Living alone in the UK is getting pricier: why and where single households are paying more than ever

Nearly one in three households in the UK is now made up of just one person. In 2024, 8.4 million people lived alone, up from 7.6m in 2014. More than half are aged 65 or over, according to government figures.

Living alone means covering all the bills without sharing costs. And, as we know, those costs are rising quickly.

New research from credit card company Zable shows the average cost of living for a single person is now almost £300 more per month than it was five years ago.

Where costs are rising the most

The research looked at rent, council tax and everyday spending. It found some cities have seen particularly sharp increases:

• Newport
  Monthly costs have gone up from £1,312 in 2020 to £1,654 in 2025, an increase of £342. Rent has risen by nearly 50%.
• Edinburgh
  Costs have increased from £1,845 to £2,304, up £459 per month, nearly 25%.
• Cardiff
  Monthly spending has risen from £1,558 to £1,914, an increase of £356, which is 23.75%.

This shows that living alone is becoming more expensive across many UK cities, not just the biggest ones.

The least affordable places

• Brighton and Hove is the least affordable city for single people. Living costs take up 87% of the average salary.
• London is still the most expensive city overall, but ranks seventh least affordable because wages are higher.

What this means

The cost of living alone is rising fast. For many people, it’s becoming harder to keep up with everyday expenses on a single income.

Support for single people 

If you’re a single parent struggling financially, you may be able to get support. Have a read of our guide on support for single parents.  

Need help?  

If your finances are getting on top of you, it might be time to ask for support. 

We can help you take control of your money by putting together a realistic budget you can stick to as well as offering free and impartial advice.