By Carla Astudillo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

It’s getting more expensive to be considered low-income in New Jersey.

A New Jersey family of four in 2018 has to earn $71,900 a year or less to be considered low-income, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development ­— an almost six percent increase from last year.

New Jersey has the highest HUD income limits in the nation for a family of four –– tied with Alaska, Massachusetts, Maryland and Connecticut.

To put it in perspective, the same figure is $57,500 or less nationwide.

Every year, HUD adjusts the income limits that are used to determine the amount how much you would have to earn a year to qualify for federal housing programs like Section 8. HUD uses 80 percent of the adjusted median income to create its measure. In New Jersey, that's currently $95,100, a four percent jump from 2017.

HUD also adjusts the figures for the high housing costs relative to income, among other things, so New Jersey's income limit isn't exactly 80 percent of the median.

In addition, HUD calculates the income limits for 11 different areas that cover the 21 New Jersey counties, as well as various family sizes. Using our tool below, you can put in your annual household income and family size to find out if you would be considered low-income by HUD.

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Since last year, 10 out of 11 New Jersey HUD areas saw an increase in their income limits for a family of four. Below, they are ranked from lowest to highest in the state.

Note about the data: There are some HUD areas that include an expansive area of New Jersey. For example, HUD considers Essex, Morris, Union and Sussex counties as part of the "Newark NJ HUD Metro Area". Other areas are very specific like "Warren County, NJ HUD Metro Area" which just includes Warren County.

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8. Vineland-Bridgeton (Cumberland)

Limit for Family of 4: $53,850

Change since 2017: $1,150

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7. Atlantic City- Hammonton (Atlantic)

Limit for Family of 4: $61,200

Change since 2017: $3,750

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6. Ocean City (Cape May)

Limit for Family of 4: $62,950

Change since 2017: $2,950

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5. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington (Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem)

Limit for Family of 4: $69,900

Change since 2017: $3,350

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4. Warren

Limit for Family of 4: $71,900

Change since 2017: $3,900

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4. Trenton

Limit for Family of 4: $71,900

Change since 2017: $3,900

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4. Newark (Essex, Morris, Sussex, Union)

Limit for Family of 4: $71,900

Change since 2017: $3,900

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4. Monmouth-Ocean

Limit for Family of 4: $71,900

Change since 2017: $2,700

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3. Bergen-Passaic

Limit for Family of 4: $73,600

Change since 2017: $5,600

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2. Jersey City (Hudson)

Limit for Family of 4: $75,300

Change since 2017: $6,500

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1. Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon

Limit for Family of 4: $75,850

Change since 2017: -$1,250

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AP photo

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