logo

Moving In Together: A Guide for Couples


Moving in with your significant other is exciting. It’s also a big decision. How do you know if you and your partner are ready, and what do you need to know before you take that next step?

Based on insights we gathered from our 2022 Moving In Together Survey, here are our top tips for “co-happy-tation” with your partner:

  1. Move in for the right reasons: Be thoughtful about why you are moving in with your partner. Is it about commitment or convenience? Our survey found that the couples that moved in together primarily for practical reasons, such as one person’s lease expiring, were less satisfied than couples who moved in together to take their relationship to the next level.

  2. Don’t rush it: Although some couples move in together after dating only a short time, we found that people who dated their partner for more than a year prior to moving in together were more likely to feel highly satisfied with their relationship. Take your time to make the right decision – it’s a big step.

  3. Talk about the future: The number one piece of advice offered by people who live with their partners? Discuss your future expectations about your relationship before you move in. That includes discussing what will happen in the unlikely event that you break up.

  4. Know their (bad) habits: Be sure you’ve spent enough time together before moving in to appreciate how your day-to-day living habits might differ. Is your partner messy? Do their spending habits align with yours? Do they snore? Acknowledging and talking about the things that might drive you crazy will help you avoid surprises and find solutions.

  5. Create a budget: Develop a clear plan for how you will pay for household expenses. What can you expect to pay in additional living expenses? Are you both on board with paying for streaming services or frequent take-out food? Will you split all expenses equally? Agree on a budget before you start racking up bills.

  6. Split the rent evenly: Our survey indicates that people who split housing costs evenly (or fairly if one person cannot afford as much) are more likely to be satisfied than couples where one person pays all of the rent. Every circumstance is different, but equitable distribution of costs can help both partners feel invested in their home and living situation. For help figuring out what you and your partner can afford, use our rent calculator.

  7. Think big: Sharing a cozy living space might seem romantic, but too cramped a space can cramp a relationship. If you are looking for a new place together, consider your shared space and storage needs and go as big as your budget allows. Need help finding the right place? Check out the best deals on apartment listings in your area on ApartmentAdvisor.

We rate and sort every listing based on fair market rent.

Start your search

Top metro areas

Atlanta Apartments

732 apartments starting at $550/month

Austin Apartments

934 apartments starting at $600/month

Baltimore Apartments

603 apartments starting at $450/month

Birmingham Apartments

261 apartments starting at $550/month

Boston Apartments

3,254 apartments starting at $750/month

Buffalo Apartments

109 apartments starting at $750/month

Charlotte Apartments

705 apartments starting at $542/month

Chicago Apartments

3,362 apartments starting at $400/month

Cincinnati Apartments

301 apartments starting at $600/month

Cleveland Apartments

427 apartments starting at $525/month

Columbus Apartments

911 apartments starting at $400/month

Dallas Apartments

1,256 apartments starting at $550/month

Denver Apartments

683 apartments starting at $500/month

Detroit Apartments

517 apartments starting at $550/month

Grand Rapids Apartments

227 apartments starting at $560/month

Hartford Apartments

75 apartments starting at $795/month

Houston Apartments

654 apartments starting at $650/month

Indianapolis Apartments

528 apartments starting at $400/month

Jacksonville Apartments

901 apartments starting at $448/month

Kansas City Apartments

510 apartments starting at $500/month

Las Vegas Apartments

825 apartments starting at $675/month

Los Angeles Apartments

3,485 apartments starting at $600/month

Louisville Apartments

305 apartments starting at $500/month

Memphis Apartments

681 apartments starting at $500/month

Miami Apartments

614 apartments starting at $1,200/month

Milwaukee Apartments

522 apartments starting at $465/month

Minneapolis Apartments

684 apartments starting at $625/month

Nashville Apartments

356 apartments starting at $795/month

New Orleans Apartments

432 apartments starting at $595/month

New York City Apartments

1,873 apartments starting at $850/month

Oklahoma City Apartments

581 apartments starting at $575/month

Orlando Apartments

398 apartments starting at $650/month

Philadelphia Apartments

1,677 apartments starting at $400/month

Phoenix Apartments

1,072 apartments starting at $638/month

Pittsburgh Apartments

765 apartments starting at $600/month

Portland Apartments

884 apartments starting at $415/month

Providence Apartments

155 apartments starting at $799/month

Raleigh Apartments

414 apartments starting at $600/month

Richmond Apartments

402 apartments starting at $650/month

Riverside Apartments

102 apartments starting at $495/month

Sacramento Apartments

336 apartments starting at $900/month

Salt Lake City Apartments

199 apartments starting at $550/month

San Antonio Apartments

745 apartments starting at $410/month

San Diego Apartments

963 apartments starting at $795/month

San Francisco Apartments

782 apartments starting at $895/month

San Jose Apartments

212 apartments starting at $1,000/month

Seattle Apartments

931 apartments starting at $600/month

St. Louis Apartments

364 apartments starting at $525/month

Tampa Apartments

405 apartments starting at $801/month

Virginia Beach Apartments

220 apartments starting at $595/month

Washington DC Apartments

512 apartments starting at $828/month