East Texas
Harris County
Harris County is the heart of Houston, and the biggest barrier to buying here is almost always the cash up front. Eligible buyers may shrink it with TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit; inside Houston city limits, the City's Homebuyer Assistance Program is worth knowing about. The income limits reach higher than most buyers expect. TSAHC's 2026 limits in Harris County may reach about $156,000 for Home Sweet Texas and $176,800 for Homes for Texas Heroes, at any household size.
Quick Facts
- County seat Houston
- Region East Texas
- Population 4,781,659
- Home Sweet Texas income limit (non-targeted) ~$156,000
- FHA loan limit $541,287 Source: hud.gov
- FIPS code 48201
What Buyers Should Know
Harris County contains the City of Houston plus 34 incorporated cities and the largest unincorporated population in Texas. The Houston-Galleria, Energy Corridor, Westchase, Medical Center, NRG/Texas Southern, and University of Houston corridors anchor the urban core, with master-planned suburbs in Cypress, Kingwood, Katy (partial), Spring Branch, and Clear Lake (partial) on the perimeter. Many Harris County buyers may qualify for at least one TSAHC or TDHCA program. The City of Houston Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP) applies only inside Houston city limits and is administered by the City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department — see our Houston down payment assistance guide for current HAP funding status.
Property tax effective rate in Harris averages around 2.31% (verify current year at Harris County Appraisal District).
Income Limits
Harris County Down Payment Assistance Income Limits
| Program | Max household income (non-targeted) | Max purchase price |
|---|---|---|
| Home Sweet Texas (TSAHC) | up to ~$156,000 (any household size) | bond DPA or MCC only: up to ~$566,354 |
| Homes for Texas Heroes (TSAHC) | up to ~$176,800 (any household size) | bond DPA or MCC only: up to ~$566,354 |
| My First Texas Home (TDHCA) | up to ~$104,000 (1–2 persons) / ~$119,600 (3+) | up to ~$566,354 |
| My Choice Texas Home (TDHCA) | up to ~$178,670 (conventional) / ~$176,800 (FHA/VA/USDA) | No purchase price limit |
| Figures show approximately how high non-targeted-area limits may reach for the standard above-80%-AMFI tier. TSAHC limits apply at any household size, and Homes for Texas Heroes has a higher limit than Home Sweet Texas; TSAHC's purchase price limit applies to bond-funded assistance and the MCC. My First Texas Home varies by household size and is for first-time buyers using FHA, VA, or USDA loans. My Choice Texas Home adds repeat buyers and conventional financing and has no purchase price limit. Limits may be higher in HUD-targeted census tracts and change periodically, so confirm your county's current figure with a participating lender before applying. | ||
Source: TSAHC county income limits + TDHCA Income & Purchase Price Limits
Loan Limits — Harris County
VA
VA loans are uncapped above conforming limits for full-entitlement veterans.
Cities in Harris County
-
Baytown Down Payment Assistance: 2026 Programs and Limits
Think plant pay puts you over the limit? My Choice Texas Home may reach ~$178,670 in Harris County. See how a lender reads a turnaround year first.
View -
Down Payment Assistance in Cypress, TX
See how down payment assistance works in Cypress, TX and Harris County, the 2026 income and price limits, and what you may qualify for.
View -
Down Payment Assistance in Pasadena, TX
See how down payment assistance works in Pasadena, TX, why it is an easy place to qualify, the 2026 limits, and what you may qualify for.
View -
Down Payment Assistance in Spring, TX
See how down payment assistance works in Spring, TX and Harris County, the 2026 income and price limits, and what you may qualify for.
View -
Houston Down Payment Assistance
Houston down payment assistance: TSAHC & TDHCA programs, 2026 income limits, the 15% MCC tax credit, and first-time buyer grants in Harris County.
View -
Tomball Down Payment Assistance: 2026 Programs and Limits
Tomball prices sit well under the assistance price cap, so the cash at closing is the real hurdle. See what may cover it and who qualifies.
View
School Districts in Harris County
-
Cy-Fair ISD
Cy-Fair ISD is one of the largest districts in Texas, and its educators are squarely who Homes for Texas Heroes serves. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, full-time teachers, aides, librarians, counselors, and school nurses may qualify for TSAHC down payment assistance of up to 5% of the loan amount with no first-time-buyer requirement, and the 2026 Heroes income limit in Harris County is about $176,800.
View -
Klein ISD
Klein ISD teachers and staff in north Harris County may have more help available than they realize. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, full-time teachers, aides, librarians, counselors, and school nurses may qualify for TSAHC down payment assistance of up to 5% of the loan amount with no first-time-buyer requirement, and the 2026 Heroes income limit in Harris County is about $176,800.
View
Related Guides
-
Alvin Down Payment Assistance: 2026 Guide for Brazoria County
Brazoria County sets its own limits, and they run higher than Harris. Alvin buyers may qualify up to ~$189,000. See how the county line helps you.
View -
Tomball Down Payment Assistance: 2026 Programs and Limits
Tomball prices sit well under the assistance price cap, so the cash at closing is the real hurdle. See what may cover it and who qualifies.
View -
Friendswood Down Payment Assistance: 2026 Guide for Buyers
Moved for Friendswood ISD and assumed you earn too much? My Choice Texas Home may reach ~$178,670 in Galveston County. See what actually applies.
View -
Rosenberg Down Payment Assistance: 2026 Guide for Fort Bend Buyers
More than one earner under your roof? Not every adult's income counts the same way. See how Fort Bend limits work and which program may fit your household.
View