Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA Income Limits (2026)
These are HUD’s 2026 income limits for Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA (area median income $137,200). They determine who qualifies for income-based and affordable housing — Section 8 vouchers, public housing, Section 202/811, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) units — by household size.
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA’s area median income of $137,200 ranks #7 of 51 HUD income-limit areas in California, where area medians range from $72,400 to $205,500.
| Household size | Extremely Low (30% AMI) | Very Low (50% AMI) | Low (80% AMI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $45,700 | $76,150 | $122,200 |
| 2 people | $52,200 | $87,000 | $139,650 |
| 3 people | $58,750 | $97,900 | $157,100 |
| 4 people | $65,250 | $108,750 | $174,550 |
| 5 people | $70,500 | $117,450 | $188,500 |
| 6 people | $75,700 | $126,150 | $202,500 |
| 7 people | $80,950 | $134,850 | $216,450 |
| 8 people | $86,150 | $143,550 | $230,450 |
Across household sizes, the Very Low Income (50%) threshold in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA runs from $76,150 for a single person up to $143,550 for an eight-person household. The Low Income (80%) limit — used by many LIHTC and workforce units — reaches $230,450 for a household of eight. These limits apply to Santa Cruz County.
Do you qualify?
Most income-based programs cap eligibility at the Very Low Income (50%) level, and the deepest assistance — public housing and most Section 8 vouchers — targets households at or below Extremely Low Income (30%). LIHTC and other affordable units commonly use the Low Income (80%) threshold. For example, a household of four in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA generally qualifies for income-based housing if it earns under $108,750, and for the deepest assistance under $65,250.
Frequently asked questions
What is the income limit for a family of four in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA?
A four-person household generally qualifies at or below $108,750 (Very Low Income), with the deepest assistance under $65,250 (Extremely Low Income) and LIHTC units commonly at $174,550 (Low Income).
What is the income limit for one person in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA?
A single-person household qualifies for most income-based programs at or below $76,150, and for the deepest assistance under $45,700.
Counties covered: Santa Cruz County.
Find income-based housing in this area
Nearby California income-limit areas
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), FY2026 Income Limits. Limits are updated annually and may be adjusted for high-cost areas.