Section 8 Calculator

How the Section 8 calculator works

The calculator compares your household’s yearly income with the Section 8 income limits that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) publishes for each county.

It also shows the Fair Market Rent for the number of bedrooms you choose. It is a first check, not an eligibility decision. Your local housing agency makes the final decision.¹

What are the Section 8 income limits?

HUD sets three income limits for every county or metropolitan area, based on the area’s median family income and your household size:

• Extremely low income: 30% of the area median. Housing agencies must give at least 75% of new vouchers to families under this limit.²
• Very low income: 50% of the area median. For a Housing Choice Voucher, a family generally has to be at or below this limit.³
• Low income: 80% of the area median. This is the limit for public housing. For vouchers it applies only to certain groups, such as families the housing agency has chosen to admit under its own rules.^{3 4}

The limits are higher in counties where incomes are higher, so the same family can qualify in one county and not in the next.

How does the calculator treat my income?

It uses your gross income, before taxes, and checks it against the limit for your household size. The calculator compares it with HUD’s annual income limits for your household size. HUD rules exclude some types of income when an agency calculates annual income.

Deductions for dependents and child care generally affect the rent calculation after a household qualifies; they do not lower income for the eligibility limit. The housing agency makes the final determination.⁵

Does meeting the income limit mean I will get a voucher?

No. Meeting the income limit only means you can apply. Waiting lists are long and are often closed, and each housing agency sets its own priorities for who is served first. Read how long the Section 8 waiting list is and how to apply for Section 8.

What is the Fair Market Rent shown in the results?

Fair Market Rent (FMR) is HUD’s estimate of what a modest rental costs in your area, including utilities. Your housing agency sets a payment standard, usually between 90% and 110% of the FMR, that limits how much of your rent a voucher can cover.⁶ Read more about Fair Market Rent.

Are these the same as the income limits for other programs?

No. HUD sets separate income limits for its housing programs. Other programs, including LIHEAP and child care assistance, set their own limits. Some use the federal poverty guidelines or state median income, so a household may meet one program’s limit but not another’s.

FAQ

Am I eligible for Section 8?

To be eligible for a Housing Choice Voucher, your household must meet several requirements:³

• Your income must generally be at or below the very low-income limit for your county and household size. The calculator above checks this one.
• You must meet HUD’s definition of a “family,” which includes a single person. At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status.
• You must meet the housing agency’s screening requirements. See what disqualifies you from Section 8.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a voucher. The housing agency makes the final decision, and some waiting lists are closed while others may involve a long wait.

What is the highest income I can make for Section 8?

It depends on your county and household size. For a Housing Choice Voucher, a family generally has to be at or below the very low-income limit, which is 50% of the area’s median family income.³ At least 75% of new vouchers go to families under the extremely low-income limit, 30% of the area median.²

The same family can be under the limit in one county and over it in the next. In FY2026, the very low-income limit for a family of four is $44,400 in Autauga County, AL, $52,000 in Harris County, TX and $83,300 in Los Angeles County, CA.¹ Choose your county in the calculator above to see the limits for your household size.

What are the income limits for Section 8 in Alabama?

In Alabama, the FY2026 very low-income limit for a family of four ranges from $37,100 in Barbour County to $57,550 in Madison and Limestone counties.¹ Limits for smaller and larger households are lower and higher.

How much rent will I pay on Section 8?

You generally pay about 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent and utilities, and the voucher pays the rest, up to the housing agency’s payment standard. Section 8 does not always pay the whole rent. If the rent plus utilities is higher than the payment standard, you pay the difference, but when you first move in your share cannot be more than 40% of your adjusted monthly income.⁷