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From rent and groceries to utilities and insurance, life feels like a never-ending conveyor belt of bills. It helps when you have a housemate or a partner to split the damage with, but those flying solo have to shoulder the ‘singles tax’.
Now, the ‘singles tax’ isn’t a legit government levy, but it’s a serious financial burden faced by anyone navigating life on a solo income. The cost of being single goes beyond your bank balance too, manifesting in everything from social expectations and lifestyle pressures to milestone spending at events like weddings and baby showers.
According to Finder’s Singles Tax Report 2026, the average Australian with a partner has $50,192 in savings, while the average single person has $30,932 – that’s a meaty gap of $19,260. If we look at this from a monthly POV, those flying solo save around $651, while those in a relationship save $1,086, putting them $435 ahead every single pay cycle.
In the case of emergencies, couples also have a much thicker safety net. On average, a single person can survive off their savings for 15.9 weeks, whereas those in a partnership can last for 17.4 weeks. It may seem like a slim margin, but in a crisis, those extra ten days can make all the difference.
While the cost-of-living crisis impacts all Australians, regardless of their relationship status, the math simply doesn’t scale for solo households. Rent, groceries and utilities are the major pressure points for both married and single Australians, but those flying solo generally have to pay more to maintain the same standard of living. For instance, a single Aussie spends an average of $165 per week on groceries, compared to $118.50 per person for those with a partner.
Beyond the financials, Finder’s report also found that single people are generally less happy than their coupled-up counterparts – an emotion impacted greatly by money security. In March 2026, 61 per cent of single people reported feeling happy, compared to 82 per cent of those in a relationship. The gap only widens during particular times of the year, like Christmas.
All in all, being single might be a financial burden – but it’s the cost you pay to decide when and how you spend your money, without having to compromise. From relocating for a cool career opportunity to booking an impromptu holiday or moving to a new neighbourhood, there are plenty of benefits to being independent and agile – a freedom that we reckon is priceless!