House, townhouse, duplex, condo, apartment, studio, mobile home and renting a room, with sizes in square feet explained.
US housing has its own words. Here is what each one means.
Types of homes
Single-family house: a house on its own piece of land, often with a yard and a garage or driveway. The most common home outside city centers.
Townhouse (townhome): a house of two or three floors that shares side walls with the houses next to it, in a row. Often has a small yard or patio.
Duplex: one building split into two homes, side by side or one up and one down. A triplex or fourplex has three or four.
Apartment: a rented unit in a building or complex owned by one company or landlord.
Condo (condominium): looks like an apartment, but each unit is owned by a different person. You may rent a condo from its owner. The building has an association with its own rules.
Mobile home (manufactured home): a factory-built home placed on land, often in a "mobile home park" where people rent the lot.
Basement or garage apartment, "in-law unit" or ADU: a small separate home inside or behind a house. Often cheaper. Check that it is legal and has proper windows and exits.
Renting a room: you rent one bedroom and share the kitchen and living room with others.
Apartment sizes
Studio: one main room for sleeping and living, plus a bathroom and a kitchen area.
1-bed (1 bedroom): a separate bedroom with a door, plus a living room.
2-bed, 2-bath ("2/2"): two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Half bath: a toilet and sink, no shower. "1.5 bath" means one full and one half bathroom.
Den or flex room: a small extra room without a closet or window that legally may not count as a bedroom.
Square feet
US homes are measured in square feet (sq ft). One square meter is about 10.8 square feet.
500 sq ft is about 46 square meters (a typical studio).
750 sq ft is about 70 square meters (a typical 1-bed).
1,000 sq ft is about 93 square meters (a typical 2-bed).
2,000 sq ft is about 186 square meters (a mid-size house).
To convert in your head: divide square feet by 10. That gives you square meters, a little high.
Other words in listings
Unfurnished: no furniture. Most US rentals are unfurnished, but a fridge and stove are usually included.
W/D in unit: washer and dryer inside your home. W/D hookups: you must buy your own.
Walk-up: no elevator.
Utilities included: some bills are in the rent. Ask exactly which ones.
Common mistakes
Comparing rent without comparing square feet and which utilities are included.
Thinking "2 bed" means two large rooms. Check the floor plan for room sizes.