Consumer Expenditure Survey · BLS CE 2024 · #14 largest category
Reading spending
U.S. households spent $125/yr on reading in 2024 - 0.2% of the average budget . Up 6.8% vs 2023 ; the top income quintile outspends the bottom by 6.4×. Figures from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.
- 2024 avg
- $125
- Budget share
- 0.2%
- vs 2023
- +6.8%
CES spend plate
Line READING · Reading $125 · 0.2%
SHARE-TRACE · QUINT-ELITE · YOY-UP · REAL-EASE · REGION-NE · BOOK-TRACE
- SHARE-TRACE 0.2% of budget
- QUINT-ELITE 6.4× Q5/Q1
- YOY-UP +6.8% YoY
- REAL-EASE Below CPI
- REGION-NE Northeast leads
- BOOK-TRACE #92/99 dollars
Nearest dollar peer: Tobacco products and smoking supplies (+$227)
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 Reading
Lowest and highest poles plus nearest dollar peers among major categories, not a full-board reprint. Figures from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.
Dollar neighbourhood · Reading
Average annual spending · 2024 · poles + near peers
this line
Spending Trend (2020–2024)
Reading spending per household, 2020–2024
National average annual spending
| Year | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $125 |
| 2023 | $117 |
| 2022 | $117 |
| 2021 | $114 |
| 2020 | $114 |
Income stretch on a smaller reading line
A smaller CES line: even the top quintile is $300/yr, with the bottom at $47 (6.4× gap).
| Income Group | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Lowest 20% | $47 |
| Second 20% | $75 |
| Middle 20% | $82 |
| Fourth 20% | $122 |
| Highest 20% | $300 |
Northeast leads reading geographically
Northeast leads at $191/yr.
Lifecycle peak · 45–54
45–54 heads spend the most on this line at $183/yr - the lifecycle peak on a smaller book line.
Frequently Asked Questions (show 6)
How much does the average household spend on reading? ▼
Is reading spending increasing? ▼
How does income affect reading spending? ▼
Which region spends the most on reading? ▼
Which age group spends the most on reading? ▼
Does household size affect reading spending? ▼
Other smaller CES lines near reading
Dollar-amount and budget-share neighbours from BLS CE 2024 (this category excluded).
Similar dollar amount
Nearest other categories by 2024 average annual spending ($125 here).
| Category | 2024 avg |
|---|---|
| Fats and oils | $125 |
| Fuel oil and other fuels | $125 |
| Postage and stationery | $131 |
| Girls, 2 to 15 | $112 |
| Fresh milk and cream | $141 |
| Household textiles | $107 |
| Eggs | $105 |
| Other meats | $150 |
Similar budget share
Nearest other categories by share of the household budget (0.2% here).
| Category | Budget share |
|---|---|
| Fats and oils | 0.2% |
| Fresh milk and cream | 0.2% |
| Fuel oil and other fuels | 0.2% |
| Other meats | 0.2% |
| Postage and stationery | 0.2% |
| Small appliances and miscellaneous housewares | 0.2% |
| Toys, hobbies, and playground equipment | 0.2% |
| Cereals and cereal products | 0.3% |
Average household budget · Methodology · BLS CEX source
Informational only - not advice. See disclaimer.