What is AMI in Chicago?
Area Median Income (AMI) is the midpoint household income for a given metropolitan area, published every year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For Chicago, HUD uses the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL HUD Metro FMR Area, which covers Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. Effective May 1, 2026, the 100% AMI benchmark for a four-person household is $121,500.
Affordable housing programs — including Chicago's ARO, Section 8, and CHA public housing — use percentages of AMI (30%, 50%, 60%, 80%) as income caps. The lower the AMI tier, the lower the maximum rent and the lower the income ceiling.
How the Chicago AMI calculator works
The calculator above takes two inputs — household size and total gross annual income — and compares them against the City of Chicago 2026 income limits for the Chicago MSA. It returns:
- Your AMI percentage (your income as a share of 100% AMI for your household size).
- The ARO tier you qualify for (30%, 50%, 60%, 80%, 100%, or 120%).
- Direct links to current ARO listings that match your tier.
2026 Chicago AMI table (City of Chicago income limits)
| Household size | 30% AMI | 50% AMI | 60% AMI | 80% AMI | 100% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $25,530 | $42,550 | $51,060 | $68,050 | $85,100 |
| 2 person | $29,160 | $48,600 | $58,320 | $77,800 | $97,200 |
| 3 person | $32,820 | $54,700 | $65,640 | $87,500 | $109,400 |
| 4 person | $36,450 | $60,750 | $72,900 | $97,200 | $121,500 |
| 5 person | $39,390 | $65,650 | $78,780 | $105,000 | $131,300 |
| 6 person | $42,300 | $70,500 | $84,600 | $112,800 | $141,000 |
| 7 person | $45,210 | $75,350 | $90,420 | $120,550 | $150,700 |
| 8 person | $48,120 | $80,200 | $96,240 | $128,350 | $160,400 |
Source: City of Chicago 2026 Income and Rent Limits. Effective May 1, 2026. Last verified: .
See our full income limits page for additional detail and historical comparisons.
Household income examples
A few illustrative scenarios (compare against the table above; each property sets its own tiers and screening):
- Single barista, earning $36,000/year. 1-person household below the 50% AMI limit. May be income-eligible for 50%, 60%, and 80% AMI units, subject to each property's rules.
- Couple, both teachers, combined $84,000. 2-person household above the 80% AMI limit but below 100% AMI. May want to explore 100% AMI units where offered.
- Single parent with two kids, $58,000. 3-person household below the 60% AMI limit. May be income-eligible for 60% and 80% AMI units, subject to each property's rules.
- Family of four, $88,000. 4-person household at ~77% AMI. Qualifies for 80% AMI ARO units.
- Freelance designer, $42,000 net. 1-person household at ~53% AMI. Qualifies for 60% and 80% AMI units — but see our self-employed affordable housing guide for documentation tips.
Qualifying for ARO affordable housing
Hitting the right AMI tier is necessary but not sufficient. Most Chicago ARO landlords also screen for:
- Minimum income-to-rent ratio — usually 2x to 2.5x the monthly rent.
- Credit score — most buildings want 600+, some accept 550 with conditions.
- Rental history — no recent evictions; references from past landlords.
- Document packet — see the required documents checklist.
For the full 6-step qualification process, read our how to qualify for ARO housing guide. If a building you want is doing a lottery, see the Chicago housing lottery guide for how to enter and improve your odds.
Frequently asked questions
What is AMI in Chicago?
AMI stands for Area Median Income. For Chicago, the City publishes an annual Table of Income Limits based on the HUD Chicago-Naperville-Joliet Metro FMR Area. Effective May 1, 2026, 100% AMI for a four-person household is $121,500. Affordable housing programs like Chicago's ARO use percentages of AMI (typically 30%, 50%, 60%, and 80%) as income caps that determine who qualifies for income-restricted apartments.
How do I calculate my AMI percentage in Chicago?
Divide your total annual household income by the 100% AMI figure for your household size, then multiply by 100. For example, a 2-person household earning $58,320 in 2026: $58,320 ÷ $97,200 × 100 = 60% AMI. Our calculator above does this automatically — enter household size and gross annual income and it returns your AMI tier and which ARO units you likely qualify for.
What income counts when calculating AMI?
Add gross (pre-tax) annual income for every household member 18 and older: wages, salaries, tips, self-employment net income, Social Security, SSI, disability, pension, alimony, child support, regular gift income, unemployment, and most public benefits. Lump-sum gifts, student financial aid used for tuition, and one-time tax refunds are generally excluded. Use the past 12 months as a baseline if your income is variable.
What AMI tier do I need to qualify for ARO housing?
Most Chicago ARO units are reserved for households at or below 60% AMI or 80% AMI, depending on the building and unit. A smaller number of units (in mixed-income LIHTC buildings) target 30% or 50% AMI. If our calculator shows you at 60% AMI or below, you have access to the widest pool of ARO listings. At 61–80% AMI, you still qualify for many units but the inventory is smaller.
Is the Chicago AMI calculator on this page accurate?
The calculator uses the City of Chicago 2026 income limits (effective May 1, 2026) for the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet HUD Metro FMR Area and gives a strong estimate of your AMI tier. Final eligibility is always determined by the leasing office of the specific building you apply to, because some programs use slightly different definitions of household income or use prior-year tax returns instead of current income. Treat the result as a screening tool.
How often do Chicago AMI limits change?
HUD updates AMI figures once per year, typically in April or May, and the City of Chicago publishes its Table of Income Limits with an effective date shortly after. The current calculator reflects the City of Chicago 2026 limits effective May 1, 2026.
Does household size include children and roommates?
Household size includes everyone who will live in the unit — adults, children, and any related or unrelated occupants. Unborn children expected within the lease term usually count as well. Roommates who are not on the lease do not count, but their income is also not included. Live-in caregivers may be excluded from household size in some programs.
What if my AMI is above 80%?
If you're above 80% AMI, you're generally over the cap for most Chicago ARO units. However, you may still qualify for workforce-housing units (some buildings include 100% or 120% AMI tiers), market-rate apartments in mixed-income buildings, or down-payment assistance programs for first-time buyers. Our affordable housing guide covers alternatives if ARO isn't a fit.
Disclaimer: This calculator and guide are for general information only and are not legal or housing-counseling advice. AMI figures and program rules change; always confirm current eligibility directly with the leasing office or program administrator.