Meet the most financially resentful Brit – and the cities feeling the most money jealousy in 2026
New research from thinkmoney has revealed the profile of the Brit who feels the most jealous about other people’s money.
According to our research, the most financially resentful person is a Gen Z woman from Leicester, in a relationship but not married, and earning between £50–£75k a year.
We polled people who felt financial resentment towards others in their life and broke them down based on age, gender, region, income level, and relationship status to come to this conclusion.
The poll also found people spend a total of 53 minutes every week thinking about other people’s bank accounts. Even more worryingly, more than a quarter (28%) of those polled said they’d taken on debt to keep up with their friends.
Our consumer expert here at thinkmoney, Vix Leyton, says this rise in financial comparison is fuelled by what we see online: “Comparison has always been the thief of joy, and social media has given it a billboard. It has never been easier to see who has bought a house, who is on holiday, who just upgraded their kitchen - and never harder not to measure yourself against it. In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, that can make you feel both behind and powerless at the same time.
“The problem is comparing your full financial reality to someone else’s highlight reel. We see the keys to the new flat, not the parental loan, the long-haul holiday, not the credit card bill, the pile of presents without the buy-now-pay-later balance quietly ticking away in the background.
“According to our data, plenty of people are stretching themselves to maintain an image - and that illusion can come at a real financial cost.”
The most financially resentful cities in the UK
Our poll also identified where money envy is strongest. Leicester takes the top spot, with almost half of residents saying they feel resentful of others’ financial situation.
Top 10 most financially resentful cities:
Leicester – 44%
Brighton – 43%
Cardiff – 43%
Liverpool – 42%
London – 40%
Birmingham – 39%
Sheffield – 39%
Oxford – 38%
Cambridge – 37%
Edinburgh – 37%
Who we are most jealous of
The study found we spend 53 minutes a week thinking about other people’s bank accounts. And the people we compare ourselves to most are:
Friends – 53%
People we follow on social media – 35%
Colleagues – 23%
Parents – 18%
Our partner – 16%
A good chunk (16%) were resentful of their partner. Our research found that around 44% of those resentful of their partner felt their partner spent more freely because they earned more, whereas around 26.7% felt they should pay their way more often.
Of those jealous of their parents, more than half (57.5%) said it's because life was cheaper and easier for them, and around 40% said houses were easier to buy for them. A good chunk (around 29.9%) also said their parents don't understand how hard the current generation's got it.
Almost half of those resentful of their colleagues said their colleagues earned more than them and didn't deserve to, while around a third were resentful of the fact that family money cushioned their income.
Around 58% of those jealous of their friends were resentful of the fact that they could afford nice holidays, while 35% said they spend too much money on themselves - on stuff like clothes and tech, for example.
What people are doing to keep up
More than a quarter (28%) of people say they’ve gone into debt trying to match other people’s lifestyles, with an average debt of £1,874.
How people try to fund the gap:
Credit card – 37%
Overdraft – 24%
Borrowing from friends/family – 20%
Dipping into savings – 17%
Cutting back on essentials / BNPL – 16%
Missing a payment – 12%
Vix says the numbers show how dangerous this comparison cycle can be: “No one is saying ambition is wrong, or that you should not want more. But you will never have the full picture of someone else’s finances, so using it as a benchmark is flawed from the start.
“But it is worth remembering that the data shows money alone does not guarantee happiness. Financial security brings stability and choice, which matter enormously, and working towards that – whether through clearing debt, building up savings or starting to invest - is never wasted.
“But keeping up with the Joneses rarely delivers the contentment people expect, particularly if the Joneses are sneakily putting it on credit as well.”
What to do if you’re struggling with debt
If there’s one thing our survey revealed, it’s just how easy it is to take on debt so you can keep up with the people around you.
If you’re finding that you’re starting to struggle with repayments, there are steps you can take.
1. Speak to your creditors early
Your creditors will work with you to support you to pay back the debt, but they can’t help if they don’t know you’re struggling. If you’ve missed a payment, or are about to miss a payment, get in touch as soon as possible. Support can look like payment plans, interest freezes or temporary breathing space, for example.
2. Get free debt advice
There are plenty of organisations out there that can offer free debt advice if you’re struggling. MoneyWellness is a good first point of contact, or you might consider Citizens Advice for more general money advice too.
3. List out your priority vs non‑priority bills
Things like rent, council tax and utilities should come first as ignoring these can come with serious consequences, such as getting evicted or having your energy supply cut off. You should still prioritise other debts, like credit cards and water bills, too. It’s worth speaking with all your creditors if you’re struggling.
Key takeaways
The most financially resentful Brit is a high‑earning Gen Z woman from Leicester.
Leicester is the UK’s top city for money envy.
People are generally most resentful of their friends, colleagues, people on social media, parents, and even romantic partners.
28% have gone into debt trying to keep up with others.
Many use credit cards, overdrafts or borrowing from friends to fund it.
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