The term low income can be used as a general indication of wealth (or lack thereof) but can also have one or more technical definitions. Different government agencies may have their own guidelines for what constitutes low income. For example, federal rules classify low-income households as those with income not more than 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. In 2022, the federal poverty level for an individual is $13,590, and 185% of that figure is $25,142. Another definition of low income, used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is an income of less than 80% of the median area income. If your income is below 50% of the median, HUD considers you to have “very low income.” HUD uses these definitions for setting public housing eligibility standards. Of course, few of us have memorized the precise guidelines for the definition of “low income.” Instead, we are likely to use a subjective number, such as $30,000. Whatever number we use, the general connotation is that it’s challenging to live on a low income.