How Much It Costs To Live in 9 of the Most Expensive Gated Communities in America

Many Americans aspire to live in a gated community. In addition to the added level of safety and security, there’s often a feeling of exclusivity and prestige that comes from buying a home beyond the gates.

And you do often get what you pay for, with many gated communities offering exclusive amenities to their residents, from community centers to private pools and golf courses. But living in the most expensive gated communities in America costs quite a pretty penny.

Homes in many of these neighborhoods, identified by Nimbio, will cost you upwards of seven figures. Here’s a look at how much it costs to live in some of the most expensive gated communities in America.

• Cost of homes: $7.25 million+

Located in Montecito, California, Birnam Wood is a golf course community with 142 luxurious homes. The community’s amenities include a club house, a pool, six tennis courts, pickle ball courts, a fitness center and more.

If you can afford the multi-million-dollar mortgage to buy property here, you should have no problem paying the $100,000 initiation fee to become a member of the Birnam Wood Club — a requirement for all residents.

• Cost of homes: $5 million+, according to GreenwichCT.com

Even though it’s just an hour away from New York City, this gated farm community feels anything but urban.

Sixty homes populate 1,000 acres featuring fields, woodlands, lakes and trails. It’s ideal for those seeking privacy and security with plenty of access to the outdoors.

• Cost of homes: $745,000+

This man-made island in Miami Beach has only 230 residents. The exclusive community provides year-round island living for those wealthy enough to afford the homes here.

• Cost of homes: $4.3 million+

Located in California’s San Fernando Valley, Hidden Hills provides a “country way of life” just a short distance away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. It’s not uncommon for residents to have horses, and instead of sidewalks you’ll find streets lined with white three-rail fences.

Celebrity residents include Drake and several members of the Kardashian family.

• Cost of homes: $6.98 million+, according to Beach Cities Real Estate

There are several gated communities located in Newport Beach, California, and Pelican Ridge is one of the most exclusive. It’s one of five gated communities near the luxurious Pelican Hill Resort & Spa.

• Cost of homes: $7.45 million+

This Naples, Florida community offers direct access to the water as homes here typically sit on the ocean or canals.

Residents of Port Royal may be eligible for membership to the Port Royal Club, depending on their exact address. The club features a resident-only beach, a heated beachside pool, exercise facilities and tennis courts.

• Cost of homes: $5 million+, according to Nimbio

This small gated community in Rancho Santa Fe, California, features just 41 luxury homes. That’s because each single-family home comes with a huge lot — typically four acres. Many of the homes have their own private pool and tennis court as well.

• Cost of homes: $1 million to $15 million+, according to the official website

This gated community in Boca Raton, Florida, features a 20-slip marina, tennis courts and an on-site bird and wildlife preserve. Homes are located only a short distance from the beach, upscale shopping and dining and a private airport.

• Cost of homes: $729,000+

Located just an hour north of Manhattan, the Tuxedo Park community dates all the way back to 1885. Famous residents of the historical community have included etiquette expert Emily Post, banker J. P. Morgan and William Waldorf Astor, the hotelier.

While you can find properties for under $1 million, the median price for homes ranges from $1 million to $1.3 million, depending on their proximity to Tuxedo Lake.

Starting home prices were sourced from Zillow unless otherwise specified and are accurate as of July 1, 2024.