Central Texas
Cameron County
Cameron County, in the Rio Grande Valley, is one of the most affordable places to buy in Texas, and assistance stretches your dollars even further. Eligible Brownsville-area buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help plus the MCC tax credit, often reaching closing with very little out of pocket.
Quick Facts
- County seat Brownsville
- Region Central Texas
- Population 445,000
- TSAHC income limit (non-targeted) ~$123,500
- FHA loan limit $541,287 Source: hud.gov
- FIPS code 48061
What Buyers Should Know
Cameron County’s 2026 HUD area median income (AMI) for a 4-person household is approximately $58,900, with the TSAHC Heroes 115% AMI ceiling reaching ~$67,735. Most Cameron County buyers qualify for at least one TSAHC or TDHCA program; the county is not designated a HUD targeted area, so the standard income limits and first-time-buyer rules apply.
FHA loan limits in Cameron mirror the Brownsville-Harlingen baseline. Conforming limits run $806,500 for 1-unit. VA loans are uncapped above conforming limits for full-entitlement veterans.
Property tax in Cameron County averages around 2.06% effective (verify current year at the county appraisal district). The Texas residence homestead exemption shaves $100,000 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.
South Rio Grande Valley + SpaceX Boca Chica
Cameron County anchors the southern Rio Grande Valley with Brownsville (county seat, ~189,000), Harlingen (~75,000), San Benito, Los Fresnos, and South Padre Island. The county hosts SpaceX’s Starbase facility at Boca Chica, the Port of Brownsville, and the Brownsville-Padre Island International Airport. UTRGV Brownsville campus + Texas Southmost College anchor higher-ed. Brownsville ISD, Harlingen CISD, San Benito CISD, Los Fresnos CISD, and Point Isabel ISD serve the county. The Brownsville-MSA AMI is the lowest among Texas major MSAs, giving TSAHC Home Sweet Texas + TDHCA programs broad accessibility.
Income Limits
Cameron 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 ~$123,500 (any household size) | up to ~$544,232 |
| My First Texas Home (TDHCA) | up to ~$98,800 (1–2 persons) / ~$113,620 (3+) | up to ~$544,232 |
| My Choice Texas Home (TDHCA) | up to ~$113,050 (conventional) / ~$167,960 (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 — Cameron County
VA
VA loans are uncapped above conforming limits for full-entitlement veterans.
Cities in Cameron County
City pillars for this county are coming soon.
School Districts in Cameron County
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Brownsville ISD
Brownsville ISD teachers and staff serving the Rio Grande Valley may qualify for real help buying a home. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible school employees may receive TSAHC down payment assistance, typically around 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement, plus an MCC tax credit.
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Harlingen CISD
Harlingen CISD teachers and staff in the Rio Grande Valley may qualify for real home-buying help. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible employees may receive TSAHC down payment assistance, typically around 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement and an MCC tax credit.
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