Public and other transportation Spending
How much American households spend on public and other transportation — 2024 data from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey
Spending Insight: Public and other transportation
American households spent an average of $1,131 on public and other transportation in 2024, representing 1.4% of total consumer expenditures. This marks a notable 3.2% increase from 2023 ($1,096), outpacing general inflation and suggesting growing consumer prioritization of this category.
Since 2020, public and other transportation spending has risen by 330% (from $263 to $1,131), substantially exceeding cumulative inflation over the same period — a real increase in household burden.
Income is the strongest predictor of public and other transportation spending: the top income quintile spends $2,593/year versus $472 for the lowest quintile — a 5.5x gap. Regionally, the Northeast spends the most ($1,750/year) while the South spends the least ($729/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 | $1,131 |
| 2023 | $1,096 |
| 2022 | $845 |
| 2021 | $452 |
| 2020 | $263 |
By Income Level (2024)
How public and other transportation spending varies across income quintiles
| Income Group | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Lowest 20% | $472 |
| Second 20% | $456 |
| Middle 20% | $875 |
| Fourth 20% | $1,250 |
| Highest 20% | $2,593 |
By Region (2024)
Geographic variation in public and other transportation spending
By Age Group (2024)
How public and other transportation spending changes across the lifecycle
By Household Size (2024)
| Size | Annual |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $734 |
| 2 People | $1,301 |
| 3 People | $1,326 |
| 4 People | $1,234 |
| 5 or More | $1,550 |
By Housing Tenure (2024)
| Tenure | Annual |
|---|---|
| Homeowner (with mortgage) | $1,305 |
| Homeowner (no mortgage) | $1,395 |
| Renter | $1,186 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the average household spend on public and other transportation? ▼
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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.
