10 California Cities Where HOA Fees Are Bigger Than the Mortgage (2026)

I went looking for the catch in California's "cheap" homes — and what I found was so backwards I read the listing three times before I believed it. There's a high-rise in Marina del Rey where owners pay ~$1,579/month in HOA dues PLUS ~$975 in land lease — roughly $2,550 a month before a single dollar of mortgage. And in one retirement village, the dues alone hit $3,500/month. More than most Americans pay on their entire mortgage. Here's the part that got me: in 10 California cities right now, you can buy a home with cash — owe nothing to any bank — and still get a monthly bill bigger than a mortgage. People paid their homes off… and still can't stop paying. So how does an HOA quietly become more expensive than the loan it replaced? Stay to the end — #1 I had to check three separate times before I believed it. 👇 Is one of these cities where you live — or were you about to buy in one? Comment below, I read them. 👍 SHARE this with anyone shopping for a "cheap" California condo before they sign. 🔔 SUBSCRIBE — I pull these real numbers apart every week. #California #HOA #HOAfees #CaliforniaRealEstate #RealEstate2026 #HomeBuying #MarinaDelRey #LagunaWoods #Coronado #PalmSprings #CaliforniaHousing #LandLease #CondoLife #RetirementLiving