The data-driven guide to measuring what keeps residents: 30/90/365-day benchmarks, churn analysis, CAC vs. LTV economics, and proven retention strategies from 100+ communities
"Our occupancy is 95%!" operators proudly announce. But here's the question nobody asks: Are they the same residents as 6 months ago?
High occupancy with high churn is a treadmill business—constantly filling vacancies, repeating onboarding, losing institutional knowledge. A coliving space with 75% retention generates more profit than one with 95% occupancy and 40% retention. Why? Because acquiring new residents costs 3-5x more than keeping existing ones.
This guide breaks down the retention metrics that actually matter, benchmarks from 100+ communities, and the economic reality of churn. No vanity metrics. Just data that impacts your bottom line.
Industry surveys reveal a harsh reality most operators don't publicly discuss:
Bottom Line: A 25-point improvement in retention (35% → 60%) equals $54K in annual savings for a 50-bed space. That's pure profit impact. Retention isn't a soft metric—it's financial survival.
Here are the 5 metrics that actually predict long-term success—with real benchmarks from 100+ coliving operators.
Definition: % of new residents who stay past their first month.
Definition: % of residents who stay at least 3 months.
Definition: % of residents who renew after 12 months.
Definition: Track retention by move-in month to spot seasonality and operational changes.
| Move-In Month | 30-Day | 90-Day | 180-Day | 365-Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2024 (15 residents) | 93% | 80% | 60% | - |
| Feb 2024 (12 residents) | 92% | 75% | 58% | - |
| Mar 2024 (20 residents) | 78% | 55% | 42% | - |
| Apr 2024 (18 residents) | 94% | 83% | - | - |
Definition: Customer Acquisition Cost vs. Lifetime Value—the ultimate profitability metric.
Benchmark: SaaS companies target 3:1. Coliving should aim for 3-5:1 to be healthy.
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Based on data from operators who increased retention 15-30%—here's what actually works.
The Problem: 62% of annual churn happens in first 90 days, with peak at Day 15-30.
The Data: Residents with 3+ close friends in the community have 89% annual retention vs. 28% for isolated residents (Common research).
Your goal: Help every resident make 3 genuine friendships in first 60 days. How:
Mistake: Treating all residents the same. Reality: Digital nomads, local professionals, and students have different retention drivers.
The Opportunity: Most churn is predictable. Residents signal intent to leave 30-60 days before moving out.
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One payment, forever ownership. Like retention investment, it compounds over time.
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Retention Isn't "Nice to Have"—It's Survival
The math is undeniable: A 50-bed coliving space improving retention from 35% → 55% (20-point increase) saves $88,200 annually in turnover costs. That's the difference between profitability and struggling to break even.
The 5 Metrics Framework (Track Weekly)
Retention isn't about "creating community vibes." It's about measurable systems that help residents make friends, solve problems fast, and feel invested in staying. The operators winning long-term treat retention like the financial metric it is—because every percentage point is pure profit.
Your Action Plan (Start This Week):
Explore more data-driven strategies for building, engaging, and retaining thriving coliving communities.