South East households spend among the least on takeaways in England, new figures reveal

Households in the South East spend an average of just £198 a year on takeaway meals eaten at home, putting the region joint bottom of England's takeaway spending rankings, according to research based on Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.

The figures show that households in the region spend an average of £3.80 a week on takeaway meals, the same amount as those in the North West and below the England average of £4.40.

The research, based on ONS household expenditure data covering April 2022 to March 2025, highlights significant regional differences in spending on food ordered to eat at home.

London recorded the highest spending in England, with households paying an average of £6.20 a week, equivalent to approximately £322 a year.

That's around £125 more annually than households in the South East, a difference of approximately 63%.

Yorkshire and the Humber recorded the second-highest spending, at £5 a week, equivalent to £260 a year.

The East of England also spent more than the South East, averaging £4.30 a week, or around £224 annually.

Meanwhile, households in the North East and South West spent approximately £218 a year, while those in the East and West Midlands averaged £208.

The England average stood at approximately £229 annually, placing the South East around 14% below the national figure.

Average Annual Household Spending on Takeaway Meals in England

The figures relate specifically to takeaway meals eaten at home, rather than spending on meals consumed in restaurants or cafés.

They are based on average weekly household spending, with annual figures calculated by multiplying those averages by 52 weeks.

The data does not establish why households in some regions spend more than others. Differences in household income, food prices, population characteristics and eating habits may all influence spending patterns.

The figures also represent average household expenditure rather than the amount spent by every individual household.

The findings highlight a considerable difference between neighbouring regions, with London households spending substantially more on takeaway meals than those in the South East.

Olivia Disley, from Prestige, said, "It's easy to see why takeaways appeal when you've had a long day, especially if you're getting home late and don't fancy spending another hour preparing dinner. 

"But those convenient meals can become a regular expense without you really noticing, particularly if ordering food becomes part of your weekly routine. 

"You don't need a huge kitchen or fancy equipment to cook more at home. Even making the most of a small preparation space can make a difference." 

Olivia recommended keeping the worktop free of clutter, choosing recipes that require minimal preparation and using freezer space for extra portions. 

She added, "In smaller kitchens, every bit of usable worktop space matters. 

"A well-organised kitchen can make whipping up a quick meal far less stressful, which may help make cooking feel like the easier choice."

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