Tiny houses and mobile homes both offer alternative lifestyles. They’re growing in popularity at incredible rates due to their low-cost nature and exciting opportunities. However, they shouldn’t be confused with one another. Some people might prefer tiny houses over mobile homes or vice versa.
What is the Difference Between a Tiny House and a Mobile Home?
Tiny houses are different from mobile homes because they can be built to be moved much more often, they don’t cost as much money (in most cases), and they usually don’t have the utilities built-in. Also, mobile homes are usually built in a factory, whereas tiny houses are made on a plot of land.
Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following information:
- Several differences between the two structures
- Pros and cons of each
- Which one you should choose
What Are the Differences Between Mobile Homes and Tiny Houses?
Mobile homes and tiny houses are quite different. Interestingly enough, according to Mobile Home Sell, they’re both about the same size (between 400 to 1,000 square feet). However, that’s about one of the few similarities. Other than that, they’re entirely different from one another.
Here are five differences between mobile homes and tiny houses:
- Mobile homes are designed to be transported to one place. Tiny houses can be made to move from place to place, making them more portable if you decide you want to move to a different city or state. However, you’ll have to make sure that it meets the required building codes for the new destination.
- Tiny houses are usually much more customizable than mobile homes. Since mobile homes are made in a factory, they’re preset to look a certain way. Tiny houses don’t need as many permits to perform renovations, so you have a bit more freedom if you want to change something.
- Mobile homes usually have utilities when they’re made. Tiny houses often lack electricity and other amenities that make life easier. You’ll also have to run plumbing every time you move to a new location. One exception of this factor is if the tiny house has solar panels, in which case it always has electricity.
- Mobile home communities are much more common than tiny house communities. Since they’ve been around for decades, mobile home parks are found all over the place. However, the newness of tiny houses makes it a bit challenging to find a place to park your tiny house when you’re ready to settle.
- Tiny houses often aren’t considered houses in the eyes of the local government. If you have a tiny house, it’s a good idea to call authorities to figure out whether or not your home needs to have property taxes and other laws set on it. Mobile homes almost always require house taxes.
There are plenty of differences between these two homes, but they’re also quite similar in some areas. If you want to learn more about the pros and cons of tiny houses and mobile homes, proceed to the next couple of sections.
Pros and Cons of Tiny Houses
Tiny houses have sprung in popularity in the past decade. They’re sought after by adults of all ages since they don’t cost nearly as much as traditional houses. Their compact size also promotes a minimalist lifestyle, which has gained attention in recent years as well.
Below, you’ll find the pros and cons of buying and living in a tiny house.
Advantages of Tiny Houses
- Tiny houses cost significantly less than a traditional mortgage. Investopedia states that most tiny houses are between $10,000 to $100,000, both of which are drastically less than the average mortgage in the United States. You can save several hundreds of thousands of dollars by purchasing a tiny house.
- Tiny houses can be moved with relative ease because they usually have a trailer hitch that you can hook up to a towing vehicle. This allows you to pull it wherever you want to go without having to seek professional help.
- You can customize a tiny house to look however you want to. There aren’t very many limitations to tiny houses, which is why thousands upon thousands of people are starting to purchase them.
- You’ll be able to choose between buying land and parking your tiny house on it or joining a pre-existing tiny house community. Rather than being stuck with mobile home parks, you can park your tiny house in the middle of the forest or next to a lake and enjoy the peace that comes with these locations.
Disadvantages of Tiny Houses
- As mentioned above, tiny house communities aren’t very common. If you want to live with like-minded people, you’ll have to move hundreds of miles away in most cases. These communities also come with quite a few restrictions and rules to follow.
- Since they’re not as readily available as mobile homes, some tiny houses end up costing you more money per square foot. If you have to find a builder to help you construct your tiny house you will have to pay for labor. Not to mention the fact that you will have to pay for parts, labor, land, and more.
Pros and Cons of Mobile Homes
Mobile homes go back for many years. They’re found in cities of all sizes, which is why they’re produced so often. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of owning a mobile home below.
Advantages of Mobile Homes
- Mobile homes are usually longer than tiny houses, which makes them better for families. If you don’t want a room right next to your children, then the range and size of a mobile home will be perfect for you.
- It’s much easier to have a mobile home made for you. You’ll also notice that you can find a place for it much quicker since mobile home parks are all over the place. All in all, mobile homes are less stressful to park if you already have a set destination.
- The shape of a mobile home makes it an ideal size for a big living room. You’ll be able to set up a TV, couch, and even a coffee table without taking up too much space. Mobile homes are a middle ground between tiny houses and normal-sized houses.
- Nolo points out that mobile homes are consistently built with a high standard. They’re continuously produced in factories that are upheld by quality inspections and other regulations. You’ll be almost guaranteed to have an excellent home right when you buy it.
Disadvantages of Mobile Homes
- Once you park a mobile home, it’s very expensive to move it. You’ll have to hire professional companies to piece it apart and move it on the highway, which can cost thousands of dollars.
- Mobile home parks are much cheaper than traditional neighborhoods, so they tend to be in the rougher areas of town. That’s not always the case, but it’s worth mentioning. If you’re looking to own a mobile home on private land, then this obviously isn’t an issue.
As you can see, both options have pros and cons to think about. The tiny house movement has sparked life back into tiny houses and mobile homes alike. Now that you’ve seen everything there is to know about both of them, you’ll be able to choose which one works best for you and your living situation.
Conclusion
Tiny houses and mobile homes both offer a unique way of living without stripping away the bare essentials of comfort. You’ll still have a decent amount of space to walk around, cook, shower, and go to the bathroom without feeling cramped.
Both options also let you choose where they go, although mobile homes are a bit more stationary once you place them down; however, they are equipped with amenities right when you get them without you having to hire other people to hook them up for you!