Since the onset of the pandemic, the annual cost of owning and maintaining a typical single-family home in California has surged by 32%, reaching $18,118, excluding mortgage payments. This increase mirrors a broader 26% rise in homeownership expenses across the US due to inflation affecting taxes, insurance, and utilities.
Bankrate’s analysis, based on a March median sales price of $436,291 from Redfin, reveals that the average monthly cost for homeowners now stands at $1,510, up by approximately $300 from four years ago. Jeff Ostrowski of Bankrate emphasized the often-underestimated expenses of homeownership, including property taxes, insurance, energy costs, internet, cable, and maintenance.
Home maintenance was identified as the largest cost component, with significant regional variations. States like Utah, Idaho, and Hawaii saw the highest cost increases, while Alaska and Texas experienced the smallest rises. California ranked eighth in cost increases, with an annual expense of $28,790, second only to Hawaii.
In California, specific costs include $16,966 for maintenance, $6,832 for property taxes, $1,572 for homeowners insurance, $1,434 for cable and internet, and $1,986 for energy bills. Ostrowski suggests that these figures, while possibly overstated for newer homes, serve as a crucial reminder for prospective buyers to prepare financially for homeownership.
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