28% front-end
Your full housing payment — mortgage, tax, insurance, and HOA — should stay near or below 28% of gross monthly income. In Texas, tax and insurance often move the stress meter before list price does.
Living · Texas
How Much House Can You Afford in Texas?
Texas has no state income tax, which boosts take-home pay. Property tax is among the highest in the US, so the full PITI still matters. Run the calculator — this page also has salary tiers, city comparisons, and Texas buyer guides.
Texas home affordability at a glance
Planning figures for Texas. Your lender quote and tax bill may differ — use these as a starting point, then open a city page for local medians.
$345,000Median home price
$72,000Median household income
$107,812+Rough gross for median (3× rule)
$2,394/moEst. PITI on median (20% down)
On a median $345,000 home, property tax near 1.6% is about $460/month. Insurance near 0.4% of value is about $115/month. HOA is about $75/month where it applies.
Texas has no state income tax, so take-home pay helps. Property tax near 1.6% still pulls $400–$600 a month on a $350k home.
Compare with California: Higher prices on the coast but income tax shrinks net pay.
Monthly payment breakdown on a median Texas home
Estimated PITI at $345,000 list, 20% down, 6.5% rate, and Texas tax and insurance defaults.
Estimated monthly PITI
$2,394/mo
In Texas, buyers who only compare list price to income miss tax and insurance. Run the calculator with your real debts — the 36% back-end rule includes car loans and cards.
How much house can you afford in Texas by salary?
Max home price at common gross salaries, 6.5% rate, $300/month other debt, and Texas tax and insurance defaults.
| Gross salary | Max home (est.) | Stress |
|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $209,706 | Moderate |
| $100,000 | $282,738 | Moderate |
| $125,000 | $355,771 | Moderate |
| $150,000 | $428,803 | Moderate |
| $200,000 | $574,867 | Moderate |
These rows assume no down payment in the solver — your down payment raises what you can buy. City medians vary — open Houston, Dallas, or your target city for local numbers.
Texas take-home pay calculator · Comfortable salary in Texas
Top cities in Texas for home buyers
Median price and income vary a lot inside one state. Pick your city for local tax, insurance, and a prefilled calculator.
| City | Median price | Median income | Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | $310,000 | $68,000 | Moderate — prices stay below many coastal metros. |
| Dallas | $385,000 | $75,000 | Moderate to high — growth pushed prices in some suburbs. |
| Austin | $485,000 | $88,000 | Higher than Houston — tech wages help but list prices rose quickly. |
The 28/36 rule in Texas
Lenders often use two caps. Our calculator applies both so you see a realistic max — not just what a bank might pre-approve.
36% back-end
All monthly debt plus housing should stay near or below 36% of gross income. Car loans and student debt shrink your max home price even when income is strong.
Stress meter
We label results Comfortable, Moderate, Stretched, or Over limit. Shop below your max if you want room for repairs, childcare, or savings.
Buying a home in Texas: what to know
Texas has no state income tax. That helps your take-home pay. Property tax is among the highest in the US, so your monthly housing stack is still heavy.
Schools and local services are funded largely through property tax, not income tax. A $345k home can mean $460 a month in tax alone at 1.6%.
Houston, Dallas, and Austin sit at different price points. Austin rose fast with tech jobs. Houston stayed more affordable on median price.
Flood and wind insurance matter on the Gulf Coast. Inland metros see lower insurance but still need a hail and wind quote.
Buying often beats renting after five to seven years if you stay put. Run your timeline in the rent vs buy tool before you size up.
Texas is a spread-out state with very different metros. The statewide median near $345k blends affordable Houston stock with pricier Austin and DFW suburbs.
Migration from California and the Midwest pushed prices in some rings after 2020. Competition cooled from peak years but popular school zones still see multiple offers.
Energy, tech, and healthcare jobs anchor wages. Remote workers keeping coastal salaries helped Austin demand — still model a pay-cut case before you max out.
Summer electric on large suburban homes can add $200+ a month. Budget utilities outside PITI when you compare cities.
How much house can I afford in Texas on $90,000?
At $90,000 gross, the 28% rule caps your full housing payment near $2,100 a month. That often supports a home near $280,000–$320,000 with 20% down at 6.5% — more in Houston, less in Austin.
Texas has no state income tax, so your take-home pay is higher than California or New York at the same gross. Still run property tax in the calculator — it is often $400+ a month on a $300k home.
If you carry $400 in car and student loan payments, the 36% back-end cap may bind before the 28% housing line. Enter real debts in the form above.
Texas property tax and why it changes your max price
Texas schools and local services are funded largely through property tax, not income tax. Effective rates near 1.6% mean a $345,000 home can carry $460 a month in tax alone.
Tax districts differ by county, city, and school district. A home in Collin County may tax differently than the same list price in Harris County. Use the seller's tax certificate, not a statewide average.
Homestead exemptions help after you buy, but your first-year bill still tracks purchase price. Budget the full assessed amount when you set a max list price.
What salary do you need to buy a house in Texas?
For a median home near $345,000 with 20% down, plan on $85,000–$100,000 gross at 6.5% with modest debt. Houston and San Antonio often fit below that; Austin runs higher.
Dual income is common in DFW and Houston suburbs. Two earners at $50k–$60k each can often land in Comfortable stress below the state median.
Open a city page before you trust the state median alone. Austin median near $485k needs far more gross pay than Houston near $310k.
Rent vs buy in Texas
Texas rent is moderate in many metros, and property tax is high — so buying is not automatic math. If you stay five to seven years and lock a rate, equity often beats renting in Houston and DFW suburbs. Run your timeline in the rent vs buy tool.
First-time buyer tips in Texas
- Pull flood maps on Gulf Coast and Houston-area listings before you offer.
- Ask for MUD, PID, and ISD tax lines on new construction — they add to the monthly bill.
- Compare Houston, Dallas, and Austin city pages if you are flexible on job location.
- Get a wind and hail quote early — roof age changes premiums fast.
FAQ — how much house can I afford in Texas?
How much house can I afford in Texas on $90k?
About $2,100 a month at 28% gross. That often supports a home near $280k–$320k with 20% down at 6.5% — more in cheaper metros.
Why is Texas property tax so high?
Texas funds schools and local services largely through property tax instead of state income tax.
Is buying better than renting in Texas?
Often after 5–7 years in stable markets. Run your stay and rate in the rent vs buy tool.
Can I afford a $400k home in Texas on $100k?
Often yes with 20% down and low debt in Houston or DFW suburbs. Austin at $400k may feel Moderate to Stretched depending on HOA and tax district.
Is Texas cheaper than California for buyers?
List prices are lower and there is no state income tax. Property tax and insurance still stack up — compare full PITI, not list price alone.
How much down payment do Texas buyers use?
20% avoids PMI and strengthens offers. FHA and VA loans allow less — still run the full payment through our calculator.
Which Texas city is most affordable?
Houston median is lowest among our featured cities. Austin is highest. Open each city page for local tax and insurance defaults.