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Bay Area Low-Income Thresholds Surpass $100K for Single Adults

New HCD report reveals housing affordability crisis as four counties redefine low-income eligibility at six-figure levels.

An aerial view of San Mateo County, Calif.
The intersection of Highway 101 and state Route 92 in San Mateo, Calif.
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Overview

  • The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has updated income thresholds, classifying single-person households earning over $100,000 as low-income in Marin, San Mateo, San Francisco, and Santa Clara counties.
  • Santa Clara County now has the highest low-income threshold at $111,700 for a single-person household, a $33,150 increase since 2020.
  • Marin, San Mateo, and San Francisco counties each set their single-person low-income threshold at $109,700, reflecting a $12,100 rise over the same period.
  • These income limits, based on federal data and median income adjustments, determine eligibility for housing assistance programs, highlighting the region's deepening affordability challenges.
  • Experts warn that a lack of new building permits and limited housing construction will exacerbate the Bay Area's housing shortage as demand surges with renewed tech-driven population growth.