Six-Figure Salary Now Low-Income in Orange County, California

A six-figure salary is now classified as “low-income” in Orange County, California. This classification comes from the California Department of Housing and Community Development. The department’s 2026 state income limits show that a single-person household earning $104,200 or less per year qualifies for low-income housing assistance. This marks an increase from the previous year’s cutoff of $94,750.

The department uses its annual report to assess eligibility for income-restricted apartments and housing assistance programs. With real estate costs rising rapidly, the threshold for low-income classification in Orange County exceeds the actual median individual income.

The figures underscore an ongoing affordability crisis, prompting many residents to reconsider their future in the region.

According to a 2024 survey by the University of California, Irvine, 51% of Orange County residents are contemplating relocation. More than three-quarters of these residents cite housing costs as the main reason.

Homeownership remains challenging for many in the area. The California Association of Realtors reports that only 18% of Orange County households can afford a median-priced home. The median home price in the county stands at about $1.44 million. Statewide, homeownership is not much better, with 55.3% of Californians owning their homes.

High housing costs and taxes contribute to a decreasing population in California’s major metropolitan areas. Los Angeles County experienced the nation’s largest population loss last year. Census data from March 2026 shows the county’s population declined by 53,421 residents between July 2024 and July 2025. This brings the population down to 9.7 million from nearly 10 million in 2020.

Similarly, San Francisco has struggled to regain its population since the pandemic. Despite economic growth in the artificial intelligence sector, current estimates show the city remains below its 2020 population levels. San Francisco faces high living costs, homelessness, and concerns about retail crime, much like Los Angeles.

Fox News Digital reached out to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for their comments.

Reporters: Kristen Altus and Joshua Q. Nelson contributed to this article. Joshua covers cultural trends, education, and public policy for Fox News Digital. He began his tenure there in 2019 after studying at Syracuse University and receiving a Wharton Public Policy Certificate from the University of Pennsylvania.

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