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If you are a single person in Los Angeles making around $70,000 a year, you are still considered low-income, according to a new statewide study.
The California Department of Housing and Community Development released the report in June and found that income limits have increased in most counties across California.
The income limits are calculated annually based on federal guidelines and are used to determine eligibility for certain programs, such as affordable housing. The limits change based on the number of people in a household.
Here are the income limits for single-person households in Southern California:
- Los Angeles County: $70,650
- San Bernardino County: $52,200
- San Diego County: $77,200
- Santa Barbara County: $82,950
The study also showed that single-person households in San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo counties who made $104,000 were also considered low-income.
In Central California, Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Mariposa counties, all considered single-person households making $46,200 a year to be low income.
Analysts also found that median income amounts have increased, with many being in the six-figure range.
In Los Angeles County, the median income is $98,200; in Orange County, it’s $127,800.
The complete report can be viewed here.
FAQs
Where you rank by income. According to the Census Bureau's Income in the United States: 2022 report, the median household income is $74,580 (a 2.3% decline from 2021), while household income levels for each class level are as follows: Lower class: less than or equal to $30,000. Lower-middle class: $30,001 – $58,020.
What qualifies as low income in America? ›
The Poverty Threshold in 2024
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services uses the Census Bureau threshold to determine who is eligible for certain government assistance programs, like SNAP (food stamps). Under their guidelines, a family of four is considered impoverished if they earn $30,000 or less per year.
What salary is considered poverty in California? ›
2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines
| Persons in Family Household | Poverty Guideline | MAGI Household Income <500% FPL |
|---|
| 1 | $15,060 | $75,300 |
| 2 | $20,440 | $102,200 |
| 3 | $25,820 | $129,100 |
| 4 | $31,200 | $156,000 |
4 more rowsMar 29, 2024
For slightly older individuals who had a chance to pay off their debt and have grown-up children, $70K remains a comfortable middle-class wage to them.
What is a low salary income? ›
These guidelines are adjusted each year for inflation. In 2023, the federal poverty level definition of low income for a single-person household is $14,580 annually. Each additional person in the household adds $5,140 to the total. For example, the poverty guideline is $30,000 per year for a family of four.
Is 70K enough to live comfortably? ›
The data used in the study analyzed the cost of living in each city as of 2022. For California cities like Los Angeles, Berkeley and San Diego, a single person must make more than $76,000 to “live comfortably,” the data shows.
What percentage of people make over 70K? ›
Percentage distribution of household income in the United States in 2022
| Annual household income in U.S. dollars | Percentage of U.S. households |
|---|
| 25,000 to 34,999 | 7.6% |
| 35,000 to 49,999 | 10.6% |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 16.2% |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12.3% |
5 more rowsMay 22, 2024
The house you can afford on a $70K income will likely be between $290,000 to $310,000. Aside from your gross monthly income, lenders look at your credit report, down payment, monthly debt payments (including car payments and personal loans), and your estimated mortgage rate, among other things.
Is 75K a year poor? ›
Is $75K a Year a Good Salary? If you make $75,000 a year, you're earning more than half of all workers in the U.S. And in fact, many people would probably consider the salary as good pay. After all, a $75,000 salary works out to around $6,250 per month, $1,442.31 per week, or $36.06 an hour.
