New research from Aviva has unveiled the hidden financial strain of living alone, showing that single occupant households are disproportionately affected by rising costs. According to the study, people who live alone spend an average of £1,250 per month on bills before factoring in any socialising, holidays, or hobbies.
Key findings from the Aviva study
The research, which surveyed 2,100 UK adults, indicates that single adults spend roughly £630 a month on essential costs such as food, transport, council tax, and utility bills. When rent or mortgage payments are included, this figure rises to £1,100 per person. Adding broadband, mobile phone bills, insurance, and subscriptions pushes the total to almost £1,250 a month.
Financial vulnerability among single adults
More than half (58%) of single people admit they are not confident they could cope with an unexpected but necessary bill of £850, such as a car repair or boiler breakdown. Additionally, over a third (37%) of adults living alone do not save anything on a regular basis. Among those who do save, just over four in ten (42%) contribute to a Cash ISA, while slightly more than one in five (21%) use a Stocks and Shares ISA.
What would single adults do with extra money?
When asked how they would use an extra £100 a month, the largest proportion (20%) said they would put it into a regular savings account, while 15% would boost their emergency fund.
Expert commentary
Alistair McQueen, Head of Savings and Retirement at Aviva, commented: “When you live alone, you shoulder the responsibility for every bill that hits the doormat. Our research shows that more than £1,250 a month is already committed for many single people, and nearly six in ten don’t feel confident they could cope with an £850 emergency bill. That helps explain why saving can feel so hard. However, even small, regular amounts set aside can still make a meaningful difference to people’s confidence and financial resilience over time. Our data shows that people living alone don’t necessarily spend much more on essentials than others do – but they also don’t benefit from sharing costs either. That gap is what makes saving more difficult and it’s harder to bear the cost of any financial shocks.”
