📊 Powered by HUD public data · ✅ No account required · 🆓 Always free · ⚠️ Not affiliated with any government agency
HUD publishes Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher income limits every year for each county and metropolitan area in Texas. To qualify for a voucher, your household's gross annual income must be at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for your specific county - not the statewide average. In high-cost metros the AMI can be significantly higher than rural areas, resulting in higher dollar-amount income limits for the same percentage threshold.
In Texas, income limits vary considerably by county. For example, a 4-person family in a high-cost metro area may qualify with income up to 15-25% more than a family in a rural county. All income counts toward eligibility, including wages, Social Security, child support, alimony, and net business income. Some deductions apply - including a $480 annual deduction per dependent and an elderly/disability deduction - that reduce your "adjusted annual income" used for rent calculation purposes.
The tenant's contribution is 30% of adjusted monthly income. If the local Payment Standard for your bedroom size is $1,500 and you contribute 30% of a $2,000/month adjusted income ($600), the voucher covers $900 of the rent. Units where the contract rent exceeds the Payment Standard require you to pay the excess, but your total contribution can never exceed 40% of your adjusted monthly income at initial lease-up.
| Income Category | % of AMI | 4-Person Limit (lowest to highest county) |
|---|---|---|
| Extremely Low Income | 30% | $33,000 to $41,900/yr |
| Very Low Income | 50% | $41,850 to $69,850/yr |
| Low Income | 80% | $66,950 to $106,800/yr |
| Area Median Income (AMI) | 100% | $38,700 to $144,200/yr |
HUD sets income limits for each county or metro area. The ranges above cover all 254 areas HUD lists for Texas in its FY2026 tables. Open your county's page for the exact limits for every household size. Many Texas PHAs have closed waitlists; check frequently for openings.
Select your county for FY2026 income limits by household size: