Maryland 2026 Loan Limits: $1,249,125 DC Suburbs vs $832,750 Baltimore and Chesapeake
Updated October 2026
For a one-unit Maryland property in 2026, the conforming loan boundary depends on the jurisdiction where the home sits. The baseline is $832,750, while five DC-area counties have a $1,249,125 high-cost ceiling. These are loan amounts, not maximum purchase prices.
Find your jurisdiction among all 24
| 2026 one-unit conforming limit | Maryland jurisdictions |
|---|---|
| $1,249,125 | Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George’s |
| $832,750 | Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil |
| $832,750 | Dorchester, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Kent, Queen Anne’s |
| $832,750 | St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico, Worcester |
This covers Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City. Annapolis follows Anne Arundel County’s baseline; Howard and Harford also remain baseline jurisdictions. Frederick belongs in the higher-limit group even though nearby Washington and Carroll do not.
The table applies to one-unit homes. Two-, three-, and four-unit properties have different conforming limits. Use FHFA Loan Limits to confirm the applicable property-unit count and location before structuring financing.
Distinguish high-balance from jumbo
Within the five higher-limit counties, a one-unit loan above $832,750 but no more than $1,249,125 can fall into high-balance conforming territory. Above the applicable county ceiling, a conventional loan generally moves into jumbo financing.
Consider a $950,000 purchase with a $100,000 down payment. The resulting $850,000 loan exceeds the baseline in Baltimore County but remains below the ceiling in Montgomery County. The same purchase price and down payment therefore produce different financing categories depending on location.
High-balance loans can carry different pricing and underwriting requirements from baseline conforming loans. Jumbo lenders establish their own credit, reserve, and down-payment standards. Neither category guarantees a particular rate or approval outcome.
Compare scenarios using the Maryland mortgage options guide and today’s rates, keeping loan amount and property type consistent.
Keep other program limits separate
FHA’s 2026 national floor is $541,287, but FHA county limits require their own lookup. VA loans work differently: eligible borrowers with full entitlement do not face a VA-imposed loan limit, although lender qualification still applies.
MMP income and purchase-price restrictions are another separate set of rules. A loan fitting within a conforming ceiling does not automatically qualify for state assistance. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (MMP) explains those program requirements, while the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau helps buyers compare competing mortgage disclosures.
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Loan Program Comparison: 2026 Benchmarks
Maryland 2026 Loan Limits: $1,249,125 DC Suburbs vs $832,750 Baltimore and Chesapeake — Choose a mortgage by comparing eligibility, upfront cash and total monthly costs, not the advertised rate alone. Conventional, FHA, VA and USDA serve different borrowers. Confirm county limits, taxes, insurance and lender requirements before comparing personalized Loan Estimates for your household.
Historical 2025 one-unit comparison: conforming $806,500; FHA floor $524,225. County and unit-count limits can differ.
| Loan program | Down payment / equity | 2026 one-unit baseline | Costs and page-specific comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 3%–5% subject to eligibility | $832,750 | PMI generally below 20% down |
| FHA | 3.5% at 580+; 10% at 500–579 | $541,287 floor | 1.75% upfront MIP; 0.55% annual for >95% LTV, base loan ≤$726,200, term >15 years |
| VA | 0% for eligible borrowers | No VA limit with full entitlement | No monthly PMI; funding fee unless exempt |
| USDA | 0% for eligible borrowers | Income, address and repayment eligibility | Guarantee and annual fees; confirm current schedule |
| Jumbo | Lender-specific cash and reserves | Above applicable conforming limit | Lender-specific pricing and insurance |
| Home Equity / Refinance | Equity and underwriting dependent | Property and lender dependent | Compare closing costs, term and break-even |
Sources: FHFA limits; HUD FHA limits.
Editorial Methodology & Primary Sources
Verification date: Not recorded; check the primary source and lender timestamp before relying on an estimate.
Rate comparisons use participating lender feeds, not a whole-market survey or guaranteed offers. Freddie Mac PMMS is a market benchmark, not a personalized quote. Calculator models rely on published regulatory formulas and disclosed assumptions rather than fabricated first-person loan testing.
Monthly principal and interest use the amortization formula P × r / (1 − (1 + r)−n), where r is the monthly note rate and n is the number of payments; at zero interest use P / n. PITI adds monthly property taxes and homeowners insurance; PMI is separate. APR includes applicable finance charges under Regulation Z and is not the note rate used for payments. Compare lender Loan Estimates for actual APR and fees.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — Loan Estimates, APR and borrower disclosures; Regulation Z.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD / FHA) — FHA program guidance.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — VA loan eligibility and benefits.
- Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) — published rate benchmarks.
- U.S. Census state tax collections — state property tax benchmarks; confirm parcel-specific assessments and exemptions with the state revenue department and local assessor.
The payment snapshot uses illustrative annual taxes of 1% of home price, $1,200 insurance and 0.5% PMI below 20% down, not verified local quotes. Other calculators disclose their inputs and assumptions. Published guidance and lender feeds may change independently; confirm current program rules, taxes and offers before a decision.