State officials in California classify an annual salary of $104,200 in Orange County as “low-income” for 2026, according to updated state income limits referenced by multiple outlets. The threshold is higher than the prior year: the income limit for the same category was $94,750 in 2025. The classification reflects how California sets eligibility thresholds for certain programs and assistance based on area-specific income guidelines rather than absolute wage levels. Under the updated 2026 limits, the $104,200 figure is used to determine whether households in Orange County fall within the “low-income” range. The reporting notes that the state’s definition applies locally, meaning the same income can be treated differently depending on the county and the specific income-limit category. While the outlets focus on how the label affects perceptions of affordability, the core point is that California’s 2026 income-limit figures for Orange County place $104,200 within the low-income designation.