‘Very expensive to be single’: Gee, Ursula find solutions to avoid the ‘singles tax’
Feb 17, 2026, 10:30 AM
Zillow has coined the term “singles tax” to describe the added burden on solo renters, who pay roughly $10,000 more per year than couples. In Seattle, the average one-bedroom apartment costs about $2,000 a month for 700 square feet.
Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin, co-hosts of “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio, discussed the positive aspects of finding a partner to live with, but were primarily focused on splitting bills together.
“As someone who has been married for a few decades, I would say that the single best financial and just overall decision you can make is finding the right partner,” Ursula said. “Couples or roommates who split the rent and utilities save a lot more money. It is very expensive to be single, but it’s not just the rent, though. Many single people say they get the short end of the stick when it comes to things like traveling or big life events. If you go to a wedding, you’re paying solo.”
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Dating as a business decision
Gee noted that many singles are missing out on the current dating pool because of a long list of personal “icks” that make it increasingly tough to find a roommate to split bills with.
“My thoughts are this, if you single out here, you need to shorten up that list,” Gee said. “Quit trying to date for six months to a year. You go out on that date, and you have some coffee, and you look at each other, you say, ‘Hey, it’s hard out here, ain’t it?’ ‘Yep, sure is.’ ‘You want to move in together?’ You might be miserable, but you aren’t broke.
“Go out on a date with somebody, get some coffee, next week, y’all move in together. You’d cut your bills in half,” Gee continued. “Y’all can sit here and call me crazy, but right now, you’re making business decisions. This summer, you can’t go outside because you can’t afford to. But if you get with somebody, you’re good.”
Watch the full discussion in the video above.
Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.
