A jumbo loan is a mortgage that exceeds the conforming loan limits set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. For 2026, the conforming limit is $766,550 in most U.S. counties, and up to $1,149,825 in high-cost areas like San Francisco, New York City, and Honolulu.
Because jumbo loans can't be sold to Fannie or Freddie, lenders hold them on their own books — which means stricter requirements and slightly higher rates.