Apparel and services Spending
How much American households spend on apparel and services — 2024 data from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey
Spending Insight: Apparel and services
American households spent an average of $2,001 on apparel and services in 2024, representing 2.5% of total consumer expenditures. Year-over-year change was -2.0% (from $2,041 in 2023), roughly in line with broader consumer spending trends.
Since 2020, apparel and services spending has risen by 39.5% (from $1,434 to $2,001), substantially exceeding cumulative inflation over the same period — a real increase in household burden. The category breaks into 5 subcategories, each with its own spending dynamic — drill into any row below to see the finer-grained picture.
Income is the strongest predictor of apparel and services spending: the top income quintile spends $3,872/year versus $1,124 for the lowest quintile — a 3.4x gap. Regionally, the Northeast spends the most ($2,420/year) while the South spends the least ($1,759/year). Use the cross-cuts below — by income, region, age, household size, and housing tenure — to see which demographic factors drive this category hardest for your situation.
Spending Trend (2020–2024)
| Year | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,001 |
| 2023 | $2,041 |
| 2022 | $1,945 |
| 2021 | $1,754 |
| 2020 | $1,434 |
Subcategories
| Subcategory | Annual Amount (2024) |
|---|---|
| Men and boys | $467 |
| Women and girls | $744 |
| Children under 2 | $77 |
| Footwear | $461 |
| Other apparel products and services | $252 |
By Income Level (2024)
How apparel and services spending varies across income quintiles
| Income Group | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Lowest 20% | $1,124 |
| Second 20% | $1,328 |
| Middle 20% | $1,642 |
| Fourth 20% | $2,034 |
| Highest 20% | $3,872 |
By Region (2024)
Geographic variation in apparel and services spending
By Age Group (2024)
How apparel and services spending changes across the lifecycle
By Household Size (2024)
| Size | Annual |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $1,113 |
| 2 People | $2,382 |
| 3 People | $1,994 |
| 4 People | $2,404 |
| 5 or More | $2,653 |
By Housing Tenure (2024)
| Tenure | Annual |
|---|---|
| Homeowner (with mortgage) | $2,146 |
| Homeowner (no mortgage) | $2,473 |
| Renter | $1,639 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the average household spend on apparel and services? ▼
Is apparel and services spending increasing? ▼
How does income affect apparel and services spending? ▼
Which region spends the most on apparel and services? ▼
Which age group spends the most on apparel and services? ▼
Does household size affect apparel and services spending? ▼
Spending Guides
Related Spending Categories
Browse other major categories from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.
Related Economic Data
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
