The White House is also home to nearly 100 permanent residents including maids, cooks, a plumber, a florist, and a head housekeeper, according to GoBankingRates. The upkeep alone costs $US4 million a year, according to Jane McGrath on How Stuff Work’s podcast “Stuff You Missed In History Class.”The first family doesn’t get all these costs covered, however.According to former first lady Laura Bush, the president is billed at the end of every month for hourly pay for waiters and cleanup crews used for private parties, among other expenses.