Aurora, Colorado
59.2%
lower typical value for a one-bedroom home
A typical three-bedroom home is valued at $450,548, compared with $183,891 for a one-bedroom: a difference of $266,657.
The Downsizing Index
Where downsizing makes the biggest difference
A smaller home can open up new possibilities. Mirador Living compared three-bedroom and one-bedroom home values and rents in America's 50 largest cities to see where the financial difference is greatest.
Explore the city rankings ↓How we compared the citiesKey findings
San Francisco, California
$970,744
between typical three- and one-bedroom values
The biggest dollar difference is in San Francisco, where the typical values are $1,741,308 and $770,564 respectively.
Bakersfield, California
41.1%
lower median gross rent for one bedroom
Median monthly rent falls from $1,986 for three bedrooms to $1,170 for one bedroom, a difference of $816.
The downsizing difference, city by city
See where downsizing could offer the biggest financial savings, and select a city to explore its full breakdown.
Scroll within the table to see all cities. On mobile, swipe sideways for every measure.
| Overall rank | City | Difference (%) |
|---|
Things to consider before downsizing
The potential savings are only part of the picture. Before making a move, consider the costs and practicalities that could affect your decision.
Explore Mirador's independent living guide ↗- Start with the net amount Allow for any mortgage balance, selling fees, closing costs, and the move itself.
- Compare ongoing expenses Look at HOA fees, property taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance.
- Check whether the home fits your life Consider accessibility, transport, nearby support, and space for visitors.
- Keep housing and care costs separate This study compares home values and rents. It does not measure senior living fees or the cost of care.
Methodology and sources
Mirador Living compared typical three-bedroom and one-bedroom home values across the 50 most populous US cities, selected using the Census Bureau's July 2025 population estimates. Home values use Zillow's August 2026 city-level Home Value Index; rents use the Census Bureau's 2024 ACS one-year median gross rents by bedroom count. The main ranking orders cities by the percentage difference in typical home value, calculated as (three-bedroom value − one-bedroom value) ÷ three-bedroom value × 100. Home values were rounded to whole dollars before calculating differences. Dollar differences and rent comparisons are presented separately. Philadelphia and Detroit are excluded from the home-value rankings because their differences are negative; all 50 cities are ranked on rent. The figures compare housing stocks, not individual transactions, and exclude selling costs, closing costs, and HOA fees.
Sources
- US Census Bureau: Vintage 2025 city population estimates
- Zillow Home Value Index: three-bedroom homes · August 2026
- Zillow Home Value Index: one-bedroom homes · August 2026
- US Census Bureau: 2024 ACS, table B25031 · Median gross rent by bedrooms
Read the detailed data notes
Zillow's index covers typical mid-tier homes, including single-family homes and condos, with smoothed and seasonally adjusted values. One-bedroom homes are mostly condos and three-bedroom homes mostly single-family houses, so the gap reflects property type as well as size. Consolidated cities use balance populations for Indianapolis, Nashville, and Louisville.
ACS gross rents include utilities and cover all renter households, including long-term tenants. They should not be read as current asking rents. They are survey estimates with margins of error, and small rent differences may not be statistically distinct. San Francisco's three-bedroom rent is top-coded at $3,500 or more. Its reported $1,070 monthly rent difference is therefore a minimum, using the source's $3,501 coding.
Home-value and rent figures cover different periods. Positive differences are not guaranteed savings, proceeds, or available equity for a particular household. All cities have values for each measure. Percentages are displayed to one decimal place, while sorting uses the underlying calculation. Tied source ranks are preserved.