Single people living alone are spending nearly £1,250 a month on bills before any money for socialising or holidays, according to new research from Aviva. The study of 2,100 UK adults reveals that single-occupant households are more exposed to rising costs as they must cover all expenses alone.
Essential costs such as food, transport, council tax and utility bills average just over £630 a month per person. When rent or mortgage payments are added, monthly spending rises to £1,100 per person. Including broadband, mobile phone bills, insurance and subscriptions, the total reaches almost £1,250 a month.
More than half (58%) of single adults say they are not confident they could cope with an unexpected bill of £850, such as a car repair or boiler breakdown. Over a third (37%) of those living alone do not save anything regularly. Among those who do save, 42% contribute to a Cash ISA and 21% use a Stocks and Shares ISA.
When asked what they would do with an extra £100 a month, the highest proportion (20%) would put it into a regular savings account, while 15% would boost their emergency fund. Alistair McQueen, Head of Savings and Retirement at Aviva, said: “When you live alone, you shoulder the responsibility for every bill that hits the doormat.”
McQueen added: “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.”
