Singles Tax for Renters Costs $15,888 A Year in Los Angeles

Living alone in Los Angeles can come with a steep extra price, according to a recent analysis by Zillow. The company said the “singles tax”—the additional amount a one-person renter pays compared with splitting rent with a roommate—can add up quickly in high-rent markets.

In Los Angeles, where the average monthly apartment rent is $2,648, a one-person household pays $15,888 more per year than a two-person household that splits the cost, Zillow found. That is $5,418 higher than the national average, or 52% more, and places Los Angeles fifth among major U.S. metro areas with the largest added burden for renters living alone.

Nationwide, the analysis found the annual “singles tax” is more than $10,000 as of this year. Zillow said average apartment rent across the U.S. has risen about 30% over the past five years to $1,745 a month. That equals $20,940 a year. If that yearly cost is paid by one person versus split between two people, the difference is $10,470, which Zillow described as the added cost of renting alone.

Other high-cost California metros ranked near the top. San Jose was second, with average monthly rent of $3,248 and an annual singles tax of $19,488. San Francisco ranked fourth; with average monthly rent of $2,857, a one-person renter pays $17,142 more per year than a two-person household that splits the rent. San Diego, where average rent was $2,643 a month, ranked sixth with an annual singles tax of $15,858.

The largest burden was in New York, which ranked first. Zillow said average monthly rent there was $3,900, and the singles tax totaled $23,400 a year.

In a statement, Zillow said the more expensive the rental market, the faster the cost of living alone rises, and that living with a roommate or partner is often the most practical way to reduce housing expenses.

The analysis also noted that when factoring in recent wage gains and a downward trend in rents, overall rent burden has improved to its best level since April 2021. Even so, Zillow said the cost of living alone in major metro areas continues to rise over time.

Earlier survey results illustrate how quickly the gap has widened. In a 2024 survey, the singles tax in Los Angeles averaged $8,857 a year. It rose to $10,470 last year, an increase of about 18%. Compared with this year’s estimate, the singles tax in Los Angeles climbed 52% over the past year, while the national figure rose 38%.

Zillow noted that the jump may be affected by a change in how it collects rent data. The company previously limited its rent sample to one-bedroom units, but starting this year it expanded the calculation to include all apartment types, citing the growing need for extra rooms such as a home office or workout space.

BY HOONSIK WOO [woo.hoonsik@koreadaily.com]