<p>Rural houses are crucial for developing rural communities, but previous investigations have raised concerns about their declining quality. This study develops a framework to prioritize design quality indicators and also rank the six layout typologies of rural housing based on their performance in India’s composite climate. The Nominal Group Technique (NGT) approach determines the critical design quality criteria. These criteria are then ranked using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), which incorporates feedback from various stakeholders, including architects, rural residents, government officials, and practitioners with relevant work experience. The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method is used to rank the rural house typologies. The research aims to improve rural well-being through sustainable and culturally relevant housing solutions. The results emphasize the significance of physical and environmental aspects, including site selection and basic amenities, as well as ergonomic design and sustainable resource utilization. Using the TOPSIS method, six rural house typologies were evaluated, with courtyard houses ranking highest due to their superior ventilation, natural lighting, and social spaces, while fully covered houses ranked lowest due to poor airflow and lack of open areas. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research, including longitudinal studies to understand evolving design quality priorities and the integration of technological innovations to enhance the sustainability of rural housing. The study helps stakeholders, architects, and lawmakers’ decision-making by offering insightful information on the complex nature of rural house design quality.</p>