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10 Cities With the Most Atrocious HOA Fees You Can Imagine

You might get your money's worth — and you might not.

By Heather Bien

Edited by Lauren Wellbank

Updated March 19, 2025

If you're trying to get ahead financially, you're probably trying to lower your monthly expenses. That's why a homeowners association (HOA) might sound unappealing. These communities charge association fees for the amenities and services the HOA offers, ranging from yard maintenance to a community pool to occasional neighborhood events.

As you start looking through everything you gain from living there, you might reconsider — could an HOA actually be a savvy financial move?

Not if you live in one of these ten cities where the typical HOA costs exceed the nationwide average of $293.26.

In these metro areas, you'll face some of the highest HOA fees in the country.

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Honolulu, Hawaii

There's a price to pay for living in paradise, particularly when paradise includes a major metropolitan area. The average HOA fee in Honolulu, a bustling urban center in Hawaii, is $730.75.

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New York City, New York

Want to live in the Big Apple? Get ready for a tiny apartment, a galley kitchen, sending out your laundry, and paying skyscraper-high HOA fees.

The average HOA fee for a New York City building is $679.40.

Miami, Florida

Head to sunny Miami, where retirees and beautiful people alike flock to retro condo buildings, sunny beaches, and trendy restaurants.

Here, you'll have all the benefits of a South Florida urban city mixed with culture and walkability — and you'll pay for it. The average HOA fee in this city charges $647.77.

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Minneapolis, Minnesota

Was Minneapolis at the top of the list for cities you assumed would have a high HOA? Probably not. But at $636.48, they're right behind New York and Miami.

This surprising statistic is due to the city's extreme weather. The cold and snow causes significant wear and tear on buildings.

San Francisco, California

San Francisco has a reputation as one of the most expensive cities when it comes to cost of living, so it could be expected their average HOA would also top the lists.

To move to the Golden Gate City, you could face an average HOA fee of $626.16.

Detroit, Michigan

If you move to Motor City, you might be surprised to find that, while the city is often thought of as affordable, HOAs in the urban areas can compete with HOAs in much more expensive major cities. The average HOA cost here is $536.57.

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Chicago, Illinois

Move to Chi-town, and you might get a fancy doorman building in a bustling downtown neighborhood where you can scoot out for a trendy dinner or an architectural tour.

But these beautiful and trendy buildings require upkeep, and unfortunately for Chicagians, that comes to the tune of $532.63 in HOA fees.

Hartford, Connecticut

The capital of Connecticut is known for its history and diversity, as well as its high cost of living. If you want to live within an HOA community in the city, you could end up paying an average HOA fee of $523.08.

Los Angeles, California

Hollywood is full of glitz and glamor, and that comes at a price.

The cost of living in Los Angeles is 50% higher than the national average, and you're going to pay a premium even for condos and homes that are less than luxury. The average HOA is $510.39.

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Buffalo, New York

Given that Buffalo's cost of living is actually 5% below the national average, it's surprising that their HOAs are anything but cheap.

But this Northern city likely suffers from the same issues as Minneapolis — winter weather causes expensive repairs and expensive removal.

Bottom line

An HOA isn't necessarily a reason to get scared away from a property. It's always worth running the numbers because, in some cases, the HOA could make sense as a savvy money move for homeowners. That's particularly if you're trying to leave behind yard work, maintenance, and the other hassles of single-family homeownership.

A big decision, like buying a house or condo, can't be made based on one number, and it's always worth looking at the full picture, fees included.

But don't forget to check your HOA's rules, especially if you have plans to make cash on the side from home — running a business isn't always allowed in HOA communities.

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