Miscellaneous Spending
How much American households spend on miscellaneous — 2024 data from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey
Spending Insight: Miscellaneous
American households spent an average of $1,218 on miscellaneous in 2024, representing 1.6% of total consumer expenditures. Year-over-year change was +2.9% (from $1,184 in 2023), roughly in line with broader consumer spending trends.
Since 2020, miscellaneous spending has risen by 34.3% (from $907 to $1,218), substantially exceeding cumulative inflation over the same period — a real increase in household burden.
Income is the strongest predictor of miscellaneous spending: the top income quintile spends $2,072/year versus $619 for the lowest quintile — a 3.3x gap. Regionally, the West spends the most ($1,744/year) while the South spends the least ($1,029/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 | $1,218 |
| 2023 | $1,184 |
| 2022 | $1,009 |
| 2021 | $986 |
| 2020 | $907 |
By Income Level (2024)
How miscellaneous spending varies across income quintiles
| Income Group | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Lowest 20% | $619 |
| Second 20% | $767 |
| Middle 20% | $1,173 |
| Fourth 20% | $1,458 |
| Highest 20% | $2,072 |
By Region (2024)
Geographic variation in miscellaneous spending
By Age Group (2024)
How miscellaneous spending changes across the lifecycle
By Household Size (2024)
| Size | Annual |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $1,096 |
| 2 People | $1,271 |
| 3 People | $1,115 |
| 4 People | $1,360 |
| 5 or More | $1,546 |
By Housing Tenure (2024)
| Tenure | Annual |
|---|---|
| Homeowner (with mortgage) | $1,433 |
| Homeowner (no mortgage) | $1,625 |
| Renter | $1,175 |
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.
