2026 Section 8 Income Limits for Essex County, MA

2 HUD areas • Effective: 2026-05-01

Who qualifies for Section 8 in Essex County?

HUD sets Essex County, MA income limits separately for 2 areas, so the limit depends on the town where you apply or rent. A household generally must earn no more than the Very Low Income (50%) limit for its size to qualify for a Section 8 voucher: $48,100–$60,000 for one person or $68,650–$85,700 for a family of four, under HUD's 2026 limits effective May 1, 2026. Housing authorities must give at least 75% of new vouchers each year to families at or below the Extremely Low Income (30%) limit — $41,200–$51,400 for a family of four. Find your town below.

Rule: 24 CFR 982.201(b). Income counts gross annual income for everyone in the household; your housing authority makes the final determination.

Lawrence, MA-NH

Towns: Andover, Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Merrimac, Methuen, North Andover, West Newbury. Median family income: $137,300.

Household Size 30% (Extremely Low) 50% (Very Low) 80% (Low)
1$28,850$48,100$74,800
2$33,000$54,950$85,450
3$37,100$61,800$96,150
4$41,200$68,650$106,800
5$44,500$74,150$115,350
6$47,800$79,650$123,900
7$51,100$85,150$132,450
8$55,720$90,650$141,000

Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH

Towns: Amesbury, Beverly, Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Lynn, Lynnfield, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Middleton, Nahant, Newbury, Newburyport, Peabody, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Salisbury, Saugus, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wenham. Median family income: $164,600.

Household Size 30% (Extremely Low) 50% (Very Low) 80% (Low)
1$36,000$60,000$96,000
2$41,150$68,600$109,700
3$46,300$77,150$123,400
4$51,400$85,700$137,100
5$55,550$92,600$148,100
6$59,650$99,450$159,050
7$63,750$106,300$170,050
8$67,850$113,150$181,000

Income limits for all Massachusetts counties

Source: HUD income limits. Always verify with your local PHA.