Consumer Expenditure Survey · BLS CE 2024

Fats and oils spending

U.S. households spent $125/yr on fats and oils in 2024 - 0.2% of the average budget . Down 13.2% vs 2023 ; the top income quintile outspends the bottom by 2.5×. Figures from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.

2024 avg
$125
Budget share
0.2%
vs 2023
-13.2%

CES spend plate

Line FATS-AND-OILS · Fats and oils $125 · 0.2%

SHARE-TRACE · QUINT-MOD · YOY-DROP · REAL-CUT · REGION-WEST · BOOK-TRACE

  • SHARE-TRACE 0.2% of budget
  • QUINT-MOD 2.5× Q5/Q1
  • YOY-DROP -13.2% YoY
  • REAL-CUT Nominal drop
  • REGION-WEST West leads
  • BOOK-TRACE #90/99 dollars

Nearest dollar peer: Food prepared by consumer unit on out of town trips ($-31)

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 Fats and oils

Lowest and highest poles plus nearest dollar peers among sibling lines, not a full-board reprint. Figures from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.

Dollar neighbourhood · Fats and oils

Average annual spending · 2024 · poles + near peers

Source: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey As of 2024-12-31

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Spending Trend (2020–2024)

Fats and oils spending per household, 2020–2024

National average annual spending

Source: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey As of 2024-12-31

$120$130$140$150$160 20202021202220232024 $125
Year Annual Amount
2024 $125
2023 $144
2022 $157
2021 $133
2020 $133

Income stretch on a smaller fats and oils line

A smaller CES line: even the top quintile is $186/yr, with the bottom at $74 (2.5× gap).

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

See full income breakdown →

West leads fats and oils geographically

West leads at $147/yr.

Region Annual Amount
Midwest $112
Northeast $144
South $112
West $147

See full regional breakdown →

Lifecycle peak · 35–44

35–44 heads spend the most on this line at $152/yr - the lifecycle peak on a smaller book line.

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions (show 6)
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 $193/year. Larger households generally spend more in absolute terms on most categories.

Other smaller CES lines near fats and oils

Dollar-amount and budget-share neighbours from BLS CE 2024 (this category excluded).

Similar dollar amount

Nearest other categories by 2024 average annual spending ($125 here).

Category 2024 avg
Fuel oil and other fuels $125
Reading $125
Postage and stationery $131
Girls, 2 to 15 $112
Fresh milk and cream $141
Household textiles $107
Eggs $105
Other meats $150

Similar budget share

Nearest other categories by share of the household budget (0.2% here).

Category Budget share
Fresh milk and cream 0.2%
Fuel oil and other fuels 0.2%
Other meats 0.2%
Postage and stationery 0.2%
Reading 0.2%
Small appliances and miscellaneous housewares 0.2%
Toys, hobbies, and playground equipment 0.2%
Cereals and cereal products 0.3%

Average household budget · Methodology · BLS CEX source

Informational only - not advice. See disclaimer.

Every figure on PlainHousehold is rendered directly from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.