On May 1, HUD published the 2026 update to the estimates of median family income for every area of the country. These estimates are used to calculate various income limits, which are defined as percentages of median family income, and vary by the number of persons in a household.
HUD uses income limits to define low-income status and resulting eligibility for many of its housing assistance programs, including the Public Housing, Section 8 Project-Based, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, Section 202 housing for the elderly, and Section 811 housing for persons with disabilities programs.
These income limits do not apply to Section 42 Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) or Section 142 tax-exempt private equity bonds. These projects should use the Multifamily Tax Subsidy Project Income Limits available at: Multifamily Tax Subsidy Project Income Limits.
View the HUD FY 26 median family income estimates and income limits here.