Average Household Spending
The average U.S. household spent $78,535 in 2024 (BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) — about $6,545 a month. Housing (33%), transportation (17%) and food (13%) are the three largest categories.
Average annual household spending was $78,535 in 2024 (about $6,545/month). The biggest categories are housing, transportation and food.
- Per year$78,535
- Per month~$6,545
- Housing$26,266 (33%)
- Transportation$13,318 (17%)
- Food$10,169 (13%)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Consumer Expenditure Survey, 2024
Consumer unit vs. household
The BLS reports spending per consumer unit, which is close to a household — people who share major expenses. This is an average (mean) of total annual expenditures, so high-spending households pull it above what a typical (median) household spends. It counts out-of-pocket spending, not taxes or retirement contributions.
Average household spending by category (2024)
| Category | Annual | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | $26,266 | 33.4% |
| Transportation | $13,318 | 17.0% |
| Food | $10,169 | 12.9% |
| — Groceries (food at home) | $6,224 | 7.9% |
| — Dining out | $3,945 | 5.0% |
| All other (health, insurance, entertainment, etc.) | $28,782 | 36.7% |
| Total | $78,535 | 100% |
BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey, 2024 annual averages per consumer unit. “All other” is the total minus the named categories.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the average household spend per year?
About $78,535 in 2024, according to the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey — roughly $6,545 a month.
What do households spend the most on?
Housing is the largest category at about 33% of spending, followed by transportation (17%) and food (13%).
Is $78,535 a median or an average?
It is an average (mean). Because higher-income households spend much more, a typical household spends somewhat less than the mean.
Does this include taxes?
No. The figure is out-of-pocket spending on goods and services; personal taxes and retirement contributions are reported separately.
Sources & methodology
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Consumer Expenditure Survey, 2024.
Category values are BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2024 annual averages per consumer unit. Monthly and “all other” figures are NumberBench calculations from the published totals.
Last checked July 2026 · Refreshed annually when the BLS releases the next Consumer Expenditure Survey.