The Blubber

Survey: Single and Divorced Americans Struggle More with Housing Costs Than Married Couples

A recent survey by Redfin found that nearly 70% of single, divorced, or separated individuals face challenges in affording housing payments—a significantly higher percentage than the 52% of married individuals who report similar difficulties.

Financial Struggles of Single Renters and Homeowners

Unlike married couples who can share rent or mortgage payments, single individuals must cover housing costs alone, often on lower household incomes.

• 63% of single respondents and 69% of divorced individuals reported annual household incomes under $50,000.
• Only 26% of married respondents earned less than $50,000, while 29% of married couples had household incomes exceeding $100,000—compared to just 7% of single people and 6% of divorced individuals in that income bracket.
• Married couples also benefit from tax breaks and financial stability that single individuals do not.

The Cost of Living Alone

The survey revealed that unmarried couples who live together face even greater financial hardship, with 76% struggling to afford housing.

Living alone can be particularly expensive:

• In Washington, D.C., where more than half of adults are single, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,908 per month. A single person pays the full amount, while a couple splitting rent would each pay $954—saving $11,448 annually.
• In Los Angeles, where one-bedroom apartments average $2,480 per month, a single renter pays $14,880 more per year than someone splitting the cost with a partner.

Making Sacrifices to Stay Housed

Many single and divorced individuals make major sacrifices to keep up with housing costs:

• 27% of divorced or separated respondents and 21% of singles said they skipped meals to afford rent or mortgage payments—compared to 14% of married individuals.
• Unmarried individuals were also more likely to seek financial help from family or take on side jobs to cover expenses.

“The high cost of housing tends to hit single people hardest because they can’t pool resources with a partner,” said Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather. “We need to consider solutions like single-room housing, dormitory-style units, and ADUs to help ease the affordability crisis for people who live alone.”

Renters Face Higher Delinquency Rates Than Homeowners

Despite financial struggles, most Americans make their housing payments on time. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey:

• Only 4% to 6% of homeowners—regardless of marital status—were behind on mortgage payments as of September 2024.
• Renters, however, faced higher delinquency rates, with 14% of married renters and 15% of divorced renters falling behind on rent.

With housing costs continuing to rise, single and divorced individuals remain disproportionately affected, highlighting the need for affordable housing solutions.