Average U.S. homeowner spends $23,686 yearly on non-mortgage housing costs, survey finds
By
Mike Winters
Summary
A Clever Real Estate survey reveals that U.S. homeowners spend an average of $23,686 annually on non-mortgage housing costs (utilities, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, repairs), rising to nearly $28,000 with HOA fees included. These ongoing expenses can rival or exceed the average annual mortgage payment of roughly $25,000, and unlike fixed-rate mortgages, they are subject to continuous increases over time.
Source

Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe average U.S. homeowner spends $23,686 annually on expenses beyond their mortgage, according to a March 2026 survey and analysis from Clever Real Estate.
When average HOA fees are included, those costs climb to nearly $28,000 a year, more than the average annual mortgage payment of roughly $25,000, according to the report.
Additional, ongoing housing expenses — including utilities, property taxes, insurance, maintenance and repairs — can continue rising long after a mortgage payment is set.
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