What is the 2026 conforming loan limit for my county?

The standard 2026 conforming loan limit for a one-unit property is $832,750 in most counties. However, in high-cost areas, it can reach up to $1,249,125. Use our lookup tool to find the exact limit for your state and county.

What is the difference between a conforming and a jumbo loan?

A conforming loan meets the guidelines set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, including the county-specific loan limit. A jumbo loan exceeds these limits, is not backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, and typically has stricter credit requirements and higher interest rates.

Why are there different limits for multi-unit properties?

The limits scale with the number of units because multi-unit properties (like duplexes or fourplexes) are more expensive and generate rental income, which offsets the credit risk for lenders. This allows borrowers to finance larger investment properties with a conforming loan.

What are the High-Balance loan limits?

High-Balance loan limits apply to counties where the median home price significantly exceeds the national average. These areas can have limits up to 150% of the baseline, which means a single-family home can be financed up to $1,249,125 in 2026.

2026 Conforming Loan Limits by State and County

Q: How does the FHFA determine the conforming loan limits?

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) sets the limits annually based on the October-to-October change in the FHFA House Price Index. If home prices rise nationally, the limits increase to keep pace with the market.

If you're planning to buy a home or refinance in 2026, understanding your county's conforming loan limit is the first step. These limits, set annually by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), determine the maximum loan amount that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will back for a conventional mortgage.

2026 Conforming Loan Limits at a Glance

Property Type	Standard Counties	High-Cost Areas (e.g., CA, NY, WA)
1 Unit (Single-Family)	$832,750	$1,249,125
2 Units (Duplex)	$1,066,250	$1,599,375
3 Units (Triplex)	$1,288,800	$1,933,200
4 Units (Fourplex)	$1,601,750	$2,402,625

Note: Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have higher statutory limits due to elevated construction costs.

Find Your Exact County Limit

Use our instant county lookup tool to find the exact 2026 conforming loan limit for any county in the United States.

Simply enter your state and county to see your specific borrowing cap, whether you're in a standard or High-Balance area.

For a complete overview of conventional loan options, see our main guide to conventional loans.

How the FHFA Sets Conforming Loan Limits

Each November, the FHFA announces the new limits for the following year. The agency calculates the limit based on the October-to-October change in the FHFA House Price Index. If home prices increase nationally, the conforming limit rises to keep pace. This ensures borrowers in appreciating markets can still access affordable, conforming financing.

Higher Loan Limits in High-Cost Areas

In areas where housing costs significantly outpace the national average – such as parts of California, New York, or Washington – higher loan limits allow borrowers to access larger mortgage amounts without crossing into jumbo loans. These "High-Balance" areas can reach up to 150% of the baseline, capping at $1,249,125 for single-family homes.

Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands receive statutory adjustments, resulting in even higher thresholds due to elevated construction and living costs.

Conforming Loans vs. Jumbo Loans: Key Differences

When your loan exceeds the conforming limits, you may need to consider different types of mortgage loans. If the loan amount exceeds the local conforming loan limit, your mortgage type can influence the loan rate, and the loan becomes a jumbo loan.

Unlike conforming loans, jumbo loans aren't eligible for sale to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, so lenders keep them on their books – increasing their risk. For a detailed comparison, see jumbo vs conventional loan.

To offset that risk, jumbo loan requirements are stricter:

A credit score typically must be 700 or higher. Check the credit score requirements for conventional loans to see where you stand.
Down payments often range from 10% to 30%
The debt-to-income ratio must usually stay below 43%. Use our debt-to-income calculator to evaluate your position.
Cash reserves covering 6–12 months of mortgage payments may be required.
Higher interest rates are standard. Check today's mortgage rates to see current pricing.

In contrast, conforming loans offer competitive interest rates, flexible terms, and access to low-down-payment programs like Conventional 97, HomeReady, and Home Possible.

These options allow qualified borrowers to put down as little as 3 percent. Mortgage insurance is required if your equity is under 20 percent.

How Loan Limits Affect Your Homebuying Strategy

Smart home buyers check their county's conforming loan limits before house hunting. You can verify your area's cap using our county lookup tool or use your lender's loan amount calculator to estimate how much you can borrow under standard terms.

If you're near the limit, consider these moves:

Boost your down payment to stay under the maximum loan threshold. See 3% down conventional loan programs for low-down-payment options.
Explore renovation loan programs that include repair costs within the conforming cap.
Improve your credit score to qualify for better loan rates.
Use gift funds to increase your down payment and reduce the loan size.
Run scenarios with your lender to align your budget with conventional lending guidelines.

Remember: conventional loan limits apply to all traditional mortgage options, including refinances. A cash-out refinance must also stay within these caps, regardless of your home's appraised value.

While FHA, VA loans, and USDA loans have their own limits, they often fall below conventional thresholds – making conforming loans the better choice for higher-priced homes. For example, 2026 FHA loan limits max out around $541,287 in most areas – well below the $1,249,125 conforming cap.

For a complete list of planning tools, visit our mortgage calculators hub.

Frequently Asked Questions About Conforming Loan Limits

What is the conforming loan limit for 2026 in most counties?

The baseline limit for a one-unit property in most U.S. counties is $832,750. This applies to the contiguous U.S., D.C., and Puerto Rico.

What is the highest conforming loan limit for 2026?

In high-cost areas, the limit reaches $1,249,125 for a single-family home. In Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, it can go even higher due to statutory adjustments.

How do I know if my county is a "High-Cost" area?

The FHFA designates a county as "High-Cost" if the median home price is more than 115% of the national average. You can check your county's status using our conventional loan limit lookup tool.

Are the limits different for multi-unit properties?

Yes, the limit scales with the number of units. For example, the limit for a four-unit property in a high-cost area can be up to $2,402,625. This recognizes the higher cost and income potential of multi-unit buildings.

Resources for Homebuyers

Our website provides many tools to help with your mortgage planning. Use our complete calculators section for various mortgage calculations, or visit our conventional loan questions page for more information. For general guidance, explore our main resources on mortgage planning.