This is how much the average Londoner spends at the weekend

London is an expensive city – but just how much are we spending on our days off? (Picture: Catherine Delahaye/ Getty Images)

A matcha in the morning. A few treats from a craft market. And a bottomless brunch with your mates.

No matter how you spend them, weekends in London, one of the world’s most expensive cities, rarely come cheap.

And according to new data, Londoners are spending a small fortune on their two days off.

Research from banking app Chase, shared exclusively with Metro, reveals that the average capital dweller spends £259.76 every weekend.

When age is factored in, Gen Z (those aged between 18 and 24) outspend older generations, racking up a bill of £275 every Saturday and Sunday.

This is despite the fact that the average monthly salary for those in that age group is £1,868 per month, the lowest of all adult age groups.

So, what exactly are Londoners spending their hard-earned cash on?

Shopping: £72.07

Shopping is the single most popular spending category across the capital, with the average Londoner spending £72.07 each weekend on retail therapy.

It should perhaps come as no surprise, given that London is frequently ranked as one of the best shopping cities in the world.

Gen Z spend more on shopping than the average Londoner (Picture: Kondoros Eva Katalin/ Images)

From unique finds in Spitalfields or Portobello, to designer buys in Harrods or Liberty’s, there’s plenty of ways to do some serious damage to your wallet.

Gen Z spends £75.16 per weekend on shopping, totalling a £3,908 spend per year to keep their wardrobes curated.

Dining: £59.22

London is a city that likes to eat, and while there are no official statistics, estimates suggest there are more than 11,400 eateries in the capital.

Dining was the second highest expenditure for Londoners overall.

According to the survey, the average person living here spends £59.22 on eating out each weekend.

Gen X (those aged between 45 and 54) are the biggest spenders on dining out, spending £63.38 on average each weekend.

Older millennials are leading the charge on pub spending (Picture: Shutterstock / DavideAngelini)

Drinking & Nightlife: £45.97

This one actually surprised us.

While pub garden season and late-night cocktail bars remain a weekend staple, Londoners are only spending around £45.97 per weekend on drinks and nights out.

It perhaps points to the downward trend in alcohol consumption, with one-third of UK adults who drink saying they are drinking less alcohol than they were a year ago.

Millennials (those aged 30 to 45) are the most likely to indulge on drinks, spending an average of £48.64 in London’s pubs, bars, and clubs every weekend.

Debating life choices over £6 oat milk lattes is a weekend well spent (Picture: Getty Images)

Fitness & Wellness: £32.85

It’s not all fun and games, we’re health-concious in the capital too.

The average Londoner spends £32.85 on fitness and wellness per weekend.

Over a third (40%) of Gen Z heads to a gym or fitness studio at the weekend.

This leads to an average spend of £49.23, investing heavily in boutique studios and premium experiences.

Other Activities: £49.64

In a city like London, there is so much to do to fill up your weekends.

People in the city spend £49.64 on other activities such as heading to the theatre or visiting exhibitions.

Londoners are most likely to go for a walk (45%), eat out (36%), or grab a coffee, tea, or matcha (29%).

Experiences over stuff

‘What really jumps out here is that younger Londoners aren’t just spending more at the weekend; they’re spending on having a life and making the most of the city they live in,’ Vix Leyton, consumer expert at thinkmoney, says.

‘If you’re paying London rent and London prices but never actually enjoying what’s on your doorstep, you’re paying a premium for the lifestyle without reaping many of the rewards.’

But it leaves Londoners struggling to both enjoy their present situation in the big city, and also plan for the future.

18–24-year-olds are willing to travel an average of 1 hour and 15 minutes just to explore somewhere they’ve never been before (Picture: AzmanJaka/ Getty Images)

Vix says: ‘The trick is finding the balance between enjoying your money now and saving for the things you want in the next few years.

‘That doesn’t have to mean spending every weekend sitting at home guarding your bank balance.’

Vix says to make the most of any deals and discounts available.

‘Look out for restaurant soft launches offering big discounts, and make the most of the free museums, galleries, parks and events you’re already helping to fund by living there.

‘A bit of research can make your money work much harder when it comes to finding the joy.’

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk

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