There’s no single “right” amount of cash savings – it’s important to remember that everyone’s financial journey looks different. But given that costs are up and there’s talk of tax increases coming in the Autumn Budget in November, now is a useful time to get perspective on others’ saving habits and how they are managing cash.
You might wonder if you should be saving faster, or have more in your savings account, especially if you’re saving for something expensive.
By looking at the average savings by age, region and gender, you can see what’s typical, set realistic goals and stay motivated.
Here’s what the latest savings statistics reveal.
Average savings by age in the UK
| Age group | Average non-ISA cash savings |
| 18-24 | £4,759 |
| 25-34 | £9,357 |
| 35-44 | £7,434 |
| 45-55 | £13,318 |
| 55+ | £27,949 |
Source: Finder.com, 2025.
Our spending and savings habits change dramatically as we move through life – and so does the average amount we’re able to set aside.
Young adults typically hold under £5,000 in non-ISA savings, which is fair given they’re early into their careers and have high living costs relative to their salaries. Average savings by age 35 rises as incomes grow, and the dip in cash balances after that can be explained by family and home expenses.
Savings recover, however. The average savings by age 55 in the UK are around £28,000. This is usually down to good habits for saving money that have built up over time and a shift towards preparing for retirement.
The figures above focus on non-ISA cash savings – that is, money held outside tax-free wrappers, in a regular savings account. To understand how your ISA pot stacks up compared to others by age, gender and region, read our article on ISA savings.
Read more: How big should your ISA be?
Average savings by region in the UK
| Region | Average non-ISA cash savings |
| London | £28,978 |
| West Midlands | £13,318 |
| Northeast | £10,022 |
| Southeast | £9,885 |
| Wales | £9,648 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £8,406 |
| East Anglia | £8,032 |
| Scotland | £7,297 |
| Southwest | £7,140 |
| Northern Ireland | £6,710 |
| East Midlands | £6,438 |
Source: Raisin, 2025.
Savings habits vary greatly across the country. Londoners sit comfortably top of the tree with almost £30,000 of non-ISA cash to draw on – more than four times what savers in other parts of the nation have managed. This has less to do with savings skills and more to do with higher incomes in the capital. But don’t let that skew the fact that if you’ve managed to save just half that amount, you’re already ahead of most the country.
The differences in average savings in the UK also reflect living costs, as people in cities usually save larger sums in cash to cover rent or mortgages, travel and their lifestyles. In lower-cost regions, people might be able to put aside money faster.
Savings by gender
Unfortunately, men still hold almost double the amount of savings that women do – a reminder of the gender wealth gap that persists across the UK.
| Gender | Average non-ISA cash savings |
| Men | £20,810 |
| Women | £11,432 |
Source: Money.co.uk, 2025.
How much should you save each month?
The answer to this depends on income, goals, and your stage in life.
Skewed by higher balances at the top end, the average British savings pot stands at around £16,000. But comparing yourself to others can be misleading. It’s better to focus on your savings rate – the proportion you can set aside – rather than pound for pound savings.
According to the ONS, the UK’s household saving ratio – the percentage of disposable income left after spending – averaged 10.7% in second quarter of 2025.That means for every £1,000 of take-home pay, the average household could save £107 a month. With typical monthly take-home pay being around £2,300 per month, that translates roughly to £245 of savings per month .
Millions of people, however, have no clear savings plan, so much of this leftover cash is spent. Simply committing to a regular transfer into a savings account already sets you apart from the majority.
If you can increase the portion you save from 6% to 7%, you’ve increased your monthly savings by almost a fifth. Move up from 3% to 6%, and you’ve doubled your savings every month. Start with a realistic goal and you’ll move steadily up the rankings.
Become a savvy saver with Charles Stanley Direct Cash Savings
With interest rates far higher than they have been for last two decades, cash can earn a healthy return if held in the right place. Through Charles Stanley Direct Cash Savings, you can get quick and easy access to some of the best interest rates available.
Charles Stanley Direct Cash Savings’ interest rates can change or be removed at any time. Restrictions apply for withdrawals from fixed term or notice products. FSCS compensation limits apply. This service is provided by Bondsmith in partnership with Charles Stanley. Bondsmith is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011, Firm Reference 955601, for the issuing of electronic money.
Nothing on this website should be construed as personal advice based on your circumstances. No news or research item is a personal recommendation to deal.
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