My friend is 17 and emancipated. I'm looking to get emancipated as well, and if I live with her and split the rent, bills, etc, would that be viewed as living on my own by the courts? Or would I have to be seriously on my own?

It might be helpful for you to look over the Maricopa County Superior Court self-help center documents on Emancipation. For instance, the Maricopa County Superior Court website says, "You are financially self-sufficient, that is, you can prove you are able to support yourself and provide your own food, housing, and medical care, etc., without parental assistance, and you want to be declared legally "an Adult", responsible for your own support."

You should note that if you do not live in Maricopa County, you should look to the Superior Court in the County in which you live to see what paperwork to submit.

Also, you may want to check out question #17588 about whether a minor can move out of the house without a parent's permission.