Single people in the UK are paying a staggering £10,000 more per year than couples for basic living expenses, according to new research from UK Debt Expert.
The study reveals a substantial financial penalty faced by those living alone, affecting everything from housing costs to entertainment subscriptions.
This "singles tax" amounts to nearly 27 per cent of the median UK salary, placing significant pressure on solo households during the current cost-of-living crisis.
The research shows singles are financially disadvantaged across multiple areas of daily life, with the burden particularly affecting their ability to save, invest, or enjoy discretionary spending.
The findings come as Valentine's Day approaches, highlighting the reality of solo living in modern Britain.
The largest component of the singles tax comes from housing costs, with individuals paying £9,298 more annually than cohabiting couples for rent and bills.
A 'singles tax' is being charged on the incomes of single people GETTYSingles face an additional £240 per year for streaming subscriptions and takeaway meals, with no partner to share these everyday expenses.
Holiday costs also hit solo travellers hard, with research showing a £462 premium for those travelling alone.
The single tax is even worse in London, where singles face the highest regional burden of more than £21,000 per year.
A one-bedroom flat in the capital accounts for £16,254 of this amount, with utility bills adding another £1,851.78.
Even pet ownership comes at a premium, with dog owners paying an extra £918 annually and cat owners facing additional costs of £679.
Cambridge emerges as the second most expensive city for singles, with an additional cost burden of £18,793 annually.
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The majority of Cambridge's singles tax goes towards essentials, including £14,208 for rent and £1,406.64 for utilities.
Oxford ranks third with a £15,128 singles premium, where a one-bed flat costs an extra £844 per month for solo renters.
St Albans and Brighton round out the top five most expensive cities, with singles taxes of £14,218 and £13,259 respectively.
At the other end of the scale, St Helens offers the most affordable option for singles, with additional costs of just £4,414 for rent and bills, rising to £6,815 with lifestyle expenses included.
Huddersfield and Doncaster follow as the next most affordable locations, with singles taxes of £7,554 and £7,630 respectively.
Maxine McCreadie, personal finance expert from UK Debt Expert warns against seeking relationships purely for financial reasons.
She said: "Valentine’s Day can be a tricky time for single people but we’d certainly never recommend seeking out a relationship for financial reasons alone. Our research just highlights the huge cash penalty facing people who choose to live on their own.”
Single people in UK are paying more than couples as part of the "singles tax" GETTY “Many single people are renting, either as a stop-gap or because they can’t afford to buy a property on a single income.
"With the cost-of-living crisis, singles are disproportionately affected, often paying more for housing, utilities, and even lifestyle expenses. Without the ability to split costs, many are left with little financial breathing room.
“While being single has its advantages, it’s important to be financially aware and plan for the extra costs.
"Budgeting, using discounts, and seeking out financial advice can help ease the burden of the ‘singles tax.’”
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