$100K Is Low-Income In These CA Counties, State Says

CALIFORNIA — People making $100,000 are considered low-income in five California counties, according to a recent memorandum announcing 2025 state income limits.

The document from the Department of Housing and Community Development said that one-person household incomes of over $100,000 qualified as low income in the counties, all of which are in or near the Bay Area.

State income limits are used to determine eligibility for certain programs as well as to calculate affordable housing costs for some assistance programs, according to the memorandum.

A low income is generally 80 percent of a median family income — or MFI — but the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has specified that a low-income limit in most cases reflects 160 percent of a very low-income limit, the state housing department said, noting HUD can make additional adjustments due to unusually high or low housing cost-to-income ratios, or for other reasons.

“This can result in low-income limits exceeding MFI in certain counties,” according to the April memorandum.

Santa Clara County has the state’s highest low-income level for a one-person household at $111,700, with a median income of $136,650, the state housing department said. Santa Cruz County is not far behind with a low income of $111,100 and a median of $92,950.

In San Mateo, San Francisco and Marin counties, the low income for a one-person household is $109,700, while the median is $130,600, according to the memorandum.

To see the income limits for all California counties, view the state document at www.hcd.ca.gov/sites/default/files/docs/grants-and-funding/income-limits-2025.pdf.