BRITISH household costs rose by 3.6% in the year to December 2025 as experts said “the financial squeeze on most households remains a daily reality”.
Overall UK household costs, as measured by the Household Costs Index (HCI), rose by 3.6% in the year to December 2025. This is a decrease from 4.0% in the year to September 2025, new data shows.
Private renter households saw an annual inflation rate of 3.8%, a decrease in the annual inflation rate since September 2025, from 4.5%.
Outright owner occupiers had the lowest annual inflation rate of all tenure types, at 3.4% in the year to December 2025, while mortgagor households had the next lowest, at 3.7%.
Costs for households with children grew by 3.7% in the year to December 2025, while costs for households without children increased by 3.6%.
Both households saw a decrease in the annual inflation rate by 0.4%, compared with September 2025.
Inflation on an annual basis is painful
Steven Greenall, Protection Advisor at Rayleigh-based Protect & Lend, said it showed inflation was still an issue for Brits despite inflation coming down to 3%.
He added: “Despite Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey’s comments earlier this week that inflation is ‘baked-in’ to fall to 2% in the short term, this still shows inflation on an annual basis is painful for both households and renters alike.
“Although inflation is slowing, the impact is not going to be felt by families for at least the next six to nine months.”
Nouran Moustafa, Practice Principal & IFA at Roxton Wealth, said while inflation is coming down, it’s still painful for households.
She continued: “The data suggests pressure is easing slightly, but we are far from comfortable territory. A fall from 4.0% to 3.6% shows that inflationary momentum is slowing, which is positive, but household costs are still rising just at a slower pace.
“The gap between renters and outright owners is particularly telling. Private renters facing 3.8% inflation highlights how exposed they remain to housing-related volatility, while outright owners at 3.4% show the long term stability property ownership can bring. For families, especially those with children, a 3.7% rise in costs is still significant.
“Essentials housing, food, utilities don’t feel cheaper simply because the rate of increase has slowed. It is encouraging that pressures are moderating, but this is not relief, it is deceleration. Many households are still rebuilding financial resilience after several years of elevated costs. Stability, rather than celebration, is the appropriate tone.”
The financial squeeze on households remains a daily reality
Tony Redondo, Founder at Newquay-based Cosmos Currency Exchange, said he expects the Bank of England will now cut its base rate.
He added: “The data shows that UK price growth is slowing, but the cost of living remains historically high. The drop in the Household Costs Index from 4% to 3.6% shows that while the peak of the crisis has passed, the ‘lagging effect’ of high interest rates and rent continues to sting. Private renters face the steepest burden at 3.8%, reflecting a housing market where demand far outstrips supply.
“Outright owners are the most shielded, creating a growing wealth gap based on tenure. For families, the 3.7% inflation rate is particularly heavy because a larger share of their budget goes towards essentials like food and energy, which have already seen massive cumulative increases.
“While it is encouraging that the rate is falling – paving the way for the Bank of England to potentially cut interest rates later this year, this doesn’t mean prices are dropping, they are simply rising more slowly. Sadly, the financial squeeze on most households remains a daily reality.”
