2026 Conforming Loan Limits in Santa Cruz County, California
The 2026 conforming loan limit for a one-unit home in Santa Cruz County, California is $1,249,125, the FHFA high-cost ceiling. Loans above that amount are jumbo loans.
Santa Cruz County limits by number of units
| Units | Santa Cruz County limit | National baseline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 unit | $1,249,125 | $832,750 |
| 2 units | $1,599,375 | $1,066,250 |
| 3 units | $1,933,200 | $1,288,800 |
| 4 units | $2,402,625 | $1,601,750 |
What this means
A conforming loan is one that meets Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's size limit and guidelines, so they can buy it from the lender.
In Santa Cruz County, a one-unit loan up to $832,750 is a standard conforming loan, and a loan from $832,751 up to $1,249,125 is a high-balance conforming loan, which Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac still buy, though some program rules differ. A loan above $1,249,125 is a jumbo loan.
Jumbo loans follow each lender's own guidelines and usually need a larger down payment, more cash in reserve and stricter qualifying.
Property tax rates in Santa Cruz County
Fiscal year 2026-27 rates from the county's tax rate book, for each city's primary tax rate area. Each rate is the 1% Proposition 13 base plus voter-approved bonds.
| City or community | Tax rate (FY 2026-27) |
|---|---|
| Ben Lomond | 1.1368% |
| Bonny Doon | 1.0973% |
| Boulder Creek | 1.1368% |
| Capitola | 1.1258% |
| Felton | 1.1368% |
| Santa Cruz | 1.1287% |
| Scotts Valley | 1.1208% |
| Soquel | 1.1258% |
| Watsonville | 1.2189% |
Source
Source: FHFA conforming loan limit values for calendar year 2026, announced November 25, 2025.
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