King County, WA Conforming Loan Limit — 2026
2026 FHFA conforming loan limit for King County. This is a high-balance conforming area.
2026 Conforming Limit: $977,500High-Balance Area
Source: FHFA. Data as of 2025-01-15.
2026 Loan Limits — King County, WA
| Limit Type | 2026 Limit | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FHA Loan Limit (1-unit) | $977,500 | Max loan for FHA-insured mortgage |
| Conforming Loan Limit (1-unit) | $977,500 | Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac eligible |
Source: HUD / FHFA. Data as of 2025-01-15.
Local Home Values & Affordability
With a median home value of $780,000, King County is 152% above the national median of $310,000 — placing it firmly in premium territory where careful loan-type selection matters.
A 20% down payment on a median King County home requires $156,000 in cash — or $27,300 for an FHA-minimum 3.5% down payment. Buyers with less than 20% down will also need to budget for PMI or FHA MIP.
Property Tax in This Market
Based on the 0.93% effective rate and a median home value of $780,000, a typical homeowner in King County pays approximately $7,254 in annual property taxes — or $605 per month added to their mortgage payment.
King County's property tax rate of 0.93% is close to the national average of 1.10%. On a median-priced home of $780,000, expect an annual tax bill of approximately $7,254.
Sources: Tax Foundation 2025
Homeowners Insurance Costs
Insurance costs in King County are relatively modest at an estimated $1,100/year — about $92/month added to your mortgage payment, and 31% below the national average.
Premium quotes in King County typically range from $750 to $1,600 per year depending on home age, construction type, coverage limits, and your insurer. Always get multiple quotes.
Sources: NAIC 2024
Loan Limits & Financing Options
A buyer purchasing the median King County home ($780,000) with FHA's minimum 3.5% down would borrow $752,700 — well within the $1,063,750 elevated FHA limit for this county. FHA financing is a viable option for most buyers here.
King County is designated a high-cost area by both FHFA and HUD, meaning local FHA and conforming limits are elevated above the national baseline. This expanded purchasing power is a meaningful benefit for buyers compared to most-of-the-country baseline markets.
With 20% down on a median-priced home, the loan amount of $624,000 stays $439,750 below the $1,063,750 conforming limit — giving buyers access to conventional Fannie/Freddie pricing without jumbo underwriting.
Sources: HUD ML 2025-23, FHFA 2026
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