Logically, it should be cheaper for a person to live alone. You buy less groceries or spend less electricity, yet a one-person household doesn’t cost precisely half of a two-person household. Being single in America comes down to three primary reasons, and others are driven by them.
Real-life examples
Massachusetts Institute of Technology crunched the numbers in South Carolina. They found that a single-person household needs $29,880 yearly, while a two-person household requires $47,483. That means each person in a two-household household needs $23,742, or $6,138 less than living alone.
The main reasons behind the math
According to a CNBC report, just under half of Americans are single, so it is essential to understand what makes single life so expensive. The alternative of staying in an unhappy marriage or getting married to someone you don’t like isn’t appealing. So, here’s what drives singles to desperate measures that do not involve getting hitched.
Housing costs
Housing costs in the United States are the main concern for many Americans. The States is the world’s 20th most expensive country, mainly due to housing challenges. There isn’t enough affordable housing for single people, and some commented that the market is biased against those living solo.
Taxes
It costs more to be on your own than to share costs with a partner, which strangely includes taxes. Wedded couples have certain tax advantages since it is easier to get tax breaks if you’re married. The partners receive a “marriage bonus” if they pay less income tax as a married couple than they would pay as single individuals.
Food prices
Food is also one reason it does not pay off to be single. Buying larger quantities is always cheaper than shopping for single units. This is often not practical for single people, so they pay more. Despite the high number of people who choose to be alone, the world is not treating them favorably.
Solo traveling also comes with a hefty price
Hotel accommodations are often cheaper when split between multiple people. Solo travelers may face additional fees in group travel packages due to negotiated room rates based on double occupancy.
Health insurance
A couple can choose a cheaper health insurance plan, while a single person does not have that luxury. This could negatively impact your career because of the health insurance plans. There is also a fear of losing a job, leaving you with overpriced coverage.
Financial insecurity
Having to rely on yourself means being forced to be financially literate. There is no safety net, so you need savings to survive if you suffer a demotion or lose a job. Knowing how to budget and where your money is going is always essential, but the responsibility is greater when you’re on your own.
The singles tax is real
On average, the cost of being single was $7,110 annually, CNBC reported earlier in 2024. The most expensive place for singles is New York City, where the singles tax is $20,100. Ironically, NYC is a place where many young professionals want to thrive in their careers, so marriage is the last thing on their minds.
The impact on women
Women, in general, earn less, so the single tax hits them harder. Instead of being cherished over self-sufficiency, women, especially Black women, are forced to live paycheck to paycheck. Yet, more single women are finding ways to overcome the injustice of it all.
Navigating the expensive single-life
People do many things that make their lives easier, and it shows that people do not want to settle down with anyone. The divorce rates are slowing down, but that’s because people are more conscious about their choices and aren’t afraid of living on their own. So, they found ways to subsidize incomes.
Discounts, roommates, and budgeting
Single people, particularly women, learn to budget and hunt for discounts. If that’s not enough, they take on a second job or get a roommate. It is not ideal, but it pays off. More and more women buy homes with their friends before marrying to secure their futures.
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Kate Smith, a self-proclaimed word nerd who relishes the power of language to inform, entertain, and inspire. Kate's passion for sharing knowledge and sparking meaningful conversations fuels her every word.