This study analyzed annual household outlays in the recent Consumer Expenditure Survey to obtain the cost of dual income for married couples. Of the crude differences between two- and one-earner married households in payments and expenditures, the portion reflecting structural differences in...

This study uses the 2003-2004 Consumer Expenditure Survey to assess costs incurred by dual-income, married-couple households. It finds that, compared to one-earner households with equal income and similar demographics, dual-earner households pay significantly more in tax, social security and...