Consumer Expenditure Survey · BLS CE 2024

Fresh milk and cream spending

U.S. households spent $141/yr on fresh milk and cream in 2024 - 0.2% of the average budget . Down 5.4% vs 2023 ; the top income quintile outspends the bottom by 2.1×. Figures from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.

2024 avg
$141
Budget share
0.2%
vs 2023
-5.4%

CES spend plate

Line FRESH-MILK-AND-CRE · Fresh milk and cream $141 · 0.2%

SHARE-TRACE · QUINT-MOD · YOY-DOWN · REAL-CUT · REGION-NE · BOOK-LOWER

  • SHARE-TRACE 0.2% of budget
  • QUINT-MOD 2.1× Q5/Q1
  • YOY-DOWN -5.4% YoY
  • REAL-CUT Nominal drop
  • REGION-NE Northeast leads
  • BOOK-LOWER #88/99 dollars

Nearest dollar peer: Other dairy products (+$349)

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 Fresh milk and cream

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 · Fresh milk and cream

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)

Fresh milk and cream spending per household, 2020–2024

National average annual spending

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

$130$140$150$160$170 20202021202220232024 $141
Year Annual Amount
2024 $141
2023 $149
2022 $168
2021 $157
2020 $147

Income stretch on a smaller fresh milk and cream line

A smaller CES line: even the top quintile is $205/yr, with the bottom at $99 (2.1× gap).

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

See full income breakdown →

Northeast leads fresh milk and cream geographically

Northeast leads at $165/yr.

Region Annual Amount
Midwest $135
Northeast $165
South $120
West $165

See full regional breakdown →

Lifecycle peak · 45–54

45–54 heads spend the most on this line at $185/yr - the lifecycle peak on a smaller book line.

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions (show 6)
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 $257/year. Larger households generally spend more in absolute terms on most categories.

Other smaller CES lines near fresh milk and cream

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

Similar dollar amount

Nearest other categories by 2024 average annual spending ($141 here).

Category 2024 avg
Other meats $150
Postage and stationery $131
Small appliances and miscellaneous housewares $155
Fats and oils $125
Fuel oil and other fuels $125
Reading $125
Girls, 2 to 15 $112
Household textiles $107

Similar budget share

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

Category Budget share
Fats and oils 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.