Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area Income Limits (2026)
These are HUD’s 2026 income limits for Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area (area median income $164,600). 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.
Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area’s area median income of $164,600 ranks #2 of 20 HUD income-limit areas in Massachusetts, where area medians range from $94,300 to $165,600.
| Household size | Extremely Low (30% AMI) | Very Low (50% AMI) | Low (80% AMI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $36,000 | $60,000 | $96,000 |
| 2 people | $41,150 | $68,600 | $109,700 |
| 3 people | $46,300 | $77,150 | $123,400 |
| 4 people | $51,400 | $85,700 | $137,100 |
| 5 people | $55,550 | $92,600 | $148,100 |
| 6 people | $59,650 | $99,450 | $159,050 |
| 7 people | $63,750 | $106,300 | $170,050 |
| 8 people | $67,850 | $113,150 | $181,000 |
Across household sizes, the Very Low Income (50%) threshold in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area runs from $60,000 for a single person up to $113,150 for an eight-person household. The Low Income (80%) limit — used by many LIHTC and workforce units — reaches $181,000 for a household of eight. These limits apply to 6 counties (Essex County, Middlesex County, Norfolk County, Plymouth 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 Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area generally qualifies for income-based housing if it earns under $85,700, and for the deepest assistance under $51,400.
Frequently asked questions
What is the income limit for a family of four in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area?
A four-person household generally qualifies at or below $85,700 (Very Low Income), with the deepest assistance under $51,400 (Extremely Low Income) and LIHTC units commonly at $137,100 (Low Income).
What is the income limit for one person in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area?
A single-person household qualifies for most income-based programs at or below $60,000, and for the deepest assistance under $36,000.
Counties covered: Essex County, Middlesex County, Norfolk County, Plymouth County, Suffolk County, Rockingham County.
Find income-based housing in this area
Nearby Massachusetts 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.