Breakups and Move-Outs or Getting Together and Move-Ins: Cities Where Apartment Searches Tell the Post-V-Day Story

Love may be in the air on Valentine’s Day, but apartment searches tell a more complicated story the month after. For some, V-Day is a time to strengthen bonds while others realize that a relationship no longer fits. More studio and one-bedroom apartment searches signal new beginnings after breakups, while spikes in two-bedroom apartment searches highlight couples taking the next step.

The story of Valentine’s Day, relationships, and housing choices is a completely different tale depending on the city. See how relationships shape living decisions by uncovering the post-Valentine’s Day story in different cities.

Key Takeaways

• Apartment searches jumped after Valentine’s Day, with both studio/one‑bedroom and two‑bedroom searches rising 21 percent nationally from February to March in 2025, signaling major relationship‑driven housing shifts.
• Cities split into two clear patterns: places like Boston, Madison, and Austin saw the biggest spikes in two‑bedroom searches as couples moved in together, while cities such as Cedar Rapids, Syracuse, and Springfield saw sharp jumps in studio and one‑bedroom searches driven by breakups and move‑outs.
• Affordability, market flexibility, and local culture influence whether cities see more move‑ins or move‑outs after Valentine’s Day.

Methodology

To ensure sufficient data, we limited the analysis to cities that met a minimum required number of listings. Then we compared the February-to-March 2025 percentage change in combined studio and one-bedroom searches with the change in two-bedroom apartment searches.

All rent data is from Apartments.com as of January 2026.

March’s Revelations about V-Day: What Apartment Search Data Reveals

After Valentine’s Day, relationship changes show up quickly in renter searches. Couples are moving in together and breaking up in equal amounts. From February to March, searches for studio and one-bedroom apartments, as well as two-bedroom apartments, rose 21 percent.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t hit every city the same; some fall deeper in love while others fall apart. In some cities, spikes in studio and one-bedroom apartment searches point to breakups, while in others, rising interest in two-bedroom apartments suggests couples moving in together. We’ll explore the drivers behind these patterns and what they reveal about relationships, housing choices, and Valentine’s Day in each city.

Love and Leases: Cities Where Couples Cohabitate

Love was the tipping point in cohabitation decisions across these cities, all of which saw an increase in two-bedroom searches from February to March. Just as move-ins are closely tied to emotional reasons, they also stem from practical ones as well. From saving money to spending more time together, couples enjoy the benefits of living together in these cities.

City	February vs. March Increase in Studio and One-Bedroom Searches	February vs. March Increase in Two-Bedroom Searches
Boston, MA	35%	45%
Madison, WI	29%	43%
Pittsburgh, PA	31%	38%
Reno, NV	22%	38%
Austin, TX	31%	37%

Boston, MA

• Average Rent in the US: $1,625/month
• Average Studio Rent in Boston: $2,850/month
• Average One-Bedroom Rent in Boston: $3,414/month
• Average Two-Bedroom Rent in Boston: $4,292/month

Moving in together makes life much easier for couples living in Boston. The city never slows down so living together turns limited time into shared time. It integrates a romantic partner into everyday life, even when things are hectic.

There’s also the matter of rent. Once you’re in a relationship, paying for two apartments seems crazy with rents as high as they are in Boston. One home, one lease, and one rent means less expenses and more room to save for a romantic getaway or shared goal.

Boston’s social scene stretches across the city with nightlife, dining, festivals, and entertainment, but much of it stays close to home. Weekends and evenings are made for dinner parties and game nights at home, punctuated by date nights to your favorite neighborhood restaurant. Cohabitation allows couples to anchor their social lives in one place and build their future together.

Madison, WI

• Average Rent in the US: $1,625/month
• Average Studio Rent in Madison: $1,242/month
• Average One-Bedroom Rent in Madison: $1,486/month
• Average Two-Bedroom Rent in Madison: $1,821/month

Madison’s steady and easygoing vibe shows up across the city, from its economy to arts and outdoors, but it’s also present in relationships too. After a long winter of bundling up and juggling schedules, many couples decide that life’s better together. Moving in after Valentine’s Day means fewer freezing commutes and more warm moments inside.

The city’s design makes that choice even easier since it’s all about shared daily outdoor time. With lakes, parks, and green spaces woven into neighborhoods, sharing an apartment makes it easier for couples to slow down and enjoy the city side by side. Whether it’s kayaking in the summer, skating in the winter, or stepping out for local events, cohabitation allows couples to participate in Madison’s year-round activities as one. It’s no surprise that the city saw a 43 percent increase in two-bedroom searches from February to March.

Pittsburgh, PA

• Average Rent in the US: $1,625/month
• Average Studio Rent in Pittsburgh: $1,205/month
• Average One-Bedroom Rent in Pittsburgh: $1,393/month
• Average Two-Bedroom Rent in Pittsburgh: $1,655/month

Many renters arrive as students at the University of Pittsburgh or Carnegie Mellon University and stick around after long after graduation. With strong career opportunities in education, tech, healthcare, and innovation, it’s easy to put down roots. Add in festivals, evolving dining options, an active arts scene, and tight-knit neighborhoods, it’s no surprise that friendships turn into long-term relationships, where living together starts to feel like the natural next step.

Pittsburgh’s neighborhood-driven social scene seals the deal. Each area has its own local events, routines, restaurants, and secret spots that make living apart feel like dating across cities. Sharing an apartment is the true start of life as a couple as it allows you to build a routine and social circle together.

Reno, NV

• Average Rent in the US: $1,625/month
• Average Studio Rent in Reno: $1,142/month
• Average One-Bedroom Rent in Reno: $1,467/month
• Average Two-Bedroom Rent in Reno: $1,785/month

In Reno, living together turns the city into a shared adventure. The city’s reputation as “The Biggest Little City in the World” comes from its nonstop nightlife, entertainment, and dining scene paired with abundant outdoor recreation. In a car-dependent city with limited public transit, living together makes it easier to say yes to everything, from summer festivals to days spent outdoors. It’s a change that many couples are making with two-bedroom searches jumping 38 percent post Valentine’s Day.

While Downtown Reno stays lit well into the night, its surrounding areas offer room to slow down. The suburbs aren’t just the perfect place for couples to spend quiet nights together, but also an opportunity to save for shared dreams, thanks to more affordable rents.

Austin, TX

• Average Rent in the US: $1,625/month
• Average Studio Rent in Austin: $1,228/month
• Average One-Bedroom Rent in Austin: $1,381/month
• Average Two-Bedroom Rent in Austin: $1,788/month

For many couples in Austin, moving in together is less about rushing a relationship and more about unlocking downtown locations, more space, or newer buildings by sharing costs. The city has shot up in popularity over the past couple of years, and apartments in prime locations have become more expensive and difficult to obtain. Couples choose to move in together to ease financial burdens and have more quality time.

In a city with such an active social scene, couples who live together find they can more easily enjoy the community with fewer barriers. You can spontaneously have a date night where you explore nightlife and dining options together. Or make daily walks as a couple a ritual; just grab your partner and meander along the trails and parks on the Colorado River.

Breakups and Studios: Cities Where Singles Start Fresh

Valentine’s Day can be a turning point in a relationship, and for some, that turning point leads to a new address. In these cities, studio and one-bedroom searches spiked in March, as newly single renters start fresh.

City	February vs. March Increase in Studio and One-Bedroom Searches	February vs. March Increase in Two-Bedroom Searches
Boston, MA	35%	45%
Cedar Rapids, IA	34%	20%
Syracuse, NY	33%	35%
Saint Louis, MO	32%	27%
Springfield, IL	32%	25%

Boston, MA

• Average Rent in the US: $1,625/month
• Average Studio Rent in Boston: $2,850/month
• Average One-Bedroom Rent in Boston: $3,414/month
• Average Two-Bedroom Rent in Boston: $4,292/month

Boston may be a city of couples moving in together, but it’s also a city that makes moving on easier. After a breakup, holding onto a two-bedroom on one income isn’t always realistic, and many renters opt for a fresh start in a studio or one-bedroom. Luckily, in Boston’s fast-moving rental market, there’s almost always someone ready to step in, making sublets and lease takeovers easier than you might expect.

Location matters just as much as price to renters, as many choose their apartments based on walkability and ease of access to work, school, transit, and everyday destinations. While cohabitation requires compromise, once you’re on your own again you can focus more on your priorities. Finding a place that fits your routine makes more sense than toughing it out.

In a city where neighborhoods double as social circles, a change of scenery helps ease the pain of separation. Boston’s close-knit blocks have everything you need for daily life, from gyms to local restaurants. It makes it easy to build a community but also difficult to avoid constant reminders of life together and run-ins with your ex. Leaving the area allows newly single renters to cast off their past and start fresh with a new routine, favorite spots, and friend group.

Cedar Rapids, IA

• Average Rent in the US: $1,625/month
• Average Studio Rent in Cedar Rapids: $865/month
• Average One-Bedroom Rent in Cedar Rapids: $816/month
• Average Two-Bedroom Rent in Cedar Rapids: $1,034/month

Cedar Rapids makes solo living refreshingly simple after complicated breakups. With affordable rents and short commutes, starting fresh doesn’t mean upending your entire routine. Thanks to the city’s compact size, getting around is quick no matter where you end up, so moving to a new neighborhood feels more like an opportunity rather than a disruption.

For renters shifting to one income, downsizing often is the sensible option. Studios and one-bedroom apartments keep costs manageable, and with a less competitive rental market, finding a new place is surprisingly stress-free. That ease shows up in the numbers: from February to March, searches for studios and one-bedrooms jumped 34 percent, compared to a 20 percent increase for two-bedrooms.

Syracuse, NY

• Average Rent in the US: $1,625/month
• Average Studio Rent in Syracuse: $1,173/month
• Average One-Bedroom Rent in Syracuse: $1,228/month
• Average Two-Bedroom Rent in Syracuse: $1,485/month

In Syracuse, moving on after a breakup isn’t complicated. With low rents, searching for a new apartment is a realistic possibility instead of a pipe dream. Wake up ready to tackle the next stage of your life instead of being stuck in limbo in a shared apartment.

That flexibility turns sad separations into exciting beginnings. A breakup becomes a chance to try a new neighborhood, meet new people, or settle into a space that feels entirely your own. Many renters jump at the chance to quickly move on after a breakup: studio and one-bedroom apartment searches went up 33 percent from February to March.

Saint Louis, MO

• Average Rent in the US: $1,625/month
• Average Studio Rent in Saint Louis: $1,013/month
• Average One-Bedroom Rent in Saint Louis: $1,127/month
• Average Two-Bedroom Rent in Saint Louis: $1,361/month

Support systems help newly single renters stay on their feet, which is why many don’t want to move far from them. In Saint Louis, neighborhoods are your community, so moving often means leaving your biggest cheerleaders behind. To stay close to close friends and comfortable routines, renters downsize to a studio or one-bedroom apartment to keep things affordable and familiar.

On the flip side, others take the route for a new beginning by choosing to move to a different part of the city. Familiar streets and favorite date spots can make moving on harder, and a new neighborhood is the perfect chance to start anew.

Springfield, IL

• Average Rent in the US: $1,625/month
• Average Studio Rent in Springfield: $758/month
• Average One-Bedroom Rent in Springfield: $922/month
• Average Two-Bedroom Rent in Springfield: $1,094/month

Springfield’s size makes moving out a must to create space after a breakup. Even if you’re both on the lease, a change of address is often worth it. Nothing puts a road bump in moving on like running into each other at the grocery store or around the neighborhood. But the good news is that relocating doesn’t mean leaving your connections behind.

City-wide activities, events, and festivals foster a sense of community that extends beyond individual neighborhoods. Since Springfield feels connected no matter where you live, moving after a breakup feels like a step forward instead of starting over. A new apartment still means the same favorite spots, familiar routines, and social circles, just without the unpleasant reminders.

Why Housing and Relationship Decisions Vary City-by-City

After Valentine’s Day, housing trends take different paths from city to city. Romance drives moving out after a separation but also finally moving in together. While the forces behind these paths are often the same, what changes is how renters react to those pressures and how their next move plays out.

Affordability shapes moving decisions

Affordability heavily influences housing decisions for couples. In high-rent cities, two incomes are often more beneficial than having to rely on one. It unlocks new locations and expands housing options while splitting up the burden. This encourages couples to move in together much more quickly than in lower-rent cities.

That same pressure also explains why breakups often lead to fast downsizing or quick solutions. Retaining the same apartment on one income may not be possible due to the expensive price.

Lower-cost cities can result in the same outcomes but for different reasons. Lower rent prices make it easier to move out after a breakup, and it also helps renters save. However, it also makes it possible to live separately for longer.

Market flexibility matters

In less competitive rental markets, finding a new apartment after a breakup is pretty straightforward. In highly competitive cities, demand works differently. While apartments are harder to secure, it’s often easier to find someone to take over a lease or sublet, giving renters more flexibility when moving out.

What This Means for You

No matter what Valentine’s Day brings for you, relationship changes often come with housing decisions. Knowing how to navigate both sides can help you make the choice that’s right for you, whether you’re planning a move with your partner or starting fresh on your own.

If you’re moving in together

Before signing a lease together, sit down and discuss the realities of living together:

• Align on the lease and finances: Discuss how rent, utilities, and other costs are split, and what names are on the lease.
• Talk through daily habits: Talking about expectations leads to a smoother living situation. This includes discussing cleaning standards, routines, work schedules, and expectations around shared space.
• Plan for the what-ifs: Have an honest conversation about what happens if one person needs to move or if the relationship ends.
• Define your apartment priorities: Agree on location, budget, layout, must-have features, and any compromises that might need to be made.
• Discuss furniture and decorations: Talk about how you are dividing decorating and furnishing responsibilities and how you’ll make these decisions.
• Talk about the future: Share long-term goals and future plans to see if living together fits where each of you are headed.

If you’re moving out

A breakup can create pressure to move out fast, but you shouldn’t rush the decision. Take time to understand and discuss your housing options before making a choice:

• Look for flexibility: Short-term leases or furnished apartments can buy you time while you plan your next move.
• Explore lease solutions: A lease takeover or sublet may reduce financial strain if one person needs to leave.
• Be clear about financial responsibility: Even after a breakup, both parties are still responsible for rent, utilities, and fees.
• Evaluate staying put: In some cases, remaining in the apartment until the lease ends may be the least disruptive option.

Use Apartments.com for Every Move

Though relationship statuses change, Apartments.com stays. Whether you’re searching solo after a breakup or upgrading together after making it official, Apartments.com helps you find a place that fits what’s next.

Use filters to narrow your search to a studio, a one-bedroom, or a two-bedroom, whatever this chapter calls for. Wherever you’re headed, move forward with Apartments.com.