Where Shared Apartments Pay Off

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, August 30, 2026

Rising housing costs in the U.S. have driven a more than 20% increase in renters sharing apartments to cut expenses, with cities like Jersey City and Irvine offering significant annual savings. This shift is reshaping rental markets, as demand for shared housing grows especially in suburbs with better amenities and larger living spaces, reflecting changing preferences amid affordability pressures.

The rise in housing costs across the United States has led to a significant increase in shared living arrangements, with more renters choosing roommates to reduce expenses. Over the past decade, the number of rental households sharing housing has grown by more than 20 percent, reflecting the growing appeal of dividing rent and associated costs.

A recent analysis of rental markets in the 100 largest U.S. cities highlights the financial advantages of this trend. On average, two renters who split a two-bedroom apartment save about $6,700 each annually when compared to leasing a one-bedroom unit independently. However, savings vary considerably by location. Jersey City, New Jersey, offers the highest annual savings, at nearly $13,100 per person. California cities also featured prominently, with Irvine ranking second at approximately $12,800 in annual savings, followed closely by Chula Vista at nearly $12,700.

Beyond financial considerations, quality-of-life factors also influence the appeal of shared living. These include the density of roommate households in a given area, average living space per individual, and the availability of amenities such as fitness centers, swimming pools, parking, and storage facilities. When these factors are combined, Irvine emerged as the top-ranked city for roommates. In addition to high rent savings, Irvine apartments average 510 square feet per roommate, and nearly 97 percent of rentals include pool access. The data suggest that suburban areas such as Irvine, with new housing developments and relatively lower rents, have experienced the most significant growth in renter households sharing accommodations over the past decade.

Supporting these findings, a separate evaluation of over 16 million searches on SpareRoom, a roommate-matching platform, points to shifting preferences for shared housing. The research indicates that from 2024 to 2025, search interest for roommates surged nearly twofold in New York City suburbs such as Tarrytown, New York; Union, New Jersey; and New Brunswick, New Jersey. All three locations are within approximately an hour’s commute to the city. Meanwhile, demand for roommate arrangements within New York City’s boroughs declined during the same period, suggesting that many renters may be looking to suburban options for shared housing opportunities.

The growing trend reflects a broader response to housing affordability challenges, with many renters finding that sharing apartments not only eases financial pressures but can also offer enhanced living space and access to desirable amenities.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.