Median household income: $62,948; value-to-income ratio 4.31. Gardner ranks 81 by home value and 68 by population among 89 places in our MA dataset.
What does a VA loan cost on a typical Gardner home?
| Item | Gardner |
|---|---|
| Median home value (Census ACS) | $271,300 |
| Massachusetts median home value | $525,800 |
| Down payment (0%) | $0 |
| Loan incl. 2.15% funding fee | $277,133 |
| Estimated monthly payment (PITI + MI) | $2,305 |
| Income needed (28% / 36%) | $99,000 / $77,000 |
| Worcester County 2026 county limit for partial VA entitlement | $832,750 |
Rate assumption: 7.18% (Freddie Mac PMMS 30-year fixed average, week of November 5, 2026). Change it in the payment calculator.
Payment includes Massachusetts's 1.11% effective property tax rate (Census ACS), $2,134/yr homeowners insurance (NAIC state average); VA loans have no monthly mortgage insurance.
What is the 2026 VA loan limit in Gardner?
VA loans have no loan limit for borrowers with full entitlement. If part of your entitlement is tied up in another VA loan, VA uses Worcester County's 2026 conforming limit of $832,750 to calculate your zero-down maximum. The county's FHA limit is $545,100 for comparison.
The Gardner median home value of $271,300 is 48% below the Massachusetts median, and within what the county limit supports.
Which down payment assistance programs can Gardner buyers use?
- MassHousing Down Payment Assistance (Option 1) — Up to $30,000; deferred; state-level. MassHousing · Verified October 23, 2026
- MassHousing Down Payment Assistance (Option 2) — Up to $25,000 at a fixed 2% rate over 15 years; second_mortgage; state-level. MassHousing · Verified October 23, 2026
VA loans in nearby cities
VA loan FAQs for Gardner
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 2019–2023 5-Year Estimates
- FHFA — 2026 Conforming Loan Limit Values
- VA — Funding fee and closing costs
- NAIC — Homeowners Insurance Report, Data for 2023 (HO-3 average premium)
- Freddie Mac — Primary Mortgage Market Survey
- MassHousing — MassHousing Down Payment Assistance (Option 1)
- MassHousing — MassHousing Down Payment Assistance (Option 2)
Data last updated October 23, 2026.
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Get My MatchesFigures on this page are estimates for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, loan limits, fees and assistance programs change frequently and vary by lender, location and borrower profile. Confirm current terms with a licensed loan officer.