To qualify for a USDA guaranteed home loan in Hays County, Texas, household income must be at or below $153,550 for 1–4 people or $202,700 for 5–8 people (FY2026).
$67,200Very low income, 1–4 people
Limits by household size
| Program | 1–4 people | 5–8 people |
|---|---|---|
| Guaranteed (moderate) | $153,550 | $202,700 |
| Direct: low income | $106,800 | $141,000 |
| Direct: very low | $67,200 | $88,750 |
For 9+ people, add 8% of the 4-person limit per extra person.
Am I under the limit?
A quick check of gross income against the guaranteed limit. Lenders subtract allowed deductions (e.g. $480 per child, childcare, elderly household) to get adjusted income.
Related
- USDA limits across Texasevery county
- FHA limit, Hays County$571,550
- Hays County property tax1.66%
- USDA property eligibility mapcheck an address
Source: USDA Rural Development, Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program income limits, FY2026 (PN 657, effective Jul 13, 2026). Limits apply to adjusted household income (all adult members). The property must also be in a USDA-eligible rural area. Check the address on the USDA eligibility site. Not lending advice.
Major Cities & Counties in Texas
Largest by population (Census ACS 2020–2024). Property tax for each:
- Houston pop. 2,328,253
- San Antonio pop. 1,479,835
- Dallas pop. 1,307,930
- Austin pop. 979,539
- Fort Worth pop. 963,194
- El Paso pop. 680,130
- Arlington pop. 397,742
- Corpus Christi pop. 317,419
- Plano pop. 290,594
- Lubbock pop. 264,814
- Harris County pop. 4,838,303
- Dallas County pop. 2,621,179
- Tarrant County pop. 2,167,390
- Bexar County pop. 2,067,341
- Travis County pop. 1,330,015
- Collin County pop. 1,163,337
- Denton County pop. 979,561
- Fort Bend County pop. 893,767
- Hidalgo County pop. 891,977
- El Paso County pop. 870,779
Frequently asked questions
What is the USDA income limit in Hays County?
To qualify for a USDA guaranteed home loan in Hays County, Texas, household income must be at or below $153,550 for 1–4 people or $202,700 for 5–8 people (FY2026).
Does a USDA loan require a down payment?
No. USDA guaranteed loans finance up to 100% of the appraised value, with a 1% upfront fee and a 0.35% annual fee.
Does USDA count everyone's income?
Yes. Eligibility uses the income of all adult household members, even if they aren't on the loan, after allowed deductions.
Is all of Hays County eligible for USDA loans?
Not necessarily. Eligibility depends on the property address, and larger towns are often excluded. Check the USDA map.