By Mike Basti, President and Mortgage Broker · NMLS #322904In California, a loan is jumbo once it exceeds your county’s conforming limit: $850,000 in most counties and $1,275,000 in high-cost counties such as Los Angeles, Orange, San Francisco and Santa Clara (2027). A high-balance conforming loan is above the $850,000 baseline but at or below your county's ceiling (up to $1,275,000 in high-cost California) — it still follows Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac rules, so terms are friendlier. A jumbo loan is above that ceiling and follows non-agency rules with stricter down payment, credit, and reserves. Check your county in our limit checker.
Where each loan begins
The 2027 conforming baseline is $850,000. In high-cost California counties the limit rises up to $1,275,000. A loan between the baseline and your county ceiling is high-balance conforming (sometimes called super-conforming). Above the county ceiling, it's a jumbo.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | High-balance conforming | Jumbo |
|---|---|---|
| Loan range (2027) | $850,000 up to county ceiling ($1,275,000 max) | Above county ceiling |
| Backed by | Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac | Non-agency (portfolio/investors) |
| Down payment | As low as 5–10% for many buyers | Typically 10–20%+ |
| Credit | 620+ common | 700+ common |
| Reserves | Modest | 6–12 months often required |
Jumbo loan limits by California county (2027)
A one-unit loan above these amounts is jumbo. Loans between $850,000 and the county figure are high-balance conforming.
| County | Jumbo above (1 unit) |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles, Orange, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Santa Cruz, San Benito | $1,275,000 |
| San Diego | $1,126,850 |
| Ventura | $1,056,450 |
| Napa | $1,038,850 |
| San Luis Obispo | $1,021,200 |
| Monterey | $1,015,350 |
| Santa Barbara | $961,350 |
| Sonoma | $915,600 |
| All other California counties | $850,000 |
In ceiling counties, multi-unit limits are higher: $1,632,500 for 2 units, $1,973,250 for 3 units and $2,452,400 for 4 units. Baseline and ceiling figures are the new 2027 limits most lenders are honoring early (the official 2026 baseline is $832,750); the other high-cost counties are projected 2027 figures until FHFA publishes in November. Check any county in our conforming loan limit checker or the county-by-county list.
Why the difference matters
Because high-balance loans are agency-backed, they usually allow smaller down payments, lower credit, and fewer reserves than jumbo — so if your loan fits under the county ceiling, it's often the cheaper, easier path. The trap is assuming you need a jumbo when a high-balance loan would do. We check your exact county ceiling first. See jumbo and conventional programs.
A three-step check to see which loan you need
- Find your county ceiling. The limit follows the property’s county, not where you live now. Use the limit checker.
- Work out your loan amount. Price minus down payment. A $1,300,000 home with 20% down is a $1,040,000 loan.
- Compare. At or under $850,000 is standard conforming. Between $850,000 and your county ceiling is high-balance. Above the ceiling is jumbo. In a ceiling county such as Los Angeles, the $1,040,000 loan above is high-balance.
Remember that 2–4 unit properties carry higher limits than a single-family home, so a duplex loan can stay conforming at a higher amount. If you are refinancing, the same check applies to the new loan amount, including any cash you take out. A cash-out refi can push a loan that started as high-balance into jumbo territory.
Ways to stay out of jumbo territory
If your loan lands just over your county ceiling, you have options:
- Put more down. Even a small extra amount can bring the first loan under the line.
- Use a second loan. A first mortgage at the conforming limit plus a second mortgage or HELOC for the gap can keep the first loan on agency terms.
- Negotiate the price or seller credits. A modest price cut can do the same job as more cash down.
None of these is automatically cheaper. A second loan usually carries a higher rate, and some jumbo files price very well. The right answer comes from pricing both structures side by side for your file. Rates change daily, so for an accurate quote call 949-379-5320 (Newport Beach) or 310-759-4757 (Marina del Rey).
Frequently asked questions
Is a high-balance loan the same as a jumbo?
No. High-balance conforming loans stay within Fannie/Freddie limits for high-cost counties and follow agency rules; jumbo loans exceed those limits and follow stricter non-agency rules.
Does a high-balance loan cost more than a regular conforming loan?
Usually slightly. High-balance loans often carry a small rate or fee add-on versus a standard conforming loan, but they're typically cheaper and easier to qualify for than a jumbo.
Which one will I need in my county?
It depends on your county ceiling and loan amount. Use our conforming loan limit checker, or call us and we'll confirm whether your loan is conforming, high-balance, or jumbo.
Can I use a second mortgage to avoid a jumbo loan?
Often, yes. Keeping the first mortgage at or under your county's conforming limit and financing the rest with a second loan or HELOC can keep the first loan on agency terms. Whether it saves money depends on both rates and fees.
Do duplexes and fourplexes have higher conforming limits?
Yes. Two- to four-unit properties have higher conforming limits than a single-family home, so a larger loan on a multi-unit property can still be conforming.
What is the jumbo loan limit in California for 2027?
A loan is jumbo once it exceeds your county’s conforming limit. For a one-unit home in 2027 that is $850,000 in most California counties and up to $1,275,000 in high-cost counties. Above $1,275,000, a loan is jumbo everywhere in the state.
What is the jumbo loan limit in Los Angeles and Orange County?
Both are ceiling counties, so a one-unit loan above $1,275,000 (2027) is jumbo. Between $850,000 and $1,275,000 it is a high-balance conforming loan.