Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HUD Metro FMR Area Income Limits (2026)
These are HUD’s 2026 income limits for Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HUD Metro FMR Area (area median income $116,400). 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.
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HUD Metro FMR Area’s area median income of $116,400 ranks #3 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 | $24,450 | $40,750 | $65,200 |
| 2 people | $27,950 | $46,600 | $74,500 |
| 3 people | $31,450 | $52,400 | $83,800 |
| 4 people | $34,900 | $58,200 | $93,100 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $62,900 | $100,550 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $67,550 | $108,000 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $72,200 | $115,450 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $76,850 | $122,900 |
Across household sizes, the Very Low Income (50%) threshold in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HUD Metro FMR Area runs from $40,750 for a single person up to $76,850 for an eight-person household. The Low Income (80%) limit — used by many LIHTC and workforce units — reaches $122,900 for a household of eight. These limits apply to 5 counties (Dallas County, Guthrie County, Madison County, Polk County, and more).
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HUD Metro FMR Area generally qualifies for income-based housing if it earns under $58,200, and for the deepest assistance under $34,900.
Frequently asked questions
What is the income limit for a family of four in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HUD Metro FMR Area?
A four-person household generally qualifies at or below $58,200 (Very Low Income), with the deepest assistance under $34,900 (Extremely Low Income) and LIHTC units commonly at $93,100 (Low Income).
What is the income limit for one person in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HUD Metro FMR Area?
A single-person household qualifies for most income-based programs at or below $40,750, and for the deepest assistance under $24,450.
Counties covered: Dallas County, Guthrie County, Madison County, Polk County, Warren 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.