VA Loan Limits in California (2026)
For 2026, the VA county loan limit for most California counties is $832,750 for a single-family home — but only for veterans with partial entitlement. 12 higher-cost California counties go above that, up to $1,249,125.
With full VA entitlement, there is no loan limit in California — eligible veterans buy at any price a lender approves with $0 down and no monthly mortgage insurance.
VA loan limits by county in California
| County | 1-Unit | 2-Unit | 4-Unit | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | $1,249,125 | $1,599,225 | $2,402,475 | High-cost |
| San Diego County | $1,077,550 | $1,379,562 | $2,072,480 | High-cost |
| Orange County | $1,249,125 | $1,599,225 | $2,402,475 | High-cost |
| Riverside County | $832,750 | $1,066,150 | $1,601,650 | Baseline |
| San Bernardino County | $832,750 | $1,066,150 | $1,601,650 | Baseline |
| Santa Clara County | $1,249,125 | $1,599,225 | $2,402,475 | High-cost |
| Alameda County | $1,249,125 | $1,599,225 | $2,402,475 | High-cost |
| Sacramento County | $832,750 | $1,066,150 | $1,601,650 | Baseline |
| Fresno County | $832,750 | $1,066,150 | $1,601,650 | Baseline |
| Kern County | $832,750 | $1,066,150 | $1,601,650 | Baseline |
| Ventura County | $1,017,750 | $1,303,001 | $1,957,465 | High-cost |
| San Joaquin County | $832,750 | $1,066,150 | $1,601,650 | Baseline |
| San Mateo County | $1,249,125 | $1,599,225 | $2,402,475 | High-cost |
| Stanislaus County | $832,750 | $1,066,150 | $1,601,650 | Baseline |
| Sonoma County | $1,017,300 | $1,302,425 | $1,956,600 | High-cost |
| Tulare County | $832,750 | $1,066,150 | $1,601,650 | Baseline |
| Solano County | $832,750 | $1,066,150 | $1,601,650 | Baseline |
| Santa Barbara County | $1,249,125 | $1,599,225 | $2,402,475 | High-cost |
| Monterey County | $1,017,750 | $1,303,001 | $1,957,465 | High-cost |
| Placer County | $832,750 | $1,066,150 | $1,601,650 | Baseline |
| Santa Cruz County | $1,249,125 | $1,599,225 | $2,402,475 | High-cost |
| Marin County | $1,249,125 | $1,599,225 | $2,402,475 | High-cost |
| Contra Costa County | $832,750 | $1,066,150 | $1,601,650 | Baseline |
| San Francisco County | $832,750 | $1,066,150 | $1,601,650 | Baseline |
| San Luis Obispo County | $832,750 | $1,066,150 | $1,601,650 | Baseline |
| Merced County | $832,750 | $1,066,150 | $1,601,650 | Baseline |
| Butte County | $832,750 | $1,066,150 | $1,601,650 | Baseline |
| Yolo County | $832,750 | $1,066,150 | $1,601,650 | Baseline |
| Imperial County | $832,750 | $1,066,150 | $1,601,650 | Baseline |
| El Dorado County | $832,750 | $1,066,150 | $1,601,650 | Baseline |
California's median home price is roughly $765,000. With $0 down and no PMI, an example VA payment near that price is about $5,406/month including the financed funding fee, taxes, and insurance.
Using your VA benefit in California
The VA home-loan benefit lets eligible California veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses buy with no down payment, no monthly mortgage insurance, and competitive rates. The county limits above only matter if your entitlement is reduced — otherwise there is no cap.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the VA loan limit in California for 2026?
- With full entitlement, none. For partial entitlement, most California counties use the $832,750 conforming baseline; high-cost counties go up to $1,249,125.
- Do VA loans in California require a down payment or PMI?
- No. Eligible borrowers can buy with $0 down, and VA loans never charge monthly mortgage insurance.