How do roommates typically split rent?

Equal splits are common, but many adjust based on room size, natural light, or private bathrooms. Some use square footage. Others negotiate — bigger room pays more.

Should utilities be split equally?

Usually yes. But if one roommate works from home or takes 45-minute showers, you might adjust. Are We Even lets you set different percentages for different expense types.

How do I handle groceries with roommates?

Three approaches: split everything equally (simplest), track individual purchases (fairest), or hybrid — shared staples split equally, personal items tracked separately.

When should we settle up?

Monthly is most common. Pick a day — the 1st, the 15th, whenever rent is due. Check balances and square up.

Roommate expenses without the drama

The best way to split rent and expenses with roommates is to agree on split rules upfront, track costs as they happen, and settle monthly. Split rent by square footage or amenities for fairness. Split utilities equally unless usage varies significantly. Use an app where one person manages the account so adoption isn't a barrier.

What roommates typically share

Rent

The big one. One person pays the landlord, gets reimbursed.

Utilities

Electric, gas, water, internet. Add each bill when it arrives.

Household supplies

Toilet paper, dish soap, trash bags. The unglamorous stuff.

Shared groceries

Milk, eggs, cooking basics. Share staples, keep snacks separate.

Subscriptions

Netflix, Spotify, streaming services. One pays, everyone watches.

Furniture

The couch, kitchen table. Agree who keeps what when you move.

How to split rent fairly

Equal splits are easy but not always fair. If one roommate has the master suite and another has a converted closet, adjust accordingly.

By square footage

Your room is 15% of the apartment? You pay 15% of rent. Simple math, clear rationale.

By amenities

Private bathroom? Add 5-10%. Better light? Add a bit. Window facing a brick wall? Subtract.

By pick order

First pick pays most, second pick pays less. Randomize the picking order.

By income

When incomes vary significantly, percentage-of-income keeps housing affordable for everyone.

The grocery question

Groceries cause more roommate tension than almost anything else. Three approaches:

Completely separate

Everyone buys their own food, labels it, stores it on designated shelves. Clear boundaries.

Completely shared

All groceries go in a shared pot. Take turns shopping, split everything equally.

Hybrid (most common)

Shared basics split equally. Personal snacks tracked separately. Best of both worlds.

Setting up expense tracking

1Create a household group. One group for all roommate expenses. Everyone can see the balance.
2Agree on split rules upfront. Rent 40/30/30? Utilities equal? Get it in writing before the first bill.
3Log expenses when they happen. Paid the electric bill? Add it immediately.
4Settle monthly. Check balances, square up. No surprises.

Ground rules to set before moving in

These conversations are easier before tensions exist. Agree upfront on:

How rent splits (equal or adjusted?)
How utilities split (equal or usage-based?)
What's shared (groceries? cleaning supplies? Netflix?)
Guest policies (significant other over constantly?)
Who owns shared purchases if someone moves out?

What we've learned from roommate groups

The #1 cause of roommate money tension isn't disagreement about amounts — it's uncertainty about what's been paid and what hasn't.

"Did you pay the electric bill?" becomes loaded when you've asked it three times. Roommates start avoiding the conversation entirely. Small imbalances compound into resentment.

The fix is radical transparency. When everyone can see the running balance at any time, there's nothing to ask about. The numbers speak for themselves.

Why Are We Even works for roommates

Roommate situations require tools that don't add friction. If everyone has to pay or download something, adoption fails.

One person handles the account — usually whoever pays the landlord

Flexible splits — rent 40/30/30, utilities equal, groceries by item

Income-based splitting for when earnings vary

Clear balances — everyone sees who owes what

See income-based splits in action

Try our calculator to see what fair rent splits look like when roommates earn different amounts. Free, no signup.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do roommates typically split rent?: Equal splits are common, but many adjust based on room size, natural light, or private bathrooms. Some use square footage. Others negotiate — bigger room pays more.
Should utilities be split equally?: Usually yes. But if one roommate works from home or takes 45-minute showers, you might adjust. Are We Even lets you set different percentages for different expense types.
How do I handle groceries with roommates?: Three approaches: split everything equally (simplest), track individual purchases (fairest), or hybrid — shared staples split equally, personal items tracked separately.
When should we settle up?: Monthly is most common. Pick a day — the 1st, the 15th, whenever rent is due. Check balances and square up.

Make roommate expenses painless

Track rent, utilities, and shared costs in one place. Only one roommate needs to pay for the app.

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