(NewsNation) — Just over a quarter of women outearn their partners in coupled households on average, according to a new study.
Analysis from LendingTree shows that New Haven, Connecticut, has the highest percentage of women outearning men, at 29.7% in coupled households. Syracuse, New York, is just slightly behind New Haven at 29.5%, while Minneapolis and Providence, Rhode Island, both stand at 28.9%.
“When women outearn their partners, they have significantly higher average earnings than their male counterparts,” the study found. “In households where women earn more than their partners, they make an average of $76,864, while men in those same households make an average of $29,650.”
The study also found that 24% of couples with income differences experience frequent or very frequent conflict. Furthermore, 32% of men are more likely to report tension than women at 14%.
“Of those who report at least some tension, women with income differences are most likely to say the main source is spending and saving style conflicts,” the study found.
A separate survey of 2,000 consumers reported that 23% of partnered women say they earn more than their partners. Twenty-nine percent of women who said they earn more exceed their partners’ earnings by at least 50%.
“The key to navigating it all is to communicate openly and honestly as much as possible,” said Matt Schulz, chief consumer finance analyst for LendingTree.
“This can make for really awkward conversations across the bar or the kitchen table, but having a discussion about your financial priorities, goals, plans and expectations in advance is way better than having it when something has gone wrong and tensions are sky high,” he said.
