When it comes to finding a place to live, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make isn’t about the neighborhood or the square footage—it’s whether you want to live alone or with roommates.
Both setups have their perks and their challenges. Maybe you dream of a quiet, tidy space all to yourself. Or maybe splitting costs and having someone to talk to sounds ideal. There’s no “right” answer—it really comes down to your personality, lifestyle, budget, and needs.
If you’re stuck trying to decide, this guide breaks down the pros and cons of each to help you figure out what makes the most sense for you.
Living Alone: Pros and Cons
Pros of Living Alone
- Total privacy: You don’t have to make small talk when you’re tired. You can play your music, eat what you want, and walk around in pajamas without a second thought.
- Full control over the space: You decide how things are decorated, cleaned, and organized. If you like things a certain way, you don’t have to compromise.
- Peace and quiet: No one’s slamming doors or watching TV too loud while you’re trying to sleep or work. It’s a calm, consistent environment that’s especially great for introverts or remote workers.
- Independence and self-reliance: Living alone forces you to take full responsibility for bills, groceries, maintenance, and day-to-day living. That can be empowering and a good way to grow.
Cons of Living Alone
- It’s more expensive: You’re covering 100% of the rent, utilities, and household expenses. This can be tough, especially in high-rent areas or cities with rising housing costs.
- It can get lonely: If you’re social or used to living with family or friends, the quiet can feel isolating, especially after a long day.
- You do everything yourself: From unclogging a drain to hauling groceries, there’s no one to split the load with.
- No built-in social connection: Coming home to an empty apartment can be peaceful—or really quiet—depending on your mood and energy levels.
Living With Roommates: Pros and Cons
Pros of Living With Roommates
- Lower costs: Splitting rent, utilities, and even household supplies makes living more affordable. You may be able to afford a bigger space or better neighborhood than you could solo.
- Shared responsibilities: If everyone contributes, chores like cleaning, trash duty, and cooking are easier to manage.
- Social connection: There’s usually someone to talk to, cook with, or hang out with after a long day. This can be especially comforting if you’re living in a new city.
- More flexibility: Roommates may already have furniture, kitchen supplies, or other essentials that save you money when moving in.
Cons of Living With Roommates
- Less privacy: You’ll be sharing space, and that includes the noise, the mess, and the social energy.
- Potential for conflict: Differing sleep schedules, guests, cleaning habits, or personal boundaries can create tension if you’re not aligned.
- Dividing bills and chores can get tricky: If someone pays late or slacks off, resentment can build quickly.
- You can’t control their lifestyle: If your roommate is constantly hosting parties or ignoring boundaries, it can negatively impact your living experience.
Key Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing
Still torn? These questions can help you weigh what’s most important:
- How much can I afford to spend on housing each month?: Be realistic about your budget. Could you comfortably afford to live alone and still save money and pay your bills?
- How much do I value my privacy?: If alone time recharges you, a solo space may be worth the extra cost.
- Am I comfortable managing everything on my own?: Living alone means you’re the only one handling maintenance, bills, and household tasks.
- Do I like being around people when I come home?: If you find comfort in company, having a roommate might help you feel more at ease.
- Do I have someone I’d actually want to live with?: Roommates can be great—or a source of stress. If you’re unsure about a potential roommate, trust your gut.
- How tidy and organized am I?: If you have strong preferences around cleanliness or structure, living solo might help you avoid conflict.
Real-Life Scenarios: Who Thrives in Each Setup?
If you’re still on the fence, it might help to see how each situation works in practice:
Living Alone Might Be Right If You:
- Work from home and need a quiet environment
- Have strong routines and like your space a certain way
- Are introverted or enjoy winding down alone
- Have a stable income that allows you to afford it
- Don’t want to deal with unexpected guest visits or shared messes
Living With Roommates Might Be Right If You:
- Want to save money, or are you working with a tight budget
- Are new to a city and want built-in social support
- Prefer shared living spaces to keep you accountable and social
- Don’t mind compromising a bit to live in a better neighborhood
- Are just starting out and don’t want to furnish a whole place yourself
Thinking about how each setup might fit into your real-life routines can help you make a more confident decision.
Tips for Making Either Situation Work
No matter what you choose, you can set yourself up for success with a few smart habits:
If You Live Alone:
- Create a daily or weekly routine to keep from feeling unstructured
- Make an effort to stay social—invite friends over, go to events, or join local groups
- Budget carefully, since you’ll be covering all the bills solo
- Keep emergency contacts handy in case something unexpected happens
- Stay organized, especially with chores and finances—there’s no one else to remind you
If You Live With Roommates:
- Have an open conversation early about bills, chores, and expectations
- Set boundaries kindly but clearly—about guests, noise, cleaning, etc.
- Use apps or tools like Splitwise, Venmo, or Google Sheets to make splitting costs easier
- Give each other space—even in a shared apartment, personal time matters
- Be flexible but assertive—compromise is key, but don’t let issues build up
Choose What Fits Your Life
Living alone and living with roommates both have real advantages and real trade-offs. One isn’t better than the other; they just offer different things.
If you’re craving independence, quiet, and full control over your space, living solo might be your best fit. If affordability, social connection, and shared responsibilities are priorities, roommates could make your life easier and more fun.
Think about your lifestyle, your finances, and your comfort level. Then choose the option that supports the kind of life you’re trying to build right now. And remember—nothing is permanent. You can try one arrangement now and switch it up later. What matters most is that you feel safe, stable, and at home, wherever you decide to live.
