Hidden costs of homeownership in the United States reach 16,566 dollars annually

The typical United States homeowner now pays 16,566 dollars annually, or roughly 1,380 dollars per month, for maintenance, property taxes, and insurance in addition to mortgage payments. Zillow Research reported the figures, while AOL reported that these hidden costs have increased by nearly 32 percent over the past five years. These recurring expenses create additional affordability challenges for households across the country. [1][2]

Insurance costs have grown at the fastest pace among all non-mortgage homeownership expenses. Zillow Research reported that insurance premiums have risen 54 percent over the past five years, compared with a 32 percent increase for maintenance and a 19 percent increase for property taxes. [1]

The increase in insurance costs is altering financial dynamics in major metropolitan markets. According to Zillow Research, insurance premiums have increased by at least 50 percent over five years, leading homeowners in Houston, Phoenix, Denver, and Nashville to pay more each year for insurance than for property taxes. [1]

The rising costs affect a large segment of the population. The seasonally adjusted homeownership rate in the United States reached 65.2 percent in the second quarter of 2026, which was not statistically different from the rates in the second quarter of 2025 or the first quarter of 2026. [4]