East Texas

Fort Bend County

Fort Bend County (Sugar Land, Katy, Richmond, Missouri City) is one of Houston's most sought-after suburbs, and the up-front cash is the usual sticking point. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit, with income limits set higher than most families assume. TSAHC's 2026 limits in Fort Bend County may reach about $156,000 for Home Sweet Texas and $176,800 for Homes for Texas Heroes, at any household size.

Quick Facts

  • County seat Richmond
  • Region East Texas
  • Population 895,000
  • Home Sweet Texas income limit (non-targeted) ~$156,000
  • FHA loan limit $541,287 Source: hud.gov
  • FIPS code 48157

What Buyers Should Know

In Fort Bend County, TSAHC’s county income limits may allow household income up to about $156,000 for Home Sweet Texas and $176,800 for Homes for Texas Heroes, at any household size. Many Fort Bend 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 Fort Bend mirror the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land 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 Fort Bend County averages around 2.23% 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. Filing it is one of the most valuable steps a new homeowner can take. File on or before April 30 of the year following purchase.

Houston Metro Context

Fort Bend County straddles southwest Houston metro and is one of the most racially diverse counties in the U.S. Sugar Land (population ~118,000) anchors the urban core alongside Missouri City, Stafford, Richmond, and Rosenberg. Fort Bend ISD, Lamar CISD, Stafford MSD, and Needville ISD serve the county. The City of Houston HAP applies only inside Houston city limits (small slice in eastern Fort Bend); most Fort Bend buyers route through state-level TSAHC, TDHCA, and MCC programs. See Harris County guide for adjacent context.

Income Limits

Fort Bend County Down Payment Assistance Income Limits

Program Max household income (non-targeted) Max purchase price
Home Sweet Texas (TSAHC) up to ~$156,000 (any household size) bond DPA or MCC only: up to ~$566,354
Homes for Texas Heroes (TSAHC) up to ~$176,800 (any household size) bond DPA or MCC only: up to ~$566,354
My First Texas Home (TDHCA) up to ~$104,000 (1–2 persons) / ~$119,600 (3+) up to ~$566,354
My Choice Texas Home (TDHCA) up to ~$178,670 (conventional) / ~$176,800 (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 — Fort Bend County

FHA (2026)

1-unit
$541,287
2-unit
$693,050
3-unit
$837,700
4-unit
$1,041,125
Source: hud.gov

Conforming (2026)

1-unit
$832,750
Source: fhfa.gov

VA

VA loans are uncapped above conforming limits for full-entitlement veterans.

Cities in Fort Bend County

School Districts in Fort Bend County

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