USDA Income Limits in Texas
Quick answer: USDA sets a maximum adjusted household income for each Texas county, with one limit for households of one to four people and a higher one for five to eight. Most Texas counties share a statewide figure, and a handful of metro areas and counties have higher limits. USDA counts income from every adult in the home, then subtracts allowed deductions. Check your county on USDA's official income tool.
The income limit is the test that surprises the most Texas buyers, in both directions. Some assume they earn too much and don't check. Others are caught off guard because a parent or adult child living with them counts toward household income. Here's how the limit actually works.
Open USDA's income eligibility tool
What is the USDA income limit?
It's the maximum adjusted annual income a household can have and still use the Guaranteed program, set by USDA for each county or metro area and household size.
USDA publishes the limits as Appendix 5 to Handbook HB-1-3555 and updates them when new figures come out. For the Guaranteed program, the limit is the "moderate income" line, and there are two tiers: one for households of one to four members, and a higher one for households of five to eight. Larger households get a further adjustment.
USDA updates the limits, so check the current figure for your county on USDA's tool or its published table, which are the official sources. Danny Nassar can help you review the current USDA income limits that may apply to your situation.
Who counts toward household income?
Every adult member of the household counts, whether or not they'll be on the loan.
This is the biggest difference between the income limit and loan qualifying. If you live with a spouse, partner, parent or adult child who earns income, their income is part of the household figure even if only you are buying. One exception: earnings of adult full-time students who aren't applicants or an applicant's spouse are only partly counted. The lender reviews each household member's situation under HB-1-3555, Chapter 9.
| Test | Whose income | What it decides |
|---|---|---|
| Annual income | All adult household members | Starting point for eligibility |
| Adjusted annual income | Annual income minus allowed deductions | Compared with the county limit |
| Repayment income | Borrowers only | Whether you can repay the loan |
What deductions lower your adjusted income?
USDA subtracts set deductions for dependents, an elderly household, eligible child care, and certain care and medical costs, which can bring a household under the limit.
- Dependents. A deduction for each child under 18, and for full-time students or household members with disabilities who qualify as dependents.
- Elderly household. A deduction when the borrower or co-borrower is 62 or older, or has a disability.
- Child care. Reasonable child care costs for children 12 and under that let an adult work or go to school.
- Care and medical costs. Certain unreimbursed costs for elderly or disabled household members, above a threshold set by USDA.
USDA sets the amounts of these deductions. A lender calculates them from your documents, so keep child care and medical receipts handy.
Which Texas areas have higher income limits?
In USDA's FY 2026 Texas table (HB-1-3555, Appendix 5, effective July 13, 2026, PN 657), most counties share the statewide limit, while eleven areas have higher ones.
According to USDA's FY 2026 Appendix 5 for Texas (effective July 13, 2026, PN 657), these areas have limits above the statewide figure:
- Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA
- Dallas HUD Metro FMR Area
- Fort Worth-Arlington HUD Metro FMR Area
- Wise County
- Brazoria County
- Kendall County
- Midland HUD Metro FMR Area
- Borden County
- Gillespie County
- Glasscock County
- Hemphill County
Every other Texas area in the table, including Houston, San Antonio and El Paso, uses the statewide figure. The metro areas named above are HUD definitions that include several counties, so the simplest way to see which applies to you is to choose your county in USDA's tool. Remember that an income limit is separate from location: a county can have a limit while many addresses inside it aren't in an eligible area. Check the address on our USDA eligibility map guide.
How do you check your income on USDA's tool?
Pick Texas and your county, enter your household size and income details, and the tool estimates whether your household is under the limit.
- Open USDA's income eligibility tool and choose Single Family Housing Guaranteed if asked.
- Select Texas, then your county.
- Enter the number of people in the household, how many are under 18, and whether anyone is 62 or older or has a disability.
- Enter gross annual income for each adult, plus any child care or qualifying medical costs.
- Read the result. It's an estimate. A lender's calculation from your documents is what counts.
Prefer to have someone do it with you? Call Danny at 512-743-5512 or send an inquiry.
What income does USDA include?
Most recurring income counts, including wages, overtime and bonuses, self-employment, Social Security, pensions, child support and alimony received, and net rental income.
The lender projects income for the next twelve months. Some items are excluded or only partly counted, such as most earnings of adult full-time students who aren't applicants. Because Texas has many seasonal and oilfield workers, note that USDA has specific rules for variable and seasonal income; the lender looks at history to decide what's stable. Read the full list of borrower rules on our USDA loan requirements page.
Source: USDA Handbook HB-1-3555, Chapter 9 and Appendix 5 (FY 2026). Official table: USDA income limits (PDF). All loans subject to credit and property approval.
Frequently asked questions
Are USDA income limits the same everywhere in Texas?
No. Most Texas counties share a statewide limit, but eleven areas, including the Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth metro areas, have higher limits in USDA's FY 2026 table.
Does my roommate's or parent's income count?
If they are an adult member of your household, yes, for the income limit. It does not count toward repaying the loan unless they are a borrower.
Is the income limit based on gross or net income?
It starts from gross annual income for all adult household members, then USDA subtracts allowed deductions to reach adjusted annual income, which is compared with the limit.
How often do USDA income limits change?
USDA updates them when new figures are published, often once a year. Always check the current table or tool rather than an old article.
What if I'm slightly over the limit?
Check whether deductions for dependents, child care, elderly household status or qualifying medical costs apply. If you're still over, an FHA or conventional loan may fit; see USDA vs FHA.
Talk with Danny about your Texas USDA loan
Tell Danny the county you're buying in and who lives in your household. He'll walk you through the USDA rules that apply to you and the next steps.
All loans subject to credit and property approval.