Differences Between Being Married & Being Single

In the 21st century, half of married couples end up being single again.

While the obvious difference between being married and being single is the fact that you have a different marital status, there are actually a number of other differences, ranging from your finances and your living situation to your social interactions. Some people believe that married couples live longer and are happier, while others disagree. Learn the differences to know which one suits you best.

Finances

Married people have very different financial situations than single people do. For one, there are two people in the house, which usually means two incomes. Many costs are therefore split or mitigated; for example, rent is cut. Basically, a smaller percentage of your income goes toward aspects of daily living. What's more, there are tax and insurance breaks for being married.

Of course, this is assuming that neither married nor single people will have children. If either group does have children then their costs go up substantially.

Responsibility

When you are single, you are responsible for one person -- yourself. If you lose your job, you are the only person who is going to suffer. Married people need to think about and consult with their spouse before making any major decisions or ones that involve or impact the other person. This means that day to day decision-making is slightly harder for married people than it is for single people.

Social Circles

Married people tend to socialize with their spouses more than they socialize with groups of friends. This isn't to say that they lose their friends, but they do tend to spend more time at home with one another than they do out and about. Single people, on the other hand, have a lot more time to themselves, so they can choose to spend it with their friends, go on weekend outings or just stay home and play video games on a weekday evening. Married couples may choose to do the same things either together or separately, but usually with each other's approval.

Homeownership

One rite of wedded passage is purchasing a home. Single people, on the other hand, are not under this social obligation. Married people are more likely to purchase a home when children are involved. Buying a home changes the way they spend their money and ties them more tightly to a particular town or area.

References

• Forbes: The Cost of Being Married
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention: Marriage and Divorce