Gendered Housing Inequalities: A Co-Living Perspective

Gender inequalities in housing affordability remain a persistent and pervasive issue in urban environments, yet their manifestations in modern housing arrangements, such as co-living, remain underexplored. This study investigates the nuanced ways in which gender intersects with housing affordability in New Zealand’s co-living rental market, revealing how systemic disparities manifest in this innovative yet understudied housing typology. Analysing 4,378 rental listings, we uncover that women consistently face higher rental costs for comparable properties—a phenomenon rooted in broader socio-economic dynamics rather than overt bias. Our findings suggest that these disparities are shaped by transaction costs linked to safety, privacy, and perceived management complexities, which landlords embed in pricing strategies. Through an economic modelling framework, we show how these market mechanisms inadvertently amplify gendered inequalities, reinforcing barriers to equitable access. Co-living offers a unique lens to examine these inequalities, acting as both a reflection of and a response to systemic challenges in urban housing markets. By contextualising gender-specific pricing within broader housing and affordability policies, this research offers critical insights for fostering inclusive rental markets. Addressing these hidden costs is essential to reshaping housing systems and ensuring equitable access to secure, affordable urban living for all. JEL Classifications: R31, J16,