The Cost of Divorce Is Trapping 882,369 Illinoisans in Unhappy Marriages, Finds Study.

• 3,004 respondents surveyed
• 19% married Illinoisans say they cannot afford to divorce.
• Infographic included.

As inflation, housing costs, and other expenses remain stubbornly high, economic pressure is quietly reshaping marriage decisions in 2026.

According to new research from Henderson & Henderson Attorneys at Law, which surveyed 3,004 people in long-term relationships, the economy is quietly reshaping not just household budgets, but the very structure of modern marriage.

The headline finding is stark: over 1 in 5 married Americans (21%) want out of their marriage but simply cannot afford to leave. Scaled nationally, that figure represents more than 27.6 million people stuck in relationships for financial reasons – a number that would fill every seat in every NFL stadium nine times over.

Where Unhappiness Peaks: The Top 5 States

The study also mapped where couples feel the most financially trapped – and the top five states offer a revealing snapshot of how local economies shape private lives.

#1. Mississippi – 47% (118,813 people)
Mississippi tops the list by a wide margin, and the reasons are painfully practical. The state faces some of the lowest median household incomes in the country, paired with rising housing costs that have outpaced wage growth. When a couple is already stretching every dollar, the idea of funding two households – plus legal fees – becomes out of reach. Mississippi’s high rate of shared debt among young and middle-aged couples likely compounds the problem, making separation feel like a financial free-fall.

#2. West Virginia – 36% (941,657 people)
West Virginia’s second-place ranking reflects an economy still transitioning from decades of industrial decline. Many households depend on single incomes, erratic shift work, or jobs without robust benefits, meaning divorce can jeopardize health coverage, housing stability, and long-term financial planning. The emotional strain is real-  but for many, the numbers simply refuse to add up.

#3. Nevada – 30% (416,337 people)
Nevada’s cost of living has skyrocketed, particularly in and around Las Vegas. Rents have surged, utilities have climbed, and everyday expenses sit well above the national average. Even couples with decent incomes report feeling priced out of the “two roofs” reality of divorce. Add to that the state’s large hospitality workforce – a sector vulnerable to market swings – and financial uncertainty becomes a very real barrier to leaving.

#4. Arkansas – 28% (329,174 people)
Arkansas may enjoy a relatively low cost of living, but wages have not kept pace with inflation or soaring interest rates. Many couples share debt loads that make separation financially messy, and childcare costs remain a major strain for younger families. For many, divorce isn’t an emotional decision so much as a line-item crisis.

#5. Tennessee – 27% (746,425 people)
Tennessee’s rapid growth has brought booming housing markets – and higher rents and mortgages along with it. Nashville and Knoxville have seen some of the steepest price increases in the region. For couples on the margin, the thought of suddenly needing a second apartment in a scorching rental market is enough to keep them under one roof, even if emotionally they’ve long checked out.

#34. Illinois – 19% (882,369 people)
Illinois couples contend with high property taxes, rising rents, and wages that vary sharply by region. Many families rely on shared income to maintain stability. The additional burden of legal fees and a second residence makes separation a financial gamble many aren’t willing to take.

Infographic

What’s Really Preventing Divorce?

While the emotional complexities of ending a marriage haven’t changed, the financial mechanics certainly have. According to respondents, the biggest barriers are:

• Housing and rent costs (34%) – The single biggest hurdle.
• Legal fees (27%) – Particularly daunting for lower-income households.
• Fear of reduced standard of living (15%) – A quiet but powerful disincentive.
• Shared debt (12%) – Credit cards and loans act like invisible handcuffs.
• Health insurance concerns (10%) – A major worry in single-income households.
• Supporting extended family (2%) – More common in multigenerational homes.

Inflation’s Emotional Toll

Inflation isn’t just squeezing wallets – it’s squeezing marriages: 65% say inflation makes divorce feel more financially risky than before.

Money arguments remain a steady background hum in many households. Around 35% of couples say financial disagreements happen very often, while 42% report they arise sometimes. A smaller share experience them less frequently, with 12% saying such tensions occur rarely, and another 12% claiming they never argue about money at all.

How Long Are Divorces Being Delayed?

Among those actively considering divorce:

• Less than 1 year: 56%
• 1–3 years: 11%
• 3–5 years: 22%
• More than 5 years: 11%

What Would Help People Leave a Marriage?

When asked what would give them the financial confidence to separate, respondents chose:

• Higher income (32%)
• More savings (24%)
• Clearer understanding of legal options (18%)
• Less debt (12%)
• Lower housing costs (8%)
• Improved job security (4%)

The legal-knowledge gap is striking: many Illinois couples aren’t just financially trapped – they are informationally trapped, too.

Understanding the Divorce Process

Asked how well they understand the legal and financial process in their state:

• Very well: 12%
• Somewhat: 34%
• Not very well: 30%
• Not at all: 24%

For many couples, the first barrier to leaving isn’t emotional, financial, or logistical; it’s simply not knowing where to begin.

“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”, says 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.”