Are there jumbo loan limits?

If you’re looking to buy a more expensive home or a home in an expensive area, you may need a jumbo loan instead of a traditional conforming loan. A jumbo loan is a type of non-conforming loan that exceeds the limits for conforming loans set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).

There aren’t any set limits on jumbo loans. Instead, any loan amount that extends above the standard conforming loan limit in your specific county could be considered a jumbo loan. Lenders often have their own internal jumbo loan limit based on their own individual risk tolerance.

Let’s take a closer look at when you need a jumbo loan to finance a home loan.

What qualifies as a jumbo loan?

A mortgage qualifies as a jumbo loan when it exceeds the limits of conforming loans as set by the FHFA. These caps are important because loans at or below these limits are eligible to be purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

By purchasing conforming loans, these government-sponsored enterprises reduce risk for lenders and stabilize the mortgage market. Since jumbo loans exceed these limits, they cannot be purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and therefore carry more risk.

Each year, the FHFA sets new conforming loan limits. For 2026, the baseline conforming loan limit for a typical single-unit property is $832,750. In high-cost areas, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, this limit can go as high as $1,249,125. Loans for properties in costly areas that meet these adjusted caps are known as super conforming loans or high-balance conforming loans.

As housing prices rise, conforming loan limits are usually adjusted upward each year. If you are reviewing jumbo loan limits 2026 or looking ahead, it helps to see how the numbers change. The chart below shows the conforming loan limits for 2026. Any loan above these amounts may be considered a jumbo loan.

Understanding loan limits in your county

Conforming loan limits typically vary by county rather than by state, except for states like Hawaii and Alaska. The reason Hawaii and Alaska have higher conforming loan limits is because their home prices are significantly above the national average.

These localized caps also influence other mortgage guidelines, such as VA loan limits, for veterans trying to determine how much they can borrow without a down payment when they have partial entitlement.

This tool from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allows you to look up conforming loan limits per county. If the home you’re looking to buy requires a larger mortgage, you can see what current jumbo loan rates are looking like.

What are HCOL special conforming loan limits?

If you are buying a house in an expensive area, you might encounter high cost of living (HCOL) special conforming loan limits. These are higher mortgage limits set for areas where home prices are higher than the national average.

How are they determined?

The FHFA calculates HCOL special conforming loan limits based on local median home prices in the specific area. The limit is generally 150% of the baseline conforming loan limit, but it cannot exceed a statutory maximum, the highest loan amount allowed by law for a conforming mortgage.

Why do they exist?

These elevated limits exist to help buyers in expensive areas qualify for mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. By raising the conforming limit in high-cost markets, homeownership remains more accessible, preventing everyday buyers from being forced to seek jumbo financing just to afford a standard home in their city.

While a jumbo loan may be the best choice depending on your unique financial situation, these loans tend to be more expensive because lenders may charge higher interest rates to compensate for the additional risk they take on with them. Lenders may also require a larger down payment or higher credit score for a jumbo loan.

The bottom line: Consider a jumbo loan if you’re not eligible for a conforming loan

If the price of the home you’d like to buy exceeds the conforming loan limits for your specific area, a jumbo loan may be right for you. Though the government doesn’t set jumbo loan limits, individual lenders may set a ceiling for the amount they are willing to lend. Lenders may also have stricter requirements for jumbo loans and charge more for them. Before you apply for a jumbo loan, check to see if the area where you’d like to buy a home is considered a high-cost area and qualifies for super conforming loan rates.

You can learn more about Rocket Mortgage’s Jumbo Smart loans and start your financing journey today.