Fats and oils Spending

How much American households spend on fats and oils — 2024 data from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey

Annual average (2024)
$125
Share of total spending
0.2%
Change vs 2023
-13.2%
Change vs 2020
-6.0%

Spending Insight: Fats and oils

American households spent an average of $125 on fats and oils in 2024, representing 0.2% of total consumer expenditures. Spending declined 13.2% from 2023 ($144), indicating households may be cutting back or finding lower-cost alternatives.

Since 2020, fats and oils spending has fallen by 6% (from $133 to $125), suggesting efficiency gains or shifting consumer preferences.

Income is the strongest predictor of fats and oils spending: the top income quintile spends $186/year versus $74 for the lowest quintile — a 2.5x gap. Regionally, the West spends the most ($147/year) while the Midwest spends the least ($112/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 $125
2023 $144
2022 $157
2021 $133
2020 $133

By Income Level (2024)

How fats and oils spending varies across income quintiles

Income Group Annual Amount
Lowest 20% $74
Second 20% $106
Middle 20% $116
Fourth 20% $144
Highest 20% $186

See full income breakdown →

By Region (2024)

Geographic variation in fats and oils spending

See full regional breakdown →

By Age Group (2024)

How fats and oils spending changes across the lifecycle

Age Group Annual Amount
25–34 $118
35–44 $152
45–54 $150
55–64 $129
65–74 $110
75 and older $93
Under 25 $75

See full age breakdown →

By Household Size (2024)

Size Annual
1 Person $66
2 People $150
3 People $130
4 People $146
5 or More $177

By Housing Tenure (2024)

Tenure Annual
Homeowner (with mortgage) $140
Homeowner (no mortgage) $157
Renter $111

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the average household spend on fats and oils?
The average American household spent $125 on fats and oils in 2024, according to the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey. This represents 0.2% of total household spending.
Is fats and oils spending increasing?
Fats and oils spending decreased by 13.2% from 2023 to 2024 ($144 to $125). Over 5 years (2020–2024), it changed by -6.0%.
How does income affect fats and oils spending?
The lowest income quintile spends $74/year on fats and oils, while the highest quintile spends $186/year — a 2.5x difference. Higher-income households spend more in absolute terms but may allocate a smaller share of their budget.
Which region spends the most on fats and oils?
The West region spends the most at $147/year, while the Midwest region spends the least at $112/year on fats and oils.
Which age group spends the most on fats and oils?
Households headed by someone in the 35–44 age group spend the most on fats and oils at $152/year.
Does household size affect fats and oils spending?
Yes. 1 Person households spend $66/year on fats and oils, while 5 or More households spend $177/year. Larger households generally spend more in absolute terms on most categories.

Spending Guides

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Browse other major categories from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.

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Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey (BLS CEX). BLS CEX homepage. Data represents average annual expenditures per consumer unit. 2024 data released 2025. See our methodology for processing details.

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.