Over 8 million Brits living alone could be paying over an extra £10,000 a year simply for living alone, new research has revealed.
Whilst not an official term, the ‘singles tax’ is an informal term given to the premium you pay for products and services because of living solo and fronting all costs alone.
The research, compiled by UK Debt Expert, analyses both regional living costs (such as rent, utilities, and council tax) and lifestyle spending (including pet ownership, wedding attendance, food subscriptions, car insurance, streaming services, holidays and more) to reveal the true cost of living solo in 2025.
Residents living alone in London face the highest single tax, with the average cost of living rising to £20,565 per year. 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.
Oxford follows at £14,338, overtaking Cambridge, while Edinburgh rounds out the top three at £12,656.
With rent costs climbing and food inflation up by 3%, the average single person now spends over £1,600 a year on groceries, adding to the growing financial pressures of living alone.
The research finds on average, single people can expect to pay over £10,000 more per year than those in shared households, due to covering all living costs alone.
At the other end of the scale, Hartlepool ranks as the most affordable place to live alone, with a singles tax of £7,639, including rent and lifestyle costs – a striking 90% lower than in the capital.
Maxine McCreadie, personal finance expert at UK Debt Expert, said, “Living alone offers independence, but it comes at a high price. From housing to everyday expenses, single people are often penalised simply for managing on their own. With a rising house price market, the majority of adults are spending most of their salary on rent, leaving them with little leftover to cover essential costs.
“This extra financial burden leaves single people with much less disposable income for everyday experiences, like meeting new people, having a pet, or celebrating milestones with loved ones, none of which should feel out of reach due to money concerns.”
