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If you hear mortgage lenders talking about conforming loan limits, they're referring to the maximum amount a homebuyer can borrow for a conventional mortgage, which is a popular type of home loan. In 2023, 66% of buyers who took out a home loan financed their purchase with a conventional loan, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The most conforming loan limit for a single-family home in most U.S. counties is $806,500 in 2025. That's up from $766,550 in 2024.
What Is a Conforming Loan?
A conforming loan is a conventional loan that meets certain standards put forth by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These are government-backed entities that guarantee the majority of U.S. mortgages. New conforming loan limits are released every year and established by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). They determine the maximum loan sizes that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can purchase. Mortgages that exceed conforming loan limits are called jumbo loans.
New Conforming Loan Limits for 2025
Conforming loan limits are established on a county-by-county basis, but roughly 95% of counties qualify for the baseline loan amount on single-family homes. However, the limit could be higher if you live in an expensive county. If you're interested in a conventional mortgage, the FHFA maintains a database of county-specific conforming loan limits.
| Conforming Loan Limits, 2020 to 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Lowest Conforming Loan Limit for a Single-Family Home | Highest Conforming Loan Limit for a Single-Family Home |
| 2025 | $806,500 | $1,209,750 |
| 2024 | $766,550 | $1,149,825 |
| 2023 | $726,200 | $1,089,300 |
| 2022 | $647,200 | $970,800 |
| 2021 | $548,250 | $822,375 |
| 2020 | $510,400 | $765,600 |
Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency
Again, conforming loan limits are based on home prices throughout the United States. From 2024 to 2025, the FHFA bumped up the baseline conforming loan limit for a single-family home by 5.2%. Home prices also increased by the same amount between the third quarter (Q3) of 2023 and Q3 2024.
2025 Conforming Loan Limits in High-Cost Areas
Conforming loan limits are higher in areas where 115% of the local median home value surpasses the baseline loan limit. In pricier counties, like New York and Los Angeles, the ceiling is 150% of the baseline limit. Different conforming loan limits also apply to single-family homes in high-cost areas like Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 2025, the baseline loan limit in these places is $1,209,750. See below for a sampling of the most populated high-cost areas with higher loan limits.
| 2025 Conforming Loan Limits in High-Cost Areas | |
|---|---|
| High-Cost Area | Conforming Loan Limit for Single-Family Home |
| Los Angeles County, California | $1,209,750 |
| San Diego County, California | $1,077,550 |
| Summit County, Colorado (Breckenridge) | $1,067,200 |
| District of Columbia | $1,209,750 |
| Monroe County, Florida (Key West) | $967,150 |
| Honolulu County, Hawaii | $1,209,750 |
| Nantucket County, Massachusetts | $1,209,750 |
| Bergen County, New Jersey (Hackensack) | $1,209,750 |
| New York County, New York (Manhattan) | $1,209,750 |
| Westchester County, New York (White Plains) | $1,209,750 |
| Davidson County, Tennessee (Nashville) | $989,000 |
| Summit County, Utah (Park City) | $1,149,825 |
| Arlington County, Virginia | $1,209,750 |
| King County, Washington (Seattle) | $1,037,300 |
| Jefferson County, West Virginia (Charles Town) | $1,209,750 |
| Teton County, Wyoming (Jackson Hole) | $1,209,750 |
Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency
Examples of Conforming Loan Limits
Let's say you want to buy a $1 million home in a high-cost area like Routt County, Colorado, which is part of the Steamboat Springs metropolitan area. The county's 2025 conforming loan limit, which is $1,012,000, makes it possible to qualify for a conventional mortgage—assuming you meet all the other eligibility criteria. You'll likely need a:
- FICO® Score☉ that's at least 620 to 660
- Minimum 3% down payment
- Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) that doesn't exceed 45% to 50%
But things are different in nearby Moffat County, where the conforming loan limit is $806,500. Here, you'll need a non-conforming mortgage to finance a home that exceeds that amount. Interest rates are typically higher on these types of loans.
Alternatives to Conforming Loans
If the price of your dream home exceeds your area's conforming loan limits, don't lose hope. One of the following home loans might allow you to close the deal:
- Jumbo loan: This is often the go-to loan option when financing a pricier home. Just keep in mind that you'll likely need a minimum credit score of 700 to 720 and a down payment of at least 10%. You might have trouble qualifying if you have a DTI that exceeds 36%.
- Piggyback loan: This involves taking out two mortgages. With the first, you'll make a 10% down payment and finance 80%. Then you'll cover the remaining 10% using a home equity loan or line of credit from the first mortgage. A piggyback loan can help you avoid a jumbo mortgage.
- Interest-only loan: Initially, your payments will only apply to your mortgage interest. During this time, you won't be chipping away at your principal amount borrowed. But after that, your monthly payment will increase to account for interest and your principal. With this kind of loan, you may end up paying more interest when compared to a conventional loan.
Learn more >> What Type of Mortgage Is Best?
The Bottom Line
Knowing the conforming loan limits in your area can help you decide which type of mortgage is right for you. From there, you can determine how much to save for a down payment—and take steps to improve your credit before applying. You can get your FICO® Score and credit report for free from Experian.