Consumer Expenditure Survey · BLS CE 2024

Other household expenses spending

U.S. households spent $1,374/yr on other household expenses in 2024 - 1.7% of the average budget . Down 4.3% vs 2023 ; the top income quintile outspends the bottom by 3.8×. Figures from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.

2024 avg
$1,374
Budget share
1.7%
vs 2023
-4.3%

CES spend plate

Line OTHER-HOUSEHOLD-EX · Other household expenses $1,374 · 1.7%

SHARE-TRACE · QUINT-WIDE · YOY-DOWN · REAL-INLINE · REGION-WEST · BOOK-MID

  • SHARE-TRACE 1.7% of budget
  • QUINT-WIDE 3.8× Q5/Q1
  • YOY-DOWN -4.3% YoY
  • REAL-INLINE Near CPI
  • REGION-WEST West leads
  • BOOK-MID #34/99 dollars

Nearest dollar peer: Personal services ($-827)

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 Other household expenses

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 · Other household expenses

Average annual spending · 2024 · poles + near peers

Source: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey As of 2024-12-31

View my saved categories →

Spending Trend (2020–2024)

Other household expenses spending per household, 2020–2024

National average annual spending

Source: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey As of 2024-12-31

$1,100$1,200$1,300$1,400$1,500 20202021202220232024 $1,374
Year Annual Amount
2024 $1,374
2023 $1,435
2022 $1,361
2021 $1,261
2020 $1,118

Income stretch · mid-book other household expenses

Mid-book CES line: income still stretches 3.8× from $666 (bottom quintile) to $2,529 (top).

Income Group Annual Amount
Lowest 20% $666
Second 20% $1,009
Middle 20% $1,191
Fourth 20% $1,467
Highest 20% $2,529

See full income breakdown →

West leads other household expenses geographically

West leads at $1,546/yr.

Region Annual Amount
Midwest $1,213
Northeast $1,366
South $1,367
West $1,546

See full regional breakdown →

Lifecycle peak · 45–54

45–54 heads spend the most on this line at $1,643/yr.

Age Group Annual Amount
25–34 $1,010
35–44 $1,439
45–54 $1,643
55–64 $1,393
65–74 $1,433
75 and older $1,619
Under 25 $499

See full age breakdown →

Frequently Asked Questions (show 6)
How much does the average household spend on other household expenses?
The average American household spent $1,374 on other household expenses in 2024, according to the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey. This represents 1.7% of total household spending.
Is other household expenses spending increasing?
Other household expenses spending decreased by 4.3% from 2023 to 2024 ($1,435 to $1,374). Over 5 years (2020–2024), it changed by +22.9%.
How does income affect other household expenses spending?
The lowest income quintile spends $666/year on other household expenses, while the highest quintile spends $2,529/year, a 3.8x difference. Higher-income households spend more in absolute terms but may allocate a smaller share of their budget.
Which region spends the most on other household expenses?
The West region spends the most at $1,546/year, while the Midwest region spends the least at $1,213/year on other household expenses.
Which age group spends the most on other household expenses?
Households headed by someone in the 45–54 age group spend the most on other household expenses at $1,643/year.
Does household size affect other household expenses spending?
Yes. 1 Person households spend $1,015/year on other household expenses, while 4 People households spend $1,827/year. Larger households generally spend more in absolute terms on most categories.

Nationwide peers near other household expenses

Dollar-amount and budget-share neighbours from BLS CE 2024 (this category excluded).

Similar dollar amount

Nearest other categories by 2024 average annual spending ($1,374 here).

Category 2024 avg
Cellular phone service $1,359
Other lodging $1,347
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs $1,414
Telephone services $1,460
Miscellaneous foods $1,284
Medical services $1,252
Miscellaneous $1,218
Education $1,569

Similar budget share

Nearest other categories by share of the household budget (1.7% here).

Category Budget share
Cellular phone service 1.7%
Other lodging 1.7%
Medical services 1.6%
Miscellaneous 1.6%
Miscellaneous foods 1.6%
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs 1.8%
Telephone services 1.9%
Education 2.0%

Average household budget · Methodology · BLS CEX source

Informational only - not advice. See disclaimer.

Every figure on PlainHousehold is rendered directly from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.