If you are thinking about simplifying your next move in Ankeny, you may be asking a smart question: should you choose a townhome or a single-family home? Downsizing is not just about square footage. It is about finding the right mix of comfort, cost, upkeep, and flexibility for the way you want to live now. This guide will walk you through the tradeoffs in Ankeny so you can compare both options with more confidence. Let’s dive in.
Why this choice matters in Ankeny
Ankeny is a large and growing market, with a July 1, 2024 population estimate of 76,727 and an owner-occupied housing rate of 71.0%, according to U.S. Census QuickFacts for Ankeny. The same source shows a median value of owner-occupied homes of $311,300, and 11.3% of residents are age 65 or older.
That matters if you are downsizing because Ankeny offers a broad mix of housing choices, but the right fit depends on more than price alone. The Census also reports a median selected monthly owner cost with a mortgage of $1,930, which gives you a helpful baseline when you start comparing your own monthly housing budget.
According to Redfin’s Ankeny housing market snapshot, the median sale price was $351,590 in March 2026, median days on market were 102, and 22.4% of homes sold above list price. In other words, this is an active market, but buyers still need to look closely at value, condition, and total monthly cost.
Compare price, not just property type
A common assumption is that a townhome will automatically cost less than a detached home. In Ankeny right now, that is not always true.
Current Ankeny townhome listings on Redfin show 10 townhouses for sale at a median listing price of $362K. At the same time, Ankeny single-story homes on Redfin show 217 homes for sale at a median listing price of $353K.
That gap is small. It tells you that community, age, finish level, location within Ankeny, and HOA structure can matter just as much as whether the home is attached or detached.
What you may get with an Ankeny townhome
For many downsizers, the biggest draw of a townhome is a lower day-to-day workload. Several active Ankeny townhome examples include features buyers often want in this stage of life, such as attached garages, exterior maintenance coverage, lawn care, and snow removal.
For example, current townhome listings in Ankeny include options like a 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath corner townhome priced at $264,900 with $175 monthly HOA dues that cover maintenance grounds and maintenance structure. Other listings show HOA benefits that may include internet service, lawn care, snow removal, and exterior maintenance.
A specific Ankeny townhome example on Redfin also highlights features like a 2-car attached garage and a low-maintenance HOA structure. In some cases, details like end-unit placement, finished lower levels, or fewer rental restrictions may also affect how appealing a property feels now and at resale.
Townhome pros for downsizers
- Less exterior work to manage yourself
- More predictable responsibility for common-area and exterior upkeep
- Attached garage options are common
- Some communities include extra conveniences like internet service
- End-unit or low-maintenance layouts can feel easier to manage over time
Townhome tradeoffs to watch
- HOA dues add to your monthly cost
- Rules and restrictions may affect how you use the property
- Shared walls may feel less private than a detached home
- Inventory is more limited than detached homes in Ankeny
What you may get with a smaller single-family home
If you value privacy, outdoor space, or freedom from association rules, a smaller detached home may be a better fit. Ankeny has a much broader supply of detached options, especially if you are looking for one-level living.
Recent Ankeny home sales on Redfin show downsizer-friendly examples like a zero-entry ranch on a 0.41-acre lot with three bedrooms and two bathrooms on the main floor, a primary suite with a walk-in shower, and a dedicated laundry room. Another recent sale was a 1,262-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 2-bath home that sold for $295,000.
These examples show that you may be able to find one-level living without an HOA. The tradeoff is that you will usually be more directly responsible for yard work, snow removal, and exterior maintenance.
Single-family pros for downsizers
- More privacy and separation from neighbors
- More choices in Ankeny right now
- Possibility of one-level or zero-entry living
- No HOA dues in many cases
- Fewer association rules to review
Single-family tradeoffs to watch
- You are more likely to handle exterior upkeep yourself
- Costs for lawn care, repairs, and snow removal may be less predictable
- A yard may be more than you want to maintain over time
Look at total monthly cost
When you are downsizing, the best value is not always the home with the lower list price. The better question is what your full monthly housing cost will look like.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends budgeting for property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA fees, maintenance, home improvement, and utilities as separate monthly line items. That is a very useful framework if you are comparing a townhome and a detached home in Ankeny.
This is especially important because CFPB also notes that HOA dues are usually paid separately from your mortgage and can range from a few hundred dollars a month to more than $1,000 a month. HOA dues are not a minor detail. They can change the full cost picture quickly.
Local examples show how this can work in real life. One active Ankeny townhome shows estimated property taxes of $336 per month plus $175 per month in HOA dues, while one detached Ankeny home shows estimated property taxes of $676 per month and no HOA dues, based on this Redfin listing example. These are not direct one-to-one comparisons, but they show why you should compare the full monthly picture instead of focusing on one line item.
Check Iowa homestead benefits
If the home will be your primary Iowa residence, you may be eligible for homestead-related property tax benefits whether you buy a townhome or a single-family home.
According to the State of Iowa homestead credit guidance, the homestead credit applies to owner-occupied homes and continues as long as you remain eligible. Applications are due by July 1 for the current assessment year.
The Iowa Department of Revenue also states that there is a homestead tax exemption for claimants age 65 or older on or before January 1 of the assessment year. For assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, that exemption is $6,500 of taxable value. Because it reduces taxable value rather than offering a flat-dollar rebate, your actual savings will depend on the local levy rate.
Think about resale later, too
Even if this is your downsizing move, resale still matters. You want a home that works well for you now and remains appealing if your plans change later.
In Ankeny, detached homes offer a much larger selection than townhomes. Redfin currently shows 217 single-story homes versus 10 townhouses, based on its single-story inventory page and townhouse inventory page. That smaller townhome supply can help a well-priced, low-maintenance listing stand out, but it can also mean the buyer pool is more sensitive to HOA dues and association rules.
On the other hand, some townhomes may have resale-friendly features that broaden appeal, such as end-unit privacy, finished basements, attached 2-car garages, exterior maintenance coverage, or included internet service, as shown in this Ankeny listing example. In either property type, the strongest resale position usually comes from matching the home to the right buyer priorities.
How to choose the better fit
If you are deciding between a townhome and a single-family home in Ankeny, focus on your lifestyle first. Then use the numbers to confirm the choice.
A townhome may be the better fit if you want less exterior upkeep, a more predictable maintenance structure, and are comfortable reviewing HOA dues and rules. A smaller detached home may be the better fit if you want more privacy, some yard space, and fewer association restrictions.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- How much exterior work do you want to handle yourself?
- Do monthly HOA dues feel worth it for the services included?
- Would you rather have a yard or less maintenance?
- Is one-level or zero-entry living your top priority?
- How important are privacy and fewer shared walls?
- What does the full monthly cost look like after taxes, insurance, dues, and upkeep?
The best downsizing move is the one that supports your next chapter, not just your current budget.
If you want help comparing real options in Ankeny, Stephanie Dart can help you weigh layout, monthly cost, maintenance, and resale so your next home fits both your lifestyle and your long-term goals.
FAQs
Are townhomes always cheaper than single-family homes in Ankeny?
- No. Current Redfin data shows Ankeny townhouses at a median listing price of $362K and single-story homes at a median listing price of $353K, so the better value depends on the specific home, finishes, and HOA structure.
Can you use Iowa homestead benefits on a townhome in Ankeny?
- Yes. If the property is your Iowa homestead and you meet the filing requirements, Iowa homestead benefits can apply whether you buy a townhome or a detached home.
Do HOA fees replace maintenance costs for Ankeny townhomes?
- Not exactly. HOA dues are a separate monthly expense, but they may cover some exterior or common-area responsibilities that a detached homeowner would otherwise pay for directly.
Are there more single-family options than townhomes in Ankeny for downsizers?
- Yes. Current Redfin inventory shows far more single-story detached homes than townhouses in Ankeny, which gives you more variety if you want a smaller single-family option.
What should downsizers compare when choosing between an Ankeny townhome and house?
- Compare total monthly cost, HOA dues, property taxes, maintenance needs, one-level living features, privacy, and any rules that may affect how you want to live in the home.
