Central Texas
Bell County
In Bell County (home to Fort Cavazos and the Killeen-Temple area), you don't have to buy with cash alone. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the MCC tax credit, and veterans and service members may add a VA loan with zero down. TSAHC's 2026 limits in Bell County may reach about $153,180 for Home Sweet Texas and $173,604 for Homes for Texas Heroes, at any household size.
Quick Facts
- County seat Belton
- Region Central Texas
- Population 390,000
- Home Sweet Texas income limit (non-targeted) ~$153,180
- FHA loan limit $541,287 Source: hud.gov
- FIPS code 48027
What Buyers Should Know
In Bell County, TSAHC’s county income limits may allow household income up to about $153,180 for Home Sweet Texas and $173,604 for Homes for Texas Heroes, at any household size. Many Bell County buyers may qualify for at least one TSAHC or TDHCA program; targeted areas are specific census tracts, not whole counties, so ask your lender whether a home’s address falls in one; outside those tracts, the standard income limits and first-time buyer rules apply.
FHA loan limits in Bell mirror the Killeen-Temple baseline. The 2026 conforming loan limit is $832,750 for a 1-unit home. VA loans are uncapped above conforming limits for full-entitlement veterans.
Property tax in Bell County averages around 1.86% effective (verify current year at the county appraisal district). The Texas residence homestead exemption shaves $140,000 off school-district appraised value and caps appraised value growth at 10% per year. File with the appraisal district on or before April 30 of the year following purchase.
Fort Cavazos Military Community
Bell County is anchored by Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood, redesignated 2023) — the U.S. Army’s largest active-duty armored installation, home to III Armored Corps and the 1st Cavalry Division. Killeen (county’s largest city, ~159,000) sits adjacent to the base; Harker Heights, Copperas Cove (Coryell County, just outside Bell), and Belton (county seat) anchor the perimeter. Killeen ISD (~46,000 students), Temple ISD, Belton ISD, Salado ISD, and Academy ISD serve the county. Most Bell County buyers stationed at Fort Cavazos pair a VA loan (zero down) with TSAHC Heroes (Veterans category) DPA — one of the highest-density military housing markets in Texas. See Fort Cavazos guide for detailed VA + TSAHC pairing.
Income Limits
Bell County Down Payment Assistance Income Limits
| Program | Max household income (non-targeted) | Max purchase price |
|---|---|---|
| Home Sweet Texas (TSAHC) | up to ~$153,180 (any household size) | bond DPA or MCC only: up to ~$566,354 |
| Homes for Texas Heroes (TSAHC) | up to ~$173,604 (any household size) | bond DPA or MCC only: up to ~$566,354 |
| My First Texas Home (TDHCA) | up to ~$101,500 (1–2 persons) / ~$116,725 (3+) | up to ~$566,354 |
| My Choice Texas Home (TDHCA) | up to ~$145,520 (conventional) / ~$172,550 (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 — Bell County
VA
VA loans are uncapped above conforming limits for full-entitlement veterans.
Cities in Bell County
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Killeen Down Payment Assistance: 2026 Programs & Income Limits
Down payment assistance for Killeen, TX. Veterans near Fort Cavazos can pair a VA loan with state help. TSAHC and TDHCA up to ~5%. See if you qualify.
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Temple Down Payment Assistance: 2026 Guide
Temple TX buyers may get up to ~5% of the loan for down payment and closing help through Texas TSAHC and TDHCA programs. See what you qualify for.
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School Districts in Bell County
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Killeen ISD
Killeen ISD serves a heavily military community near Fort Cavazos, and its educators may qualify for real home-buying help. 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 Bell County is about $173,604.
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Temple ISD
Temple ISD teachers and staff in Central Texas may have more home-buying help 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 Bell County is about $173,604.
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Related Guides
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Boerne Down Payment Assistance: 2026 Limits for Kendall County
Kendall County carries unusually generous income limits, up to ~$209,550. In Boerne the price cap is the real constraint, not your paycheck. See what fits.
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Seguin Down Payment Assistance: 2026 Programs and Limits
Seguin is the affordable end of the I-10 corridor, and the price cap never binds here. See which programs may put up to about 5% toward your costs.
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Buda Down Payment Assistance: 2026 Programs and Limits
Hays County carries some of the highest assistance limits in Texas. Buda buyers may qualify at incomes up to approximately $201,600. See where you actually land.
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Hutto Down Payment Assistance: 2026 Guide for Buyers
You do not need to be a first-time buyer in Hutto. Williamson County limits may reach ~$228,480 with My Choice Texas Home. See which programs fit you.
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