The Cost of Living Solo: Renters Faced With Hefty ‘Singles Tax’ 

Although the Valentine’s holiday has passed, single people are still often reminded of the perks of having a partner. While independence can feel like a great feat, the hefty “singles tax” found in Zillow’s latest report may depress many single Americans.

Tenants entering the solo rental market for a one-bedroom apartment are now shelling out an extra $7,110 annually to live alone—a significant rise of over $100 over the already startling amount from the previous year.

Key Findings:

• The “singles tax” increased in 2024, now standing at $7,110.
• Cohabitating renters collectively save $14,220 annually on average by living together, but that can be as much as $40,200 in New York City.
• Zillow users can now list and search for individual rooms for rent, reducing housing expenses by finding a roommate to share costs.

Singles still pay the highest share of the national cost for the luxury of living alone in New York City, where personal space is highly valued. New data from StreetEasy, Zillow’s New York City brand, indicates that the extra annual cost for living alone has increased to $20,100, an increase of $600 from the previous year.

However, the singles tax has been slightly lowered in popular places like San Francisco, San Jose, Boston, and Washington, D.C. These slight drops give some financial breathing room, but they don’t lessen the larger problems with affordability in big cities.

“While some renters may envy their coupled-up friends for dodging the singles tax, solo renters enjoy perks that go beyond financial savings. There’s no arguing over which show to binge-watch next or disputes about whose turn it is to clean up after dinner,” said Emily McDonald, Zillow rental trends expert. “Still, it’s crucial for renters to really dive into what living alone costs in their area and decide if the price tag is worth it.”

U.S. Regions with the Highest “Singles Tax”:

1. New York City (average singles tax: $20,100)
2. San Francisco ($13,438)
3. San Jose, CA ($11,967)
4. Washington, D.C. ($11,452)
5. Boston ($11,399)
6. San Diego (%10,849)
7. Seattle ($10,825)
8. Atlanta ($9,000)
9. Denver ($8,984)
10. Los Angeles ($8,857)

According to Zillow data, nationwide, cohabiting renters save $14,220 annually compared to their single counterparts. In more expensive areas, the advantages of cohabitation become even more noticeable.

In the same places listed above, renters can catch a significant financial break by living with another person.

For example, a couple in New York City may save more than $40,000 by just living together. This sizeable amount may be put toward a down payment on a house, invested in a retirement account, or utilized to assist pay off credit card debt.

U.S. Regions with the Highest “Couples Discount”:

1. New York City (average discount for cohabiters: $40,200)
2. San Francisco ($26,876)
3. San Jose, CA ($23,933)
4. Washington, D.C. ($22,905)
5. Boston ($22,798)
6. San Diego $21,697)
7. Seattle ($21,650)
8. Atlanta ($17,999)
9. Denver ($17,968)
10. Los Angeles ($17,713)

Choosing to live with a roommate is a common way for single people to avoid paying the singles tax and manage their housing expenses. Recently, Zillow launched room listings in an effort to lessen the financial burden of living alone.

This new listing type easily bridges the gap for individuals looking for a more affordable living arrangement by giving users the freedom to both search and offer individual rooms for rent.

Whether it’s singles, roommates or couples looking to rent, there are still attainable gems in multiple U.S. markets. While some may be costly, everyone deserves a place to call home.

To read the full report, including more data, charts, and methodology, click here.