It seems the housing market is starting to resemble a “Golden Girls” episode as the rising costs of housing has fueled a growing trend of people over 65 living in roommate settings.
According to a data report from the roommate connection platform SpareRoom, while the over-65 age group accounts for less than 5% of all US roommates, this share has more than tripled in the 10 years to 2025. The second highest increase has been seen among roommates aged 55-64.
The new data report also found 39% of roommate settings are multi-generational households, where the age difference between the oldest and youngest adult is 20 years or more. More than one-quarter (27%) of residents sharing living quarters have a 30-plus year age gap between them.
Meanwhile, those between the ages of 18 and 24 have dropped from representing 37% of the roommate market in 2015 to just 28% in 2025. Those aged 25-34 years old – the group most typically associated with renting with roommates – has dropped from more than 40% in 2015 to less than one-third in 2025, although this is still the most dominant age group.
“We’re inching ever further from the traditional image of the renter as a recent graduate or young professional,” said Matt Hutchinson, director of SpareRoom. “Today, the proportion of older Americans living as tenants in shared rentals is higher than 10 years ago, because – for some – it’s simply the only way to afford housing. Renting is no longer just a stepping-stone to homeownership. For many, especially those nearing retirement without sufficient savings, it’s becoming a long-term financial necessity.”
SpareRoom’s survey polled 491 roommates during February.
Photo courtesy of NBCUniversal
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