Deposit replacement scheme, Ome, has highlighted how the cost of internet, cars and our grocery shop have all outstripped the cost of renting over the last three years.
Ome looked at the average price of seven main costs of living and how these have changed over the last three years while taking inflation into account.
The figures show that the average cost of renting in the UK has steadily increased, climbing from £683 to £692 per month over the last three years: an increase of 1.4%.
At the same time, the cost of having the internet has jumped by 9.3%, although this cost is much more manageable due to the lower monthly cost compared to renting, now at an average of £30.32 per month.
The average cost of buying a new car has also increased at a higher rate than renting. At £18,622, it’s up by 8.4%, while the annual cost of our grocery shop is up 2.1%.
The good news?
The average net salary has also increased by more than the average cost of renting, up 1.8% to £24,365.
At the same time, the cost of childcare (0.3%) has increased at a lower rate than renting.
Utility bills (-3.5%) and exercise amenities such as gyms (-11%) have seen a drop in costs over the last three years.
Co-founder of Ome, Matthew Hooker, commented:
“The issue with renting is, of course, the consistent requirement to find a notable sum of money every month, meaning that many have to juggle their finances in order to accommodate rental sector payments as well as other living expenses.
“However, it’s reassuring to see that, at the very least, the cost of renting hasn’t seen the largest increase in price over the last three years.
“At the same time, the areas of life that have jumped significantly are one-off purchases such as cars, or more manageable outgoings that we can reduce if needed, such as our internet or grocery bills.
“It’s also great to see that some of the more essential aspects of life, such as childcare, our utility bills and the cost of exercising have also grown at a much lower rate or have fallen altogether.
“So those benefitting are now seeing more money in their pocket to help with the higher cost of renting.”
With salaries rising, renting has become better value over the last three years and renters are therefore better off.
This may not be the case after furlough is wound up as wage growth will tail off and may stagnate for two or three years. Good analysis by Ome.
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The problem with Rents are Peoples PRIORITIES.
Tenants would rather have gym membership and a new car, than pay for a roof over their families heads.
Then, just for the cheek of it, blame Landlords and the PRS – joined by the ‘Free for Everyone party’, now led by Starmer.
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This needs to be slapped in the face of Shelter, Generation Rent, Crisis, Acorn, London Renters Union and all the other anti-Landlord groups who constantly harp on about “spiralling rents”
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I agree! Everybody needs a decent roof over their head but doesn’t need to go to the gym. I would have liked to see a line for ‘Clothing’ (much of which is cheap throwaway fast-fashion from China) and ‘Discretionary Spend’ which includes the pub, cinema, holidays, eating out, ‘deliveroo’… and the gym.
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The song by Queen comes to mind,
” I want it all ”
( and somebody else to pay for it )
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