Map: The ‘hidden’ cost of home ownership in each state for 2025

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FILE_A for sale sign is displayed outside of a home for sale on August 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

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Owning a home is the ultimate American dream, but that dream can soon turn into a nightmare if you aren’t prepared for the additional costs that could come when owning a home. 

A new Bankrate analysis found the average hidden costs associated with owning a home in the United States was over $21,000.

"Things like routine maintenance, property taxes and utility bills can add up quickly, often to the tune of thousands of dollars a year. That can put serious pressure on household budgets, especially for first-time buyers who may not be prepared for the full impact on their finances,"  said Bankrate Home Lending Expert Linda Bell. 

States with the highest and lowest hidden homeownership costs

Hidden costs of owning a home

The top contributors to hidden costs of homeownership include property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, utility and energy and maintenance, according to Bankrate. 

By the numbers:

Here’s a look at the national averages people spend to own their homes: 

• Home insurance: $2,267
• Property tax: $4,316
• Utility and energy: $4,494
• Internet and cable: $1,515
• Maintenance: $8,808

While Hawaii had the highest average in 2025 of $34,573 in hidden costs, West Virginia had the lowest annual hidden costs of $12,579, Bankrate said. 

Hawaii (Highest)

Much of Hawaii’s high cost of homeownership is due to maintaining the home, which averages to about a whopping $19,642 annually. Additionally, Hawaii home owners pay an average of $7,871 on utilities and energy costs and $4,301 on property taxes. 

West Virginia (Lowest)

Conversely, in West Virginia, home owners pay the least on hidden costs. Annually, home owners can expect to pay an average of $5,132 on maintenance. West Virginia’s property taxes are also the lowest in the country at an average of $1,063 annually. 

What they're saying:

"Where you live can really change how much these hidden homeownership costs hit your wallet," Bell said. "It’s of no surprise that many of the states with the highest hidden costs tend to have above median home prices. While living in one of the lowest-cost states might seem like a break, you’re still looking at thousands of dollars in hidden expenses. These surprise costs don’t go away just because they’re smaller."