Consumer Expenditure Survey · BLS CE 2024
Medical services spending
U.S. households spent $1,252/yr on medical services in 2024 - 1.6% of the average budget . Up 0% vs 2023 ; the top income quintile outspends the bottom by 3.5×. Figures from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.
- 2024 avg
- $1,252
- Budget share
- 1.6%
- vs 2023
- +0.0%
CES spend plate
Line MEDICAL-SERVICES · Medical services $1,252 · 1.6%
SHARE-TRACE · QUINT-WIDE · YOY-FLAT · REAL-BURDEN · REGION-WEST · BOOK-MID
- SHARE-TRACE 1.6% of budget
- QUINT-WIDE 3.5× Q5/Q1
- YOY-FLAT +0.0% YoY
- REAL-BURDEN Above CPI
- REGION-WEST West leads
- BOOK-MID #38/99 dollars
Nearest dollar peer: Drugs ($-594)
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 Medical services
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 · Medical services
Average annual spending · 2024 · poles + near peers
this line
Spending Trend (2020–2024)
Medical services spending per household, 2020–2024
National average annual spending
| Year | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,252 |
| 2023 | $1,252 |
| 2022 | $1,184 |
| 2021 | $1,070 |
| 2020 | $864 |
Income stretch · mid-book medical services
Mid-book CES line: income still stretches 3.5× from $661 (bottom quintile) to $2,297 (top).
| Income Group | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Lowest 20% | $661 |
| Second 20% | $848 |
| Middle 20% | $1,063 |
| Fourth 20% | $1,384 |
| Highest 20% | $2,297 |
West leads medical services geographically
West leads at $1,514/yr.
Lifecycle peak · 75 and older
75 and older heads spend the most on this line at $1,552/yr.
Frequently Asked Questions (show 6)
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? ▼
Nationwide peers near medical services
Dollar-amount and budget-share neighbours from BLS CE 2024 (this category excluded).
Similar dollar amount
Nearest other categories by 2024 average annual spending ($1,252 here).
| Category | 2024 avg |
|---|---|
| Miscellaneous foods | $1,284 |
| Miscellaneous | $1,218 |
| Other lodging | $1,347 |
| Cellular phone service | $1,359 |
| Public and other transportation | $1,131 |
| Other household expenses | $1,374 |
| Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs | $1,414 |
| Miscellaneous household equipment | $1,089 |
Similar budget share
Nearest other categories by share of the household budget (1.6% here).
| Category | Budget share |
|---|---|
| Miscellaneous | 1.6% |
| Miscellaneous foods | 1.6% |
| Cellular phone service | 1.7% |
| Other household expenses | 1.7% |
| Other lodging | 1.7% |
| Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs | 1.8% |
| Miscellaneous household equipment | 1.4% |
| Pets, toys, hobbies, and playground equipment | 1.4% |
Average household budget · Methodology · BLS CEX source
Informational only - not advice. See disclaimer.