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When you’re securing a loan for a particularly expensive house, a regular mortgage may not suffice. For 2026, if your required loan amount surpasses the $832,750 limit set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) in most counties, then you’ll need to get a jumbo loan. In certain “high-cost areas” though, this limit may be set higher to account for higher home values.
Work with a financial advisor to build a long-term financial plan that accounts for mortgage payments.
Jumbo Loan Limits for 2026
A jumbo loan is a mortgage that exceeds the conforming loan limit set by the FHFA for a given area. The most common conforming loan limit for 2026 is $832,750, which means any mortgage that’s larger than that is a jumbo loan. Loans above these limits are not under the coverage of government entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. That makes them inherently riskier than a conforming loan.
While the aforementioned $832,750 limit is generally seen as the standard for 2026, actual county-level limits can vary. These variations occur because of differing average home values, state lending limits and real estate market activity.
For instance, the conforming loan limit across all of Alaska is $1,249,125. American territories like the U.S. Virgin Islands have the same limit.
Meanwhile, in three of Hawaii’s five counties, the limit is also $1,249,125. However, it’s even higher in Maui and Kalawao counties: $1,299,500.
Below is an overview of every U.S. state, county or territory that has a conforming loan limit above the $832,750 standard. If the area you’re looking to buy a home isn’t listed below, its conforming loan limit is $832,750.
Areas With a Conforming Loan Limit Above $832,750
| State/Territory | Counties | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | All areas | $1,249,125 |
| California | Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Los Angeles County, Marin County, Orange County, San Benito County, San Francisco County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County | $1,249,125 |
| Napa County | $1,017,750 | |
| San Diego County | $1,104,000 | |
| Monterey County | $994,750 | |
| Ventura County | $1,035,000 | |
| San Luis Obispo County | $1,000,500 | |
| Santa Barbara County | $941,850 | |
| Sonoma County | $897,000 | |
| Colorado | Eagle County, Garfield County, Pitkin County | $1,249,125 |
| Summit County, Lake County | $1,092,500 | |
| Moffat County, Routt County | $1,089,050 | |
| San Miguel County | $994,750 | |
| Grand County | $883,200 | |
| Boulder County | $879,750 | |
| Adams County, Arapahoe County, Broomfield County, Clear Creek County, Denver County, Douglas County, Elbert County, Gilpin County, Jefferson County, Park County | $862,500 | |
| Connecticut | Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Western Connecticut Planning Region | $977,500 |
| Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | $851,000 | |
| Florida | Monroe County | $990,150 |
| Hawaii | Hawaii County, Honolulu County, Kauai County | $1,249,125 |
| Kalawao County, Maui County | $1,299,500 | |
| Idaho | Teton County | $1,249,125 |
| Maryland | Calvert County | $1,209,750 |
| Charles County, Frederick County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County | $1,249,125 | |
| Massachusetts | Dukes County, Nantucket County | $1,249,125 |
| Essex County, Middlesex County, Norfolk County, Plymouth County, Suffolk County | $962,550 | |
| New Hampshire | Rockingham County, Strafford County | $962,550 |
| New Jersey | Bergen County, Essex County, Hudson County, Hunterdon County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, Ocean County, Passaic County, Somerset County, Sussex County, Union County | $1,209,750 |
| New York | Bronx County, Kings County, Nassau County, New York County, Putnam County, Queens County, Richmond County, Rockland County, Suffolk County, Westchester County | $1,209,750 |
| Pennsylvania | Pike County | $1,209,750 |
| Tennessee | Cannon County, Cheatham County, Davidson County, Dickson County, Hickman County, Macon County, Maury County, Robertson County, Rutherford County, Smith County, Sumner County, Trousdale County, Williamson County, Wilson County | $1,029,250 |
| Utah | Summit County, Wasatch County | $1,150,000 |
| Wayne County | $997,050 | |
| Grand County | $839,500 | |
| Virginia | Arlington County, Clarke County, Culpeper County, Fairfax County, Fauquier County, Loudon County, Madison County, Prince William County, Rappahannock County, Spotsylvania County, Stafford County, Warren County, Alexandria City, Fairfax City, Falls Church City, Fredericksburg City, Manassas City, Manassas Park City | $1,249,125 |
| Washington State | King County, Pierce County, Snohomish County | $1,063,750 |
| West Virginia | Jefferson County | $1,249,125 |
| Wyoming | Teton County | $1,249,125 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | All areas | $1,249,125 |
| Washington, DC | All areas | $1,249,125 |
| Guam | All areas | $1,249,125 |
Typical Requirements for Getting a Jumbo Loan
Before you leaf through local listings, it’s always best to have a good idea of how much house you can afford. If you earn a large income, have some significant savings and have a good credit history, a jumbo loan may be an option.
Qualifying for a jumbo loan is undoubtedly more difficult than qualifying for a conforming loan. For starters, many lenders require a strong credit score of 700 or higher for approval. Whereas conforming loan homebuyers may be able to get away with a lower score by making a bigger down payment, jumbo loan homebuyers usually won’t have that same luxury.
Next, you’ll also need to prove that you are as financially stable as you say you are. Your lender may ask for your tax returns, recent paychecks, W-2 or 1099 forms and bank account statements. These factors will have a major effect on the jumbo loan interest rate you receive.
Lastly, lenders only look to approve homebuyers who have a low or manageable debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. In most cases, you’ll need a DTI ratio of 45% or lower. The only way you might get around this is if you have substantial savings.
Why Are Jumbo Loan Limits Necessary?
Conforming loan limits were first implemented by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. They were put in place to make Freddie Mac- and Fannie Mae-backed mortgages easier to access for homebuyers getting conforming loans. The FHFA typically changes these limits on an annual basis to account for price movement in the real estate market.
As a result of the above legislation, jumbo loans have become especially risky for lenders, hence the stringent approval requirements. This is because Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will not back mortgages that are larger than the conforming limits. As a result, lenders will take the hit if you default on your loan.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, gaining the trust of your lender is the best way to increase your chances of getting a jumbo loan. Ensure your credit score is up to par, your debts are minimal and your steady income will be able to cover your payments throughout the loan.
Tips for Finding the Right Lender
- Before you sign off on any loan, it’s important that you understand your current financial situation and future financial plans. A financial advisor can help with that. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
- If you’re interested in taking out a large loan, you must do your research. SmartAsset’s list of the jumbo mortgage loan lenders can help start your search.
- If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you’ll want to make sure you’re not missing any important information. Check out SmartAsset’s guide to mortgage lenders for first-time homebuyers to learn more.
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