Area Median Income (AMI)

People deserve to live in a home they can afford. Some people live in a home they rent and others live in a home they own.

People often think of their income in terms of hourly, weekly, or annual pay. When governments talk about what is ''affordable'' for a person or family, they often use the term ''AMI.''

Understanding AMI

AMI, or Area Median Income, is the middle or "median" income for an area, such as a city. AMI levels are organized by percentage.

In San Antonio, housing is considered affordable if it is:

  • up to 60% AMI for rental
  • up to 120% AMI for homes for sale

Our Strategic Housing Implementation Plan (SHIP) prioritizes creating and preserving housing that is affordable.

Knowing your AMI is important because it's tied to many affordable housing programs. AMI is based on your family's total income before taxes, including all sources of income. When you know your AMI, you can find out which housing options you may qualify for.

Calculate your AMI and discover what housing options may be available to you.

Calculate Your AMI

Household Size

A "household" is the number of people who live in your home or apartment. A four-person household means four people live in your house or apartment. More people in a household often means more income, so AMI is also measured by household size.

As household size increases, the income threshold for AMI increases. This means the AMI for a two-person household is lower than for a four-person household.

In San Antonio, three-person households are the most common.

AMI Examples by Household Size

Below are people living at different AMI levels and their stories. They are listed by percentage levels and household sizes.

An affordable rent for each AMI level is included. In general, spending more than one-third of your income on housing is considered unaffordable. Spending more can create challenges to meet other needs. These needs could include food, transportation, medical needs and joy.

NOTE: Household Income Limits are set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development every year.

30% AMI

One-Person Household

A person sitting on a blue couch holding a cane, while a black cat is laying on the floor. Alfonso is 75 years old and lives in a permanent supportive housing apartment with his cat. He worked in construction for 40 years. He is now retired and receives Social Security Income.

His estimated income is:

  • $18,600 annually
  • $358 weekly
  • $8.94 hourly

Affordable rent for Alfonso is about $465 or less per month.

Two-Person Household

Two people standing next to each other engaged in a conversation. Ashley and Lily are sisters who recently left the foster care system. They are renting a casita in a friend's backyard. Ashley works at a nearby small restaurant.

Her estimated income is:

  • $21,250 annually
  • $409 weekly
  • $10.21 hourly

Affordable rent for Ashley and Lily is about $531 or less per month.

Three-Person Household

A person holding two children in their arms. Consuelo is a single mother of two children, Carlos and Sofia. Consuelo is a home health aide. She also works at a grocery store part-time to supplement her income.

Her estimated income is:

  • $23,900 annually
  • $460 weekly
  • $11.49 hourly

Affordable rent for Consuelo's family is about $597 or less per month.

Four-Person Household

A person pushing a shopping cart with one child sitting in the basket while two children engage with the child. Maria is 55 years old and is the guardian of her three grandchildren. Maria works as a housekeeper at a hotel downtown.

Her estimated income is:

  • $26,550 annually
  • $511 weekly
  • $12.76 hourly

Affordable rent for Maria's family is about $663 or less per month.

Five-Person Household

A couple sitting on a blanket outdoors reading a book to three children. Crystal and Daniel have three children. Crystal takes care of older adults and has weekend shifts at a diner. Daniel works as a landscaper during the day and is a part-time delivery driver in the evenings.

Their estimated income is:

  • $28,700 annually
  • $552 weekly
  • $13.80 hourly

Affordable rent for Crystal and Daniel is about $663 or less per month.

50% AMI

One-Person Household

A security officer speaking into a walkie talkie. Abraham is 45 years old and works full-time as a security guard. He lives alone in an apartment.

His estimated income is:

  • $31,000 annually
  • $596 weekly
  • $14.90 hourly

Affordable rent for Abraham is about $775 or less per month.

Two-Person Household

A person embracing a child holding a teddy bear. Kai, a 30-year-old single parent, lives with their daughter Luna. Kai works as a medical assistant at a local clinic.

Their estimated income is:

  • $35,400 annually
  • $680 weekly
  • $17.02 hourly

Affordable rent for Kai's family is about $885 or less per month.

Three-Person Household

A couple embracing a child holding a gift. Xavier and Isabel have a son Juan. Xavier works as a truck driver. Isabel works part-time as a cashier at a retail store.

Their estimated income is:

  • $39,850 annually
  • $766 weekly
  • $19.15 hourly

Affordable rent for Xavier and Isabel's family is about $996 or less per month.

Four-Person Household

A couple engaging with children completing a homework assignment. Ana and Miguel have two children. Ana works as an administrative assistant in an office, and Miguel works as a delivery driver.

Their estimated income is:

  • $44,250 annually
  • $851 weekly
  • $21.27 hourly

Affordable rent for Ana and Miguel's family is about $1,106 or less per month.

Five-Person Household

A family of five sharing a hug. Ayesha and Alex have three children. Ayesha works as a teacher's aide, and Alex is a maintenance worker.

Their estimated income is:

  • $47,800 annually
  • $919 weekly
  • $22.98 hourly

Affordable rent for Ayesha and Alex's family is about $1,195 or less per month.

60% AMI

One-Person Household

An individual standing near a plant. Marcos recently moved to the U.S. from Colombia. He works as a maintenance lead at a local nonprofit.

His estimated income is:

  • $37,200 annually
  • $715 weekly
  • $17.88 hourly

Affordable rent for Marcos is about $930 or less per month.

Two-Person Household

A person helping an older adult in a wheelchair. Lupe is a medical mail clerk at a military base. She lives with her grandmother, who receives survivor's benefits.

Their estimated income is:

  • $42,480 annually
  • $817 weekly
  • $20.42 hourly

Affordable rent for Lupe's family is about $1,062 or less per month.

Three-Person Household

A person assisting a child with a jacket with another child nearby. Nicole is a receptionist at a dental office and cares for her two children, Imani and Mario. Mario was diagnosed with autism at an early age and receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Their estimated income is:

  • $47,820 annually
  • $920 weekly
  • $22.99 hourly

Affordable rent for Nicole's family is about $1,195 or less per month.

Four-Person Household

Family of four posing for a selfie. Ronny works as a bank teller and is a single father of three teen children Jacques, Isabella, and Lisa. He receives monthly child support.

His estimated income is:

  • $53,100 annually
  • $1,021 weekly
  • $25.53 hourly

Affordable rent for Ronny's family is about $1,327 or less per month.

Five-Person Household

Three adults sitting on the ground engaging in play with two children. George and Alejandra live with their two children and George's father. George's father doesn't qualify for Social Security yet. George works as a machine operator at a warehouse, and Alejandra works as a freelance make-up artist.

Their estimated income is:

  • $57,360 annually
  • $1,103 weekly
  • $27.58 hourly

Affordable rent for George and Alejandra's family is $1,434 or less per month.

80% AMI

One-Person Household

A person writing on a red clipboard. Kareem has worked as a bus driver for seven years.

His estimated income is:

  • $49,600 annually
  • $954 weekly
  • $23.85 hourly

Affordable rent for Kareem is $1,240 or less per month.

Two-Person Household

A person talking and walking alongside another person sitting in a wheelchair. Jeff and Xochitl are full-time college students and live near campus. Jeff works as a childcare specialist at a children's center, and Xochitl has a work-study position.

Their estimated income is:

  • $56,650 annually
  • $1,089 weekly
  • $27.24 hourly

Affordable rent for Jeff and Xochitl is $1,416 or less per month.

Three-Person Household

Two adults assisting a child fold laundry. Mei lives with her two adult children, Li and Bryan. Mei works as an administrative assistant, and her children have work-study positions in their universities.

Their estimated income is:

  • $63,750 annually
  • $1,226 weekly
  • $30.65 hourly

Affordable rent for Mei's family is $1,593 or less per month.

Four-Person Household

Four people standing together. Mia and Terrance are a retired couple who care for their two adult children who are living with disabilities. Mia worked as a medical assistant, and Terrance was an illustrator. Both adult children receive disability benefits.

Their estimated income is:

  • $70,800 annually
  • $1,362 weekly
  • $34.04 hourly

Affordable rent for Mia and Terrance's family is $1,770 or less per month.

Five-Person Household

An adult baking with a child, while another child is eating a cookie and another adult is holding a child. Torie and her three children live with her father, Julián. Torie works at the mall in sales and Julián is a retired Air Force Veteran living on a fixed income. He receives a monthly check from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and Social Security Income.

Their estimated income is:

  • $76,500 annually
  • $1,471 weekly
  • $36.78 hourly

Affordable rent for Torie's family is $1,912 or less per month.

120% AMI

One-Person Household

A person using American Sign Language to communicate 'I love you.' Gracie recently graduated with her master's degree and works as a nonprofit social services director.

Her estimated income is:

  • $74,400 annually
  • $1,431 weekly
  • $35.77 hourly

Affordable rent for Gracie is about $1,860 or less per month.

Two-Person Household

An individual embracing another individual using a mobility cane. Patrick and David got married last fall and moved into an apartment. Patrick is attending law school, and David works as a software engineer.

Their estimated income is:

  • $84,960 annually
  • $1,634 weekly
  • $40.85 hourly

Affordable rent for Patrick and David is about $2,124 or less per month.

Three-Person Household

A family of three resting on a tan couch. Arwa, Eduardo, and their daughter rent an apartment. Arwa works as a retail salesperson, and Eduardo works at an internet installation company.

Their estimated income is:

  • $95,640 annually
  • $1,839 weekly
  • $45.98 hourly

Affordable rent for Arwa and Eduardo's family is about $2,391 or less per month.

Four-Person Household

Three adults engaging with a pregnant woman. Roberto and his wife Angelica care for her parents. Roberto works as a high school math teacher, Angelica works as a nurse at a children's hospital, and her father receives monthly social security income.

Their estimated income is:

  • $106,200 annually
  • $2,042 weekly
  • $51.06 hourly

Affordable rent for Roberto and Angelica's family is about $2,655 or less per month.

Five-Person Household

Parents assisting two children bathe while the third folds towels. Imad and Lucia have three sons. Imad is a manager at a technology company, and Lucia is a stay-at-home mom.

Their estimated income is:

  • $114,720 annually
  • $2,206 weekly
  • $55.15 hourly

Affordable rent for Imad and Lucia's family is about $2,868 or less per month.

The incomes shown are accurate for San Antonio. Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Tables, May 2022, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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