Here’s how much your favourite characters would pay for rent in 2025

Ever wondered how much it would really cost to live in the iconic apartments of your favorite TV characters? We all know TV shows love to make it seem like living in a swanky Manhattan penthouse or a quirky LA loft is the norm, but unfortunately the reality is a little less glamorous!

So, let’s break it down and see how much it would cost you in 2025 to rent in the same neighborhoods as your beloved characters.

1. Friends – West Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York
Monica’s spacious two-bedroom apartment in the heart of West Village is the epitome of your NYC dreams. Thanks to her grandmother’s rent-controlled lease, Monica and Rachel were lucky enough to pay a mere $200 a month for such a prime location.

The area is notoriously one of the priciest neighborhoods in Manhattan. If you wanted to live in the same spot in 2025, the average roommate rent is $2,704 per month - more than 13 times what Monica and Rachel paid!

2. The Big Bang Theory – Pasadena, California
How much would it cost to live in Sheldon’s quirky, science-filled apartment in Pasadena? While the broken elevator may be a bit of a nuisance, unfortunately it wouldn’t make renting in Pasadena any cheaper! The area is known for its suburban charm and proximity to tech hubs, making it an attractive option.

If you want to be roommates with Sheldon and Leonard, you’ll be paying approx. $1,471 per month. While this may sound like a steal compared to New York City rents, it's still a significant cost.

3. New Girl – Los Angeles, California, Arts District
With floor-to-ceiling windows, a spacious kitchen and dining room, and four separate bedrooms - Moving into the quirky loft with Jess, Nick, Schmidt, and Winston probably sounds like an ideal living situation!While the inside of the loft was filmed in a Hollywood studio, the exterior of their apartment was shot in Downtown Los Angeles in the Arts District.

The Arts District has undergone a transformation over the past decade, turning it into one of LA's trendiest (and pricier) neighborhoods. In today's market, each roommate would pay around $1,712 per month.

4. How I Met Your Mother – Manhattan, New York City, NY, Upper West Side
Ted Mosby’s journey to find “the one” involved not just searching for love, but also living in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Manhattan - the Upper West Side. His apartment, full of awkward moments with his friends, and endless failed dates, looked perfect. Ted’s spacious apartment was home to him, his best friend Marshall, and occasionally Robin (his on-again-off-again girlfriend).

If you want to live there today (with your roommates, of course), you’re looking at paying $1,829 per month. Given the neighborhood's proximity to Central Park, fancy shops, and cultural hotspots - this price tag comes as no surprise.

5. Grey’s Anatomy (Meredith’s House) – Seattle, Washington, Queen Ann Hill
Meredith Grey's iconic house, perched above the Puget Sound, offers breathtaking views. Meredith inherits the house from her late grandmother after she passes away, which is why she’s able to afford it, despite being an intern with very little money. While Meredith lived alone at the start of the series, Cristina, Izzie, and George all stayed at Meredith’s place at different points.

If you want to live in the same area with roommates, you’re looking at paying about $1,054 per month for an average apartment in Seattle. Of course, Meredith’s house is anything but average so would likely cost far more, especially with those views. But, Seattle has a much more reasonable rent scene than New York or LA.

6. Sex and the City – Manhattan, Upper East side, New York City
Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic apartment, where she penned her column and dealt with life’s ups and downs, is located in the heart of Manhattan’s prestigious Upper East Side. Despite the luxurious look of her apartment, Carrie had a rent-controlled lease, which kept her rent at a reasonable $700 a month.

Living here today would require a significant financial investment, making Carrie’s apartment a bit of a dream in terms of affordability.The average roommate rent in the Upper East Side would now be $2,011 per month.