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Is It Better to Rent a House or Apartment? Pros, Cons and Cost Comparison
Should you rent a house or an apartment? It’s one of the most common dilemmas renters face, and the answer depends on more than just price. While apartments are typically cheaper — costing around $1,750 per month compared to $2,130 for single-family homes for a median-priced option — hidden costs and lifestyle factors can tell a different story. You need to weigh both the financial and personal costs of each style of living.
We’ll cover the pros and cons of each option and offer guidance to help you make the right decision based on your budget and lifestyle needs.
Is it cheaper to rent a house or apartment?
An apartment is the cheaper option in 2025, by about $380 per month.
Median U.S. rental costs in 2025
| Houses | $2,130 |
| Apartments (overall) | $1,750 |
| $1,640 |
| $1,900 |
Sources: Rentometer.com’s Mid-Year Report 2025 for single-family homes and Apartments.com’s Rent Report for September 2025 for apartments.
Pros and cons of renting a house
Pros
- More space. Nationwide, houses average 1,800 square feet compared to 696 square feet for apartments.
- Better privacy. Living with no shared walls and a private yard offers a more significant buffer between you and your neighbors.
- Greater flexibility. Enjoy more freedom to personalize your space, face fewer pet restrictions, host gatherings or play musical instruments without noise complaints.
- Storage and parking. Houses typically come with a driveway or garage, plus in-home storage options like basements and attics.
- Family-friendly. Living in a neighborhood often comes with big perks for kids like playmates, a short walk to school and a community atmosphere.
Cons
- Higher monthly costs. House rentals typically cost $230 to $490 more per month than apartments.
- Less housing stability. The property owner may decide to sell the house or move back in, giving you less long-term security than managed apartment communities.
- Fewer amenities. No on-site maintenance team, gym, pool or other shared amenities that apartment complexes typically offer.
- Less convenient locations. Houses are often farther from city centers, which means lower walkability and, often, longer commutes.
- Maintenance responsibilities. You may be responsible for yard work, snow removal and maintaining significantly more square footage than an apartment.
Pros and cons of renting an apartment
Pros
- Lower monthly costs. Apartments average $1,750 per month nationwide compared to $2,130 for houses.
- Prime urban locations. Apartments are often in walkable areas located near restaurants, shops, public transit and entertainment.
- Extra amenities. You may have access to on-site gyms, pools, lounges and maintenance teams.
- Enhanced security. Controlled entry systems, security cameras, on-site personnel and locked mail rooms provide greater safety than most houses.
- Low maintenance. Property managers typically handle all repairs, exterior maintenance and common-area upkeep.
Cons
- Limited space. Apartments are often around 700 square feet with no basement, attic or garage storage options.
- Noise and privacy issues. Shared walls mean you’ll potentially hear neighbors above, below and beside you.
- Rules and restrictions. Apartments often come with a lot of rules, from pet restrictions, to mandatory quiet hours and assigned parking.
- Minimal outdoor space. Most apartments offer only a small balcony or access to a shared outdoor area.
- Fees. Additional monthly fees for utilities, pet rent and parking can add up.
Making your decision: Top factors to consider
Here are some questions to get you started:
Price: What’s your monthly housing budget?
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Under $1,500 per month
An apartment makes financial sense. At this price point, you should be able to find studio and one-bedroom apartments you can afford in most markets. Houses are probably largely out of reach except in very affordable areas.
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$1,500 – $2,000 per month
An apartment offers better value. If you live in a moderately expensive (but not high-cost) area, you can likely afford a spacious one- or two-bedroom apartment with amenities, or a small house with higher utility costs and fewer features. Apartments give you more bang for your buck here.
Tip: Keep your housing costs under 30% to avoid becoming “house poor.”
-
$2,000 – $2,500 per month
Both a house and apartment are viable options for those outside of high-cost areas. This is the sweet spot where both choices make a lot of sense. Your lifestyle preferences can drive your decision rather than budget constraints.
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Over $2,500 per month
A house becomes more attractive. At this budget level, you can likely afford a quality house with space and privacy as long as you don’t live in a high-cost area. The percentage difference between house and apartment rent likely matters less to your overall finances.
Location: What’s your work situation?
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Office job (commute 5 days per week)
Best fit: an apartment in an urban area. Minimizing commute time is probably your priority, and living near public transit or downtown can save you hours weekly and reduce your transportation costs.
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Hybrid (office 2–3 days per week)
Best fit: an apartment or house. You have some flexibility, so choose based on whether you need dedicated office space at home. A house might make more sense if you do, though some apartments come with access to office-like common areas or spare bedrooms.
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Fully remote
Best fit: a house or apartment. A dedicated home office away from living spaces can become crucial if you work from home full time, and can help improve work-life balance. If your work is especially sensitive to noise, houses also offer better separation and fewer noise disruptions.
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Shift work or nontraditional hours
Best fit: a house. Odd hours mean coming and going when neighbors sleep. Houses eliminate worry about disturbing others or dealing with noise complaints.
Privacy: What level of privacy do you need?
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Low priority
Best fit: an apartment. You’re not too concerned about noise and likely don’t require access to private outdoor space daily, so why pay for a yard? Apartments offer better value for those who can handle reasonable noise from neighbors and who don’t have hobbies that require a dedicated yard.
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Medium priority
Best fit: an apartment. Although apartments can come with some noise or interaction from neighbors, you can take steps to choose one with features that will mitigate this. For instance, you can seek out a unit that’s not near stairwells, common areas or busy streets. You may also want to consider purchasing curtains or sound-dampening panels that increase your privacy.
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High priority
Best fit: a house. If you want a solid buffer between you and the outside world, a house is likely the best option. Look for one with outdoor spaces that have privacy fencing or other features that block sight-lines and noise transmission.
Hoping to buy a house eventually? You may want to explore rent-to-own options.
Pets: How much do they impact your lifestyle?
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No pets
Best fit: an apartment. Without pets that require access to a private yard, it doesn’t make sense to pay extra for that amenity. Apartments offer better value for those who can access nature in public spaces.
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Small pets
Best fit: an apartment. Most apartments can accommodate smaller pets. Budget $10 to $60 per month for pet rent, but you’ll likely still save versus a house.
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Large or multiple dogs
Best fit: a house. Large dogs typically need private outdoor access, both for exercise opportunities throughout the day and for bathroom breaks. Apartment elevators, stairs and size or breed restrictions often make houses the only practical choice.
Explore pet liability insurance for renters.
Amenities: How do you spend your free time?
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Social butterfly (outings with friends, dining, events)
Best fit: an apartment in a walkable area. Do you use your home mostly for sleeping? Then maximize location over space. Being steps from restaurants and nightlife can really enhance your lifestyle, and public transit is more likely to be close by.
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Homebody (cooking, gaming, reading, streaming)
Best fit: an apartment. You don’t need a yard you won’t use. Save money on rent and invest in making your indoor space comfortable.
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Entertainer (hosting dinners, parties, gatherings)
Best fit: a house. Hosting requires space, parking for guests and freedom from noise complaints. Houses accommodate your social style without restrictions.
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Outdoor enthusiast (gardening, grilling, yard projects)
Best fit: a house. This is exactly what the higher rent that comes with a house should pay for: A private yard that enhances your hobbies and adds significant value to your life.
Remember: There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to whether you should rent a house or apartment. It depends entirely on your current lifestyle, budget and priorities. The right rental for you is the one that aligns with how you actually live, not just what sounds appealing on paper.
Renting is cheaper than buying in every large metro in the U.S. right now. If you’re unsure whether renting or buying is the right move, check out our guide: Is It Better to Rent or Buy a House?
Frequently asked questions
An apartment is the cheaper option in 2025, by about $380 per month.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to whether you should rent a house or apartment. It depends entirely on your current lifestyle, budget and priorities. The right rental for you is the one that aligns with how you actually live, not just what sounds appealing on paper.
Get competitive insurance quotes today.
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