Quick answer: HUD publishes annual income limits for the Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher program. Eligibility is based on Area Median Income (AMI): Extremely Low (30% AMI), Very Low (50% AMI), and Low (80% AMI). Select your state below to see county-level income thresholds.
HUD sets three tiers: Extremely Low (30% of Area Median Income), Very Low (50% AMI), and Low (80% AMI). PHAs must admit at least 75% of new voucher holders from the Extremely Low tier. Income limits vary by county and household size and are updated each spring.
How are income limits calculated?
HUD estimates each area's median family income and then applies percentage thresholds. Limits are adjusted for household size - smaller households have lower limits, larger households have higher limits. They are published in the Federal Register each year.
Do income limits differ by county?
Yes. HUD uses HUD Metropolitan FMR Areas (HMFAs) and non-metropolitan county income limits, so limits vary significantly. A 4-person household limit can range from about $42,000 in rural Mississippi to over $130,000 in the Boston metro area.