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 57 years old and lives in an apartment with his cat. He had an accident as a construction worker and now is on full disability insurance. He receives Social Security benefits.

His estimated income is:

  • $20,300 per year
  • $390 a week
  • $9.76 an hour

Affordable rent for Alfonso is about $508 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:

  • $23,200 per year
  • $446 a week
  • $11.15 an hour

Affordable rent for Ashley and Lily is about $508 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:

  • $26,100 per year
  • $502 a week
  • $12.55 an hour

Affordable rent for Consuelo's family is about $653 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 drycleaner.

Her estimated income is:

  • $29,000 per year
  • $588 a week
  • $13.94 an hour

Affordable rent for Maria's family is about $725 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 waitresses part-time at the local diner while Daniel works as a delivery driver.

Their estimated income is:

  • $31,350 per year
  • $603 weekly
  • $15.07 an hour

Affordable rent for Crystal and Daniel is about $784 or less per month.

50% AMI

One-Person Household

A person writing on a clipboard.

Kareem is 37 years old and works full-time as dog trainer. He lives alone in an apartment.

His estimated income is:

  • $33,850 per year
  • $651 weekly
  • $16.27 per hour

Affordable rent for Kareem is about $846 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 is a professional courier.

Their estimated income is:

  • $38,650 per year
  • $743 weekly
  • $18.58 per hour

Affordable rent for Kai's family is about $966 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 light truck driver. Isabel works part-time as a medical assistant.

Their estimated income is:

  • $43,500 per year
  • $837 weekly
  • $20.91 per hour

Affordable rent for Xavier and Isabel's family is about $1,088 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 a part-time hostess at a local diner, and Miguel works as a tour guide.

Their estimated income is:

  • $48,300 per year
  • $929 weekly
  • $23.22 per hour

Affordable rent for Ana and Miguel's family is about $1,208 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 bartender at a sports bar.

Their estimated income is:

  • $52,200 per year
  • $1,004 weekly
  • $25.10 per hour

Affordable rent for Ayesha and Alex's family is about $1,305 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 dental assistant.

His estimated income is:

  • $40,620 per year
  • $781 weekly
  • $19.53 an hour

Affordable rent for Marcos is about $1,016 or less per month.

Two-Person Household

A person helping an older adult in a wheelchair.

Lupe is a school cafeteria worker. She lives with her grandmother, who receives survivor's benefits.

Their estimated income is:

  • $46,380 per year
  • $892 weekly
  • $22.30 hourly

Affordable rent for Lupe's family is about $1,160 or less per month.

Three-Person Household

A person assisting a child with a jacket with another child nearby.

Nicole is a billing clerk at a hospital 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:

  • $52,200 per year
  • $1,004 weekly
  • $25.10 hourly

Affordable rent for Nicole's family is about $1,305 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:

  • $57,960 per year
  • $1,115 weekly
  • $27.87 hourly

Affordable rent for Ronny's family is about $1,449 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 an electronics installer at a car repair shop, and Alejandra works as a freelance make-up artist.

Their estimated income is:

  • $62,640 per year
  • $1,205 weekly
  • $30.12 hourly

Affordable rent for George and Alejandra's family is $1,566 or less per month.

80% AMI

One-Person Household

A security officer speaking into a walkie talkie.

Abraham has worked as a bailiff for seven years.

His estimated income is:

  • $54,150 per year
  • $1,041 weekly
  • $26.03 hourly

Affordable rent for Abraham is $1,354 or less per month.

Two-Person Household

A person talking and walking alongside another person sitting in a wheelchair.

Jeff and Xochitl married last spring. Jeff works as a graphic designer, and Xochitl is going back to college full-time to get her Bachelor in Health Administration.

Their estimated income is:

  • $61,850 per year
  • $1,189 weekly
  • $29.74 hourly

Affordable rent for Jeff and Xochitl is $1,546 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 a middle school teacher, and her children have work-study positions in their universities.

Their estimated income is:

  • $69,600 per year
  • $1,338 weekly
  • $33.46 hourly

Affordable rent for Mei's family is $1,740 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:

  • $77,300 per year
  • $1,487 weekly
  • $37.16 hourly

Affordable rent for Mia and Terrance's family is $1,933 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 as a credit counselor at a non-profit organization, and Julián is a retired Air Force Veteran receives monthly checks from the Department of Veteran Affairs and Social Security Office.

Their estimated income is:

  • $83,500 per year
  • $1,606 weekly
  • $40.14 hourly

Affordable rent for Torie's family is $2,088 or less per month.

120% AMI

One-Person Household

A person using American Sign Language to communicate 'I love you.'

Gracie recently graduated with degree in risk management and works as a claims examiner.

Her estimated income is:

  • $81,150 per year
  • $1,561 weekly
  • $39.01 hourly

Affordable rent for Gracie is about $2,029 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 management analyst at a brokerage company.

Their estimated income is:

  • $92,750 per year
  • $1,784 weekly
  • $44.59 hourly

Affordable rent for Patrick and David is about $2,319 or less per month.

Three-Person Household

A family of three resting on a tan couch.

Arwa, Eduardo, and their daughter rent an apartment. Awa works as a veterinary assistant, and Eduardo as an electrical engineer.

Their estimated income is:

  • $104,350 per year
  • $2,007 weekly
  • $50.17 hourly

Affordable rent for Arwa and Eduardo's family is about $2,609 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 an accountant at a local bookkeeping business, Angelica works as an radiology technician at a local hospital, and her father receives monthly social security income.

Their estimated income is:

  • $115,900 per year
  • $2,229 weekly
  • $55.72 hourly

Affordable rent for Roberto and Angelica's family is about $2,898 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 healthcare professional, and Lucia is a stay-at-home mom.

Their estimated income is:

  • $125,200 per year
  • $2,408 weekly
  • $60.19 hourly

Affordable rent for Imad and Lucia's family is about $3,130 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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