New research reveals that the average bills-included room in a shared house is around 50% more affordable than renting a one-bedroom flat.

COHO’s analysis of live shared living listings in England shows that the average rent for a bills-excluded room in a shared house is an estimated £690 per month. Meanwhile, the average price of a bills-included room rises modestly to £742 per month, meaning tenants pay just £50 more to have all essential bills fully covered.

But when compared with the cost of living alone, the savings become even more compelling, it claims. 

The average one-bed flat in England now rents for £1,141 per calendar month. Add essential household bills — which COHO estimates at £332 per month — and the total monthly cost of going it alone rises to £1,473.

This means a tenant in a bills-included shared house pays 49.6% less each month than someone renting a one-bed flat alone.

Across England, 64% of shared house listings are advertised with bills included. In some regions, the prevalence is even higher: the North West leads with 76% of shared listings including bills, followed by the East of England at 70%, and the South East where 69% of shared listings offer all-in monthly rents.

This is in stark contrast to the wider rental market, where only 15% of listings offer bills included. In London, that figure drops even further, to just 8.5%.

A spokesperson for COHO says:  “Bills-included shared living isn’t just convenient, it’s incredibly good value. At a time when renters are feeling the squeeze on every side, the ability to live well for half the cost of going it alone is not just compelling, it’s transformative.

“What’s more, that affordability comes bundled with so many of the things people are increasingly seeking: flexibility, simplicity and, perhaps most importantly, community. When you live in a shared home, you’re not just saving money on bills, you’re gaining access to real human connection. The chance to share a coffee in the kitchen, to split a takeaway, to laugh at something on TV with someone else, these are moments of togetherness that are hard to put a price on.

“In many ways, shared living isn’t a compromise, it’s a smarter, more sustainable way of living that offers financial headroom and emotional resilience. We believe that when it’s done right, shared living can help people not just get by, but genuinely thrive.”