SpareRoom Statistics

Recent rental market stories

• Phoenix roommates eye Buckeye and Queen Creek

  June 2026 - Roommate situations are typically associated with urban living but, with the cost of living sky-high and renter affordability low, several suburbs and outer commuter areas are seeing huge uplifts in interest from roommates.

• Roommates chasing affordable rent won't find it in these major US cities

  July 2026 - Renters in roommate situations are typically chasing affordability, but they'll struggle to find it in Chicago where rent has risen 10.4% in three years, or in San Diego where renting an average room just hit a record high of $1,346/month in the second quarter of 2026, making it California's most expensive city, overtaking Los Angeles.

• Las Vegas rent is flatlining, but young would-be renters still can't break in

  June 2026 - High rent in Las Vegas is excluding more young people from the rental market while keeping older renters in roommate situations.

• Record high rent in San Francisco Bay Area fuels rise in older roommates

  June 2026 - Rising rent in the San Francisco Bay Area is excluding more young people from the rental market while keeping older renters in roommate situations.

• High rent in Washington DC fuels rise in older roommates

  June 2026 - Sustained high rent in Washington DC is transforming roommate situations according to the latest rental index data from SpareRoom, which uniquely tracks roommate rents in shared households at the sharp end of America's housing affordability crisis.

• Priced-out Boston roommates look to the suburbs

  June 2026 - Roommate living is spreading beyond Boston and into the suburbs according to an analysis of more than 16 million area searches on SpareRoom in 2025 compared to the previous year.

• Sky-high rents are reshaping roommate dynamics

  June 2026 - Affordability pressures and sky-high rents mean US renters are living with roommates for longer. A breakdown of SpareRoom user data by age shows that roommates aged over 45 now make up almost a quarter (24%) of the market, up from 12% a decade ago, while those aged under 45 are in decline.

• San Diego roommates are getting older as rent hits record highs

  June 2026 - Sky-high rent in San Diego is transforming roommate households, according to the latest rental index data from roommate site SpareRoom, which uniquely tracks roommate rents in shared households at the sharp end of America's housing affordability crisis.

• Houston roommates are getting older and moving to suburbs

  May 2026 - The average room for rent in Houston hit a record high of $890/month in Q2 2025. Since then, rents have fallen every quarter to $809/month in the first quarter of 2026. Year-over-year rents are falling too (-2.5% in Q1).

• Beyond big metros: Roommate culture expands into suburbs

  May 2026 - Roommate living is spreading beyond major city centers as renters chase affordability in suburban and Sun Belt markets, according to an analysis of more than 16 million area searches on SpareRoom in 2025 compared to the previous year.

• Over 50 and sharing with roommates a reality for Miami renters

  May 2026 - Sharing with roommates is the most affordable way to rent, and yet the average room for rent in Miami is now $1,341/month, up 41% in six years.

• Falling rents bring little relief to Phoenix roommates

  May 2026 - Roommate rents in the Phoenix metropolitan area are falling 3.6% year over year.

• Sky-high Atlanta rents drive surge in older roommates

  May 2026 - The proportion of 55-64 year olds looking for roommates and rooms in shared rentals in the Atlanta metro area has risen 76% in five years, the biggest increase of any age group.

• Rents falling in Los Angeles? Not for roommates

  April 2026 - The average roommate rent in the Los Angeles metro area hit a record high at the end of last year, and is now outpacing roommate budgets by $2,664/year.

• Priced-out NYC roommates fuel rising Westchester demand

  April 2026 - Westchester County is seeing higher year-over-year room rent increases (+7.1%) and higher rises in demand (+30%) than the NYC boroughs, as pressure mounts from roommates priced out of the city and looking for cheaper accommodation in the suburbs.

• Rents reach record highs in five major US metros

  April 2026 - SpareRoom publishes its quarterly rental index for Q1 2026, which uniquely tracks roommate rents in shared households in 27 major US metros at the sharp end of America's housing affordability crisis.

• How to avoid roommate wars

  April 2026 - When 1,257 US roommates were asked what's most likely to cause disputes in their households, what do you think came top? Politics, food going missing, spending too long in the bathroom?

• Rise of the 'live-in landlord' led by US retirees looking for roommates

  March 2026 - Over the past five years (2025 vs 2020) the number of US homeowners looking to rent out their spare rooms has increased by 92%. And the rise in Americans sharing their homes with roommates is being led by over 65s.

• US roommates are getting older

  March 2026 - The proportion of tenants under the age of 35 and living in shared rentals is in decline, while over 35s are rising, according to new data from roommate site SpareRoom.

• Death of the living room for US roommates in shared homes

  March 2026 - The number of shared rentals without living rooms is almost three times higher today than it was five years ago, according to figures released by roommate site SpareRoom.

• Rise of the 'live-in landlord' in 2026; roommates faced record-high rents in 2025

  January 2026 - In 2025, average US roommate rents hit record highs in many major US metro areas, outstripping roommates' budgets.

• Workers who serve our cities can't afford to live in them

  October 2025 - Spending less than 30% of income on rent is no longer an attainable affordability threshold for the workers cities rely on to function, according to new data from roommate site SpareRoom.

• Rents hit new highs across California and the West Coast

  October 2025 - As rents soar across the U.S. - especially in California and as the cost of living continues to rise - millions of renters are facing an unprecedented struggle just to afford a place to live.

• How much are you really saving by living with roommates?

  September 2025 - We all know living with roommates is cheaper than renting solo - but the scale of the savings might surprise you.

• Miami least affordable US city for renters

  August 2025 - Our latest data shows renters in major U.S. cities are being forced to spend more than their budgets allow to secure a room, as average rents continue to rise across the country.

• Best cities to be a roommate right now? Austin & Philadelphia

  July 2025 - Rental index data from roommate site SpareRoom, which compares the top 22 US metro areas, reveals two metro areas with sub-$900 per month rents as well as year-on year decreases in rent.

• Roommate rent rises steepest in Westchester County; demand highest in The Bronx

  July 2025 - Average roommate rents in the New York metro area have risen 1.7% year on year to $1,530 per month according to roommate site SpareRoom.

• How to save money on rent? Live with your landlord

  May 2025 - New data from roommate site SpareRoom shows living with homeowners could cut US renters' monthly outgoings by 10% on average, with savings in some metros much larger than that.

• Roommate rents in the New York metro area rise 3.3% year on year

  April 2025 - Average room rents in the New York metro area have risen 3.3% year on year to $1,514 per month according to SpareRoom's rental index.

• These are the US metro areas where renters can save the most by living with roommates

  April 2025 - Apartment sharing has always been the cheapest way to rent, but the savings compared to renting solo are into five figures in 11 US metro areas.

• Cost burden weighs heavily on roommates too

  March 2025 - Sharing with roommates is supposed to be the most affordable way to live. But new survey data from roommate matching site SpareRoom suggests the cost burden is now weighing heavily on roommates, too.

• US retirees are fastest-growing age group searching for roommates to share their homes

  February 2025 - For cost-burdened seniors looking to boost income and find companionship, renting out a room is a no-brainer, which could explain why over 65s are the fastest-growing age group looking for roommates.

• Rents outstrip budgets by $400 in southern metro areas where annual rents have risen steeply

  January 2025 - The latest quarterly rental data from roommate matching service SpareRoom reveals Texas metro areas have seen some of the highest annual room rent increases.

• Affordability Crisis: Renters in major cities face up to $400 budget gap

  November 2024 - New data from SpareRoom, the leading roommate matching service, reveals the shocking extent of the rental affordability crisis, with renters in major metro areas forced to go up to $400 over their budget, as rents hit record highs.

• Renters Struggle as Rents Continue to Break Records in Major Metro Areas

  October 2024 - Q2 & Q3 2024 saw average roommate rents hit record highs in most major metro areas, but hope could be on the horizon as supply and demand start to rebalance.

• Will rent become unaffordable in 10 years?

  July 2024 - Over the past 5 years, average rents have hit record highs in almost every major US metro area. Data from Spareroom, the leading roommate matching site, suggests that in 10 years most major US metro areas could become unaffordable for the average renter, if rents continue to rise at the same rate.

• Forget politics - how clean are you?

  June 2024 - Finding the right people is key to a harmonious roommate situation. In an election year and an era where headlines are about how divided the country is, you'd think shared political views would be a high priority for what people look for in a roommate. But you'd be wrong.

• Which cities have the most climate-conscious roommates?

  May 2024 - At a time when climate change demands action more than ever, people are increasingly aware of the need to make environmentally conscious choices in their daily lives.

• Denver is the fastest growing city for roommate searches

  May 2024 - SpareRoom analyzed over 15 million roommate searches over a two year period* to see which key US cities saw the biggest growth in roommate searches, as well as which proved most popular.

• Queens dominates fastest-growing NYC neighborhoods list

  May 2024 - SpareRoom analyzed over 15 million roommate searches over a two year period* to see which neighborhoods saw the biggest growth in roommate searches, as well as which proved most popular.

• Southern cities best for entrepreneurs

  May 2024 - If you're an aspiring entrepreneur looking to relocate, it's likely that the San Francisco Bay Area and New York are the first two destinations that come to mind. However, according to new data from SpareRoom, southern cities are more likely to be home to budding business owners.

• The college town that could save you $32,000 in rent

  April 2024 - College is already incredibly expensive, but research from the number 1 roommate finder, SpareRoom, reveals that your choice of college location could be the difference of tens of thousands of dollars in rent over a 4 year course.

• New York rents drop

  April 2024 - Dallas saw the biggest drop, down 10%, followed by New York (-5%) and Portland (also -5%). New York remains the most expensive city for renters, although in Q1 2024, the average monthly roommate rent dipped under $1,500 (to $1,489) for the first time since 2022

• Rents drop in most expensive cities

  April 2024 - New data from the number 1 roommate finder, SpareRoom, reveals that the tide could now be starting to turn. Roommate rents fell in 18 of the 29 top metro areas (including the country's most expensive cities), comparing Q1 2024 with Q4 2023.

• Cities with the cleanest roommates

  April 2024 - Cleanliness is one of the biggest concerns people have when living with roommates. People have different standards, and what's untidy or dirty to you might not be to someone else.

• Most welcoming cities for newcomers

  March 2024 - Moving to a new city is full of exciting possibilities and can be the perfect excuse to make a fresh start. It can also be extremely daunting - especially if you've left your support network behind and are looking to create a new one.

• San Diego is the most active US city

  March 2024 - New York may have been ranked the ‘Most Walkable' city in the US in a recent study, yet surprisingly it ranked the least active city according to recent data from roommate site SpareRoom. In fact, San Diego tops the list of cities whose roommates are most active.

• Minneapolis is the most pet-friendly city for renters

  February 2024 - Considering the rising cost of living and rents, it's no surprise that people are starting to accept renting as a long-term option. As a result, renters are seeking properties that will accommodate long-term life choices, such as owning a pet.

• Over 45's are the fastest growing age group for roommates

  February 2024 - SpareRoom analyzed data from 945,749 roommates over a 10 year period, which showed that in 2014, just 1 in 10 (10.3%) roommates were 45 or above, meaning the numbers have more than doubled over the past decade.

• Which is the best NYC neighborhood for roommates?

  February 2024 - ​New York is the busiest city in the US for roommates. No big surprise there - it's why the New York metro area remains the most expensive in the country.

• Rents hit record highs in 62% of major metro areas in 2023

  ​​Data from the number 1 roommate finder SpareRoom reveals that roommate rents in almost two thirds of major US metro areas reached record highs in 2023, with 18 of the top 29 breaking previous records.

• Los Angeles is most likely to stick to Dry January

  Infamously January is the month that people decide to give up drinking, otherwise known as ‘Dry January'. This may be for health reasons, to save money or simply to set a new challenge.

• 167% increase homeowners taking in roommates

  Data from the number 1 roommate finder, SpareRoom, reveals that there has been a huge rise in homeowners taking in roommates. Comparing January 2024 with January 2021 there has been a 167% increase in new people taking in roommates.

• Cities where you can save the most by having a roommate

  Renters could save up to $33,000 a year by choosing to live with roommates instead of living alone. We compared average monthly roommate rents with the average monthly rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in the top 25 US cities.

• Baltimore is the top city for tech

  Silicon Valley may have a reputation as the tech capital of the US, but according to new data from roommate site SpareRoom, that's not the best place to go to find other like-minded tech enthusiasts.

• Atlanta is the top city for foodies

  New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles might have the most Michelin stars in the US, but according to new data from roommate site SpareRoom, that's not where you'll find the real foodies.

• Denver is the top city for wellness

  Los Angeles may have the reputation as the wellness capital of the US, but according to new data from roommate site SpareRoom, if you want to find people who are passionate about a healthy & holistic lifestyle, you're better off looking in Denver, or Portland, or pretty much anywhere other than LA.