"The Singles Tax: The Cost of Living Alone"

A study by Zillow reveals that the "singles tax" for living alone can cost thousands of dollars more per year, with New York City topping the list at an average of $20,100. Other expensive cities for solo dwellers include San Francisco, San Jose, Washington D.C., and Boston. The high cost is largely due to housing expenses, with New York City's average one-bedroom rent being 2.8 times the national average. Additionally, single individuals face higher expenses in food, transportation, and entertainment, making living alone financially challenging compared to couples.