Especially males.
63 percent of men 18-29 report as “single / not in relationship”.
25 percent of men between ages 30-49 report the same.
This figure is 34 percent for women 18-29 and 17 percent 30-49
State: Illinois
If you work 40 full hours per week, your monthly take home pay would be $1744/mo after tax.
Cheapest 1BR/Studio I could find in my town was $500 per month.
$200 per month allotted for food.
$140 per month for electricity, $50 per month for gas, assuming gas heat, electric stove, and water heater, otherwise $190 month total if “all electric”.
$60 a month for WTS (water trash sewer).
$100 per month for internet and cell phone, a bit low, but doable.
We are left with $694 monthly.
This is all dependent on where you live, and a bunch of other factors, but assume a reasonable $100 a month for employer provided health insurance, and $90 a month for 401k contribution.
We are left with $504 per month.
Assume $200/mo for full coverage auto insurance and gas. This of course does not cover a car payment, and in my town mass transit sucks.
So that's $304 per month left.
Assume $100 a month budget for clothes, shoes and toiletries (shampoo, toilet paper, etc).
That's $204/mo left. Or less than $2500 per year to save assuming your car does not break down, you don't need to replace your bed, TV, etc.
I just don't get how people do it. But I know several people who live alone and work full time for 14-16 dollars an hour, drive a car, etc.