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Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area Income Limits (2026)

These are HUD’s 2026 income limits for Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area (area median income $129,900). 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.

Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area’s area median income of $129,900 ranks #2 of 83 HUD income-limit areas in North Carolina, where area medians range from $59,300 to $132,300.

Household sizeExtremely Low
(30% AMI)
Very Low
(50% AMI)
Low
(80% AMI)
1 person$26,750$44,500$71,200
2 people$30,550$50,850$81,400
3 people$34,350$57,200$91,550
4 people$38,150$63,550$101,700
5 people$41,250$68,650$109,850
6 people$44,360$73,750$118,000
7 people$50,040$78,850$126,150
8 people$55,720$83,900$134,250

Across household sizes, the Very Low Income (50%) threshold in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area runs from $44,500 for a single person up to $83,900 for an eight-person household. The Low Income (80%) limit — used by many LIHTC and workforce units — reaches $134,250 for a household of eight. These limits apply to 3 counties (Chatham County, Durham County, Orange 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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area generally qualifies for income-based housing if it earns under $63,550, and for the deepest assistance under $38,150.

Frequently asked questions

What is the income limit for a family of four in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area?

A four-person household generally qualifies at or below $63,550 (Very Low Income), with the deepest assistance under $38,150 (Extremely Low Income) and LIHTC units commonly at $101,700 (Low Income).

What is the income limit for one person in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area?

A single-person household qualifies for most income-based programs at or below $44,500, and for the deepest assistance under $26,750.

Counties covered: Chatham County, Durham County, Orange County.

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.