We know what you’re thinking — no way do I want to rent with a roommate. We’ve all had those roommates who eat your leftovers, drink your beer, never do the dishes and invite randoms over at all hours.
But for all the annoyances, there are some real upsides to renting with a roommate. First, if you’re going to live somewhere by the ocean, you have a built-in beach buddy. Better yet, splitting the rent (not to mention cable, internet, Netflix, etc.) makes living in some amazing cities much more realistic — and can save you more than 12K per year.
Worth it? Absolutely. You just have to vet your potential roomie as your life depends on it. Because let’s be honest, it just might.
Cities where renting with a roommate is best
If you’re going to live in close proximity to the ocean, a roomie is clearly the best way to go. And yes, Baltimore and Boston count. These two Northeastern cities are the only outliers from our solidly Florida- and California-centric list. It should probably come as no surprise that a whopping nine cities in our top 14 are located in Cali, where you pay a premium for all that sunshine.
How did we figure out where it’s best to rent with a roommate? Simple. We looked at recent rent prices in the 150 most populated cities. Then, we did some easy math to see how much money you’d save by renting with a roommate, as opposed to paying full price for a one-bedroom apartment. Here’s what we found.
14. San Jose, CA
1-BR average rent: $2,628
2-BR average rent (split evenly): $1,613
Difference: $1,015
So, you want to move to the capital of Silicon Valley? Home to somewhere in the neighborhood of 7,000 tech companies and start-ups, San Jose is the epicenter of innovation. If you have visions of starting up the next big thing in your garage, best team up with your techiest friend/co-founder.
Going in with a roommate in this NorCal city will save you more than $1,000 in rent every month. Yes, you’ll still pay more than three grand (combined) for two bedrooms, but just consider how much your future IPO will be worth.
13. Long Beach, CA
1-BR average rent: $3,165
2-BR average rent (split evenly): $2,095
Difference: $1,070
While it’s still relatively (with a capital R) inexpensive by L.A. standards, Long Beach is in the process of fairly rapid gentrification. But what did you expect to live in a vibrant community on the SoCal coast?
These days, if you want to live in the same neighborhood as the Queen Mary, you’ll pay a premium (ahem, nearly $4,200 for a two-bedroom). This is exactly why you want to buddy up in Long Beach. Because when you split that rent in two, it’s a lot better than forking over $3,165 for a single bedroom.
12. Oakland, CA
1-BR average rent: $3,397
2-BR average rent (split evenly): $2,261
Difference: $1,136
Remember when Oakland used to be edgy? OK, you may be too young, but today, San Franciscans cross the Bay Bridge on the reg for Oakland’s restaurants, culture and more. While it’s not quite as pricey as S.F. (where the cost of living is 94 percent above the national average), the other side of the Bay isn’t exactly a bargain.
But the prices are worth it — and more manageable — when you share the burden of rent with a roommate, which will save you a cool $1,136 per month.
11. Miami, FL
1-BR average rent: $2,825
2-BR average rent (split evenly): $1,684
Difference: $1,141
Want to soak up the sun at the southern tip of the U.S., just a stone’s throw from Cuba? Between the rich culture, eclectic cuisine and hopping nightlife, not to mention the beaches, Miami is a popular place to call home.
Just be sure to move down here with a beach buddy in tow, which will reduce your portion of the rent to a reasonable $1,684 per month. Not a bad price to live on a permanent vacation.
10. St. Petersburg, FL
1-BR average rent: $2,043
2-BR average rent (split evenly): $894
Difference: $1,148
Tucked between the Gulf Coast and Tampa Bay, the “Sunshine City” sounds the siren call of golf, boats, fine art and beautiful beaches. Oh, and Disney is less than two hours away in Orlando.
If St. Petersburg sounds a little too good to be true, so do the rent prices. Riddle us this: Why is it cheaper to rent a two-bedroom apartment ($1,788) than a one-bedroom ($2,042)? We have no idea, but we’ll take it! And then, toast our good fortune to live by a Florida beach for less than $900 per month. Cheers.
9. Baltimore, MD
1-BR average rent: $1,984
2-BR average rent (split evenly): $831
Difference: $1,153
This Maryland outlier is a hidden gem with a lot to offer. One of the country’s oldest cities, Baltimore has an incredibly rich history and the charm to back it up. Located on the Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore is less than an hour from D.C., two hours from Philly and a mere three hours from New York City. And yet, the vibe here is small-town everyone-knows-everyone, in the best way possible. There’s a good reason locals lovingly dub it “Smalltimore.”
And yes, there are nearby beaches, from Ocean City to Assateague Island. But the best part? If you go in with a roommate, you can expect to pay just $830 per month for your share of a two-bedroom apartment.
8. Fort Lauderdale, FL
1-BR average rent: $3,255
2-BR average rent (split evenly): $2,065
Difference: $1,190
OK, we see you, Sunshine State. The third Florida city to make up our list, and the highest-ranked, Fort Lauderdale is located about a half-hour north of our No. 11, Miami. Here you’ll enjoy 23 miles of South Florida beaches, 40-plus golf courses and 165 miles of boat-able (OK, not a word) canals.
And the price tag for living a life of leisure — or at least pretending to? When you pair up with a roomie for two bedrooms, you’re looking at just over $2,000 per room. And while that may not exactly scream cheap, it’s a whole lot better than shelling out $3,255 for a lonely one-bedroom.
7. Irvine, CA
1-BR average rent: $3,332
2-BR average rent (split evenly): $2,134
Difference: $1,197
If the Orange County lifestyle is more your speed, Irvine is ready to welcome you to its family-friendly city that has frequently turned up on the FBI’s list of the country’s safest cities. A master-planned community dating back to the 1960s, Irvine offers plenty of hikes, bike paths and parks from which to soak up that unbeatable SoCal weather. Let’s not forget about Newport and Laguna Beaches, those prime strips of sand just 20 minutes away.
So, living in the O.C. isn’t inexpensive. And while paying more than $4,000 for two bedrooms may sting a bit, just remember that you’re saving nearly $1,200 every month by living with a roommate.
6. Huntington Beach, CA
1-BR average rent: $2,780
2-BR average rent (split evenly): $1,566
Difference: $1,214
Want to live even closer to the beach? Welcome to Surf City, U.S.A., our second Orange County city to break the top 10. From shooting the tube on a surfboard and smashing a beach volleyball winner to oceanside bonfires, Huntington Beach is a place where all of your SoCal dreams can come true.
Are you getting nervous about the price tag for all that fun in the California sun? Fret not. The cost doesn’t sting quite as bad as it does up the road in Irvine. If you pair up with a roommate here, you’ll pay just $1,565 each for your own bedroom.
5. San Francisco, CA
1-BR average rent: $3,557
2-BR average rent (split evenly): $2,341
Difference: $1,216
So, we all know about the crazy cost of living in these parts, but how about a little bit of good news? San Francisco is not the most expensive city among our top 14. Yes, it’s only $153 less per month than the priciest two-bedroom to grace our list (looking at you, Boston), but that adds up to just under $2,000 of “savings” per year. Who knew SF could be such a bargain? Here’s everything you need to know about living in San Francisco before you move there.
4. Anaheim, CA
1-BR average rent: $2,580
2-BR average rent (split evenly): $1,292
Difference: $1,288
SoCal is heavily represented within our top 14, and Orange County owns three of those slots. Here in Anaheim, not only are you just 20 miles from the beach, your neighbor is Disneyland. Not to mention, Knott’s Berry Farm and Disney California Adventure.
And if your heart is set on posting up in the O.C., we’ve got good news. When you team up with a roomie, this is your most affordable option around. You’ll pay just $1,292 for your half of the rent, which will save you almost that much ($1,288) every month over shelling out for a one-bedroom.
3. Boston, MA
1-BR average rent: $3,805
2-BR average rent (split evenly): $2,494
Difference: $1,312
Leave it to Boston to break up the SoCal streak. The second Northeastern city in our top 10 claims the No. 3 spot. Soak up big city vibes in a highly walkable city, catch a ball game at the oldest MLB stadium still in operation or trace Paul Revere’s footsteps while you soak up all that iconic American history.
But don’t expect a bargain when you look for a place to live. Yes, you’ll still pay $2,494 for your portion of a two-bedroom apartment, but consider that a single bedroom would cost you nearly $4,000. Perhaps your rent won’t sting so bad when you consider you’re saving $1,311 every month by shacking up with a buddy.
2. Fresno, CA
1-BR average rent: $1,997
2-BR average rent (split evenly): $616
Difference: $1,381
While you may be 100 miles from the California Coast here in Fresno, the inland locale puts you in the agricultural capital of the world. Also known as the fruit and veggie basket of the nation, you’ll enjoy year-round farmer’s markets and farm-to-table everything.
Even better, the cost of living here is low — especially for California. And while you can rent a one-bedroom for just under $2,000, guess how much your rent will be if you double up? Just $616, making Fresno the best bargain in our top 14 when you go in with a roommate.
1. Glendale, CA
1-BR average rent: $3,305
2-BR average rent (split evenly): $1,898
Difference: $1,408
There’s a lot to love about living in Glendale. Located in Los Angeles County, you’re just 20 minutes from both Hollywood and downtown L.A. Oh, and Long Beach is less than an hour away. From hikes in the Verdugo Hills to shopping at the epic Americana at Brand, there’s plenty to do in and around Glendale.
When you’re this centrally located to a city like Los Angeles, you can expect to pay a premium. But pairing up with a roommate isn’t just a smart move, it’s a no-brainer. On average, a two-bedroom costs just $500 more than a single. In other words, you’ll save $1,897 per month — or a whopping $22,764 per year — by moving in with a roomie.
The worst city for renting with a roommate
In most places in America, it’s cheaper to split the rent with someone else. But there is one place on our list where it’s actually cheaper to go it alone: Chattanooga, TN.
In Chattanooga, you’ll actually save $65 a month by living in a one-bedroom apartment compared to renting with a roommate in a two-bedroom and splitting the cost. Go figure.
Methodology
Rent prices are based on a rolling weighted average from Apartment Guide and Rent.’s multifamily rental property inventory as of August 2021. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets.
The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
