Could living with your sibling be the answer to getting affordable housing – or is it a recipe for disaster?

Moving has long been seen as a mark of independence, but soaring housing costs are forcing young adults to rethink their next steps.

As the median rent in the United States reaches $2,000 a month, young adults are being forced to rethink what it means to live on their own. For many, the answer lies in finding a roommate. But what if this roommate was by your side all along?

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Take Ben and Allison Karlin, two of three triplets, who recently moved into a two-bedroom apartment together in New York.

“We kind of did a test run for 18 years,” Ben told the Wall Street Journal.

Following their mother’s advice, the siblings took a roommate approach, sharing responsibilities and running their own errands, to make life in the city more manageable. While teaming up with a sibling may seem like a smart solution, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Balancing family bonds with roommate dynamics can be tricky, and not all sibling relationships can survive this challenge.

Why choose a brother or sister?

Young adults consider many factors when deciding whether to live with a sibling or roommate. Differences in cleanliness, privacy, and even dating boundaries can quickly turn a practical arrangement into a source of tension.

An analysis by the National Center for Family and Marriage Research at Bowling Green State University, based on Census Bureau data, found that the number of single young adults with siblings or roommates increased from about 5 million in 1990 to 6.5 million in 2022.

The driving force behind this trend is the rising cost of living. Rent prices have increased about 19% since 2019, according to a Washington Post analysis of CoStar Group data. Sharing living spaces has become less about convenience and more about financial survival in an increasingly expensive world.

Learn more: The Cost of Living in the United States Is Still Out of Control: Use These 3 “Real Assets” to Protect Your Wealth Today

Should siblings be roommates first or last?

As Americans get creative with their living arrangements, siblings are increasingly teaming up to cope with the high costs of living together.

Sisters Cheryl and Sandra Sutton recently purchased a five-bedroom house in Portland, Oregon, with their best friend. By pooling their resources, they secured better housing and built on a foundation of trust.

“At this point, whoever gets married will have to take the other two as well,” Sandra told the Wall Street Journal. “There are no plans to not live together.”

Before deciding to share a space with your siblings, it is crucial to carefully weigh the pros and cons. For example, start with a conversation about money and have frank discussions about rent, utilities, and other expenses.

It is also important to set clear boundaries and resolve potential conflicts such as cleaning routines, animals or visitors. You may also want to determine a timeline for how long you plan to live together.

If the arrangement is temporary, set clear goals – whether it’s saving for a down payment or living on your own – to ensure everyone’s expectations match.

By clarifying your goals and speaking openly about your intentions, you can come up with a plan that works for everyone involved.

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This article provides information only and should not be considered advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.