If you have been priced out of Austin or Dallas-Fort Worth, you do not have to give up on buying a home in Texas.
This guide ranks the 13 cheapest places to buy a house in Texas using calendar year 2025 and January through September 2026 year-to-date MLS median sale prices from the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University (TRERC), alongside U.S. Census Bureau population and home-value figures.
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You will see how far below the $335,000 statewide median each market sits, how the four biggest metros compare, what local universities or military installations anchor these communities, and how statewide down payment assistance can stretch your budget even further.
Quick Ranking: 13 Cheapest Places to Buy a House in Texas
To give you an apples-to-apples view of the most affordable cities in Texas, the table below ranks the 13 lowest-priced Texas Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) by their full calendar year 2025 MLS median sale price, paired with their January through September 2026 year-to-date (YTD) median sale price.
Every metro in this ranking is compared against the calendar year 2025 Texas statewide MLS median sale price of $335,000 (and the Jan-Sep 2026 YTD statewide median of $334,021). Note that the tiny Eagle Pass MSA ($265,000 median in 2025) is excluded from this main ranking because it had only 288 MLS sales all year and a July 1, 2025 metro population of 58,823.
| Rank | Metro Area (MSA) | 2025 Median Sale Price (TRERC) | Below 2025 Statewide Median ($335,000) | 2025 MLS Sales | Jan-Sep 2026 YTD Median | Metro Pop. (7/1/2025 Census) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wichita Falls | $200,000 | -$135,000 | 1,756 | $205,000 | 149,448 |
| 2 | Texarkana (Texas side) | $215,000 | -$120,000 | 736 | $230,000 | 146,816 (TX-AR metro) |
| 3 | Beaumont-Port Arthur | $219,900 | -$115,100 | 3,562 | $233,770 | 399,310 |
| 4 | Lubbock | $240,000 | -$95,000 | 5,261 | $244,990 | 368,431 |
| 5 (tie) | McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | $245,000 | -$90,000 | 4,110 | $247,000 | 921,549 |
| 5 (tie) | Abilene | $245,000 | -$90,000 | 2,732 | $275,000 | 185,429 |
| 7 | Laredo | $246,000 | -$89,000 | 1,053 | $247,000 | 281,224 |
| 8 | Victoria | $250,000 | -$85,000 | 817 | $253,250 | 99,864 |
| 9 | Amarillo | $254,000 | -$81,000 | 3,163 | $265,962 | 276,235 |
| 10 | Longview | $257,500 | -$77,500 | 2,456 | $260,000 | 297,315 |
| 11 | San Angelo | $262,750 | -$72,250 | 1,539 | $267,750 | 122,065 |
| 12 | El Paso | $267,950 | -$67,050 | 8,592 | $275,950 | 881,291 |
| 13 | Brownsville-Harlingen | $268,000 | -$67,000 | 2,747 | $263,250 | 433,946 |
Source: Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University (TRERC) MLS Housing Activity data and U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates.
Seven of these affordable Texas housing markets had a 2025 annual median sale price under $250,000: Wichita Falls, Texarkana, Beaumont-Port Arthur, Lubbock, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Abilene, and Laredo. Those seven 2025 medians ranged from $89,000 to $135,000 below the $335,000 statewide median.
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How the Statewide Median and the 4 Big Texas Metros Compare
Before diving into smaller cities, it helps to see where Texas as a whole and the four major metros stand. Statewide, the 2025 annual MLS median sale price of $335,000 was down 1.18% from 2024 ($339,000). In the latest single month on record, September 2026, the Texas statewide median was $329,900 across 26,827 sales, virtually unchanged from $330,000 in September 2025.
Among the four big metro areas, San Antonio-New Braunfels was the least expensive in 2025 and Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos was the most expensive, while Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands ($334,340) landed just $660 under the statewide median. Note that Houston-metro MLS data is released on or near the 40th calendar day after month end (compared with around the 20th day for other areas), so Houston's 2026 YTD figure runs through August 2026 rather than September 2026.
| Benchmark Area | 2025 Median Sale Price | vs. 2025 Statewide ($335,000) | 2025 MLS Sales | 2026 YTD Median | Metro / State Pop. (7/1/2025) | Principal City ACS 2020-2024 Median Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas (Statewide) | $335,000 | $0 | 335,747 | $334,021 (Jan-Sep) | 31,709,821 | $283,800 (statewide) |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels MSA | $305,000 | -$30,000 | 33,246 | $305,000 (Jan-Sep) | 2,813,140 | San Antonio city: $235,700 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands MSA | $334,340 | -$660 | 89,040 | $334,000 (Jan-Aug) | 7,904,627 | Houston city: $277,800 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA | $390,000 | +$55,000 | 92,289 | $387,000 (Jan-Sep) | 8,477,157 | Dallas: $320,700; Fort Worth: $303,000 |
| ... Fort Worth-Arlington-Grapevine MD | $355,000 | +$20,000 | 29,329 | $354,990 (Jan-Sep) | n/a | Fort Worth city: $303,000 |
| ... Dallas-Plano-Irving MD | $410,000 | +$75,000 | 62,960 | $405,831 (Jan-Sep) | n/a | Dallas city: $320,700 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA | $430,000 | +$95,000 | 30,347 | $422,940 (Jan-Sep) | 2,620,945 | Austin city: $555,300 |
| United States (Context) | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 341,784,857 | $332,700 (nation) |
At the county level in those four big regions, calendar year 2025 MLS medians were $289,990 in Bexar County, $320,000 in Harris County, $349,000 in Tarrant County, $365,000 in Dallas County, and $515,000 in Travis County. If you are shopping in one of the major metros, you can also explore local programs like the San Antonio Homebuyer Assistance Programs (2026), Houston Homebuyer Assistance Program (2026), Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program (2026), and Austin Down Payment Assistance (2026).
How to Read TRERC Sale Prices vs. Census Home Values
As you review the city profiles below, you will see three different price or value measures. Understanding how they work will keep you from misreading a local market:
- TRERC MLS Median Sale Price (2025 and 2026 YTD): According to TRERC notes, these numbers are based on combined listings of single-family, condominium, and townhouse properties—both new construction and existing construction—sold through Multiple Listing Service (MLS) systems across each OMB 2023 metro area. Builder-direct sales and other off-MLS sales are excluded, and MLS figures can be periodically revised.
- Annual and YTD vs. Single-Month Medians: In smaller markets with fewer transactions, a single month's median can swing sharply. For example, Abilene's September 2026 monthly median jumped to $300,000 compared with its $245,000 full-year 2025 median and $275,000 Jan-Sep 2026 YTD median. Full-year and YTD numbers give you a much steadier benchmark.
- Census ACS 2020-2024 Median Value: Sourced from U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (American Community Survey 5-year estimates for 2020-2024), this figure applies to the principal city rather than the whole metro, and it reflects what existing homeowners estimate their homes are worth—not what homes are selling for on the MLS today. Because it is a different measure and geography, it cannot be compared directly to TRERC sale prices.
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Detailed Guide to the 13 Most Affordable Texas Metros
Here is a closer look at each of the 13 cheapest places to live in Texas 2026 buyers should know, ordered from lowest to highest calendar year 2025 MLS median sale price.
1. Wichita Falls
- 2025 Median Sale Price: $200,000 ($135,000 below the statewide median; 1,756 MLS sales)
- Jan-Sep 2026 YTD Median: $205,000 (September 2026 monthly median: $210,000)
- Population (July 1, 2025): 149,448 in the metro; 101,951 in the city of Wichita Falls
- Principal City ACS 2020-2024 Median Value: $156,800
Wichita Falls takes the top spot among the cheapest places to buy a house in Texas, with a 2025 metro median sale price of exactly $200,000—$135,000 under the state benchmark. Looking purely at Wichita County, the 2025 median was even slightly lower at $198,000 across 1,520 sales ($201,777 for Jan-Sep 2026 YTD).
The city is home to Midwestern State University, a public university in Wichita Falls located at 3410 Taft Blvd. In the broader North Texas area, Sheppard Air Force Base serves as home to the 82nd Training Wing, the Air Force's largest technical training wing (its undated Air Education and Training Command fact sheet, which includes a 2013 reference, lists a daily population of 15,000 and an $803 million economic impact).
2. Texarkana (Texas Side)
- 2025 Median Sale Price: $215,000 ($120,000 below the statewide median; 736 MLS sales)
- Jan-Sep 2026 YTD Median: $230,000 (September 2026 monthly median: $229,000)
- Population (July 1, 2025): 146,816 in the bi-state TX-AR metro; 36,195 in the city of Texarkana, TX
- Principal City ACS 2020-2024 Median Value: $171,500
Texarkana's 2025 MLS median sale price of $215,000 sits $120,000 below the Texas median. While the U.S. Census Bureau's metro population of 146,816 covers both the Texas and Arkansas sides of the metro, TRERC's Texarkana MSA figures are identical to its Bowie County, Texas figures (736 sales and a $215,000 median in 2025; $230,000 for Jan-Sep 2026 YTD), which suggests the TRERC price data covers only the Texas side (TRERC does not say so directly).
Because Bowie County is a relatively small market with 736 annual MLS sales, buyers should watch both the 2025 annual figure ($215,000) and the Jan-Sep 2026 YTD figure ($230,000) when budgeting.
3. Beaumont-Port Arthur
- 2025 Median Sale Price: $219,900 ($115,100 below the statewide median; 3,562 MLS sales)
- Jan-Sep 2026 YTD Median: $233,770 (September 2026 monthly median: $225,000)
- Population (July 1, 2025): 399,310 in the metro; 112,967 in Beaumont; 55,804 in Port Arthur
- Principal City ACS 2020-2024 Median Value: $166,400 in Beaumont; $107,400 in Port Arthur
With 3,562 MLS sales in 2025, Beaumont-Port Arthur finished the year at a $219,900 median sale price, $115,100 below the state median. Within Jefferson County specifically, the 2025 median was $210,000 on 2,132 sales ($225,000 for Jan-Sep 2026 YTD).
Beaumont is home to Lamar University (located in Beaumont, TX 77710), which says on its official page that it is home to more than 18,000 students (no year is given).
4. Lubbock
- 2025 Median Sale Price: $240,000 ($95,000 below the statewide median; 5,261 MLS sales)
- Jan-Sep 2026 YTD Median: $244,990 (September 2026 monthly median: $256,000)
- Population (July 1, 2025): 368,431 in the metro; 273,071 in the city of Lubbock
- Principal City ACS 2020-2024 Median Value: $212,400
Lubbock stands out as one of the most active affordable Texas housing markets, logging 5,261 MLS sales in 2025 at a $240,000 median sale price ($95,000 below the statewide median). In Lubbock County alone, 4,911 homes sold in 2025 at a $243,000 median ($247,970 for Jan-Sep 2026 YTD).
The city is anchored by Texas Tech University at 2500 Broadway in Lubbock, which lists enrollment of 42,000+ on its official About page (no term is given). With more than 5,000 MLS sales a year, Lubbock gives buyers a lot to choose from, whether they are comparing FHA Loans in Texas or VA Loans in Texas.
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5 (Tie). McAllen-Edinburg-Mission
- 2025 Median Sale Price: $245,000 ($90,000 below the statewide median; 4,110 MLS sales)
- Jan-Sep 2026 YTD Median: $247,000 (September 2026 monthly median: $235,000)
- Population (July 1, 2025): 921,549 in the metro; 150,640 in McAllen; 110,700 in Edinburg; 88,992 in Mission
- Principal City ACS 2020-2024 Median Value: $190,400 in McAllen; $189,600 in Edinburg
With a metro population of 921,549 as of July 1, 2025, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission is the largest metro in our ranking. TRERC's Hidalgo County figures match the metro's (4,110 sales and a $245,000 median in 2025). Its $245,000 median in 2025 was $90,000 below the Texas median, and prices held steady at $247,000 through the first nine months of 2026.
5 (Tie). Abilene
- 2025 Median Sale Price: $245,000 ($90,000 below the statewide median; 2,732 MLS sales)
- Jan-Sep 2026 YTD Median: $275,000 (September 2026 monthly median: $300,000)
- Population (July 1, 2025): 185,429 in the metro; 131,588 in the city of Abilene
- Principal City ACS 2020-2024 Median Value: $183,700
Tied with McAllen at a $245,000 median sale price for calendar year 2025 ($90,000 below the statewide figure), Abilene recorded 2,732 MLS sales across its metro area, with Taylor County accounting for 2,411 sales at a $247,995 median in 2025. In 2026, Abilene's Jan-Sep YTD median rose to $275,000 ($285,000 in Taylor County).
Abilene is home to Dyess Air Force Base, which hosts the 7th Bomb Wing (B-1) and the 317th Airlift Wing (C-130J; reactivated at Dyess AFB in Abilene on April 1, 1997 as the 317th Airlift Group and became the 317th Airlift Wing on July 6, 2017). Service members and veterans buying here may want to compare a standard VA mortgage with the Texas Veterans Land Board Home Loan (2026).
7. Laredo
- 2025 Median Sale Price: $246,000 ($89,000 below the statewide median; 1,053 MLS sales)
- Jan-Sep 2026 YTD Median: $247,000 (September 2026 monthly median: $241,000)
- Population (July 1, 2025): 281,224 in the metro; 269,515 in the city of Laredo
- Principal City ACS 2020-2024 Median Value: $193,500
Laredo was the seventh and final metro in our ranking to finish calendar year 2025 under the $250,000 mark, posting a $246,000 median sale price—$89,000 below the statewide median—and holding nearly flat at $247,000 for Jan-Sep 2026 YTD. Nearly all of the metro's 281,224 residents live within the city of Laredo itself (269,515).
8. Victoria
- 2025 Median Sale Price: $250,000 ($85,000 below the statewide median; 817 MLS sales)
- Jan-Sep 2026 YTD Median: $253,250 (September 2026 monthly median: $283,350)
- Population (July 1, 2025): 99,864 in the metro; 66,500 in the city of Victoria
- Principal City ACS 2020-2024 Median Value: $207,100
With a metro population of 99,864, Victoria is the smallest metro in our 13-market ranking. Its 2025 median sale price of $250,000 was $85,000 under the Texas statewide median, and its Jan-Sep 2026 YTD median came in at $253,250 across a modest volume of sales (817 in 2025).
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9. Amarillo
- 2025 Median Sale Price: $254,000 ($81,000 below the statewide median; 3,163 MLS sales)
- Jan-Sep 2026 YTD Median: $265,962 (September 2026 monthly median: $262,500)
- Population (July 1, 2025): 276,235 in the metro; 205,130 in the city of Amarillo
- Principal City ACS 2020-2024 Median Value: $196,900
Amarillo recorded 3,163 MLS sales in 2025 at a median sale price of $254,000 ($81,000 below the statewide median) and a Jan-Sep 2026 YTD median of $265,962. Amarillo has 205,130 residents in the city and 276,235 in the metro, and its 2025 median was well below the $390,000 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington and $430,000 Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos medians.
10. Longview
- 2025 Median Sale Price: $257,500 ($77,500 below the statewide median; 2,456 MLS sales)
- Jan-Sep 2026 YTD Median: $260,000 (September 2026 monthly median: $267,500)
- Population (July 1, 2025): 297,315 in the metro; 83,236 in the city of Longview
- Principal City ACS 2020-2024 Median Value: $202,600
The Longview MSA has a population of 297,315 (with 83,236 in the principal city of Longview) and recorded 2,456 MLS sales in 2025. Its $257,500 median sale price in 2025 was $77,500 below the statewide median, and its Jan-Sep 2026 YTD median edged up only slightly to $260,000. Buyers looking at smaller surrounding communities can also review USDA Loans in Texas (2026).
11. San Angelo
- 2025 Median Sale Price: $262,750 ($72,250 below the statewide median; 1,539 MLS sales)
- Jan-Sep 2026 YTD Median: $267,750 (September 2026 monthly median: $285,000)
- Population (July 1, 2025): 122,065 in the metro; 100,640 in the city of San Angelo
- Principal City ACS 2020-2024 Median Value: $187,600
San Angelo posted a 2025 MLS median sale price of $262,750 across 1,539 sales—$72,250 below the statewide median—and a Jan-Sep 2026 YTD median of $267,750. Of the metro's 122,065 residents, 100,640 live in the city of San Angelo.
12. El Paso
- 2025 Median Sale Price: $267,950 ($67,050 below the statewide median; 8,592 MLS sales)
- Jan-Sep 2026 YTD Median: $275,950 (September 2026 monthly median: $283,950)
- Population (July 1, 2025): 881,291 in the metro; 683,012 in the city of El Paso
- Principal City ACS 2020-2024 Median Value: $184,500
For buyers seeking a major city with a huge housing inventory, El Paso logged 8,592 MLS sales in 2025—more than any other metro on this list—at a median sale price of $267,950 ($67,050 below the statewide median) and $275,950 for Jan-Sep 2026 YTD. The city of El Paso has 683,012 residents within an 881,291-person metro.
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), which describes its campus as at "the westernmost tip of Texas," lists 26,297 students on its About page (no term is given). The official Fort Bliss site, which calls the post "Home of America's Tank Division," links to a "Welcome to El Paso" page.
13. Brownsville-Harlingen
- 2025 Median Sale Price: $268,000 ($67,000 below the statewide median; 2,747 MLS sales)
- Jan-Sep 2026 YTD Median: $263,250 (September 2026 monthly median: $265,000)
- Population (July 1, 2025): 433,946 in the metro; 192,957 in Brownsville; 72,467 in Harlingen
- Principal City ACS 2020-2024 Median Value: $139,900 in Brownsville; $140,600 in Harlingen
Rounding out the top 13, Brownsville-Harlingen finished 2025 at a $268,000 median sale price ($67,000 below the Texas median) on 2,747 MLS sales. Notably, its Jan-Sep 2026 YTD median was slightly lower at $263,250.
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Bonus: Low-Priced Texas Counties in TRERC Data
TRERC's free public housing activity data covers 26 MSAs and about 55 of Texas's 254 counties. Among those covered counties with at least roughly 400 annual sales, nine posted a calendar year 2025 median sale price under $250,000, including three (Lamar, Angelina, and Coryell) that are not part of any metro in the table above. The city names in parentheses are the main cities or county seats, added for reference; they are not part of TRERC's data:
| County (Main City / Seat) | 2025 Median Sale Price | vs. 2025 Statewide ($335,000) | 2025 MLS Sales | Jan-Sep 2026 YTD Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita County (Wichita Falls) | $198,000 | -$137,000 | 1,520 | $201,777 |
| Jefferson County (Beaumont / Port Arthur) | $210,000 | -$125,000 | 2,132 | $225,000 |
| Bowie County (Texarkana) | $215,000 | -$120,000 | 736 | $230,000 |
| Lamar County (Paris) | $225,500 | -$109,500 | 428 | $250,000 |
| Angelina County (Lufkin) | $231,000 | -$104,000 | 710 | $257,000 |
| Coryell County | $240,000 | -$95,000 | 810 | $230,000 |
| Lubbock County (Lubbock) | $243,000 | -$92,000 | 4,911 | $247,970 |
| Hidalgo County (McAllen) | $245,000 | -$90,000 | 4,110 | $247,000 |
| Taylor County (Abilene) | $247,995 | -$87,005 | 2,411 | $285,000 |
How Texas Down Payment Assistance Stretches Your Budget in Affordable Metros
In markets where the 2025 metro median ran from $200,000 to $268,000, state down payment assistance (DPA) may help reduce the cash you need at closing. Two state agencies run these programs, and buyers apply through a participating lender. Check our full guide to 58 Texas First-Time Home Buyer Grants & Programs (2026) for the complete landscape.
1. TDHCA Programs (My First Texas Home & My Choice Texas Home)
Run by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), the My First Texas Home Program (for first-time buyers, qualified veterans, or homes in targeted census tracts using FHA, VA, or USDA 30-year fixed loans) and the My Choice Texas Home Program (open to both first-time and repeat buyers using FHA, VA, USDA, or HFA conventional loans) both offer 2% to 5% of the total loan amount in down payment and closing cost assistance, while funding lasts.
- How the assistance works: The DPA is a 0%-interest second lien with no required monthly payments, structured as either a 30-year deferred repayable second lien or a 3-year deferred forgivable second lien (forgiven after 36 months if you remain current and occupy the home as your primary residence; which structures and tiers are available on a given day is shown on TDHCA's current rate notice).
- Credit and DTI requirements: Both require a minimum middle credit score of 620, a HUD-certified pre-purchase homebuyer education course, and occupancy within 60 days. Debt-to-income (DTI) follows automated underwriting (AUS) findings, or a 45% maximum for manual underwriting on government loans.
- 2026 Income and Purchase Price Limits in Affordable Counties: Under TDHCA's published limits effective July 13, 2026 (buyers should always confirm current figures with a participating lender), unlisted counties such as Hidalgo, El Paso, and Lubbock use the Balance of State limits for My First Texas Home and the Texas Mortgage Credit Certificate (TXMCC): $101,500 for a 1–2 person household and $116,725 for 3 or more persons in non-targeted areas ($121,800 and $142,100 in qualified targeted census tracts), with a non-targeted 1-unit purchase price limit of $566,354 ($692,211 in targeted tracts)—more than double the median sale price in any of our 13 affordable metros.
- For My Choice Texas Home (which has no purchase price limit), the published July 13, 2026 income limit for FHA, VA, and USDA loans in Balance of State counties (including Lubbock, El Paso, and Hidalgo) is $172,550 for any family size. For conventional loans, county-specific limits are $71,600 (at or below 80% AMI) and $152,150 (above 80% AMI) in Lubbock County, $58,720 and $124,780 in El Paso County, and $51,200 and $108,800 in Hidalgo County.
2. TSAHC Programs (Home Sweet Texas & Homes for Texas Heroes)
The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) offers the Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program (for low- and moderate-income buyers of any profession, with no first-time buyer requirement on Non-Bond DPA) and Homes for Texas Heroes (for full-time public K-12 teachers, teacher aides, school librarians, school counselors, school nurses, peace officers, fire fighters, EMS personnel, county jailers, TDCJ/TJJD corrections officers, public security officers, nursing or allied health faculty, and qualifying veterans).
- How the assistance works: Depending on the loan type, TSAHC provides 2%, 3%, 4%, or 5% of the total loan amount as either an outright grant (available on FHA, VA, and USDA loans; per TSAHC's September 9, 2026 guidelines, the grant does not need to be repaid after six months from first-lien closing) or a 3-year deferred forgivable second lien (0% interest, no monthly payments, forgiven in full on the third anniversary of the Note; available on government and HFA conventional loans). A Bond 30-year deferred repayable second lien of 4% or 5% (when available) is also offered for first-time buyers at or below 80% AMFI.
- Credit and DTI requirements: Minimum credit score is 620 for FHA, VA, and USDA loans (640 for manufactured homes and for FHA manual underwriting up to 45% DTI) and 640 for HFA conventional loans. With AUS approval, TSAHC sets no maximum DTI.
- Published County Limits in Affordable Markets: In TSAHC's county income limits tool (confirm current figures with a participating lender), Non-Bond DPA used without an MCC has no purchase price limit, and the qualifying income limits are generous:
- Hidalgo and El Paso Counties: $152,250 for Home Sweet Texas and $172,550 for Homes for Texas Heroes on government or above-80%-AMFI conventional loans ($51,200 in Hidalgo and $58,720 in El Paso for conventional loans at or below 80% AMFI; $81,200 for Bond DPA with a $566,355 Bond/MCC purchase price limit).
- Lubbock County: $155,122 for Home Sweet Texas and $175,805 for Homes for Texas Heroes on government or above-80%-AMFI conventional loans ($71,600 for conventional at or below 80% AMFI; $82,732 for Bond DPA with a $566,355 Bond/MCC purchase price limit).
Both TDHCA and TSAHC also offer a Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) for eligible first-time buyers (or qualified veterans and buyers in targeted areas). At the current published credit rate of 15%, it gives a federal income tax credit equal to 15% of the mortgage interest you pay each year, limited by your federal tax liability, and the federal $2,000 annual cap does not apply at that rate. Confirm the current credit rate with a participating lender. You can review full county figures in our guide to Texas Homebuyer Income & Purchase Price Limits.
Remember that once you close on your primary residence in Texas, you can also lower your local school district property tax assessment by filing for the $140,000 school homestead exemption (effective for tax year 2025 and later)—see our Texas Homestead Exemption Guide (2026) for step-by-step instructions.
Next Steps to Buy in an Affordable Texas Market
Whether you are looking at a $200,000 median market like Wichita Falls, a university hub like Lubbock, or a major border metro like El Paso or McAllen, the smartest first move is checking your loan options and eligibility before you start touring homes. Program interest rates for TDHCA and TSAHC are set daily, and buyers apply through a participating lender.
Our team can help you review the Requirements to Buy a House in Texas, compare Texas Home Loan Options including FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans, check your eligibility for down payment assistance, and get connected with a participating lender who can quote today's rate.
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