Philadelphia area homeownership costs rise 32% in five years

Homeowners in the Philadelphia metropolitan area face an estimated $18,834 in annual expenses for maintenance, property taxes, and insurance, representing a 31.7% increase over the last five years. According to an analysis by Zillow and Thumbtack, these recurring costs average approximately $1,570 per month beyond mortgage payments, placing the region roughly 14% above the national average.

Nationally, the combined cost for these three categories reached $16,566 annually. While the five-year trend shows significant growth, the pace of increases appears to be moderating, with Philadelphia's annual expenses rising by 2.5% over the past year compared to a 2.8% national increase.

Among the specific expense categories, homeowners insurance saw the sharpest national rise at 54% over five years. Maintenance costs increased by 32%, while property taxes rose by 19%. For the typical U.S. homeowner, maintenance remains the largest single annual expense.