A townhome is usually the better choice if you want more square footage, a private entrance, an attached garage, and less noise from neighbors, while an apartment tends to make more sense if you want the lowest possible rent and little to no exterior upkeep. Both are popular ways to rent in Salt Lake City, and the right one comes down to how much space you need, how much privacy matters to you, and what you’re willing to pay for it. If you’re leaning toward more room to spread out, a townhome like the ones at Gabbott’s Row is worth a close look before you sign a lease.
Below, we break down how townhomes and apartments actually differ, the real pros and cons of each in the Salt Lake City market, how the costs compare, and how to decide which one fits your lifestyle.
What’s the Difference Between a Townhome and an Apartment?
The core difference is structural. A townhome is typically a multi-level home that shares at most one or two walls with neighboring units, with its own private entrance and often its own garage. An apartment is usually a single-level unit inside a larger building, sharing walls, hallways, and sometimes floors with several other units.
How Townhomes Are Built and Laid Out
Townhomes are built more like small single-family homes. Most have two or more stories, a private front door that opens directly to the outside rather than a shared hallway, and dedicated parking, often in an attached garage. Layouts tend to separate bedrooms from living space by floor, which cuts down on shared noise.
How Apartments Are Built and Laid Out
Apartments are usually part of a larger multifamily building, arranged around shared hallways, stairwells, or elevators. Most apartment floor plans are single-level, and parking is typically an open lot, carport, or shared garage rather than a private one attached to your unit.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Apartment Living in Salt Lake City?
Apartments remain one of the most common rental options in Salt Lake City, and for good reason. They tend to be more affordable, easier to maintain, and often come with resort-style community amenities that would be expensive to have on your own.
Advantages of Renting an Apartment
- Lower monthly rent on average compared to townhomes with similar bedroom counts
- Lower utility costs, since single-level units are generally smaller and less expensive to heat and cool
- Minimal exterior upkeep, since landscaping, snow removal, and building maintenance are handled by the property
- Shared amenities, like fitness centers, pools, and clubhouses, that are often included in the rent
Drawbacks of Renting an Apartment
- Shared walls and hallways can mean more noise from neighbors
- Less privacy, especially in buildings with shared entrances and common areas
- Limited storage and parking, since most apartments don’t include a private garage
- Smaller floor plans on average, which can feel tight for larger households
What Are the Pros and Cons of Townhome Living in Salt Lake City?
Townhomes offer a middle ground between an apartment and a single-family house, and they’ve become increasingly popular in Salt Lake City for renters who want more space and privacy without taking on full homeownership.
Advantages of Renting a Townhome
- More square footage, typically spread across two or more floors
- A private entrance, so you’re not sharing a hallway or stairwell with neighbors
- An attached garage, which means secure parking and extra storage in most Salt Lake City townhome communities, including Gabbott’s Row
- Fewer shared walls, which generally means less noise between units
- A more residential, house-like feel, often with outdoor space like a patio, balcony, or rooftop terrace
Drawbacks of Renting a Townhome
- Higher monthly rent than a comparable apartment in the same area
- More stairs, since most townhomes are multi-level, which isn’t ideal for everyone
- Higher utility costs, since more square footage generally costs more to heat and cool
Which Lifestyle Fits a Townhome vs an Apartment Best?
The right fit often comes down to daily routine as much as budget. Here’s how the two options tend to line up with different lifestyles.
Remote Workers and Professionals Who Want Quiet
If you work from home or simply want a quieter place to unwind, a townhome’s fewer shared walls and private entrance make it easier to avoid hallway noise, neighbor foot traffic, and shared-building distractions.
Roommates and Shared Households
Multi-level townhomes naturally separate bedrooms and living space, which gives roommates more privacy from one another than a single-level apartment layout typically allows.
Pet Owners
A private entrance and, in many Salt Lake City townhome communities, a small yard, patio, or pet run make it easier to get pets outside quickly. Gabbott’s Row, for example, offers a dog wash and pet run for residents with pets.
Renters Who Want the Lowest Monthly Cost
If keeping rent as low as possible is the top priority and you don’t need much space, a smaller apartment floor plan is usually the more budget-friendly choice.
How Do Townhome and Apartment Costs Compare in Salt Lake City?
Cost is often the deciding factor, so it’s worth looking at real numbers. As of 2026, the average apartment rent in Salt Lake City runs about $1,816 per month for a two-bedroom and $2,132 for a three-bedroom, according to RentCafe. Townhomes generally rent higher than apartments of a similar bedroom count because they include more square footage, a private garage, and additional storage that apartments typically don’t offer.
| Feature | Typical Salt Lake City Apartment | Gabbott’s Row Townhome |
|---|---|---|
| Bedrooms | 1–3 | 2–3 |
| Layout | Single level | Multi-level |
| Parking | Open lot or shared garage | Attached 2-car garage |
| Entrance | Shared hallway | Private entrance |
| Outdoor space | Limited or none | Patio or rooftop terrace (select units) |
| Starting rent (2-bedroom) | ~$1,816/month (city average) | From $2,639/month |
*Salt Lake City apartment average is a citywide figure from RentCafe and will vary by neighborhood and building age; Gabbott’s Row pricing reflects current published rates and is subject to change.
Why the Higher Rent Can Still Be the Better Value
A townhome’s higher rent often includes things you’d otherwise pay for separately, like a private garage instead of a parking pass, more square footage instead of paying for storage elsewhere, and a private entrance instead of shared-building wear and tear. For renters who need the space anyway, the price gap is often smaller than it first appears once those extras are factored in.
What Amenities Make Townhome Living at Gabbott’s Row Stand Out?
Beyond the basic townhome-vs-apartment differences, the specific community you choose matters just as much. At Gabbott’s Row, every home includes an attached two-car garage, a private entrance, a full-size washer and dryer, quartz countertops, and stainless-steel appliances, with select units offering a private rooftop terrace.
The community itself also includes an outdoor sauna, a cold plunge, a pizza oven, and an outdoor grill and dining area, along with a dog wash and pet run for residents with pets. It’s a private, gated community, which adds a further layer of privacy on top of the townhome layout itself.
How Do You Decide Between a Townhome and an Apartment in Salt Lake City?
If you’re still weighing the decision, ask yourself these questions:
- How much space do I actually need? If you regularly feel cramped in a one-level layout, a multi-level townhome will likely feel more comfortable.
- How much does privacy matter to me? If shared walls and hallway noise bother you, a townhome’s private entrance is a meaningful upgrade.
- Do I need a garage? If you own multiple vehicles, work on projects at home, or just want secure, weatherproof parking, a townhome’s attached garage is hard to replace.
- What’s my true budget? Compare full costs, not just base rent. Include parking fees, storage unit costs, and utilities when comparing an apartment to a townhome.
- How long do I plan to stay? Renters planning to stay a year or more often get more long-term value out of a townhome’s extra space and privacy.
Why Is Gabbott’s Row a Great Place to Rent a Townhome in Salt Lake City?
If you’ve decided a townhome is the right fit, Gabbott’s Row offers spacious 2- to 3-bedroom townhomes for rent in Salt Lake City, each with an attached two-car garage, a private entrance, and modern finishes throughout. The pet-friendly, gated community is designed for renters who want the extra space and privacy of a townhome without giving up convenient access to the rest of the city.
For more on what it’s like to live nearby, check out our guides to pet-friendly apartments and rentals in Salt Lake City and the best coffee shops near Central Ninth, one of the walkable neighborhoods just minutes away.
Ready to see the difference for yourself? Explore floor plans or schedule a tour at Gabbott’s Row today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a townhome and an apartment?
A townhome is typically a multi-level home with a private entrance and often an attached garage, sharing at most one or two walls with neighbors, while an apartment is usually a single-level unit inside a larger building that shares hallways and common areas with other residents.
Are townhomes more expensive than apartments in Salt Lake City?
Generally, yes. Townhomes typically rent higher than apartments with a similar number of bedrooms because they include more square footage, a private garage, and additional storage, though many renters find the extra space and privacy worth the difference.
Do townhomes offer more privacy than apartments?
Yes. Townhomes usually have a private entrance and fewer shared walls than apartments, which means less noise from neighbors and less foot traffic through shared hallways or stairwells.
Are townhomes pet-friendly in Salt Lake City?
Many are, including Gabbott’s Row, which allows up to two pets per household and offers a dog wash and pet run for residents. Pet policies, fees, and breed or weight restrictions vary by community, so it’s worth confirming details before you apply.
Do Gabbott’s Row townhomes come with a garage?
Yes. Every townhome at Gabbott’s Row includes an attached two-car garage, along with a private entrance and full-size washer and dryer.
Is a townhome or apartment better for a family or shared household?
Townhomes tend to work better for families and roommates because their multi-level layouts naturally separate bedrooms from shared living space, giving everyone more privacy than a single-level apartment typically offers.
Can I find 2- to 3-bedroom townhomes for rent in Salt Lake City?
Yes. Gabbott’s Row offers 2- to 3-bedroom townhomes for rent in Salt Lake City, with floor plans ranging from about 1,216 to 1,459 square feet.
