New data reveals what most flatsharers are earning in the UK
Key Points
- Tensions are rising among flatsharers in the UK as wealth gaps drive a wedge in households.
- Housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable, and rising bills mean many are being priced out of sharing a flat.
- Almost half of UK flatsharers are earning less than £30,000 per year, and the same is true for 32.7% of London sharers.
- Tensions over earnings usually manifest in arguments over heating and energy bills, as well as general household costs and communal supplies.
The rising cost of living and housing prices have made flatsharing common even amongst those on higher salaries, and it is causing tensions between sharers.
According to research from online flatshare website SpareRoom, almost half of flatsharers in the UK are earning less than £30,000 a year, with another 36.1% earning between £30,000 and £49,999.
The average cost of renting a room in a flatshare has risen to £747 nationally, and a eyebrow-raising £978 in London.
With 30% being the recommended maximum proportion of income one should spend on housing costs, flatsharers need to earn an annual minimum salary of £29,880 to rent an average room affordably.
In London, the average salary you need to earn to rent a room in a flatshare without exceeding this maximum recommendation is £39,120.
Despite this, 32.7% of London flatsharers are on salaries below £30,000, and another 43.1% earn between £30,000 and 49,999.
Average salaries of flatsharers in the UK and London
The table below shows the average salaries of flatsharers in the UK compared with those in London.
| Average annual income (before taxes are deducted) | 2026 All UK flatsharers | 2026 London flatsharers |
|---|---|---|
| Less than £30K | 48% | 32.7% |
| £30,000 – £49,999 | 36.1% | 43.1% |
| £50K or more | 15.9% | 24.2% |
| £75K or more | 4.3% | 6.3% |
| Average room rent (Q1) | £747 | £978 |
Wealth gaps fuel flatsharing tensions
Those who earn higher salaries but still choose to flatshare as they look to save quicker or access more disposable income are causing tensions to rise between themselves and flatmates who earn less.
SpareRoom’s data shows that 43% of flatmates believe wealth divide in their flatshare is causing problems for their living situation.
Households are generally most upset by arguments related to how much heating sharers use, how much they should contribute to bills and communal supplies, and how much they should pay towards rent.
The price of food and energy has risen substantially relative to wages in the UK, making it inevitable that those flatsharers who are not earning enough to comfortably afford their bills would become frustrated with those who are sharing out of choice.
“It used to be the case that a good salary would get you onto the housing ladder, or else renting alone or with a partner. But the cost of renting and living is now so high, sharing makes sense for people on higher incomes too,” said SpareRoom director Matt Hutchinson.
“Sadly, it’s become much less viable to rent on a lower salary. We know from our analysis of SpareRoom users by age that younger adults, who generally earn less, are being priced out of the rental market altogether.”
“While those earning more than £50K could likely afford to rent solo, it may mean compromising on location, disposable income and the ability to save. For those on higher-than-average salaries, sharing is often a tactical choice,” he said.
