A Single-Story Home vs. a Two-Story Home: Which Is Better to Buy?

Both offer advantages and disadvantages

Street in a middle-class neighborhood of two-story homes
Photo: wastesoul / Getty Images

Whether a single-story home is a better investment than a two-story house depends on personal taste to a great extent, as well as on the local real estate market and that old adage: "Location, location, location." Multi-level homes offer many benefits, but they also have a few inherent drawbacks, such as heating costs. But one-story homes have disadvantages as well, including potentially less privacy.

Key Takeaways

  • When deciding between a single-story and a two-story home, each has its pros and cons.
  • Don't only consider the size of the house; also think about other factors such as the size of the yard, security, and privacy.
  • In the end, it's just a matter of personal preference, and the concept of the perfect home is unique for everyone.

Yard Size

It works out to 3,200 square feet per lot when all properties on a city block have lot sizes of 40 feet wide by 80 feet deep. Some city codes might allocate a percentage of that .07-acre lot size to a structure erected upon it. The "footprint" of your home couldn't exceed 1,280 square feet if the city code says that the building can't occupy more than 40% of the lot.

A single-floor home usually takes up more of the lot than a multiple-level home, which wouldn't be ideal if having a big yard is one of your priorities. Builders might make the foundation 900 square feet for a three-story property, which would actually increase the usable space in a 3,200-square-foot yard. A foundation of 900 square feet would use about 28% of the lot, versus the 40% of the single-floor house.

Note

People with families who want bigger yards would tend to gravitate toward a multi-level home and the larger square footage of 2,700 square feet.

House Size

Single-level homes in the neighborhood would have a maximum square footage of 1,280 in this scenario, while a multi-level house could be twice that size, or 2,560 square feet. A one-story home is often priced more per square foot than a two-story for this reason. It's also more costly to build, because the foundation and roof are typically the most costly parts of constructing a home.

Note

The staircase, treads, risers, and landing can take up valuable space inside a home as well, depending on the layout of the house. It's estimated that a single stairway in your home can rob you of 100 square feet of living space.

Sound Effects

Some contractors say that joists should be spaced 12 inches apart on a second level to reduce squeaks and sounds from the floor. The older the home, the further apart the joists typically are.

The sound from a television might easily travel to the second floor if a bedroom is located directly above the family room. That would make it difficult for anyone trying to sleep in that bedroom while a night owl family member watches TV downstairs.

Note

You might just be tired of listening to sounds traveling through floors, walls, and ceilings if you're a first-time homebuyer who's been renting and listening to all that for years.

In Case of Emergency

Unfortunately, natural disasters do happen—and some man-made disasters as well, such as fires. This can be a primary consideration depending on your location. You might have to think about the possibility of tornadoes in the Midwest, tidal flooding on the Eastern seaboard, or earthquakes in California.

Note

You'll want to be able to evacuate your home quickly and efficiently under the worst possible circumstances, maybe even while you're half asleep. That tends to be easier in a one-story dwelling.

That might not be a consideration if your area isn't prone to any specific weather-related hazards, but otherwise, you might want to avoid multiple floors that can collapse before you can evacuate, even if you've been promised that the home has been upgraded or constructed to code to address this issue.

Security Issues

A multiple-level home wins in this category. Let's say that it's spring or autumn, and you've left your windows open for a little fresh air circulation as the heat ratchets up or winds down. These windows are vulnerable to entry by thieves, and they're all going to be on the ground floor, easily accessible, if you purchase a one-story dwelling.

Two-story houses often provide an additional layer of security. What thief is going to put a ladder up to that open upstairs bedroom window without neighbors or someone noticing?

Stairs Can Be Dangerous

Many homes in senior living communities are single-level for a reason: It becomes more difficult for people to climb stairs as they age. Knee problems, hip problems, or even simple aches and pains can make it almost impossible for some older people to easily negotiate stairs.

Note

People with young children aren't usually big fans of stairs, either. It's far too easy for a child to slip and fall down a staircase. Many parents install gates at the top and at the bottom of stairs to prevent their children from using them at all, but that doesn't always stop those who are curious and determined.

It can also be a lot of work to run up and down stairs all day. You might have to go downstairs to reach the kitchen instead of walking a short distance down a hall if you want a drink from the fridge. Carrying laundry up and down the stairs is a hassle, too, so pay attention to where the laundry room is located in a two-story home before you decide to buy.

Privacy Issues

Bedrooms on a second or third floor offer a degree of privacy that one-story residences simply can't provide. Depending on where your windows are located, forgetting to draw the blinds or drop your curtains in a single-level dwelling can mean that your entire neighborhood is privy to whatever you're doing in that room.

It's Not Over After Your Purchase

Buying a home is the starting point of years of maintenance and expense. This ongoing responsibility and the costs associated with it are typically easier and less pricey with one-story residences.

Everything from plumbing and heating repairs to exterior work and spring cleaning is localized when you live on one floor. Scaffolding isn't necessary. You don't have to own two vacuums, one for the upper floor and one for the lower floor if you don't want to regularly drag the cleaner up and down.

It's also more cost-efficient to air condition or heat just one floor. You won't have as much wall area and roof area that's exposed to the weather and the elements. Ongoing utility costs can be a primary consideration if you're on a tight or even a somewhat constricted budget.

It's All About Personal Taste

​Personal taste will inevitably win out when you're deciding to buy a single story or a multi-level home. A single-story home is often prized and might sell more quickly than a two-story home in a suburban area, while people generally prefer multi-level properties in older city neighborhoods.

Do not buy or build a one-story home that's surrounded by two-story homes. You could run into resale issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why are single-story homes sometimes more expensive than two-story homes?

It can sometimes be more economical for builders to create multiple stories at once. Those who want to build or buy a new construction home may want to explore the most cost-efficient floor plan for their land plot and building team.

How tall are single story homes?

There isn't a set height that determines what a story is, so one single-story home might be taller than another single-story home. A story is usually at least 10-feet tall, but it can be much taller.

Was this page helpful?
Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Aviara Real Estate. "One-Story vs. Two-Story Homes: Which Should You Buy?"

  2. Homeownersinsurance.org. "7 Reasons to Opt for a Single Story-Home."

  3. Realtor.com. "One-Story vs. Two-Story Home: Which Is Better?"

  4. First American DataTree. "What's The Real Story Behind One Vs. Two Story Homes?"

Related Articles