If you are searching for average HOA fees by state, you are already asking a smart homebuyer question. HOA dues can materially change your monthly housing cost, and the difference between communities can be bigger than many buyers expect.
The key is using state-level numbers as a starting point, not a final answer.
If you are trying to decide whether a higher monthly number is actually justified, start with are HOA fees worth it before assuming the cheapest community is the best deal.
Quick answer: what is the average HOA fee by state?
There is no single official national table that perfectly captures every HOA in every market. In practice, monthly HOA dues often land anywhere from around $100 to $700+, depending on state, property type, amenities, insurance costs, and reserve funding strategy.
Use the state-by-state ranges below as planning benchmarks, then verify exact costs with each community's budget and disclosures.
Average HOA fees by state (typical monthly ranges)
These are broad screening ranges for buyers, not legal or appraisal values.
| State | Typical monthly HOA fee range | General cost pressure |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $100-$260 | Lower |
| Alaska | $150-$320 | Moderate |
| Arizona | $130-$350 | Moderate |
| Arkansas | $90-$240 | Lower |
| California | $250-$750 | Higher |
| Colorado | $180-$450 | Moderate to higher |
| Connecticut | $220-$520 | Higher |
| Delaware | $180-$420 | Moderate |
| Florida | $180-$500 | Moderate to higher |
| Georgia | $140-$320 | Moderate |
| Hawaii | $300-$900 | Higher |
| Idaho | $120-$300 | Lower to moderate |
| Illinois | $170-$450 | Moderate to higher |
| Indiana | $110-$280 | Lower |
| Iowa | $100-$260 | Lower |
| Kansas | $100-$250 | Lower |
| Kentucky | $100-$260 | Lower |
| Louisiana | $120-$300 | Lower to moderate |
| Maine | $160-$380 | Moderate |
| Maryland | $180-$420 | Moderate |
| Massachusetts | $240-$600 | Higher |
| Michigan | $130-$340 | Moderate |
| Minnesota | $150-$360 | Moderate |
| Mississippi | $90-$230 | Lower |
| Missouri | $110-$280 | Lower |
| Montana | $130-$320 | Lower to moderate |
| Nebraska | $100-$250 | Lower |
| Nevada | $140-$360 | Moderate |
| New Hampshire | $180-$420 | Moderate |
| New Jersey | $220-$550 | Higher |
| New Mexico | $110-$280 | Lower |
| New York | $260-$700 | Higher |
| North Carolina | $140-$340 | Moderate |
| North Dakota | $90-$230 | Lower |
| Ohio | $120-$320 | Lower to moderate |
| Oklahoma | $100-$250 | Lower |
| Oregon | $180-$430 | Moderate |
| Pennsylvania | $160-$390 | Moderate |
| Rhode Island | $220-$520 | Higher |
| South Carolina | $140-$340 | Moderate |
| South Dakota | $90-$220 | Lower |
| Tennessee | $130-$320 | Lower to moderate |
| Texas | $120-$340 | Moderate |
| Utah | $130-$330 | Lower to moderate |
| Vermont | $170-$400 | Moderate |
| Virginia | $170-$420 | Moderate |
| Washington | $200-$500 | Moderate to higher |
| West Virginia | $90-$220 | Lower |
| Wisconsin | $120-$300 | Lower to moderate |
| Wyoming | $100-$240 | Lower |
Why HOA fees vary so much by state
State averages can hide major local differences. Fees are usually driven by:
- Property type (condo vs single-family HOA)
- Building age and deferred maintenance
- Amenities (pools, elevators, staffed buildings, gated access)
- Insurance market conditions and claims history
- Reserve funding strategy and upcoming capital projects
- Labor, utility, and vendor costs in each metro area
That is why two properties in the same state can have very different HOA dues.
"Low HOA dues" can be risky if documents show stress
A low monthly number is not always a win. In some communities, lower dues are achieved by underfunding reserves or deferring major repairs.
That can later lead to:
- sharp dues increases,
- special assessments,
- reduced maintenance quality, or
- owner disputes over funding priorities.
To assess this risk, pair fee review with HOA budget vs actual report explained, HOA special assessment vs dues, and can an HOA raise fees after purchase.
How to use average HOA fees by state the right way
Use this practical workflow when comparing homes:
- Start with state range benchmarks to set expectations.
- Compare the target HOA's dues with nearby similar communities.
- Review at least 12 months of meeting minutes for recurring repair or funding issues.
- Check the latest reserve study and current percent funded level.
- Confirm special assessment history and any pending proposals.
If the dues look low but the documents show stress, price that risk into your decision.
For a full process, use HOA document review checklist.
Questions buyers should ask before closing
- How have dues changed over the last 3 to 5 years?
- What is the current reserve funding level and trend?
- Are any special assessments under discussion?
- Which major projects are planned in the next 1 to 3 years?
- Are there active insurance or legal issues with expected cost impact?
Ask for written answers and match them against official documents.
FAQ
What state has the highest average HOA fees?
Higher ranges are commonly seen in states with expensive insurance, labor, utilities, and condo-heavy urban markets, such as Hawaii, California, and New York. Actual community costs can still vary significantly.
What state has the lowest average HOA fees?
Lower ranges are more common in states with lower operating costs and fewer high-service amenity communities. Even there, specific neighborhoods can be much higher.
Is paying higher HOA dues always bad?
Not necessarily. Higher dues may reflect stronger reserves, better maintenance, and fewer surprise charges later. The key is whether spending and planning are transparent and sustainable.
Can HOA fees increase after I buy?
Yes. Fees can change based on inflation, insurance costs, vendor pricing, reserve needs, and major project planning.
Should buyers rely on state averages alone?
No. State averages help set context, but final decisions should rely on the specific HOA's budget, reserve study, and meeting minutes.
Bottom line
Average HOA fees by state is a useful starting point, but smart buyers go one level deeper.
Use state benchmarks to frame expectations, then verify the actual HOA's funding health, governance quality, and near-term project risk before you close.
If you want a faster way to evaluate dues pressure, reserve gaps, and assessment exposure, run your HOA documents through HOA Bot and get a full risk report in minutes.