California Conforming Loan Limits 2026 — Full County List
Every California county's conforming loan limit for 2026, plus how to know if you're in jumbo territory and what 'high-balance' means.
The FHFA sets a national baseline conforming loan limit each year. In 2026 it's $806,500 for 1-unit properties. High-cost counties (most of coastal California) get an elevated cap of $1,209,750.
If your loan is below the baseline, it's a standard conforming loan. Between baseline and cap, it's "high-balance conforming." Above the cap, it's jumbo.
Why the difference matters
| Tier | Rate impact | Underwriting | |---|---|---| | Standard conforming | Best | Standard Fannie/Freddie | | High-balance conforming | Slight LLPA (~0.25%) | Same as conforming | | Jumbo | 0.25-0.50% worse OR sometimes better | Stricter (reserves, FICO) |
2026 California limits — by county
$1,209,750 (high-cost): Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Orange, San Benito, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Ventura, Los Angeles
$1,017,750: El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Yolo
$885,500: Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara
$806,500 (national baseline): Butte, Fresno, Kern, Madera, Merced, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tulare, Yuba, and most rural counties
(Always verify on the FHFA site for your specific tract — there are a few exceptions.)
How to use this
- Below $806,500 — Don't overthink, you're conforming
- $806,501–$1,209,750 in a high-cost county — Use high-balance conventional, not jumbo
- Above $1,209,750 anywhere — You're shopping jumbo. See our jumbo guide
Not sure where your loan amount lands? Quote it free and we'll structure it the right way.