Income Threshold for Low-Income Housing in Orange County Rises

Income requirements for housing assistance have increased in Orange County, California. The state’s housing officials now classify a single-person household earning $104,200 or less annually as low-income, according to the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s 2026 state income limits. This is a substantial rise from the previous threshold of $94,750.

These income limits help determine who qualifies for income-restricted apartments and local housing programs. The increase reflects the high real estate prices in the region, which elevate the low-income threshold above the actual median income for individuals.

The updated income limits highlight an affordability crisis that has residents considering leaving the area. A University of California, Irvine survey in 2024 found that 51% of Orange County residents have thought about relocating due to high housing costs.

For many rent-paying residents, buying a home remains difficult. Figures from the California Association of Realtors indicate that only 18% of Orange County households earn enough to afford a median-priced home, which is approximately $1.44 million. Overall, homeownership in California is challenging, with just 55.3% owning homes statewide.

Increased housing expenses and taxes correlate with ongoing population declines in California’s major cities. Los Angeles County experienced the most significant population loss last year. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau, released in March 2026, showed LA County lost 53,421 residents between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025. The county’s population dropped from nearly 10 million in 2020 to 9.7 million in 2025.

Similarly, San Francisco has struggled to regain its population size from before the pandemic. Despite growth in the artificial intelligence industry, the city’s numbers remain lower than 2020 levels. The region faces high living costs, homelessness, and retail crime.

Fox News Digital sought comments from the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Kristen Altus contributed to this report. Joshua Q. Nelson, a reporter for Fox News Digital, covers cultural trends, education, and public policy.