Medical services Spending
How much American households spend on medical services — 2024 data from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey
Spending Insight: Medical services
American households spent an average of $1,252 on medical services in 2024, representing 1.6% of total consumer expenditures. Year-over-year change was +0.0% (from $1,252 in 2023), roughly in line with broader consumer spending trends.
Since 2020, medical services spending has risen by 44.9% (from $864 to $1,252), substantially exceeding cumulative inflation over the same period — a real increase in household burden.
Income is the strongest predictor of medical services spending: the top income quintile spends $2,297/year versus $661 for the lowest quintile — a 3.5x gap. Regionally, the West spends the most ($1,514/year) while the South spends the least ($1,025/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 | $1,252 |
| 2023 | $1,252 |
| 2022 | $1,184 |
| 2021 | $1,070 |
| 2020 | $864 |
By Income Level (2024)
How medical services spending varies across income quintiles
| Income Group | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Lowest 20% | $661 |
| Second 20% | $848 |
| Middle 20% | $1,063 |
| Fourth 20% | $1,384 |
| Highest 20% | $2,297 |
By Region (2024)
Geographic variation in medical services spending
By Age Group (2024)
How medical services spending changes across the lifecycle
By Household Size (2024)
| Size | Annual |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $943 |
| 2 People | $1,385 |
| 3 People | $1,250 |
| 4 People | $1,268 |
| 5 or More | $1,896 |
By Housing Tenure (2024)
| Tenure | Annual |
|---|---|
| Homeowner (with mortgage) | $1,561 |
| Homeowner (no mortgage) | $1,558 |
| Renter | $1,566 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the average household spend on medical services? ▼
Is medical services spending increasing? ▼
How does income affect medical services spending? ▼
Which region spends the most on medical services? ▼
Which age group spends the most on medical services? ▼
Does household size affect medical services spending? ▼
Spending Guides
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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.
