Key Difference Between Renting a House an Apartment
The main difference between renting a house and an apartment is the amount of space. Single-family homes are more spacious and offer more privacy because you don’t share walls or a hallway with your neighbors. However, depending on your budget, you can also find very spacious apartments. Plus, apartments often offer features and amenities that a house may not, such as a doorman or an onsite gym.
Renting a House vs. Apartment Pros and Cons
Renting a House Pros
- More Space
- Fewer Restrictions
- More Outdoor Space
1. More Space
Single-family homes usually offer more space than an apartment. You may have several bedrooms, a large kitchen, a living room, and maybe even a dining room, a game room, or a home office. That’s why single-family homes are often better for families and large groups of tenants.
2. Fewer Restrictions
Single-family homes tend to be less restrictive than apartments. They’re usually more lenient when it comes to pets and entertaining guests. You may even be permitted to rent a room to another tenant to help pay the rent.
3. More Outdoor Space
Single-family homes often feature access to a yard and other outdoor space. Plus, you’ll likely have access to the driveway, which can save you from street parking, and if you’re lucky, you may even have a swimming pool or other private amenity.
Renting a House Cons
- More Maintenance
- More Expensive
1. More Maintenance
While single-family homes are more spacious, they also require more upkeep to clean and keep the lawn well-maintained. The landlord is also less likely to hire a maintenance crew to handle these tasks, which is standard in an apartment building.
2. More Expensive
All that space and freedom also comes at a price, as single-family home rentals tend to be more expensive than apartments, depending on the size and location.
Renting an Apartment Pros
- Convenience
- More Economical
- Better Amenities
1. Convenience
Apartments tend to offer more conveniences than single-family homes. For instance, if you live in a city, you may have to travel out to the suburbs to find a single-family home rental, while you’ll find plenty of apartments in the heart of the action. Apartments also usually have a full-time maintenance crew that can respond to requests.
2. More Economical
Apartments are more economical because you aren’t getting as much space and have to share the building with other tenants. However, some luxury apartments in major cities can get very expensive, depending on where you live and what you need. But compared to a home with the same features, apartments are usually more cost-effective.
3. Better Amenities
Some apartments offer luxury amenities such as a roof deck, onsite gym, doorman, clubhouse, and other enticing features. Not all apartments offer the same amenities, and those that do tend to be more expensive. But it’s unusual for single-family home rentals to feature these types of add-ons because there isn’t the same community aspect to living in an apartment.
Renting an Apartment Cons
- Less Privacy
- Lack of Space
1. Less Privacy
When you live in an apartment, you have to deal with other tenants. You may share a wall with a noisy neighbor or be forced to share amenities with other residents in the building. This may not be a negative for everyone, but it can impact your living experience if you don’t get along with everyone in the building.
2. Lack of Space
Living in an apartment means you’ll have to make do with less square footage. Single-family homes may have large closets, basements, attics, or crawlspaces where you can store your belongings, while in an apartment, you may need to rent a storage unit or make do with the space you have.
Renting Apartments vs. Houses Bottom Line
Both apartments and single-family homes offer benefits and negatives that appeal to different types of tenants. Homes tend to be better for families who need extra space for kids and pets to run around. Apartments appeal more to young professionals and students who would rather sacrifice the space for added convenience and amenities. So, which you choose comes down to a matter of need, budget, and personal preference.