Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA MSA Income Limits (2026)
These are HUD’s 2026 income limits for Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA MSA (area median income $118,600). 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 Maria-Santa Barbara, CA MSA’s area median income of $118,600 ranks #18 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 | $38,300 | $63,750 | $102,000 |
| 2 people | $43,750 | $72,850 | $116,600 |
| 3 people | $49,200 | $81,950 | $131,150 |
| 4 people | $54,650 | $91,050 | $145,700 |
| 5 people | $59,050 | $98,350 | $157,400 |
| 6 people | $63,400 | $105,650 | $169,050 |
| 7 people | $67,800 | $112,950 | $180,700 |
| 8 people | $72,150 | $120,200 | $192,350 |
Across household sizes, the Very Low Income (50%) threshold in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA MSA runs from $63,750 for a single person up to $120,200 for an eight-person household. The Low Income (80%) limit — used by many LIHTC and workforce units — reaches $192,350 for a household of eight. These limits apply to Santa Barbara 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 Maria-Santa Barbara, CA MSA generally qualifies for income-based housing if it earns under $91,050, and for the deepest assistance under $54,650.
Frequently asked questions
What is the income limit for a family of four in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA MSA?
A four-person household generally qualifies at or below $91,050 (Very Low Income), with the deepest assistance under $54,650 (Extremely Low Income) and LIHTC units commonly at $145,700 (Low Income).
What is the income limit for one person in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA MSA?
A single-person household qualifies for most income-based programs at or below $63,750, and for the deepest assistance under $38,300.
Counties covered: Santa Barbara 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.