Income and Rent Limits
Understanding income and rent limits is an important part of navigating affordable housing opportunities within the City of Santa Barbara. Each year, the City updates its income thresholds and maximum allowable rents to help ensure that housing remains attainable for households across a range of income levels. This page provides the most current income and rent limits applicable to affordable housing programs in the city and is intended to assist residents, property owners, and developers in determining eligibility and maintaining compliance with local requirements. The information provided is for reference only and does not determine eligibility for specific programs or services. All figures align with federal standards established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Income Limits - City of Santa Barbara
Area Median Income (AMI): $118,600
Effective May 1, 2026
| Income Category | % of Median | 1 Person Household | 2 Persons Household | 3 Persons Household | 4 Persons Household | 5 Persons Household | 6 Persons Household |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median | 100% | $83,020 | $94,880 | $106,740 | $118,600 | $128,088 | $137,576 |
| Extremely Low* | Under 50% | $38,300 | $43,750 | $49,200 | $54,650 | $59,050 | $63,400 |
| Very Low* | 50% | $63,750 | $72,850 | $81,950 | $91,050 | $98,350 | $105,650 |
| Low* | 80% | $102,000 | $116,600 | $131,150 | $145,700 | $157,400 | $169,050 |
| Moderate | 120% | $99,624 | $113,856 | $128,088 | $142,320 | $153,706 | $165,091 |
| Middle | 160% | $132,832 | $151,808 | $170,784 | $189,760 | $204,941 | $220,122 |
| Upper-Middle | 200% | $166,040 | $189,760 | $213,480 | $237,200 | $256,176 | $275,152 |
* The Extremely Low, Very Low, and Low figures are set by HUD. The City of Santa Barbara does not calculate these categories.
The calculation for Moderate, Middle, and Upper-Middle Income Limits is calculated based on this formula: AMI x Household Size Adjustment x % of Median.
| Household Size: | 1 Person | 2 Persons | 3 Persons | 4 Persons | 5 Persons | 6 Persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Household Size Adjustment | 0.70 | 0.80 | 0.90 | 1.00 | 1.08 | 1.16 |
Rent Limits - City of Santa Barbara
AMI: $118,600
Effective May 1, 2026
Note:
SRO = Single Room Occupancy
Bdrm = Bedroom
| Maximum Monthly Rent | Target Income % | Maximum Income % | SRO | Studio | 1 Bdrm | 2 Bdrm | 3 Bdrm | 4 Bdrm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low income ¹ | 60% | 80% | $ 889.50 | $ 1,067.40 | $ 1,334.25 | $ 1,601.10 | $ 1,779.00 | $ 1,921.32 |
| Moderate Income | 100% | 120% | $1,482.50 | $ 1,779.00 | $ 2,223.75 | $ 2,668.50 | $ 2,965.00 | $ 3,202.20 |
| Middle Income | 120% | 160% | $1,779.00 | $ 2,134.80 | $ 2,668.50 | $ 3,202.20 | $ 3,558.00 | $ 3,842.64 |
| Upper-Middle Income | 160% | 200% | $2,372.00 | $ 2,846.40 | $ 3,558.00 | $ 4,269.60 | $ 4,744.00 | $ 5,123.52 |
¹ Target rents are higher than those allowed by most subsidy sources available from the City. Projects receiving City subsidies will generally be required to target the affordable unit to 60% AMI or below.
Formula to calculate Maximum Rent: Area Median Income x Target Income % x Unit Size Adjustment Factor (USAF) x 30% x 1/12
| Unit size | SRO | Studio | 1 Bdrm | 2Bdrm | 3 Bdrm | 4 Bdrm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USAF | 0.50 | 0.60 | 0.75 | 0.90 | 1.00 | 1.08 |
Utilities:
- The City's requirements for maximum rent assume that the Landlord pays all utilities
- If the tenant is required to pay some or all of the utilities, the maximum rents are reduced in accordance with a schedule prepared by the Housing Authority and approved by HUD
- The utility schedule varies not only by number of bedrooms in the unit, but also by the various utility combinations (i.e. all eletcric versus all electric except space heating, etc.)
Density Bonus Rent Limits – City of Santa Barbara and State of CA
AMI: $118,600
Effective May 1, 2026
| Type of Density Bonus | Target Income % | Max. Income % | SRO | Studio | 1 Bdrm | 2 Bdrm | 3 Bdrm | 4 Bdrm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Low income first 35% of City DB [1] | 70% | 80% | $1,037.75 | $1,245.30 | $1,556.63 | $1,867.95 | $2,075.50 | $2,241.54 |
| State Low Income [2] | 60% | 80% | $889.50 | $1,067.40 | $1,334.25 | $1,601.10 | $1,779.00 | $2,561.76 |
| State Very-Low Income [2] | 50% | 50% | $741.25 | $889.50 | $1,111.88 | $1,334.25 | $1,482.50 | $1,601.10 |
1 City Density Bonus for Rental Projects:
- Lot area modification is required
- First 35% of density bonus units must be rented for at least ninety (90) years to low-income households at rents targeted to 70% AMI or below
- Units exceeding the first 35% density bonus must be rented for at least ninety (90) years to low-income households at rents targeted to 80% AMI or below
- The City's requirements for maximum rent assume that the Landlord pays all utilities
- If the tenant is required to pay some or all of the utilities, the maximum rents are reduced in accordance with a schedule prepared by the Housing Authority and approved by HUD
- The utility schedule varies not only by number of bedrooms in the unit, but also by the various utility combinations (i.e. all electric versus all electric except space heating, etc.)
2 State Density Bonus Program for Rental Projects:
- State Density Bonus Law requires that maximum rents include a reasonable utility allowance if the landlord does not pay all utilites