Hidden Homeownership Costs Surge 32% Over Past 5 Years, Study Shows

03:43 PM EDT, 10/22/2026 (MT Newswires) -- The hidden cost of owning a home have surged over the past five years, driven by sharp gains in insurance premiums and maintenance expenses, an analysis by Zillow Group (Z, ZG) and Thumbtack showed Thursday. Nationally, hidden costs of homeownership totaled $16,566 per year, reflecting a nearly 32% increase over the past five years. That pace slowed to 3% in the last year. Homeowners' insurance premiums have rallied 54% over five years, followed by a 32% jump in maintenance costs. Property taxes have climbed 19%, the report showed. "Maintenance remains the largest hidden cost everywhere, at roughly two-thirds of the national total," real estate marketplace Zillow and home services marketplace Thumbtack said. Yearly gains in maintenance costs have shrunk every year, from 9% in 2022 to 1% in 2026, the two companies said. "The slowdown in maintenance cost growth is welcome news for homeowners managing a lot of competing expenses," said Thumbtack home trends expert Kendra Sinclair. "Planning for regular upkeep throughout the year can help prevent bigger repair bills and protect your savings when something unexpected happens." The total hidden costs were highest in coastal markets, led by New York at $25,111 per year, Zillow and Thumbtack said. San Francisco and Los Angeles ranked second and third, respectively, on that list. Earlier in the week, Redfin said that US home prices rose at the fastest annual pace in more than a year in the quarter through September, aided by robust demand in the luxury market. Official data showed Tuesday that housing starts dropped to a four-month low in September amid declines in both single and multi-family units, while permits continued to trend downwards. Price: 34.20, Change: +2.89, Percent Change: +9.23