Homebuyers in the Philadelphia region are increasingly encountering a new reality when shopping for homes: a growing number of listings come with homeowners' association (HOA) fees. While these fees are common in many parts of the country, recent data shows they are becoming more prevalent in the Philadelphia metro area as well — adding another layer to the already rising cost of homeownership.

According to new housing data, the share of homes listed with HOA fees in the Philadelphia metro area rose to about 29% in 2025, slightly higher than the 28% recorded the previous year. This shift reflects a gradual but noticeable change in the structure of the region’s housing market.

At the same time, HOA costs themselves are becoming an increasingly visible factor for buyers to consider. Across Pennsylvania listings, the average HOA fee is roughly $150 per month, according to Realtor.com data. While that amount may seem modest compared to mortgage payments, it can significantly affect monthly housing costs — especially for first-time buyers who are already stretching budgets to enter the market.

Why HOA Fees Are Becoming More Common

The increase in HOA fees is closely tied to how housing is being built and sold today. Condominiums, townhomes, and homes located in planned communities are far more likely to include association fees than traditional single-family homes.

HOAs typically collect monthly dues to cover shared services and amenities such as landscaping, snow removal, building maintenance, insurance for common areas, and community features like pools or gyms. These costs are distributed among residents through association payments.

As development patterns shift toward denser housing types and master-planned communities, the number of homes governed by associations naturally grows. That trend is particularly noticeable in suburban areas around Philadelphia, where new residential projects often include community amenities and shared infrastructure.

National housing data shows the same pattern: HOAs are far more common in condos and townhouses, and they appear frequently in newly built homes where community infrastructure is collectively maintained.

Pennsylvania Compared With the National Trend

Although HOA fees are becoming more visible in Pennsylvania markets, the state still trails much of the country in how common they are.

Across the United States, about 44% of homes listed for sale include HOA dues, compared with 26% of listings statewide in Pennsylvania. The national median HOA fee is also slightly lower — about $135 per month — compared with the roughly $150 average in Pennsylvania listings.

In general, HOAs are far more common in Western and Southern states, where large master-planned developments and condominium complexes make up a bigger share of the housing stock.

Pennsylvania’s housing market, by contrast, contains a much larger share of older homes and traditional single-family neighborhoods without association structures.

What This Means for Buyers

For homebuyers in the Philadelphia region, the growing prevalence of HOA fees means evaluating a property’s affordability requires looking beyond the purchase price and mortgage payment.

A $150 monthly HOA fee, for example, adds $1,800 per year to the cost of owning a home. For buyers already navigating higher interest rates and rising property taxes, that additional expense can influence both budgeting and purchasing decisions.

At the same time, HOA communities can offer benefits that some buyers value. Maintenance services, shared amenities, and neighborhood standards are often appealing for homeowners who want less responsibility for exterior upkeep or who prefer structured community environments.

However, the financial trade-off is an important consideration. Rising HOA fees are increasingly part of the broader conversation about housing affordability.

A Sign of Changing Housing Patterns

The rise in HOA-associated listings also reflects broader shifts in how communities are developed across the Philadelphia metro area.

As available land becomes scarcer in urban and suburban locations, developers often turn to higher-density housing types, such as townhome communities and condominium complexes. These types of developments typically rely on homeowner associations to manage shared infrastructure and services.

Over time, this means HOA fees may become an increasingly common feature of the housing market — especially in newer developments.