It’s the age-old debate: does it cost more to fly solo or to ride the relationship rollercoaster? Whether you’re living your best single life or cuddling up with bae, one thing’s for sure—your wallet feels it either way. But who’s getting the better deal?

Single and ready to… spend?

Being single means freedom—you can do whatever you want, whenever you want. It also might be just another word for nothing left to lose, if you ask Janis Joplin. But one thing is for sure: freedom isn’t free. Here’s where single people’s dollars disappear:

  1. Dating apps
    Swiping left and right is free, but that “Premium” subscription? Yeah, that’s gonna cost ya. $15 a month, or more. So you’re already a few bucks down before you even meet someone IRL.
  2. Going out to ‘meet people’
    Bars, clubs, brunches, and random salsa classes (because ya gotta seem cultured!) That’s cash, baby. Drinks aren’t cheap, and neither is that new outfit you bought to try to look cool.
  3. Solo life = you pay for everything
    When you’re single, there’s no one to split the rent, utilities, or grocery costs. Every streaming service? Get out your credit card. Every last avocado toast? Yep, it’s your treat.

Coupled up… still costly

Being in a relationship might mean sharing the financial load, but couples have their own ways of blowing through budgets:

  1. Date nights
    Sure, it’s nice to have someone to Netflix and chill with, but you’re also splitting Uber rides, buying dinner for two, and springing for movie popcorn (the markup of all markups).
  2. All the gifts
    Birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, random ‘I saw this and thought of you’ surprises. It’s adorable but hard on your bank account. 
  3. The coupled lifestyle
    Fancy vacations, couple’s massages, matching pajamas—relationships have a way of turning the ‘treat yourself’ mindset into a full-blown lifestyle. And guess what? It adds up fast.

Hidden savings: a plot twist?

But wait! There’s more to the story. Being single might seem expensive, but so is trying to impress a potential match. But couples also save in ways you’d never think about:

  • Split costs: Groceries, rent, and maybe even a Costco membership for those bulk snack runs.
  • Settling down (literally): Couples are more likely to opt for quiet nights in, which is a huge money saver. You can’t spend what you don’t go out for, right?

And the winner is…

So, who wins between the single and the coupled? It’s kind of a tie. Singles spend on exploration and experiences, while couples splurge on togetherness and traditions. But at the end of the day, whether you’re buying drinks for yourself or splitting a romantic dinner bill, the real cost is in how you choose to live your life.