In Skyrim, cheap houses have limitations while cool homes have unique features. The most useful homes are conveniently located with ample storage.

In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, players can purchase various houses to use for storage, rest, and alchemy. Players can also use the chests, wardrobes, cupboards, and dressers in the home to store items or gear and the bookshelves to store their books. Players can use the kitchen's cooking pot or spit to cook recipes to restore health or gain a temporary boost in a chosen stat. Each house in Skyrim has the option to purchase an upgrade to add an Alchemy Lab to make potions. To add a personal touch to their homes, players can obtain decorations from the city's steward. Additionally, achievements are awarded for players purchasing a house (Citizen) and owning a house in Raven Rock (Raven Rock Owner).

There is no limit to the number of homes a player can purchase, but they will need to obtain permission to purchase a home from the city's Jarl first. When players sleep in a property they have purchased, they receive the Well Rested bonus in addition to the Lover's Comfort bonus if they are married in Skyrim and spouse also lives in the home. In addition to spouses, players can allow their children to live in their homes. Separate from purchasable properties, players can also move into their spouse's home once they have completed the spouse's requested favor.

In addition to purchasable homes, players can use a faction house after joining a guild. Of note, spouses cannot move into these properties unless the spouse is already a member of the guild, such as Aela the Huntress, who is already a member of the Companions. Guilds with a home that players can use include the College of Winterhold, the Companions, the Volkihar Clan, the Thieves Guild, and the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim. In addition to the guild homes, the purchasable properties have a variety of prices and unique features.

The Cheapest Houses in Skyrim

The cheapest house in the game is obtained for free once players complete the quest 'Served Cold.' This property, the Severin Manor, is located at Raven Rock. The home comes fully furnished with an Arcane Enchanter, Alchemy Lab, Forge, and significant storage space. The ample storage space is particularly useful so players can store items without leaving the island. The downside to the Severin Manor is its remote location, which requires players to travel from Skyrim to Solstheim to collect the items stored inside the property, and the Dragonborn cannot move a spouse into this house. Additionally, this house cannot be upgraded, but it will complete the achievement to own a home on Raven Rock.

In addition to buying houses in Skyrim, players can also utilize the shacks. Shacks will have at least one bed and a storage container and are accessible for no cost. To access the Abandoned Shack located North of Morthal, players will need to unlock the Dark Brotherhood quest 'With Friends Like These.' Additionally, Anise's Cabin, which is Southwest of Riverwood, cannot be used by the Dragonborn until Anise is dead. In the South of Ivarstead, the Alchemist's Shack contains an Alchemy Lab and does not have requirements to unlock. The final two shacks, Traitor's Post and Riverside Shack are in Windhelm to the East and Southwest and do not have unlocking requirements.

After the free Severin Manor and shacks, the next cheapest home is Skyrim's Breezehome in Whiterun and available for 5,000 gold. This home is unlocked after players complete the 'Bleak Falls Barrow' quest. While this home is conveniently close to the town's smelter, blacksmith, alchemist, general goods store, and taverns, it is the only home in the game that does not contain an enchanting table. Breezehome can be upgraded to include an Alchemy Lab for 1,800 Gold.

The Coolest Houses in Skyrim

Proudspire Manor is the most expensive property in Skyrim, costing the Dragonborn 25,000 gold. Players must complete 'The Man Who Cried Wolf' and 'Elisif's Tribute' quests to unlock this home. Proudspire Manor's location in Solitude offers access to some shops, but the primary reason to purchase this property is to complete the 'No Stone Unturned' quest with the Barenziah Stone inside the manor's master bedroom. Additionally, Proudspire Manor can be upgraded for 11,000 Gold. 

Skyrim's Vlindrel Hall is a home for book collectors with the capacity to hold 162 books, the largest book storage in the game. Located in Markarth, this home costs 8,000 gold and can be purchased from Raerek after players complete the quest 'Recover Hrolfdir's Shield.' The property has both an alchemy table and an enchanting table and is close to the fence in Markarth. This home does have the downside of only one armor storage mannequin. To equip this property with an Alchemy Lab, players can upgrade it for 4,100 Gold. 

The Most Useful Houses in Skyrim

Honeyside is a property conveniently located in Riften, and it can be acquired early in the game because of its relatively low cost. When players purchase the Honeyside house in Skyrim, it will cost all of their gold on hand for a minimum of 5,000 and a maximum of 8,000. This property is purchased from Anuriel after completing the Skooma Trade quest. Honeyside is equipped with a private dock, allowing players to access the home from outside the city easily. To equip this property with an Alchemy Lab, players can upgrade it for 4,300 Gold.

Finally, Hjerim can be purchased after players complete the quest 'Blood on the Ice' and 'The Battle for Fort Sungard' or the 'Imperial Legion' questline. Similar to Honeyside, this property will cost all of the player's gold on hand for a minimum of 8,000 and a maximum of 12,000 Gold in Skyrim. This home is conveniently located near Smithing amenities, a Smelter, and the Windhelm fence. Of note, despite the cost, Hjerim has limited storage space and poor lighting in the alchemy and enchanting areas. This property can be upgraded to include an Alchemy Lab for an additional 9,000 Gold.

Next: Skyrim: How To Join The Greybeards

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.