Background The aging population has become a common social problem in China, and the number of elderly people living alone is increasing. The aim of this study was to explore the status and influencing factors of tiny positive events in the daily life among elderly people living alone, and to compare the urban and rural dwelling elderly. The goal of this study was to provide basis developing a more targeted and personalized positive experience strategy and to provide a scientific reference for the prevention of and interventions for loneliness and social isolation. Methods A total of 280 old people living alone in Wenzhou were surveyed by a multistage probability sampling method, and a cross-sectional survey was conducted by using a general condition questionnaire and a positive event questionnaire of older persons. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-tests, analysis of variance, multiple response analysis, chi-square test and multiple linear regression analysis. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics 22.0, and the two-tailed level of significance was set at 0.05. Results The amount of tiny positive events in the elderly living alone was lower than the medium level, which was concentrated in the dimension of the surrounding environment. The most important positive events showed the characteristics of the hierarchy of needs. Education, economic source, monthly income, two-weeks illness and the frequency of children's visits were the important factors affecting positive events. The urban elderly focused on social and self-worth events, while the rural elderly people focused more on personal and family matters. Conclusion In the future, we can combine these characteristics and influencing factors into interventions for the elderly living alone to create more positive events in their daily life and increase their positive experiences.