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.
Quick Facts
- County seat Belton
- Region Central Texas
- Population 390,000
- TSAHC income limit (non-targeted) ~$123,500
- FHA loan limit $541,287 Source: hud.gov
- FIPS code 48027
What Buyers Should Know
Bell County’s 2026 HUD area median income (AMI) for a 4-person household is approximately $85,200, with the TSAHC Heroes 115% AMI ceiling reaching ~$97,980. Most Bell 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 Bell mirror the Killeen-Temple baseline. Conforming limits run $806,500 for 1-unit. 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 $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.
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 / 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 ~$151,980 (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 — Bell County
VA
VA loans are uncapped above conforming limits for full-entitlement veterans.
Cities in Bell County
City pillars for this county are coming soon.
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, eligible staff may receive TSAHC down payment assistance, around 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement and an MCC tax credit.
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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, eligible employees may qualify for 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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