The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes an annual Family Spending survey that tracks household spending across the UK by region, income level, and household type. It is one of the most comprehensive pictures of how British households actually spend their money.
What the ONS data covers
The ONS Family Spending survey breaks down weekly household expenditure across categories including food and drink, housing, transport, recreation, clothing, communication, eating out and household goods. It reports averages by UK nation and English region.
Key patterns from recent data
- Housing costs (including rent and mortgage) are significantly higher in London and the South East than elsewhere in the UK
- Transport costs vary by region — rural areas tend to spend more on vehicles and fuel
- Food and drink spending is broadly similar across regions but higher in London
- Recreation and culture spending is slightly higher in higher-income regions
- Total household expenditure is highest in London and lowest in Wales and Northern Ireland
How to use ONS data — and how not to
ONS figures are averages. An average household in your region does not mean a typical or ideal household. They include households across all income levels, sizes and circumstances. Being above or below an average tells you little on its own.
What the data can usefully do is give you a rough sense of whether a particular spending category — say, food, or transport — looks very different from what most households in your area spend. That is useful context, not a verdict.
Using regional context in Ask Fin
Ask Fin uses ONS regional data in its Local Spending Check tool to give you a sense of how your spending patterns compare with typical households in your region. The tool uses soft language — "broadly in line", "slightly above the regional pattern" — because the goal is useful context, not judgement.
General guidance only — not regulated financial advice.