HUD Income Limits 2026

Quick answer: HUD income limits for FY2026 are area-specific — there is no single national dollar figure. HUD sets them for each county and metro using Area Median Income (AMI), in three tiers: Extremely Low (≤30% AMI), Very Low (≤50% AMI), and Low (≤80% AMI). They take effect May 1, 2026.

Key takeaways

• Income limits are set per county and metro area, so they vary across the country.
• There are three tiers: Extremely Low (≤30% AMI), Very Low (≤50% AMI), and Low (≤80% AMI).
• Extremely Low Income uses the higher of 30% of AMI or the federal poverty guideline.
• Limits also adjust for household size, with larger families allowed higher limits.
• FY2026 limits are effective May 1, 2026, and you look them up on HUD’s official tool.

Why there is no single national figure

Housing costs differ enormously from place to place, so HUD does not use one nationwide income cutoff. Instead, it calculates limits for each county and metropolitan area based on that area’s median income. This means a household that qualifies in a high-cost metro might earn too much to qualify in a lower-cost rural county, and vice versa. Any article that quotes a single “HUD income limit” dollar amount for the whole country is mistaken.

To know whether you qualify, you must look up your own area and household size. HUD publishes these figures every year, and the FY2026 limits become effective May 1, 2026.

The three income tiers

HUD groups eligibility into three tiers, each defined as a percentage of Area Median Income. Programs use different tiers — for example, vouchers focus heavily on the lowest tier. The table below summarizes how they fit together.

Tier	Definition	Typical use
Extremely Low Income	At or below 30% of AMI, or the federal poverty guideline (whichever is higher)	Highest priority; at least 75% of new vouchers
Very Low Income	At or below 50% of AMI	Main threshold for voucher eligibility
Low Income	At or below 80% of AMI	Broader affordable-housing programs

Within each tier, the actual dollar limit rises with household size. A one-person household has a lower limit than a four-person household in the same area. HUD’s tool shows the limit for each family size.

How to look up your area’s limit

Use HUD’s official income limits dataset to find your numbers. Select your state, then your county or metropolitan area, and read the limits for your household size across the three tiers. Compare your total annual household income to those figures to estimate which tier you fall into. Always rely on the official HUD tool rather than secondhand numbers, because limits change yearly.

Once you know your tier, you can see which programs you may qualify for in our Housing Assistance 2026 Guide, and check program-specific rules in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Guide and Public Housing Eligibility 2026.

Assets and related programs

Income is the main test, but assets can matter too. Under the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA), a 2026 net family asset limit of $105,574 applies to housing assistance. This is a high ceiling that most low-income applicants fall well under, but it is part of how eligibility is assessed.

Many other low-income programs use similar income concepts. Some are tied to the Federal Poverty Level, which also feeds into HUD’s extremely-low-income tier. If you qualify for housing help, you may also be eligible for SNAP, LIHEAP, or TANF. Checking these together can stretch a tight budget further.

People Also Ask

What is the income limit for HUD housing in 2026?

There is no single national income limit. HUD sets limits for each county and metro area based on Area Median Income, in three tiers — 30%, 50%, and 80% of AMI — and adjusts them by household size. Look up your specific area and family size on HUD’s official tool. FY2026 limits take effect May 1, 2026.

What does Area Median Income mean?

Area Median Income (AMI) is the midpoint of incomes in a given county or metro area, calculated by HUD each year. Eligibility tiers are defined as percentages of AMI. Because AMI differs by location, the dollar amount that equals 50% of AMI in one area can be very different in another.

How does household size change my limit?

Within each tier, larger households are allowed higher income limits than smaller ones in the same area. HUD’s tool lists the limit for each household size, so a family of five has a higher cutoff than a single person. Use your actual household count when comparing your income to the limits.

When do the 2026 income limits take effect?

HUD’s FY2026 income limits are effective May 1, 2026. PHAs and housing programs use the current published limits when determining eligibility. Because the figures update yearly, always confirm you are looking at the limits for the correct fiscal year on HUD’s official dataset.

Is there an asset limit too?

Yes. Under HOTMA, a 2026 net family asset limit of $105,574 applies to housing assistance. Most low-income applicants are well below this ceiling. Income remains the primary eligibility test, but your PHA may review assets as part of verifying that you meet program rules.

Official sources

• HUD — Income Limits Lookup
• HUD — Housing Choice Vouchers

Reviewed by the Guru Gazette Editorial Review Team · Last reviewed June 2026. Figures are verified against official government sources; see our Fact-Checking Policy.