Tiny Home Statistics: America’s Changing Perspectives on Traditional Homeownership - IPX1031 (2024)

Tiny Home Trends in America

Tiny Home Statistics: America’s Changing Perspectives on Traditional Homeownership - IPX1031 (1)

The American dream might be shifting in size. Our research finds 73% of Americans would consider living in a tiny home. Among the generations, Gen Z and Millennials are most interested in tiny homes with 75% considering living in one.

The top three reasons Americans would live in a tiny home include:

  1. Affordability
  2. Minimalist Lifestyle
  3. Don’t Need a Big Home

Americans aren’t only interested in tiny homes, but also in tiny home communities. More than 3 in 5 (65%) Americans would consider living in a tiny home community. Additionally, 12% already have tiny home communities near where they currently live.

Finances also play a large role in the interest of tiny houses. In fact, 65% of Americans would consider buying a tiny home because of the current housing market, and 86% think tiny homes are a good option for first-time homebuyers. Additionally, data shows 89% find tiny homes more appealing as living options, and 82% view them as attractive investments. More than half (52%) have considered alternative housing options (tiny homes, container homes, van life, etc.) because of high interest rates.

Where are Americans Most Interested in Tiny Homes?

Tiny Home Statistics: America’s Changing Perspectives on Traditional Homeownership - IPX1031 (2)

To learn where Americans are most interested in this type of housing, we analyzed Google searches about tiny homes.

The top ten states most interested in living in tiny homes are:

  1. Vermont
  2. Wyoming
  3. Alaska
  4. Maine
  5. Montana
  6. North Dakota
  7. South Dakota
  8. New Hampshire
  9. Arkansas
  10. Tennessee

Alternative Living Spaces as Rentals

Tiny Home Statistics: America’s Changing Perspectives on Traditional Homeownership - IPX1031 (3)

Interest in alternative living spaces is growing among Americans. Alternative living spaces are housing structures that are built or designed outside of the mainstream norm, such as tiny homes, container homes, modular homes, or converted vans.

More than 1 in 10 (11%) Americans plan to buy an alternative living space in the next year and among them, 10% plan to rent the space out.

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans have stayed in an alternative living space rental and 92% enjoyed the stay. The most common types of rentals included tiny homes, modular homes, and vans/RVs.

More than half (54%) of Americans would consider investing in alternative living spaces as rentals. Additionally, statistics show 44% would consider putting an additional dwelling unit (ADU) on their property to generate more income by renting it out and nearly 3 in 4 think local governments should incentivize ADU and tiny home construction to address housing shortages.

When it comes to alternative living space owners, 56% use it as their primary residence, while 41% rent the space out. Among them, 70% own the land the home sits on. The most popular types of homes include tiny homes, vans/RVs, and container homes. The top reasons for owning alternative living spaces include affordability, mobility, and living a minimalist lifestyle.

For more on Tiny Homes, be sure to readHow to 1031 Exchange Tiny Homes & Tiny Offices. If you’re planning on buying a home in 2024, learn about how a 1031 Exchange can help preserve your assets when buying and selling investment properties. Investors thinking about converting a primary residence into a rental property can learn more about how a 1031 Exchange can help in that process. Learn more about Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc. (IPX1031), the nation’s largest 1031 Exchange company.

Methodology

In February 2024, we surveyed 1,010 people from around the U.S. Among respondents, 49% identified as male and 49% as female. Respondents aged in range from 18-84 with an average age of 41.

To rank the states and cities, we analyzed more than 1,300 Google search terms relating to tiny homes over the last two years. We took the average number of monthly searches for each state and calculated the searches per 100,000 residents.

For media inquiries, contact media@digitalthirdcoast.net

Fair Use

When using this data and research, please attribute by linking to this study and citing IPX1031.

Read more:

1031 Exchange for Tiny Homes & Tiny Offices
How to Maximize 1031 Vacation and Rental Property
Best States for Tiny Homes
Opportunities of the 1031 Exchange
Survey Reveals America’s Ideal Tiny Home and Tiny Office
Do Vacation and Second Homes Qualify?
How to Buy Your Vacation Home with a 1031 Exchange
Strategically Buying Your Dream Vacation Home with a 1031 Exchange
Where the Vacation Home Market Has Grown the Most
Data Reveals Vacation Home Hot Spots Across the Country
Cities with the Most Airbnb Properties
Best Cities to Buy Airbnb Investment Property

Tiny Home Statistics: America’s Changing Perspectives on Traditional Homeownership - IPX1031 (2024)

FAQs

Tiny Home Statistics: America’s Changing Perspectives on Traditional Homeownership - IPX1031? ›

Indeed, a 2020 survey by IPX1031, a Fidelity National Financial subsidiary, found that more than 50% of Americans would consider living in a tiny home while 72% of respondents would consider using a tiny home as an investment property.

What are the statistics on tiny homes? ›

About 40% of tiny homeowners are older than 50 years.

Tiny living appeals to baby boomers seeking to downsize. 55% of tiny house owners are women. This housing movement attracts female buyers drawn to minimalist living. The tiny homes market has an estimated compound annual growth rate of 4.88% between 2022 and 2027.

Can you do a 1031 exchange on a tiny home? ›

There are many opportunities to take advantage of tax deferral by using a 1031 Exchange for tiny homes or offices – immediately or in the future. And for millennials or first time investors, a tiny home may be a great first step to dally in real estate investment, opening up the potential power of 1031 tax deferral.

Where is the cheapest place to put a tiny house? ›

Tiny houses are most affordable in North Dakota, Arkansas, Kansas, and Mississippi.

What is the best state to build a tiny house in? ›

10 best places for tiny house living
RankStateLegality Rank
1Vermont1
2Kentucky1
3Arkansas1
4Maine1
6 more rows
Mar 8, 2024

What are 3 benefits of living in a tiny house? ›

A smaller living space means you use fewer resources, produce less waste, and consume less energy. Since tiny homes are often built with environmentally friendly materials and use sustainable building practices, they are a more eco-friendly housing option.

Is it really cheaper to live in a tiny house? ›

-The cost to buy a tiny house is only a fraction of what normal regular sized houses cost. -You buy less stuff, because theres less space to store it, therefore you save a lot of money. -Rent is very minimal in most places and theres no longer a high monthly mortgage to pay.

What is the 2 year rule for 1031 exchanges? ›

Section 1031(f) provides that if a Taxpayer exchanges with a related party then the party who acquired the property in the exchange must hold it for 2 years or the exchange will be disallowed.

Who cannot do a 1031 exchange? ›

Property that does not qualify includes but is not limited to a primary residence, a second home, flip properties, or a property held in inventory for sale. Recent changes to tax law disallow personal property (artwork, boats, etc.) as valid property in a 1031 Exchange at the federal level.

What would disqualify a property from being used in a 1031 exchange? ›

A 1031 exchange can be disqualified if the property being exchanged is not used for business or investment purposes, if the exchange is not completed within the specified timelines, or if the exchange does not meet IRS regulations.

What state has the cheapest tiny homes for sale? ›

After analyzing tiny home listing data, we found that Mississippi is the most affordable state to buy a tiny home ($30,000). The state is also one of the most affordable places to buy a traditional home, according to Zillow.

What is the most expensive part of a tiny house? ›

Inside your tiny house, the kitchen and bathroom are often the costliest areas, just like in a traditional house, Dobrowolski says. You can opt for smaller versions of appliances and fixtures, but the plumbing and electrical work will cost roughly the same as in a traditional house.

What states pay you to build tiny homes? ›

New York, Vermont and Arizona are only a few of the states with current incentives for ADU owners. If you're thinking of building a tiny home or an ADU on your property, we've highlighted places around the country with financial incentives designed to increase affordable housing rentals.

Is it hard to get approved for a tiny home? ›

It can be hard to find a viable loan option for a tiny home, but it's possible if you think outside the box. You probably won't qualify for a traditional mortgage. Instead, you may need to get a personal loan, an RV loan, a home equity loan or financing from your contractor.

What is the average cost of a tiny home in the United States? ›

The average cost of a tiny house is a reasonable $30,000 – $60,000, although they can cost as little as $8,000 or up to $150,000 depending on the amenities you choose to include. It's typically cheaper to build a tiny house than to buy one prebuilt, but don't get too caught up in the savings.

Is there a demand for tiny houses? ›

Yes, the tiny house market is booming, with a projected $3.57 billion increase in market size between 2021 and 2026.

What is the lifespan of a tiny house? ›

The lifespan of a tiny home is largely determined by the quality of materials and labor that go into its construction. Generally, you can expect a tiny home to last 30-50 years. Location may also play a role, though.

What is the divorce rate for tiny houses? ›

The allure of tiny house living may be enticing, yet it's crucial to know that 44% of homeowners experience regrets related to size, and 50% of tiny house homeowners divorcing or splitting up within years of purchase. This figure should be seen as a preparation rather than a deterrent.

What is the trend in tiny homes in 2024? ›

In 2024, the draw towards tiny houses is fueled by two key philosophies: minimalism and sustainability. The minimalist lifestyle, a cornerstone of the tiny house movement, goes far beyond the mere reduction of physical space.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Domingo Moore

Last Updated:

Views: 6409

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Domingo Moore

Birthday: 1997-05-20

Address: 6485 Kohler Route, Antonioton, VT 77375-0299

Phone: +3213869077934

Job: Sales Analyst

Hobby: Kayaking, Roller skating, Cabaret, Rugby, Homebrewing, Creative writing, amateur radio

Introduction: My name is Domingo Moore, I am a attractive, gorgeous, funny, jolly, spotless, nice, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.