To buy a median-priced home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area today, borrowers might need an annual income of about $123,000 with 20% down, or about $140,000 with 10% down.
That’s based on current mortgage rates and home prices in fall 2026, and it uses the 28% rule of thumb for housing affordability.
These figures could remain roughly the same in 2027, if rates stay in their current range.
Income Needed to Buy a Home in Dallas
Dallas-area home prices have remained mostly flat over the past year, but mortgage rates have increased substantially during that time.
As a result, the income needed to manage the monthly payments on a Dallas-area home purchase has increased, even though prices generally stayed the same.
Here’s the current mortgage math, which could carry into 2027:
- DFW home prices are flat, but mortgage rates have risen. The average 30-year rate is currently 7.18% (in early November), up from 6.22% a year ago.
- That difference in rates adds about $200 a month in principal and interest to the monthly payment on a typical Dallas-area home.
- The median home price in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area is currently $399,083, according to Redfin.
- At today’s average mortgage rates, buyers need about $123,000 in income with 20% down. With 10% down, they need about $140,000.
- Even with 20% down, that’s about $20,000 more than the typical Dallas-area household earns.
- Down payment assistance, seller concessions, and house hunting through the different parts of DFW can help close the gap.
Home Prices Are Flat. Monthly Payments Are Up.
As noted in our 2027 Dallas market forecast, home prices in the DFW area have been mostly flat over the past year.
Redfin currently shows a median sale price of $399,083 for the metroplex, down 0.2% from a year earlier. Zillow also has Dallas-area home prices being down slightly over the past year.
Mortgage rates, on the other hand, have risen significantly.
In early November, Freddie Mac reported an average rate of 7.18% for a 30-year fixed mortgage. That was a slight decline from the previous week, but well above the 6.22% average of a year ago.
That’s the biggest change over the past year. And it could affect a lot of Dallas home buyers in 2027, because rates will likely remain above 7% for quite some time.
What the Math Might Look Like in 2027
To calculate how much income a Dallas-area borrower might need, we used the standard parameters:
- A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage
- Today’s current mortgage rates
- A monthly housing payment that stays within 28% of gross income
We also made three logical assumptions of our own:
- Property taxes and insurance together equal about 2.1% of the home’s price per year.
- Buyers who put 10% down pay mortgage insurance of about 0.4% of the loan per year.
- The current average interest rate is 7.18%.
Here’s what that produces at several price points:
| Home price | Monthly payment, 20% down | Income needed | Monthly payment, 10% down | Income needed |
| $350,000 | ~$2,520 | ~$108,000 | ~$2,860 | ~$122,700 |
| $399,083 (metro median) | ~$2,875 | ~$123,200 | ~$3,265 | ~$139,900 |
| $420,000 | ~$3,030 | ~$129,700 | ~$3,440 | ~$147,200 |
| $450,000 | ~$3,240 | ~$138,900 | ~$3,680 | ~$157,800 |
At the current median price, a buyer putting 20% down needs to earn about $123,200 a year. With 10% down, that rises to about $139,900.
Outlook: Mortgage rates will fluctuate between now and next year, but probably not by much. So this could serve as a general guide for 2027 as well.
How Much of That Is the Rate?
To demonstrate the effect of mortgage rates, the following table shows the income needed for the same $399,083 home with 20% down, but at different interest rates:
With the home price remaining constant, today’s average mortgage rate adds roughly $8,700 to the income that’s needed, compared to a year ago.
This partly explains why home sales in the Dallas area have declined over the past year. Redfin, for example, recently reported a 14% decrease in pending sales across DFW.
Higher rates have changed the mortgage math, requiring a higher level of income to afford the typical monthly payment on a Dallas-area home purchase.
Your Numbers Might Look Different
The above tables show income estimates for a typical home buyer in the DFW area, based on current housing costs and affordability parameters.
Your own numbers could vary depending on:
- Where you buy. Property tax rates vary by city, county and school district, and some newer DFW neighborhoods have extra fees such as MUD or PID assessments.
- Insurance. Homeowners insurance costs vary widely by home and location.
- Your credit score. It can affect both your mortgage rate and your mortgage insurance cost.
How to Make Buying More Affordable in DFW
Home buyers in Dallas have a lot of choices when it comes to mortgage financing, and some programs are more flexible and affordable than others.
If the above numbers seem out of reach, consider these strategies:
1. Put less money down up front.
FHA loans allow 3.5% down with a credit score of 580 or higher, and some conventional loans allow 3% to 5% down. The tradeoff is mortgage insurance. In our example, going from 20% down to 10% down raises the income needed by about $17,000.
2. Spread out the payments with a 30-year loan.
The 30-year term is already built into the numbers above, and that’s how most buyers keep the monthly payment as low as possible. A 15-year loan has a lower rate but a much higher monthly payment.
The “standard” 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the most popular type of home loan in the Dallas area and nationwide, because it results in a lower monthly payment.
3. Look into down payment assistance programs.
Texas has statewide programs that help with down payment and closing costs, and they’re available to qualified Dallas-area home buyers.
Here are two programs worth looking into:
- TSAHC Home Sweet Texas: Offers assistance of up to 5% of the loan amount, as a grant or a forgivable second lien, to buyers within county income limits.
- TDHCA My First Texas Home: Offers up to 5% of the loan amount in assistance to first-time buyers within income limits. They have other programs for those who aren’t first-time buyers.
Both programs typically require a credit score of at least 620 and a homebuyer education course. You apply through a participating lender. Check tsahc.org and tdhca.texas.gov for current rules and your county’s income limits.
4. Use the Dallas buyer’s market to your advantage.
With sellers outnumbering buyers in the Dallas area, buyers have some room to negotiate. Consider asking the seller to cover closing costs or help buy down your interest rate. If you’re shopping for new construction, ask builders about incentives.
5. Compare different areas for price differences.
In a summer 2026 Redfin analysis, the income needed to buy in Fort Worth was about $12,000 lower than in Dallas. Townhomes and entry-level homes have seen the largest price declines in the past year.
The Bottom Line for Home Buyers in 2027
Home prices in the Dallas-Fort Worth area have been mostly flat, but buying is more expensive than it was a year ago because of higher mortgage rates.
At today’s average rate, a buyer needs roughly $123,000 in income to buy the median-priced home with 20% down, and roughly $140,000 with 10% down.
As we move into 2027, mortgage rates could move either way. If they ease toward the mid-6% range, the income needed would drop by about $6,000. But if rates climb, income requirements will rise with them.
Given all of that, our advice for Dallas home buyers in 2027 is simple:
Do the math, create a realistic budget, and buy a home only if and when you are ready—without waiting for a rate drop that might not come.
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Disclaimer: The figures in this report are estimates based on current market data and the assumptions described above. They are not loan quotes or financial advice. Actual costs depend on your finances, the property, and your lender. Mortgage scenarios can vary significantly from one borrower to the next.