Consumer Expenditure Survey · BLS CE 2024

Public and other transportation spending

U.S. households spent $1,131/yr on public and other transportation in 2024 - 1.4% of the average budget . Up 3.2% vs 2023 ; the top income quintile outspends the bottom by 5.5×. Figures from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.

2024 avg
$1,131
Budget share
1.4%
vs 2023
+3.2%

CES spend plate

Line PUBLIC-AND-OTHER-T · Public and other transportation $1,131 · 1.4%

SHARE-TRACE · QUINT-ELITE · YOY-UP · REAL-BURDEN · REGION-NE · BOOK-MID

  • SHARE-TRACE 1.4% of budget
  • QUINT-ELITE 5.5× Q5/Q1
  • YOY-UP +3.2% YoY
  • REAL-BURDEN Above CPI
  • REGION-NE Northeast leads
  • BOOK-MID #40/99 dollars

Nearest dollar peer: Gasoline and other fuels (+$1,514)

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 Public and other transportation

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 · Public and other transportation

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)

Public and other transportation spending per household, 2020–2024

National average annual spending

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

$200$400$600$800$1,000$1,200 20202021202220232024 $1,131
Year Annual Amount
2024 $1,131
2023 $1,096
2022 $845
2021 $452
2020 $263

Income stretch · mid-book public and other transportation

Mid-book CES line: income still stretches 5.5× from $472 (bottom quintile) to $2,593 (top).

Income Group Annual Amount
Lowest 20% $472
Second 20% $456
Middle 20% $875
Fourth 20% $1,250
Highest 20% $2,593

See full income breakdown →

Northeast leads public and other transportation geographically

Northeast leads at $1,750/yr.

Region Annual Amount
Midwest $1,013
Northeast $1,750
South $729
West $1,468

See full regional breakdown →

Lifecycle peak · 45–54

45–54 heads spend the most on this line at $1,437/yr.

Age Group Annual Amount
25–34 $903
35–44 $1,218
45–54 $1,437
55–64 $1,262
65–74 $1,159
75 and older $831
Under 25 $628

See full age breakdown →

Frequently Asked Questions (show 6)
How much does the average household spend on public and other transportation?
The average American household spent $1,131 on public and other transportation in 2024, according to the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey. This represents 1.4% of total household spending.
Is public and other transportation spending increasing?
Public and other transportation spending increased by 3.2% from 2023 to 2024 ($1,096 to $1,131). Over 5 years (2020–2024), it changed by +330.0%.
How does income affect public and other transportation spending?
The lowest income quintile spends $472/year on public and other transportation, while the highest quintile spends $2,593/year, a 5.5x difference. Higher-income households spend more in absolute terms but may allocate a smaller share of their budget.
Which region spends the most on public and other transportation?
The Northeast region spends the most at $1,750/year, while the South region spends the least at $729/year on public and other transportation.
Which age group spends the most on public and other transportation?
Households headed by someone in the 45–54 age group spend the most on public and other transportation at $1,437/year.
Does household size affect public and other transportation spending?
Yes. 1 Person households spend $734/year on public and other transportation, while 4 People households spend $1,550/year. Larger households generally spend more in absolute terms on most categories.

Nationwide peers near public and other transportation

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

Similar dollar amount

Nearest other categories by 2024 average annual spending ($1,131 here).

Category 2024 avg
Miscellaneous household equipment $1,089
Pets, toys, hobbies, and playground equipment $1,069
Miscellaneous $1,218
Medical services $1,252
Maintenance and repairs $984
Miscellaneous foods $1,284
Personal care products and services $978
Audio and visual equipment and services $965

Similar budget share

Nearest other categories by share of the household budget (1.4% here).

Category Budget share
Miscellaneous household equipment 1.4%
Pets, toys, hobbies, and playground equipment 1.4%
Maintenance and repairs 1.3%
Audio and visual equipment and services 1.2%
Fees and admissions 1.2%
Fruits and vegetables 1.2%
Personal care products and services 1.2%
Medical services 1.6%

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.