Splitting rent fairly when bedrooms are not equal: enter total rent, each room’s square footage and extras like a private bathroom or parking, and get each person’s share. The total always adds up to the full rent.
Last updated: October 31, 2026. By the Apartments Club Editorial Team. See our Editorial Standards & Sources.
For each bedroom: square footage and extras. Extras add weight to that room's share of the private-space portion.
Weights: private bathroom +15%, walk-in closet or balcony +5% each, parking spot +$ amount you set is charged to that room only. Two people sharing a room: the room's share is split between them in the table. Your inputs stay in your browser. Agree on the split in a written roommate agreement.
How the split works
- Parking fees are charged only to the room that uses the space.
- The common-space share (living room, kitchen, hallways; default 40%) is split equally per person.
- The rest is split by room size, with weights for a private bathroom (+15%), walk-in closet (+5%) and balcony (+5%).
Adjust the common-space share until everyone agrees it feels fair, then put it in writing. Our roommate agreement guide covers rent, utilities, deposits and move-outs.
Before you sign with roommates in LA
- Ask whether all roommates will be on the lease; in California, co-tenants on one lease are usually each responsible for the full rent.
- Check if the unit is covered by the City of LA RSO, which limits rent increases when a new adult tenant is added (see the RSO calculator).
- Agree in writing how the security deposit is split and returned.
Looking for a roommate? Ask in the LA Renters Q&A forum.
FAQ
What is the fairest way to split rent?
There is no single answer. Splitting by square footage with an equal share for common space is a widely used approach because it reflects what each person uses privately.
How much more should the room with a private bathroom pay?
Many households add 10%-20% to that room’s weight. This calculator uses 15%; change the common-space share to fine-tune.
How do couples sharing a room pay?
Set “People in room” to 2. They pay one share of the common space each, and the room’s private portion is split between them.
Should utilities be split the same way?
Usually utilities are split equally per person, since use is closer to per-person than per-square-foot.
Related: how much rent can I afford · LA rent affordability calculator · all tools
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