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It’s no secret that housing costs have reached astronomical levels. If you’re unsure how to pay rent or want to save for a home of your own, you might consider sharing the space. Are roommates worth it? Only you can decide.
Everyone has different tolerance levels for noise and dirt. Additionally, your home should be a refuge rather than a source of ongoing tension and battles. Here are eight considerations before taking the plunge and placing an ad on a finder app.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Split rent and household bills |
Less privacy |
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Have someone around for security |
Different lifestyle preferences |
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Share chores, errands and household tasks |
Guests and visitors may affect your sense of safety |
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Enjoy built-in company and expand your social network |
Your housing plans can change if a roommate moves out |
Many people consider roommates worth it for the benefits they offer. Below are four factors that tip the scales in favor of rooming with a buddy.
With rent continuing to climb, sharing a home can make your budget breathe a little easier. From 2020 to 2024, renters in 20% of U.S. counties faced higher housing costs than during the previous five-year period. The median renter paid $1,413 per month, $100 more than before. A roommate can take some of that pressure off.
Aside from the rent itself, you can also split electricity, water, internet and other household costs. This makes each monthly bill easier to handle, and you may have more money for groceries, savings, entertainment or the occasional little treat.
However, part of your challenge is ensuring your potential roommate is financially reliable. Don’t be shy about asking tough money questions when you interview possible matches. For example, you might inquire about the following:
A little financial honesty up front can save you from a very awkward conversation when the bills arrive.
Living alone can be scary, especially if you’re uncertain about your ability to defend yourself or have a trauma history. There’s safety in numbers, and you might consider roommates worth it for the security they provide.
One in three women and one in six men experience stalking during their lifetime. Having someone else at home can make your routine less predictable to anyone watching your movements. A roommate may also notice unusual activity, answer the door when you’re out or be there if something feels off. Additionally, thieves aren’t likely to target a house when they suspect someone is home, and you’re less likely to walk in on an intruder with more than one car in your driveway.
You still need locks, alarms and other basic safety measures, but having another person around can give you more reassurance. Even simple things, such as knowing someone will notice if you don’t come home or can call for help when needed, can make shared living feel more secure.
You know there’s a simple formula to fix your Excel spreadsheet, but you can’t remember it. If only you could ask Barb in Accounting, but she’s now living and working in Karachi, where it’s 1:00 a.m.
Another reason roommates are worth it is that two heads are better than one. Whether you’re troubleshooting your internet connection or figuring out the best time to run to the store to beat the crowd, you have someone else with whom to volley ideas.
You can also split chores, divide errands and share shopping trips so everything doesn’t land on your to-do list. If you need paper towels, for example, your roommate can pick them up while you handle dinner or clean the kitchen. Sharing a place won’t make chores magically disappear, sadly, but it can make the workload much more manageable.
People are inherently social, so living with a roommate can make your home feel a little more lively. You have someone to chat with after work, share a meal with or laugh about whatever strange thing happened during the day. That regular connection can also help you avoid the isolation that can come with living alone.
Your social and professional circle can grow, too. You get bonus points if your roommate works in your industry. Your roommate might introduce you to a useful contact, invite you to a gathering or simply help you meet people you would never cross paths with otherwise.
Although roommates are worth it for many reasons, there are also arguments against them. What should give you pause? Consider the following.
Your bedroom is your sanctuary. You thought it went without saying that your private room was your business, but you can tell someone’s been rifling through your closet and makeup collection in your absence. Worse, your roommate barges in to borrow hairspray while you’re in the bathroom getting ready in the morning.
Privacy issues lie at the heart of many roommate conflicts. Since communication is the secret to living peacefully with other people, make sure to talk about what is off-limits, when you expect privacy and whether borrowing personal items is okay before moving in. You should also agree on simple rules, such as knocking before entering bedrooms.
If something bothers you, say so early and kindly. Letting small annoyances pile up will eventually leave you with a much bigger mess to deal with.
Even though there’s safety in numbers, your roommate could unwittingly endanger you. For example, your roommate brings home a friend or romantic partner who begins spending an inordinate amount of time at your apartment. What can you do if they give you the creeps?
You should also agree on basic safety rules before problems arise. Consider the following:
In addition, it’s important to discuss overnight guests and who can have keys or access to the property. A roommate should add to your sense of security, not leave you wondering who might walk through the front door.
Just once, you’d like to spend a quiet Friday evening at home sipping tea and watching reruns of “Downton Abbey.” However, that’s your roommate’s game night, and even the best noise-canceling headphones won’t drown out the din of them shouting at their PC in the next room.
You can make shared living easier by agreeing on reasonable quiet hours and talking about habits that affect the whole home. If a smell or sound bothers you, explain why instead of demanding that it stop. And remember that listening is just as important as speaking. If you feel yourself becoming defensive, pause and hear your roommate out. Taking a moment to understand their side can help you decide what really needs to change and what you can let slide.
Even the best roommate situations often involve friends coming together for a common cause, such as saving money to buy a home. What happens when one of you reaches your goal or experiences a life change before the others?
You can avoid a lot of stress by discussing your exit plan before anyone needs one. Decide how much notice you should give, how you will handle the security deposit and what happens if someone needs to move out early. You might agree that the person leaving should help find a suitable replacement. If you can’t agree on a candidate, you may need to find another solution.
If you’re still not sure about getting a roommate, here are some commonly asked questions that may help you out.
It can be a great option. A roommate can make rising housing costs easier to manage and leave more room in your budget for savings or everyday spending.
Having another person at home can give you an added sense of security and another set of eyes and ears. However, you should still use basic security measures and agree on rules for locking doors, setting alarms, and handling windows and guests.
Talk about expectations before moving in. Discuss privacy, borrowing belongings, cleaning, quiet hours, guests and other habits that could cause friction. When something bothers you, bring it up kindly to avoid building resentment.
The housing market is tough, making more people wonder if roommates are worth it. In the right circumstances, they can increase your sense of security and help you save money while easing loneliness.
However, sharing your home isn’t easy. Factor in these eight considerations before deciding if roommates are worth it for you and placing an ad on a roommate finder app.
This article was first published on August 10, 2023, and was revised on August 28, 2026, to reflect the most current information.
