Audio and visual equipment and services Spending
How much American households spend on audio and visual equipment and services — 2024 data from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey
Spending Insight: Audio and visual equipment and services
American households spent an average of $965 on audio and visual equipment and services in 2024, representing 1.2% of total consumer expenditures. Year-over-year change was -1.0% (from $975 in 2023), roughly in line with broader consumer spending trends.
Since 2020, audio and visual equipment and services spending has fallen by 8% (from $1,049 to $965), suggesting efficiency gains or shifting consumer preferences.
Income is the strongest predictor of audio and visual equipment and services spending: the top income quintile spends $1,444/year versus $538 for the lowest quintile — a 2.7x gap. Regionally, the Midwest spends the most ($1,100/year) while the South spends the least ($851/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 | $965 |
| 2023 | $975 |
| 2022 | $1,020 |
| 2021 | $1,020 |
| 2020 | $1,049 |
By Income Level (2024)
How audio and visual equipment and services spending varies across income quintiles
| Income Group | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Lowest 20% | $538 |
| Second 20% | $870 |
| Middle 20% | $889 |
| Fourth 20% | $1,084 |
| Highest 20% | $1,444 |
By Region (2024)
Geographic variation in audio and visual equipment and services spending
By Age Group (2024)
How audio and visual equipment and services spending changes across the lifecycle
By Household Size (2024)
| Size | Annual |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $730 |
| 2 People | $1,067 |
| 3 People | $1,106 |
| 4 People | $1,105 |
| 5 or More | $1,044 |
By Housing Tenure (2024)
| Tenure | Annual |
|---|---|
| Homeowner (with mortgage) | $1,129 |
| Homeowner (no mortgage) | $1,140 |
| Renter | $1,121 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the average household spend on audio and visual equipment and services? ▼
Is audio and visual equipment and services spending increasing? ▼
How does income affect audio and visual equipment and services spending? ▼
Which region spends the most on audio and visual equipment and services? ▼
Which age group spends the most on audio and visual equipment and services? ▼
Does household size affect audio and visual equipment and services spending? ▼
Spending Guides
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Browse other major categories from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.
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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.
