What Renters Are Willing to Sacrifice to Live Alone

While rent costs have never been more important to renters, some renters value their space and are willing to make tradeoffs to afford living alone. It’s no surprise that living alone costs more- there is no splitting the rent. According to the Apartments.com 2026 Q2 survey, 27 percent of renters said that the number of bedrooms is one of their top three considerations during their apartment search. Although living alone often comes at a premium, there are ways renters are stretching their budget and making it work to live comfortably.

How Many Renters Are Choosing to Live Alone

Even though renting a two-bedroom apartment and splitting costs with a roommate is becoming more popular, many renters still consider living alone non-negotiable. The Apartments.com survey found that 31 percent of renters already live alone, and among renters planning to move, 36 percent are moving due to a life change, such as living alone, starting a new job, or attending school.

The U.S. Census Bureau reported in its 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) that 14 percent of adults 18 years or older living in a household lived alone. Historically, that number hasn’t changed much. The 2015 ACS reported that 13 percent of adults lived alone. While national trends haven’t shown a large increase or decrease in the number of adults living alone, it’s important to note that the share has risen slightly despite national rent increases, suggesting that some renters are willing to make financial tradeoffs to live alone.  

What Living Alone Actually Costs

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure (CE) Survey measures how much households spend on certain items during the year. These items include food, healthcare, transportation, housing, entertainment, and education, among other expenses. In 2024, the CE survey found that, on average, a person living alone spends $56,652 a year, or about $4,721 per month.

According to Apartments.com data, the national average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,663 per month, accounting for 35 percent of monthly income. Generally, renters should spend no more than 30 percent of their gross income on rent to leave enough income for groceries, utilities, and other expenses. With the average American spending more on rent than budget guidelines suggest, some renters are turning to roommates to save on housing costs.

The national average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,930 per month. After some quick calculations, renters who live with a roommate and split rent would save around $700 per month on housing costs. These savings can then be used for groceries, utilities, insurance, or other monthly expenses. While renting with a roommate ultimately saves more money month to month, some renters are willing to pay more to live alone.

How Much Renters Will Pay to Avoid a Roommate

Across the country, it’s more expensive to live alone than with a roommate, but that’s not stopping renters from taking the leap and living solo. Apartments.com conducted a survey in early 2026 and found that 32 percent of respondents said that they would rather pay more to live alone than pay less each month with a roommate.

The 2024 ACS includes renter information, like rent costs and how many renters lived in a one-bedroom apartment versus a two-bedroom. After analyzing the survey, these five states showed the largest difference in rent costs between one- and two-bedroom apartments while also having large shares of renters choosing a one-bedroom apartment despite the higher cost.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

While some states, like Washington or Hawaii, saw more than 30 percent of renters choosing to live in a one-bedroom apartment rather than a two-bedroom, the rent gap between unit type was small, $196 and $374 respectively. While two-bedroom apartments remain the more common choice overall, these findings show that many renters still choose to live alone despite higher housing costs.  

Who Is Most Willing to Pay the Premium

Choosing whether to live with a roommate is a personal decision, but financial and generational trends suggest some groups are willing to pay a premium to live alone.

For example, an Apartments.com survey conducted in January 2026 found that respondents earning under $40,000 per year were more likely to spend more to live alone, with 49 percent saying they would downsize before adding a roommate. In the same survey, 45 percent of these lower-income renters said they refuse to share their home with a roommate, suggesting that space remains a priority despite budget constraints.  

In addition to income levels, different generations have shown different housing preferences. In the renter tradeoff report, the survey found that 22 percent of Generation Z renters and 19 percent of Millennial renters would spend more than 60 percent of their income on rent and utilities to live where they want. While this highlights renters’ willingness to prioritize their preferences, it also suggests younger renters may value location and lifestyle over affordability.

What Renters Are Cutting to Afford Rent Overall

Renters are cutting back on other expenses to afford their monthly rent payments. The renter tradeoff report found that 79 percent of renters have reduced daily spending to cover rent, sometimes delaying doctor visits or credit card payments. While these cutbacks may help in the short term, they can also create long-term financial consequences, such as increased debt or missed payments.

To afford a one-bedroom apartment, renters are also reducing personal spending. Of the 45 percent of renters who said they cut back on other expenses, 41 percent downgraded their grocery spending, and 23 percent delayed major milestones such as starting a family or returning to school. Rising housing costs continue to force many renters to make difficult financial tradeoffs.  

The Non-Negotiables Renters Won’t Sacrifice

Although some renters are willing to pay significantly more to live in a one-bedroom apartment, there are still limits to what they will sacrifice. According to the Apartments.com Q2 survey, the top three considerations when searching for a new apartment are price, location, and safety and security, with amenities close behind.

Renter deal-breakers follow a similar pattern. Seventy-three percent of respondents said a rental outside of their budget is a deal-breaker, and 58 percent cited concerns about crime and safety.

When asked which apartment features they consider must-haves, 69 percent chose air conditioning, 67 percent selected in-unit laundry, and 41 percent preferred off-street parking or a garage. This data reinforces that renters have clear priorities and are often willing to pay more for the features that matter the most.

Find an Affordable One-Bedroom Apartment on Apartments.com

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