What are LIHTC Maximum Rents?

LIHTC (Low-Income Housing Tax Credit) maximum gross rents are the highest rent — including tenant-paid utilities — that an owner of a tax credit property may charge. The limit is 30% of the applicable income limit (50% or 60% of AMI) for an assumed household size (1.5 persons per bedroom). These limits apply to tax credit units only, not to market-rate units in the same building.

LIHTC Maximum Rents — Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area

FMRs · Income Limits

FY2026 LIHTC Maximum Gross Rents — Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area

AMI Level Studio 1BR 2BR 3BR 4BR
50% AMI Maximum $1,440 $1,646 $1,851 $2,222 $2,386
60% AMI Maximum $1,728 $1,975 $2,222 $2,666 $2,864

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How LIHTC Rents Are Calculated

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit maximum gross rent formula is: (AMI × percentage × household size factor × 30%) ÷ 12. "Gross rent" includes the tenant's contribution plus any utility allowance. If the tenant pays utilities separately, the landlord must subtract the applicable utility allowance to arrive at the maximum contract rent chargeable.

For a 2-bedroom unit at 60% AMI, for example, HUD assumes a 3-person household (1.5 per bedroom × 2). The maximum gross rent is 30% of 60% of the applicable area median income for a 3-person household, divided by 12 months.

Owners of LIHTC properties must certify tenant incomes annually and ensure rents stay within these limits throughout the 15-year initial compliance period and any extended use period.