Consumer Expenditure Survey · BLS CE 2024 · #12 largest category
Alcoholic beverages spending
U.S. households spent $643/yr on alcoholic beverages in 2024 - 0.8% of the average budget . Up 0.9% vs 2023 ; the top income quintile outspends the bottom by 5.7×. Figures from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.
- 2024 avg
- $643
- Budget share
- 0.8%
- vs 2023
- +0.9%
CES spend plate
Line ALCOHOLIC-BEVERAGE · Alcoholic beverages $643 · 0.8%
SHARE-TRACE · QUINT-ELITE · YOY-FLAT · REAL-BURDEN · REGION-NE · BOOK-MID
- SHARE-TRACE 0.8% of budget
- QUINT-ELITE 5.7× Q5/Q1
- YOY-FLAT +0.9% YoY
- REAL-BURDEN Above CPI
- REGION-NE Northeast leads
- BOOK-MID #57/99 dollars
Nearest dollar peer: Tobacco products and smoking supplies ($-291)
Instrument codes from this line’s budget share, income-quintile gap, YoY move, real change vs ~21% CPI-U (2020-2024), regional lead, and corpus book size, not a budgeting recommendation.
Spend neighbourhood around Alcoholic beverages
Lowest and highest poles plus nearest dollar peers among major categories, not a full-board reprint. Figures from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.
Dollar neighbourhood · Alcoholic beverages
Average annual spending · 2024 · poles + near peers
this line
Spending Trend (2020–2024)
Alcoholic beverages spending per household, 2020–2024
National average annual spending
| Year | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $643 |
| 2023 | $637 |
| 2022 | $583 |
| 2021 | $554 |
| 2020 | $478 |
Income stretch · mid-book alcoholic beverages
Mid-book CES line: income still stretches 5.7× from $244 (bottom quintile) to $1,395 (top).
| Income Group | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Lowest 20% | $244 |
| Second 20% | $342 |
| Middle 20% | $504 |
| Fourth 20% | $726 |
| Highest 20% | $1,395 |
Northeast leads alcoholic beverages geographically
Northeast leads at $858/yr.
Lifecycle peak · 45–54
45–54 heads spend the most on this line at $838/yr.
Frequently Asked Questions (show 6)
How much does the average household spend on alcoholic beverages? ▼
Is alcoholic beverages spending increasing? ▼
How does income affect alcoholic beverages spending? ▼
Which region spends the most on alcoholic beverages? ▼
Which age group spends the most on alcoholic beverages? ▼
Does household size affect alcoholic beverages spending? ▼
Nationwide peers near alcoholic beverages
Dollar-amount and budget-share neighbours from BLS CE 2024 (this category excluded).
Similar dollar amount
Nearest other categories by 2024 average annual spending ($643 here).
| Category | 2024 avg |
|---|---|
| Other entertainment supplies, equipment, and services | $640 |
| Furniture | $648 |
| Women, 16 and over | $632 |
| Dairy products | $631 |
| Drugs | $658 |
| Life and other personal insurance | $575 |
| Nonalcoholic beverages | $714 |
| Personal services | $547 |
Similar budget share
Nearest other categories by share of the household budget (0.8% here).
| Category | Budget share |
|---|---|
| Dairy products | 0.8% |
| Drugs | 0.8% |
| Furniture | 0.8% |
| Other entertainment supplies, equipment, and services | 0.8% |
| Women, 16 and over | 0.8% |
| Nonalcoholic beverages | 0.9% |
| Women and girls | 0.9% |
| Bakery products | 0.7% |
Average household budget · Methodology · BLS CEX source
Informational only - not advice. See disclaimer.