $1,597,250 |
| 3-Unit | $731,750 | $1,248,150 | $1,930,800 |
| 4-Unit | $908,700 | $1,550,050 | $2,401,025 |
FHA floor = 65% of conforming limit. FHA ceiling = 150% of conforming limit (matches standard conforming). Special exception areas (AK, HI, GU, VI) get 150% of the ceiling.
2026 VA Loan Limits
| Entitlement Type | Loan Limit | Down Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Full Entitlement | No limit | 0% |
| Reduced Entitlement (standard area) | $806,500 | 25% of amount over limit |
| Reduced Entitlement (high-cost) | $1,249,125 | 25% of amount over limit |
Full entitlement = never used VA benefit, or fully restored after paying off previous VA loan. Reduced entitlement = currently have or previously used VA loan without restoring entitlement. With full entitlement, there is no loan limit — you can borrow any amount with 0% down. Compare VA lenders with no loan limit.
Get Pre-Approved Within Your Loan Limit
Find lenders offering conforming, FHA, VA, and jumbo loans in your county. Compare rates and requirements.
Get Pre-ApprovedHigh-Cost Counties: 2026 Limits
| State | County | 1-Unit Limit | FHA Ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA | Los Angeles | $1,249,125 | $806,500 |
| CA | San Francisco | $1,249,125 | $806,500 |
| CA | San Diego | $1,249,125 | $806,500 |
| CA | Orange | $1,249,125 | $806,500 |
| NY | Kings (Brooklyn) | $1,249,125 | $806,500 |
| NY | New York (Manhattan) | $1,249,125 | $806,500 |
| NJ | Bergen | $1,249,125 | $806,500 |
| WA | King (Seattle) | $1,249,125 | $806,500 |
| CO | Boulder | $1,098,250 | $806,500 |
| VA | Loudoun | $1,249,125 | $806,500 |
| MD | Montgomery | $1,249,125 | $806,500 |
| MA | Middlesex | $1,249,125 | $806,500 |
| AK | All counties | $1,249,125 | $1,249,125 |
| HI | Honolulu | $1,249,125 | $1,249,125 |
Conforming vs Jumbo: What Changes When You Cross the Limit
| Feature | Conforming | Jumbo |
|---|---|---|
| Loan Amount | Up to $806,500 (or $1,249,125 high-cost) | Above conforming limit |
| Interest Rate | 6.09% (Aug 2026) | 6.25%-7.00% |
| Down Payment | 3-5% | 10-20% |
| Min Credit Score | 620 | 700+ |
| Max DTI | 50% | 43% |
| PMI | Required under 80% LTV (cancellable) | Usually no PMI (higher rate instead) |
| Appraisal | Standard or waiver | Full appraisal required |
| Reserves | 0-6 months | 6-12 months PITI |
| Underwriting | Automated (DU/LP) | Manual or strict automated |
Need a Jumbo Loan? Compare Lenders
If your loan exceeds the conforming limit, compare jumbo loan specialists. Rates from 6.25%.
Compare Jumbo LendersHow Loan Limits Affect Your Mortgage
Scenario 1: Buying at the Limit Boundary
Home price: $850,000 in a standard-cost county (limit: $806,500)
20% down: $170,000 → Loan: $680,000 → Conforming (under limit)
10% down: $85,000 → Loan: $765,000 → Conforming (under limit)
5% down: $42,500 → Loan: $807,500 → Jumbo (over by $1,000!)
Tip: Put down 5.1% ($43,350) to stay conforming and save 0.25-0.5% on rate. Get pre-approved to find your exact conforming threshold
Scenario 2: High-Cost Area Advantage
Home price: $1,200,000 in Los Angeles (limit: $1,249,125)
20% down: $240,000 → Loan: $960,000 → Conforming
10% down: $120,000 → Loan: $1,080,000 → Conforming
5% down: $60,000 → Loan: $1,140,000 → Conforming
In high-cost areas, conforming limits let you buy $1.2M+ homes with just 5% down at conforming rates.
Historical Conforming Loan Limits
| Year | Standard Limit | High-Cost Limit | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $510,400 | $765,600 | +5.4% |
| 2021 | $548,250 | $822,375 | +7.4% |
| 2022 | $647,200 | $970,800 | +18.0% |
| 2023 | $726,200 | $1,089,300 | +12.2% |
| 2024 | $766,550 | $1,149,825 | +5.6% |
| 2025 | $765,550 | $1,184,325 | +3.0% |
| 2026 | $806,500 | $1,249,125 | +5.4% |
Loan amount near the limit? Small down payment changes can save you 0.5% on your rate
Compare Conforming vs Jumbo LendersStrategies for Buyers Near the Limit
- Increase down payment: If your loan is just over the limit, adding 1-2% more down can bring it back to conforming, saving 0.25-0.5% on rate. Get pre-approved to see your exact conforming vs jumbo options
- Buy in a high-cost county: If you are flexible on location, high-cost counties offer conforming rates up to $1,249,125.
- Use a 2-unit property: 2-unit conforming limit is $1,032,650 — you can buy a duplex, live in one unit, rent the other.
- Consider FHA in high-cost areas: FHA ceiling matches conforming limit ($806,500) with just 3.5% down — great for high-cost areas if you qualify. Check FHA pre-approval in high-cost areas
- VA with full entitlement: No loan limit at all with 0% down — the best option for eligible veterans in any area.
- Split financing: Some lenders offer a conforming first + HELOC second to stay within limits on expensive homes. Explore cash-out refinance as an alternative
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the conforming loan limit for 2026?
The 2026 conforming loan limit is $806,500 for standard areas and up to $1,249,125 for high-cost areas. This is a 5.4% increase from 2025. Compare lenders in your county.
Should I get a conforming or jumbo loan?
Conforming loans offer lower rates (6.09% vs 6.25-7.00%), lower down payments (3-5% vs 10-20%), and easier qualification. If your loan fits within the limit, always choose conforming. Compare conforming vs jumbo lenders.
Can I buy a home above the conforming limit with 5% down?
In high-cost areas, yes — the limit goes up to $1,249,125, so a $1.3M home with 5% down stays conforming. In standard areas, a $850K home with 5% down ($807,500 loan) crosses into jumbo. Add 0.1% more down to stay conforming. Get pre-approved to see your options.
Do VA loans have a conforming loan limit?
With full entitlement, VA loans have NO limit — you can borrow any amount with 0% down. With reduced entitlement, the limit matches conforming ($806,500 standard, $1,249,125 high-cost). Check your VA entitlement status.
Related Guides
FHA Loan Limits 2026: Complete Guide
Detailed FHA limits by county with 3.5% down calculations.
VA Loan 2026: Ultimate Guide for Veterans
Full entitlement = no loan limit with 0% down.
Types of Mortgage Loans 2026: Complete Comparison
Compare conforming, jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA side by side.
Best Mortgage Lenders 2026: Top 10 Comparison
Compare conforming and jumbo lenders.
Find Your County Loan Limit
Compare conforming, FHA, VA, and jumbo lenders for your specific county. Get pre-approved today.
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