Gaston County, North Carolina Income Limits for 2026

Are you under the income limit?

About these limits

HUD publishes a limit for every county each year. Most down payment help uses 80% of the area median income, adjusted for how many people live in the home. Limits are for the HUD area around the county, not the county alone. Source: HUD FY 2026 Income Limits.

In Gaston County, a family of four earning up to $93,900 fits most down payment programs, and some go higher.

HUD sets the area median income for Gaston County at $117,400 for a family of four in fiscal year 2026 (Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC HUD Metro FMR Area). A four-person household counts as low income below $93,900 (HUD's 80% tier), very low income below $58,700 and extremely low income below $35,200. These are the lines most down payment assistance and affordable mortgage programs use.

People in home

Yearly income

Up to $93,900 for 4 people

Enter your yearly income to compare it with HUD’s 80% income limit for 4 people in Gaston County.

Limit for 4 people (80% of area median)$93,900

Area median family income$117,400

HUD areaCharlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

See how much help you could getOpens your plan with Gaston County and 4 people filled in

CountyHouseholdIncomePriceSavings

2026 income limits by household size

Household	Low income (80%)	Very low (50%)	Extremely low (30%)
1 person	$65,750	$41,100	$24,650
A household of 1 earning under $65,750 (the low-income line, 80% of area median) usually meets the income limit for HomeReady, Home Possible and many local down payment programs. See North Carolina first-time buyer programs →
2 people	$75,150	$47,000	$28,200
A household of 2 earning under $75,150 (the low-income line, 80% of area median) usually meets the income limit for HomeReady, Home Possible and many local down payment programs. See North Carolina first-time buyer programs →
3 people	$84,550	$52,850	$31,700
A household of 3 earning under $84,550 (the low-income line, 80% of area median) usually meets the income limit for HomeReady, Home Possible and many local down payment programs. See North Carolina first-time buyer programs →
4 people	$93,900	$58,700	$35,200
A household of 4 earning under $93,900 (the low-income line, 80% of area median) usually meets the income limit for HomeReady, Home Possible and many local down payment programs. See North Carolina first-time buyer programs →
5 people	$101,450	$63,400	$38,680
A household of 5 earning under $101,450 (the low-income line, 80% of area median) usually meets the income limit for HomeReady, Home Possible and many local down payment programs. See North Carolina first-time buyer programs →
6 people	$108,950	$68,100	$44,360
A household of 6 earning under $108,950 (the low-income line, 80% of area median) usually meets the income limit for HomeReady, Home Possible and many local down payment programs. See North Carolina first-time buyer programs →
7 people	$116,450	$72,800	$50,040
A household of 7 earning under $116,450 (the low-income line, 80% of area median) usually meets the income limit for HomeReady, Home Possible and many local down payment programs. See North Carolina first-time buyer programs →
8 people	$123,950	$77,500	$55,720
A household of 8 earning under $123,950 (the low-income line, 80% of area median) usually meets the income limit for HomeReady, Home Possible and many local down payment programs. See North Carolina first-time buyer programs →

Tap a row for what it means. HUD FY 2026 income limits, effective for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025 and used by programs through the 2026 buying season. The percentages are of the $117,400 area median family income, adjusted by HUD for household size, high housing costs and statutory floors.

Program thresholds

Threshold	Family of 4	Who uses it
80% of AMI	$93,900	HomeReady, Home Possible, many local down payment programs
100% of AMI	$117,400	Some state housing finance agency loans
120% of AMI	$140,900	Workforce and "moderate income" programs
140% of AMI	$164,350	Some state bond loan and MCC programs in high-cost areas

The 100% to 140% rows are straight multiples of the median for comparison; each program publishes its own limit, which may follow a different base figure.

Frequently asked questions

What is the area median income (AMI) in Gaston County?

$117,400 for a family of four in fiscal year 2026, per HUD's income limits for the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC HUD Metro FMR Area area. That is rank 8 of 100 North Carolina counties.

What counts as low income in Gaston County?

HUD's low-income limit (80% of area median) is $65,750 for one person, $75,150 for two, $84,550 for three and $93,900 for four. Very low income (50%) is $58,700 for four; extremely low income (30%) is $35,200.

Why do income limits matter to a home buyer?

Most down payment assistance, mortgage credit certificates and state first-time buyer programs cap eligibility at a share of area median income, usually 80% to 120% or 140% of AMI. Fannie Mae's HomeReady and Freddie Mac's Home Possible loans cap at 80% of AMI in most areas. Check the program's own limit; each one sets its own multiple and household-size rule.

Is 80% of AMI the same as HUD's low-income limit?

Not always. HUD adjusts the published limits for high housing costs, statutory caps and floors, so the low-income limit can differ from a straight 80% of the median. Programs that say "80% of AMI" usually mean the HUD limit in this table, but some compute their own figure.

Sources

HUD, FY 2026 Income Limits (Section 8 county-level file, Section8-FY26.xlsx); low = 80% of area median family income, very low = 50%, extremely low = 30%

Figures are computed from the documents above and rounded to the dollar. All sources.

More about income limits

Income limits in every North Carolina county → North Carolina first-time buyer programs → Gaston County home buyer guide →

General information, not lending advice. Program eligibility is set by each program; confirm the limit that applies to you.

Gaston County overview

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