Shared flats in Bogotá: finding a room in shared housing

In Bogotá, sharing a flat is the simplest way to find housing at a reasonable price: a room in a shared apartment starts at around 250 US dollars (USD) per month, while a furnished one-bedroom apartment costs between 400 and 800 USD in the northern neighbourhoods. Students, interns and young professionals thus share a furnished home, with a shared kitchen and living room, and often a private bathroom for the more expensive rooms.

Renting is very common in Colombia: according to Portafolio, around 40.8% of Colombian households are tenants in 2026. Rents are rising, but more slowly than prices: according to the DANE, the "arriendo efectivo" item (rents actually paid) rose by 5.01% over twelve months in August 2026 nationally, against inflation of 6.24%.

This guide helps you choose a neighbourhood, work out your budget and avoid the pitfalls of sharing a flat in Bogotá.

Room in a shared flat or apartment: comparing budgets

• Room in a shared flat or simple studio: from 250 USD per month.
• Furnished one-bedroom apartment (northern neighbourhoods): from 400 to 800 USD per month.
• Furnished two-bedroom apartment: from 600 to 1,000 USD per month. Shared between two, that comes to 300 to 500 USD each.
• Unfurnished home: about 40% cheaper, but rarely suited to a stay for study.

Rent is paid in Colombian pesos (COP), generally before the 5th of the month, even when the listing shows a price in dollars: check the exchange rate used in the contract. Water, electricity, gas and internet are never included in the base rent of an apartment; in a shared flat, ask whether the room is offered with bills included and have the previous months' bills shown to you.

In a residential lease, the annual rent increase is capped by law 820 of 2003 at the previous year's inflation. For contracts renewed in 2026, the cap is therefore 5.1%, applicable only on the anniversary date of each contract, after twelve months.

Neighbourhoods to look at for a shared flat

Bogotá is very sprawling and safety varies from one area to another. Choose first according to your place of study or work and the journey by TransMilenio, the rapid bus network that covers the city, then visit the neighbourhood at different times of day.

Chapinero and the Zona Rosa: central and lively

This is the area most sought after by foreign students and young professionals: central, lively, with plenty of rooms on offer. A furnished one-bedroom apartment rents there for 400 to 700 USD per month, which makes sharing attractive.

Cedritos: the affordable option in the north

Residential and more affordable, Cedritos offers one-bedroom apartments for between 350 and 600 USD per month. A good option for a tight budget, in a northern neighbourhood reputed to be safer.

Usaquén and Chicó: quiet and more expensive

Usaquén, residential and quiet, is popular with families, with rents of 500 to 900 USD for a one-bedroom apartment. Chicó is upmarket and secure, from 700 USD. Sharing is still possible there, but each person's share will be higher.

La Candelaria: the historic centre

The historic centre offers low rents, but safety there is variable, especially in the evening. Scout the streets before committing and favour a building with a doorman.

According to the Lonja de Bogotá, cited by Portafolio in August 2026, renting is gaining ground in the capital because rents there are rising more slowly than the price index: demand remains strong, and the good rooms go quickly.