Tiny houses are becoming more and more popular as a way to live simply, in big spaces, and with less of an impact on the environment. They have been around since the mid-1990s, but only recently has there been a serious push to make them legal in many areas of America. In this article, you’ll find all of the information that you need about where it’s possible to live comfortably in your own tiny home.
The 11 Best States for Tiny House Living are:
- Utah
- New York
- North Carolina
- Arizona
- Washington
- Oregon
- Texas
- Colorado
- Florida
- California
- Nevada
Each state has reasons why they are great for tiny house living. Keep reading for more on each state.
Utah
Utah is a beautiful, mountainous state with plenty of space for tiny houses. It is also a very safe place to live. Suppose you’re looking for an alternative way of life. In that case, Utah has many different friendly communities towards people who want to live simply.
Utah is also one of the most affordable states for housing in America. Just make sure you follow the proper zoning laws and regulations so that you can live there without any problems.
Utah also features a thriving economy with plenty of work opportunities.
New York
New York might not be the first state to come to mind when thinking about tiny house living, but it should definitely be on your list of places where this is possible and legal.
New York borders Canada in a way that makes for easy access across the border if necessary. It is also situated on the coast of Lake Erie, which means easy access to water.
New York has a thriving economy with jobs in urban and rural areas for people who want or need them. And it’s not as expensive as other states that are comparable in size.
New York is also very affordable when it comes to housing costs. The state has plenty of space for tiny houses. There are many communities with cooperative living arrangements where people can rent out their homes or land to live on a smaller scale.
North Carolina
North Carolina has many beautiful mountain ranges where you can go for day hikes and enjoy the scenery. The poverty rate in North Carolina is 18.0% which means that many people live paycheck to paycheck and struggle with food insecurity. However, it’s still a state where you can find some of the lowest housing prices in America. There’s also an abundance of land available for building tiny houses or other small structures.
North Carolina is a state where you can start with very little money and keep living affordably, even if your income starts to grow.
The state of North Carolina has met the needs of its tiny house living residents by building more than forty affordable housing projects, which range from developments that offer low-cost rental units to others where people can live permanently or temporarily until they have enough resources for their own place.
Arizona
Arizona might not be known for its acceptance of tiny houses. Still, there are some places where they’re legal and even encouraged. In fact, Tucson believes so strongly in this movement towards sustainability that it has put together a set of guidelines for tiny homes.
They have also made it possible to live comfortably in smaller spaces by making agreements with the city about putting these houses on their property and using them as an addition or primary residence.
Washington
Washington is a beautiful state and Seattle is known for its love of green living, sustainability, and progressive thinking when it comes to architecture. The city is very accepting of tiny houses. It even has an organization called the Community Land Trust dedicated to helping people find places to live if they want a more sustainable lifestyle in Seattle.
Seattle is a very expensive place to live, with rents averaging $2000 for a two-bedroom apartment. On the other hand, tiny houses can be purchased as low as $5000 in Seattle, and monthly rent starts at around $400 per month, which may or may not include utilities.
Oregon
Like many states on this list, Oregon is known for being environmentally friendly and progressive when it comes to housing options, so there are plenty of places where you can find a tiny house community to live in. Oregon is also one of the most affordable states on this list. It has land for sale that is perfect for building your own private home or getting access to existing development.
Portland has been named one of the top 15 cities in the US for tiny living. The city is known to have abundant resources, including a co-op that offers workshops on building and maintaining your own tiny home.
Oregon is also one of the most affordable states for residents looking into buying a tiny house.
Texas
Texas might not be known for being green, but don’t let that stop you from living in a tiny house there. Texas is one of the most affordable states on this list. They also have land for sale where it’s possible to build your own private home or get access to existing development.
The Lone Star State is the second most affordable state according to a study by SmartAsset. Also, Texas has land for sale where it’s possible to build your own private home or get access to existing development.
There are no zoning laws in place in Texas, so you can find land anywhere that suits your needs. The Texas legislature passed a law in 2015 that permits the construction of tiny houses on wheels, which is excellent news for those interested in this type of living situation.
While oil may not be part of your lifestyle here, natural gas and solar power are plentiful options to explore if you’re considering modernizing your house with lower energy bills.
Best of all, Texas isn’t just about plains and cowboys. There are large metropolitan areas like Dallas with vibrant neighborhoods full of culture – perfect for exploring in a tiny house!
Colorado
Colorado has some of the most affordable housing in the country, even for those who might not qualify as traditional homeowners. And while it’s true that Colorado ranks high on our list of states with a high elevation (average around 8000 feet), there are plenty of things to do once you arrive.
As an added bonus, Denver has one of the best airports in the country if you’re not feeling the altitude. He is conveniently located near many other cities that are worth a visit too.
There are also many cooperative living communities where you can rent out your homes or land so that people in the tiny house movement can live on a smaller scale.
If you like to take advantage of all there is to do outdoors for free or at low cost, Colorado will be your favorite state on this list.
Florida
Florida is one of the cheapest states in terms of utilities. In fact, it’s the third least expensive state for water and energy costs. – The average home price per square foot in Florida is $92.
Several communities in Florida have gone “tiny house” as well. There are a few different towns where residents can live in their tiny homes and still access all the amenities they need, like utilities, sewer service, internet access, community recreation areas, etc. – One example is Tumbleweed Houses; these homes come fully furnished so you can move in right away.
In Florida, there are no specific building codes that pertain to tiny homes. Still, they do have a long history of tiny houses, so it’s acceptable in most areas as long as it meets the local requirements.
California
California is also one of the best states for tiny house living in the most populous state in the country. The city of Santa Monica has a municipal code for homes under 400 square feet. It even provides incentives like reduced parking requirements to make it easier for those who live in these smaller spaces.
If you’re looking for more than just a tiny house, California might be the state for you. They have a long history of building tiny houses on wheels, and it’s legal in many areas to build one that is less than 200 square feet if you’re living there full-time.
California is also one of the most expensive states in America for taxes. Still, if you’re looking for a place with culture and plenty to do, this is your best bet.
Nevada
In Nevada, tiny homes are allowed in all counties as long as they meet size requirements for the land. – One of the best things about building a tiny house in Nevada is that there’s not an annual property tax
If you’re looking for something with more space, it does have its perks too. Many communities in and around Las Vegas offer large lots where people can build their own personal houses on land they actually own – instead of renting an apartment.
Conclusion
The best states for tiny house living are found in various places; it just depends on your personal preference and what you’re looking to get out of the experience. If you want an affordable place with plenty to do, Florida might be the perfect destination for you. Nevada is also a great option if you don’t mind dealing with some taxes but still want access to all the amenities that come from living near Las Vegas or other major cities nearby. Colorado offers ample opportunities outside of city life, so it’s not just about how many people live there – research which state will provide the right balance between culture and affordability!