Can’t afford to split: Almost 1 in 5 Aussies have remained living with an ex to save money on housing costs
Soaring living costs are forcing a growing number of people to stay shacked up with an ex, according to new research by Finder.
The research found 4% – equivalent to more than 800,000 people – are currently living with an ex to save money on housing costs or to avoid a costly move.
A further 1 in 8 (13%) lived with an ex in the past but have since parted ways.
Gen Z were more likely to share a home with an ex partner due to cash flow worries – with a shocking 33% admitting they had, compared to 11% of gen X and 5% of baby boomers.
Graham Cooke, head of consumer research at Finder, said facing the housing market as a single person is daunting.
"Thousands of Australians decide to separate but remain living together for a prolonged period because they can't afford to go their separate ways.
"Living together as a separated couple could be very difficult unless you are on really good terms."
Almost 1 in 5 (19%) women say they have remained shacked up with an ex, compared to 16% of men.
Cooke said it is often complex to part ways when mortgages and children are involved.
"Some homeowners worry that they will lose out if they leave the family home before any financial settlement but moving out doesn't diminish your legal rights.
"It's also incredibly difficult to find suitable accommodation in some parts of Australia right now so staying together under one roof might be the most realistic option in the short-term."
Cooke urged Aussies to build an emergency fund to safeguard against unexpected relationship breakdowns.
"During the honeymoon period of a new relationship very few people are imagining a time when they are no longer compatible.
"An emergency fund helps people to be financially prepared for the good and the bad," Cooke said.
Australians in WA (22%) were more likely to have remained living with an ex after a break up, followed by NSW (18%), and VIC (17%).
| Have you ever continued living with an ex partner after breaking up to save money on housing costs or avoid a costly move? | |
|---|---|
| Yes, I currently am | 4% |
| Yes, in the past – for less than 3 months | 6% |
| Yes, in the past – for more than 3 months | 7% |
| No | 83% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,049 respondents, July 2024 |
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 1,049 respondents from July 2024.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics, an SAP company.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.
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