BUSINESSJun 15 · 12:00 UTCLAISTDavid Wagner

In Orange County, six-figure salaries now qualify as ‘low income’

In Orange County, individuals earning up to $104,200 annually now qualify as 'low income' under 2026 housing guidelines, a significant increase from $94,750 in 2025. Rising housing costs and stagnant wages are making it difficult for middle-income workers to afford homes, with 51% of residents considering leaving the area due to affordability issues.

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Mentioned

California Department of Housing and Community DevelopmentorganizationOrange CountyplaceMegan JunantopersonIrvineplacePeople for Housing OCorganizationElizabeth HansburgpersonUC Irvineorganizationlow-income housingtopic

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