North Texas
Collin County
Collin County (McKinney, Plano, Frisco, and the booming north side of DFW) runs pricey, but the assistance income limits are higher here than buyers expect. You may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help and the MCC tax credit even on a comfortable household income, so it's worth checking before you count yourself out.
Quick Facts
- County seat McKinney
- Region North Texas
- Population 1,160,000
- TSAHC income limit (non-targeted) ~$146,625
- FHA loan limit $563,500 Source: hud.gov
- FIPS code 48085
Collin County sits at the northern edge of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. McKinney is the county seat. The county runs north from the Dallas line up to the Grayson County boundary, anchored by I-75 and the Dallas North Tollway, with rapid growth across Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Prosper, and Wylie.
What buyers should know
Collin County’s 2026 HUD area median income (AMI) for a 4-person household is $117,500, which means many buyers in the $400K–$550K price range still fit TSAHC and TDHCA program ceilings. The county is not designated a HUD targeted area, so the standard income limits and first-time-buyer rule apply.
FHA loan limits in Collin County mirror the DFW high-cost ceiling. Conforming limits run $806,500 for 1-unit. VA loans are uncapped above conforming for full-entitlement veterans.
Property tax is a meaningful affordability factor here — Collin County’s effective rate averages around 2.18% (verify current year at the Collin Central Appraisal District). The Texas residence homestead exemption shaves $100,000 off school-district appraised value.
Income Limits
Collin 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 ~$146,625 (any household size) | up to ~$585,006 |
| My First Texas Home (TDHCA) | up to ~$117,300 (1–2 persons) / ~$134,895 (3+) | up to ~$585,006 |
| My Choice Texas Home (TDHCA) | up to ~$192,950 (conventional) / ~$199,410 (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 — Collin County
VA
VA loans are uncapped above conforming limits for full-entitlement veterans.
School Districts in Collin County
-
Frisco ISD
Frisco ISD educators in fast-growing Collin and Denton counties may qualify for real home-buying help. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible teachers and staff may receive TSAHC down payment assistance, around 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement and an MCC tax credit on top.
View -
McKinney ISD
McKinney ISD educators in fast-growing Collin County may have more help available than they expect. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible staff may qualify for TSAHC down payment assistance, around 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement and an MCC tax credit on top.
View -
Plano ISD
Plano ISD educators in Collin County may qualify for meaningful down payment help, even in one of DFW's pricier markets. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible staff may receive TSAHC assistance, roughly 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement, plus an MCC tax credit.
View