Area Median Income (AMI) is the midpoint of a region’s income distribution, meaning half of the families in an area earn more than the median and half earn less than the median. All of our properties’ income levels are based on King County’s AMI.
What is Area Median Income (AMI)?
Why does AMI matter?
Affordable housing buildings have apartments with different rent levels based on AMI. Your household income and household size factor into what “AMI level” you are in. In turn, your household’s AMI level is used to identify which affordable apartments you may qualify for.
On our website, Unit Area Median Income (Unit AMI) is the limit that determines the maximum allowable income of a certain apartment. You will find it listed for each apartment vacancy along with a Maximum Allowable Income chart in Search Available Apartments.
For all housing listed on this website, eligibility is partially based on your household income. Different types of affordable housing will have different income limits depending on the size of the apartment. For you to be eligible to sign a lease, your household income cannot exceed those limits.
All of our properties use a similar process for measuring your income. Your income is calculated and compared as a percentage of the median household income in King County for a household of your size. This tells us what level of eligibility you are in.
How to calculate your AMI level
Use the chart below to help determine if you might qualify for one of our available apartments. A more thorough calculation will be completed when you apply for an apartment.
Step 1: Total Annual Income
Add the gross yearly income for each person in your household to determine your household’s total annual income. This number should combine the annual wages and salaries, assets, and other sources of income.
Step 2: Number of People in Household
Using the chart below, move your finger vertically along the left-most column and find the number of people living in your home.
Step 3: Unit AMI Percent
Next, move your finger horizontally in the row for your household’s size. Find the first annual income value that is greater than your household’s total annual income. You may qualify for the Unit AMI percent at that level and greater.
Maximum Allowable Income & Area Median Income (AMI) Percent
| Household Size | 30% AMI | 40% AMI | 50% AMI | 60% AMI | 80% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $33,000 | $44,000 | $55,000 | $66,000 | $88,000 |
| 2 person | $37,710 | $50,280 | $62,850 | $75,420 | $100,560 |
| 3 person | $42,420 | $56,560 | $70,700 | $84,840 | $113,120 |
| 4 person | $47,130 | $62,840 | $78,550 | $94,260 | $125,680 |
| 5 person | $50,910 | $67,880 | $84,850 | $101,820 | $135,760 |
| 6 person | $54,690 | $72,920 | $91,150 | $109,380 | $145,840 |
| 7 person | $58,470 | $77,960 | $97,450 | $116,940 | $155,920 |
| 8 person | $62,220 | $82,960 | $103,700 | $124,440 | $165,920 |
Example: How to estimate your household Income and Unit AMI percent level
Your household has two adults with two children (under 18 years old). One adult receives social security benefits of $1,650 per month and the other adult has a full-time job working 40 hours per week paying $21 per hour.
Step 1: Total Annual Income
- Adult 1: $1,650 per month x 12 months = $19,800
- Adult 2: $21 per hour x 40 hours per week x 52 weeks per year = $43,680
- Total: $19,800 + $43,680 = $63,480
Step 2: Number of People in Household
Using the chart below, move your finger vertically along the left-most column and find the number of people living in your home.
With two adults and two children, your household’s is the row that says 4 Person.
| Household Size | 30% AMI | 40% AMI | 50% AMI | 60% AMI | 80% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $33,000 | $44,000 | $55,000 | $66,000 | $88,000 |
| 2 person | $37,710 | $50,280 | $62,850 | $75,420 | $100,560 |
| 3 person | $42,420 | $56,560 | $70,700 | $84,840 | $113,120 |
| 4 person | $47,130 | $62,840 | $78,550 | $94,260 | $125,680 |
| 5 person | $50,910 | $67,880 | $84,850 | $101,820 | $135,760 |
| 6 person | $54,690 | $72,920 | $91,150 | $109,380 | $145,840 |
| 7 person | $58,470 | $77,960 | $97,450 | $116,940 | $155,920 |
| 8 person | $62,220 | $82,960 | $103,700 | $124,440 | $165,920 |
Step 3: Unit AMI Percent
Next, move your finger horizontally in the row for your household’s size. Find the first annual income value that is greater than your household’s total annual income. You may qualify for the Unit AMI percents at that level and greater.
Your income is $63,480, so you may qualify for the 40% Unit AMI apartments and above. This means that when you search for an apartment, you are looking for the ones that have maximum allowable incomes based on Unit AMIs at 40% and above.
| Household Size | 30% AMI | 40% AMI | 50% AMI | 60% AMI | 80% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $33,000 | $44,000 | $55,000 | $66,000 | $88,000 |
| 2 person | $37,710 | $50,280 | $62,850 | $75,420 | $100,560 |
| 3 person | $42,420 | $56,560 | $70,700 | $84,840 | $113,120 |
| 4 person | $47,130 | $62,840 | $78,550 | $94,260 | $125,680 |
| 5 person | $50,910 | $67,880 | $84,850 | $101,820 | $135,760 |
| 6 person | $54,690 | $72,920 | $91,150 | $109,380 | $145,840 |
| 7 person | $58,470 | $77,960 | $97,450 | $116,940 | $155,920 |
| 8 person | $62,220 | $82,960 | $103,700 | $124,440 | $165,920 |
Please note this explanation above is to give a sense of the income range to look for in our apartments, but Community Roots Housing staff will do a more thorough calculation with you in person when you apply for a specific apartment.
Search available apartments to find a great fit, read our How to Apply step-by-step guide, see the frequently asked questions on the Income Eligibility page, and contact staff with questions via email or phone.
