When Are Apartments Considered “Big”? (Explained)

Apartments are a popular choice for many people, especially those living in urban areas. However, one of the challenges of apartment living is the limited space they offer.

In this article, we’ll explore what factors come into play when determining the size of an apartment and when it can be considered “big.”

So, let’s dive in and discover the answer to the question, “When are apartments considered ‘big’?”

Here’s When An Apartment Can Be Considered “Big”:

The average size of apartments is between 800 and 1,200 square feet. Above 1,200 square feet can be considered big, especially for a one-bedroom apartment accommodating 1 to 2 persons. How you perceive the size of an apartment can still depend on how many people will be living in it.

What Is the Average Size of American Apartments?

The average size of American apartments is around 940 square feet, and anything between 800 and 1,200 square feet is considered normal-sized.

Compared to data from previous years, the average size of apartments has decreased by at least 5%, with the rent increasing by almost 30%.

The normal size of apartments varies depending on the city and state. Densely-populated cities generally have limited space, meaning that the average size of apartments there is smaller compared to those in cities with a lower population.

In densely-populated cities, people live in small spaces and can only have about 292 square feet per person. In cities with bigger apartments, people usually have a space of 500 to 600 square feet per person.

The general consensus is that people can live comfortably with 100 to 400 square footage, but the truth is that this small amount of space can make them feel confined.

What Is Considered a Big Apartment For a Couple?

Whether a certain apartment size is adequate or not can be subjective, depending on who you’re asking. Some apartments can be too small for a couple even though another couple may find it sufficient.

Generally speaking, 1,000 to 1,500 square feet can be sufficient for a couple; anything over 1,500 square feet can be considered big or more than enough.

This is because apartments with a total area of 600 to 850 square feet can be sufficient for a person living alone.

An apartment with an area of 1,000 to 1,500 square feet can easily fit a bedroom, a decent-sized bathroom, kitchen, and living spaces, plus some closets and storage space for clothes and other household items.

Depending on how the space is utilized, these apartments can also have room for a washer and dryer combo.

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What Is Considered a Big Apartment for a Family Of Four?

Bigger families or households with more members need bigger apartments with more rooms for them to live comfortably.

For a family of four, an apartment should ideally have an area of between 2,500 and 3,000 square feet, so an apartment with more than 3,000 square feet can be considered big.

Apartments of this size usually have three bedrooms with two full-sized bathrooms and lots of space for a kitchen and living. These apartments would also have storage spaces sufficient for all the household members.

On the other hand, an apartment with an area of 2,000 to 2,500 can still fit a family of four, but it may feel cramped unless the children are still small and don’t need that much space.

It can also mean that the family can’t have too much stuff or clutter in the house so that they can live comfortably in this apartment.

If you have a family, one basic thing to remember is that families with more than 6 people should have at least 2,000 square feet of living space to feel comfortable.

Meanwhile, younger family members between the ages of 2 and 6 should have at least 150 square feet of living space. Members below two years of age are exempted from this regulation.

Still, you would want an apartment that your family can grow into and not have to move into in the next few years. If you have smaller kids now, consider how the apartment would feel when they grow older unless you don’t plan on living there for a long time.

What Is Considered a Big Apartment for a Single Person?

For a single person, an apartment with a total area between 800 to 1,000 square meters can be considered big.

In most cities, the average one-bedroom apartment is ~600 to ~700 square feet. This is sufficient space for a person to live comfortably. This space is enough not to make anyone feel cramped.

Apartments in this size can have a decent-sized bedroom with a closet and bathroom, plus kitchen and living areas with adequate space.

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What U.S. Cities Have Big Apartments on Average?

With the new normal, people in the United States, and perhaps worldwide, have become accustomed to staying indoors even if the pandemic is practically over.

Because of this, people generally need more living space at home to feel comfortable, especially if they live with their families or roommates.

In the U.S., an apartment’s average size varies from city to city. Densely-populated cities tend to have limited space, so you can expect the apartments in these cities to be smaller. The city’s actual size can also be a factor, as those with bigger land areas can also have bigger apartments.

Below is the list of the top 10 U.S. cities with the biggest apartments and the average size in these cities:

1. Henderson, Nevada – 992 sq. ft.
2. Chesapeake, Virginia – 984 sq. ft.
3. Atlanta, Georgia – 976 sq. ft.
4. Virginia Beach, Virginia – 972 sq. ft.
5. Gilbert, Arizona – 970 sq. ft.
6. Jacksonville, Florida – 967 sq. ft.
7. North Las Vegas, Nevada – 959 sq. ft.
8. Raleigh, North Carolina – 959 sq. ft.
9. Orlando, Florida – 958 sq. ft.
10. Baton Rouge, Louisiana – 945 sq. ft.

Looking at the list, you would notice that densely-populated cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Phoenix, are not included. As mentioned earlier, these cities normally have smaller spaces.

The list above can also be used to compare how big or small your current apartment is, especially if you’re living in any of the cities listed above.

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Sources:

What Is The Average Size Of Apartments In The USA?

Apartment Size For Individuals, Couples, And Families

The Ideal House Size And Layout To Raise A Family

Cities With The Most And The Least Apartment Space: How Much Square Footage Per Person Can You Get?