The report from the Seattle-based real estate brokerage highlighted household capabilities for handling mortgage and rent payments. The report used data from a survey of 1,802 residents between the ages of 18 and 65.
According to the report, nearly 70% of single, divorced or separated people struggle to handle their monthly housing payments. By comparison, only 52% of married people experience the same struggles. Non-married couples weren’t without their issues either, with 76% struggling to meet payment obligations — the most of any group.
“People who aren’t yet married, or aren’t interested in getting married or living with a partner, often have to make more sacrifices to cover their housing costs than their coupled-up counterparts, which is one reason the government should consider zoning for single-room housing, like dormitories, and ADUs,” Daryl Fairweather, Redfin’s chief economist, said in a statement.
In terms of affordability, the difference between single and married people stems from one factor: two incomes are better than one. Redfin said that 63% of single respondents and 69% of divorcees have household incomes below $50,000. By comparison, only 26% of married people had incomes below that benchmark.
Nearly 30% of married couples make more than $100,000, while less than 10% of single or divorced people reach that income level. Married couples also receive tax benefits that help out.
Single couples often don’t receive additional benefits — and most have to make sacrifices to make payments. According to Redfin, 27% of divorced or separated people reportedly skipped meals to cover housing expenses. Comparatively, only 21% of single people and 14% of married people reported doing so.
High home prices and mortgage rates may place even more strain on single, divorced or separated people. HousingWire‘s 2025 market forecast predicts slower price appreciation, although prices won’t turn negative.
Meanwhile, homebuyer affordability improved slightly at the end of last year. The national median monthly payment among mortgage applicants declined to $2,127 in December 2024, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).
MBA’s Edward Seiler believes that payments will drop further as the supply of homes for sale goes up.
“2024 was a sluggish year for home sales because of weak affordability conditions throughout the country. MBA expects 2025 conditions will improve as housing supply increases, giving prospective buyers more options and putting less pressure on their budgets,” Seiler said in a statement.
