Ames, IA HUD Metro FMR Area Income Limits (2026)
These are HUD’s 2026 income limits for Ames, IA HUD Metro FMR Area (area median income $122,400). 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.
Ames, IA HUD Metro FMR Area’s area median income of $122,400 ranks #1 of 91 HUD income-limit areas in Iowa, where area medians range from $71,900 to $122,400.
| Household size | Extremely Low (30% AMI) | Very Low (50% AMI) | Low (80% AMI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $25,700 | $42,850 | $68,550 |
| 2 people | $29,400 | $49,000 | $78,350 |
| 3 people | $33,050 | $55,100 | $88,150 |
| 4 people | $36,700 | $61,200 | $97,900 |
| 5 people | $39,650 | $66,100 | $105,750 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $71,000 | $113,600 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $75,900 | $121,400 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $80,800 | $129,250 |
Across household sizes, the Very Low Income (50%) threshold in Ames, IA HUD Metro FMR Area runs from $42,850 for a single person up to $80,800 for an eight-person household. The Low Income (80%) limit — used by many LIHTC and workforce units — reaches $129,250 for a household of eight. These limits apply to Story 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 Ames, IA HUD Metro FMR Area generally qualifies for income-based housing if it earns under $61,200, and for the deepest assistance under $36,700.
Frequently asked questions
What is the income limit for a family of four in Ames, IA HUD Metro FMR Area?
A four-person household generally qualifies at or below $61,200 (Very Low Income), with the deepest assistance under $36,700 (Extremely Low Income) and LIHTC units commonly at $97,900 (Low Income).
What is the income limit for one person in Ames, IA HUD Metro FMR Area?
A single-person household qualifies for most income-based programs at or below $42,850, and for the deepest assistance under $25,700.
Counties covered: Story County.
Find income-based housing in this area
Nearby Iowa 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.