The cost of living alone is now consuming almost an entire salary in some parts of the UK, with Brighton and Hove emerging as the least affordable city for single people, according to new research from credit card provider Zable.
The analysis found that living costs for a single person in Brighton now account for 87% of average take-home pay, the highest proportion of any UK city studied.
Researchers examined one-bedroom rental costs, council tax and average household spending to assess where living alone places the greatest financial strain on residents.
Oxford ranked second, with solo living consuming 82.4% of income, followed by Southend-on-Sea at 83.7%. London placed seventh despite being the most expensive city overall, as higher average salaries helped offset some of the capital’s elevated housing costs.
COST OF LIVING
The findings also revealed that the average cost of living alone in the UK has increased by almost £300 per month over the past five years.
Newport recorded the sharpest rise in solo living costs, with expenses increasing by 26% since 2020. Edinburgh, Cardiff and Manchester also saw substantial increases.
Nationally, the average monthly cost of living for a single person rose from £1,541 in 2020 to £1,805 in 2025 – an increase of £264 per month.
SINGLES TAX
The research suggests that people living alone are facing what Zable describes as a growing “singles tax”, as they shoulder the full cost of rent, bills and household spending without being able to split expenses with a partner or housemate.
Brighton’s affordability pressures were driven by a combination of high rents, elevated council tax costs and strong household spending levels.
Meanwhile, Derby emerged as the most affordable city for single people, followed by Aberdeen and Stoke-on-Trent.
The study also found that living alone costs around 38% more per person on average than sharing equally with another adult.
FINANCIAL PREMIUM
Arielle Rogers-Jenkins, Senior Product Manager (UK Credit Cards) at Zable, says: “Our data serves as a stark reminder that solo living comes with a very real financial premium, and for many people, that pressure is only growing.”
