‘Single tax’ explained as more people realise the hidden cost of being alone

As the cost-of-living crisis continues and bills keep soaring, if you're single you might be feeling the pinch most.

Trying to book a hotel or holiday just for one person can see the prices rocket much higher compared to what you'd pay if splitting between two.

There has been recent controversy over restaurants allegedly turning solo diners away too, with owners saying they can't afford to have one person taking up a table for two (or more).

Known as the 'singles tax', it's described as the extra money singles end up having to pay for a variety of things throughout life.

As well as dining out and trips abroad, singles are hit harder too, especially if they live alone, compared to co-habiting couples.

According to the BBC, 8.6m people were estimated to be living alone in the UK last year, which is nearly a third of all households.

The costs of living alone soon mount up (Getty Stock)

Shouldering all of the rent, council tax and bills by yourself rather than splitting it with a partner can get very expensive, especially as bills are just going up and up.

The Telegraph reports that stockbroker Hargreaves Lansdown calculated that single people spend an average 36 percent of their income on household costs, while couples spend 20 percent.

Clare Stinton, an analyst at the firm says “There is a price – some may say penalty – for being single, life is more expensive because you have nobody to share the bills with.”

The reality, judging by commenters on Reddit and social media, is that singletons probably spend much more.

Many single people have complained that the single person council tax discount isn't enough, at only 25 percent off.

For a long time now, people have been asking why it isn't 50 percent, with one social media user fuming: "I agree, the single tax is REAL from everything from supermarket shopping to holidays, the biggest frustration is the council tax, why do single people only receive a 25 percent discount, we are not 3/4 of a couple???!!!"

When it comes to food shopping too, many meals and food items are packaged for families or with discounts for large portions for sharing.

One commenter wrote: "I've lived as an older single man for 18 years ( although I always have a dog on board)... One of the things that annoy me is pre packed stuff in supermarkets. I hate throwing stuff away but can't get the small amounts I want."

Paying all of the bills, rent and mortgage solo can add up quickly too (Getty Stock)

It's not a problem that's going away anytime soon either.

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) reported that in 2024, that the population who are married or in a civil partnership dropped below 50 percent for the first time.

Talking about the dreaded singles supplement pushing up holiday prices, one commenter shared it 'enrages me the most. We only use one set of towels, we use less water and hotel toiletries in the bathroom, we drink less of the tea and coffee, I see the SS as us singletons SUPPLEMENTING the price that couples, or families, pay."

They added: "Short of taking two showers a day and snaffling all the tea, coffee, milk then asking for more I don’t know how to get my own back!"

One Redditor pointed out that the cost isn't just financial, either: "It's the manual labour as well. Singles have no one to share in the chores - many of which cost time as well as money. I can't easily go to three stores to get the best deals, no one is helping me make dinner when I work late, no one to take up the slack when you are ill."

"People with higher incomes can afford services like meal delivery or housekeeping which I cannot afford," they added.

Another insisted: "This is on purpose. Many government policies support and encourage people to get married and have children."

Some people are teaming up with friends now to buy a house instead, while others still have hopes of meeting the right person and settling down.