April 30, 2025
In four Bay Area counties, you can now earn a six-figure salary and still be considered low-income.
According to the latest state eligibility requirements for affordable housing, a single renter making up to $109,700 a year in San Mateo, Marin or San Francisco counties qualifies as having a low income. In Santa Clara County, the limit is $111,700. And in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, it’s $87,550.
The new figures underscore the staggering housing crisis that’s long gripped the region, where even well-paid tech workers can feel the squeeze of high housing costs.
This month, the state recalculated some of the eligibility limits to reflect rising incomes across California. The caps help determine who can apply for many affordable housing programs and how much they are expected to pay — generally about 30% of their total income.