Living alone is on the rise – and it’s easy to see why. Whether it’s the joy of styling your space exactly how you like, blasting your own playlist on repeat, or eating cereal for dinner without judgment, solo living has its perks. In fact, an estimated 8.4 million people in the UK now live alone.
But while independence is great, the costs? Not so much. When you’re the only one footing the bill, everyday expenses like rent, council tax, food shopping, and broadband don’t get any cheaper – they just fall entirely on your shoulders.
This is often called the “singles tax” – the financial premium that comes with living (and paying) alone.
On top of that, it’s easy to find yourself spending more on social plans to beat the occasional loneliness. And if you’re single and dating, those extra coffees, dinners, or app subscriptions can quickly pile on to an already stretched budget.
What is the singles tax?
Even though the term “singles tax” hasn’t made it into the Oxford Dictionary (yet), it’s a very real concept. It refers to the extra costs single people face simply because there’s no one to split the bills with, from rent and council tax to everyday spending like food and broadband.
At the start of 2025, food inflation has risen by 3%, with the average single person now spending over £1,600 a year on essential food shopping alone. On top of that, rising energy bills and general living costs are putting even more pressure on solo households. With no one to share the load, many people may end up turning to credit cards to bridge the gap, potentially leading to unwanted debt.
Following last year’s findings, we’ve brought back the Singles Tax report for a second time to see how the financial picture has shifted for those living alone.
UK Debt Expert has analysed key living costs across the UK, including rent, council tax, utilities, broadband, and lifestyle expenses such as pet ownership, travel, and Christmas spending. The findings reveal just how much more solo living can cost compared to households with two or more adults.
Here’s a snapshot of how living alone impacts your wallet across the UK:
- London: The singles tax adds over £20,000 a year on living and lifestyle costs.
- Hartlepool: The most affordable city, with a total singles tax of £7,639.
- Singles can be expected to pay over £10,000 more on average each year compared to those in shared households
The report breaks down both regional essentials (like rent, council tax, and utilities) and lifestyle extras, from pet care and dating to streaming services, weddings, holidays, takeaways, and even Christmas costs giving a full picture of the hidden price of living alone.
The 20 cities with the highest singles tax
| City | Annual singles tax, for renters (living costs) | Annual singles tax, for renters (living & lifestyle costs) |
| London | £19,152 | £20,565 |
| Oxford | £13,071 | £14,368 |
| Edinburgh | £11,393 | £12,656 |
| Cambridge | £11,192 | £12,467 |
| Crawley | £11,179 | £12,455 |
| St Albans | £10,815 | £12,175 |
| Watford | £10,813 | £12,173 |
| Woking | £10,587 | £11,947 |
| Brighton | £10,572 | £11,848 |
| Slough | £10,561 | £11,921 |
| Bath | £10,419 | £11,663 |
| Milton Keynes | £10,378 | £11,652 |
| Salford | £10,223 | £11,514 |
| Sutton Coldfield | £9,781 | £11,128 |
| Bristol | £9,778 | £11,022 |
| High Wycombe | £9,606 | £10,966 |
| Bedford | £9,543 | £10,818 |
| York | £9,495 | £10,825 |
| Reading | £9,438 | £10,714 |
| Blackburn | £9,371 | £10,662 |
Unsurprisingly, London tops the list for the highest singles tax among renters, with annual costs exceeding £20,000. Residents can expect to spend over £1,300 a month on rent, plus an additional £1,851.78 a year on utilities. And if you’re looking for convenience, subscribing to food delivery services like Gousto or HelloFresh could add around £254 a year to your expenses.
For those wanting company in the form of a pet, owning a dog could cost an extra £918 per year, while a cat would add around £679. Even relaxing with your favourite shows comes at a price – streaming services can total £192 a year if you’re subscribed to two or more platforms.
Next is Oxford, which has jumped two places since last year, overtaking Cambridge with an average singles tax of £14,338 per year. A popular commuter town thanks to its fast links to London, Oxford’s solo living costs are largely made up of essentials: rent at £9,762, utilities at £1,691, and council tax at £771.
Edinburgh rounds out the top three, with a singles tax of £12,656 per year. Renting a one-bedroom flat in the city typically costs £8,832 annually, or £736 per month.
The South of England dominates when it comes to high singles taxes, with cities like Cambridge, St Albans, and Brighton all seeing solo residents spend close to £12,000 a year on basic living expenses alone. When you factor in an average package holiday cost of £420, it’s clear that living and travelling solo can quickly add up.
The 20 cities with the lowest singles tax
Our research also revealed the top 20 most affordable cities for solo living, a helpful insight for anyone considering a move to cut down on costs.
Hartlepool ranks as the most budget-friendly city for singles, with an annual solo living cost of £5,437 for rent and bills, and £7,639 when lifestyle expenses are included. That’s a staggering 90% lower than the total singles tax in London.
Grimsby, Lincolnshire, comes in second, with an average singles tax of £7,835 per year. Rounding out the top five are Dundee, Huddersfield, and Coventry, each with average singles tax figures below £8,167 annually.
| City | Annual singles tax, for renters (living costs) | Annual singles tax, for renters (living & lifestyle costs) |
| Hartlepool (Durham) | £5,437 | £7,639 |
| Grimsby (Lincoln) | £5,634 | £7,835 |
| Dundee | £5,821 | £8,006 |
| Huddersfield | £5,833 | £8,085 |
| Coventry | £5,899 | £8,167 |
| Middlesbrough | £5,939 | £8,140 |
| Darlington | £6,151 | £8,352 |
| Blackpool | £6,155 | £8,356 |
| Bradford | £6,271 | £8,523 |
| St Helens | £6,352 | £8,565 |
| Kingston upon Hull | £6,372 | £8,568 |
| Sunderland | £6,412 | £8,613 |
| Peterborough | £6,509 | £8,733 |
| Nuneaton | £6,562 | £8,786 |
| Stoke-on-Trent | £6,575 | £8,843 |
| Doncaster | £6,596 | £8,848 |
| Rotherham | £6,707 | £8,959 |
| Chesterfield | £6,708 | £8,932 |
Five budgeting tips if you’re living alone
Nearly half of Brits expect this year to be financially challenging, and no matter where you live, budgeting can always be tough, especially when facing financial difficulties. Below are five essential budgeting tips to help you get started. Remember, it’s important to seek support if you ever feel overwhelmed.
1. Track every expense
With the rise of TikTok shop, contactless payments and shopping app notifications, it’s very easy to spend money without realising – 88% of Brits make impulse purchases once a month, especially Gen Z, who are more prone to spontaneous shopping.
This is why it’s important to closely monitor your income and outgoings. Use a budgeting app such as Monzo or Emma to track everything from rent, bills, groceries, and even £2 coffees. Awareness is the first step to cutting waste and ensuring the priorities are first.
2. Meal prep to save costs
When living alone, convenience can seem tempting, especially when it comes to cooking; however, ordering a takeaway often can quickly add up, with our research highlighting that a person can spend around £71 per year.
Instead, try planning your meals weekly, sticking to a shopping list, and batch-cooking where possible. Freeze leftovers and rotate meals to keep things interesting without letting food go to waste.
3. Split costs where you can
Living solo doesn’t mean you have to bear all costs alone. Many subscription and streaming services can be shared or reduced.
For example, by partnering up with family and friends, you could lock into family deals which are usually at a discounted price. Being resourceful can make small savings on recurring costs can add up to hundreds of pounds annually.
4. Maximise discounts
Don’t miss out on the 25% discount on council tax available to single occupants – it’s an easy way to save. If you live alone and don’t use much water, switching to a meter could lower your bills. And when planning holidays, look for travel providers that cater to solo travellers to dodge the dreaded ‘single supplement,’ which, according to our research, can add an average of £462 to the cost of a package break.
5. Ask for help
Living solo and managing costs can be a lot to handle. Seeking professional help can support you to get on top of your debts and avoid them spiralling out of control. Our expert advisors support individuals every day in finding the right debt solutions to take back control of their finances. Learn more here.
Methodology
We used financial data from a number of sources to find out how much extra single person households were paying on average compared to couples who cohabited.
The data in the study includes core expenses like rent, council tax (with a 25% discount), utility bills and broadband. It also includes lifestyle expenses such as owning a pet, attending a wedding, car insurance, streaming services, Christmas, takeaways, food subscriptions and package holidays.
