East Texas
Harris County
Harris County is the heart of Houston, and the biggest barrier to buying here is almost always the cash up front. Eligible buyers may shrink it with TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit; inside Houston city limits, the City's Homebuyer Assistance Program is worth knowing about. The income limits reach higher than most buyers expect.
Quick Facts
- County seat Houston
- Region East Texas
- Population 4,781,659
- TSAHC income limit (non-targeted) ~$126,375
- FHA loan limit $541,287 Source: hud.gov
- FIPS code 48201
What Buyers Should Know
Harris County contains the City of Houston plus 34 incorporated cities and the largest unincorporated population in Texas. The Houston-Galleria, Energy Corridor, Westchase, Medical Center, NRG/Texas Southern, and University of Houston corridors anchor the urban core, with master-planned suburbs in Cypress, Kingwood, Katy (partial), Spring Branch, and Clear Lake (partial) on the perimeter. Most Harris buyers qualify for at least one TSAHC or TDHCA program. The City of Houston Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP) applies only inside Houston city limits and is administered by the City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department — see our Houston down payment assistance guide for current HAP funding status.
Property tax effective rate in Harris averages around 2.31% (verify current year at Harris County Appraisal District).
Income Limits
Harris 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 ~$126,375 (any household size) | up to ~$544,232 |
| My First Texas Home (TDHCA) | up to ~$101,100 (1–2 persons) / ~$116,265 (3+) | up to ~$544,232 |
| My Choice Texas Home (TDHCA) | up to ~$173,400 (conventional) / ~$171,870 (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 — Harris County
VA
VA loans are uncapped above conforming limits for full-entitlement veterans.
Cities in Harris County
City pillars for this county are coming soon.
School Districts in Harris County
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Cy-Fair ISD
Cy-Fair ISD is one of the largest districts in Texas, and its educators are squarely who Homes for Texas Heroes serves. Eligible Cy-Fair teachers and staff may qualify for TSAHC down payment assistance, often about 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement and an MCC tax credit option.
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Klein ISD
Klein ISD teachers and staff in north Harris County may have more help available 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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