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Loading...Loading...A bungalow is a small, one- or one-and-a-half-story house with a low-pitched roof, an open floor plan, and a wide front porch. It is a popular choice for both first-time home buyers and retirees.
A bungalow is a small, usually one-story house that has all of its main living areas on one floor. You can tell one by its low-pitched roof, wide front porch, and open floor plan. Some bungalows have a half-story hidden under the roofline, and sometimes a dormer window lets light into the upper space. However, most of the time, people live downstairs.
The Hindi word "bangla," which means "belonging to Bengal," is where the word comes from. British settlers in India built these low, shaded homes to stay cool in the heat of the tropics. They were great for the weather because they had wide eaves, covered porches, and lots of airflow. By the end of the 1800s, architects in England had learned about the idea, and it eventually made its way across the Atlantic to the US.
The Arts and Crafts movement and bungalows both became popular in the United States between 1900 and 1930. The appeal was simple: they were cheap to build, comfortable to live in, and made working families feel like they were making real progress toward owning their own home. Sears even sold kits for building your own bungalows through their catalog. This helped the style spread to neighborhoods all over the country. Because of that history, you can still find groups of bungalows in older neighborhoods from coast to coast.
What makes a bungalow different from other small houses? It's really about how the parts work together. A cottage can be any size or shape. Ranch homes are also one story, but they are usually longer and more spread out. A bungalow has a low roofline, built-in cabinets, and a front porch that feels like an extra room in the house. A bungalow is likely what you're looking at if you see a house with open rafters and a covered porch.
Not all bungalows look the same. Different regions developed their own take on the style, and those local variations still shape what buyers find on the market today.
This is the one most people picture when they hear the word "bungalow." Craftsman bungalows have exposed wood beams, built-in shelving, and a handmade quality that goes back to the Arts and Crafts movement. Earth-tone colors, tapered porch columns, and double-hung windows are all part of the package. The National Association of REALTORS® notes that Craftsman-style homes remain among the most sought-after architectural styles in the resale market, and it's easy to see why. They've got character you can't fake.
Architects Charles and Henry Greene designed homes in Southern California that leaned into the warm climate. California bungalows use wood, stucco, and shingle siding instead of brick. The roofs slope low with deep overhanging eaves, and the floor plan blurs the line between indoor and outdoor living. You'll find these up and down the West Coast, and they look right at home with palm trees out front.
Chicago went a completely different direction. These are brick-built, one-and-a-half-story homes with full basements and a side entrance. The city has more than 80,000 of them, making up close to a third of Chicago's single-family housing stock. They were built close together on narrow lots, and the gables run parallel to the street rather than perpendicular. If you've driven through neighborhoods on the South Side or Northwest Side, you've seen block after block of them.
Mission-style bungalows draw on Spanish architecture. Think stucco walls, clay tile roofs, and rounded archways. Prairie bungalows came out of the Chicago school of architecture, with Frank Lloyd Wright's influence showing in the flat chimneys, wide eaves, and horizontal lines that make the home hug the landscape. Both styles are less common than Craftsman or Chicago bungalows, but they pop up in pockets around the Midwest and Southwest.
Single-story living is having a real moment. A colleague of mine was working with a couple in their early thirties who had a toddler and aging parents living nearby. They wanted a home where nobody had to worry about stairs. That's the kind of thinking that keeps bungalows relevant more than a hundred years after the first ones went up in American neighborhoods.
The accessibility factor is a big one. With everything on one floor, bungalows work well for people with mobility challenges, families with young children, and anyone planning ahead for aging in place. The U.S. Census Bureau tracks housing accessibility features through the American Housing Survey, and the data shows growing demand for homes that don't need major modifications as residents get older. A bungalow's single-level layout can save thousands of dollars in future renovation costs compared to a multi-story home that might need a stairlift or a first-floor bedroom addition down the road.
There's also the maintenance angle. When your gutters, windows, and roof are all within reach of a standard ladder, you spend less on upkeep. Cleaning, painting, and basic repairs stay manageable without calling in a crew with scaffolding. That's real money back in your pocket over the years you live there.
AmeriSave borrowers who are looking at smaller, single-story homes like bungalows sometimes find that the lower purchase price can also mean a lower monthly mortgage payment. If you're comparing a 1,200-square-foot bungalow to a 2,000-square-foot two-story in the same neighborhood, the bungalow will usually carry a smaller loan balance. That difference matters when you're planning a monthly budget.
Bungalows have real charm, but they come with trade-offs that are worth thinking through before you write an offer.
Space is the most obvious one. Most bungalows run between 800 and 1,600 square feet. Rooms can feel tight, especially bedrooms and bathrooms, and storage is often limited. Built-in shelving and cabinetry help, but if you've got a growing family and years' worth of stuff, you may feel the squeeze. How much room do you actually need day to day? That's the question to sit with before you fall in love with a front porch.
Then there's the renovation factor. Many bungalows were built between 1910 and 1940, which means they can hide surprises behind the walls. Outdated wiring, old plumbing, lead paint in homes built before 1978, and sometimes even asbestos insulation are all possibilities. A thorough home inspection is non-negotiable. HUD recommends that buyers of older homes budget for potential environmental hazards as part of their due diligence. Whole-house renovation costs can run from $15 to $150 per square foot depending on the scope. For a 1,200-square-foot bungalow, even a moderate update could cost $18,000 to $72,000.
Light is another consideration. Bungalows sit lower to the ground with deep eaves that shade the windows. That's great for energy costs in summer, but it can make interiors feel dark. Dormer windows and skylights are popular fixes, though they add to the renovation budget.
Privacy can be a concern, too. With all the bedrooms on one floor and thin original walls, sound travels. That's something families with kids on different sleep schedules notice fast. And because bungalow windows sit closer to ground level, first-floor bedrooms are more accessible from the outside. Good locks, security lighting, and window treatments can help with that.
When you work with AmeriSave to get prequalified, you'll have a clear picture of what you can afford before you start touring bungalows. That way you can factor renovation costs into your overall budget and avoid falling for a home that'll stretch your finances once the repair bills come in.
There's no separate "bungalow mortgage." You'll finance a bungalow the same way you'd finance any single-family home, whether that's a conventional loan, FHA loan, VA loan, or USDA loan. The loan type that works best depends on your credit score, down payment, and the property's location and condition.
Here's where the math gets interesting, though. The national median single-family existing-home price came in at $414,900, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Bungalows in many markets sit below that median because of their smaller square footage. Say you find a well-maintained bungalow listed at $280,000. With a 5% down payment of $14,000 and a 30-year fixed-rate loan at 6.5%, your principal and interest payment would land around $1,681 per month. Add property taxes, homeowners insurance, and possibly private mortgage insurance, and you're looking at a total monthly housing cost that might be more manageable than a larger home in the same zip code.
One thing to watch: some older bungalows may not meet FHA minimum property standards without repairs. Peeling paint, faulty wiring, or a leaky roof could hold up the appraisal process. If the seller won't make the fixes, you may need to look at a renovation loan like the FHA 203(k) that lets you roll the purchase price and repair costs into a single mortgage. AmeriSave's team can walk you through those options if the bungalow you want needs some work before you move in.
On the flip side, bungalows in hot markets with limited inventory can get competitive fast. Older neighborhoods with walkable streets and mature trees attract buyers who value character over new construction. Don't assume a bungalow will always be the affordable option. In some zip codes, that Craftsman charm carries a real premium.
One of the best things about a bungalow is how much potential you can unlock with smart renovations. Because the footprint is compact, even modest upgrades can make a noticeable difference in how the home feels and functions.
Start with the kitchen and bathrooms. These are the rooms where your money goes the furthest in terms of both daily comfort and resale value. A kitchen renovation on a bungalow can run anywhere from $35,000 to $55,000 for a standard update, with costs climbing if you're opening up walls or adding an island. Bathroom updates in an older home can range from $20,000 to $65,000 depending on fixtures and finishes. Those numbers sound steep, but remember that you're working with a smaller home. The total project cost stays lower than it would on a 3,000-square-foot house.
Opening up the floor plan is another common move. Many original bungalows had smaller, defined rooms separated by walls. Removing a non-load-bearing wall between the kitchen and living area can transform the feel of the whole house. Just make sure your contractor checks whether the wall is structural before anyone picks up a sledgehammer.
If you need more space, building up into the attic is usually cheaper than building out. Finishing an attic can cost between $25,000 and $75,000, but it adds a bedroom, office, or play area without changing the home's footprint on the lot. That's a real advantage on the narrow lots where many bungalows sit.
For aging-in-place modifications, bungalows already have a head start. You won't need an elevator or a stairlift. Focus instead on wider doorways, grab bars in the bathroom, non-slip flooring, and lever-style door handles. Average accessibility modifications cost between $3,000 and $15,000, which is a fraction of what a multi-story home might need.
AmeriSave offers home equity loan and HELOC options that can help fund renovation projects once you've built equity in the property. These products let you borrow against the value of your home so you're not draining your savings account to pay for upgrades.
It's helpful to know where bungalows fit into the bigger picture of housing styles when you're looking for a home. There is more to the differences than just how they look.
A ranch home is the most similar type of home to a bungalow. Both are on one level, but ranches are usually wider and more spread out. Ranches were built after World War II for big suburban lots with a lot of space. Bungalows are usually smaller and were made for smaller lots in cities or inner-ring suburbs. You'll also see that bungalows focus more on the front porch and handmade details, while ranches tend to have a simpler, more streamlined look.
Colonials and Cape Cods with two stories have more square footage on a smaller lot, which is why they are popular in places where land is expensive. But they give up space for easy access. A bungalow solves the problem of stairs for everyone in the house, whether they have trouble with them now or might in the future.
Another thing to compare are new townhomes and condos. They cost about the same as bungalows, but owning one is different. You own the land, the building, and the yard with a bungalow. You don't have to follow any rules about what color to paint your front door. That independence is a big draw for buyers who want to be in charge of their property without having to share walls or pay monthly fees to an association.
If you're thinking about these options, AmeriSave's prequalification process can help you figure out a clear budget range so you can look at homes of different styles and prices.
Bungalows are very useful for their size. They are cheap, easy to get to, and have a lot of personality that newer homes can't match. Bungalows should be on your list whether you're a first-time home buyer looking for a starter home, a retiree planning to live on one floor, or just someone who loves a good front porch. Before you make an offer, do your research on the costs of renovations, get a good inspection, and learn about your financing options. AmeriSave can help you get started with a prequalification that only takes a few minutes online. This way, you'll feel sure when you go to your first showing.
Most bungalows have between 800 and 1,600 square feet of living space on the main floor. Some have a partial upper story or a finished attic that adds a few hundred more square feet, but the main living area is still on one level. Bungalows are cheaper than bigger homes because they are smaller. AmeriSave's mortgage calculator can help you figure out how the size of a bungalow affects your monthly payment by letting you change the loan amount and interest rate.
Bungalows in established neighborhoods with streets that are easy to walk on and mature landscaping tend to keep their value. Their unique architecture and limited availability in many markets can drive demand, especially among buyers who want to live on one level. The most important things are where it is and how it is. A well-kept Craftsman bungalow in a good area may go up in value faster than a home of the same size that doesn't have the same charm. Before you start looking at neighborhoods, AmeriSave's prequalification tool can help you figure out how much money you have to spend.
The cost of renovations depends on what the house needs. A full gut renovation on an older bungalow could cost $60 to $150 per square foot, while light cosmetic updates could cost $15 to $60 per square foot. That means the price range for a 1,200-square-foot home is between $18,000 and $180,000. National averages include specific projects like updating a kitchen ($35,000 to $55,000) or remodeling a bathroom ($20,000 to $65,000). You can use AmeriSave's home equity loan options to pay for big remodeling projects.
Yes, you can, but it's one of the most costly home improvement projects. Adding a full second story usually costs between $100 and $300 per square foot and requires a lot of work to strengthen the foundation and framing. Finishing the attic space you already have is a less expensive option that costs between $25,000 and $75,000. Before you start either project, make sure to check your local zoning rules. These rules may limit what you can build by setting height and setback limits.
Bungalows are one of the best types of homes for people who want to stay in their own homes as they get older because the main living areas are already on one floor. You won't need a stairlift or an elevator, and basic accessibility improvements like grab bars, wider doorways, and non-slip flooring cost between $3,000 and $15,000 on average. The American Housing Survey from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau keeps track of features that make homes easier to get to. Single-story homes always get higher scores for long-term livability.
A bungalow is a type of house that is defined by its size, shape, and layout. Craftsman is a style of architecture that is known for its natural materials, exposed beams, and hand-crafted details. You can have a Craftsman-style bungalow, but not every Craftsman home is a bungalow and not every bungalow is Craftsman. A two-story house can have Craftsman details without being a bungalow, and a simple, plain bungalow might not have any Craftsman details at all. The resource center at AmeriSave has more guides on how to pick the right home for you.
You can get a loan for a bungalow just like you would for any other single-family home. FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans all work, but they depend on your credit score and where the property is. An FHA 203(k) renovation loan lets you combine the cost of buying a bungalow with the cost of fixing it up into one mortgage. AmeriSave can help you find the best loan type for your needs by comparing them.
It depends on where you are and what style you want. Most of the time, Chicago bungalows have full basements that can be used for storage, laundry, or even a finished living space. Bungalows in warmer places like California and the South are more likely to have a crawl space or slab foundation. If you want a finished basement, ask about the type of foundation before you set up a tour. A basement can make a bungalow feel a lot bigger than the square footage above ground would lead you to believe. You can use AmeriSave's ComeHome to look for bungalows in your area and narrow your search by the features that are important to you.
Bungalows have more living space on one level, which means they need a bigger roof and a bigger foundation for the same amount of interior space. Those two things are both very expensive parts of a house. The roof area of a 1,200-square-foot bungalow is the same as the roof area of the first floor of a 2,400-square-foot two-story house. That's why the price per square foot can be higher, even if the total price of the home is lower. You can use AmeriSave's mortgage rates page to see how your monthly payment changes depending on the price of the house.
Bungalows are most common in neighborhoods that were built between 1900 and 1940 and are now well-known. There are a lot of bungalow-style homes in cities like Chicago, Portland, Los Angeles, Louisville, and Minneapolis. In historic districts and inner-ring suburbs, where the streets are lined with old trees and sidewalks, you'll find them. With AmeriSave's ComeHome, you can search by neighborhood and look through listings to see what bungalows are for sale in the area you want to live in.
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