You’ll never find the term “singles tax” as part of any official governmental tax code and yet it’s a very real cost incurred by millions of Americans — perhaps even you. Moreover, some cities have a far, far heftier singles tax than others.
The term “singles tax” is an informal designation for the extra housing costs incurred by those who choose to live alone as a solo renter, rather than with a partner, family or friends as roommates. While living alone comes with myriad perks — privacy, peace and quiet and no fighting over the remote control — it also requires you to bear the full brunt of rental cost. That’s on the opposite end of the rental spectrum, where couples who cohabitate get to enjoy the “couples’ discount”: the amount both people save by living with their partner (there is the added cost of the remote control fights, though).
