Santa Cruz County, California loan limits 2026
FIPS 06087 · 22 ZIP codes, e.g. 95001, 95003, 95005, 95006, 95007, 95010 · metro area (CBSA) 42100
In Santa Cruz County the 2026 conforming loan limit is $1,249,125 for a single-family home — a high-cost area, 50% above the national baseline. The FHA limit is $1,249,125. Anything above $1,249,125 is a jumbo loan.
Does my loan fit?
How much home fits under the limit?
The highest home price you can buy with a loan that still fits the 2026 limit, at that down payment. Your actual budget depends on income, debts, rates and the lender.
Conforming limit in Santa Cruz County, 2024–2026
Single-family limit set by the FHFA each year. The 2027 limits are announced in late November 2026 — this page updates automatically.
Loan limits by number of units
| Property | Conforming 2026 | FHA 2026 | Conforming vs. 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 unit (single-family) | $1,249,125 | $1,249,125 | +6% |
| 2 units | $1,599,375 | $1,599,375 | +6% |
| 3 units | $1,933,200 | $1,933,200 | +6% |
| 4 units | $2,402,625 | $2,402,625 | +6% |
Conforming limits (FHFA) apply to loans bought by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; VA loans with partial entitlement use the same county limit. FHA limits (HUD) cap FHA-insured mortgages. Santa Cruz County is in metro area CBSA 42100; all its counties share the same limit.
HUD income limits FY2026
Area median family income: $137,200 · Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA
| Household size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low income (80%) | $122,200 | $139,650 | $157,100 | $174,550 | $188,500 | $202,500 | $216,450 | $230,450 |
| Very low income (50%) | $76,150 | $87,000 | $97,900 | $108,750 | $117,450 | $126,150 | $134,850 | $143,550 |
| Extremely low income (30%) | $45,700 | $52,200 | $58,750 | $65,250 | $70,500 | $75,700 | $80,950 | $86,150 |
Used for housing assistance and many down-payment and first-time-buyer programs. Programs set their own rules; check the program you apply to.
Fair market rent FY2027
| Unit | Fair market rent FY2027 | FY2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,230/mo | $3,179 | +1.6% |
| 1 bedroom | $3,390/mo | $3,298 | +2.8% |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,254/mo | $4,214 | +0.9% |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,531/mo | $5,377 | +2.9% |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,748/mo | $5,659 | +1.6% |
HUD's fair market rent: the 40th-percentile gross rent (rent plus utilities) for standard units, used for Housing Choice Vouchers. Area: Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA.
Other counties in California
Highest limits first.
Official figures, not a loan offer. Limits come from FHFA and HUD publications. Loanlimitmap.com is an independent site — not a government website and not a lender. Whether you qualify for a loan is decided by your lender; check the current figures with them.
Questions
What is the conforming loan limit in Santa Cruz County, CA for 2026?
$1,249,125 for a one-unit property ($1,599,375 for 2 units, $1,933,200 for 3, $2,402,625 for 4), set by the FHFA; it was $1,178,750 in 2025.
What is the FHA loan limit in Santa Cruz County?
$1,249,125 for a single-family home in 2026 (HUD), up to $2,402,625 for a four-unit property.
What counts as a jumbo loan in Santa Cruz County?
A mortgage above $1,249,125 for a single-family home is a jumbo (non-conforming) loan in Santa Cruz County in 2026.
What are the HUD income limits in Santa Cruz County?
For a family of four (FY2026): low income $174,550, very low income $108,750, extremely low income $65,250; area median family income $137,200.
What is the fair market rent in Santa Cruz County?
$4,254 a month for a two-bedroom unit in FY2027 (HUD), $3,390 for one bedroom.