One in three cohabiting working couples where one partner is earning notably more than the other nevertheless say they split the bills 50-50
Finances can be a strain on any relationship. A common theme of relationship forums involves the struggles faced by couples where one earns substantially more than the other, particularly when divvying up day to day spending like rent.
So what do Britons think is the fairest way for couples to split spending? Now YouGov has asked the public – including in particular 1,254 Britons who are in a relationship where both partners are employed and living together – what system they think is best, and how they organise their own finances.
How do couples who live together combine their finances?
Among all Britons who are living with a romantic partner (regardless of their employment status), there is a three-way split on how the manage their finances.
One in three (33%) say that they put all of their combined income into a joint account. For a further 31%, both partners only have individual accounts, while another 27% put a set amount into a joint account that covers expenses and then keep the rest of their individual earnings.
For relationships where both partners are employed, it is more common to have a dedicated joint account for bills only (37%). These couples are less likely to put all of their income into a joint account (24%), while 32% don’t combine their income at all, having only individual accounts.
What is fairer for a cohabiting couple – splitting household bills proportionately, or 50-50?
When it comes to splitting the bills, the British public in general tend to think that they should be based on how much each partner earns. Almost half say so (48%), compared to 37% who say that they should just be 50-50.
These results are almost identical among cohabiting couples where both partners work.
However, when it comes to what couples actually do, these figures are largely reversed. When asked how their bills are split in practice, 46% in couples where both partners work say that they and their partner pay a 50-50 split, while 38% say it is split proportionate to their relative income.
These figures differ dramatically depending on the comparative pay levels in a relationship. In couples where both partners are earning about the same amount, or where one is seen as earning only a little more than the other, the large majority (69%) say that they split bills 50-50.
However, those in couples where one partner earns notably more than the other (either “a lot” or “a moderate amount” more) are much more likely to split their spending proportionately (49%).
Nevertheless, this still means that in 33% of such relationships, essential spending is still being split 50-50 while one partner is earning noticeably more than the other. Among those in relationships where one partner earns “a lot” more than the other partner, this figure is smaller, but still stands at 25%.
How do you think couples should divide their finances, communicate about money, and everything else? Have your say, join the YouGov panel, and get paid to share your thoughts. Sign up here.
Photo: Getty
