A new report has revealed the cost of the so-called ‘singles tax’, with solo Australians saving less money while experiecing more financial pressure.

Although couples spend more overall, the report found the cost per person reduces, increasing savings for those in a relationship.

Co-author of the report and personal finance writer Ceyda Erem says paying for expenses as a single person is hard.

“This world we live in is built for couples,” she says.

“When you’re living alone and you’re paying for every single bill on your own whether that’s your energy bill, your groceries, any insurance that you have, you’re not splitting that cost.

“So that’s taking a good chunk of your monthly salary and then you don’t have much left over to kind of stash away.”

The report also found 82 per cent of people in a relationship reported feeling happy, in comparison to 61 per cent of single people.

Dr Scott Devenport, an associate psychology lecturer from Curtin University, researches how individuals choose partners.

Dr Devenport says people might consider financial compatibilty when entering relationships.

“Questions like are we compatible with our finances? Is this person going to be dependent on me to support them financially? Feelings are important but there are more analytical processes as well,” Dr Devenport says.

Mount Lawley single parent Ruth Mutanda is navigating raising two young children on one income.

Ms Mutanda split up with her partner while she was pregnant with her second child and says finding a place to live for her and her children was difficult.

“You’re stigmatised already, just from the fact they see there’s only one person on the application,” she says.

Ms Mutanda says she considered not splitting up with her partner due to financial reasons.

Although the report points out the disparities in paying for expenses as a single person, it also highlights the advantages single people can enjoy without having a partner to share finances with.

“Singles often have greater freedom to relocate for career opportunities, pivot financially or adjust their lifestyle without the added complexity of coordinating with a partner,” report co-auhtor Ceyda Erem says.

Despite only having her income to rely on, Ms Mutanda says she enjoys not having to consuly anyone else.

“It’s much easier to not have to go back and forth with somebody about finances,” she says.

“If having more financial support means I sacrifice my own peace and happiness, then I don’t think that is worth it”.