HOA fees top $500 in Bay Area surge
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Homeowners association fees soared past $500 in the San Francisco metro area in 2025, an upward trend that doesn't seem like it'll slow anytime soon, new Realtor.com data shows.
Why it matters: It's yet another bill quietly ballooning alongside your mortgage.
By the numbers: The median monthly fee in the San Francisco metro area rose to $502 in 2025, up from $360 in 2019, per Realtor.com's data.
- That's significantly higher than California's $336 and the nationwide median of $135.
- The share of homes that come with HOA dues has also steadily increased from about 40% in 2019 to over 47% in 2025.
Between the lines: HOA fees are more common in the West and South, where condos, townhouses and newly built homes represent a larger share of listings, according to the real estate site.
- Residents pay HOA dues to fund maintenance and amenities like pools and gyms.
- In addition to monthly fees, associations often enforce strict rules on everything from holiday decor to lawn care, with fines for residents who fail to comply.
Yes, but: These fees add to already high costs of homeownership, especially in expensive markets like San Francisco.