Miscellaneous foods Spending
How much American households spend on miscellaneous foods — 2024 data from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey
Spending Insight: Miscellaneous foods
American households spent an average of $1,284 on miscellaneous foods in 2024, representing 1.6% of total consumer expenditures. Spending declined 3.1% from 2023 ($1,325), indicating households may be cutting back or finding lower-cost alternatives.
Since 2020, miscellaneous foods spending has risen by 32% (from $973 to $1,284), substantially exceeding cumulative inflation over the same period — a real increase in household burden.
Income is the strongest predictor of miscellaneous foods spending: the top income quintile spends $1,994/year versus $761 for the lowest quintile — a 2.6x gap. Regionally, the West spends the most ($1,489/year) while the South spends the least ($1,103/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 | $1,284 |
| 2023 | $1,325 |
| 2022 | $1,117 |
| 2021 | $1,049 |
| 2020 | $973 |
By Income Level (2024)
How miscellaneous foods spending varies across income quintiles
| Income Group | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Lowest 20% | $761 |
| Second 20% | $992 |
| Middle 20% | $1,153 |
| Fourth 20% | $1,520 |
| Highest 20% | $1,994 |
By Region (2024)
Geographic variation in miscellaneous foods spending
By Age Group (2024)
How miscellaneous foods spending changes across the lifecycle
By Household Size (2024)
| Size | Annual |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $735 |
| 2 People | $1,520 |
| 3 People | $1,218 |
| 4 People | $1,565 |
| 5 or More | $1,792 |
By Housing Tenure (2024)
| Tenure | Annual |
|---|---|
| Homeowner (with mortgage) | $1,440 |
| Homeowner (no mortgage) | $1,579 |
| Renter | $1,215 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the average household spend on miscellaneous foods? ▼
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Spending Guides
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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.
