Men and boys Spending
How much American households spend on men and boys — 2024 data from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey
Spending Insight: Men and boys
American households spent an average of $467 on men and boys in 2024, representing 0.6% of total consumer expenditures. Spending declined 7% from 2023 ($502), indicating households may be cutting back or finding lower-cost alternatives.
Since 2020, men and boys spending has risen by 43.3% (from $326 to $467), substantially exceeding cumulative inflation over the same period — a real increase in household burden. The category breaks into 2 subcategories, each with its own spending dynamic — drill into any row below to see the finer-grained picture.
Income is the strongest predictor of men and boys spending: the top income quintile spends $936/year versus $247 for the lowest quintile — a 3.8x gap. Regionally, the Northeast spends the most ($635/year) while the South spends the least ($371/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 | $467 |
| 2023 | $502 |
| 2022 | $454 |
| 2021 | $424 |
| 2020 | $326 |
Subcategories
| Subcategory | Annual Amount (2024) |
|---|---|
| Men, 16 and over | $374 |
| Boys, 2 to 15 | $92 |
By Income Level (2024)
How men and boys spending varies across income quintiles
| Income Group | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Lowest 20% | $247 |
| Second 20% | $310 |
| Middle 20% | $364 |
| Fourth 20% | $475 |
| Highest 20% | $936 |
By Region (2024)
Geographic variation in men and boys spending
By Age Group (2024)
How men and boys spending changes across the lifecycle
By Household Size (2024)
| Size | Annual |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $257 |
| 2 People | $557 |
| 3 People | $453 |
| 4 People | $571 |
| 5 or More | $620 |
By Housing Tenure (2024)
| Tenure | Annual |
|---|---|
| Homeowner (with mortgage) | $498 |
| Homeowner (no mortgage) | $559 |
| Renter | $404 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
