Why More Renters Are Searching for Two-Bedroom Apartments

Renting an apartment usually means living in a smaller space; however, some renters are rewriting this belief by renting a two-bedroom apartment. The Q1 2026 Apartments.com Renter Insights survey found an increase in search volume for two-bedroom apartments quarter-over-quarter from 2025 to 2026. Renting a two-bedroom apartment with a roommate is a popular cost-cutting tactic, but is that the only reason renters are increasingly favoring a two-bedroom apartment?

Why Renters Want More Space

The average size for a one-bedroom apartment is 696 sq. ft., while the average for a two bedroom is 998 sq. ft.- a noticeable difference. Having more space is a non-negotiable for some renters throughout their apartment search. In fact, an Apartments.com Q4 2025 Renter Survey found that 20 percent of renters said that size is among their top three considerations when looking for their next rental.

There are many reasons why extra square footage can be important, but here are some of the most common reasons renters choose a two-bedroom apartment when looking for more space.

Dedicated home office space

If you primarily work from home, having a space dedicated to work can be important. Instead of keeping your desk, computer monitor, and laptop in your living room or bedroom, an extra room in your apartment can be transformed into a home office. This not only saves space in other areas but can also help remote workers create a better separation between work and home life.

Space for hosting family and friends

Studio or one-bedroom apartments usually don’t offer much square footage, making it difficult to host guests in these small spaces. If you’re looking for more room for friends and family to enjoy, consider renting a two-bedroom apartment.

Most two-bedroom apartments don’t just come with an extra bedroom- the kitchen, living room, and common areas are usually larger as well. If you’re consistently entertaining guests in your apartment, it may be worth considering an upgrade in space.  

Guest bedroom

Having a second bedroom without a roommate can be helpful if you frequently host overnight guests. Whether a friend needs a place to sleep or you simply like having extra sleeping space available, a second bedroom can provide flexibility and convenience.

Home gym or creative studio

Some apartment communities don’t offer a fitness center as part of their amenities, but a spare bedroom can easily turn into a home gym. Even if your community offers a gym, you may prefer the convenience of working out in your own space.

If you’re a photographer, or enjoy painting, drawing, or another creative hobby, an extra bedroom can become a dedicated creative studio. Photographers can use the space as a photography studio, while artists can create their very own at-home art studio.

Use your imagination and turn the extra room into whatever best fits your lifestyle. Make sure to adhere to any lease guidelines when transforming the space to help maintain a positive relationship with your landlord.

More storage space

If you have moving boxes, storage containers, or extra furniture, a second bedroom can offer more storage space. You can treat a second bedroom like a basement, attic, or storage unit- store seasonal décor, extra clothing, or larger items that don’t fit anywhere else. If you own more things than necessarily fit in your apartment, a two-bedroom apartment may provide the additional space you need.

Cities With the Largest Increase in Searches for Two-Bedroom Apartments

According to the Apartments.com Renter Insights Survey, several cities saw an increase in searches for two-bedroom apartments. Specifically, these five cities reported the largest difference between renters searching for a two-bedroom apartment versus a one-bedroom apartment.

1. Parkersburg, West Virginia

• Average one-bedroom rent in Parkersburg- $776/month
• Average two-bedroom rent in Parkersburg- $929/month

The average rent in Parkersburg is already low, and renters who split a two-bedroom apartment with a roommate would pay $464 per month. The renter survey found that renters in Parkersburg searched for two-bedroom apartments 13 percent more than they searched for one-bedroom apartments.

Parkersburg has a population of 29,911 and is composed of 42 percent of residents who rent their homes. The city is home to Julia-Ann Square Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. With affordable monthly rents and a mix of apartment communities and single-family rentals, renters have a range of two-bedroom housing options to explore.  

2. St. Joseph, Missouri

• Average one-bedroom rent in St. Joseph- $784/month
• Average two-bedroom rent in St. Joseph- $928/month

The city of St. Joseph saw a 12 percent difference in search volume between two-bedroom and one-bedroom apartments. The average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment remains well below the national average, and renters renting with a roommate would only pay $464/month to live in this Missouri city.  

Located along the Missouri River, St. Joseph offers scenic riverfront views and rich west American history. The city features 13 museums, and multiple commemorative Lewis and Clark trails certified by the National Park Service. With Kansas City only about 30 minutes away, renters can enjoy lower housing costs while staying relatively close to the metro area.  

3. Norfolk, Virginia

• Average one-bedroom rent in Norfolk- $1,387/month
• Average two-bedroom rent in Norfolk- $1,521/month

Norfolk saw an 11 percent difference in renter searches between one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Renters who split a two-bedroom apartment with a roommate would spend $760 per month on rent.

With access to any of Norfolk’s numerous beaches and housing options ranging from waterfront apartments to historic homes in the Freemason District, Norfolk offers something for a variety of renters. Over half of the city’s population is composed of renters, making it a welcoming market for apartment seekers.  

4. Youngstown, Ohio

• Average one-bedroom rent in Youngstown- $709/month
• Average two-bedroom rent in Youngstown- $898/month

Youngstown offers some of the most affordable rents in Ohio, with renters sharing an apartment with a roommate only paying $449/month. According to the renter survey, there was a 10 percent increase in two-bedroom apartment searches in Youngstown when compared to one-bedroom apartment searches.

Youngstown offers cultural attractions including Youngstown State University, the Butler Institute of American Art, and the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater. With a growing downtown and a renter population of approximately 47 percent, the city appeals to a variety of renters.

5. Little Rock, Arkansas

• Average one-bedroom rent in Little Rock- $949/month
• Average two-bedroom rent in Little Rock- $1,104/month

The average monthly rent in Little Rock for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,104/month, meaning renters sharing with a roommate would pay about $552 per month. Searches for two-bedroom apartments exceeded searches for one-bedroom apartments by 10 percent in Little Rock.  

As Arkansas’ capital and largest city, Little Rock is a cultural and economic hub. Employment opportunities in healthcare, education, and finance, along with proximity to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock make the city attractive to renters with ranging lifestyles.  

Markets Where Renters Save the Most Renting with a Roommate

The national average rent has increased by 0.3 percent over the last year. As affordability remains a top concern, renters continue to find unique ways to afford rent across the country.

The Apartments.com Q4 2025 Renter Survey found that 18 percent of renters live with roommates, while 30 percent live alone. Although living alone remains the majority, living with roommates offers a cost-cutting solution for renters looking to stay under budget.

Asking rent is the initial price a landlord advertises for a property, while the average rent encompasses the entire market. These five markets reported the largest difference between one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartment asking rents at the beginning of 2026.

1. San Jose, California

• Average one-bedroom rent in San Jose- $2,794/month
• Average two-bedroom rent in San Jose- $3,504/month

San Jose sits in the heart of Silicon Valley and is home to major technology companies like Adobe, Cisco, and PayPal. Asking rents in San Jose in the first half of 2026 ranged from $2,950/month for a one bedroom to $3,667/month for a two bedroom. Renters in San Jose would save $1,117 on rent every month if they split rent and lived with a roommate.

2. San Francisco, California

• Average one-bedroom rent in San Francisco- $3,452/month
• Average two-bedroom rent in San Francisco- $4,758/month

San Francisco is a major academic, economic, and cultural hub in California. The city reported asking rents of $3,168/month for a one bedroom and $4,192/month for a two bedroom at the beginning of 2026. Renters splitting a two-bedroom apartment could save $1,072 per month on rent.  

3. New York, New York

• Average one-bedroom rent in New York- $4,173/month
• Average two-bedroom rent in New York- $5,737/month

The asking rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York at the beginning of 2026 was $3,110/month, while the rent for a two-bedroom apartment was $4,153/month. Renting with roommates is common in the Big Apple, but renters who split rent in New York can save $1,034/month, allowing an already financially stretched renter to stretch their budget further.

4. Long Island, New York

• Average one-bedroom rent in Long Island- $3,708/month
• Average two-bedroom rent in Long Island- $5,086/month

At the beginning of 2026, asking rents in Long Island ranged from $2,682/month for a one-bedroom to $3,440/month for a two-bedroom. If a renter were to live with a roommate and split rent every month, they could save an average of $962 per month on this New York coastal island.

5. Stamford, Connecticut

• Average one-bedroom rent in Stamford- $2,791/month
• Average two-bedroom rent in Stamford- $3,783/month

Stamford is a small town that offers quiet living in the New England area. At the beginning of 2026, the asking rent for a one-bedroom in Stamford was $2,500/month and the asking rent for a two-bedroom apartment was $3,290/month. If a renter were to live with a roommate in Stamford, they would save $855/month on rent payments.

Markets with the Most Roommate Savings at a Glance

City	1 BR Asking Rent	2 BR Asking Rent	Savings per month
San Jose, CA	$2,950	$3,667	$1,117
San Francisco, CA	$3,168	$4,192	$1,072
New York, NY	$3,110	$4,153	$1,034
Long Island, NY	$2,682	$3,440	$962
Stamford, CT	$2,500	$3,290	$855

Methodology

Rent data is sourced from the Apartments.com Rent Trends pages. Market data is provided by CoStar Group’s Q1 2026 data reports.

Find Two-Bedroom Apartments in Any City with Apartments.com

Whether you’re looking to rent with a roommate or need extra space for a home office, guest room, or storage, Apartments.com makes it easy to find a two-bedroom apartment in any city. With advanced filters and a range of amenities to search by, Apartments.com makes it easy to find your perfect place faster. Start your rental search on Apartments.com today!