What's more important: company or space?

Hey rattit,

So, as a few of you might know, I currently have a single dumbo rat (Watson) in a small-ish cage. Our living room is completely rat-proof and we let him run around multiple hours a day. He's become... super clingy to us. He is also incredibly playful and energetic.

So we decided to get him a friend. On my next pay check we were going to get a bigger cage for him and a friend. HOWEVER- due to unforseen expenses we can no longer afford the bigger cage :( should we still get him a friend?

What's worse- having to share his already small space? Or having to be alone?

I just want to make sure I am doing the right thing :/

EDIT: Watson is a near-adult, un-neutered male.