PENNSYLVANIA — A new national survey suggests financial strain is quietly reshaping marriage across the country — and leaving hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians feeling stuck.
According to research commissioned by Henderson & Henderson Attorneys at Law, 17% of married Pennsylvanians say they cannot afford to divorce, even if they want to. That figure translates to an estimated 852,305 people in the Commonwealth who report remaining in unhappy marriages for financial reasons.
The broader national picture is even more striking. Of 3,004 respondents surveyed in long-term relationships, 21% of married Americans said they want out of their marriage but cannot afford to leave. Scaled nationwide, researchers estimate more than 27.6 million Americans may feel financially trapped in their marriages.
The study points to a confluence of economic pressures — inflation, housing costs, legal fees and shared debt — that are reshaping what was once considered a purely personal decision.
Pennsylvania ranked 39th among states, with 17% reporting financial barriers to divorce. While lower than several Southern and Mountain West states, researchers say the numbers still reflect mounting economic strain.
Mississippi topped the list at 47%, followed by West Virginia at 36%, Nevada at 30%, Arkansas at 28%, and Tennessee at 27%. The study suggests lower median incomes, rising housing costs, and shared debt burdens contribute to financial gridlock in those states.
In Pennsylvania, rising housing costs and employer-linked health insurance were cited as key obstacles. Shared debt and concerns about maintaining a comparable standard of living also weighed heavily.
Respondents identified housing and rent costs as the single biggest barrier to divorce at 34%. Legal fees followed at 27%, while 15% cited fear of a reduced standard of living. Shared debt accounted for 12%, health insurance concerns for 10%, and obligations to extended family for 2%.
Inflation appears to amplify those concerns. Sixty-five percent of respondents said inflation makes divorce feel more financially risky than in previous years.
Financial conflict remains common inside marriages. Thirty-five percent of couples reported arguing about money very often, while 42% said such disagreements occur sometimes. Only 12% said they rarely argue about finances, and another 12% said they never do.
Among those actively considering divorce, 56% said they have been delaying the decision for less than a year. Eleven percent reported delaying between one and three years, 22% between three and five years, and 11% for more than five years.
When asked what would provide enough financial confidence to leave, 32% said higher income, 24% cited more savings, and 18% pointed to a clearer understanding of their legal options. Less debt was selected by 12%, lower housing costs by 8%, and improved job security by 4%.
The survey also revealed a significant legal-knowledge gap. Only 12% of respondents said they understand the divorce process in their state very well. Thirty-four percent said they understand it somewhat, 30% said not very well, and 24% said not at all.
“Divorce has always been a difficult decision, but what we’re seeing in 2026 is a growing number of marriages held together not by love or compatibility, but by financial necessity,” said John I. Henderson of Henderson & Henderson Attorneys at Law. “When millions feel they can’t afford a fresh start, that’s not just a relationship issue — it’s a structural one. We hope that by highlighting these realities, couples feel better informed and more empowered to explore their options safely.”
As housing markets remain tight and inflation pressures persist, the study suggests that for many couples, the question is no longer whether a marriage is working — but whether they can afford for it not to.
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