on my own

Not as far as I know.

"By myself" means without any outside help. "on my own" may mean that too, but can also emphasize the solitude.

I live by myself.

I live on my own.

I think the first one means that I live alone; I don't have any roomates. But the second example suggests that I'm independent; I earn my living. I might have a roomate.

What do you think?

You are right on Pastel. You hit the nail on the head! (This means you got the exact meaning, in case you didn't know.)

Thanks, Danyoo. Happy New Year to you.

No I disagree. I live on my own would also mean that no-one else lives with you, it does not mean independence from parents but with other people.

'I don't live at home' is a rather odd way of expressing the independence from parents thing (used by young people).

Can you think of an example that 'on my own' and 'by myself' are not interchangeable?

Thanks,

I live by myself: This means I live alone. I don't have a roommate or any other family members living with me. The meaning is very clear.

I live on my own: I found the following definitions from Cambridge.

(all) on your own
1 alone: I like living on my own.
2 without any help: I did my buttons up all on my own, Mummy.

I'd agree with all these definitions. I still say that when you live on your own, no-one else lives with you, and that is not contradicted by these definitions.

Okie dokie, merci!