Free tool
Which programs might I qualify for?
Compare your household with your county's HUD income limits and the rules each assistance program in your state publishes, with the reason for every result.
Free, no sign-up. What you type stays on your phone.
- Connected to 3,222 counties and 33,486 ZIP codes
- Rules verified as of November 28, 1990.
- Public data from HUD
Answer a few questions about your household and your county to see which programs might apply, with each one's rule.
Calculating with the numbers for:
Your household
Your county
HUD's income limits change by county; programs, by state.
Choose your county above to see the income limits and your state's programs.
An educational check against the rules each program publishes, not a decision. Only the program and your lender say whether you qualify.
Show contents
How is it calculated?
We compare your answers with your county's HUD limits and the rules each program publishes, without assuming what the source does not say.
The formula
For each program: income ≤ cap (in dollars or as a share of area income, with HUD's FY2026 tables); first-time buyer under the federal rule (3 years); price ≤ cap; score ≥ minimum; ITIN as the source states.
Example with the numbers for the United States
- Programs reviewed
- 134
- States with programs
- 52
- Say they accept ITIN
- 0
- HUD bands
- 30% · 50% · 80%
Computed from the page's data when it was built; in the tool you replace every number with your own.
What moves the result?
Six things that change the number more than anything else.
-
Income
Lenders compare the payment with your pre-tax income; programs, with the household's.
-
Your household
How many people live with you changes the income limits and the size you need.
-
Your county
HUD's income limits and the programs change by county. The tool uses yours.
-
Your credit
It sets the rate you are offered and which programs you can enter. It can be built from zero.
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The price
Some programs cap the home price. The tool checks it when the program publishes one.
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The program
Each program publishes its own rules. What the source says is what we show.
The official numbers behind the tool
Official data the tool uses, so you can compare.
HUD income limits for a household of 4, most populous counties of the United States
| Place | 30% of area | 50% of area | 80% of area | Area median income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County (CA) | $50,000 | $83,300 | $133,250 | $108,100 |
| Cook County (IL) | $36,450 | $60,750 | $97,200 | $121,500 |
| Harris County (TX) | $33,000 | $52,000 | $83,200 | $104,000 |
| Maricopa County (AZ) | $33,700 | $56,200 | $89,900 | $112,400 |
| San Diego County (CA) | $52,450 | $87,450 | $139,900 | $130,900 |
| Orange County (CA) | $55,850 | $93,050 | $148,850 | $138,600 |
| Miami-Dade County (FL) | $40,850 | $68,100 | $109,000 | $89,800 |
| Kings County (NY) | $50,900 | $84,800 | $135,700 | $104,300 |
- Los Angeles County (CA) $50,000$83,300
- Cook County (IL) $36,450$60,750
- Harris County (TX) $33,000$52,000
- Maricopa County (AZ) $33,700$56,200
- San Diego County (CA) $52,450$87,450
- Orange County (CA) $55,850$93,050
- Miami-Dade County (FL) $40,850$68,100
- Kings County (NY) $50,900$84,800
Source: Income Limits (Fiscal year 2026) · Household of 4
Reviewed assistance programs by state
| State | Programs | Say they accept ITIN | Require first-time buyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 7 | 0 | 4 |
| Illinois | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| California | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Florida | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| New Mexico | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Pennsylvania | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Washington | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Alabama | 3 | 0 | 0 |
- Texas 70
- Illinois 60
- California 50
- Florida 50
- New Mexico 40
- Pennsylvania 40
- Washington 40
- Alabama 30
Source: Programs reviewed with their official source
— means the source publishes no value.
Want your county's numbers?
Type your county or ZIP code: the tool loads its numbers and keeps them in your browser for the other tools.
Frequently asked questions
Why does almost everything come out as "maybe"?
Because most programs publish their own income and price tables by area, and we do not copy them. We show the link to the table so you can compare, and the rules we could check.
What are low, very low and extremely low income?
They are the income limits HUD publishes every year for each county and household size. Many programs use them or use a share of the area median income. The numbers on this page are HUD's FY2026.
Can I use these programs with an ITIN?
It depends on each program, and most sources do not say. Ask the program directly or a HUD-approved housing counselor before applying.
Does this approve me for assistance?
No. It is an educational check against the rules each program publishes. The program and your lender decide.
Methodology and sources (HUD)
- HUD limits: we take your county's income tables (extremely low, very low and low income) for your household size, from the HUD income limits FY2026.
- Each program's rules: income cap (in dollars or as a share of area income), first-time buyer (no home owned in the last 3 years, as federal law defines it), maximum price, minimum score and whether it accepts an ITIN, as the source publishes them.
- Each rule comes out as meets, does not meet, verify (the program's table or one of your answers is needed) or ask the program (the source does not say).
- Likely if you meet them all; unlikely if one is not met; maybe otherwise. We never say you qualify: the program decides that.
Data
- Income Limits (Fiscal year 2026)
Program rules
- 42 U.S.C. §12704(14) — Definitions: first-time homebuyer · In effect since November 28, 1990
What comes next?
Go on to the tool that answers your next question, or read a guide at your own pace.
Want someone to go over it with you? A HUD-approved counselor does it for free or at low cost. Find a counselor
More tools
Guides to read next
- Down payment assistance: how it works What down payment assistance is, the types that exist (grant, forgivable or deferred second loan, tax credit), who qualifies and where to find it.
- HUD housing counselors: what they do and what they cost What a HUD-approved housing counselor does, what they help with (buying, renting, missed payments, credit), what they may charge and how to find one.
- How much do you need for a down payment? 20% is not required: what each loan asks for (FHA, conventional, VA, USDA), what changes with less than 20% down, and where the money can come from.
- How to buy a home in the United States, step by step The nine steps to buying a home: paperwork, credit, budget, assistance, preapproval, offer, inspection, closing and the first year, with official sources.