Both the financial and emotional cost of remaining single have been laid bare in two property reports.

A newly released study conducted by Responsible Life found Watford homeowners had seen the third highest income boost of anywhere in the country over the last ten years.

The average house in the town has risen in value by 56 per cent since 2009, netting key-keepers a cool £150,976.

While this might be good news for homeowners, it is devestating for the singles of nearby Hertsmere.

According to a separate study the borough is one of the most unaffordable as single buyers outside of the capital.

Those love-lorn in the commuter borough would have to part ways with more than a third of their wage to afford monthly mortgage repayments.

There is hope for the mortgage and amore-less however.

The average house in some UK town's have actually become cheaper in the past decade.

In Blackpool average incomes have risen 32.9 per cent to £28,870 and average property prices have fallen by 6.6 per cent.

As a proportion of their net salary of £197,347 over a decade, Blackpool homeowners lost 3.8 per cent.

Steve Wilkie, managing director of Responsible Life, said: “Even in times of economic turmoil, Britain’s houses remain solid investments that stand the test of time. Britons make such substantial gains on their homes that, for many, it makes up for all the tax paid on their income.

“Bricks and mortar is treated as an investment by many when it comes to retirement planning and on this evidence that is unlikely to change.”