Single-wide homes vs. double-wide homes: Which is right for you?

Buying a home on a budget is no small feat. So, some cost-conscious home buyers opt for a manufactured home — one built in a factory or warehouse and then transported to the home site – rather than a traditional site-built home. However, once you’ve settled on a manufactured home, there’s still the question of which type is right for you. While manufactured homes come in various styles and layouts, the choice usually boils down to the two major types: single-wide and double-wide.

If you’re looking for a smaller, less expensive home that’s easier to transport, a single-wide home could be an ideal match. If you’re seeking a more spacious abode that’s easier to revamp and resell, you may find the double-wide home the better fit. However, there’s a lot more to consider beyond those basic differences.

In this article, we’ll discuss single-wide versus double-wide, focusing on differences in key characteristics of each, along with the pros and cons associated with both types of manufactured home.

What’s a single-wide manufactured home?

Manufactured homes were commonly referred to as mobile homes until 1974, when Congress passed the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act, which authorized the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to create construction standards for manufactured homes.

So, a home previously categorized as a single-wide trailer home no longer meets the current building standards of what’s now known as a single-wide manufactured home. The modern single-wide home offers homeowners a cozy dwelling that’s narrow and long, easy to relocate, and relatively inexpensive.

What’s a double-wide manufactured home?

As the manufactured home grew in popularity among homeowners, so did its size. In 1967, two single-wides were combined to create the first double-wide home. Today, a double-wide manufactured home can be distinguished by its much larger floor plan, wider and shorter size, greater (but still relatively affordable) cost, and other defining features.

What’s the difference between single-wide and double-wide mobile homes?

Before deciding whether a single-wide or double-wide manufactured home is right for you, it’s important to know the difference between these two floor plans. The primary difference relates to how the home is built. A single-wide home, for example, is built in one long section. 

A double-wide, on the other hand, must be built in two separate sections and joined together on-site to make a larger home. Double-wide manufactured homes are typically twice the size of single-wide homes. In addition, a double-wide differs from a single-wide because it offers more square footage and a bigger lot, but it takes longer to set up, costs more and is more difficult to move.

Single-wide homes vs. double-wide homes: Key characteristics

As you choose the right type of manufactured home for you, it may be helpful to compare the key characteristics and differences. The detailed chart below can help you make an informed decision. Keep in mind, though, that the figures shown below are general ranges.

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

 Size Of Manufactured Homes

As we’ve already discussed, the size of a single-wide versus a double-wide home will vary greatly. You can usually expect a single-wide to be 500 – 1,300 square feet, with a width of 12 – 18 feet and a length of 40 – 80 feet.

Double-wide homes are typically twice the size of single-wide homes, with square footage ranging from 1,000 – 2,300 or even greater. They’ll also have larger widths (usually 20 – 36 feet) and lengths (32 – 90 feet). Lot sizes for each type of manufactured home will also vary, with a double-wide home generally requiring more space.

Floor plans and upgrades

Since single-wide homes are smaller, this inevitably affects the floor plan. Because they’re long and narrow, traditional single-wide homes usually have fewer room layout options. Individuals who choose to live alone or couples without children may find such a floor plan ideal.

On the contrary, a double-wide has a much more spacious and flexible design; some may even find that it resembles a site-built home in its look and feel. This is the ideal option for larger families. 

While manufactured homes can be harder to personalize than the traditional home, there are still many opportunities for renovations and additions — especially on a double-wide home. If possible, you might consider adding an extra bedroom, bathroom or even a front porch.

Cost of manufactured homes

How do the single-wide and double-wide compare when it comes to cost? Generally speaking, a single-wide home will cost less than a double-wide since it’s smaller. For a single-wide home, you can expect to pay an average of $75,000.

A double-wide home, on the other hand, can end up costing around $155,000. You should also be prepared to pay setup costs averaging $1,500 - $5,000 for both types of manufactured homes.

However, it’s important to note that cost will vary greatly depending on location and the options and features you select for your single-wide or double-wide home. If you’re looking to customize your home with porches, decks, and interior upgrades, this could lead to a significant boost in price.

Transportation of single-wide and double-wide homes

Both single-wide and double-wide homes are mobile, meaning they can be picked up and transported from one place to another. However, since a double-wide comes in two halves and a single-wide only has one piece, moving will be easier with a single. A double will need to be separated and moved in two stages, making a sudden move much more difficult.

The potential exists for the double-wide mobile home to be too wide for a single traffic lane, requiring you to pay for an escort vehicle to transport it.

Resale value

Another important factor to consider when choosing between a single-wide or double-wide home is resale value. Resale value is the amount you can expect to receive for your home if you sell it in the future.

While you may pay less for a new single-wide home, its resale value is 30% to 50% lower than that of a double-wide home. This is because a double-wide looks more like a traditional home and has a more spacious, customizable floor plan that prospective buyers will likely find appealing.

Single-wide mobile homes vs. double-wide mobile homes: Pros and cons

Both single-wide and double-wide manufactured homes have their benefits and drawbacks. Single-wide homes typically cost less and are easier to transport but offer less square footage. Double-wide homes offer a much larger floor plan and a greater resale value but take longer to move.

However, to best understand how these two mobile home types compare, let’s dig a bit deeper.

Single-wide home pros and cons

Double-wide home pros and cons

The future of single-wide and double-wide homes

While both single-wide and double-wide homes differ from site-built homes, gaps between the two may narrow over time. Improvements in modular construction techniques will likely lead to more consistent quality control and more efficient designs.

In this same vein, we can also expect to see more environmentally friendly materials used in the construction of mobile homes, offering greater energy-efficiency, flexibility and customization, broadening the demographic of potential owners of single- and double-wide homes.

The bottom line

Learn more about manufactured home financing and find out whether financing with Rocket Mortgage^® is right for you. Rocket Mortgage only finances manufactured homes that have been affixed to a permanent foundation.