Central Texas
Travis County
Travis County is Austin, where rising prices make the down payment the hardest part of buying. Eligible buyers may close that gap with TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit, and within Austin city limits the City's own program is worth knowing about. The income limits here are among the highest in the state.
Quick Facts
- County seat Austin
- Region Central Texas
- Population 1,318,370
- TSAHC income limit (non-targeted) ~$167,250
- FHA loan limit $571,550 Source: hud.gov
- FIPS code 48453
What Buyers Should Know
Travis County contains the City of Austin plus Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Rollingwood, Lago Vista, Pflugerville (partial), Cedar Park (partial), and Manor. Downtown Austin, South Congress, East Austin, Hyde Park, Tarrytown, Westlake, and Mueller anchor the urban core. The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and the major tech corridor (along MoPac, Domain, and Northeast) generate the highest median home prices in the region. Travis County’s 2026 HUD AMI for a 4-person household is approximately $137,000 — the highest of any major Texas county, which makes the TSAHC Heroes 115% AMI ceiling (~$157,550) particularly accessible. The City of Austin Down Payment Assistance Program applies only inside Austin city limits — see our Austin down payment assistance guide for full detail. Property tax averages around 1.97% (verify at Travis Central Appraisal District).
Income Limits
Travis County Down Payment Assistance Income Limits
| Program | Max household income (non-targeted) | Max purchase price |
|---|---|---|
| Home Sweet Texas / Homes for Texas Heroes (TSAHC) | up to ~$167,250 (any household size) | up to ~$593,363 |
| My First Texas Home (TDHCA) | up to ~$133,800 (1–2 persons) / ~$153,870 (3+) | up to ~$593,363 |
| My Choice Texas Home (TDHCA) | up to ~$227,460 (conventional) / ~$227,460 (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 applies a single income limit at any household size. 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 — confirm your county's current figure with a participating lender before applying. | ||
Source: TSAHC Income & Purchase Price Limits + TDHCA Income & Purchase Price Limits
Loan Limits — Travis County
VA
VA loans are uncapped above conforming limits for full-entitlement veterans.
Cities in Travis County
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Bee Cave
Bee Cave sits on Austin's Hill Country edge, where prices run high but the assistance income limits in Travis County are among the state's most generous. You may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help and the MCC tax credit even on a strong household income, so it's worth checking before you assume you can't.
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Lakeway
Lakeway, on the shores of Lake Travis west of Austin, is a sought-after spot where prices run high and the Travis County income limits run generous. You may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help and the MCC tax credit even on a strong income, and Lake Travis ISD staff may add Homes for Texas Heroes.
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School Districts in Travis County
School District pillars for this county are coming soon.