Single people pay $770 more a month than couples on rent and bills
Single-income households spend at least $770 extra per month. They cannot split costs like rent and utilities with a partner.
A single person in Australia spends more than $770 extra each month on living costs. That's compared to someone in a couple, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The singles tax is a cost gap affecting rent and bills. The singles tax falls hardest on older women.
More than half of people living alone are women. Older women are a growing group at risk of housing distress or homelessness.
The number of homeless women over 55 surged about 40 per cent between 2011 and 2021. Housing experts say Australia lacks affordable, suitably-sized homes for single people.
This is especially true in well-located suburbs. The $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund was announced in 2023.
It aims to deliver tens of thousands of affordable homes. But experts question how truly affordable they will be.
- $770
- Monthly cost gap
- Women, over half
- Share of single households
- 40 per cent, 2011-2021
- Homeless women over 55 surge
- $10 billion
- Housing fund amount
Why it mattersSingle Australians, especially older women, face a structural cost penalty. This pushes many out of the rental market. As rents climb, some move toward homelessness.
AustraliaOlder single women in Australia increasingly cannot afford private rent and are waiting years for social housing, forcing many to move in with family or into share housing.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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