Why Being Single Is Getting More Expensive And What That Means for Your Financial Future

I’ve been studying the financial differences between single individuals and married couples, and the data is becoming impossible to ignore: being single has never been more expensive. The cost of living keeps climbing, and single people are expected to shoulder every dollar of it on their own. Without someone to share rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, or even basic household expenses, the financial pressure increases fast.

When I compare this to married couples, the contrast is striking. Dual-income households simply get a built-in economic advantage. Not only do they split costs down the middle, they often bring in more total income. Studies show that married men earn 44% more than single men, a statistic that reflects long-standing patterns in the workforce. Traditional married couples tend to out-earn single individuals and often climb the financial ladder faster.

A big part of this comes down to the structural advantages of pairing up. The poverty guideline for a single individual is $13,590; for a two-person household, it rises only to $18,310 a 35% increase for double the people. That’s a huge advantage. Two people sharing one set of bills creates efficiency that single people don’t get, no matter how hard they budget.

The income gap between single and married individuals isn’t just about household math it’s tied to behavioral and cultural factors too. Higher-earning men are statistically more likely to marry, which creates sample bias. Married men often work longer hours, pursue promotions, and feel increased responsibility to provide. Those patterns show up in the earnings data.

But the story shifts when looking at women. Married women earn about 10% less than single women, even when they work similar hours. Employers may see single women as more flexible or career-focused, while married women face different expectations or responsibilities. Still, when married couples combine incomes, they tend to outperform single earners overall.

On top of all this, the cost of dating and relationships has surged. Dating expenses have risen nearly 40% over the last decade. Even getting into a relationship now requires a financial commitment that wasn’t as intense years ago. And once married, financial stress is one of the leading causes of divorce a reminder that money pressure doesn’t magically disappear once you couple up.

Despite all these economic disadvantages, I understand the appeal of single life. There’s flexibility, independence, and a real sense of possibility. For some people, being single is the only space where they feel free to build the life they want. And honestly, a bit of financial pressure can even push someone toward growth, ambition, or reinvention.

The truth is that the math isn’t on the side of single individuals but that doesn’t mean the story ends there. Understanding the disadvantage is the first step toward navigating it. The second step is building a financial system that works for you, whether you’re partnered or not.

All writings are for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not provide investment or financial advice of any kind.