While phrogging cases still appear rare on paper, the risk isn’t as far-fetched as it seems — especially in certain environments. Some homes, cities, and property types are more vulnerable due to their structure, occupancy patterns, or even local housing trends. 

In fact, understanding where phrogging tends to happen most often can offer valuable insights for homeowners, renters, landlords, and even real estate professionals.

So let’s talk about where phrogging tends to happen the most and why some places are more at risk than others. 

Urban Areas with High Rent and Housing Shortages 

Phrogging is often found in big cities where rent prices are high and housing is hard to find. Places like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco have huge demand for homes, but not enough affordable places to live. 

This creates the perfect environment for someone to slip into a property unnoticed, especially in large apartment buildings or older homes with multiple rooms and little surveillance.

In busy cities, neighbors may not know each other well or pay attention to who’s coming and going. That makes it easier for someone to hide out without raising suspicion. 

Some phroggers target vacant properties that are waiting to be rented or sold. Others sneak into homes where people live but may not notice someone staying in a basement, attic, or unused room.

The fast pace of urban life also helps phroggers avoid getting caught. When everyone’s always on the move, it’s easier for someone to blend in. 

For city homeowners and renters, this means it’s essential to stay alert and check your home often, especially if you have extra space that isn’t used every day.

Suburban Homes with Unused Spaces

Phrogging doesn’t just happen in crowded cities — it also happens in quiet, suburban neighborhoods. These areas often have larger homes with basements, attics, garages, or guest rooms that don’t get used very often. 

That extra space gives phroggers more chances to sneak in and stay hidden for long periods without being noticed.

In many suburbs, people feel safe and don’t expect anything unusual to happen in their neighborhood. Doors might be left unlocked, or windows may not be checked regularly. 

This false sense of security can make it easier for someone to enter and stay inside undetected. In some cases, phroggers have lived in a home for weeks or even months before anyone found out.

Since suburban homes are usually spread out, neighbors aren’t always close enough to notice strange activity. If someone is living in your attic or garage, it might take a long time before you see the signs. 

That’s why pay attention to things like missing food, moved items, or strange noises, especially if you live in a larger home with parts of the house that aren’t used everyday.

College Towns and Student Housing

College towns are another common place where phrogging can happen. With students constantly moving in and out, switching roommates, and subletting rooms, there’s often a lot of foot traffic and confusion about who’s supposed to be living where. 

That chaos makes it easier for someone to slip in and stay without being noticed for a while.

In shared student housing, it’s not unusual for people to leave doors unlocked or forget to secure windows, especially in older houses or off-campus apartments. 

Many students are also busy with classes, part-time jobs, and social lives, so they might not notice small signs that someone else is living there, like food going missing, strange sounds, or things being out of place.

Some phroggers even take advantage of lax background checks or landlords who don’t verify every new tenant. This makes student housing a soft target. Since roommates change often, a stranger might blend in just by acting like they belong. 

That’s why students need to know who their roommates are, lock up consistently, and pay attention to anything that seems off in their living space.

Vacation Homes and Short-Term Rentals

Vacation homes and short-term rentals are easy targets for phroggers because they’re often empty for long periods. Properties listed on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO might sit vacant between bookings, especially in off-seasons. This gives someone the perfect window to sneak in and stay without drawing much attention.

Many second homes or rental properties aren’t checked regularly by the owners. If there’s no security system or regular maintenance visits, a phrogger can live inside for days or even weeks before being discovered. In some cases, they leave just before the next guests arrive, making it hard to know they were ever there.

Some phroggers even use fake booking confirmations to gain access, or they follow guests and sneak in after checkout. Once inside, they can live quietly, using what’s already in the house. Since these properties are often in peaceful, less populated areas, neighbors may not notice anything unusual.

For property owners and rental hosts, it’s important to install cameras, change key codes frequently, and schedule regular check-ins between guests. The more eyes on a property, the less chance a phrogger has of making it their secret home.

States with Higher Reported Cases

Certain states have seen more reported phrogging cases than others, often due to a mix of population size, housing conditions, and climate. California, Florida, and Texas are among the top places where these incidents have been reported. 

These states have large cities, lots of rental properties, and a constant flow of people moving in and out, which creates more chances for someone to hide in plain sight.

Warm climates also play a role. In states like Florida and California, it’s easier for someone to live in a garage, attic, or even a crawl space without facing extreme weather. 

These mild conditions make it more comfortable for someone to stay hidden for longer periods without being noticed.

Another reason phrogging might be more common in these areas is the housing crisis. High rent and a shortage of affordable homes can push some people into desperate situations, including illegal living arrangements. 

That doesn’t excuse the behavior, but it helps explain why it happens more often in certain places.

Conclusion

Phrogging may not be widespread, but it does happen — and more often in certain locations than others. Knowing where it’s most likely can help you stay alert, secure your property better, and avoid unwanted surprises. Whether you live in a city apartment or a quiet suburb, awareness and prevention are your best tools.

FAQs

1. Are big cities more likely to have phrogging cases?

Yes, larger cities with higher population turnover and more rental properties tend to see more cases. It’s easier to go unnoticed in buildings where neighbors rarely interact or where there’s frequent movement of tenants and guests.

2. Is phrogging more common in vacant homes?

Absolutely. Empty or rarely used homes — like vacation properties or homes for sale — are easier targets. Since there’s little to no daily activity, phroggers can slip in and stay hidden for longer periods without being noticed.

3. Do apartments or houses face a higher phrogging risk?

Both can be at risk, but multi-unit buildings may have more blind spots. Apartments with shared hallways and frequent foot traffic make it easier for someone to blend in and access units without raising suspicion.

4. Are rural areas safer from phrogging?

Generally, yes — but not completely immune. Rural homes can still be targeted, especially if they’re isolated or left unattended. In fact, the lack of nearby neighbors can sometimes make it easier for someone to hide for longer.

5. What kind of neighborhoods are usually targeted?

Transitional areas — where there’s frequent moving, vacant properties, or less community interaction — are more vulnerable. Phroggers often look for places where they won’t be noticed, and low-surveillance neighborhoods fit that pattern.