Bell County, Kentucky Income Limits for 2026

Are you under the income limit?

About these limits

HUD publishes a limit for every county each year. Most down payment help uses 80% of the area median income, adjusted for how many people live in the home. Limits are for the HUD area around the county, not the county alone. Source: HUD FY 2026 Income Limits.

In Bell County, a family of four earning up to $57,500 fits most down payment programs, and some go higher.

HUD sets the area median income for Bell County at $49,700 for a family of four in fiscal year 2026 (Bell County, KY). A four-person household counts as low income below $57,500 (HUD's 80% tier, set above 80% of the median here because of high housing costs), very low income below $35,950 and extremely low income below $33,000. These are the lines most down payment assistance and affordable mortgage programs use.

People in home

Yearly income

Up to $57,500 for 4 people

Enter your yearly income to compare it with HUD’s 80% income limit for 4 people in Bell County.

Limit for 4 people (80% of area median)$57,500

Area median family income$49,700

HUD areaBell County, KY

See how much help you could getOpens your plan with Bell County and 4 people filled in

CountyHouseholdIncomePriceSavings

2026 income limits by household size

Household	Low income (80%)	Very low (50%)	Extremely low (30%)
1 person	$40,250	$25,200	$15,960
A household of 1 earning under $40,250 (the low-income line, 80% of area median) usually meets the income limit for HomeReady, Home Possible and many local down payment programs. See Kentucky first-time buyer programs →
2 people	$46,000	$28,800	$21,640
A household of 2 earning under $46,000 (the low-income line, 80% of area median) usually meets the income limit for HomeReady, Home Possible and many local down payment programs. See Kentucky first-time buyer programs →
3 people	$51,750	$32,400	$27,320
A household of 3 earning under $51,750 (the low-income line, 80% of area median) usually meets the income limit for HomeReady, Home Possible and many local down payment programs. See Kentucky first-time buyer programs →
4 people	$57,500	$35,950	$33,000
A household of 4 earning under $57,500 (the low-income line, 80% of area median) usually meets the income limit for HomeReady, Home Possible and many local down payment programs. See Kentucky first-time buyer programs →
5 people	$62,100	$38,850	$38,680
A household of 5 earning under $62,100 (the low-income line, 80% of area median) usually meets the income limit for HomeReady, Home Possible and many local down payment programs. See Kentucky first-time buyer programs →
6 people	$66,700	$41,750	$41,750
A household of 6 earning under $66,700 (the low-income line, 80% of area median) usually meets the income limit for HomeReady, Home Possible and many local down payment programs. See Kentucky first-time buyer programs →
7 people	$71,300	$44,600	$44,600
A household of 7 earning under $71,300 (the low-income line, 80% of area median) usually meets the income limit for HomeReady, Home Possible and many local down payment programs. See Kentucky first-time buyer programs →
8 people	$75,900	$47,500	$47,500
A household of 8 earning under $75,900 (the low-income line, 80% of area median) usually meets the income limit for HomeReady, Home Possible and many local down payment programs. See Kentucky first-time buyer programs →

Tap a row for what it means. HUD FY 2026 income limits, effective for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025 and used by programs through the 2026 buying season. The percentages are of the $49,700 area median family income, adjusted by HUD for household size, high housing costs and statutory floors.

Program thresholds

Threshold	Family of 4	Who uses it
80% of AMI	$57,500	HomeReady, Home Possible, many local down payment programs
100% of AMI	$49,700	Some state housing finance agency loans
120% of AMI	$59,650	Workforce and "moderate income" programs
140% of AMI	$69,600	Some state bond loan and MCC programs in high-cost areas

The 100% to 140% rows are straight multiples of the median for comparison; each program publishes its own limit, which may follow a different base figure.

Frequently asked questions

What is the area median income (AMI) in Bell County?

$49,700 for a family of four in fiscal year 2026, per HUD's income limits for the Bell County, KY area. That is rank 116 of 120 Kentucky counties.

What counts as low income in Bell County?

HUD's low-income limit (80% of area median) is $40,250 for one person, $46,000 for two, $51,750 for three and $57,500 for four. Very low income (50%) is $35,950 for four; extremely low income (30%) is $33,000.

Why do income limits matter to a home buyer?

Most down payment assistance, mortgage credit certificates and state first-time buyer programs cap eligibility at a share of area median income, usually 80% to 120% or 140% of AMI. Fannie Mae's HomeReady and Freddie Mac's Home Possible loans cap at 80% of AMI in most areas. Check the program's own limit; each one sets its own multiple and household-size rule.

Is 80% of AMI the same as HUD's low-income limit?

Not always. HUD adjusts the published limits for high housing costs, statutory caps and floors, so the low-income limit can differ from a straight 80% of the median. Programs that say "80% of AMI" usually mean the HUD limit in this table, but some compute their own figure.

Sources

HUD, FY 2026 Income Limits (Section 8 county-level file, Section8-FY26.xlsx); low = 80% of area median family income, very low = 50%, extremely low = 30%

Figures are computed from the documents above and rounded to the dollar. All sources.

More about income limits

Income limits in every Kentucky county → Kentucky first-time buyer programs → Bell County home buyer guide →

General information, not lending advice. Program eligibility is set by each program; confirm the limit that applies to you.

Bell County overview

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