Cost Of Living For a Single Person in London 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: GBP
Average monthly spending for a single person or individual in London
How much money does an individual need in a month to survive in London?
A single person in London spends around 3,500 GBP per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a single individual can survive with a monthly budget as low as 500 GBP or as high as 39,000 GBP. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in London
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 10,000 GBP | 20,000 GBP | 27,000 GBP |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Individual
Internet and cable
Mobile phone charges
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
Woman dress
Woman shoes
Men's shoes
Men suit
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 440 GBP | 660 GBP | 1,800 GBP |
1-bedroom apartment
| 680 GBP | 1,100 GBP | 2,700 GBP |
2-bedroom apartment
| 940 GBP | 1,400 GBP | 3,800 GBP |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 94,000 GBP | 140,000 GBP | 280,000 GBP |
| $120,000 | $180,000 | $360,000 |
1-bedroom apartment
| 120,000 GBP | 190,000 GBP | 730,000 GBP |
| $150,000 | $250,000 | $920,000 |
2-bedroom apartment
| 180,000 GBP | 530,000 GBP | 1.1M GBP |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
Double Bed
Single Bed
Living Room
| 520 GBP | 670 GBP | 2,300 GBP |
Dining Table
Sofa or Couch
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
Fridge or Freezer
Washing Machine
Stove or Cooker
Mobile Phone
Laptop or Computer
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
How do individuals spend their money in London?
We asked thousands of individuals about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for individuals
Accomodation Cost32%
32% of total expenses on average (20% to 44%)
| LOW | $220 170 GBP |
| AVERAGE | $1,500 1,200 GBP |
| HIGH | $17,000 14,000 GBP |
| Per Month |
Individuals in London typically spend from 20% to 44% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 32% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 1,200 GBP with expenditure ranging from 170 GBP to 14,000 GBP. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for individuals
Cost of utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (3% to 12%)
| LOW | $31 24 GBP |
| AVERAGE | $220 170 GBP |
| HIGH | $2,400 1,900 GBP |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in London ranges from 3% to 12% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most individuals. The average monthly cost of utilities is 170 GBP with 24 GBP and 1,900 GBP being the upper and lower limits for a single person.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for individuals
Cost of transport and fuel6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)
| LOW | $45 36 GBP |
| AVERAGE | $320 250 GBP |
| HIGH | $3,600 2,800 GBP |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a single person resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a single person would expect to spend from 36 GBP to 2,800 GBP in a month on commuting with 250 GBP being the norm for most individuals. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 6% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 12%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for individuals
Food and Groceries Cost18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)
| LOW | $88 69 GBP |
| AVERAGE | $620 490 GBP |
| HIGH | $6,900 5,400 GBP |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical person in a month in London is 490 GBP. The cost of groceries can range between 69 GBP to 5,400 GBP. Individuals spend on average about 18% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 12% and 23% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for individuals
Cost of healthcare11%
11% of total expenses on average (5% to 15%)
| LOW | $42 33 GBP |
| AVERAGE | $290 230 GBP |
| HIGH | $3,200 2,600 GBP |
| Per Month |
Individuals in London allocate 5% to 15% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 11%. The range of medical expenses range from 33 GBP to 2,600 GBP with 230 GBP being the norm for most individuals.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for individuals
Cost of leisure and shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (3% to 7%)
| LOW | $27 22 GBP |
| AVERAGE | $190 150 GBP |
| HIGH | $2,100 1,700 GBP |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 22 GBP to 1,700 GBP with 150 GBP being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 3% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most individuals.
Education and schooling expenditure for individuals
Cost of education and schooling2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 4%)
| LOW | $11 8.7 GBP |
| AVERAGE | $77 61 GBP |
| HIGH | $860 680 GBP |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different individuals. On average, education constitutes 2% of the monthly expenditure of individuals with 1% and 4% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 61 GBP per month with 8.7 GBP being the minimum spent amount and 680 GBP being the maximum.
Other Expenses20%
20% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $110 84 GBP |
| AVERAGE | $750 590 GBP |
| HIGH | $8,300 6,500 GBP |
| Per Month |
Low-cost alternatives in London
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked individuals how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options59%
Few low-cost options41%
Based on the survey, 59% of the individuals living in London have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 41% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Typical saving choices for individuals in London
Where do people choose to put their savings?
| Saving Type | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Funds | 11% |
| Gold | 10% |
| Savings Accounts | 17% |
| Retirement Accounts | 11% |
| Cash Savings | 17% |
| Real Estate | 10% |
| Investment | 6% |
| Stocks | 6% |
| Bonds | 6% |
| Mutual Funds | 3% |
| Certificates of Deposit | 3% |
Single person expenditure to income ratio in London
Analysing the how affordable it is for an individual to live in London
One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in. Individuals usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a single individual ranges between 70% to 80%.
Spending to Income Ratio
93%
83% to 100%
( expenditure / income ) x 100
Individuals in London spend around 93% of their monthly income.
Some individuals spend as low as 83% of their income while some as high as 100%.
What percentage of individuals in London are able to save money and how much can they save?
Percentage of individuals that reported their ability to save money
Almost 84% of surveyed individuals in London said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 16% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.
Savings-to-Income Ratio
The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.
How much money do individuals manage to add to their savings?
The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
160 GBP
$200 | 1,400 GBP
$1,800 | 16,000 GBP
$20,000 |
Savings to income distribution levels for individuals
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Individuals |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 29% |
| 10% - 20% | 23% |
| 20% - 30% | 16% |
| 30% - 40% | 16% |
| 40% - 50% | 12% |
| > 50% | 4% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Individuals that are able to save money can put anywhere from 19% to 43% of their monthly income to their savings, with 32% being the average for most individuals. The average monthly amount of money that individuals can put aside is 1,400 GBP with 160 GBP and 16,000 GBP being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Affordable living in London
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked individuals one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in London?
Around 73% of surveyed individuals think that living in London is affordable with proper budgeting while 27% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Financial Literacy in
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy68%
We asked individuals in London whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 32% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 68% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether single people of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 34% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 66% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance34%
Easily manages finances66%
Emergency Funds For Individuals
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked individuals whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes69%
No31%
Based on the survey, 31% of the individuals living in London said that they don't have an emergency fund while 69% said that they do.
Saving Challenges in London
Reasons that make it difficult for individuals to save money
We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in London. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.
| Reason | % People |
|---|
| Low Income | 6% |
| High Expenses | 9% |
| Debt and Loans | 17% |
| Lack of Budgeting Skills | 10% |
| Impulsive Spending | 10% |
| Financial Emergencies | 6% |
| Living the moment | 7% |
| Will do it later | 17% |
| Inflation | 11% |
| Social Pressure | 3% |
| Market Instability | 3% |
Around 6% of the individuals said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 17% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 10% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 10% of individuals blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 7% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 17% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 11% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.
Financial goals of individuals in London
In an attempt to understand the economic situation in London, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.
| Financial Goal | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Fund | 7% |
| Debt Reduction | 34% |
| Retirement Savings | 8% |
| Education Funding | 8% |
| Homeownership | 17% |
| Investing | 8% |
| Travel or Lifestyle | 10% |
| Healthcare Expenses | 10% |
| Financial Independence | 8% |
Around 7% of individuals said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 34% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 8% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 8% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 10% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 10% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in London
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in London
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / A single person
Internet and cable cost
Mobile phone bill and charges
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of individuals is around 170 GBP. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 23 GBP to 61 GBP with 46 GBP being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 23 GBP but can range between 14 GBP and 68 GBP depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in London is around 6.4%. This means that people pay 6.4% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.5% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in London
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in London
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 440 GBP | 660 GBP | 1,800 GBP |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 680 GBP | 1,100 GBP | 2,700 GBP |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 940 GBP | 1,400 GBP | 3,800 GBP |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 1,200 GBP | 1,900 GBP | 5,300 GBP |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 2,200 GBP | 5,400 GBP | 11,000 GBP |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 1,800 GBP | 2,600 GBP | 7,500 GBP |
House monthly rent cost
| 2,200 GBP | 5,500 GBP | 11,000 GBP |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 2,600 GBP | 6,600 GBP | 11,000 GBP |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in London ranges between 440 GBP and 1,800 GBP, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 680 GBP to 2,700 GBP. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 940 GBP and 3,800 GBP per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 1,200 GBP to 5,300 GBP. The average rent of a townhouse in London is around 2,600 GBP while house rental costs can be as high as 5,500 GBP per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 2,600 GBP to 11,000 GBP per month.
Apartment and house prices in London
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 94,000 GBP | 140,000 GBP | 280,000 GBP |
| $120,000 | $180,000 | $360,000 |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 120,000 GBP | 190,000 GBP | 730,000 GBP |
| $150,000 | $250,000 | $920,000 |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 180,000 GBP | 530,000 GBP | 1.1M GBP |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 600,000 GBP | 910,000 GBP | 2.7M GBP |
Townhouse price
| 810,000 GBP | 1.9M GBP | 7.1M GBP |
House price
| 980,000 GBP | 5.9M GBP | 8.4M GBP |
Villa price
| 1.2M GBP | 6.5M GBP | 9.7M GBP |
The average price of a studio apartment in London can range from 94,000 GBP to 280,000 GBP depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 120,000 GBP to 730,000 GBP. A villa can cost you 6.5M GBP on average with prices ranging from 1.2M GBP to 9.7M GBP.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in London will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 67 | x200 monthly income | 340 |
Property prices in London can be x200 to x340 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x200 multiples of the average monthly salary in London.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in London is around 43%. This means that people pay 43% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 30% to 57% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
31% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in London
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in London
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in London is approximatly 8.5 GBP with meal cost ranging from 4.3 GBP to 14 GBP. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 15 GBP and 45 GBP with 23 GBP being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in London.
Fine dining meal for one price
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 28 GBP to 170 GBP with the average cost being 43 GBP for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in London.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in London is around 5.9 GBP. Price ranges between 3.7 GBP and 8.9 GBP depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in London is 3.6 GBP. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 4.5 GBP and the minimum being 3 GBP depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 2.8 GBP on average with 2.1 GBP and 4.2 GBP being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in London is between 5.2 GBP and 9.5 GBP depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 6.7 GBP.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 9.6 GBP. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in London costs around 3 GBP on average with prices rangeing between 2.2 GBP and 4.3 GBP depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 0.86 GBP to 2.1 GBP. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 2 GBP on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in London is around 31%. This means that individuals spend 31% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 21% to 38% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for individuals
Individuals' spending on grocery ranges from 69 GBP to 5,400 GBP with the location, income being the most determinite factors.
Debt, loans, and mortgages in London
Percentage of individuals who are in debt
According to the survey, 30% of the individuals in London have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 70% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.
Debt-to-income ratio in London
Debt to income ratio
27%
18% to 37%
( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100
Interpretation
The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 27% of a single person's monthly income in London goes to debt settlement.
Debt levelsMonthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income
| Debt-to-income ratio | % People |
|---|
| > 60% | 3% |
| 50% - 60% | 12% |
| 40% - 50% | 12% |
| 30% - 40% | 14% |
| 20% - 30% | 14% |
| 10% - 20% | 18% |
| 0% - 10% | 27% |
According to our data, 3% of the debtors in London pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 12% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 12% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 14% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 14% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.
Distribution by type of debt in London
| Debt | % People |
|---|
| Real Estate Mortgage | 12% |
| Auto Loan | 22% |
| Student Loan | 3% |
| Credit Card | 26% |
| Personal Loan | 37% |
12% of debtors in London confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 26% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 22% of people and personal loans rose at 37%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in London.
About credit score and debt managementManaging debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.
Good debt vs. Bad debt
Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.
Loan Affordability Index in London
Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked individuals how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.
Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.
| Frequency | % People |
|---|
| Never | 54% |
| Once a year | 22% |
| Twice a year | 11% |
| Three times a year | 8% |
| Four times a year | 4% |
Published: February 23, 2024 Last Update: April 5, 2025
