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What it costs to own a Phoenix area home beyond the mortgage

By Dwelaro, October 30, 2026

The short answer: A 2026 Zillow and Thumbtack analysis estimates that maintenance, property taxes and homeowners insurance cost a typical Phoenix metro homeowner $14,187 a year, about $1,182 a month, beyond the mortgage. Phoenix had the lowest total among the 30 metros studied, but it was one of only four where estimated insurance costs exceeded property taxes. The figure is a useful benchmark, not a budget for a particular home: it excludes expenses such as utilities and HOA dues, and the condition of the property can change the result substantially.

A mortgage payment is the number most buyers plan around. The costs in this guide arrive alongside it, and some can be investigated before you make an offer. Here is what the research measured, what changes the figure for a particular home and what to check.

What the research measured

The analysis estimated three yearly costs for a typical homeowner in each of 30 large metros:

For the Phoenix area, the combined estimate was $14,187 a year. That was 5.3% higher than a year earlier and 34.2% higher than five years earlier. Nationally, the typical figure was $16,566, and homeowners insurance was the fastest-growing of the three categories, rising 54% over five years.

Three limitations matter. The figures are modeled estimates for a typical homeowner, not measurements of what any particular owner paid. The published results do not separate the Phoenix total into its three components. And the analysis omits other ongoing costs, including utilities, HOA dues and separate flood insurance.

The maintenance estimate also should not be treated as a replacement reserve. A roof, air-conditioning system or other major component can create a large one-time expense that falls well outside a typical year's modeled cost.

Why insurance matters more here than it used to

In most of the metros studied, estimated property taxes exceeded homeowners insurance. Phoenix was one of four where the estimate ran the other way, along with Houston, Denver and Nashville.

Arizona generally limits annual increases in a property's limited property value to 5%. That does not cap the tax bill itself: tax rates, voter-approved measures and changes in the property's legal classification can still affect what an owner owes.

Homeowners insurance has no comparable limit. Quotes can vary materially between properties based on factors such as construction, roof age, replacement cost, claims history, coverage selections and the insurer's underwriting rules.

What changes the figure for a particular home

A metro-wide estimate cannot see the home you are considering. These are some of the factors most likely to move the number.

The age of the home and its systems

Roofs, air-conditioning systems, water heaters and plumbing all wear out. Replacing them can create some of the largest ownership costs. A home where major components were recently replaced may cost much less to maintain in its first years than one where they are original. Ask how old each component is, and request receipts, warranties or permits for reported replacements.

The roof and construction

The roof's material, age and condition, and the way the home is constructed, are among the factors insurers may consider when offering coverage and setting a premium.

County records can provide useful starting information, including the recorded year built, construction details and, in some cases, a roof description. Treat that information as a lead rather than proof: compare it with the listing, permits, seller disclosures, inspection findings and what you observe at the property.

A pool

A pool adds routine costs such as chemicals, cleaning, equipment repairs and electricity for the pump. It can also create occasional larger expenses, including resurfacing, and may affect insurance. Ask how old the equipment is and when the pool was last resurfaced.

Size and lot

A larger home or lot generally costs more to cool, maintain and insure. Landscaping, irrigation systems and exterior features can add further recurring costs.

An HOA

HOA dues are not part of the research figure, but they are part of the cost of ownership. A listing may provide an initial amount; confirm it through the association's resale documents during escrow. Review those documents for approved or proposed special assessments, recent fee changes and the expenses covered by the association.

Flood insurance

A standard homeowners policy generally does not cover flooding. If a home is in a mapped high-risk flood area, a lender may require separate flood insurance. Even outside those areas, a buyer can ask an insurance professional about the property's flood risk and available coverage. Dwelaro's guide to checking a home's public records explains how to look up the mapped flood zone.

What you can know before making an offer

Some costs can be checked early. Others remain estimates until you obtain property-specific documents or quotes.

Cost What you can know Where to check
Property tax The current bill and payment history Maricopa County Treasurer, searched by parcel number
HOA dues and assessments Preliminary before an offer; confirm during escrow Listing and seller disclosures, followed by the association's resale documents
Homeowners insurance An address-specific estimate once an insurer quotes it An insurer or broker; confirm the proposed coverage and deductibles
Maintenance Always an estimate Age and condition of the roof, systems and pool; permits, disclosures and inspection findings

The tax bill you can look up is the bill for the property under its current valuation and classification. In Arizona, a sale does not by itself reset the limited property value to the purchase price, but the bill can still change after closing. One possible reason is a change in legal classification, such as from a rental property to an owner-occupied primary residence.

A cheaper home is not always cheaper to own

Consider two homes at different prices. One is an older single-family house with an original roof, an older air-conditioning system and a pool. The other is a newer condominium with a monthly HOA fee that covers the exterior and roof.

The house may have the lower purchase price and still cost more each year. It may carry a higher insurance quote, require more maintenance and bring the pool's running costs. The condo's dues are higher and known in advance, and some maintenance is shared, but the association can increase dues or charge a special assessment.

Neither property is automatically the better value. The useful comparison is the expected monthly cost, the likely major expenses ahead and the amount of uncertainty, not simply the purchase price.

A short checklist before you offer

The standard Arizona purchase contract provides a 10-day inspection period unless the parties agree otherwise. Your signed contract controls. Request the insurance quote promptly enough to evaluate the cost, coverage and deductibles before the applicable deadline.

How Dwelaro helps: A Dwelaro property report shows a Phoenix metro home's recent property tax payments, recorded year built, construction details, pool information, any HOA fee reported in the listing and the FEMA flood zone. Its calculator lets you enter your own insurance quote, and it labels where each figure comes from. Reports are free with an account.

Dwelaro provides software and general educational information for homebuyers in the Phoenix metro. Dwelaro is not a real estate brokerage, law firm, lender, insurance agency, title company or home inspector. This article provides general information and is not legal, financial, tax, insurance or real estate advice.

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