Median Family Income is not used in the index calculations but is provided for reference. Median Family Income as estimated by HUD includes the salary and wages of all family members (median family income does not reflect the income of non-family households which include single-persons and would understate housing cost burden if used in the affordability index calculations). Median Family Income is used to determine eligibility for HUD subsidized programs. To qualify for most subsidized programs, family income (based on family size) must be below 50% of area median income. Whether a particular program requires below 50% or some other % of area median family income, the required median can be calculated. For example, if the median family income for an area is $45,349 and the program requirement is 50% of median family income, the calculation would be .50 x $45,349=$22,675.

 

This chart shows Median Family Income by year. Median Family Income as estimated by HUD includes the salary and wages of all family members and is used to determine eligibility for HUD subsidized programs based on family size and family income as a percentage of the median. Median Family Income is not used in the calculation of the housing affordability indexes as it does not reflect the income of non-family households which include single-persons and would understate housing cost burden.