Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects

Difference between Condo and Townhome 

A condominium and a townhouse are different types of housing structures that are considered by individuals who want to buy or rent a house.


Difference between Condo and Townhome 

What is a Condominium?

A condo is a type of housing unit, specifically an apartment that is part of a large property, which is privately owned by an individual (homeowner) while all the residents of the property jointly own other connecting areas of the property.


Difference between Condo and Townhome 

What is a Townhome?

A townhome is a type of house unit where one or two parts of the house, specifically walls, are shared between adjacent houses. This means that the owner owns the interior parts of the house while the exterior parts are shared among other members of the community.


Difference between Condo and Townhome

Architectural Design of Condo and Townhome

Condominium units are known to be available in many architectural designs which increases the variety that individuals are looking forward to buying or rent a house. Condos are known to be available in large high rise or cottages among others.

Townhomes follow a strict design which reduces the changes of many architectural designs. Townhouses are commonly designed in rows, which means that tenants usually share walls with their neighbors. Townhomes are commonly available in stories.

Home Owners Association Fees for Condo vs. Townhome

The homeowner’s fees for condominium units are significantly high as compared to the townhouse fees because owners of condo units are required to pay for maintenance of communally owned properties.

Condo unit owners are required to pay for the upkeep of exterior facilities which may include pest control, grass lawn maintenance, flower garden maintenance, and trash removal.

On the other hand, homeowners’ association fees are relatively lower for townhouse owners because they are required to pay for their upkeep. Some of the maintenance paid by homeowners association include general maintenance and trash removal.

Privacy of the Property for Condo and Townhome

Condos offer a significant sense of security but there is shared hallways and reception. Townhomes do not offer shared hallways or reception area and they do not have individuals living above or below them.

Maintenance Fees for Condo and Townhome

Condominium units are highly known to have higher monthly expenses when it comes to maintenance fees. This is because the condo owners are required to contribute a significant amount of money which go toward exterior and community space repairs.

On the other hand, townhome owners typically pay relative monthly maintenance fees because the home association pays for some of the shared facilities and trash collection. However, it is worth noting that townhouse owners pay relatively higher for exterior and interior maintenance.

Home Insurance Charges for Condo and Townhome

In condominium units, home insurance charges are significantly lower because owners are only required to insure only the interior of their houses.

The home insurance rates for townhouses are higher because the homeowners are required to pay for both interior and exterior parts of the house.

Size of Condo and Townhome

It has been recorded that condo units are available in many sizes and a significantly large number of architectural designs. However, condominium units are known to be substantially smaller than townhomes.

Townhomes do not feature a significant number of architectural designs but are known to be quite large and often feature multiple stories hence providing spacious rooms for living and storage purposes.

Ownership of Condo and Townhome

The ownership of condominium unit is only restricted to the interior parts of the house. Other parts of the property which include exterior walls, lawn, and communal areas are owned by the homeowners association.

The ownership of townhomes usually ranges from interior parts, exteriors sections which include the roof, lawn, and driveway. However, the communal areas like playground and golf areas are owned by the community.

Sense of Community in Condo vs. Townhome

Condos usually have a significantly higher sense of community where the members have a community clubhouse, swimming pool, golf course, and similar social amenities.

On the other hand, townhouses do not have a sense of community as many of the facilities are privately owned. However, there is a relative sense of community where large facilities such as medical facilities and golf courses are shared.

Difference between Condo and Townhome

Condo VERSUS Townhome


Summary of Condo vs. Townhome

  • A condominium is a housing unit where a part of the property is privately owned, and other sections are shared while a townhome is a housing unit where an individual possesses a section of the property while at the same time sharing the one or two walls with other owners.
  • Home insurance for condominium units is significantly lower while the home insurance charges for townhouses are higher because owners pay for both exterior and interior insurance charges.
  • There is a sense of community in condo units as many properties are commonly shared while there is a relative sense of community in townhouses as several facilities are privately owned.
  • Although they are significantly smaller in size, condominium units come with many architectural designs while townhouses come spacious enough to accommodate large families.

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    References :

    [0]Image credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/smart_growth/2454984708

    [1]Image credit: https://pixabay.com/en/condo-apartment-building-2618421/

    [2]Fiedler, John A. "Condominium design and pricing: a case study in consumer trade-off analysis." ACR Special Volumes (1972). 

    [3]Hyatt, Wayne S. Condominium and homeowner association practice: Community associationlaw. Philadelphia, PA: American Law Institute-American Bar Association, 2000. 

    [4]White, Jeanne S. "Beating plowshares into townhomes: The loss of farmland and strategies for slowing its conversion to nonagricultural uses." Envtl. L. 28 (1998): 113. 


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