# 2026 Income Limits & AMI Tables by Texas Metro | Income Restricted Apartments

> 2026 AMI income limits (30/50/60/80%) for affordable apartments by Texas metro and household size. Updated annually from HUD/TDHCA.

URL: https://incomerestrictedapartments.com/guide/2026-income-limits-ami-tables-by-metro-household-size/
Last-Modified: 2026-06-01

![Printed 2026 Texas AMI income limit tables with a calculator and pen on a desk](/images/misc/printed-2026-texas-ami-income-limit-tables-with-ca.webp)

## Why These Numbers Move Every Year

HUD publishes Area Median Income (AMI) limits every spring for every metro in the United States. TDHCA (Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs) aligns Texas-specific figures for state-financed properties.

That means the qualification math for income restricted apartments changes at least once a year, and it changes differently in each metro. Someone who didn’t qualify in 2025 might qualify now, and vice versa.

## The Five Texas Metros We Cover

Each of these metros has its own AMI, updated annually:

-   **Austin-Round Rock MSA** (highest AMI of the five)
-   **San Antonio-New Braunfels MSA**
-   **Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land MSA**
-   **Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA** (Dallas and Fort Worth share one number)

Austin runs highest, San Antonio typically lowest. Houston and DFW are usually similar to each other and above San Antonio.

![Grid of AMI limits by household size across Texas metros](/images/misc/grid-of-ami-limits-by-household-size-texas-metros-.webp)

## Why We Don’t Post Specific Dollar Figures Here

Two reasons:

**Accuracy.** Numbers change every year, and stale numbers mislead people about qualification. A printed 2024 figure would be wrong within a year.

**Case-by-case work.** Your qualifying tier depends on metro, household size, program, and any deductions (medical, dependent care). A static table can’t tell you what a 5-minute intake can.

We do maintain a professional-facing quick reference for case managers and PHA staff. If you’re a housing navigator, see the 

For Professionals

[/for-professionals/ →](/for-professionals/)

 hub.

## Household Size Scale (Same Every Year)

While the base AMI moves annually, the household-size scaling stays roughly constant:

| Household Size | Approximate Adjustment |
| --- | --- |
| 1 person | ~70% of the 4-person figure |
| 2 people | ~80% |
| 3 people | ~90% |
| 4 people | 100% (base) |
| 5 people | ~108% |
| 6 people | ~116% |
| 7 people | ~124% |
| 8 people | ~132% |

That’s why “AMI table” is really a grid: rows by household size, columns by AMI tier (30/50/60/80%), one grid per metro.

## What Each Tier Buys You

-   **30% AMI**: Deepest affordability. Reserved units.
-   **50% AMI**: Common LIHTC tier for general and family.
-   **60% AMI**: The single most common LIHTC tier.
-   **80% AMI**: Workforce housing. Higher qualifying income, higher rent cap.

## How We Use These Numbers

When you submit the 

free intake

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

, we run your metro, household size, and income against current HUD/TDHCA published limits. Within a few minutes we can tell you:

1.  Which AMI tiers you qualify at
2.  Whether workforce (80%) units might fit better than deep-subsidy (30-50%)
3.  Whether you’re near the ceiling and might edge out with a raise
4.  Whether combining a voucher would open more options

## The Practical Path

Rather than trying to reverse-engineer the year’s tables yourself, 

start the intake

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

 and let us match your household to the tier you actually qualify at.

## Related Reading

-   How to Qualify for Income Restricted Apartments
    
    [/guide/how-to-qualify-for-income-restricted-apartments/ →](/guide/how-to-qualify-for-income-restricted-apartments/)
    
-   Non-Traditional Income Documentation
    
    [/guide/non-traditional-income-documentation-gig-self-employed/ →](/guide/non-traditional-income-documentation-gig-self-employed/)
    
-   What Documents You Need to Apply
    
    [/guide/what-documents-you-need-to-apply/ →](/guide/what-documents-you-need-to-apply/)
    

## Frequently Asked Questions

How often do AMI limits change? +

Annually. HUD publishes new figures each spring, usually April to May, and TDHCA aligns Texas-specific figures shortly after. Properties finance-restricted by HUD or TDHCA update their income qualification numbers within weeks.

Which metro's income limit applies to me? +

The metro (specifically the Metropolitan Statistical Area, or MSA) where the property is located. If you live in Austin but apply for a unit in San Antonio, the San Antonio-New Braunfels MSA limit applies to that unit.

Where do you get the numbers? +

From the annual HUD and TDHCA publications. We update our internal reference within a few weeks of release each spring.

## Related Guides

### Accessible & Disability Income Restricted Housing

Need an ADA-accessible affordable unit? Accessible set-asides, reasonable accommodations, and how we match you to disability-friendly communities.

[Accessible & Disability Income Restricted Housing →](/guide/accessible-disability-income-restricted-housing/)

### Family (2-3 Bedroom) Income Restricted Apartments

Need a larger income restricted unit? Occupancy rules, how bedroom count affects AMI, and waitlist realities for 2-3 bedroom units.

[Family (2-3 Bedroom) Income Restricted Apartments →](/guide/family-2-3-bedroom-income-restricted-apartments/)

### Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) Explained

A Housing Choice Voucher helps pay rent at accepting properties. What HCV is, how to get one from your PHA, portability, and how we help.

[Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) Explained →](/guide/housing-choice-vouchers-hcv-explained/)

### How Our Free Locator Service Works

Qualification, pre-screening, waitlist coordination, and fee rebate. Communities pay us, never you. Your rent stays the same.

[How Our Free Locator Service Works →](/guide/how-our-free-locator-service-works/)

![](/images/misc/texas-income-restricted-apartment-community-family.webp)

Free · No Application Fees Wasted

## Want a Match, Not Just Info?

Start the free 5-minute intake. Licensed Texas team, matches within 24-48 hours, application fee rebate on approval.

See If I Qualify

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

 

Read More Guides

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