Home prices in high-cost areas — California, Colorado, Washington, and Alaska — regularly exceed standard VA loan limits. When a veteran needs to borrow more than the conforming loan limit for their county, that loan is called a VA Jumbo Loan.
VA Jumbo Loan Limits by State (2026)
The standard VA conforming loan limit is $806,500 for most U.S. counties. Loan amounts above this threshold are considered VA jumbo. High-cost counties have higher limits, up to $1,209,750.
Common high-cost areas in our licensed states:
| State | Area | 2026 County Limit |
|---|---|---|
| California | Los Angeles, Orange County | $1,209,750 |
| California | San Diego | $1,006,250 |
| California | Sacramento, Riverside | $806,500 |
| Colorado | Denver, Boulder, Broomfield | $833,750 |
| Washington | King, Pierce, Snohomish Counties | $977,500 |
| Alaska | Statewide | $1,209,750 |
| Virginia | Northern Virginia / DC Metro | $1,209,750 |
For loan amounts above your county’s limit, the borrower pays 25% of the difference as a down payment. All other VA loan benefits remain in effect.
VA Jumbo Loan Down Payment Requirements
The VA jumbo down payment formula is straightforward:
Down payment = 25% × (loan amount − county VA limit)
Example — Orange County, CA:
- Purchase price: $1,400,000
- County VA limit: $1,209,750
- Amount above limit: $190,250
- Required down payment: $47,563 (25% of $190,250)
This is significantly less than the 20–30% down payment required for a conventional jumbo loan at the same purchase price.
Features of a VA Jumbo Loan
- No private mortgage insurance (PMI) — same as standard VA loans regardless of loan amount
- No maximum loan amount — county limit formula applies at any amount; lender overlays may apply above $2–3M
- Competitive rates — typically 0.25–0.50% higher than standard VA conforming rates
- Credit: 640 minimum recommended for loans above $650,000; 700+ for best pricing
- VA funding fee — applies unless the veteran has a service-connected disability rating
- Manufactured housing: Not eligible for VA jumbo programs
VA Jumbo Loan Rates
VA jumbo rates are typically slightly higher than standard conforming VA rates, reflecting the larger loan amount. Unlike conventional jumbo products, no PMI is required — which often makes the effective monthly cost comparable to or better than a conventional jumbo at the same loan amount.
Rates change daily. Check your VA loan eligibility for a current rate quote based on your specific county and loan amount.
Is There a Hard Cap?
There is no absolute dollar maximum on a VA jumbo loan. The 25%-over-limit formula applies at any loan amount. However, individual lenders may set overlays above $2–3M. Contact us to confirm availability for higher loan amounts in your county.
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