Cost of Moving & Settling in a Mobile Home

Buying a New Mobile Home

• The cost of manufacturing a factory-built mobile home is much cheaper than building homes on site. Traditional houses cost, on average, $70 per square foot while manufactured homes cost between $35 and $45 per square foot. Buyers can purchase either single or double new mobile homes. Single homes cost $38,000 on average and doubles cost $75,800 in 2008, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Regional Prices

• The cost of buying a manufactured home varies by region. The U.S. Census Bureau divides the country into four geographical areas to compare costs. Although these prices may differ throughout the years, in 2008 (the most recent reported year), the Midwest was the least expensive region to buy a single home, at $39,400, while the South was the less expensive for double homes, at $72,700. The most expensive regions were the Northeast for single homes, at $46,100, and the West for double homes, at $87,100. Single homes in the South cost $36,900 and $42,700 in the West. In the Northeast, double homes cost on average $77,700 while the cost was $75,400 in the Midwest.

Buying a Used Home

• The cost of a preowned manufactured home varies greatly depending on its condition and type. A temporary shelter can cost as little as $500 but may serve badly as a long-term investment due to the high costs involved in repairs. Buyers can find a used double mobile home for between $25,000 and $75,000, depending on how well it is maintained.

Rental Space

• The cost of renting a space in a trailer park ranges from $100 to $1,000 per month, which is dependant on other amenities available, such as a swimming pool, tennis court and clubhouse, the size of the lot, landscaping, services and parking facilities. The rental cost usually includes the water, sewer and trash disposal services, even in parks of lower cost.