House vs. Apartment: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on November 1, 2023
A house is a standalone structure owned or rented for living, while an apartment is a self-contained unit in a building, typically rented.
Key Differences
A house refers to a standalone residential structure that may be single or multi-storied, providing a living space for individuals or families. It generally has its yard and offers more privacy and space. In contrast, an apartment is a self-contained housing unit that occupies part of a building, usually on a single level, offering less privacy and typically less space than a house. Houses may be more suitable for those looking for more space and privacy, while apartments can be more fitting for those seeking less maintenance and lower costs.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
The ownership and financial aspects associated with houses and apartments also significantly differ. A house is often purchased, making the occupant the owner, who is responsible for maintenance, repairs, and property taxes. An apartment is typically rented, and the occupant pays rent to a landlord who handles most of the maintenance and repairs. For people seeking to avoid the responsibilities and costs associated with ownership, renting an apartment may be more appealing, while purchasing a house may be more suitable for those looking for stability and investment in property.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
When considering amenities and community features, houses and apartments showcase variations. Houses usually offer a greater degree of customization and flexibility in terms of layout and design, allowing occupants to modify the structure to suit their preferences. Apartments, however, generally have fixed layouts with shared amenities like gyms, pools, and communal spaces, offering a sense of community and additional features without the need for individual maintenance. Those seeking a sense of community and additional amenities may find apartments more appealing, while individuals looking for customization and flexibility may prefer houses.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
The location and lifestyle preferences also play a crucial role in distinguishing between houses and apartments. Houses are typically located in suburban or rural areas, offering a quieter, more family-oriented environment. Apartments are often situated in urban areas, close to workplaces, entertainment, and public transport, catering to a more dynamic and social lifestyle. Depending on individual needs and preferences regarding lifestyle and location, one may opt for the tranquility of a house or the vibrancy of an apartment.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Houses usually offer more outdoor spaces like yards and gardens, allowing for gardening, outdoor activities, and pets. Apartments might not offer extensive outdoor spaces but might have balconies or shared outdoor areas. The availability of outdoor space might be a deciding factor for many in choosing between a house and an apartment, with a house being more suitable for those who prioritize having their outdoor spaces.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Structure and Space
Standalone structure, more space and privacy
Part of a building, less space and privacy
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Ownership and Financial Responsibility
Often owned, owner responsible for maintenance and taxes
Typically rented, landlord handles maintenance
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Amenities and Community Features
Customizable, individual amenities
Fixed layout, shared amenities like gyms and pools
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Location and Lifestyle
Typically in suburban or rural areas, quieter environment
Often in urban areas, closer to entertainment and workplaces
Janet White
Oct 31, 2023
Outdoor Spaces
Offers yards and gardens
Might have balconies or shared outdoor spaces
Janet White
Oct 31, 2023
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House and Apartment Definitions
House
A standalone residential structure.
The house at the end of the street has a red door.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Apartment
A self-contained housing unit in a building.
She rents a two-bedroom apartment downtown.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
House
Typically located in suburban or rural areas.
Their house is in a quiet suburban neighborhood.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Apartment
Typically located in urban areas.
His apartment is close to many restaurants and shops.
Sara Rehman
Oct 02, 2023
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Apartment
Has a fixed layout with less customization.
Her apartment has a modern, open layout.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
House
A structure serving as a dwelling for one or more persons, especially for a family.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Apartment
Occupants pay rent to a landlord.
They pay their apartment rent at the beginning of each month.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Apartment
A room or suite of rooms designed as a residence and generally located in a building occupied by more than one household.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
Something, such as a burrow or shell, that serves as a shelter or habitation for a wild animal.
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Sep 29, 2023
House
A dwelling for a group of people, such as students or members of a religious community, who live together as a unit
A sorority house.
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Sep 29, 2023
House
A building that functions as the primary shelter or location of something
A carriage house.
The lion house at the zoo.
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Sep 29, 2023
Apartment
Apartments Chiefly British A suite of rooms within a larger building set aside for a particular purpose or person.
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Sep 29, 2023
House
A building devoted to a particular activity
A customs house.
A house of worship.
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Sep 29, 2023
Apartment
A complete domicile occupying only part of a building, especially one for rent; a flat.
Apartment dwellers
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Sep 29, 2023
House
A facility, such as a theater or restaurant, that provides entertainment or food for the public
A movie house.
The specialty of the house.
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Sep 29, 2023
Apartment
(archaic) A suite of rooms within a domicile, designated for a specific person or persons and including a bedroom.
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Sep 29, 2023
House
The seating area in such an establishment
Dimmed the lights in the house to signal the start of the show.
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Sep 29, 2023
Apartment
(obsolete) A division of an enclosure that is separate from others; a compartment
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Sep 29, 2023
Apartment
A conceptual space used for separation in the threading architecture. Objects in one apartment cannot directly access those in another, but must use a proxy.
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Sep 29, 2023
Apartment
A room in a building; a division in a house, separated from others by partitions.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Apartment
A room or suite of rooms in a building comprising a dwelling unit separate from others in the building, and typically having its own separate bath, sanitary, and kitchen facilities. Such apartments are in most cases rented from the owner by those dwelling in them.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Apartment
Offers shared amenities like pools and gyms.
The apartment complex has a communal swimming pool.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023
House
Often House A family line including ancestors and descendants, especially a royal or noble family
The House of Orange.
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Sep 29, 2023
House
The sign of the zodiac indicating the seat or station of a planet in the heavens. Also called mansion.
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Sep 29, 2023
House
To shelter, keep, or store in a house or other structure
A library housing rare books.
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Sep 29, 2023
House
A structure built or serving as an abode of human beings.
This is my house and my family's ancestral home.
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Sep 29, 2023
House
A building intended to contain a single household, as opposed to an apartment or condominium or building containing these.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
A building used for something other than a residence (typically with qualifying word).
The former carriage house had been made over into a guest house.
On arriving at the zoo, we immediately headed for the monkey house.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
A place of business; a company or organisation, especially a printing press, a publishing company, or a couturier.
A small publishing house would have a contract with an independent fulfillment house.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
A place of public accommodation or entertainment, especially a public house, an inn, a restaurant, a theatre, or a casino; or the management thereof.
One more, sir, then I'll have to stop serving you – rules of the house, I'm afraid.
The house always wins.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
(politics) A building where a deliberative assembly meets; whence the assembly itself, particularly a component of a legislature.
The petition was so ridiculous that the house rejected it after minimal debate.
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Sep 29, 2023
House
A dynasty; a family with its ancestors and descendants, especially a royal or noble one.
A curse lay upon the House of Atreus.
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Sep 29, 2023
House
A grouping of schoolchildren for the purposes of competition in sports and other activities.
I was a member of Spenser house when I was at school.
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Sep 29, 2023
House
An animal's shelter or den, or the shell of an animal such as a snail, used for protection.
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Sep 29, 2023
House
(curling) The four concentric circles where points are scored on the ice.
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Sep 29, 2023
House
(uncountable) A children's game in which the players pretend to be members of a household.
As the babysitter, Emma always acted as the mother whenever the kids demanded to play house.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
(sudoku) A set of cells in a Sudoku puzzle which must contain each digit exactly once, such as a row, column, or 3×3 box in classic Sudoku.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
(transitive) To keep within a structure or container.
The car is housed in the garage.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
(transitive) To contain one part of an object for the purpose of locating the whole.
The joists were housed into the side walls, rather than being hung from them.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
(nautical) To stow in a safe place; to take down and make safe.
To house the upper spars
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Sep 29, 2023
House
A structure intended or used as a habitation or shelter for animals of any kind; but especially, a building or edifice for the habitation of man; a dwelling place, a mansion.
Houses are built to live in; not to look on.
Bees with smoke and doves with noisome stenchAre from their hives and houses driven away.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
Household affairs; domestic concerns; particularly in the phrase to keep house. See below.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
Those who dwell in the same house; a household.
One that feared God with all his house.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
A family of ancestors, descendants, and kindred; a race of persons from the same stock; a tribe; especially, a noble family or an illustrious race; as, the house of Austria; the house of Hanover; the house of Israel.
The last remaining pillar of their house,The one transmitter of their ancient name.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
One of the estates of a kingdom or other government assembled in parliament or legislature; a body of men united in a legislative capacity; as, the House of Lords; the House of Commons; the House of Representatives; also, a quorum of such a body. See Congress, and Parliament.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
A twelfth part of the heavens, as divided by six circles intersecting at the north and south points of the horizon, used by astrologers in noting the positions of the heavenly bodies, and casting horoscopes or nativities. The houses were regarded as fixed in respect to the horizon, and numbered from the one at the eastern horizon, called the ascendant, first house, or house of life, downward, or in the direction of the earth's revolution, the stars and planets passing through them in the reverse order every twenty-four hours.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
An audience; an assembly of hearers, as at a lecture, a theater, etc.; as, a thin or a full house.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
The body, as the habitation of the soul.
This mortal house I'll ruin,Do Cæsar what he can.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
To take or put into a house; to shelter under a roof; to cover from the inclemencies of the weather; to protect by covering; as, to house one's family in a comfortable home; to house farming utensils; to house cattle.
At length have housed me in a humble shed.
House your choicest carnations, or rather set them under a penthouse.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
To admit to residence; to harbor.
Palladius wished him to house all the Helots.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
To stow in a safe place; to take down and make safe; as, to house the upper spars.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
To take shelter or lodging; to abide to dwell; to lodge.
You shall not house with me.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
A dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families;
He has a house on Cape Cod
She felt she had to get out of the house
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
An official assembly having legislative powers;
The legislature has two houses
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
A building in which something is sheltered or located;
They had a large carriage house
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
A social unit living together;
He moved his family to Virginia
It was a good Christian household
I waited until the whole house was asleep
The teacher asked how many people made up his home
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
A building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented;
The house was full
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
Members of a business organization that owns or operates one or more establishments;
He worked for a brokerage house
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
The audience gathered together in a theatre or cinema;
The house applauded
He counted the house
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
Play in which children take the roles of father or mother or children and pretend to interact like adults;
The children were playing house
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
The management of a gambling house or casino;
The house gets a percentage of every bet
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
Provide housing for;
The immigrants were housed in a new development outside the town
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
House
Offers more space and privacy.
They bought a house to have more space for their children.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
House
Can be single or multi-storied.
They own a two-story house with a garage.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
FAQs
Are apartments usually rented?
Yes, apartments are typically rented, with tenants paying rent to a landlord.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Who is responsible for maintenance in a rented apartment?
The landlord is generally responsible for most of the maintenance in a rented apartment.
Harlon Moss
Oct 31, 2023
Can you modify the structure of a house more easily than an apartment?
Yes, houses usually offer more flexibility and customization in terms of layout and design compared to apartments.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Do houses usually have yards or gardens?
Yes, houses often feature outdoor spaces like yards or gardens.
Sara Rehman
Oct 31, 2023
Do houses usually cost more than apartments?
Generally, houses are more expensive to purchase than apartments, but rental costs can vary widely.
Janet White
Oct 31, 2023
Are apartments typically located in urban areas?
Yes, apartments are often situated in urban areas, providing proximity to workplaces and amenities.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Do houses offer more privacy than apartments?
Yes, houses generally offer more privacy compared to apartments due to being standalone structures.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Are apartments generally less spacious than houses?
Yes, apartments typically offer less space compared to houses.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 31, 2023
Are houses typically owned rather than rented?
While houses can be rented, they are often owned, making the occupant responsible for maintenance and property taxes.
Harlon Moss
Oct 31, 2023
Can apartments have shared amenities like pools and gyms?
Yes, apartments often feature shared amenities like pools, gyms, and communal spaces.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 31, 2023
Are apartments more suited for single people or smaller families?
Apartments can be suitable for single people or smaller families due to the limited space available.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 31, 2023
Do houses provide more storage space compared to apartments?
Typically, houses do offer more storage space compared to apartments.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Is it easier to relocate when living in an apartment?
Yes, it is typically easier to relocate from a rented apartment than from an owned house.
Janet White
Oct 31, 2023
Can you have pets more easily in a house than an apartment?
Yes, houses often allow more flexibility regarding pets compared to apartments, which may have restrictions.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Do houses offer a quieter living environment compared to apartments?
Generally, houses located in suburban or rural areas offer a quieter environment compared to apartments in urban areas.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 31, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
