Texas Down Payment Assistance Eligibility & County Limits (2026)
Texas down payment assistance has a few simple gates: a 620 credit score, an income limit that varies by county, and a purchase-price cap. Here is exactly what qualifies you, plus 2026 limits for the major metros.
Who qualifies for Texas down payment assistance
The requirements are refreshingly simple. You need a 620 middle credit score, or 640 if your FHA loan goes through manual underwriting. Your debt-to-income ratio follows automated underwriting, with a 45% cap on manual underwrites. Your income has to fall under your county’s limit, and the home’s price under the county cap. The home must be your primary residence. You do not always have to be a first-time buyer, My Choice Texas Home and TSAHC’s programs welcome repeat buyers, and veterans are exempt from first-time rules entirely.
2026 TDHCA income & price limits by metro
| Metro (TDHCA) | Income limit (1–2 / 3+) | Max price (non-targeted / targeted) |
|---|---|---|
| Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos | $134,400 / $154,560 | $598,019 / $730,912 |
| Dallas HMFA (Collin, Dallas, Denton…) | $121,100 / $139,265 | $589,596 / $720,617 |
| Fort Worth–Arlington (Tarrant…) | $110,300 / $126,845 | $589,596 / $720,617 |
| San Antonio–New Braunfels (Bexar…) | $104,725 / $120,434 | $583,580 / $713,265 |
| Statewide base (most rural counties) | $101,500 / $116,725 | $566,354 |
TDHCA figures per the TDHCA limits page (current). Houston, El Paso, and every other county have their own figures, pull yours from that page. TSAHC income limits are set separately and usually run higher, especially on the Homes for Texas Heroes track.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer?
No, and this trips up a lot of Texas buyers. My First Texas Home is a first-time program (though veterans are exempt), but My Choice Texas Home has no first-time requirement at all, and TSAHC’s Home Sweet Texas and Homes for Texas Heroes serve repeat buyers too. So if you sold a home during a move, a divorce, or a job change and are buying again, you can still use Texas down payment assistance, as long as you meet the credit, income, and price rules. See the program page for the details.
Common questions
What are the income limits for Texas down payment assistance?
TDHCA income limits vary by county: for example, Austin $134,400 (1-2) / $154,560 (3+), Dallas $121,100 / $139,265, San Antonio $104,725 / $120,434, and a $101,500 / $116,725 statewide base. TSAHC limits are set separately and usually run higher. Check your county on the TDHCA limits page.
What credit score do I need for Texas down payment assistance?
Both TDHCA and TSAHC require a 620 minimum credit score, or 640 on FHA manual underwriting. Debt-to-income follows automated underwriting, with 45% on manual underwrites.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer in Texas?
Not always. My First Texas Home is first-time only (veterans exempt), but My Choice Texas Home and TSAHC's programs serve repeat buyers. County income and purchase-price limits still apply.
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