New figures show Canberra residents of all ages are looking to beat rising accommodation prices by house sharing, but they're finding it harder.

Property listings on Flatmates.com.au declined 32 per cent in the final three months of 2016 compared with the previous year, while 271 per cent more people were searching.

The ratio of people looking per room was 10 to one, five times greater than a year ago.

The average price of a private listed room was $198 per week, up from $156 the year before.

Flatmates chief executive Thomas Clement said high rental prices and a lack of affordable housing appeared to be the main drivers behind increased interest in house sharing.

"We're starting to see a large disparity between property listings, which have declined over 2016, and those looking for shared homes," he said.

"Renting alone in major areas is becoming prohibitively expensive, so it makes sense to live with other people to cut down on rent and bills."

Mr Clement said the biggest demand growth had been among older age groups.

Over 40s now made up 8.65 per cent of Canberra people looking for share homes, compared with 7.47 per cent a year ago.

"The feedback we received from over-40 sharers was they wanted to live with similarly-aged flatmates," he said.

"Housing affordability isn't just affecting younger generations.

"It's also a matter of companionship. Most of those using our site are single, so they're not just seeking a flatmate to help cut costs, but to also share a home with."

That's the case for Tracie, 48, who shares with two 30-year-olds in Waramanga.

She's moving to Chifley and wants to share with two other people there as well.

"I have a mortgage, so it helps reduce the costs for me. I'm a public servant, so I haven't had a pay rise for three years," she said.

"I've met some new people; it's good to have company and have a chat after work."

Tracie said she likes to share with professional people who have similar interests.

"I normally send an initial email, and then I get them to come around to meet, and I chat with them to gauge what sort of person they are," she said.

"I don't do any screening like ring up previous referees or real estate agents. I probably should."

There was one bad experience with a man who had anger management issues.

"When he took it out on me, that was certainly a downside. I told him to go and he was gone the next day," Tracie said.

Mr Clement said the rising room rate reflects the general housing market.

"Obviously, if you've got a major undersupply like there is in Canberra and an oversupply of people looking, of course the price is going to be driven up," he said.

"Generally around the country we've seen prices going up.

"It's part of the broader housing affordability issue and Canberra is not immune from that."

University students are also feeling the squeeze.

ANU Student Association president James Connolly said the availability of share accommodation had decreased and what was available was getting more expensive.

"As a student, I've had a similar experience of struggling to find share accommodation near university campus that is remotely affordable, causing immense stress while trying to study for my end-of-semester exams and work," he said.

"This acutely impacts on students who are newly moving out of home or a residential college and are financially vulnerable.

"This is exacerbated by the litany of administrative issues with the provision of Centrelink payments."

Mr Connolly said many students were seeking bursaries and grants to assist with the cost of rent.

"Additionally, students are adapting by moving further and further away from ANU campus to areas that aren't adequately captured by public transport," he said.

"This can end up requiring them to either source other forms of transport or travel extended distances by themselves at night."