Money

Average Single Vs Married Income

Data & Guides Money Average Single Vs Married Income

As you might expect, single and married home income in the U.S. can range and hugely impact lifestyles.

There are currently 136.3 million married people in the U.S. (about 50% of the population), and 91.5 million single people who have never been married (34% of the population). [1] Statista, ‘Marital Status of the U.S. Population by Sex’ https://www.statista.com/statistics/242030/marital-status-of-the-us-population-by-sex/

Those living as a married couple can share the costs of bills, rent, mortgages, and other expenses with a combined income. They can also split childcare and other household responsibilities between both partners. This means it may be more challenging for single-person homes to earn enough to meet the current cost of living.

Data collected from the Census and other key research uncovered interesting facts on single vs married people's income and the differences between them.

In addition, Census research also uncovered some stark contrasts between single men and women and their earnings.

Key statistics

• The average income for single people living alone in the U.S. is $56,065.
• Married couples earn an average of $146,000 per year.
• Married people’s incomes are 26.2% more than single people’s on average.
• Single females living alone earn an average of $50,270 per year, while single males earn an average income of $61,860.
• People aged 75 and older have the lowest average income for single households at $44,830.

The average single person’s income in the U.S.

Research from the U.S Census data suggests that the average single person’s income in the U.S. varies by gender, age and state. Living costs can become overwhelming for those on their own, this research looks at the average income of single people in America.

The mean average earnings for single people living alone in the United States are $56,065. This varies between different ages and genders. [2] Census, ‘Household Income: Male Householder, Living Alone’ https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/cps-hinc/hinc-02.html [3] Census, ‘Household Income: Female Householder, Living Alone’ https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/cps-hinc/hinc-02.html

A single woman’s average household income is $50,270 compared to a single man’s average income of $61,860. This shows the gap between male and female single household income with a difference of $11,590 between annual salaries.

The breakdown of single male earnings

The highest proportion of single men in the U.S. make a salary of $24,999 or under, with 29.5% of the single male population’s earnings falling into that bracket. This is followed by the $25,000 to $49,999 earnings range where 25.7% of single men fall.

The data shows that a small percentage of single men (3.6%) earn $200,000 or more per year, which is almost double the 1.9% of single women who make $200,000 or more.

Here’s a more detailed look at what men are making on average in the United States:

Source [2] Census, ‘Household Income: Male Householder, Living Alone’ https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/cps-hinc/hinc-02.html

The breakdown of single female earnings

37.2% of single women earn $24,999 or under, making this the most common earnings bracket for this group. Just over a quarter of single women (27.9%) earn an income between $25,000 and $49,999. 

The table below shows the breakdown of earnings for single women households in the U.S.:

Source [3] Census, ‘Household Income: Female Householder, Living Alone’ https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/cps-hinc/hinc-02.html

When comparing single men to single women’s income, you notice that the top three data sets all have a contrasting difference side-by-side, with more single men earning between $150,000 and over $200,000.

Average single-person income by age

Research compiled by the Census in the U.S. clearly shows that those in their thirties earn the largest incomes.

The average income for a single person in the United States often varies depending on various factors including their age range.

Take a look at the average salary by age with different age groups below.

Average single male earnings by age

Source [2] Census, ‘Household Income: Male Householder, Living Alone’ https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/cps-hinc/hinc-02.html

Average single female earnings by age

Source [3] Census, ‘Household Income: Female Householder, Living Alone’ https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/cps-hinc/hinc-02.html

The age range earning the lowest for single men is those older than 75 years old, making an average of $44,830. Compare that to single females and you will find the contrary, with the age group of 15-24 years accruing the lowest income by age group, averaging $36,830. With that said, 75 years and older is the second lowest earning group for single women.

The 75 and over age range represents the lowest single income with 70-74 years being the second-lowest, thus, showing a correlation between age and income. Single people in the United States tend to have a lower income as they get older, once passing 55-59 years old, research from the U.S.Census shows that a single person’s income slowly decreases as they age past 55 years old, likely due to retirement or partial retirement.

The highest earners for single people are those aged 35-39 years old, with men in that age range averaging an income of $78,010 and women making an average of $78,210.

Average single-person income by state

Bureau of Economic data shows how much a single person’s income can vary - with Washington DC having the highest average of $96,092 and the lowest state income being $46,388 in Mississippi. [4] Bureau of Economic Analysis, ‘State annual personal income’ https://apps.bea.gov/itable/?ReqID=70&step=1&_gl=1*1lakow8*_ga*MTM4Mjk2Nzg1Ny4xNzExNDU1NTY2*_ga_J4698JNNFT*MTcxMTQ2NTkyNy4zLjAuMTcxMTQ2NTkzNi41MS4wLjA.#eyJhcHBpZCI6NzAsInN0ZXBzIjpbMSwyOSwyNSwzMSwyNiwyNywzMF0sImRhdGEiOltbIlRhYmxlSWQiLCIyMSJdLFsiTWFqb3JfQXJlYSIsIjAiXSxbIlN0YXRlIixbIjAiXV0sWyJBcmVhIixbIlhYIl1dLFsiU3RhdGlzdGljIixbIjMiXV0sWyJVbml0X29mX21lYXN1cmUiLCJMZXZlbHMiXSxbIlllYXIiLFsiMjAyMiJdXSxbIlllYXJCZWdpbiIsIi0xIl0sWyJZZWFyX0VuZCIsIi0xIl1dfQ==

Let’s take a look at how the average wage fluctuates across the United States with a state-by-state analysis. 

Source [4] Bureau of Economic Analysis, ‘State annual personal income’ https://apps.bea.gov/itable/?ReqID=70&step=1&_gl=1*1lakow8*_ga*MTM4Mjk2Nzg1Ny4xNzExNDU1NTY2*_ga_J4698JNNFT*MTcxMTQ2NTkyNy4zLjAuMTcxMTQ2NTkzNi41MS4wLjA.#eyJhcHBpZCI6NzAsInN0ZXBzIjpbMSwyOSwyNSwzMSwyNiwyNywzMF0sImRhdGEiOltbIlRhYmxlSWQiLCIyMSJdLFsiTWFqb3JfQXJlYSIsIjAiXSxbIlN0YXRlIixbIjAiXV0sWyJBcmVhIixbIlhYIl1dLFsiU3RhdGlzdGljIixbIjMiXV0sWyJVbml0X29mX21lYXN1cmUiLCJMZXZlbHMiXSxbIlllYXIiLFsiMjAyMiJdXSxbIlllYXJCZWdpbiIsIi0xIl0sWyJZZWFyX0VuZCIsIi0xIl1dfQ==

Highest single-person income states

Here are the top three paying states for single people:

• Massachusetts: $84,551
• Connecticut: $83,340
• New Jersey: $77,206

The above states are known for paying well, this can be due to various economics including the types of jobs in the region. Massachusetts for instance, is renowned for offering high-paying jobs such as biotech and financial roles.

It’s also worth mentioning that Washington DC boasts $95,970 in an average salary for those who are single.

Lowest single-person income states

States in the U.S. with the lowest average income for single people are as follows:

• Mississippi: $46,388
• West Virginia: $50,024
• Alabama: $50,920

Mississippi’s residents are earning $19,100 less than the average U.S. salary of $65,473 with West Virginia and Alabama also paying way under the average threshold.

The average married couple’s income in the U.S.

According to the Census data, the average household income for married couples is $146,000, 76.1% more than single-person households. This amount ranges massively per household depending on age, location, and other factors.

Most married households earn over $100,000 with 55.6% falling into this range, way above the 5.72% that earn $50,000-$59,999 or more per year.

There were just 2.05% of married couples with an income of less than $10,000.

Delve deeper into this insight using a pie chart based on the U.S. Census findings:

Source [5] Census, ‘Household Income: Married Couple Families, All Races’ https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/cps-hinc/hinc-02.html

Average married couple’s income by state

The average married couple’s income varies from one state to the next - with average earnings ranging from $83,915 in West Virginia to $213,692 in Washington DC.

Here’s a look at the average earnings for married couple homes in the U.S. by state:

Source [6] Census, ‘Married Couples Income by State’ https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST1Y2022.S1901?q=median%20household%20income%20by%20state&tp=true

Single person vs married person average income

In reviewing the Census data it appears that married people earn more than single people (per person). Married couples have an income $146,000, which averages to $73,000 per person [5] Census, ‘Household Income: Married Couple Families, All Races’ https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/cps-hinc/hinc-02.html. By comparison, single people living alone earn an average of $56,065, meaning married people’s incomes are 26.2% more on average. [2] Census, ‘Household Income: Male Householder, Living Alone’ https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/cps-hinc/hinc-02.html [3] Census, ‘Household Income: Female Householder, Living Alone’ https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/cps-hinc/hinc-02.html

Of course, it should be noted that not all married couples have both partners earning equal incomes. Often a higher-earning spouse will offset a lower-earning spouse’s income, and one partner may work full-time while the other works part-time.

One report from the American Economic Journal suggests that married people are more likely to take labor market risks and wait longer for higher-paying jobs compared to single people. This is due to married people being able to pool their incomes, making less of an impact if one partner is out of work. The study also suggests that married people climb the job ladder faster because they are aware that their earnings affect their partner as well as themselves. [7] American Economic Journal, ‘Household Search and the Marital Wage Premium’ https://pubs.aeaweb.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1257/mac.20180092

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good salary in the USA for a couple?

20% of U.S. couples earn more than $200,000 in accumulated income - this is the highest salary range recorded in the Census research, revealing that plenty of married couples earn big amounts in household income.

Do Single Men Earn More than Single Women?

According to the U.S. Census data, single males earn more than single women on average - an average salary of $61,860 in contrast to females averaging $50,270. 

Takeaway

Although single people earn more than married people on average, this only accounts for half of what married people earn. With the contribution of two incomes, it puts married couples in good stead for bigger earnings overall.

Another pattern exhibited in the Census research is that single men earn more than single women, compounding more challenges for single female households. 

Sources

• ^[1] Statista, ‘Marital Status of the U.S. Population by Sex’ https://www.statista.com/statistics/242030/marital-status-of-the-us-population-by-sex/
• ^[2] Census, ‘Household Income: Male Householder, Living Alone’ https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/cps-hinc/hinc-02.html
• ^[3] Census, ‘Household Income: Female Householder, Living Alone’ https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/cps-hinc/hinc-02.html
• ^[4] Bureau of Economic Analysis, ‘State annual personal income’ https://apps.bea.gov/itable/?ReqID=70&step=1&_gl=1*1lakow8*_ga*MTM4Mjk2Nzg1Ny4xNzExNDU1NTY2*_ga_J4698JNNFT*MTcxMTQ2NTkyNy4zLjAuMTcxMTQ2NTkzNi41MS4wLjA.#eyJhcHBpZCI6NzAsInN0ZXBzIjpbMSwyOSwyNSwzMSwyNiwyNywzMF0sImRhdGEiOltbIlRhYmxlSWQiLCIyMSJdLFsiTWFqb3JfQXJlYSIsIjAiXSxbIlN0YXRlIixbIjAiXV0sWyJBcmVhIixbIlhYIl1dLFsiU3RhdGlzdGljIixbIjMiXV0sWyJVbml0X29mX21lYXN1cmUiLCJMZXZlbHMiXSxbIlllYXIiLFsiMjAyMiJdXSxbIlllYXJCZWdpbiIsIi0xIl0sWyJZZWFyX0VuZCIsIi0xIl1dfQ==
• ^[5] Census, ‘Household Income: Married Couple Families, All Races’ https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/cps-hinc/hinc-02.html
• ^[6] Census, ‘Married Couples Income by State’ https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST1Y2022.S1901?q=median%20household%20income%20by%20state&tp=true
• ^[7] American Economic Journal, ‘Household Search and the Marital Wage Premium’ https://pubs.aeaweb.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1257/mac.20180092