LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The California Department of Housing and Community Development released new income limits this month, and they increased in most counties.
These limits are calculated annually based on federal guidelines and are used to determine eligibility for things like affordable housing programs.
Southern California
In Orange County, one-person households making less than $80,000 a year are considered low-income, according to the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
That's up from just under $76,000 last year, and puts Orange County as the most expensive of the Southern California counties.
In Ventura County, it's a little over $74,000 and in Los Angeles County, it's just under $71,000.
The Inland Empire counties have the lowest limits at about $52,000, but are still up from last year's limits.
The Bay Area
Three Bay Area counties top the list of low-income limits, statewide.
Single-person households in San Francisco County, Marin County and San Mateo County who make $104,000 a year are considered low-income.
However, these limits are the same as last year's.
The Central Valley
Counties like Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Mariposa all have the same income limits for single-person households at about $46,000 a year considered low-income. These limits are up about $2,600 from last year.
These income limits are also dependent on the number of people in each household.
For example, while a single-person household in Orange County is considered low-income at about $80,000 a year, a four-person household has a nearly $115,000 limit.
Our table below shows the annual income that is considered low-income in each county in California from 2022 to 2023 for different household sizes.
Click here to open this table in a new window.
The California Department of Housing and Community Development also calculates other income levels like "extremely low-income" and "moderate income."
Income limits are based on annual income before any payroll deductions, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
FAQs
In Orange County, one-person households making less than $80,000 a year are considered low-income, according to the California Department of Housing and Community Development. That's up from just under $76,000 last year, and puts Orange County as the most expensive of the Southern California counties.
What qualifies as low income in Orange County? ›
The limits for what is considered low-income have increased in almost every county statewide. Orange County is the most expensive of the SoCal counties, one-person households making less than $80,000 are considered low-income.
How much is considered low income in California? ›
Very-Low, Low and Moderate-Income Limits
| Household Size | Very-Low Income | Low-Income |
|---|
| 1 | $11,550 or less | $11,551 - $19,300 |
| 2 | $13,200 or less | $13,201 - $22,050 |
| 3 | $14,900 or less | $14,901 - $24,800 |
| 4 | $16,550 or less | $16,551 - $27,550 |
4 more rows2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines
| Persons in Family Household | Poverty Guideline | MAGI Household Income <500% FPL |
|---|
| 1 | $15,060 | $75,300 |
| 2 | $20,440 | $102,200 |
| 3 | $25,820 | $129,100 |
| 4 | $31,200 | $156,000 |
4 more rowsMar 29, 2024
2024 Chart: Household size and percent of poverty level
| Household size | 100% of poverty level | 150% of poverty level |
|---|
| 1 person household | $15,060 | $22,590 |
| 2 person household | $20,440 | $30,660 |
| 3 person household | $25,820 | $38,730 |
| 4 person household | $31,200 | $46,800 |
4 more rowsMar 18, 2024
A single person needs upwards of $80,000 a year to live comfortably in California, survey data shows. California is not known for its affordability, but exactly how much it takes for a single person to live comfortably here might surprise you.
Is 80k a good salary? ›
By just about any measure, earning $80,000 a year is a good salary. It's about $5,000 higher than the U.S. median household income, per Census data.
Is 75k a good salary in California? ›
This is the equivalent of $1,334/week or $5,781/month. While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $73,525 and as low as $66,123, the majority of $75000 salaries currently range between $68,600 (25th percentile) to $71,600 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $72,537 annually in California.
Is 70k a year good for a single person? ›
If you are a single person in Los Angeles making around $70,000 a year, you are still considered low-income, according to a new statewide study. The California Department of Housing and Community Development released the report in June and found that income limits have increased in most counties across California.
How much do you need to make to live in Orange County? ›
Typical Expenses
| 1 ADULT | 2 ADULTS (1 WORKING) |
|---|
| 0 Children | 2 Children |
|---|
| Required annual income after taxes | $53,390 | $95,006 |
| Annual taxes | $10,006 | $11,975 |
| Required annual income before taxes | $63,396 | $106,982 |
8 more rowsIn Orange County, a single person is considered low income if they make less than $80,400 a year, according to the state Department of Housing and Community Development.
Is $40 000 a year poverty? ›
Well, it depends. A $40,000 salary may be sufficient for an individual in a low-cost area, but it may not be enough for a family to live comfortably in most parts of the US. Rising inflation has made it more challenging to live on a $40,000 salary, but it still exceeds the poverty threshold for families.
What is Orange County's median income? ›
Table
| Population | |
|---|
| Income & Poverty | |
| Median household income (in 2022 dollars), 2018-2022 | $109,361 |
| Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2022 dollars), 2018-2022 | $50,683 |
| Persons in poverty, percent | 10.0% |
57 more rowsOrange County's AMI Jumps to $90,400 in 2024: What It Means for Affordable Housing. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced the 2024 Area Median Income (AMI) and Rent Limits for counties statewide.
What is the income to be considered low class? ›
Where you rank by income. According to the Census Bureau's Income in the United States: 2022 report, the median household income is $74,580 (a 2.3% decline from 2021), while household income levels for each class level are as follows: Lower class: less than or equal to $30,000. Lower-middle class: $30,001 – $58,020.
What are the requirements for low income housing in California? ›
To be eligible for the program, a family's gross annual income must be below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) in Los Angeles County. Seventy-five percent of new admissions must have gross annual incomes at or below 30% of the AMI. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) determines the AMI yearly.
What is a low class household income? ›
According to the Census Bureau's Income in the United States: 2022 report, the median household income is $74,580 (a 2.3% decline from 2021), while household income levels for each class level are as follows: Lower class: less than or equal to $30,000. Lower-middle class: $30,001 – $58,020.
