A villa is a standalone house on its own plot, usually in a gated community with shared amenities. A row house is one of a line of houses built in a row that share side walls with their neighbours. Villas usually have more land around them; row houses use land more tightly and cost less.
Side by side
Factor
Villa
Row house
Walls
Detached, no shared walls
Shares one or both side walls
Open space
On all sides, usually
Front and back only, usually
Setting
Often a gated community
Gated communities or planned colonies
Land per home
More
Less
Price
Higher, for similar built area
Lower
Privacy and light
More
Less on the shared sides
Extending
Within approved limits
Limited; society rules often apply
When Villa matters
A villa suits buyers who want space on all sides, privacy and room to extend within the approved limits.
When Row house matters
A row house suits buyers who want a house with its own entrance and garden at a lower price than a villa.
In more detail
Labels vary: some projects call row houses villas. Ask for the plot area, the approved plan and whether walls are shared.
In a gated community, check what the maintenance covers and who owns the roads and common areas.
Common questions
Is a row house the same as a townhouse?
Largely, yes: both share side walls with neighbours.
Do villas come with land?
Usually a defined plot. Check the deed for the plot area and whether it is an undivided share.
Which has higher resale value?
It depends on the location and project. Compare recent sales of similar homes.