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<\/p>\nMoneyMagpie’s Vicky Parry tells us all the best deals for single people in 2026 and takes a close look at the dreaded ‘single tax’<\/p>\n
You don’t need to pay more for being single(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Living alone can be brilliant. You get the bed to yourself, full control of the remote and never have to compromise on what\u2019s for dinner.<\/p>\n
But financially? Being single in Britain can feel like paying a penalty for not being part of a couple.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s often called the \u201csingle tax<\/a>\u201d \u2014 the extra amount single people pay simply because they don\u2019t have someone to split life\u2019s biggest bills with.<\/p>\n And as someone who spends their days hunting down money-saving hacks, I\u2019ve seen just how real this cost can be.<\/p>\n Research has shown that single people can spend \u00a32,000\u2013\u00a34,000 more per year than couples living a similar lifestyle, simply because everything from rent and energy to holidays and insurance is priced per household, not per person.<\/p>\n One-person households also spend a far higher proportion of their income on essentials, leaving less room to save. In a world<\/a> designed for couples and families, solo living can feel financially stacked against you.<\/p>\n But here\u2019s the good news: companies are slowly waking up to the spending power of single households \u2014 and there are hidden deals and clever tricks that can make life much cheaper. I\u2019ve gone looking for them.<\/p>\n Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate<\/a> or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.<\/p>\n Travel companies finally ditching the single supplement<\/p>\n Travel has long been one of the worst offenders when it comes to the single tax.<\/a> The dreaded \u201csingle supplement\u201d often means paying almost the same price as two people sharing a room.<\/p>\n But some travel firms now actively cater to solo travellers.<\/p>\n Just You specialises in holidays exclusively for people travelling alone. That means no awkward third wheels and \u2014 crucially \u2014 no single supplements on most trips.<\/p>\n G Adventures also offers many tours with low or zero single supplements, particularly on its \u201csolo-ish\u201d group trips where everyone arrives alone.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Riviera Travel regularly releases limited \u201cno single supplement\u201d deals on cruises and escorted tours. They\u2019re snapped up quickly, but they can save hundreds or even thousands.<\/p>\n Money-saving tip<\/a> : search specifically for \u201cno single supplement holidays\u201d and set alerts. Many deals are released quietly and sell out fast.<\/p>\n Housing and co-living designed for singles<\/p>\n Rent is often the biggest single tax of all. One person renting a one-bed flat will almost always pay far more per head than two people sharing a two-bed.<\/p>\n But a new wave of co-living companies is targeting single professionals with all-inclusive pricing.<\/p>\n Gravity Co-Living offers rooms with bills, Wi-Fi, workspace and gym access bundled into one monthly price. While not always cheap, it can work out far less than running a flat alone.<\/p>\n The Collective provides similar set-ups with flexible contracts and shared amenities included \u2014 meaning no separate council tax, broadband or energy bills<\/a> to juggle.<\/p>\n Even if co-living isn\u2019t for you, these models show a shift towards housing that recognises solo living as the norm, not the exception.<\/p>\n Get the best deals and tips from Mirror Money<\/p>\n WHATSAPP GROUP: Get money news and top deals straight to your phone by joining our Money WhatsApp group here<\/a>. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n NEWSLETTER: Or sign up to the Mirror’s Money newsletter here<\/a> for all the best advice and shopping deals straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n Food and meal deals for one<\/p>\n Supermarket multi-buy offers can make solo shoppers feel penalised. Family packs are cheaper per portion \u2014 but often lead to waste when you live alone.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why meal kit companies have quietly become a useful hack for some single households.<\/p>\n Gousto and HelloFresh both offer plans designed for one person, and introductory discounts can be as high as 50\u201360% off. Used strategically \u2014 especially with cashback \u2014 they can work out cheaper than small supermarket shops.<\/p>\n I also recommend:<\/p>\n Batch cooking and freezing portionsSplitting bulk buys with friendsShopping late for yellow-sticker reductionsUsing loyalty apps and cashback on groceries<\/p>\n These small tweaks can save hundreds a year.<\/p>\n Banking and budgeting tools built for solo earners<\/p>\n One of the biggest financial risks of living alone is having no second income to fall back on. If something goes wrong, the pressure lands entirely on you.<\/p>\n That\u2019s where smart banking tools come in.<\/p>\n Monzo and Starling Bank are particularly useful for single people because they allow you to:<\/p>\n Create separate savings \u201cpots\u201d for billsTrack spending easilyBuild an emergency fund automaticallySplit costs with friends when needed<\/p>\n When you\u2019re managing everything alone, visibility and control over your money are essential.<\/p>\n Insurance and bill discounts many singles miss<\/p>\n There\u2019s no official \u201csingle discount\u201d for most bills, but there are ways to cut costs:<\/p>\n Claim the 25% single-person council tax discount (many forget)Ask insurers about lower premiums for one-person householdsSwitch broadband and mobile annuallyUse cashback sites for every major bill<\/p>\n Because you\u2019re covering all costs yourself, even small reductions matter more.<\/p>\n Why the single market is finally being noticed<\/p>\n Single-person households are one of the fastest-growing demographics in the UK. More people are living alone than ever before \u2014 by choice or circumstance \u2014 and businesses are beginning to realise that solo consumers are a powerful market.<\/p>\n Single people often:<\/p>\n Make faster spending decisionsHave full control over disposable incomeAre loyal to brands that recognise their needs<\/p>\n That means we\u2019re likely to see more solo-friendly pricing and perks emerge over the next few years.<\/p>\n The bottom line<\/p>\n Yes, the single tax is real. Living alone can cost thousands more each year than living as part of a couple. But after digging into the data and the deals, I\u2019m convinced of this: single people don\u2019t have to accept those extra costs without a fight.<\/p>\n From travel firms ditching single supplements to budgeting tools designed for one income, there are more ways than ever to push back against a world built for couples.<\/p>\n Living solo might mean paying the bills alone \u2014 but with the right hacks<\/a>, you can stop paying over the odds.<\/p>\n