Cost of Living Pressures Continue to Affect Cornwall Households

Between 20^th – 29^th March 2026, What Cornwall Thinks asked its panel of Cornish residents about their views and experiences of rising fuel and energy costs. Their responses show that the pressure on household finances is very real for many people across Cornwall.

Concern about the bigger picture is high. Over half (57%) say they are very concerned about the impact of global events on the UK cost of living, with a further 34% saying they are quite concerned. Only a small minority report low levels of concern.

Who did we ask?

Participants are What Cornwall Thinks panellists from a mix of communities, including rural areas (34%), villages (29%), small towns (18%) and larger towns or cities (19%).

Most participants (86%) shared their household income. Of these, around a quarter (24%) earn under £25,000 a year, 42% fall between £25,000 and £49,999, and 34% earn £50,000 or more. For most, incomes have not increased: six in ten say their income is unchanged compared with a year ago, while more than a quarter (28%) say it has gone down. Only a small proportion (12%) say it has gone up.

Food and groceries are the biggest cost pressure

When it comes to rising costs, it’s the everyday essentials that are hitting hardest. Food and grocery bills are mentioned most often (64%), closely followed by household energy (61%) and petrol or diesel (53%).

These are not optional expenses, which helps explain why so many households are feeling the strain.

Cost of living is on the rise for most

The vast majority of respondents (85%) say their cost of living is now higher than a year ago. For many, the increase is significant, with nearly four in ten saying costs are much higher. Very few report any decrease.

Even so, people’s sense of how they are doing compared to others is more mixed. While some feel worse off (11%), many feel they are about the same (43%), and almost half believe they are doing better than most other households in Cornwall (46%).

One in three households are finding rising costs difficult

Despite these rising costs, they are – so far – manageable for two thirds (50% say costs are mostly manageable and 16% very manageable).

However, this still leaves around one in three households who say things are difficult at least some of the time (quite difficult at times for 29% or very difficult for 5%), showing that the pressure is becoming harder to absorb for a significant minority.

7 in 8 are making changes to adapt to the rising cost of living

Rising costs are clearly changing behaviour. Seven in eight respondents say they have made some kind of adjustment.

Shopping more carefully has become the norm for many (62%), while others are cutting back on heating and energy (56%), reducing spending on eating out or leisure (56%), or putting off bigger purchases or home improvements (44%). Some are trying to drive less (42%) or find better deals on tariffs (22%). For one in five (19%), the situation has gone further, with people looking for extra work or income to help make ends meet.

Only one in eight (12%) say they have not made any changes as a result of rising costs.

Most heating systems are more than 5 years old

Most homes rely on electricity (57%) and mains gas (50%) for heating or hot water, with smaller numbers using oil, wood, LPG or other sources. Boilers are the most common system (68%), followed by wood burners and electric heating.

While some households have relatively new systems, many do not. Whilst two in five (39%) have a heating system that is 5 years old or newer, a third (32%) report heating systems that are more than ten years old. Nearly one in ten (9%) say theirs is over twenty years old.

Importantly, most people feel they have little room to change. More than eight in ten (83%) say it would be difficult to switch their main heating source if costs rise further. Only 11% say switching would be easy.

Most households (73%) pay for heating through monthly direct debit, while around one in five pay as they go.

Most rely very heavily on cars

Dependence on cars remains high across Cornwall. Most respondents (77%) say they rely very heavily on a car for day-to-day life, reflecting the realities of getting around in the area.  Only 11% say they are not that dependent on cars.

Among those who use petrol or diesel, just over half (52%) feel that fuel is more expensive where they live. Most of the rest (44%) think prices are about the same elsewhere, or say they have not noticed a difference. Only 4% think their local fuel is cheaper.

Overall picture

Overall, the findings show that cost of living pressures are widespread across Cornwall. Households are adapting where they can – shopping more carefully, cutting back, and using less energy – but many of the biggest costs, such as food, heating and transport, are difficult to avoid.

For over a quarter of households, it’s a double hit – falling income alongside rising costs. In response, 7 in 8 households are cutting back or changing habits, and 1 in 5 are seeking extra work to keep up.