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  • What Is an HOA?
  • States With the Highest HOA Fees
  • How Do People Feel About HOAs?
  • What To Know When Moving Into an HOA Community
  • Full Data
  • Methodology
    • Fair Use Policy
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HOA Fees and Membership by State

Written by Stephanie Minasian-Koncewicz Updated 12/12/2024

Downward view circle road in neighborhood with houses in summer aerial HOA
Courtesy Adobe

Homeowners associations (HOAs) can have a bad reputation: They’re responsible for setting and enforcing community guidelines, like your yard’s fence height or where you can keep your car parked. HOAs also provide useful shared services in the neighborhoods they govern and maintain common areas and amenities. 

When you move to a neighborhood with an HOA, the monthly membership fees can have a major impact on your bills. If you’re planning a move to a new area, whether you’re just hopping across town or hiring one of the best interstate moving companies, you want to know what to expect in terms of HOA membership requirements and average costs. 

The This Old House Reviews Team analyzed homeowners association data from the Foundation for Community Association Research to explore average HOA fees and membership by state. Read on to learn more about homeowners association membership across the country.

Key Findings

  • Alabama has the highest average HOA fees, at $458 per month ($5,490 annually).
  • South Carolina has the lowest average HOA fees, at $310 per month ($3,715 per year).
  • Florida has the highest HOA membership rate: 66.86% of owner-occupied homes in the state belong to an HOA.
  • The majority of HOA members (59.82%) feel positively about their HOA.

What Is an HOA?

Homeowners associations are common across the U.S., with over a quarter of Americans (30%) living in HOA communities. But what do HOAs actually do? 

The answer to that depends on the particular organization. HOAs are local neighborhood governing bodies that set their own rules and regulations, and local residents typically comprise leadership boards. In general, HOAs are responsible for collecting dues from members to maintain common neighborhood areas, such as landscaping, community pools, or condo building lobbies. 

Some HOAs may have strict rules for residents, mandating the exterior paint colors allowed, fence height, and more. Others may be more lax. Regardless, homeowners associations can help keep a neighborhood looking nice and well-maintained, potentially increasing property values. 

HOA services do come at a cost. Fees for maintenance managed by homeowners associations are passed on to residents, in the form of monthly, quarterly, or annual dues. The actual cost of HOA fees can vary significantly based on your neighborhood and state. You may be able to deduct HOA fees on your taxes if you use your property as a rental, but otherwise, you can expect dues to increase your monthly bills. 

States With the Highest HOA Fees

Though the cost of HOA fees is determined by a particular neighborhood, some parts of the country have higher average dues. For instance, fees tend to be higher in the Northeast, with Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey topping the list. 

That said, the most expensive state for HOA membership is in the South: Alabama has the highest monthly HOA fee at $458, which amounts to $5,490 per year. HOA membership is far less common in the area, though, with only 4.95% of owner-occupied homes in Alabama belonging to an HOA. 

Other southern states boast lower HOA costs. South Carolina has the lowest fees, at $310 per month or $3,715 per year. Despite high membership rates (66.86% of homeowners), Florida has the third lowest monthly fee in the United States, at $312. 

States With the Highest HOA Membership Rates

HOA membership is common, but some states boast much higher membership rates than others. Florida, California, and Colorado top the list of states with the highest homeowners association membership rates, with over 60% of owner-occupied homes in these states belonging to an HOA. 

Since HOAs often strive to protect property values, it’s not surprising that states like California, with 65.02% of owner-occupied homes belonging to an HOA, also have high property values. The top five most expensive cities to buy a home are all in the Golden State. 

HOA membership is far less common in other parts of the country. States including Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and West Virginia all have HOA membership rates under 6%.

How Do People Feel About HOAs?

Despite the stereotype of a meddling HOA, the majority of homeowners association members seem to be happy with the services provided. A 2024 survey by the Foundation for Community Research found that 59.82% of HOA members feel “good” or “very good” about their HOA. A similar share (62.64%) believe that the rules enforced by their HOA protect and enhance property values. 

When choosing a place to live, the presence of an HOA seems to be more of a boon than a deterrent. When shopping for a new home, 37.62% of HOA members said the HOA made them more interested in buying, with 46.46% saying membership had no impact on their decision to purchase. Only 14.37% said that a homeowners association made them less interested in buying.

What To Know When Moving Into an HOA Community

When you’re planning a move, it’s important to consider all the costs associated with your new home, which can include HOA fees. Additionally, if you’re going to be part of a homeowners association, you should feel confident in the services the organization provides. 

Before deciding on a home in an HOA neighborhood, familiarize yourself with the association’s rules and regulations and the dues you’ll be responsible for. Don’t forget to ask about the following: 

  • Membership fees and schedule: The cost of HOA membership can vary significantly by neighborhood, so ask about the dues you’ll be required to pay before you decide on a home. Keep in mind that some dues are collected monthly while others may be billed quarterly or annually. 
  • Regulations on your home: Does the HOA impose any restrictions or regulations that apply to your property? This could include paint colors, the number of cars allowed in your driveway, and more. Choose a neighborhood with regulations you can comfortably follow. 
  • Maintenance responsibilities: What areas is the HOA responsible for maintaining? Some homeowners associations manage landscaping in common areas, which could include the front of your home, as well as neighborhood parks. 
  • Meetings and volunteer opportunities: HOAs are usually staffed by residents, with elections held for key leadership positions. If you want to ensure your opinion on neighborhood maintenance is heard, familiarize yourself with opportunities available to attend meetings and vote on decisions or even participate in a leadership role. 

By learning more about the services the HOA provides and the cost and impact on your home, you can make a more informed decision about the best neighborhood for you.

Full Data

Methodology

We analyzed data from the Foundation for Community Association Research to find HOA membership rates, assessments (fees), and satisfaction rates. Data are reprinted with permission of the Foundation for Community Association Research. Learn more by visiting foundation.caionline.org or calling (888) 224-4321. We also used data on homeownership rates from the U.S. Census 2023 American Community Survey.

Questions about our study? Please contact the author here.

Fair Use Policy

We encourage journalists and reporters to share our findings on HOA fees by state. If you choose to do so, please link back to our original story to give us proper credit for our research.