Average Household Spending by Age
Household spending follows a life-cycle hump: it rises from young adulthood, peaks around ages 45–54, then declines in retirement. The overall average is $78,535 a year (BLS, 2024), but middle-aged households spend well above it.
Average spending by age peaks in the 45–54 band — comfortably above the $78,535 all-ages average — and is lowest for the youngest and oldest households (BLS, 2024).
- All-ages average$78,535
- Peak age band45–54
- Lowest spendingUnder 25 & 75+
- PatternLife-cycle hump
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Consumer Expenditure Survey, 2024
Reading spending by age
The BLS tabulates spending by the age of the reference person in each consumer unit. Spending traces a well-known life-cycle pattern: low for young households, rising with income and family size to a peak in the mid-40s to mid-50s, then falling as children leave and households retire. These are averages within each band and reflect spending, not income.
Spending pattern by age of reference person
| Age band | Relative to average |
|---|---|
| Under 25 | Well below average |
| 25–34 | Near / slightly below average |
| 35–44 | Above average |
| 45–54 | Highest (peak) |
| 55–64 | Above average |
| 65–74 | Below average |
| 75+ | Lowest |
Directional pattern from BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey age tables, 2024. The all-ages average is $78,535.
Frequently asked questions
At what age do people spend the most?
Household spending typically peaks in the 45–54 age band, when incomes and family sizes are highest.
Do older households spend less?
Yes. Spending declines after the mid-50s as mortgages are paid off, children leave, and households retire.
What is the average household spending overall?
About $78,535 a year across all ages in 2024 (BLS).
Why does young-adult spending look low?
Younger households have lower incomes, smaller families and fewer assets, so their total spending is below the all-ages average.
Sources & methodology
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Consumer Expenditure Survey, 2024.
The all-ages figure is the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2024 average. The by-age pattern summarizes the BLS age tables; exact band values are published in the same release.
Last checked July 2026 · Refreshed annually with the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.