Fresh milk and cream Spending

How much American households spend on fresh milk and cream — 2024 data from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey

Annual average (2024)
$141
Share of total spending
0.2%
Change vs 2023
-5.4%
Change vs 2020
-4.1%

Spending Insight: Fresh milk and cream

American households spent an average of $141 on fresh milk and cream in 2024, representing 0.2% of total consumer expenditures. Spending declined 5.4% from 2023 ($149), indicating households may be cutting back or finding lower-cost alternatives.

Since 2020, fresh milk and cream spending has fallen by 4.1% (from $147 to $141), suggesting efficiency gains or shifting consumer preferences.

Income is the strongest predictor of fresh milk and cream spending: the top income quintile spends $205/year versus $99 for the lowest quintile — a 2.1x gap. Regionally, the Northeast spends the most ($165/year) while the South spends the least ($120/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 $141
2023 $149
2022 $168
2021 $157
2020 $147

By Income Level (2024)

How fresh milk and cream spending varies across income quintiles

Income Group Annual Amount
Lowest 20% $99
Second 20% $108
Middle 20% $133
Fourth 20% $162
Highest 20% $205

See full income breakdown →

By Region (2024)

Geographic variation in fresh milk and cream spending

Midwest
$135
0.2%
Northeast
$165
0.2%
South
$120
0.2%
West
$165
0.2%

See full regional breakdown →

By Age Group (2024)

How fresh milk and cream spending changes across the lifecycle

Age Group Annual Amount
25–34 $142
35–44 $160
45–54 $185
55–64 $138
65–74 $123
75 and older $101
Under 25 $80

See full age breakdown →

By Household Size (2024)

Size Annual
1 Person $81
2 People $167
3 People $128
4 People $160
5 or More $211

By Housing Tenure (2024)

Tenure Annual
Homeowner (with mortgage) $156
Homeowner (no mortgage) $168
Renter $137

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the average household spend on fresh milk and cream? ▼
The average American household spent $141 on fresh milk and cream in 2024, according to the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey. This represents 0.2% of total household spending.
Is fresh milk and cream spending increasing? ▼
Fresh milk and cream spending decreased by 5.4% from 2023 to 2024 ($149 to $141). Over 5 years (2020–2024), it changed by -4.1%.
How does income affect fresh milk and cream spending? ▼
The lowest income quintile spends $99/year on fresh milk and cream, while the highest quintile spends $205/year — a 2.1x difference. Higher-income households spend more in absolute terms but may allocate a smaller share of their budget.
Which region spends the most on fresh milk and cream? ▼
The Northeast region spends the most at $165/year, while the South region spends the least at $120/year on fresh milk and cream.
Which age group spends the most on fresh milk and cream? ▼
Households headed by someone in the 45–54 age group spend the most on fresh milk and cream at $185/year.
Does household size affect fresh milk and cream spending? ▼
Yes. 1 Person households spend $81/year on fresh milk and cream, while 5 or More households spend $211/year. Larger households generally spend more in absolute terms on most categories.

Spending Guides

Average Household Budget
How the typical American household allocates spending
Housing Costs by Income
How shelter spending varies across income quintiles
Food Spending Breakdown
Groceries vs dining out and who spends what
Healthcare Spending by Age
How medical costs rise across the lifecycle
Transportation Costs
Vehicle ownership, fuel, and transit spending

Related Spending Categories

Browse other major categories from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.

Category
Food
$10,169/yr avg
Category
Alcoholic beverages
$643/yr avg
Category
Housing
$26,266/yr avg
Category
Apparel and services
$2,001/yr avg
Category
Transportation
$13,318/yr avg

Related Economic Data

Cost of Living by Metro → Fair Market Rents → Salary Data by Occupation → ZIP Code Demographics →
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.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.