Living with roommates can save you money, but deciding how to split the rent is a conversation many avoid. Here are three trusted strategies:

1. Split Equally

The simplest way: divide the total rent by the number of roommates. This works best if all rooms and amenities are basically equal.

2. By Room Size or Features

Not all rooms are created equal! If one room is much bigger, or has an attached bath or balcony, it’s only fair that the person in that room pays more. Agree as a group what each room is worth, then split the remainder equally.

3. By Income

Want to be more sensitive to financial situations? Consider splitting based on each person’s income. Those who earn more pay a little extra, making shared living more accessible to everyone.

Pro Tip: Use the RoomMate Cost Splitter to try different split scenarios until you find one everyone agrees feels fair.