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Homeownership Costs Surge: $16,000 Hidden Expenses Annually

11/17/2025

Summary

Story summary

A Zillow and Thumbtack analysis finds hidden costs of U.S. homeownership total $16,000 per year, or $1,325 per month, including $10,946 for maintenance, $3,030 for property taxes, and $2,003 for homeowners insurance.
The costs have risen faster than household incomes, creating affordability challenges for many families.
Coastal cities such as New York, San Francisco, and Miami incur the highest expenses because insurance premiums have risen 48% since 2020 and threaten first-time buyers.

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Story summary

A Zillow and Thumbtack analysis finds hidden costs of U.S. homeownership total $16,000 per year, or $1,325 per month, including $10,946 for maintenance, $3,030 for property taxes, and $2,003 for homeowners insurance.
The costs have risen faster than household incomes, creating affordability challenges for many families.
Coastal cities such as New York, San Francisco, and Miami incur the highest expenses because insurance premiums have risen 48% since 2020 and threaten first-time buyers.