Water and other public services Spending
How much American households spend on water and other public services — 2024 data from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey
Spending Insight: Water and other public services
American households spent an average of $826 on water and other public services in 2024, representing 1.1% of total consumer expenditures. This marks a notable 5.9% increase from 2023 ($780), outpacing general inflation and suggesting growing consumer prioritization of this category.
Since 2020, water and other public services spending has risen by 21.1% (from $682 to $826), substantially exceeding cumulative inflation over the same period — a real increase in household burden.
Income is the strongest predictor of water and other public services spending: the top income quintile spends $1,236/year versus $474 for the lowest quintile — a 2.6x gap. Regionally, the West spends the most ($1,080/year) while the Northeast spends the least ($659/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 | $826 |
| 2023 | $780 |
| 2022 | $739 |
| 2021 | $695 |
| 2020 | $682 |
By Income Level (2024)
How water and other public services spending varies across income quintiles
| Income Group | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Lowest 20% | $474 |
| Second 20% | $670 |
| Middle 20% | $803 |
| Fourth 20% | $945 |
| Highest 20% | $1,236 |
By Region (2024)
Geographic variation in water and other public services spending
By Age Group (2024)
How water and other public services spending changes across the lifecycle
By Household Size (2024)
| Size | Annual |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $532 |
| 2 People | $952 |
| 3 People | $846 |
| 4 People | $972 |
| 5 or More | $1,040 |
By Housing Tenure (2024)
| Tenure | Annual |
|---|---|
| Homeowner (with mortgage) | $1,090 |
| Homeowner (no mortgage) | $1,177 |
| Renter | $975 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Spending Guides
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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.
