Survey of 1,745 Single-Person Households: What Kind of Properties Do They Live In?

Clearth Life Group Co., Ltd., which operates the website "Real Estate Investment Square" for enriching life through real estate investment, conducted a survey on the current residences of 1,745 men and women aged 20 to 50 who are currently living alone.

All survey results can be found here.

Survey Respondents: Employed individuals living alone, aged 20-50

Number of Valid Responses: 1,745

Survey Period: May 25, 2026 - May 31, 2026

Survey Organization: Clearth Life Group Co., Ltd.

Survey Method: Internet Survey

Background of the Survey

Against the backdrop of a declining marriage rate, a prolonged low birthrate, and an increase in divorces, it is expected that the number of people living alone will continue to diversify in the future. "Living alone," which was once often seen as a temporary living situation, is now becoming a long-term lifestyle choice for people of all ages and life stages.

Based on these market trends, this survey investigated the current housing type, property type, floor plan, distance to the nearest station, rent, satisfaction level, and priority conditions for selecting a residence among single-person households of men and women aged 20 to 50 nationwide.

Respondent Attributes

Attributes: Age and Gender

Attributes: Occupation

Attributes: Current Annual Income

Respondents in their 50s accounted for the largest proportion at 42.1%, followed by those in their 40s and 30s. This composition shows a higher proportion of middle-aged and older single individuals compared to younger single individuals. Among genders, men in their 50s were particularly prominent, suggesting that the survey effectively captures the living realities of those whose single life is becoming long-term and fixed.

Company employees constitute approximately 72.0% of all occupations, indicating a large number of salaried workers with stable incomes.

Annual incomes between 2 million and under 6 million yen accounted for a total of 54.9%, with incomes of 6 million yen or more accounting for only about 21.2%. This indicates that the core demographic of single-person households falls within the middle-income bracket. Therefore, it is presumed that this group tends to prioritize a balance between rent burden, convenience, and appropriate living space, with work being a central consideration in their housing choices.

Question: Please select one of the following regarding your current housing type.

Housing Type

"Rental" was the most common housing type at 68.0%, significantly exceeding "Owned" at 25.5%. This suggests that rental properties are the mainstream for single individuals, offering greater flexibility in choosing housing based on lifestyle, work, and income changes. On the other hand, about one in four individuals own their homes, indicating a certain number of single individuals who view their residence as a long-term living foundation or asset.

Reference Cross-Tabulation: Type x Annual Income

Annual Income x Housing Type

When looking at housing types by annual income, "rental" was most common in the "2 million to under 4 million yen" income bracket, with one in three people living in rentals. In the "4 million to under 6 million yen" bracket, company housing/dormitories accounted for 27.8%, rentals for 26.4%, and owned properties for 24.5%, showing a balanced distribution in housing choices. It is also notable that the proportion of people living with parents decreases for those with an annual income of "4 million yen or more." In the "6 million to under 8 million yen" bracket, company housing/dormitories were also the most common at 13.9%, suggesting housing arrangements for company employees, including those on business trips, not just singles. Furthermore, for annual incomes of "6 million yen or more," there is a tendency for owned properties to exceed rentals.

Question: Please select one of the following regarding your current property type.

Property Type

"Mansion" (condominium/apartment building) was the most common property type at 46.3%, followed by "Apartment" at 34.8% and "Detached House" at 18.3%. For single-person households, collective housing is the primary choice, with mansions being a particularly common option for single dwellers. This is likely driven by a preference for comfort, security, and convenience in daily life.

Question: Please select one of the following regarding your current floor plan.

Floor Plan

"1R/1K" was the most common floor plan at 36.3%, followed by "1DK/1LDK" at 24.3%, indicating a focus on compact layouts for single occupants. However, 38.3% of respondents live in layouts of 2K or larger, suggesting that even for single individuals, not only a minimum level of space but also the suitability of the living space for their lifestyle and how they use it are becoming important.

Question: How many minutes does it take to walk to the nearest station from your current residence?

Distance to Station

Walks of less than 10 minutes to the nearest station accounted for a total of 56.3%. On the other hand, 26.6% of respondents live 15 minutes or more away on foot. While proximity to the station is an important factor for single individuals, this suggests that it is not the only deciding factor. Other considerations such as rent, size, surrounding environment, commuting routes, and whether they own a car or motorcycle may also be involved.

Question: Please tell us your current rent. (For those who selected "Rental" or "Company Housing/Dormitory" only)

Rent

Rent of less than 60,000 yen accounted for 46.2%, and rent between 60,000 and under 80,000 yen accounted for 29.6%. Rents below 80,000 yen comprised about three-quarters of the total. This indicates a strong tendency among single-person households to balance their overall living expenses while keeping housing costs down. High rent brackets were limited, showing that affordability is a major factor in housing selection.

Reference Cross-Tabulation: Annual Income x Rent

Annual Income x Rent

Looking at rent by annual income, there is a tendency for the range of rent options to widen as annual income increases. For incomes below 2 million yen, 76.5% pay less than 60,000 yen in rent, and for incomes between 2 million and under 4 million yen, 60.1% pay less than 60,000 yen, clearly showing a trend to keep housing costs down. In contrast, for incomes between 4 million and under 6 million yen, "60,000 to under 80,000 yen" was the most common, and the proportion of "80,000 to under 100,000 yen" also increased. For incomes of 8 million yen or more, the proportion of "100,000 yen or more" began to increase, and for incomes of 10 million yen or more, rents of "100,000 yen or more" became more noticeable. This suggests that the acceptable rent range increases in accordance with income.

Generally, the ideal rent is said to be "20% to 30% of income," and the trends observed here also show that the volume zone tends to fall around 20% of income.

Considering that this includes company housing and dormitories, which often have preferential rent, it is possible that rents for "general rental properties" are actually somewhat higher.

Question: Please select one item you prioritize most when choosing a residence.

Priority Items

"Rent/Price" was the most prioritized item when choosing a residence at 44.0%, followed by "Location/Address" at 28.0% and "Size/Floor Plan" at 18.5%. For single individuals, the ability to afford the housing costs without strain is the primary consideration, followed by convenience for daily life and usability of the space. Practical conditions directly related to daily living are clearly prioritized over property quality or amenities.

Overall Summary

This survey revealed that among single individuals living alone nationwide, approximately 70% live in "rental" properties, and the vast majority of these reside in "mansions/apartments."

When choosing a residence, "rent/price" is the most important factor, followed by "location/address," with the balance between "affordable housing costs" and "convenience for daily life" being the core of property selection.

For rental properties, "1R to 1LDK" is the most common floor plan, with rents primarily under "120,000 yen." On the other hand, as annual income increases, there are also individuals living in "larger floor plans" and "higher rent" properties. A common thread is that they are seeking the optimal balance between rent budget, distance to the station, floor plan, and convenience for daily life.

All survey results can be found here.

About Clearth Life Group Co., Ltd.

Clearth Life Group Co., Ltd. is a company that consistently develops and sells condominiums, and also provides integrated services related to condominium investment, including rental management, brokerage, building management, and used property transactions. Focusing on real estate investment in urban areas, the company offers comprehensive services that support customers in both housing and asset formation.

Clearth Life Group Co., Ltd.

About Real Estate Investment Square

"Real Estate Investment Square" is an information website for real estate investment and asset formation operated by Clearth Life Group Co., Ltd. It provides useful information for those considering real estate investment through a wide range of topics, including basic knowledge of real estate investment, asset management, asset formation, taxes, inheritance/gifting, and case studies.

Real Estate Investment Square

Helpful Information on Asset Formation and Real Estate Investment

Real Estate Investment Square offers the following helpful materials free of charge:

- Basic Guidebook to Real Estate Investment

- Recommended! How to Choose Real Estate Investments

- Real Estate Investment for 30s-40s

- Tax Saving Methods for Inheritance Using Real Estate

All free helpful materials can be found here.

For various consultation needs, such as those interested in real estate investment but seeking third-party opinions, we offer services at the "Square Consultation Room."

Free consultations can be accessed here.

Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Release

Contact: Shimizu, [email protected]