15 Best Player Houses In Skyrim Ranked From Worst To Best (2023)

Purchasing a home, marrying, and adopting a child are all part of the quintessential Skyrim experience, maybe even more so than completing the game’s quests and side-quests. However, with too many options, making a decision would be difficult.

Although it is possible to purchase several houses in Skyrim – there is practically no limit to how many a player can own – maintaining and stocking each one can be a challenge. Not to mention that going through the hassle of finally being able to purchase the home, which also entails completing a series of quests, would consume a significant amount of time.

With that in mind, we’ve decided to rank all of Skyrim’s buildings. Here are some of the best Skyrim houses available for purchase.

Why Is It Important To Own A House In Skyrim?

Of course, before discussing which houses are the best, players might still ask whether it’s really worth the hassle to buy a home in the first place. It is, for the most part, for the rest of the game.

The most significant benefit of having a home in Skyrim is the ability to relax and sleep in a clean and relaxing environment. Furthermore, if players wish to abandon their follower and not have to hunt for him or her again, players can leave him or her in the house and return later. The same is so for the partner.

Another advantage of owning a home in Skyrim is that players can use it to store all of their loot. Lydia is exhausted from bearing all of the burdens, but the very least players can do is find a location where to store it without having to think about the containers resetting too soon.

Finally, in Skyrim, some houses can be revamped to have Alchemy Labs and Arcane Enchanters, among other things.

Anise’s Cabin

Don’t cry for Anise. Imagine somebody being so enraged simply because someone discovered an incriminating letter linking them to witchcraft in their root cellar while snooping around. Players can use her home just west of Riverwood as their own house after they kill her in a straightforward case of self-defense, as long as players are not yet a Thane.

This is a great place to start because no one is a Thane at the start of the game, and it has plenty of facilities, such as a vegetable garden and both an alchemy lab and an enchanting table. Since there isn’t a fence, players will have to contend with the odd intrusive visitor, but the neighborhood is generally quiet.

Ysolda’s House

Although Ysolda’s home is essentially a cabin, it is one of the first homes you can acquire. At the very least, you’ll get a comfortable bed and a few storage bins. Fortunately, this house is adjacent to a number of merchants, stalls, and stores.

To acquire this home, chat with Ysolda to obtain the Uncommon Gifts quest; after completion, she will be eligible to marry, and players will be able to move in with her.

Markath Abandoned House

If this is a player’s first-time playing Skyrim, they must take advantage of the abandoned house in Markath.

All they might ever need in a home can be found here. This includes food, clothing, arms, a bed, and a plethora of storage options for players to fill with their travel souvenirs. But that’s not even the most exciting aspect.

The fact that this abandoned house in Markath is free is what makes it so appealing. Unfortunately, players are unable to legally buy this property. If players need a cheap break from their travels, particularly early on, it’ll be waiting for anyone. Players would not be allowed to get their companions or wives to settle here, though.

Vlindrel Hall

Vlindrel Hall is the player’s home in Markarth, and it can be purchased after the Jarl of the Reach has been made welcoming. This home, like any other structure in Markarth, is entirely constructed of stone. This house has the distinction of being able to accommodate both an alchemy and an enchantment table.

Vlindrel Hall is initially available for 8,000 gold, but upgrading it with all of the available furnishings would cost 3,900-4,200 gold. This house should be considered by any player who enjoys a rocky aesthetic.

Karthwasten Hall

Players would think that getting the title of Hall would come with some pleasant perks, but Karthwasten Hall is pretty basic. Its best feature is that traveling quickly to Karthwasten puts them within walking distance of their house as well as the adjacent mine, which allows players to easily procure Iron and Silver.

Inside, there’s a tanning rack, but there are also some barrels. One of Karthwasten Hall’s biggest benefits is that it serves as an excellent drop-off point. A number of beds, a group of Silver Ingots, and a Cooking Pot can be found within the “hall.” If players need to learn archery, there is even a dummy target in the cellar.

Severin Manor

Severin Manor in Solstheim is either the best or worst house you can own in Skyrim, depending on who players ask. There is a strong case to be made for both.

In one side, the Severin Manor is completely free and furnished. Everything players have to do now is finish the quest “Served Cold,” and the Severin Manor will be theirs. However, it is located in Solstheim, which isn’t the best place to live in Skyrim. Furthermore, players are unable to appoint wives, infants, or even a housecarl to live there.

Breezehome

Breezehome wins a spot on this list because obtaining it is a breeze. The player can obtain it early in the game by simply completing the main quest and then buying it from Whiterun for 5,000 gold. It would cost 6,800 gold to completely update it with an alchemy lab and other renovations, or players can simply use it as their cheese repository for free.

Breezehome is compact, but it can still accommodate a family of four Dragonborn, and it compensates for its diminutive size by being located right next to Whiterun’s shopping market. Breezehome is a home that players would not want to miss out on, if only because it is so easy to get so early in the season.

Viola Giordano’s House

Viola Giordano’s house in Windhelm is enormous, with two big floors open. A lot of snacks, as well as a few coin purses and potions, can be seen all over the place and the house is just a short walk from Windhelm’s major markets.

Travel time is a disadvantage since players must sprint a long way from the main entrance, and the storage chests, considering their abundance, are spaced far apart. Complete the That Was Always There quest to acquire this estate, after which players can marry Viola Giordano and move into her home.

Honeyside

The Honeyside, located in Riften, is one of Skyrim’s earliest buildings. It’s also moderately priced. Since being the Thane of Riften is a part of Skyrim’s early events, getting to the Honeyside shouldn’t take that long, which makes it move up our list.

Players will really like how it’s strategically placed next to Riften’s walls, which is perfect for vampires. The Honeyside in Riften is one of the best locations to settle down in Skyrim because it is conveniently situated, inexpensive, and available, has many storage options, and is open to a possible Arcane Enchanter upgrade.

Drelas’ Cottage

Are you looking for a quiet retreat nestled between a babbling brook and a romantic mountain peak? Ignore the fact that this house is owned by someone else, and it’s the perfect home for you. Drelas, a Dwemer Mage who specializes in Dark Magic, lives here, and players will actually see him approaching before they even notice the cabin.

The player is welcome to move into his house after the mage passes away. The home includes a vegetable garden, a chicken coop, and a fully-stocked alchemy lab, as well as a lovely view and remote area.

If the player is not the Thane of any carry, this will become their real home. If players are not satisfied with or wealthy enough to buy Breezehome, but want something more upscale than Anise’s Cabin, Drelas’ Cabin is a good place to start.

The Winking Skeever

The Winking Skeever is one of the better beginning homes available, providing a steady income of potions, fruit, and potion brewing materials. A variety of beds and a large volume of room make it difficult to say no to new Dragonborn saves.

The Winking Skeever does not come with any stations (such as the Alchemy Table, Cooking Pot, or Tanning Rack), so players have to look for them elsewhere. When trying to organize your storage, this isn’t ideal! After marrying Sorex Vinius, players will move in. This can be accomplished by supplying a bottle of rum to Falk Firebeard.

Hjerim

The Hjerim in Windhelm is ideal for those who enjoy their homes haunted and with a bloody memory. Despite the fact that the Hjerim isn’t technically possessed, it has seen its fair share of bloodshed. It’s a huge missed opportunity that Bethesda didn’t make the house seem to be haunted.

The Hjerim, which costs 12,000 gold to purchase and 9,000 gold to repair, comes with about all players might want in a home. It has a fantastic spot, a good scale, and the game’s biggest armory for players to show off their precious belongings.

The house is also close to other places players might want to visit, such as smithing and the smelter. The only reason the Hjerim is not on the top stop is that it doesn’t sound as grandiose, and players will need to finish the whole “Civil War” questline, or “Rescue from Fort Neugrad” if they sided with the Stormcloaks before they can use it.

The White Phial

Perhaps players are pondering their post-adventure life. Why not get into a stable company and earn a steady income instead of either relaxing and counting gold or admiring treasures? The White Phial is an alchemy shop in Windhelm that has enjoyed years of popularity thanks to its strategic location and consistent clientele.

The old owner dies if the player finishes the quest of the same name, and his assistant Quintus Navale takes over as the shop’s master. He still becomes a bachelor, and if players marry him, they will inherit the White Phial. To obtain Windhelm’s most famous alchemist’s store, get the Amulet of Mara and shake the moneymaker.

Proudspire Manor

Finally, a residence worthy of the Dragonborn. The biggest house in Skyrim is the Proudspire Manor in Solitude. It’s still the most costly, with a purchase price of 25,000 gold and an update price of 11,000 gold.

Players get a grand mansion with good lighting, as well as an Alchemy Laboratory and an Arcane Enchanter, for the money. When players add on the fact that Solitude has one of the finest merchant selections in Skyrim, they’ve got themselves a not-so-humble abode.

The only reason the Proudspire Manor came in second is because of its cost. Unless players do some serious gold farming, they won’t be able to spare 25,000 gold to buy the game early on.

Arch-Mage’s Quarters, College Of Winterhold

Granted, it’s not in the best part of town, but the interior is hard to ignore, and we’re not only talking about the stunning views or the convenient access to other areas of the College of Winterhold. After completing the Eye of Magnus quest chain, players will be granted the title of Archmage, and they’ll be able to enjoy the indoor arboretum, numerous storage rooms, many weapons, amour, magical books, and other useful things suitable for the resident Arch-Mage. One disadvantage is that the player’s wife will not be able to live here, but everyone wants some alone time.