In today’s era, most couples can’t decide between a live in relationship vs marriage. In live-ins, couples live together without marrying. So, many assume it’s the same as marriage minus the hassle of a wedding cost!
But there are way more differences between them. So, let’s know them all here!
Live In Relationship Vs Marriage – 15 Differences
Unlike live-ins, marriage gives you lots of security and benefits to spouses. But live-ins get messy regarding commitment and even after breakups.
To quickly know more about these in detail, check out the following chart below!
| Point of Difference | Live-in Relationship | Marriage |
| 1. Relationship alliance | It’s between two people only | It’s between two families |
| 2. Acceptance in society | Low acceptance | High acceptance |
| 3. Norm among queer couples | More common | Less common |
| 4. Freedom between couple | More freedom | Less freedom |
| 5. Legal recognition of children | It has no such legal recognition of children | There’s strong legal recognition of children |
| 6. Breaking up | Breakups are easy | It’s difficult to end marriages |
| 7. Sharing of financial assets | It’s tougher to share financial assets | It’s easier to share financial assets |
| 8. Overall satisfaction | There’s low satisfaction | There’s high satisfaction |
| 9. Emotional stability | It’s lesser in live-in relationships | It’s greater in marriages |
| 10. Age of couples | Younger couples prefer live-in relationships | Older couples prefer marriages |
| 11. Support from family members | It’s less in live-in relationships | It’s more in marriages |
| 12. Legal procedures | It’s not required in live-in relationships | It’s required in marriages |
| 13. Assistance from each other | It’s tough to get help post-breakups | It’s easy to get help post-divorce |
| 14. Celebrations in the beginning | There’s no grand celebrations | It’s often done with grand celebrations |
| 15. Longevity of the relationship | These may fizzle out with time | They last for a longer time |
However, if you do have a bit of time on your hands, keep scrolling down to know more!
1. A live-in relationship is an alliance between two people, but marriage is an alliance of two families
One of the biggest differences between being married and staying in a live-in relationship is the kind of alliance that you have.
A live-in relationship may or may not involve families. Essentially, it’s a bond only between the two people living together under the same roof.
But marriage is a lifelong bond between two people and their families.
In many societies, live-in relationships are still stigmatized. However, marriage is seen as an acceptable bond between partners since it is legally recognized.
Even though the world has changed quite a bit, a lot of families are against the concept of their children being in a live-in relationship. But once two people get married, it is seen as the truest form of love.
3. Live-in relationship is more common among queer couples than marriage
Unfortunately, a lot of countries haven’t yet recognized queer couples legally. In these places, live-in relationships are much more common than marriage.
Since gay, lesbian, or trans couples cannot be legally married, they opt to stay together in a live-in relationship.
However, in the rare areas where queer couples are legally given the right to get married, marriage occurs.
4. Live-in relationship has more freedom than marriage
A lot of people argue that a live-in relationship is much more freeing than marriage. It doesn’t have any legal obligations or constraints. So, two people are allowed to lead their lives the way they want to.
When two people are married, they are expected to take up a lot of responsibilities, which often leads to a strain in the relationship.
5. Live-in relationship gives no legal right over children but marriage does
If you wish to have children in the future, then it will be an important factor in your decision-making.
Legally, live-in couples don’t really have any legal influence over their children. In many cases, bringing a child in a live-in affair can also bring in complications.
But in marriage, you and your partner will be legally recognized as the children’s parents, which can help you to make important decisions.
6. Breaking up is easier in a live-in relationship but tough in a marriage
Since live-in relationships don’t have any legal bindings, it’s easier to end them. Of course, the emotional and mental toll is heavy on both people. But even then, a live-in relationship ends simply when the couple breaks up.
But, if spouses decide to end their marriage, they will have to go through a long divorce or separation process in court.
7. Sharing of financial assets is tougher in a live-in relationship but easier in marriage
Sharing financial assets becomes very important, both in a live-in relationship and in marriage.
However, since there is no legal sharing of these assets, it can become confusing and complicated for both people when they are not married.
But in marriage, the legal aspects are already taken care of. So both partners know what kind of financial assets they have.
8. Satisfaction is less in a live-in relationship than in marriage
Marriage provides them with much more satisfaction and joy than a live-in relationship. This might be because marriage is more socially open and is recognized more than live-in relationships.
There is also more commitment in marriages because this is the ultimate stage of togetherness.
9. Unlike live-in relationships, emotional stability is greater in a marriage
When it comes to emotional stability, married people are said to be happier. This might be because couples in a live-in relationship get stressed out about their future. But married couples already know that they have found the person of their dreams.
Married couples also experience fewer chronic diseases and a higher recovery rate because they are emotionally stable.
10. Younger couplers go for live-in relationships, but older couples go for marriages
Even though there is no age restriction in either, younger people (those in their 20s or 30s) prefer to stay together as unmarried couples. Since this is the age where they get to experiment with life and love and don’t settle down easily.
But slightly older people wish to get married and look forward to the future.
11. Family support is less in live-in relationships than in marriage
If you and your partner wish to start a new life together, loved ones’ support is very important.
Unfortunately, this support is often absent in live-in relationships. Many family members also wish not to be involved in the couple’s affairs.
But in a marriage, both families tend to participate as much as possible.
12. Unlike live-in relationships, formal consent is required in a marriage
In a live-in relationship, any two consenting adults can begin to stay together. There are no prerequisites, such as paperwork or form-filling. As long as you and your partner decide that you wish to rent or buy a house together, it’s enough.
In a marriage, however, a lot more is required than simple consent. There are legal procedures that take place before the marriage is finalized.
13. Post-separation assistance is tough in live-in relationship but easy in marriage
After the breakup of a live-in relationship, neither partner is legally obliged to take care of the other.
After a divorce, however, there are some legal obligations, especially if one partner is unable to financially support themselves or the children.
This is why, when two people break up after a live-in relationship, it can be quite tricky to divide assets and support each other.
14. Live-in relationship has no celebrations but marriage is a more grand affair
When a couple wishes to move in together, they don’t have grand affairs. They might wish to have an intimate celebratory lunch or dinner, but that’s it.
When two people wish to get married, they often spend more than a year planning their ceremony. Marriage is undoubtedly a grand affair, complete with lovely wedding dresses and a big feast.
15. Live-in relationships fizzle out over time, but marriages tend to last longer
In most cases, it has been seen that live-in couples have a higher chance of breaking up or moving apart.
But when it comes to married couples, the foundation is much stronger, which is why both partners wish to continue their marriage in spite of hardships.
A word from ThePleasantRelationship
Opting for either a live-in relationship or marriage is completely your choice. But before you make a decision, ensure you always remember the differences and weigh the pros and cons of choosing one!
Are you interested to know more about ‘How To End A Casual Relationship’ then click here?
