The idea of a middle class household is often tied up with the traditional notions of a married couple and their children. But increasingly more people are choosing to remain unmarried. Over the past two decades, the share of never married mid-life adults steadily increased to 29.1% in 2021, according to Bowling Green State University research.

Affording the markers of a middle class lifestyle is increasingly difficult for single-wage households. For a single individual, a middle-class income ranges from $30,000 – $90,000 per year, according to Pew Research Center. But unmarried men and women were much more likely than their married counterparts to be in the lower-income tier in 2021, according to Pew. A recent Pew study found that adults who are married or cohabitating generally have better economic outcomes than their unmarried counterparts.

Although household incomes have increased considerably since 1970, the share of adults who live in middle-class households fell from 61% in 1971 to 50% in 2021 (the last time Pew did an analysis of government data) with adults in single-earner households being among the groups that slid down the income ladder the most between 1971 and 2021.

Buying a house and paying for childcare on a single salary is increasingly difficult, says Joan C. Williams, founding director of the Equality Action Center at University of California, College of the Law in San Francisco. “It’s very difficult to buy a house in many places in the United States on two incomes and on one income, dream on,” she says.

We asked three middle class, single-wage households from different income levels to share a snapshot of their yearly earnings and expenses, as well as how much they save and invest.

“I’ve sacrificed a lot, and I can’t do what I want to do.”

Ben, 32, high school science teacher, no children.
Location: Mount Vernon, Ohio
Income after taxes: $40,000

Annual expenses
Rent: $9,948
Car insurance: $1,716
Car payment: $3,636
Gas: $3,900
Vacations: spent $1,400 on a vacation and my family covered the rest of the trip.
Life insurance: $348
Health insurance: $744
Crossfit: $1,740
Clothes: $300
Utilities: $1,440
Groceries: $5,200
Pension contributions and retirement savings: $8,398 
Haircuts: $50
Student loan debt: $0, his loan was forgiven after he taught at a low-income school for five years.

Annual expenses: $30,422
Amount remaining: $8,962

Although Ben had rented an apartment for the last three years, he moved in with his father earlier this year to save another $6,000 to buy a house, and currently has saved $31,000 towards his down payment. “All of my disposable income is going towards buying a house,” he says. Ben is hoping to put down a large enough down payment that his mortgage would be low enough for him to pay it using one of his monthly paychecks, which is $1,641.

“If I can’t get a house with a low mortgage, I would be living paycheck to paycheck, and I wouldn’t be able to save anything,” he says.

Ben clips coupons and regularly eats leftovers for lunch and dinner. He admits that his parents sometimes slip him an extra $100 for groceries.  “Going out to eat isn’t a thing,” he says.

Ben tried giving up his one indulgent expense—his $145 a month Crossfit membership—but after four months he missed it too much and decided it was worth the monthly fee.

“Being single with an income under $100,000, I don’t feel like I’m anywhere near middle class,” Ben says. “I’ve sacrificed a lot, and I can’t do what I want to do.”

“I had no credit card debt before I retired but now carry a balance of about $5,000.”

Susan, 60, financial advisor, one adult child, never married.
Location: Rochester, New York
Income after taxes: $63,620

Annual expenses:  
Mortgage: $0, home paid in full
Home Equity Line of Credit: $4,800 a year
Home maintenance/improvement:  $3000 to $5000
Property taxes:  $13,000
Home and car insurance (combined): $4,788
Gas:  $1,440
Vacations:  $2,500
Life insurance: $9,000
Health insurance:  $1,536
Car loan: $3,420
Clothes: $1,200
Charity:   $4,800
Utilities:  $4,200
Groceries:  $6,000
401(k): $885
Roth IRA: $2500 to $3000
Long-term care policy: $2,500
Credit card payments: $2,400
Haircuts:  $1,200
Gifts:  $1,200
Financial support for her son: $6,000

Annual expense total:  $67,969
Amount remaining: expenses are more than income by $8,900

After 18 years of working in the marketing department of a private university, Susan retired in 2020 and began working as an independent financial advisor. Although she now earns slightly less than she did at the university, she says receiving health care as a retirement benefit has made a big difference in her finances. Without it, Susan says she would be paying into a high-deductible health plan with “lots of out-of-pocket costs.”

When Susan retired, she used the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to take $25,000 out of her IRA to pay off her mortgage, allowing her to further reduce her expenses.

However, she says, the biggest cost savings has been her son graduating from college, finding a full-time job, and moving out of the house. But she admits that since his non-profit job only pays $36,000 a year, she often gives him $500-$600 a month to help him pay for extras.

“I reached a point in life where my expenses are going down,” Susan says. “I don’t need furniture or clothes, I go on one vacation a year, and with no kid in the house that is a drop in expenses.”

However, Susan did note several financial pain points. “I had no credit card debt before I retired but now carry a balance of about $5,000,” she says. Susan plans to pay it off next year when the zero interest rate expires.

Variable interest rates on her car loan and home equity line of credit have increased her monthly expenses, making her feel like she has less disposable income. For instance, her car loan went from $285 a month or $500 a month. Gas and food costs also keep rising, she says.

“I wouldn’t say I have a three-month emergency fund, but it doesn’t feel like I need it because I have liquidity in other areas,” Susan says, adding that she does have enough cash on hand for an unexpected car or appliance repair.

“I expect to work at something through age 65 at least, but probably longer.”

Jeanne, 54, high school English teacher, no children, never married.
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Income after taxes and payroll deductions: $78,000

Annual expenses
School costs: $1,400 for certification classes
Mortgage: $8,136
Homeowners Association/maintenance fee: $12,000
Property taxes: $1,800
Home insurance: $1,300
Car insurance: $1,320 
Gas: $1,440
Health insurance: No premium but a $2,000 deductible
Clothes:  $500 to $1,000
Utilities: $2,100
Groceries: $4,800
Retirement savings: Puts $600 per year into a brokerage account
Health Savings Account: $2,400
Haircuts: $ 500
Union dues: $939
Entertainment: $3,000 to $4,000

Annual expense total: $44,735
Amount remaining: $33,265

Jeanne’s biggest expense is her Homeowner’s Association fee. Before COVID, she was paying $500 a month, now it’s doubled to $1,000 a month, and she expects it to continue to increase.

After the Surfside condominium collapse in 2021, Florida passed a law requiring condominium association boards to make prompt structural repairs and since then, Jeanne’s homeowners fee on her one-bedroom condo have been steadily rising.

Any salary gains in the past year are being eaten up by the HOA fees, she says. “I want my building to be safe but it’s a big hit without a big raise in salary,” she says.

To help provide a buffer, Jeanne has been earning extra income as a private tutor. “While I’m OK with bills, if I want to do anything extra, I need to tutor to have that little bit of comfort,” she says.

As a public school teacher, Jeanne will receive a pension when she retires. “But I can’t live on my pension,” she says. “I expect to work at something through age 65 at least, but probably longer.” To help shore up her retirement, Jeanne started putting $600 a year into a brokerage account.

Increased food prices also have not gone unnoticed. “I’ve always paid attention to prices but now I’m paying more attention and deciding I don’t need that,” she says.