An apartment listing says applicants must earn “60% of AMI or less.” But what does that mean, and how do you know whether you qualify?
AMI stands for area median income. It gives housing programs a local reference point for setting income limits, helping determine whom an affordable apartment or rental assistance program can serve.
Start With the Middle
The median is the middle: Half of families earn more, and half earn less.
Each year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, estimates median family income for local housing markets and calculates income limits used by housing programs.
Those limits account for household size. A person living alone and a family of four will have different qualifying income limits, even when applying to the same development.
What Does That Look Like in Asheville?
For someone living alone, Buncombe County’s published 2026 income limits include:
- 30% AMI: $21,500 a year.
- 60% AMI: $43,050 a year.
- 80% AMI: $57,350 a year.
An apartment serving households earning up to 60% AMI could therefore serve someone living alone who earns no more than $43,050, provided they meet the property’s other requirements.
For a household of four, the corresponding 60% AMI limit is $61,450. That difference recognizes that the income supports more people.
Does AMI Tell Me What I’ll Pay?
No. The percentage describes an income limit, not the share of your income you’ll pay in rent.
An apartment advertised at 60% AMI does not mean you’ll spend 60% of your income on housing. You’ll need to ask the property about its rent, utility costs, and whether rental assistance is available.
“AMI helps people understand whether they may qualify, but it’s only part of the picture,” said Ella Santos, president and CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville. “The next step is finding out what the apartment actually costs and what assistance may be available.”
Looking for affordable housing? Visit haca.org/for-applicants to learn about HACA’s housing options and application process.
