Key facts
- The White House Executive Residence reported approximately $9 million in personnel compensation obligations for fiscal 2025.
- Employee benefits for the Executive Residence were about $3 million in fiscal 2025.
- Communications, utilities, and supplies for the Executive Residence cost roughly $1 million each in fiscal 2025.
- The White House Office employs hundreds of staffers who support the president directly.
- Taxpayer appropriations primarily fund White House operations.
Maintaining the White House, a sprawling 132-room residence, incurs substantial operational costs funded by taxpayers. These expenses cover a wide range of necessities, from staff salaries to essential supplies and utilities.
The Executive Residence alone reported approximately $9 million in personnel compensation obligations for fiscal year 2025, including about $8 million for permanent full-time staff and $1 million for other employee pay. Additionally, employee benefits for this staff amounted to roughly $3 million. For supplies and utilities, the Executive Residence allocated about $1 million for communications, utilities, and miscellaneous charges, with another $1 million for supplies and materials in fiscal 2025. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) projects similar figures for fiscal 2026 and proposes comparable amounts for fiscal 2027.
Beyond the residence staff, a separate budget accounts for the White House Office, which includes advisors and administrative personnel directly supporting the president. As of July 1, 2026, this office comprised 411 staffers. Salaries and benefits constitute the majority of this office's operating budget. These costs are typically covered through congressional appropriations, with some renovation work listed as reimbursable.