Should You Buy a Stair Lift or Move to a Single-Level Home?

Introduction: Facing the Stairs Dilemma

For many seniors or anyone with mobility challenges, stairs can turn from a simple feature into a daily struggle. You might be asking: Should I install a stair lift to keep my home accessible, or is it time to relocate to a one-story house? It’s a question countless people face—whether they dream of aging in place or crave the ease of a fresh, stair-free start. This isn’t just about dollars and cents; it’s about safety, comfort, your heart, and what lies ahead. At USA Medical Supply, a trusted stair lift provider in New England, we’ve helped families navigate this choice for years. With our showroom in West Springfield, MA, free in-home assessments, and options like new, used, or rental stair lifts, we’ve seen firsthand how these decisions unfold. Let’s break it down step-by-step to guide you toward the right answer.

Cost Comparison: Stair Lift vs. Moving

Stair Lift Costs: For most folks, a stair lift is the wallet-friendly choice. A new straight stair lift—for those standard, no-frills staircases—typically runs $3,000 to $5,000, installation included. If your stairs twist or turn, a custom curved lift might climb past $10,000, but that’s not the norm. Straight stairs? You’re in luck with the lower range. Want to save more? Used or refurbished lifts can knock off over $1,000 while still delivering safety and warranties. Rentals are another smart pick—USA Medical Supply offers them with maintenance included, plus a rent-to-own deal where payments count toward buying it outright. Financing sweetens the deal further, breaking costs into manageable bites—think $50 to $100 a month for those who qualify. It’s a one-time expense that fits most budgets without breaking the bank.

Moving Costs: Downsizing to a single-level home, though, is a different beast. You’re not just buying a new place—prices for which have soared lately, especially with mortgage rates hovering around 7% in 2025—you’re also selling your current one. That means realtor fees (5-6% of the sale price) and closing costs (another 2-5%). Sell a $300,000 home, and you could lose $15,000 to $18,000 in commissions alone. Then there’s the move itself: local movers might charge $2,300, while a cross-state haul could hit $4,000 or more. Add packing supplies, storage, utility hookups, and travel, and you’re easily into the tens of thousands—before even factoring in the new home’s price. Single-story homes, prized by retirees, often carry a premium, too. In short, moving is a major financial lift.

Bottom Line – Cost: A stair lift is a modest, upfront investment—thousands, not tens of thousands—with flexible options to keep it affordable. Moving? It’s a costly upheaval, even if you’re downsizing. For pure savings, the stair lift usually wins.

Safety and Fall Risk

Safety often sparks this debate—especially if stairs feel risky already. Which option keeps you or your loved one steady?

Stair Lift Safety: A stair lift tackles fall risk head-on. Once installed, it’s a motorized ride up and down, banishing the need to climb. Modern models pack safety perks: seat belts, swivel seats for easy exits, sensors to stop if something’s in the way, and battery backups for power outages. If balance or stamina’s an issue, it’s a game-changer—cutting stair-related falls to nearly zero from day one. With 1 in 4 seniors falling yearly, that’s no small thing. Users often say it’s a relief to glide up safely, not dread every step.

Single-Level Home Safety: A one-story home promises safety, too—no stairs, no problem. But it’s not instant. Finding, buying, and moving takes months, leaving you with those risky stairs in the meantime. You might avoid the second floor or tiptoe cautiously—not always doable. Even in a new home, falls aren’t gone for good: entry steps, rugs, or a basement could still trip you up. Fixes like ramps or grab bars help, but those work in your current home, too. Moving’s a long-term safety win, not a quick one.

Bottom Line – Safety: A stair lift delivers fast, focused protection—stairs stop being a threat right away. Moving eliminates them eventually, but delays leave you vulnerable. For urgent safety, the lift shines; long-term, both can work with the right tweaks.

Convenience, Speed, and Disruption

You want accessibility without turning life upside down. How do these stack up?

Installing a Stair Lift – Quick and Easy: A stair lift is a breeze. Most straight models go in within hours—no major construction, just a rail bolted to the steps. At USA Medical Supply, our team installs it in one visit and cleans up after. Call today, and you could be riding it by week’s end. No packing, no moving out—just a brief hum of drills, then back to normal. It’s simple to use (sit, buckle, press) and reversible—perfect for temporary needs like recovery. Minimal fuss, maximum ease.

Moving Homes – A Major Project: Moving, though? It’s a marathon. Packing a lifetime of stuff, selling your home, finding a new one—it’s a stressful slog, often ranked up there with life’s toughest moments. It could take months, especially with one-story homes in short supply and high demand. You’re juggling realtors, movers, and boxes, maybe living in chaos or a temporary spot. Then there’s settling in: unpacking, adjusting, relearning your world. For someone with health challenges, it’s exhausting.

Bottom Line – Convenience: Stair lifts win for speed and simplicity—days versus months, little disruption versus a life overhaul. Moving offers a stair-free endgame but demands patience and energy many don’t have.

Emotional and Lifestyle Impact

Home isn’t just a building—it’s your story. How do these choices feel?

Staying with a Stair Lift: Staying put keeps you wrapped in familiarity. Your home holds decades of laughter, family milestones, and quiet moments. It’s your neighbors, your routines, your comfort zone. A stair lift lets you hold onto all that, supporting your wish to age in place—something 75% of adults over 50 crave. Staying connected to your community boosts well-being, especially if memory’s fading or loneliness looms. It’s independence with roots, and that’s priceless.

Moving to a New Home: Moving means letting go. Sorting through memories, leaving your house behind—it can sting. New routines, new faces, maybe distance from old friends—it’s a jolt, and not always a happy one. But for some, it’s a relief: less upkeep, a fresh start, maybe closer family ties. If your current home’s a burden, moving might lift that weight. Still, the emotional tug of “goodbye” is real.

Bottom Line – Emotional Impact: Staying with a stair lift preserves what you love—memories, community, peace. Moving trades that for change, which can be tough but rewarding if it fits your life. Picture yourself in each scenario: Which feels like home?

Impact on Home Value and Resale

What about your home’s worth?

Stair Lift: A stair lift boosts your life, not your home’s price tag. It’s like an appliance—handy for you, but most buyers won’t pay extra for it. Some even remove it before selling to widen appeal. That said, staying lets your home’s value grow over time, and you can often resell the lift later. USA Medical Supply buys back used units, keeping it cost-smart. It’s not an investment in equity—it’s an investment in you.

Moving: Selling taps your home’s equity—great if it’s soared since you bought it. But high one-story home prices and fees (think 10% of your sale in commissions and costs) eat into that. You might profit, or just break even, depending on the market. Single-level homes hold value well, but so can your current place if you wait. It’s a financial shuffle, not a sure win.

Bottom Line – Home Value: A stair lift’s neutral on resale but keeps you in the game for future gains. Moving unlocks cash now, at a cost. If stairs are your only issue, staying might save more long-term.

Future-Proofing: Thinking 5–10 Years Ahead

What’s best down the road?

Stair Lift and Aging in Place: A stair lift solves today’s stairs, buying you years at home. Add grab bars or a ramp later—it’s flexible. You save money now for future needs, like care or bigger upgrades. It works for canes, walkers, even brief transfers from a wheelchair. If mobility tanks completely, you might adapt further (downstairs bedroom, elevator), but many thrive with a lift for a decade-plus. USA Medical Supply supports you with ongoing service, too.

Single-Level Living: Moving aims to preempt stairs entirely. A smart pick—open layout, no steps—could last decades. But not every one-story is perfect; you might still tweak it. It’s less flexible if health shifts beyond mobility. Plus, location matters—near family or services? It’s a big bet on getting it right upfront, potentially saving upkeep costs.

Bottom Line – Future Needs: A stair lift adapts as you go, keeping you home with room to adjust. Moving bets on a stair-free forever home—great if it fits, less so if surprises arise. If stairs are your main hurdle, a lift could carry you far.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for You

Both paths—a stair lift or a single-level home—open doors to safety and comfort. Love your home and need a quick fix? A stair lift’s affordable and fast, keeping you rooted. Ready for a change or facing bigger home issues? Moving might align better, despite the effort. Try picturing your days ahead: gliding upstairs in your familiar space, or settling into a stair-free haven. Blend practicality with heart—health, budget, and happiness steer the way. Not sure? Start with a stair lift (even a rental) to test the waters—you can always move later.

Next Steps: Try It Out with USA Medical Supply

Still weighing it? Visit our West Springfield, MA showroom to ride a stair lift yourself—feel the ease of top brands like Bruno and Harmar. Or book a free in-home assessment; our experts will check your stairs and tailor advice, no pressure. With new, used, rental, and financing options, we’ve got you covered. Call (413) 733-7843 or fill out our online form today. Let’s keep you safe and independent—stairs or no stairs.