Maryland DPA Income Limits in 2026: Higher Than You Think
One of the most common reasons Maryland buyers skip down payment assistance is the assumption that they make too much money. In nearly every case I see, that assumption is wrong — and it's costing families thousands of dollars in benefits they were entitled to all along.
The Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) uses county-level income maximums that scale with household size. In Baltimore City and Baltimore County, a household of four can earn up to roughly $158,000 and still qualify — well above the median household income for the region. In Montgomery and Howard counties, the limits are even higher.
These limits are not the same as the federal poverty line, and they are not capped at some round number like $80,000. They are HUD area median income (AMI) figures, recalculated every year, and they reflect what your neighbors actually earn. If you live in a higher-cost county, your limit goes up accordingly.
Household size also matters more than most buyers realize. A single buyer might be capped around $110,000 in Baltimore County, but add a spouse and two children and that cap jumps to roughly $158,000. Family size is counted as everyone who will live in the home, including children, elderly parents, and dependents.
Income limits are recalculated each year by HUD, and they have risen meaningfully in 2026 — in some counties by 7% or more, reflecting wage growth in the region. If you were told you didn't qualify in 2023 or 2024, the numbers have changed enough that it's worth a second look this year.
There's also a distinction between 'qualifying income' and 'gross income' that trips up a lot of buyers. MMP looks at the income of borrowers on the loan, not necessarily everyone in the household. If your spouse isn't on the mortgage, their income may not count against your limit at all. A loan officer who specializes in MMP can structure this correctly; most won't think to.
The fastest way to get a real number for your situation is a five-minute conversation. No forms, no database entry, no lead pool. Just an honest answer about whether you qualify and what you'd actually receive.