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Story idea · Cost of Living · UK

The cost-of-living squeeze is not evenly shared — ONS data shows renters and low-income households facing higher inflation

The ONS Household Costs Index shows higher annual cost inflation for low-income households and for private and social renters than for high-income households, alongside ONS survey data on what households say is driving costs up and how they are responding.

What's the angle?

The ONS Household Costs Index shows higher annual cost inflation for low-income households and for private and social renters than for high-income households, alongside ONS survey data on what households say is driving costs up and how they are responding.

Why it matters (SupportFund's interpretation)

Headline CPI describes an average household that does not experience these costs personally. SupportFund's reading is that any 'cost of living eases' story should note that the experience varies sharply by income and tenure, using the ONS's own breakdown.

Key evidence

External source

93%

Food was the biggest reported driver of rising household costs

Among adults reporting a rise in their cost of living, 93% cited the price of food shopping.

Source: Office for National Statistics — Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: May 2026

Period: May 2026

Last checked: 12 August 2026

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77%

Fuel prices were another major source of financial pressure

Among adults reporting a rise in their cost of living, 77% cited the price of fuel.

Source: Office for National Statistics — Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: May 2026

Period: May 2026

Last checked: 12 August 2026

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61%

Energy bills remained a major contributor to higher living costs

Among adults reporting an increased cost of living, 61% cited gas or electricity bills.

Source: Office for National Statistics — Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: May 2026

Period: May 2026

Last checked: 12 August 2026

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61%

Six in ten adults had cut spending on non-essential items

61% of adults reported spending less on non-essentials because of increases in the cost of living.

Source: Office for National Statistics — Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: May 2026

Period: May 2026

Last checked: 12 August 2026

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41%

Four in ten adults were cutting back on food and other essentials

41% reported spending less on food shopping and essentials because of increased living costs.

Source: Office for National Statistics — Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: May 2026

Period: May 2026

Last checked: 12 August 2026

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35%

More than a third were using less household energy

35% of adults said they were using less gas or electricity at home because of rising living costs.

Source: Office for National Statistics — Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: May 2026

Period: May 2026

Last checked: 12 August 2026

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3.7%

Low-income households experienced 3.7% household-cost inflation

Households in income decile 2 saw costs rise by 3.7%.

Source: Office for National Statistics — Household Costs Indices for UK household groups: January to March 2026

Period: Year to March 2026

Last checked: 12 August 2026

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3.5%

High-income households experienced 3.5% household-cost inflation

Households in income decile 9 saw costs rise by 3.5%.

Source: Office for National Statistics — Household Costs Indices for UK household groups: January to March 2026

Period: Year to March 2026

Last checked: 12 August 2026

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3.7%

Private renters faced 3.7% annual household-cost inflation

Private renting households saw household costs rise by 3.7% in the year to March 2026.

Source: Office for National Statistics — Household Costs Indices for UK household groups: January to March 2026

Period: Year to March 2026

Last checked: 12 August 2026

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3.7%

Social renters also faced 3.7% household-cost inflation

Social renting households saw household costs rise by 3.7% in the year to March 2026.

Source: Office for National Statistics — Household Costs Indices for UK household groups: January to March 2026

Period: Year to March 2026

Last checked: 12 August 2026

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Charts

What households say is driving higher living costs

Great Britain · May 2026 · Source: Office for National Statistics

% of adults reporting an increased cost of livingFood shoppingFood shopping: 93%93%FuelFuel: 77%77%Gas and electricityGas and electricity: 61%61%Chart: SupportFund. Source data: Office for National Statistics. Great Britain, May 2026.

Chart: SupportFund. Source data: Office for National Statistics. Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: May 2026. Last checked 12 August 2026. View original source

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How households are responding to higher living costs

Great Britain · May 2026 · Source: Office for National Statistics

% of adultsSpending less on non-essentialsSpending less on non-essentials: 61%61%Spending less on food and essenti…Spending less on food and essentials: 41%41%Using less gas or electricityUsing less gas or electricity: 35%35%Chart: SupportFund. Source data: Office for National Statistics. Great Britain, May 2026.

Chart: SupportFund. Source data: Office for National Statistics. Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: May 2026. Last checked 12 August 2026. View original source

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Household cost inflation by household group

United Kingdom · Year to March 2026 · Source: Office for National Statistics

% annual household-cost inflationLow-income households (decile 2)Low-income households (decile 2): 3.7%3.7%High-income households (decile 9)High-income households (decile 9): 3.5%3.5%Private rentersPrivate renters: 3.7%3.7%Social rentersSocial renters: 3.7%3.7%Chart: SupportFund. Source data: Office for National Statistics. United Kingdom, Year to March 2026.

Mortgagor and outright-owner household groups are not shown because those figures are not part of this verified import.

Chart: SupportFund. Source data: Office for National Statistics. Household Costs Indices for UK household groups: January to March 2026. Last checked 12 August 2026. View original source

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Research

Comment

Falling headline inflation does not mean the pressure has gone

"Headline inflation coming down is not the same as household costs coming down. Prices are still rising, they are rising from a much higher base, and two-thirds of adults still report their own cost of living going up month on month."

Nick Wilson, Managing Director & Spokesperson

The squeeze is not evenly shared

"There is no single national cost-of-living experience. The ONS Household Costs Indices measure higher inflation for low-income households and for renters than for high-income households, because a much larger share of a low-income budget goes on the things that have risen most. When we talk about averages we are describing a household that does not really exist."

Nick Wilson, Managing Director & Spokesperson

Cutting back on essentials is a warning sign, not a coping strategy

"When around four in ten adults report cutting back on food and other essentials, that is not budgeting. That is a household running out of room, and arrears often follow within months. One risk is that the pressure shows up elsewhere too, including on health, though that is not something SupportFund measures directly."

Nick Wilson, Managing Director & Spokesperson

Sources

  • Office for National Statistics — Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: May 2026
  • Office for National Statistics — Household Costs Indices for UK household groups: January to March 2026

Download data

Source: Office for National Statistics, Department for Work and Pensions, Ofgem and Bank of England — Official UK statistical releases, compiled by SupportFund

Period: 2026 reference periods (see each record)

Last checked: 12 August 2026

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