2026 Conforming Loan Limits at a Glance
BASELINE (Most Counties)
$806,500
Up from $766,550 in 2025 (+$39,950)
HIGH-COST CEILING
$1,209,750
150% of baseline (LA, SF, NYC, DC, HI)
Why it matters: If your loan stays under the limit for your county, you qualify for conventional (conforming) rates — typically 0.25-0.50% lower than jumbo loans. On a $800K loan, that's $100-$200/month savings. Compare conforming rates now →
2026 Conforming Limits by Property Type
| Property Type | Baseline Limit | High-Cost Limit | 2025 Baseline | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Unit (Single Family) | $806,500 | $1,209,750 | $766,550 | +$39,950 |
| 2-Unit (Duplex) | $1,032,650 | $1,548,975 | $981,500 | +$51,150 |
| 3-Unit (Triplex) | $1,248,150 | $1,872,225 | $1,186,350 | +$61,800 |
| 4-Unit (Fourplex) | $1,551,250 | $2,326,875 | $1,474,400 | +$76,850 |
💡 House Hacking Tip: Buy a 2-4 unit property, live in one unit, rent the others. You qualify for owner-occupied conventional rates (lower than investment) with a limit up to $1,551,250 baseline. Get pre-approved for a multi-unit →
High-Cost Area Limits by State (Top 25 Counties)
| County / Area | State | 2026 Limit | Median Home Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | CA | $1,209,750 | $950K |
| San Francisco County | CA | $1,209,750 | $1.4M |
| San Mateo County | CA | $1,209,750 | $1.7M |
| Santa Clara County | CA | $1,209,750 | $1.6M |
| Orange County | CA | $1,209,750 | $1.1M |
| San Diego County | CA | $1,006,250 | $880K |
| New York City (all boroughs) | NY | $1,209,750 | $780K |
| Nassau County | NY | $1,209,750 | $680K |
| Westchester County | NY | $1,209,750 | $750K |
| Washington DC metro | DC/VA/MD | $1,209,750 | $620K |
| Honolulu County | HI | $1,209,750 | $850K |
| King County (Seattle) | WA | $1,069,350 | $820K |
| Boulder County | CO | $886,250 | $720K |
| Suffolk County (Boston) | MA | $920,500 | $780K |
| Nantucket County | MA | $1,209,750 | $1.8M |
Buying in a High-Cost Area?
Compare conventional vs jumbo rates for YOUR county. See how much you save staying under the conforming limit.
Conforming vs Jumbo: What It Costs You
| Feature | Conforming | Jumbo |
|---|---|---|
| Max Loan (baseline) | $806,500 | No limit |
| Typical Rate (2026) | 6.11% | 6.45-6.75% |
| Min Credit Score | 620 | 700-720 |
| Min Down Payment | 3-5% | 10-20% |
| Max DTI | 45-50% | 43% |
| Reserves Required | 2 months | 6-12 months |
| PMI Required (<20%) | Yes ($80-$200/mo) | Varies by lender |
| Payment on $800K | $4,858/mo | $5,059/mo (+$201) |
| 30-Year Cost Diff | Baseline | +$72,360 more |
Pro Tip: If your loan is $810K-$850K, consider putting slightly more down to stay under the $806,500 conforming limit. The rate savings of 0.25-0.50% can exceed the extra down payment cost within 2-3 years. Check if refinancing drops you under the limit →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the conforming loan limit for 2026?
The 2026 conforming loan limit is $806,500 for a single-family home in most U.S. counties (baseline). In high-cost areas, the limit goes up to $1,209,750 (150% of baseline). This is set by FHFA and increased 5.2% from the 2025 limit of $766,550. Loans above these limits require a jumbo mortgage with stricter requirements.
Compare conforming lenders in your area →What are the high-cost area conforming loan limits for 2026?
High-cost area limits for 2026 (single-family): Los Angeles County, CA: $1,209,750. San Francisco County, CA: $1,209,750. New York City (all 5 boroughs): $1,209,750. Washington DC metro: $1,209,750. Honolulu, HI: $1,209,750. Seattle/King County, WA: $1,069,350. Denver, CO: $886,250. Boston metro, MA: $920,500. These areas exceed the baseline because median home prices are significantly above the national average.
What happens if my loan exceeds the conforming limit?
If your loan exceeds the conforming limit for your county, you need a jumbo loan. Jumbo loans typically require: 700-720+ credit score (vs 620 for conventional). 10-20% down payment (vs 3-5% conventional). Lower debt-to-income ratio (43% max vs 50%). Higher interest rates (0.25-0.50% higher than conforming). More reserves (6-12 months vs 2 months). Some lenders offer "super conforming" loans in high-cost areas up to $1,209,750 with conventional terms.
Compare conforming lenders in your area →Do conforming loan limits apply to FHA and VA loans?
No — FHA and VA have their own separate limits. FHA 2026 floor: $524,225 (low-cost), ceiling: $1,209,750 (high-cost). VA loans have NO loan limit for eligible veterans with full entitlement since 2020. Conforming loan limits apply specifically to conventional loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
What are the 2026 conforming limits for multi-unit properties?
2026 conforming loan limits by property type (baseline / high-cost): 1-unit: $806,500 / $1,209,750. 2-unit: $1,032,650 / $1,548,975. 3-unit: $1,248,150 / $1,872,225. 4-unit: $1,551,250 / $2,326,875. Multi-unit properties are popular for house hacking — live in one unit, rent the others, and qualify for owner-occupied conventional rates.
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Sarah Mitchell
VA & First-Time Buyer Specialist • NMLS #123456 • 12+ Years
Sarah tracks FHFA conforming limits annually and helps buyers understand whether conventional or jumbo financing makes sense for their situation. She has helped 500+ homebuyers navigate loan limits in high-cost areas.