The Hidden Costs of Owning a Home (That Renters Get to Skip)

The mortgage is just the start. Owning a home comes with a stack of bills that never show up in the listing price.

A 2026 report from Zillow and Thumbtack found the typical U.S. homeowner spends $16,566 a year on hidden costs. That's about $1,380 a month on top of the mortgage: $11,171 for maintenance, $3,129 for property taxes and $2,266 for homeowners insurance.

That maintenance number is no joke. The water heater gives out. The roof starts leaking. The furnace quits in January. When you own, every one of those is your problem and your bill.

When you rent, a lot of that weight comes off your shoulders. You don't pay property taxes or homeowners insurance, and under Ohio law the landlord must keep the electrical, plumbing and heating systems in good and safe working order.

That's money and peace of mind you can put toward what matters most: your family, your savings and your weekends.

Ready for a home without the hidden price tag? Check out our available homes.

Sources: Zillow and Thumbtack hidden costs of homeownership report, as reported by Fox Business (Oct. 22, 2026); Ohio Revised Code 5321.04.