UQ Diaries
Is it more expensive to be single or in a relationship?
Welcome back to UQ Diaries, an anonymous Contact magazine series that dives into the burning questions you've always wanted to ask.
Each month, we'll explore life's juiciest topics, from money to relationships, education and everything in between. At our heart, our mission is simple: to give your voice a chance to be heard.
In October, we posed the following question to our UQ community:
Is it more expensive to be single or in a relationship? Why?
The results
This month, around 64% of the UQ community agreed that it is more expensive to be single compared to being in a relationship.
Of these respondents, 75% said that a lack of shared living expenses was the main reason why being single is more expensive. Particularly, they explained that couples can split the cost of living, significantly reducing the financial burden on each individual.
Some more common reasons include:
- Economies of scale: respondents in Team Single said that costs are more efficient when shared. For instance, having a partner makes it easier to buy in bulk, which tends to be cheaper on average.
- Housing costs: 39% of Team Single mentioned housing in their responses. Many of these responses said that rent or mortgage costs can be prohibitively high for singles, making it challenging to afford housing on a single income.
- Travel and vacation costs: many respondents in Team Single found travelling costs to be more expensive on a single income. Many also mentioned that couples can have double the money for vacations.
On the other end of the argument, 26% of respondents said that being in a relationship is more expensive. We saw 43% of Team Relationship say that the increased cost is because of couples spending more time going out and doing activities together. Other reasons include:
- Giving-giving: respondents said that they spend more money on giving gifts for birthdays, anniversaries and holidays when they are in relationships.
- Child-related expenses: for some, being in a relationship may lead to having children. Team Relationship respondents said this can be financially demanding.
- Less control of your money: some said that it can be harder to control what happens to your income when it's shared in a relationship.
Read on to see what some members of the UQ community said in more detail (note: some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity).
Team Single responses
Age: 36
Degree: Master of Applied Linguistics
Occupation: Speech pathologist
City / Town: Perth
I think it's more expensive to be single than to be in a relationship. When you're in a relationship, you can split expenses down the middle. Everything is done in 2s, so don't bear the brunt for anything.
On the other hand, you will bear the heavy costs being single. With today's inflation crisis, everything is expensive. Being single means you have to pay for rent, electricity, water, entertainment packages and car finance in full. Being single is definitely harder on the hip pocket than being in a relationship
Age: 35
Degree: Bachelor of Engineering
Occupation: Project manager / engineer
City / Town: Sydney
It's more expensive being single for the following reasons:
- Accomodation is very expensive in Sydney. If you have a partner, you can share the rent and bills (although you might need a bigger place).
- Supermarket products are cheaper by unit rates if you buy more.
- You save more time by sharing household chores (time is money).
- I often find that I waste more food when I'm single because I cook too much for myself only.
Age: 24
Degree: Bachelor of Psychology
Occupation: Administration officer
City / Town: Brisbane
In some ways, being single is far more expensive in this economy. I have been with my partner for 4 years and it has helped immensely with the current cost-of-living crisis. We can split rent and groceries, and we don't have to spend money to see each other because we live together.
Many of my single friends are struggling to afford to move out of home because they need to either find other single friends to live with or take a gamble by moving to a share house. On the other hand, casual dating is expensive with all the dates you have to pay for.
Age: 25
Degree: Bachelor of Education
Occupation: Teacher
City / Town: Brisbane
Single! Making food for one is expensive. Travelling anywhere is expensive – there is no getting a lift or sharing the Uber cost. I went out more when I was single and trying to meet people. I can also save on rent in a one-bedroom apartment when two people live in it.
Team Relationship responses
Age: 26
Degree: Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
Occupation: Provisional psychologist
City / Town: Brisbane
I think it’s more expensive to be in a relationship if you and your partner are the types who go out a lot when you spend time together.
For example, my partner and I are more prone to getting Uber Eats and having a movie night in together, or going out for dinner. If I was single, I could eat toast for dinner if I had to. But in a relationship, it’s nice to make the moments together special – and that usually costs money.
Age: 42
Degree: Bachelor of Social Work
Occupation: Social worker
City / Town: Brisbane
Since my divorce, I have never been more financially secure. I had no idea how much living with an impulsive spender undermined my capacity to save and grow financially. You have much more control over what, when and how you spend your money as a single person.
Age: 27
Degree: Master of Educational Studies
Occupation: Childcare worker
City / Town: Adelaide
For me, it’s more expensive to be in a relationship, as we aim for a better quality of life.
With 2 incomes, it’s easier to spend more to get a better version of everything (house, appliances, and services). Whereas, when I was single, it was easier to compromise with what I had.
Age: 47
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Occupation: Accountant
City / Town: Melbourne
Early in a relationship, it’s definitely more expensive as you do new and different things together, plus going out together on dates. When you're single, you have more control over what you do and how you spend your money.
We would love to hear your perspectives for the next edition of UQ Diaries: phone edition.
Are you addicted to your phone? Why or why not?
If you're feeling game, check your screen time! How did looking at this make you feel?
