Housing Spending
How much American households spend on housing — 2024 data from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey
Spending Insight: Housing
American households spent an average of $26,266 on housing in 2024, representing 33.4% of total consumer expenditures. This marks a notable 3.3% increase from 2023 ($25,436), outpacing general inflation and suggesting growing consumer prioritization of this category.
Since 2020, housing spending has risen by 22.7% (from $21,409 to $26,266), substantially exceeding cumulative inflation over the same period — a real increase in household burden. The category breaks into 5 subcategories, each with its own spending dynamic — drill into any row below to see the finer-grained picture.
Income is the strongest predictor of housing spending: the top income quintile spends $44,033/year versus $14,563 for the lowest quintile — a 3.0x gap. Regionally, the West spends the most ($32,147/year) while the Midwest spends the least ($23,065/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 | $26,266 |
| 2023 | $25,436 |
| 2022 | $24,298 |
| 2021 | $22,624 |
| 2020 | $21,409 |
Subcategories
| Subcategory | Annual Amount (2024) |
|---|---|
| Shelter | $16,317 |
| Utilities, fuels, and public services | $4,736 |
| Household operations | $1,921 |
| Housekeeping supplies | $877 |
| Household furnishings and equipment | $2,414 |
By Income Level (2024)
How housing spending varies across income quintiles
| Income Group | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Lowest 20% | $14,563 |
| Second 20% | $19,174 |
| Middle 20% | $24,093 |
| Fourth 20% | $29,374 |
| Highest 20% | $44,033 |
By Region (2024)
Geographic variation in housing spending
By Age Group (2024)
How housing spending changes across the lifecycle
By Household Size (2024)
| Size | Annual |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $19,052 |
| 2 People | $29,368 |
| 3 People | $26,566 |
| 4 People | $29,437 |
| 5 or More | $34,389 |
By Housing Tenure (2024)
| Tenure | Annual |
|---|---|
| Homeowner (with mortgage) | $28,291 |
| Homeowner (no mortgage) | $34,199 |
| Renter | $20,470 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the average household spend on housing? ▼
Is housing spending increasing? ▼
How does income affect housing spending? ▼
Which region spends the most on housing? ▼
Which age group spends the most on housing? ▼
Does household size affect housing spending? ▼
Spending Guides
Related Spending Categories
Browse other major categories from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.
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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.
