What are average condo HOA fees?

Broad surveys often cite a few hundred dollars per month nationally, but coastal insurance, staffing, and reserve funding push many buildings higher. Use the association budget for the unit you are buying—not an internet average.

Are HOA fees included in the mortgage payment?

No. HOA fees are paid separately to the association, though lenders count them in your qualifying debt-to-income ratio. Your escrow account covers taxes and insurance—not HOA dues.

Can HOA fees increase after I buy?

Yes. The board adopts an annual budget and can raise regular assessments when operating costs or reserve contributions increase. Budget increases of 5–10% per year are common in high-cost insurance markets.

What is a good HOA fee for a condo?

There is no universal number. Compare fee per square foot with similar buildings, review reserve funding, and ensure the total monthly payment—including mortgage, taxes, and insurance—fits your budget with room for increases.

Do renters pay HOA fees?

Tenants do not pay HOA directly. Landlords factor association dues into rent, so high-HOA buildings often command higher rents to cover the owner's carrying costs.

Guide

HOA Fees

What condo HOA fees cover, typical costs, and how to evaluate dues before you buy.

By True Condo Cost editorial team · Editorial standards

HOA fees fund shared building expenses, from insurance and maintenance to reserves and amenities. For most condos, they are the second-largest monthly cost after your mortgage.

Below: what dues fund, what pushes them up, and signs a building's fees may not be sustainable.

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HOA FeeFree HOA fee calculator and condo fee calculator: calculate how association dues affect total monthly payment and stress-test 10% or 20% fee increases. No signup.
Condo ExpensesFree condo expenses calculator: estimate monthly mortgage, HOA, taxes, insurance, PMI, utilities, and assessment buffer. No signup required.
Condominium MortgageFree condominium mortgage calculator: combine principal, interest, and HOA into one monthly payment. Compare buildings on PI plus association dues.

Last updated: June 2026

Average condo HOA fees: what buyers should know

There is no single average condo HOA fee that fits every buyer. Sector-wide surveys describe broad U.S. ranges—often cited around a few hundred dollars per month—but your building’s budget, insurance market, and reserve plan set the number that belongs in your mortgage worksheet.

Treat averages as background only. A $350 monthly fee with 80% funded reserves can be healthier than a $250 fee with a roof project headed for a special assessment. Compare hoa fees vs condo fees naming, then verify the exact assessment in the resale packet.

What HOA fees are and why condo buyers pay them

HOA fee

A mandatory monthly payment that condo owners make to the homeowners association to fund shared building expenses, reserves, and management.

If you are comparing condos, HOA fees are often the line item that turns an affordable mortgage into a tight monthly budget. Unlike a single-family home where you pay for repairs as they happen, condo ownership spreads building costs across every unit owner through the association budget.

The fee is not optional. If you fall behind, the association can place a lien on your unit. That is why lenders include HOA in your debt-to-income calculation and why you should treat dues as a fixed cost, not a negotiable add-on.

What HOA fees typically cover

Master building insurance for common elements and structure
Exterior maintenance, roofing, elevators, and mechanical systems
Landscaping, trash, snow removal, and shared utilities
Management, legal, accounting, and reserve study fees
Reserve contributions for future capital projects
Amenities such as pools, gyms, concierge, and parking structures

Cost category	Typical budget share	Example on $450/mo fee
Utilities and services	20%–35%	$90–$158
Maintenance and repairs	15%–25%	$68–$113
Insurance (master policy)	10%–25%	$45–$113
Management and admin	8%–15%	$36–$68
Reserve funding	15%–35%	$68–$158

Percentages vary by building age, amenities, and local insurance markets.

How much HOA fees cost and average condo HOA fees by building type

There is no national average that applies to every buyer. A studio in a 1970s walk-up may run $200–$350 per month, while a full-service high-rise with staffed amenities can exceed $1,000. What matters is whether the fee matches the building's actual operating needs and reserve plan.

Building type	Typical monthly HOA range	What pushes fees higher
Older low-rise (no elevator)	$200–$450	Roof age, plumbing, insurance
Mid-rise with amenities	$350–$700	Pool, parking, staffing
High-rise full service	$600–$1,500+	Elevators, concierge, facade work
Coastal / hurricane zone	+15%–40% vs inland	Wind and flood insurance

Use local comps—not national averages—when budgeting.

Fees rise when insurance reprices, labor costs increase, or the board catches up on deferred maintenance. Buildings with weak reserves often keep dues artificially low until a special assessment forces owners to pay for years of underfunding. A low fee is not always a bargain.

Request the current monthly assessment and any pending increases.
Review two to three years of budget history and fee trends.
Read the reserve study and note percent funded.
Check meeting minutes for insurance renewals and major projects.
Compare fee per square foot with similar nearby buildings.

Example: Monthly cost example

Mortgage P&I: $2,100. Property taxes: $380. HOA: $520. Unit insurance: $95. Total before utilities: $3,095. If HOA rises 8% over three years, dues alone add roughly $125/month. Run the HOA fee calculator and the monthly condo cost calculator with your numbers.

How to evaluate HOA fees before you buy

Reasonable fees fund current operations and future repairs without surprise levies. Unreasonable fees either overcharge for amenities you will not use, or undercharge and hide deferred work. Your job is to match the fee to the building's financial health—not to find the lowest number on a listing.

Common mistakes

Comparing condos by list price without normalizing total monthly cost
Assuming amenities are free because they already exist in the building
Skipping reserve study review because the current fee feels manageable
Ignoring pending litigation or insurance claims in board minutes

Quick affordability check

Many buyers aim to keep HOA under 20–25% of total monthly housing cost unless the building includes extensive services. If your all-in payment is $3,200 and HOA is $900, you have less room for insurance hikes or assessments than a buyer paying $450 in dues.

Frequently asked questions

What are average condo HOA fees?: Broad surveys often cite a few hundred dollars per month nationally, but coastal insurance, staffing, and reserve funding push many buildings higher. Use the association budget for the unit you are buying—not an internet average.
Are HOA fees included in the mortgage payment?: No. HOA fees are paid separately to the association, though lenders count them in your qualifying debt-to-income ratio. Your escrow account covers taxes and insurance—not HOA dues.
Can HOA fees increase after I buy?: Yes. The board adopts an annual budget and can raise regular assessments when operating costs or reserve contributions increase. Budget increases of 5–10% per year are common in high-cost insurance markets.
What is a good HOA fee for a condo?: There is no universal number. Compare fee per square foot with similar buildings, review reserve funding, and ensure the total monthly payment—including mortgage, taxes, and insurance—fits your budget with room for increases.
Do renters pay HOA fees?: Tenants do not pay HOA directly. Landlords factor association dues into rent, so high-HOA buildings often command higher rents to cover the owner's carrying costs.

Sources to verify before buying

Use this checklist during due diligence. Calculators help you plan; these documents tell you what a specific building actually costs.

HOA budget and audited financials (or reviewed statements if the association is small)
Reserve study with percent-funded and component schedules — often prepared under CAI / APRA standards
Master insurance declarations: carrier, deductible, wind/hail sublimits, and coinsurance
Board minutes covering the last two insurance renewals and any assessment votes
Written special assessment notices and payment plans
County assessor or municipal property tax estimator for the parcel (not a neighbor’s bill)
HO-6 quote aligned to master policy gaps — confirm with your state Department of Insurance licensed agent
Lender condo questionnaire or Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac project review status for warrantability

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