WTW? Townhouse Width: Why Inches Equal Income

WTW? Townhouse Width: Why Inches Equal Income

Spoiler: Your house might be judging you.

By Kelly Robinson (if she were knee-deep in brownstone comps and vintage doorknobs)

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: how wide your townhouse is. Not how big, not how fancy, but how many glorious feet of horizontal real estate your home stretches across. Because in New York, width isn’t just a measurement—it’s a love language.

The Great Width Divide

In the world of Manhattan townhouses, width is the line between “cozy charm” and “Park Avenue pedigree.” It’s the difference between “this feels intimate” and “this feels like a French embassy.”

And yes, there’s data to back it up:

• 15–17 ft homes average $1,400–$1,700 per square foot

• 20-footers hit $2,000–$2,300 per square foot

• 25-foot unicorns can crack $3,000+ per square foot

In layman’s terms, if your house can fit a sofa and a coffee table and a friendship—you’re probably doing okay.

A Tale of Two Townhouses

Let’s say you have two homes on the same block. Same style, same condition, same neighborhood. But one is 17 feet wide and the other is 25.

• The 17-footer sells for $12.5M.

• The 25-footer? $22M.

That’s a $9.5M difference. Or roughly 19,000 oat milk lattes.

Why Width Wins

Here’s what you’re really paying for:

1. Floorplan Freedom

Wider homes mean you don’t have to choose between a dining room and emotional stability. You can have both! Think center-hall layouts, grand entertaining rooms, and kitchens where more than one person can breathe.

2. Natural Light

More width = more windows = more sunlight = fewer therapy lamps.

3. Elevators, Libraries, and Legit Wine Rooms

Only wider townhouses can comfortably fit these luxuries without making the primary bedroom feel like a panic room.

4. Prestige, Baby

Let’s not pretend otherwise: when someone says they own a 25-foot-wide townhouse, it sounds like they also own a Fabergé egg. Or a small country.

5. Rarity

Less than 10% of NYC townhouses are 25 feet wide or more. They’re the Hermès Birkins of real estate—except heavier and less waterproof.

Show Me the (Charted) Money

Let’s take a quick look at value per square foot by width:

Now multiply those numbers by 6,000 square feet (a common townhouse size) and you’re talking some serious brunch money.

So, What’s the Ideal Width?

It depends on your vibe:

• 17 feet: Charming, quirky, you probably make your own sourdough

• 20 feet: Classic, balanced, definitely have a Dyson vacuum

• 23 feet: Roomy, refined, likely own more than one cashmere throw

• 25+ feet: Power move. You didn’t buy this home—you claimed it.

The Takeaway

In New York City, townhouse width isn’t a detail—it’s the headline. It drives layout, light, livability, and (let’s be honest) your resale bragging rights.

So whether you’re buying, selling, renovating, or just refreshing StreetEasy for sport—know this: when it comes to townhouses, every inch counts.

And if your agent ever says, “It’s only 17 feet wide, but it feels bigger”—just smile politely and ask for the comps on the 25-footer next door.