Singles Tax Report
Do single Australians really have it financially tougher than couples?
The Single Tax. It's not an actual tax, but a concept that captures the hidden financial disadvantages faced by individuals who are navigating life on one income. From rent and utilities to groceries and insurance, many everyday expenses don't scale down for one person, meaning singles often pay more per person just to maintain the same standard of living as couples.
But the single tax isn't just about money. It can show up in social expectations, milestone spending and even lifestyle pressures. As more Australians delay or move away from traditional relationship paths, understanding the true cost of being single has never been more relevant.
This report explores where the gaps exist, how they show up in everyday life and what can be done to create a more balanced financial future for everyone.
Key statistics
- The difference in savings between the average person with a partner and the average single person is a staggering difference of $19,260.
- The average cost of being a wedding guest sits at $2,593.
- Only 31% of suburbs are affordable for the average single earner today.
- On average, a single person can live off their savings for just 15.9 weeks, compared to 17.4 weeks for those with a partner.
One income, half the safety net
Between managing utilities, groceries and other bills with one income, getting ahead financially as a single person can often feel like a losing battle. It can also leave little opportunity to save for future goals or major emergencies. The average Aussie with a partner has $50,192 in savings while the average single person has $30,932, a staggering difference of $19,260.
If we look at this from a monthly POV, single people are stashing away $651 every month, while someone in a couple saves $1,086 each month. This means those with a partner come out $435 a month ahead compared to singles.
This is all the more challenging for singles with a low income facing sluggish wage growth. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, wages increased by 3.4% back in December, however, was quickly outpaced with a CPI rise of 3.8%. This widening gap between income growth and the cost of living makes it even harder for single Australians to get ahead.
Over time, this can compound into a significant disadvantage. Lower monthly savings mean less opportunity to benefit from compound growth, slower progress towards home ownership and a reduced financial buffer for emergencies.
That gap becomes even clearer when looking at how long savings can actually last. On average, a single person can live off their savings for just 15.9 weeks, compared to 17.4 weeks for those with a partner. While the difference may seem small, it highlights how singles often have a thinner safety net when income is disrupted.
When there's no one to split the bill with
The cost of living crisis has unfortunately become the norm for the average household as day-to-day expenses continue to take a bigger bite out of incomes. For singles, these costs can be harder to absorb without someone to split them with.
When it comes to groceries, a single person spends an average of $165 per week, compared to $237 for those with a partner. While couples spend more overall, the cost per person is likely significantly lower, highlighting the savings that come with shared households.
Housing and household bills also remain a major pressure point. Fixed costs like rent, utilities and insurance don't scale evenly for singles, meaning those living alone often pay more per person just to maintain the same standard of living.
Research conducted by the ABC found that the average one bedroom apartment in Bankstown was $510 per week in rent. A two-bedroom apartment in the same suburb was $555 per week. If the rent was split in half in the two bedroom unit, each individual would contribute $277.50 each.
Despite differences in relationship status, the three biggest bill stressors remain largely the same. Finder data shows rent, groceries and utilities consistently rank as the most challenging expenses for married and single Australians. However, the key difference lies in how these costs are absorbed. For singles, these bills fall on one income, while couples often have the advantage of sharing the load.
But it's not just the essentials placing financial stress on singles. Social costs can also weigh heavily on singles, particularly when it comes to milestone events. Finder research shows the average cost of being a wedding guest sits at $2,593, factoring in travel, accommodation, outfits and gifts, a significant investment that often falls on one person rather than being shared.
Dining out, fitness memberships and transport costs have all risen in recent years, making it harder for singles to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle without cutting back elsewhere.
Priced out on a single salary
The average first home buyer deposit reached $147,251 in December 2025: a significant amount for anyone, but especially someone who has to save that amount alone.
Solo buyers not only need to save the same deposit as a couple with 2 salaries, they must also be able to prove they can afford the loan on a single salary.
Using Cotality house price data, Finder has identified the number of suburbs where Australians could afford repayments without experiencing mortgage stress (defined as spending more than 30% of gross income on repayments).
We looked at the median property price for sold properties in each suburb in Australia across 2025. We then took into account the mean annual household income of $106,657, assuming 80% LVR and an interest rate of 5.50%. This is the latest data from the RBA but is the average interest rate for January 2026, so this would be even higher at the time of this report.
Across 4,493 suburbs which saw property sold in the 12 months of 2025, only 31% of them are affordable without entering mortgage stress.
For couples earning 2 salaries, that stress lessens. But for a single person on one salary, you're priced out of much of the country. Suburbs will continue to get more unaffordable the further interest rates rise.
It's little wonder then that the proportion of first home buyers was only 35% of all owner occupier buyers in the December 2025 quarter, down from 41% in the same quarter 5 years earlier.
And it's even harder for single women. Our first home buyer report in 2025 found that only 34% of women are buying property on their own, compared to 44% of men.
Cotality figures show that females are also less likely to invest in property. Only 11% of women buy investment property, compared to 14% of men.
The cost of celebrating everyone else's milestones
Engagement parties, weddings, bridal showers, hen's/buck's getaways, baby showers, baby's first birthday, the list goes on for major milestone moments society deems worthy of a celebration.
If we assume a single person doesn't get married or chooses to remain childfree, we can also assume they won't come close to being financially reimbursed to the same capacity.
This creates an unspoken imbalance, where singles are often contributing significantly to the milestones of others without experiencing the same level of financial reciprocity over time.
So where do we draw the line between being present and the pressure of presents?
For singles, navigating these expectations can require a more intentional approach. Setting personal boundaries around spending, being selective about which events to attend and redefining what meaningful participation looks like can help ease the financial strain.
Of course, presence doesn't always have to come with a high price tag. Showing up in a way that feels genuine and sustainable is often more valuable than the cost of a gift.
Equally, recognising and celebrating non-traditional milestones, like a new job, completing a marathon or starting a business, can build the foundation for a more balanced system of giving and receiving.
Lopsided investment
"After three years of back-to-back weddings and showers, I can't ignore the lopsided investment. I've happily poured time and money into my friends' milestones, but it's time we acknowledge the imbalance. We shouldn't have to walk down an aisle to receive that same level of support and celebration. Every meaningful life path deserves to be honoured with the same investment we currently reserve for marriage."
Free to go anywhere, if you can afford it
Being single gives you the freedom of travelling when you want without someone else's plans or preferences to consider. Unfortunately, as we've seen, it's much harder to save for the privilege.
Married or partnered Australians are more likely to be planning travel over the next 12 months. About 68% are planning to travel overseas, domestically, or both.
In comparison, about 52% of single people are planning to travel.
About 13% of single Australians say they can't afford to travel, compared to only 5% of married or partnered Australians.
While single people can be more frivolous with their spending because they don't have to worry about joint savings, and in many cases, but not all, won't have children to pay for, there are other factors to think about.
For single people considering travelling alone there are safety concerns, as well as overcoming the uncertainty of doing things alone. They may also be waiting on friends to join them in their plans.
Depending on the type of trip, single people have to pay for things on their own. Although the price of flights usually won't be any different, costs that could be a significant solo burden for a single person include:
- Hotels/accommodation
- Ubers/taxis
- Car rental
- Food
- Experiences and entertainment
The upside of travelling as a single person is the freedom of being able to plan the trip you want. Single people who are travelling alone have the option of keeping their trip lower-cost, like with the use of hostels and not eating at upmarket restaurants.
Our expert says: Cost of travel depends on what you want
"Travelling while single can go both ways. Although it can take longer to save and you might have to cop certain costs on your own, travelling solo can be far cheaper. It entirely depends on the travel experience you choose. The bigger considerations for travelling as a single person can be more around confidence or navigating the planning with friends (and that's where the heavier costs can come in too). Either way, make sure you budget properly while planning, allowing yourself additional savings as a buffer."
The happiness gap & what sits underneath it
Overall, 61% of single people report feeling happy in March 2026, compared to 82% of those with a partner. While happiness is shaped by many factors, financial security and stability can play an important role.
The gap becomes even more noticeable at certain times of the year.
During Christmas 2025, 70% of singles report feeling happy, compared to 86% of those in a couple. The holidays are a time often associated with social connection and positive memories, which can bring on heavy feelings for those without a partner.
Seasonal trends tell a similar story. In winter, happiness drops to 70% for singles versus 81% for those with a partner, while in summer, 71% of singles report feeling happy compared to 82% of those who are in a relationship.
While married or partnered people consistently report higher levels of happiness, particularly during socially and financially demanding periods, it's important to recognise that happiness isn't and shouldn't be solely determined by relationship status.
Why women are waiting, and men are lonelier
Traditional relationship dynamics are shifting, particularly as women continue to climb the ranks and embrace a new standard of living.
Women are more financially independent than ever before, and this is influencing relationship expectations. Rather than "settling", many are choosing to delay partnerships until romantic prospects meet personal, financial and emotional standards.
At the same time, changing social dynamics have contributed to growing discussions around the "male loneliness epidemic." While harder to quantify in Australian data alone, broader research consistently shows men are more likely to report smaller social networks and lower emotional support compared to women.
These shifts are creating a new outlook on the state of romantic relationships:
- Women are increasingly selective and financially self-sufficient
- Men are, in some cases, experiencing greater social isolation
Fewer Australians are choosing marriage at all
Marriage rates have been gradually declining over time, with more Australians choosing to focus on career progression, financial stability and personal development before entering long-term commitments. Census data from 2021 shows that over one in three Australians (36.5%) have never been married and the median age at first marriage continues to climb into the early 30s.
The other side of the single tax
While much of the conversation around finances highlights the challenges of being single, there's another side that's just as important to recognise: the unique advantages that come with it.
Being single offers a level of independence and autonomy that can be difficult to replicate in a relationship. Every financial decision, from daily spending to long-term goals, is entirely your own. There's no need to compromise on priorities, lifestyles or timelines, whether that's choosing to travel, invest, upskill or simply enjoy the present.
This flexibility can also make it easier to adapt to change. Singles often have greater freedom to relocate for career opportunities, pivot financially or adjust their lifestyle without the added complexity of coordinating with a partner. In an uncertain economic environment, that agility can be a powerful advantage.
There's also a growing shift in how success and milestones are defined. More singles are choosing to invest in themselves, whether that's through personal development, health and wellbeing or building meaningful social connections. Without traditional expectations, there's more space to design a life that feels fulfilling on an individual level.
While there may be financial trade-offs, single life offers something equally valuable: control, clarity and the freedom to build a life on your own terms.
Sources
More resources on Finder
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