Consumer Expenditure Survey · BLS CE 2024
Miscellaneous foods spending
U.S. households spent $1,284/yr on miscellaneous foods in 2024 - 1.6% of the average budget . Down 3.1% vs 2023 ; the top income quintile outspends the bottom by 2.6×. Figures from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.
- 2024 avg
- $1,284
- Budget share
- 1.6%
- vs 2023
- -3.1%
CES spend plate
Line MISCELLANEOUS-FOOD · Miscellaneous foods $1,284 · 1.6%
SHARE-TRACE · QUINT-MOD · YOY-DOWN · REAL-BURDEN · REGION-WEST · BOOK-MID
- SHARE-TRACE 1.6% of budget
- QUINT-MOD 2.6× Q5/Q1
- YOY-DOWN -3.1% YoY
- REAL-BURDEN Above CPI
- REGION-WEST West leads
- BOOK-MID #37/99 dollars
Nearest dollar peer: Nonalcoholic beverages ($-570)
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 Miscellaneous foods
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 · Miscellaneous foods
Average annual spending · 2024 · poles + near peers
this line
Spending Trend (2020–2024)
Miscellaneous foods spending per household, 2020–2024
National average annual spending
| Year | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,284 |
| 2023 | $1,325 |
| 2022 | $1,117 |
| 2021 | $1,049 |
| 2020 | $973 |
Income stretch · mid-book miscellaneous foods
Mid-book CES line: income still stretches 2.6× from $761 (bottom quintile) to $1,994 (top).
| Income Group | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Lowest 20% | $761 |
| Second 20% | $992 |
| Middle 20% | $1,153 |
| Fourth 20% | $1,520 |
| Highest 20% | $1,994 |
West leads miscellaneous foods geographically
West leads at $1,489/yr.
Lifecycle peak · 45–54
45–54 heads spend the most on this line at $1,605/yr.
Frequently Asked Questions (show 6)
How much does the average household spend on miscellaneous foods? ▼
Is miscellaneous foods spending increasing? ▼
How does income affect miscellaneous foods spending? ▼
Which region spends the most on miscellaneous foods? ▼
Which age group spends the most on miscellaneous foods? ▼
Does household size affect miscellaneous foods spending? ▼
Nationwide peers near miscellaneous foods
Dollar-amount and budget-share neighbours from BLS CE 2024 (this category excluded).
Similar dollar amount
Nearest other categories by 2024 average annual spending ($1,284 here).
| Category | 2024 avg |
|---|---|
| Medical services | $1,252 |
| Other lodging | $1,347 |
| Miscellaneous | $1,218 |
| Cellular phone service | $1,359 |
| Other household expenses | $1,374 |
| Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs | $1,414 |
| Public and other transportation | $1,131 |
| Telephone services | $1,460 |
Similar budget share
Nearest other categories by share of the household budget (1.6% here).
| Category | Budget share |
|---|---|
| Medical services | 1.6% |
| Miscellaneous | 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.