How To Find Roommates In New York City | Top 10 Apps

Finding a good roommate in New York City can feel like a miracle. The city is fast, busy, and expensive, and the search for someone who matches your budget, lifestyle, and personality often becomes stressful. Many people who want to find roommates in New York City end up overwhelmed with endless listings, unclear profiles, fake accounts, and confusing communication. Platuni makes this process easier, safer, and more human.

New Yorkers ask many important questions before choosing a roommate, and those questions deserve clear answers.

• How do I find someone I can trust?
• What apps actually work?
• How do I avoid scams?
• How do I match with someone who shares my habits, schedule, and budget?
• Which platform gives me real people, real profiles, and real compatibility?

These are the same questions students, professionals, newcomers, and long-time New Yorkers keep asking while trying to find roommates in New York City without stress.

This guide explains everything you need to know. You will discover the top 10 apps that make it easier to find the right roommate, including how Platuni stands out with verified profiles, smart lifestyle matching, in-app rent splitting, and safe communication. The page also answers your key questions and shows you the smartest, simplest, and most reliable way to find roommates in New York City using a platform built to support humans, not just listings.

Also Read: Best Apps for Roommates Chores Management

How Much Does the Average Rent in New York City Cost?

According to updated data from Zumper, RentCafe, and the NYC Housing & Vacancy Report, the average rent in New York City is among the highest in North America. Current estimates show that rent in NYC typically ranges from USD $3,200 to $4,500 per month, depending on the apartment type and neighborhood. This does not include daily living costs such as groceries, transportation, and utilities.

At Platuni, we understand how important budgeting is when you are trying to find roommates in New York City or plan your move. Below is a simple breakdown to help you understand the real cost of living in NYC.

Accommodation Costs

Accommodation takes up the largest portion of the monthly budget for most people in New York City. Prices vary depending on the borough, neighborhood, building type, and whether you live alone or share a home.

You Can Also Take the Roommate Compatibility Quiz To Find Your Roommate

Average Monthly Rent in New York City (USD)

(Sources: Zumper 2025 Rental Market Report, RentCafe NYC, NYC.gov Housing Reports)

Shared Apartment / Room in a Shared Unit

• Private room
• Shared kitchen and bathroom
• Price range: $1,300 – $2,200 per month

Studio Apartment

• Private living and kitchen space
• Suitable for singles
• Price range: $2,600 – $3,600 per month

One-Bedroom Apartment

• Full private apartment
• Price range: $3,800 – $5,000 per month

Luxury Apartments / High-Rise Units

• Modern buildings with amenities like gyms and concierge
• Price range: $5,500 – $8,000+ per month

Platuni helps cut accommodation costs by matching you with compatible and verified roommates, making it easier to afford NYC living.

Food & Grocery Expenses

Food costs depend on whether you cook at home, buy groceries from affordable markets, or prefer eating out. Based on Numbeo Cost of Living Index 2025 and USDA price updates, here’s what to expect:

• Restaurant Meal Average cost: $20 – $35
• Coffee Average cost: $4 – $7

Monthly Groceries

Essentials like fruits, vegetables, dairy, and bread

• Average cost: $400 – $650 per month
• Fast Food Meal Average cost: $10 – $15Meal Delivery Services Average cost: $15 – $30 per meal

Money-Saving Tip: Neighborhoods like Jackson Heights, Astoria, and Harlem have more budget-friendly grocery stores and local markets.

Transportation Costs

Many people rely on public transportation in New York City. The subway, buses, and Citi Bikes make getting around easy and predictable. According to MTA 2025 Fare Updates, here are typical transportation costs:

• Monthly Unlimited MetroCard: $132 per month
• Single Subway or Bus Fare: $2.90 per ride
• Taxi Ride (5 km / 3 miles): $14 – $22, depending on traffic
• Uber/Lyft: $18 – $35, higher during peak hours
• Citi Bike:
  • $4.50 per single ride
  • $205 per year for an annual membership
• Commuter Rail (LIRR / Metro-North): $8 – $20+ per trip, depending on distance

Utilities & Internet

Utility prices vary depending on your apartment size and season, especially during winter or summer. Using Con Edison 2025 Billing Estimates and major internet provider pricing (Spectrum, Verizon), here are typical monthly costs:

• Electricity & Heating: $140 – $200 per month
• Internet (WiFi): $55 – $80 per month
• Phone Plans: $40 – $70 per month
• Water: Usually included in rent, covered by landlord
• Trash Service: Included, handled by NYC sanitation

Sharing an apartment through Platuni helps reduce these costs and makes budgeting simpler.

Also Read: Best Apps to Find International Student Apartments in Montreal

How To Find Roommates in New York City Using the Platuni App

Finding reliable roommates in New York City can feel stressful, especially with the city’s competitive rental market and high accommodation costs. Platuni makes the process simpler, safer, and more convenient by helping you match with compatible roommates, explore verified listings, and communicate securely, all in one platform. If you’re searching for how to find roommates in New York City, this step-by-step guide shows exactly how to do it using the Platuni App.

#1. Download and Sign Up on Platuni

Go to the Platuni website or app store and create your free account. You only need basic information such as your email, name, and a secure password.

Tip: Upload a clear profile photo and write a short bio. This increases your visibility and helps attract compatible roommates in New York City.

Download the Platuni App Today

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#2. Set Up Your Roommate Preferences

Platuni allows you to personalize your search based on what matters most to you. Filter roommates or rooms using criteria such as:

• Preferred New York City neighborhoods (Downtown, Back Bay, Cambridge, Allston, Somerville, South End)
• Budget range
• Lifestyle (early bird/night owl)
• Cleanliness level
• Gender preferences
• Move-in date

This helps you find the most compatible roommates and reduces potential conflicts in shared living.

#3. Explore Verified Listings in New York City

Platuni offers safe, verified room and apartment listings. You can browse:

• Shared rooms
• Private rooms
• Full apartments
• Co-living spaces

Each listing includes rent details, utilities, location, amenities, and house rules. Platuni provides transparency and verified profiles, unlike many social media rental groups, so you know you’re looking at real opportunities.

#4. Match With Compatible New York City Roommates

Platuni’s smart matching system connects you with people who share similar habits, budgets, and lifestyles. This dramatically increases your chance of finding a peaceful, long-term roommate in New York City without guesswork.

Matches are based on:

• Mutual preferences
• Living habits
• Location choices
• Personality traits

You can also manually browse roommates if you prefer more control over the search.

#5. Use Platuni Chat to Talk Before Meeting

The in-app chat lets you communicate safely without sharing personal phone numbers. Use it to:

• Ask questions about the apartment
• Discuss rent and bills
• Share schedules or expectations
• Determine if you are a good fit

Good communication early helps prevent misunderstandings later.

#6. Schedule a Viewing or Virtual Tour

Platuni allows you to request a viewing or a virtual tour directly inside the app. You can meet potential roommates, see the room, and explore the neighborhood before making a decision.

#7. Finalize House Rules and Move In With Confidence

Before moving in, confirm:

• Rent and utility fees
• Cleaning schedules
• Visitor rules
• Noise expectations
• Any shared responsibilities

Platuni provides a structured way to document expectations so everyone starts on the same page.

Why Platuni Is the Best App to Find Roommates in New York City

• Verified profiles reduce scams and fake listings
• Smart matching filters increase compatibility
• Secure in-app communication protects privacy
• Transparent listing details save time and stress
• Built for students, professionals, and families
• Covers all major New York City neighborhoods

Also Read: Dealing with Loneliness as an International Student

10 Best Apps to Find Roommates in New York City

#1. Platuni

Types: Roommate matching, rent & bill splitting, verified listings, home management tools.

Platuni helps you find roommates in New York City faster and safer. The app matches people using real lifestyle and budget filters, so you meet roommates who actually fit your routine. Profiles get verification checks, chats stay inside the app, and you can set up rent and chores without confusing group texts. Landlords and student housing managers also list on Platuni, so many options are genuine and well-managed.

Platuni feels human because it nudges people to write honest profiles and agree on house rules up front. If you want a smoother, less stressful way to find roommates in New York City, Platuni gives you the tools and support to make good matches and keep a shared home running well.

Ensure To Download the Platuni App Today

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#2. Diggz

Diggz focuses on good matches and simple profiles. Users answer short questions about cleanliness, sleep schedule, and rent budget, and Diggz shows people who match those answers. That helps anyone who needs a quick, clear way to find roommates in New York City without reading long, confusing ads.

People like Diggz when they want a friendly, local experience. The app is useful for renters who prefer straightforward profiles and easy messaging. If you find a match on Diggz, Platuni can help the next steps: verify profiles, set up rent sharing, and manage chores so the home stays organized.

#3. Roomi

Roomi adds security checks for users who want extra peace of mind. The app asks for identity verification and gives users the option to add background checks. Those safety features make it easier to find roommates in New York City with more confidence, especially for people moving from another state or country.

Roomi also offers clear filters for price, move-in date, and lifestyle. That makes searching faster when you have tight timelines. After you match on Roomi, using Platuni helps keep things running smoothly with in-app payments and house management tools that prevent small problems from growing.

Also Read: The Best Tips to Making Friends in a New Country

#4. Roomster

Roomster works across many countries and is useful when you want more choices. The platform links to social profiles so you can learn a bit about a person before you meet. That extra context helps people who want to find roommates in New York City and check basic compatibility first.

Roomster is a good option for renters who want a large pool of listings. The trade-off is that it can show a lot of results, so the search can feel noisy. Platuni complements Roomster by narrowing results to verified matches and offering tools that help roommates agree on money and house rules before move-in.

#5. SpareRoom US

SpareRoom US focuses on room shares and flatmate listings. The site and app let you post an ad or reply to people who match your rent and lifestyle. Many users trust SpareRoom when they want local, active listings to find roommates in New York City quickly.

SpareRoom works well for students and professionals who want simple, direct contact with potential roommates. When a match looks promising, Platuni can step in to verify details, organize payments, and create a shared living plan so the arrangement starts right and stays on track.

#6. iROOMit

iROOMit helps people who want to find roommates in New York City with local, easy-to-read listings. The app often includes photos and short video tours so you can see the space before meeting anyone in person. Quick filters for price and neighbourhood make searches faster when time is tight. After you spot a good match on iROOMit, Platuni helps with verification, rent-splitting, and house rules so the move-in goes smoothly.

Also Read: Top Resources for International Students | Support System Meaning

#7. Roomie

Roomie focuses on simple profiles and lifestyle filters that help you connect with compatible housemates. Users answer short questions about cleanliness, sleep schedule, and guest rules, which helps narrow who will fit your home. Searching this way makes it easier to find roommates in New York City who match your daily routine. When you need extra safety or tools to manage life together, Platuni adds verified profiles and easy payment features.

#8. RoommateGroups

RoommateGroups groups listings by neighbourhood and lifestyle, giving a community feel to your search. Posts often show who is already living in the flat and what kind of roommate they want, which helps you decide quickly whether to reach out. That local, group-style approach works well when you want to find roommates in New York City with similar interests or schedules. Platuni steps in after you connect, offering verification and in-app communication so everyone starts on the same page.

#9. Quoloc

Quoloc lists roommates and rooms with useful filters like age, job, and languages spoken, so you can target matches that fit your life. The map view helps you see where listings are and how close they are to transit, work, or school. Using Quoloc speeds the early part of a search when you want to find roommates in New York City within a certain area. Once you find someone promising, Platuni helps you lock in details, handle payments, and set house rules to keep things fair and friendly.

Also Read: How Frequent Travel Can Enhance Your Networking Opportunities

#10. PadMapper

PadMapper shows shared rooms and apartments on a clear interactive map, which makes comparing neighbourhoods and commute times fast and visual. The app pulls listings from many sources so you see more options in one place. That wide view helps renters who need to find roommates in New York City and pick the best area for their budget and lifestyle. After PadMapper points you to good listings, Platuni offers the human side: profile checks, secure messaging, and tools to manage the shared home once you move in.

Frequently Asked Questions About How To Find Roommates In New York City

What is the easiest way to find roommates in New York City?

The easiest way to find roommates in New York City is to use trusted roommate-matching platforms like Platuni, Roomi, Diggz, and iROOMit. These apps help you see verified profiles, filter by lifestyle, and chat safely before making a decision. Platuni gives you an extra advantage because it focuses on compatibility and safety, making it easier to meet people who match your budget, habits, and personality.

When is the best time to look for a roommate in NYC?

The best time to find roommates in New York City is usually between May and September, when many leases renew and more rooms become available. However, you can also find options year-round through apps like Platuni because people move in and out of the city often.

How much should I budget for a shared apartment in NYC?

Room prices in shared apartments often range between $1,300 and $2,000 per month, depending on the neighbourhood and the size of the room. Using a platform like Platuni helps you compare prices easily and find roommates who share similar budgets.

How do I know if a roommate is the right fit for me?

Check lifestyle habits such as cleanliness, work hours, guest rules, noise level, and payment reliability. Platuni makes this easier through personality matching, detailed profiles, and in-app chat so you can get a clear idea of someone before you commit.

Can I find short-term roommates in NYC?

Yes. Many people look for short-term roommates for internships, studies, temporary work, or travel. Platforms like Platuni and Diggz offer filters for short-term, month-to-month, or sublet options.

What neighbourhoods are good for finding affordable roommates in NYC?

Popular budget-friendly areas include Astoria, Harlem, Washington Heights, Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, and Jackson Heights. These neighbourhoods offer shared apartments at lower prices compared to downtown Manhattan. Platuni helps you filter neighbourhoods based on your budget.