Low Income Threshold Calculator for Canada (2026)
Is your household income above or below Canada's low income line for a household your size? Enter your income, choose how many people it supports, and this calculator shows the gap. It is based on Statistics Canada's Low Income Measure and runs entirely in your browser.
How the low income threshold works
The threshold rises with household size, because a larger household needs more income to reach the same standard of living, though not in a straight line. Statistics Canada's Low Income Measure scales the single-person figure by the square root of household size, which is why the line for four people is roughly double the line for one, not four times it.
| People in household | Low income threshold |
|---|---|
| 1 | $24,500 |
| 2 | $35,500 |
| 3 | $42,500 |
| 4 | $48,700 |
| 5 | $54,500 |
| 6 | $59,600 |
| 7 | $64,800 |
| 8 | $69,200 |
| 9 | $73,100 |
| 10 | $76,900 |
What the numbers show
In the current data, the low income threshold is about $24,500 for a single person and roughly $48,700 for a household of four. Each additional person raises the line, but by a smaller amount than the last, reflecting the shared costs of housing, utilities, and everyday life.
What being above or below the line means
Falling below the threshold does not mean poverty in any absolute sense, and clearing it does not mean comfort. It is a relative measure, set against typical incomes across the country, and it is most useful as context rather than a verdict. If you are near the line, small changes in income or household size can move you across it.
Related tools and reading
Frequently asked questions
What is the low income threshold?
It is an income line, set relative to typical Canadian incomes, below which a household is counted as low income. This tool uses Statistics Canada's Low Income Measure, which scales with household size.
Does household size include children?
Yes. Count everyone whose living costs your income supports, adults and children alike.
Why is the line for four people not four times the line for one?
Because households share costs. The Low Income Measure scales by the square root of household size, so larger households need more income but not proportionally more.
Is my income stored?
No. The comparison runs in your browser. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.