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Texas FHA Loan DTI Requirements Calculator

FHA loans are popular with Texas homebuyers due to the state's relatively affordable home prices and the FHA's flexible qualification requirements. For 2026, the FHA loan limit for a single-family home in most Texas counties is $524,225, with higher limits in high-cost areas. The FHA allows a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio up to 43% (and sometimes higher with compensating factors).

Texas FHA loans require a minimum 3.5% down payment, a credit score of 580+ (or 10% down with a 500-579 score), and mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) for the life of the loan (or 11 years if putting 10%+ down). Texas also has no state income tax, which can help buyers qualify since state tax burden isn't counted against income.

Use the calculator below to determine if you meet Texas FHA DTI requirements. Enter your income, monthly debts, and proposed housing payment to see your ratio and qualification status.

Income & Debt Details

?Enter your gross monthly income.
?Enter your housing (piti + hoa).
?Enter your credit card minimums.
?Enter your auto loan / lease.
?Enter your student loans.
End of inputs

Your DTI Summary

DTI Ratios
Front-End DTI
21.43%

Housing / income (28% rule)

Back-End DTI
32.86%

Total debt / income (36% rule)

28/36 Rule
Meets

Both ratios at or below limits

Recommended Maxima (Under 28/36 Rule)
Max Housing
$1,960.00

28% of gross monthly income

Max Total Debt
$2,520.00

36% of gross monthly income

Back-End Headroom
$220.00

Under 36% rule

Current Obligations
Total Monthly Debt
$2,300.00

Sum of all categories

Gross Monthly Income
$7,000.00

Pre-tax

Front-End Headroom
$460.00

Under 28% rule

Income: $7,000.00. Total debt: $2,300.00 (32.86% of income). Housing: $1,500.00 (21.43% of income). 28/36 rule: Met.
Debt Mix Breakdown
Actual vs. Recommended (28/36 Rule)
Key Insights
You meet the classic 28/36 rule: housing is at or below 28% of income and total debt is at or below 36%. This is the gold standard for mortgage qualification and gives you the most lender options.
You have only $220.00 of headroom under the 36% back-end threshold — a single car loan or credit card balance would push you over. Hold off on new debt until you build more cushion.
Your back-end DTI of 32.86% is in the healthy zone — below the 36% rule of thumb. Most lenders will view you as a strong borrower.
Your front-end DTI of 21.43% is at or below the 28% guideline — a strong signal that housing is comfortably affordable on your income.
Your debt is well-distributed across categories — no single type dominates. This gives you flexibility to attack the highest-rate debt first without upending your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum DTI for a Texas FHA loan?

The FHA allows a maximum DTI of 43% (manual underwriting) or up to 56.9% (automated underwriting via TOTAL Scorecard) with strong compensating factors. The 43% cap applies to the back-end DTI (all debts including housing). Front-end DTI (housing only) is typically capped at 31%. For a $60,000/year income ($5,000/month), 43% back-end allows $2,150 total monthly debt including the new mortgage. Compensating factors that allow higher DTI: 3+ months reserves, residual income >120% of area median, or a 640+ credit score.

What are the 2026 Texas FHA loan limits?

The 2026 FHA loan limit for a single-family home is $524,225 in most Texas counties (the national floor for low-cost areas). High-cost Texas counties: Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Rockwall, Tarrant (Dallas-Fort Worth metro) = $524,225 (same as floor in 2026). Harris County (Houston) = $524,225. Bexar (San Antonio) = $524,225. Travis (Austin) = $524,225. Multi-unit limits: 2-unit $671,200; 3-unit $811,275; 4-unit $1,008,300. Loan limits are set at 115% of the area median home price, with floor and ceiling limits.

What credit score do I need for a Texas FHA loan?

FHA minimum credit scores: 580+ qualifies for 3.5% down payment; 500-579 requires 10% down. However, most Texas lenders overlay stricter requirements — typically 620-640 minimum. A 640+ score can get better rates and easier approval. On a $300,000 Texas home with 3.5% down ($10,500), the loan is $289,500. At 6.5% (typical FHA rate + MIP), P&I is $1,827/month. Add MIP (~$241), taxes (~$394 at 1.58%), and insurance (~$150) for a total PITI of ~$2,612/month.

Does Texas's no-income-tax structure help with FHA qualification?

Indirectly yes. Texas has no state income tax, so your gross income is closer to your net income compared to high-tax states like California or New York. This means a $75,000 salary in Texas provides ~$6,250/month gross, with take-home ~$5,200 (after federal tax and FICA). In California, the same salary nets ~$4,600. While lenders qualify you on gross income, your actual ability to make payments depends on net income — giving Texas buyers a practical affordability advantage despite high property taxes.

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