Quick answer
The average US household spends approximately $6,440 per month ($77,280 per year) in 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey data adjusted for inflation.
Spending varies dramatically by household size, income, and region. A single-person urban household averages around $4,800/month. A family of four in a major metro averages $8,500+/month.
Average monthly household budget by category
Based on the most recent BLS data (2024) adjusted for inflation to 2026:
| Category | Monthly | % of budget | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $2,210 | 34% | $26,520 |
| Transportation | $1,190 | 18% | $14,280 |
| Food | $1,020 | 16% | $12,240 |
| Personal insurance & pensions | $670 | 10% | $8,040 |
| Healthcare | $560 | 9% | $6,720 |
| Entertainment | $310 | 5% | $3,720 |
| Apparel & services | $170 | 3% | $2,040 |
| Cash contributions (charity) | $230 | 4% | $2,760 |
| Miscellaneous | $80 | 1% | $960 |
| Total | $6,440 | 100% | $77,280 |
Housing: the biggest slice
Housing averages $2,210/month nationally but varies wildly:
| Region | Average monthly housing |
|---|---|
| San Francisco / Bay Area | $3,600+ |
| New York City / Boston | $3,000 to $3,500 |
| Seattle / LA / DC | $2,600 to $3,200 |
| Chicago / Denver / Austin | $1,900 to $2,400 |
| Midwest (Columbus, St. Louis, KC) | $1,500 to $1,900 |
| Small cities and rural areas | $1,100 to $1,500 |
Housing includes rent or mortgage, property tax, insurance, maintenance, and utilities.
The commonly cited “30% rule” says housing shouldn’t exceed 30% of gross income. In practice, 40% of US renters now pay more than 30% of income on housing (Harvard Joint Center data), and housing is the top driver of financial stress for middle-income households.
Transportation: the hidden budget killer
Transportation averages $1,190/month, including:
- Car payments (for those with them): average $750/month for new, $550 for used
- Gas and fuel: $200 to $300/month
- Auto insurance: $150 to $300/month
- Maintenance and repairs: $50 to $150/month
- Public transit (in cities with it): $75 to $150/month
Households with two cars often spend $1,800+/month on transportation. This is why “just buy a cheaper car” is a legitimate financial move. Downgrading from a $40K vehicle to a $20K one saves $200 to $400/month.
Food: at home vs away
Monthly food spending averages $1,020, split between:
- Food at home (groceries): $510/month on average
- Food away from home (restaurants, takeout, delivery): $510/month on average
The food-away-from-home percentage has climbed every decade. In 1990 it was about 25% of food spending. In 2026 it’s about 50%. DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart have absorbed a surprising amount of household budget.
By household size, food at home typical ranges (USDA moderate plan):
- Single adult: $320 to $460/month
- Couple: $640 to $920/month
- Family of 4 (with kids 6-11): $1,120 to $1,480/month
- Family of 4 (with teens): $1,400 to $1,800/month
Healthcare: what most people underestimate
Healthcare averages $560/month, including:
- Health insurance premiums (employer-deducted portion)
- Out-of-pocket costs: copays, deductibles, dental, vision
- Prescription drugs
- Eye care and glasses
Self-employed households pay more because they buy individual plans. Average self-employed healthcare: $900 to $1,500/month for a family.
High-deductible plan holders may have lower premiums but pay more out-of-pocket when they do need care. HSAs help smooth this.
Personal insurance and pensions
Averages $670/month. Includes:
- Social Security and Medicare taxes paid by employees (7.65% FICA)
- 401(k) and IRA contributions
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
This is the line that separates people who save from people who don’t. Households that max 401(k) contributions and save in IRAs can have this line at $1,500 to $2,500/month. Households with zero retirement savings have it at $400 to $500 (just FICA).
Entertainment
$310/month on average includes:
- Streaming services (Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, etc.): $80 to $150/month combined for most households
- Cable or live TV: $70 to $130/month (where still subscribed)
- Movies, concerts, events: variable
- Hobbies
- Books, games, subscriptions
Apparel
$170/month. Dropped from roughly $280/month in the 1990s as clothing prices fell in real terms. This includes not just apparel but also shoes, accessories, dry cleaning, alterations.
Cash contributions
$230/month. Mostly religious and charitable donations. The top quintile of households gives disproportionately; medium-income households give less.
How spending changes by household income
| Income quintile | Monthly spending |
|---|---|
| Lowest 20% (< $30K) | $2,900 |
| Second 20% ($30K to $55K) | $4,100 |
| Middle 20% ($55K to $90K) | $5,500 |
| Fourth 20% ($90K to $150K) | $7,600 |
| Top 20% ($150K+) | $13,200 |
The lowest quintile spends more than their income (negative savings) on average. The top quintile saves significantly.
How to see how you compare
Pull your last 90 days of bank and credit card statements. Categorize each transaction. Calculate monthly averages by category.
Compare your numbers to the averages above. Where you’re above average isn’t necessarily bad. A $900/month grocery bill for a family of 4 is normal. A $900/month grocery bill for a single person suggests a spending issue.
The categories to scrutinize:
- Food away from home: Over $600/month for a household of 1-2 is usually where leakage happens.
- Subscriptions: Often underestimated by 2-3x. Most people have $80 to $150/month of streaming, software, and memberships.
- Transportation: Two cars + full insurance can be $1,500+ even on modest cars.
- Housing: If over 35% of gross pay, you’re in stress territory.
Budgeting rules of thumb
Several frameworks for a healthy budget:
50/30/20
- 50% needs: Housing, transportation, groceries, utilities, insurance, minimum debt payments
- 30% wants: Dining out, entertainment, subscriptions, hobbies, shopping
- 20% savings + debt: 401(k), IRA, emergency fund, debt payoff above minimums
30/30/30/10 (alternative)
- 30% housing (including utilities)
- 30% transportation + food
- 30% savings + investing
- 10% everything else
Pay-yourself-first
Set a savings target (e.g., 20% of gross pay). Auto-transfer it on payday. Spend the rest however you want without tracking individual categories.
The “best” framework is the one you’ll actually follow for 6 months.
Regional reality check
The averages are national. Your actual costs depend on where you live.
Low cost of living areas (rural or small-city): the average household budget above may be 20-30% too high for you.
High cost of living areas (NYC, SF, LA, Seattle, DC, Boston): the average budget may be 30-50% too low. A $4,000 rent is normal in Manhattan.
Cost of living calculators (like NerdWallet’s or Bankrate’s) can adjust national averages to your metro area.
FAQ
What percentage of income should go to rent?
The traditional rule is 30% of gross income. Tighter budgets say 25%. In HCOL areas, 35% is often necessary just to have basic shelter. Budget yours based on what’s realistic for your local market and income.
What’s a good monthly grocery budget?
For one person: $300 to $500. For two: $500 to $850. Family of four: $900 to $1,500. Organic and specialty diets can push these 25-40% higher.
How much should I save per month?
Standard target is 20% of gross income toward savings, investing, and extra debt payoff combined. If you can’t hit 20%, hit whatever you can and aim to increase 1% per year.
Is my spending “normal”?
Compare to the averages in this article. Use income quintile to find the closest match. Be honest: most people think they spend average but actually spend above average on food-away-from-home and subscriptions.
How do I track my budget?
Options range from spreadsheets (free, high effort) to budget apps that pull in bank data automatically. Spew auto-categorizes your transactions and compares your spending to national averages so you know where you sit in each category. 30-day free trial, no card required.
Why is healthcare so expensive in the US?
Healthcare spending averages $560/month per household, but employer-paid premiums (which don’t show on your pay stub) average another $1,200 to $1,800/month. Total cost of US healthcare per household is closer to $2,000/month when you include what employers pay on your behalf.
Do these averages include taxes?
The BLS Consumer Expenditure figures include sales tax on purchases but exclude income taxes. Add roughly 20-30% of your gross income as an income tax/FICA line to get your total outgo.
Bottom line
The average US household spends about $6,440/month. Housing, transportation, and food account for 68% of that. Everything else fits in the remaining 32%.
If your spending is 20% higher than average in a category without a clear reason, that’s where to look first. Spew categorizes automatically and shows you each category versus national averages so you don’t have to do the spreadsheet work. 30-day free trial, no card required.