Philadelphia Homeownership Costs Reach $18,834

Owners in Philadelphia face a 31.7% rise in annual non-mortgage expenses over five years.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Residential

Gouache-painted illustration of a classic brick rowhouse facade with stone steps, representing the rising costs of urban homeownership. — Philadelphia homeowners now face average annual non-mortgage costs of $18,834, driven by rising property taxes, insurance premiums, and maintenance fees. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Are rising taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs making it harder for your household to afford homeownership?

Philadelphia homeowners now face average annual non-mortgage costs of $18,834 for property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. This total reflects a significant rise in ownership expenses over the last five years, impacting household budgets across the city.

Why it matters

Rising homeownership costs beyond the mortgage payment are driven by steeper insurance premiums and maintenance fees, leaving families with less room in their monthly budgets. These expenses have climbed steadily since 2021, outpacing the national average for annual housing upkeep.

Philadelphia homeowners pay $18,834 annually in non-mortgage costs, an increase of 31.7% over the last five years. This figure sits $2,268 above the national average of $16,566, totaling roughly $1,570 in monthly expenses.

The players

Zillow

A real estate marketplace that provides data estimates for property taxes and homeowners insurance.

Thumbtack

A home services platform that tracks pricing for maintenance projects and recurring household repairs.

The details

Costs are calculated by combining Zillow estimates for property taxes and homeowners insurance with Thumbtack maintenance data. The maintenance component accounts for recurring service projects, while insurance premiums have climbed nationally due to severe weather events. Households must reconcile these added burdens alongside their principal and interest payments, which do not include these rising operational costs.

2021 marked the baseline for the five-year cost increase analysis.
Federal insurance premium data was collected between February 2026 and June 2026.
The joint Zillow and Thumbtack analysis was published on October 22, 2026.

Money Landscape

Philadelphia homeowners face a rising cost cycle that mirrors a national trend of accelerating insurance and maintenance fees. This trajectory departs from historical stability as owners contend with expenses that have grown 31.7% in five years.

Philadelphia households should review their current escrow accounts and maintenance budgets to account for the $1,570 average monthly non-mortgage cost. Discuss potential premium adjustments or maintenance deferrals with a qualified financial or insurance professional.

The takeaway

Total homeownership costs in Philadelphia now exceed the national average by more than $2,200 annually. Residents should audit their annual property tax and insurance statements to identify areas where costs have spiked significantly since 2021.