How Much House Can I Afford in DFW?
By Brent Reiter, REALTOR® · Last updated November 8, 2026
Short answer: A common starting point is the 28/36 rule — spending no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing, and no more than 36% on total debt including housing. On a $75,000 household income, that’s roughly $1,750/month for housing. Once you count Texas property taxes, insurance and mortgage insurance at today’s rates, that covers a home of about $185,000–$195,000 with an FHA loan. Many lenders will approve more, up to about $245,000 on that income, but a bigger approval isn’t always a comfortable payment.
The Quick Formula
| Household Income | Comfortable Payment (28%) | Home Price* | Stretch Payment (35%) | Home Price* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $1,170 | $125,000–$130,000 | $1,460 | $155,000–$165,000 |
| $60,000 | $1,400 | $150,000–$155,000 | $1,750 | $185,000–$195,000 |
| $75,000 | $1,750 | $185,000–$195,000 | $2,190 | $230,000–$245,000 |
| $90,000 | $2,100 | $220,000–$235,000 | $2,620 | $280,000–$295,000 |
| $110,000 | $2,570 | $270,000–$285,000 | $3,210 | $340,000–$360,000 |
| $130,000 | $3,030 | $320,000–$340,000 | $3,790 | $400,000–$425,000 |
| $150,000 | $3,500 | $370,000–$390,000 | $4,380 | $465,000–$490,000 |
*Assumes a 30-year fixed FHA loan with 3.5% down at a 6.5%–7.25% rate, property tax of 2.3% of the price per year, homeowners insurance of 0.6% per year and FHA annual mortgage insurance. HOA dues and other debt aren’t included. Your actual range shifts with your rate, down payment and existing debt. Texas property taxes are why these numbers run lower than national calculators: on a $300,000 home, taxes alone are about $575 a month before exemptions.
Why the Range, Not a Single Number
Two buyers with the same income can afford very different homes because of:
- Down payment size — More down means a smaller loan and lower monthly payment for the same price home.
- Existing debt — Car payments, student loans, and credit card balances all eat into your 36% total debt ceiling before housing even enters the picture.
- Property taxes — Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes run higher than many states, and they vary significantly by county and school district.
- Home insurance — Rising insurance costs in Texas have become a real factor in monthly payment calculations, more than in past years.
- Loan type — FHA, VA, and conventional loans all calculate affordability slightly differently, especially around mortgage insurance.
What DFW Home Prices Actually Look Like Right Now
- Fort Worth: median $332,475 (single-family sales in the 90 days to Nov. 7, 2026)
- North Richland Hills ($370,000) and the rest of the Mid-Cities: from $265,000 in Haltom City to $387,500 in Bedford
- Higher-income buyers in areas like Southlake ($1,500,000 median) or Colleyville ($920,000) are above the top of this table
- Outlying growth areas (Parker, Johnson, Hood counties): often lower entry prices with more land
The Number That Matters More Than “How Much House”
Lenders don’t approve you for a home price — they approve you for a monthly payment based on your income, debt, and credit. Two people asking “how much house can I afford” with the same income can get very different pre-approval numbers once a lender factors in their specific debt and credit profile.
The Real First Step
A pre-approval conversation with a lender takes your actual numbers — income, debt, credit score, and down payment — and turns this general framework into your specific number. That’s the number worth shopping with, not a rule-of-thumb estimate.
Bottom Line
The 28/36 rule gives you a starting range, but your real affordability number depends on your specific debt, credit, and down payment. Send me your rough income and what you have for a down payment, and I can help you figure out a realistic price range and connect you with a lender to get an actual pre-approval number.
Brent Reiter, REALTOR® | Brent Sells DFW
Real Estate. Real Results. Real DFW.
817-874-1602 | brent@brentsellsdfw.com
Serving Dallas-Fort Worth.
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