What's the Average Cost of Homeowners' Association Fees?

Understanding average HOA fees is an important part of budgeting and peace of mind for homeowners’ association (HOA) homeowners. The national landscape of HOA costs varies widely, with some residents paying modest dues and others higher fees.

Using the most recent publicly available data from reputable government and industry sources, let’s break down what you can expect to pay in HOA dues, why fees differ so much among community associations, and how those costs translate into real services.

What is an HOA Fee?

HOA fees, also called HOA dues or assessments, are monies paid regularly by homeowners to support the association’s operations. When someone buys a property in an HOA, they sign legal papers, formalizing their obligation to pay a set amount of dues monthly, quarterly, or annually to help maintain and improve the community.

HOA boards set membership fees—not the management company. As leaders of your community, the HOA board is responsible for transparent budgeting and ensuring dues align with the community’s needs. The manager simply executes the decisions of the board and is the liaison between the board and residents.

Services Covered by HOA Fees

HOA dues fund services that support community upkeep and property values.

Typical HOA fees cover the following:

• Administrative Services: Management, accounting, and governance.

• Maintenance and Repairs: Common areas and amenities.

• Landscaping: Parks, entrances, and public spaces.

• Reserve Funds: For future large-scale improvement projects and repairs.

• Insurance: To protect community property and board member liability.

• Security Services: Gates, video surveillance, and/or patrols.

• Utilities: In shared facilities.

What Contributes to the Cost of HOA Fees?

Several factors determine HOA fees:

• Community Size: Larger neighborhoods generally have bigger budgets and more owners to share the cost.

• Amenities: Pools, fitness centers, and clubhouses can raise costs.

• Location: HOA costs are usually higher in metropolitan and high-demand areas.

• Reserve Requirements: Well-funded reserve accounts can increase dues but reduce the risk of surprise assessments.

• Insurance and Maintenance: Rising service costs over time increase HOA expenses.

What unexpected costs are included in HOA fees?

An often-overlooked factor is a community’s efforts to maintain compliance. State laws, building codes, and insurance requirements evolve. Because associations must adapt, compliance costs are often folded into regular dues. Learning how your association calculates budgets can help you understand annual dues and avoid surprises.

Average Cost of HOA Fees in the U.S.

About 21.6 million of 86.6 million owned U.S. households paid either a condo or HOA fee in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey (ACS). Roughly 26% of homes paid less than $50 per month, while about 3 million households paid more than $500 per month in dues.

The median monthly fee was $135. This aligns with the Community Associations Institute (CAI) Homeowner Satisfaction Survey, where the majority of respondents claimed to pay $101 to $300 per month.

HOA fees vary by community and are influenced by many factors. Always check your association’s governing documents and financial records for precise dues and spending breakdowns.

FREE DOWNLOAD: What Are Governing Documents?

How HOA Fees Vary by Region

HOA costs can change dramatically from state to state. Local markets and housing stock (condos vs. detached homes) heavily influence dues, among other factors. Here’s how some states varied:

• New York led the nation with a median HOA fee of $739 per month, well above the U.S. norm.

• Washington, D.C., and Hawaii followed, with medians around $505 and $470.

• States like Arkansas and Wyoming reported medians near $47–$48.

Different states also show different participation rates. In Florida, about 43% of homeowners pay condo or HOA fees, compared with about 25% nationwide.

Average Monthly HOA Fees in the Suburbs

Suburban communities with single-family homes often have lower fees than urban condos. This is partly because single-family HOAs typically provide fewer shared services and amenities, focusing instead on basic landscaping and common-area upkeep.

LEARN MORE: What Is an HOA? Definition, Pros, and Cons for Homeowners

Average HOA Fees for Condos vs. Single Family Homes

HOA dues aren’t a one-size-fits-all scenario. The Census Bureau’s inclusion of both condo and HOA fees in 2024 shows condos skew national figures upward:

• Condo associations generally charge more because they cover structural building costs and shared utilities.

• Single-family HOAs typically focus on exterior upkeep, landscaping, and shared green spaces.

• Nationally, more expensive fee brackets (above $500/month) are usually associated with condos in high-cost markets, while many single-family HOAs remain below the median.

Annual Cost of HOA Fees

If your HOA charges $135 monthly (the national median), your annual homeowners’ association dues would total around $1,620. But in high-fee states like New York, yearly dues can top $8,800.

Some associations allow quarterly or annual payment schedules instead of monthly billing. Check your governing documents for deadlines, late fee policies, and reserve contribution structures.

Average HOA Fee Increases

Across many communities, fees rise gradually due to inflation in service and maintenance costs, insurance premiums, and reserve funding needs. Many boards adjust fees annually based on budget projections and operating costs.

Research shows that homeowners are more satisfied with fees when they understand why fees are set at a certain level. Transparent budgets and annual disclosures help owners see where their money goes and how well the association plans for long-term expenses. Ask your board for historical dues data to see how costs have trended in your community.

Case Study: HOA Fees Increase to Satisfy Budget Discrepancy

One 193-unit community in California features 11 pools and spas, as well as tennis and pickleball courts. Its management team, Associa Desert Resort Management, noticed that the community had a prior-year deficit of almost $50,000.

Upon the advice of management, the board initiated a one-time special assessment and increased the monthly assessment by $10. While owners were unhappy, the community manager personally contacted each homeowner to answer questions about the HOA fee increase. Thanks to their communication efforts, owners understood the necessity of higher payments, and many paid the special assessment in full.

The Other HOA Fees: A Guide to Special Assessments

While the average cost of HOA fees provides a general overview of HOA costs, surprise fees can happen. Special assessments are costs that can occur outside your regular dues and significantly impact your budget. Read HOA 101: A Complete Guide to Special Assessments to learn more about these surprise dues.

How Associa Helps With Association Finances

Understanding what is a reasonable HOA fee starts with knowing the national median, how dues vary by region and property type, and what services are included. Many HOAs partner with professional management firms to help support finances by overseeing finances, billing, maintenance scheduling, and compliance. These companies streamline operations and help boards maintain consistency.

However, not all management companies offer the same level of service. As an industry leader, Associa has provided best-in-class financial support to communities nationwide. With GAAP compliance, timely reporting, and advanced security measures, Associa ensures the transparency and security of a community’s funds. Visit Associa to learn more.

For ongoing education on HOA finances and governance, Associa’s Community Matters Blog offers resident-focused updates. We provide informative updates tailored to HOA residents and board members.

As one of the largest community management organizations in North America, Associa regularly helps boards balance budgets with resident expectations.

FAQs for HOA Community Residents

1. How much is a good HOA fee?

A reasonable HOA fee aligns with actual maintenance and reserve needs; a common range for many single-family HOAs is $100–$300 monthly, with higher amounts in cities or amenity-rich communities.

2. How to estimate HOA fees?

Review your community’s budget and reserve studies and compare them with similar local associations.

3. Which state has the highest HOA fees?

Recent data shows New York has the highest median monthly HOA/condo fees nationally.

4. Are HOA fees ever negotiable?

Typically, no. The board sets fees based on budgets. However, boards might adjust dues annually based on ongoing property needs and community input.

This article was prepared using publicly available data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Community Associations Institute, and leading housing and real estate publications. Additional insights reflect industry best practices informed by Associa’s experience supporting homeowner associations across North America through community management, financial services, and resident education. This data is for informational purposes only. A community’s board of directors sets HOA fees. Refer to your community’s governing documents for fees specific to your community.

Reviewed for accuracy using Associa community association governance resources.