Consumer Expenditure Survey · BLS CE 2024

Fees and admissions spending

U.S. households spent $935/yr on fees and admissions in 2024 - 1.2% of the average budget . Down 1.7% vs 2023 ; the top income quintile outspends the bottom by 12.9×. Figures from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.

2024 avg
$935
Budget share
1.2%
vs 2023
-1.7%

CES spend plate

Line FEES-AND-ADMISSION · Fees and admissions $935 · 1.2%

SHARE-TRACE · QUINT-ELITE · YOY-FLAT · REAL-BURDEN · REGION-WEST · BOOK-MID

  • SHARE-TRACE 1.2% of budget
  • QUINT-ELITE 12.9× Q5/Q1
  • YOY-FLAT -1.7% YoY
  • REAL-BURDEN Above CPI
  • REGION-WEST West leads
  • BOOK-MID #47/99 dollars

Nearest dollar peer: Audio and visual equipment and services (+$30)

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 Fees and admissions

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 · Fees and admissions

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)

Fees and admissions spending per household, 2020–2024

National average annual spending

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

$200$400$600$800$1,000 20202021202220232024 $935
Year Annual Amount
2024 $935
2023 $951
2022 $833
2021 $654
2020 $425

Income stretch · mid-book fees and admissions

Mid-book CES line: income still stretches 12.9× from $197 (bottom quintile) to $2,546 (top).

Income Group Annual Amount
Lowest 20% $197
Second 20% $324
Middle 20% $545
Fourth 20% $1,054
Highest 20% $2,546

See full income breakdown →

West leads fees and admissions geographically

West leads at $1,304/yr.

Region Annual Amount
Midwest $930
Northeast $982
South $709
West $1,304

See full regional breakdown →

Lifecycle peak · 45–54

45–54 heads spend the most on this line at $1,450/yr.

Age Group Annual Amount
25–34 $747
35–44 $1,355
45–54 $1,450
55–64 $871
65–74 $656
75 and older $526
Under 25 $408

See full age breakdown →

Frequently Asked Questions (show 6)
How much does the average household spend on fees and admissions?
The average American household spent $935 on fees and admissions in 2024, according to the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey. This represents 1.2% of total household spending.
Is fees and admissions spending increasing?
Fees and admissions spending decreased by 1.7% from 2023 to 2024 ($951 to $935). Over 5 years (2020–2024), it changed by +120.0%.
How does income affect fees and admissions spending?
The lowest income quintile spends $197/year on fees and admissions, while the highest quintile spends $2,546/year, a 12.9x difference. Higher-income households spend more in absolute terms but may allocate a smaller share of their budget.
Which region spends the most on fees and admissions?
The West region spends the most at $1,304/year, while the South region spends the least at $709/year on fees and admissions.
Which age group spends the most on fees and admissions?
Households headed by someone in the 45–54 age group spend the most on fees and admissions at $1,450/year.
Does household size affect fees and admissions spending?
Yes. 1 Person households spend $434/year on fees and admissions, while 4 People households spend $1,801/year. Larger households generally spend more in absolute terms on most categories.

Nationwide peers near fees and admissions

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

Similar dollar amount

Nearest other categories by 2024 average annual spending ($935 here).

Category 2024 avg
Fruits and vegetables $953
Audio and visual equipment and services $965
Personal care products and services $978
Maintenance and repairs $984
Pets $880
Housekeeping supplies $877
Water and other public services $826
Vehicle rental, leases, licenses, and other charges $811

Similar budget share

Nearest other categories by share of the household budget (1.2% here).

Category Budget share
Audio and visual equipment and services 1.2%
Fruits and vegetables 1.2%
Personal care products and services 1.2%
Housekeeping supplies 1.1%
Pets 1.1%
Water and other public services 1.1%
Maintenance and repairs 1.3%
Cereals and bakery products 1.0%

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.