HUD income limits · Fiscal year 2026
A family of four counts as low income at up to $83,450 in the typical state
About this number
For HUD’s fiscal year 2026, a family of four counts as low income at up to $64,900 in Mississippi, the lowest of any state, and up to $106,800 in Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and the District of Columbia, the highest. In the typical state the line is $83,450, which is 54% higher than in fiscal year 2017.
That is HUD’s figure for the state as a whole. The line that applies to a household is set for its own county or metro area, so it can sit above or below the state line. The table shows both, for any household size from 1 to 8.
What is the low-income limit in each state?
Pick a household size and one of HUD’s three income levels. The table shows each state’s limit for fiscal year 2026, what it was in fiscal year 2017, and the lowest and highest local limit inside the state. The page opens on the 80% line, which HUD calls low income; the next section explains the other two.
| Alabama | $71,600 | $44,400 | +61 | $59,350 | $92,100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $96,250 | $67,900 | +42 | $84,700 | $106,800 |
| Arizona | $82,900 | $49,300 | +68 | $53,200 | $89,900 |
| Arkansas | $66,650 | $42,550 | +57 | $56,900 | $85,500 |
| California | $96,150 | $58,650 | +64 | $77,700 | $174,550 |
| Colorado | $102,250 | $62,250 | +64 | $77,900 | $115,050 |
| Connecticut | $103,600 | $68,000 | +52 | $99,600 | $117,100 |
| Delaware | $89,100 | $59,900 | +49 | $82,550 | $98,150 |
| District of Columbia One county; HUD lists no state figure | $106,800 | $75,050 | +42 | $106,800 | $106,800 |
| Florida | $78,950 | $47,200 | +67 | $62,600 | $114,650 |
| Georgia | $81,350 | $48,550 | +68 | $61,600 | $94,250 |
| Hawaii | $101,200 | $65,350 | +55 | $96,800 | $123,200 |
| Idaho | $81,300 | $47,900 | +70 | $70,400 | $95,450 |
| Illinois | $90,100 | $59,300 | +52 | $71,750 | $106,800 |
| Indiana | $76,250 | $50,150 | +52 | $67,850 | $88,250 |
| Iowa | $81,700 | $55,900 | +46 | $75,300 | $97,900 |
| Kansas | $81,050 | $54,800 | +48 | $68,550 | $90,700 |
| Kentucky | $69,850 | $45,200 | +55 | $57,500 | $87,900 |
| Louisiana | $67,900 | $46,700 | +45 | $54,150 | $83,350 |
| Maine | $84,000 | $51,200 | +64 | $73,500 | $106,800 |
| Maryland | $106,800 | $68,000 | +57 | $76,000 | $106,800 |
| Massachusetts | $106,800 | $68,000 | +57 | $89,700 | $137,100 |
| Michigan | $78,700 | $51,300 | +53 | $66,900 | $106,800 |
| Minnesota | $95,100 | $64,300 | +48 | $78,400 | $106,800 |
| Mississippi | $64,900 | $41,450 | +57 | $57,600 | $78,500 |
| Missouri | $77,700 | $50,550 | +54 | $62,000 | $93,050 |
| Montana | $82,500 | $50,100 | +65 | $72,800 | $104,150 |
| Nebraska | $84,550 | $54,550 | +55 | $75,300 | $94,100 |
| Nevada | $84,400 | $50,300 | +68 | $82,250 | $93,450 |
| New Hampshire | $105,450 | $66,500 | +59 | $94,100 | $137,100 |
| New Jersey | $106,800 | $68,000 | +57 | $78,000 | $117,900 |
| New Mexico | $71,200 | $45,100 | +58 | $58,300 | $106,800 |
| New York | $89,500 | $58,700 | +52 | $71,900 | $135,700 |
| North Carolina | $78,300 | $47,350 | +65 | $62,650 | $105,850 |
| North Dakota | $87,200 | $63,050 | +38 | $85,700 | $104,650 |
| Ohio | $79,050 | $51,450 | +54 | $63,100 | $106,800 |
| Oklahoma | $69,700 | $48,500 | +44 | $60,700 | $77,850 |
| Oregon | $88,250 | $51,700 | +71 | $66,900 | $102,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $84,800 | $56,000 | +51 | $68,950 | $98,150 |
| Rhode Island | $91,200 | $58,800 | +55 | $89,700 | $107,900 |
| South Carolina | $76,650 | $46,650 | +64 | $59,700 | $94,000 |
| South Dakota | $82,700 | $53,800 | +54 | $75,600 | $95,850 |
| Tennessee | $75,900 | $45,850 | +66 | $62,400 | $92,900 |
| Texas | $81,200 | $51,850 | +57 | $66,950 | $106,800 |
| Utah | $94,400 | $57,350 | +65 | $85,050 | $106,800 |
| Vermont | $89,200 | $55,450 | +61 | $83,750 | $99,750 |
| Virginia | $96,400 | $64,650 | +49 | $63,900 | $106,800 |
| Washington | $101,450 | $61,200 | +66 | $76,650 | $116,650 |
| West Virginia | $66,000 | $43,300 | +52 | $60,100 | $102,700 |
| Wisconsin | $84,650 | $55,450 | +53 | $76,800 | $106,800 |
| Wyoming | $80,100 | $59,750 | +34 | $79,500 | $106,800 |
HUD Income Limits. The first limit column is HUD’s figure for the state as a whole; the last two are the lowest and highest line HUD published for a county (a town in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont). The District of Columbia is one county, so its row is its county figure. Puerto Rico is not included. Change is our calculation.
To see the line for your own county, use HUD’s income limits lookup →
What do the 30%, 50% and 80% limits mean?
HUD publishes three lines for each area, each a share of the area’s median family income, the income of the family in the middle. The 80% line is called “low income,” the 50% line “very low income,” and the lowest line, near 30%, “extremely low income.” Each line is lower for a smaller household and higher for a larger one.
The table shows the typical state’s line for each household size and level in fiscal year 2026. A single person counts as low income at up to $58,425; a family of four, at up to $83,450.
| Household size | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low (80%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $21,925 | $36,525 | $58,425 |
| 2 people | $25,050 | $41,725 | $66,775 |
| 3 people | $28,175 | $46,950 | $75,125 |
| 4 people | $31,300 | $52,150 | $83,450 |
| 5 people | $33,825 | $56,325 | $90,150 |
| 6 people | $36,325 | $60,500 | $96,825 |
| 7 people | $38,850 | $64,675 | $103,500 |
| 8 people | $41,350 | $68,850 | $110,175 |
HUD Income Limits, middle of the 50 states for each cell. The typical state is our calculation.
Why is the line different in my county?
HUD sets the low-income line for each county or metro area, and in six New England states for each town. The state line is a statewide figure, so a household’s own line can be higher or lower. Of the 51 places in the table (the 50 states and the District of Columbia), 49 have some local lines for a family of four below the statewide line and some above it.
For a family of four, the highest local line is exactly $106,800 in 14 of those 51 places, and higher in 11. California shows the biggest gap. HUD’s lowest local line there is $77,700 for a family of four and its highest is $174,550, more than twice as high. The state line is $96,150.
To see the line for your own county, use HUD’s income limits page →
Which housing programs use these limits?
Public housing and Section 8 vouchers
HUD says public housing is for low-income families and individuals. It also says its income limits vary from area to area, so a household can qualify with one local housing agency and not with another. The agency decides eligibility from the household’s annual gross income, among other things (HUD, public housing).
For the Housing Choice Voucher program, known as Section 8, HUD says families generally must be extremely low-income or very low-income to qualify, and you apply through your local public housing agency (HUD, Housing Choice Vouchers). Those are the 30% and 50% lines in the table.
First-time buyer and foreclosure-help programs
Programs run by states, cities and nonprofits set their own rules, so their income limits can differ from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s. A program’s own rules say which line it uses, which household size counts and what income it adds up.
These numbers are general information. They can’t tell you whether you qualify for a program, because each program counts income its own way. A HUD-approved housing counselor can go over your situation for free; our directory lists counselors near you.
How much have income limits risen since 2017?
The chart follows the typical state’s low-income line for a family of four from fiscal year 2017 to 2026. It rose from $54,175 to $83,450, up 54%.
In the typical state, a family of four counts as low income up to $83,450, up from $54,175 in fiscal year 2017
The low-income limit (80% of the area’s median family income) for a household of four in the middle of the 50 states, HUD fiscal years 2017 to 2026, in dollars per year.
The other two lines moved about the same amount: the very low-income line rose 54% and the extremely low-income line 54% in the typical state. Every state’s line is higher than in fiscal year 2017, by 34% in Wyoming up to 71% in Oregon.
HUD limits how fast a line can move in one year. Its January 2024 Federal Register notice says an increase can’t exceed 10 percent, and a decrease can’t exceed 5 percent (Federal Register).
Where can you get help if you’re near the line?
If a mortgage payment is hard to make, start with what to do when you’re behind on your mortgage. If a debt has gone to a collector, your rights under federal law are on our help page. A nonprofit credit counselor can go over your budget with you for free or a low fee.
The low-income limit for every household size, fiscal year 2026
Each row is one state, at the low-income level (80% of the area’s median family income), in dollars per year. HUD Income Limits, 2026. The District of Columbia is one county, so its row is its county figure.
| State | 1 person | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people | 7 people | 8 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $50,150 | $57,300 | $64,450 | $71,600 | $77,350 | $83,100 | $88,800 | $94,550 |
| Alaska | $67,400 | $77,000 | $86,650 | $96,250 | $103,950 | $111,650 | $119,350 | $127,050 |
| Arizona | $58,050 | $66,350 | $74,650 | $82,900 | $89,550 | $96,200 | $102,800 | $109,450 |
| Arkansas | $46,700 | $53,350 | $60,000 | $66,650 | $72,000 | $77,350 | $82,650 | $88,000 |
| California | $67,350 | $76,950 | $86,550 | $96,150 | $103,850 | $111,550 | $119,250 | $126,950 |
| Colorado | $71,600 | $81,800 | $92,050 | $102,250 | $110,450 | $118,650 | $126,800 | $135,000 |
| Connecticut | $72,550 | $82,900 | $93,250 | $103,600 | $111,900 | $120,200 | $128,500 | $136,800 |
| Delaware | $62,400 | $71,300 | $80,200 | $89,100 | $96,250 | $103,400 | $110,500 | $117,650 |
| District of Columbia | $74,800 | $85,450 | $96,150 | $106,800 | $115,350 | $123,900 | $132,450 | $141,000 |
| Florida | $55,300 | $63,200 | $71,100 | $78,950 | $85,300 | $91,600 | $97,900 | $104,250 |
| Georgia | $56,950 | $65,100 | $73,250 | $81,350 | $87,900 | $94,400 | $100,900 | $107,400 |
| Hawaii | $70,850 | $81,000 | $91,100 | $101,200 | $109,300 | $117,400 | $125,500 | $133,600 |
| Idaho | $56,950 | $65,050 | $73,200 | $81,300 | $87,850 | $94,350 | $100,850 | $107,350 |
| Illinois | $63,100 | $72,100 | $81,100 | $90,100 | $97,350 | $104,550 | $111,750 | $118,950 |
| Indiana | $53,400 | $61,000 | $68,650 | $76,250 | $82,350 | $88,450 | $94,550 | $100,650 |
| Iowa | $57,200 | $65,400 | $73,550 | $81,700 | $88,250 | $94,800 | $101,350 | $107,850 |
| Kansas | $56,750 | $64,850 | $72,950 | $81,050 | $87,550 | $94,050 | $100,550 | $107,000 |
| Kentucky | $48,900 | $55,900 | $62,900 | $69,850 | $75,450 | $81,050 | $86,650 | $92,250 |
| Louisiana | $47,550 | $54,350 | $61,150 | $67,900 | $73,350 | $78,800 | $84,200 | $89,650 |
| Maine | $58,800 | $67,200 | $75,600 | $84,000 | $90,750 | $97,450 | $104,200 | $110,900 |
| Maryland | $74,800 | $85,450 | $96,150 | $106,800 | $115,350 | $123,900 | $132,450 | $141,000 |
| Massachusetts | $74,800 | $85,450 | $96,150 | $106,800 | $115,350 | $123,900 | $132,450 | $141,000 |
| Michigan | $55,100 | $63,000 | $70,850 | $78,700 | $85,000 | $91,300 | $97,600 | $103,900 |
| Minnesota | $66,600 | $76,100 | $85,600 | $95,100 | $102,750 | $110,350 | $117,950 | $125,550 |
| Mississippi | $45,450 | $51,950 | $58,450 | $64,900 | $70,100 | $75,300 | $80,500 | $85,700 |
| Missouri | $54,400 | $62,200 | $69,950 | $77,700 | $83,950 | $90,150 | $96,350 | $102,600 |
| Montana | $57,750 | $66,000 | $74,250 | $82,500 | $89,100 | $95,700 | $102,300 | $108,900 |
| Nebraska | $59,200 | $67,650 | $76,100 | $84,550 | $91,350 | $98,100 | $104,850 | $111,650 |
| Nevada | $59,100 | $67,550 | $76,000 | $84,400 | $91,200 | $97,950 | $104,700 | $111,450 |
| New Hampshire | $73,850 | $84,400 | $94,950 | $105,450 | $113,900 | $122,350 | $130,800 | $139,200 |
| New Jersey | $74,800 | $85,450 | $96,150 | $106,800 | $115,350 | $123,900 | $132,450 | $141,000 |
| New Mexico | $49,850 | $57,000 | $64,100 | $71,200 | $76,900 | $82,600 | $88,300 | $94,000 |
| New York | $62,650 | $71,600 | $80,550 | $89,500 | $96,700 | $103,850 | $111,000 | $118,150 |
| North Carolina | $54,850 | $62,650 | $70,500 | $78,300 | $84,600 | $90,850 | $97,100 | $103,400 |
| North Dakota | $61,050 | $69,800 | $78,500 | $87,200 | $94,200 | $101,200 | $108,150 | $115,150 |
| Ohio | $55,350 | $63,250 | $71,150 | $79,050 | $85,400 | $91,700 | $98,050 | $104,350 |
| Oklahoma | $48,800 | $55,800 | $62,750 | $69,700 | $75,300 | $80,900 | $86,450 | $92,050 |
| Oregon | $61,800 | $70,600 | $79,450 | $88,250 | $95,350 | $102,400 | $109,450 | $116,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,400 | $67,850 | $76,350 | $84,800 | $91,600 | $98,400 | $105,200 | $111,950 |
| Rhode Island | $63,850 | $73,000 | $82,100 | $91,200 | $98,500 | $105,800 | $113,100 | $120,400 |
| South Carolina | $53,700 | $61,350 | $69,000 | $76,650 | $82,800 | $88,950 | $95,050 | $101,200 |
| South Dakota | $57,900 | $66,200 | $74,450 | $82,700 | $89,350 | $95,950 | $102,550 | $109,200 |
| Tennessee | $53,150 | $60,750 | $68,350 | $75,900 | $82,000 | $88,050 | $94,150 | $100,200 |
| Texas | $56,850 | $65,000 | $73,100 | $81,200 | $87,700 | $94,200 | $100,700 | $107,200 |
| Utah | $66,100 | $75,550 | $85,000 | $94,400 | $102,000 | $109,550 | $117,100 | $124,650 |
| Vermont | $62,450 | $71,400 | $80,300 | $89,200 | $96,350 | $103,500 | $110,650 | $117,750 |
| Virginia | $67,500 | $77,150 | $86,800 | $96,400 | $104,150 | $111,850 | $119,550 | $127,250 |
| Washington | $71,050 | $81,200 | $91,350 | $101,450 | $109,600 | $117,700 | $125,800 | $133,950 |
| West Virginia | $46,200 | $52,800 | $59,400 | $66,000 | $71,300 | $76,600 | $81,850 | $87,150 |
| Wisconsin | $59,300 | $67,750 | $76,200 | $84,650 | $91,450 | $98,200 | $105,000 | $111,750 |
| Wyoming | $56,100 | $64,100 | $72,100 | $80,100 | $86,550 | $92,950 | $99,350 | $105,750 |
Questions about low income limits
What is the income limit for low income in 2026?
For HUD’s fiscal year 2026, a family of four counts as low income at up to $64,900 in Mississippi, the lowest of any state, and up to $106,800 in Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and the District of Columbia, the highest. The table above has every state, every household size from 1 to 8 and all three income levels.
What is the Section 8 income limit in my state?
HUD says families generally must be extremely low-income or very low-income to qualify for a Housing Choice Voucher, known as Section 8. In the typical state, the very low-income line (50%) for a family of four is $52,150 and the extremely low-income line (30%) is $31,300. Choose 50% or 30% in the table to see your state, and check your county’s line on HUD’s lookup, because the local housing agency uses the line for its own area.
Is the low-income limit the same in every county?
No. HUD sets the line for each county or metro area, and for each town in six New England states. Of the 51 places in the table (the 50 states and the District of Columbia), 49 have some local lines for a family of four below the statewide line and some above it. The last two columns of the table show the lowest and highest.
How often does HUD update the income limits?
Every fiscal year. This page covers fiscal years 2017 to 2026. We pulled them from HUD in October 2026 and plan to pull again on May 1, 2027.
Sources and method
The statutory definition is HUD’s: low-income and very low-income families are those whose incomes are below 80 percent and 50 percent of the area’s median family income, and HUD publishes the dollar lines each fiscal year for households of 1 to 8 people. HUD also publishes a lower, extremely low-income line near 30 percent. The 50 states use HUD’s state record. HUD publishes no state record for the District of Columbia, a single county, so its row uses its county record. Puerto Rico is not in the table: HUD publishes county records for it but no single state figure. The state line is HUD’s figure for the state as a whole; HUD sets the line a household faces for its own county or metro area, so the last two columns give the lowest and highest local line HUD published for the state in fiscal year 2026. “Local” means a county, or a town in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, which HUD lists by town. Areas HUD did not publish for a year are missing from our data, so a range covers the areas HUD published. The typical state is the middle of the 50 states: half have a higher line and half a lower one (the District of Columbia is left out). The changes since fiscal year 2017, the typical-state figures and the local ranges are our calculations from HUD’s figures. We haven’t checked which programs use a statewide figure instead of the local one. We plan to pull HUD’s next fiscal year on May 1, 2027.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Policy Development and Research, HUD USER Income Limits, fiscal years 2017 to 2026: the area median family income and the 30%, 50% and 80% income limits for households of 1 to 8 people. We read HUD’s per-area records and loaded them into our warehouse in October 2026. HUD Income Limits (look up your county) Public housing Housing Choice Vouchers Federal Register notice on how HUD sets income limits (Jan. 10, 2024)
We write with assistance from AI tools. Figures come from the data and sources named on this page.