Reducing the Rent
Where can sharing an apartment save you the most money in Houston?
A roommate undoubtedly can provide companionship — going halfsies on a pepperoni-and-mushroom pizza, watching Game of Thrones together, crying on each other’s shoulders over a breakup. But let’s be honest: One of the biggest benefits of a roomie is saving some serious cash on rent.
So, if you’re looking to share an apartment with a roommate, which spot in the Houston region delivers the most bang for the rental buck? The data scientists at RentHop, an online marketplace for apartment rentals, have the answer.
According to the new study, Houston ranks No. 7 among U.S. cities where getting a roommate saves the most money. The typical cost difference between the solo one-bedroom option versus the shared two-bedroom option is 36.5 percent, or an average savings of $330 per month.
Six areas around Houston offer savings of at least 40 percent for the solo one-bedroom option versus the shared two-bedroom option. Another 16 neighborhoods provide savings between 30 percent and 40 percent.
Brazoria County yields the most savings when splitting the rent for a two-bedroom apartment versus occupying a one-bedroom apartment by yourself. The study shows there’s a savings of 47.99 percent in Brazoria County between the solo one-bedroom option ($972 a month) and the shared two-bedroom option ($1,011 a month, divided in half).
Here are the areas in Houston that rank right behind Brazoria County in terms of where having a roommate instead of living alone makes the most sense financially:
- Conroe — 44.02 percent savings; $857 for a one-bedroom, $960 for a two-bedroom (divided in half)
- Pearland — 43.67 percent savings; $972 for a one-bedroom, $1,095 for a two-bedroom (divided in half)
- Westside — 42.21 percent savings; $909 for a one-bedroom, $1,050 for a two-bedroom (divided in half)
- Braeswood Place — 42.15 percent savings; $930 for a one-bedroom; $1,076 for a two-bedroom (divided in half)
On the other end of the spectrum, here are the neighborhoods in the Houston area where you’ll reap the smallest savings between the solo one-bedroom option and the shared two-bedroom option:
- Washington Avenue/Memorial Park — 13.79 percent savings; $1,218 for a one-bedroom, $2,100 for a two-bedroom (divided in half)
- Greater Heights — 14.09 percent savings; $1,278 for a one-bedroom, $2,195 for a two-bedroom (divided in half)
- Memorial — 16.67 percent savings; $1,050 for a one-bedroom, $1,750 for a two-bedroom (divided in half)
- Greenway/Upper Kirby — 19.26 percent; $1,155 for a one-bedroom, $1,865 for a two-bedroom (divided in half)
- Midtown — 22.53 percent; $1,124 for a one-bedroom, $1,742 for a two-bedroom (divided in half)
Even though savings are less, these areas are among the most popular for those sharing an apartment, and spending anywhere from 14 percent to more than 22 percent less per month can add up.