Northern Mariana Islands Section 538 income limits for FY2026
A Section 538 tenant can earn up to 115% of area median income at move-in. In Northern Mariana Islands that limit for a family of four runs from $51,850 in Northern Mariana Islands to $51,850 in Northern Mariana Islands. Limits took effect July 13, 2026.
| Area | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Mariana Islands | 36,300 | 41,500 | 46,650 | 51,850 | 56,000 | 60,150 | 64,300 | 68,450 |
From income limit to rent cap
Two rent rules apply under 7 CFR 3565.203. Each unit's rent, counting tenant-paid utilities, can't exceed 30% of 115% of area median income adjusted for family size, which is 30% of the figure in the table for the household size you assume, divided by 12. And across the whole project, the average rent can't exceed 30% of 100% of area median income each year.
Worked example for Northern Mariana Islands: the four-person limit is $51,850, so the per-unit cap for a unit sized for four people is $1,296 a month including utilities. The project-average cap uses 100% of median instead of 115%, roughly $1,127 a month at the four-person size. Which household size applies to each bedroom count is set in USDA's program handbook; confirm it with your lender.
Income is tested only at move-in. A tenant whose income later rises above the limit can stay (7 CFR 3565.202(a)). Want to see what those rents support in debt? Run them through the 538 loan sizer.
All 1 Northern Mariana Islands areas and every other state in one file: 538 income limits download.