If you're shopping for a home in a high‑cost market, there’s a good chance you’ll need a jumbo mortgage. These loans exceed conforming loan limits and come with stricter requirements, especially when it comes to credit. So, what credit score is needed for a jumbo loan, and how do lenders decide who qualifies? This guide breaks down everything you need to know, including jumbo loan credit score requirements, down payment rules, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio limits, reserve expectations, and how to qualify even if your score isn’t perfect.