Canadians living in single-person households pay more per person for groceries than those who share a home, according to a recent Interac survey [1].
This disparity highlights the growing financial pressure on solo dwellers as food prices rise. While shared households can distribute costs and utilize bulk purchasing, individuals living alone lack these economies of scale, making basic nutrition more expensive on a per-capita basis [2].
The "State of the Cart" survey, released in June 2026, indicates that the inability to share bulk purchases is a primary driver of these higher costs [1], [2]. In cities like Toronto, the trend is evident as residents navigate a volatile grocery market [1], [2].
Financial analysts said that the premium paid by single Canadians is a direct result of packaging sizes and pricing structures that favor larger families, a systemic disadvantage for those shopping for one [2], [4].
However, the findings are not viewed as universal by all consumers. Some residents in Toronto said the survey's conclusions are disputed, suggesting that individual shopping habits and choices may mitigate these costs for some single Canadians [2].
Despite these contradictions, the broader trend suggests that the cost of living is scaling poorly for the growing number of solo households across Canada [1], [3]. The Interac data underscores a widening gap in purchasing power between different household structures during a period of sustained inflation [2], [3].
“Single Canadians pay more per person for groceries than people living in shared households.”
The findings suggest that current retail pricing and packaging models are poorly aligned with the demographic shift toward single-person households. As more Canadians live alone, the 'singles tax' on essential goods may exacerbate wealth inequality and food insecurity for those without a domestic partner to share costs.
