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For many people, the new year is a time of new year's resolutions made with an aim towards building new habits, such as eating better, getting more exercise, or perhaps less smoking or drinking alcohol. Other resolutions may include spending more time reading (instead of browsing random websites, except the BLS website of course), saving money, or giving more to charities. These lifestyle modifications may require adjustments in household spending. With that in mind, here's a look at average household spending in various categories.
Average annual consumer expenditures (in dollars), selected categories, 2010–2024
Year
Food at home
Food away from home
Cash contributions to churches and other religious organizations
Cash contributions to charities and other organizations
Alcoholic beverages at home
Alcoholic beverages away from home
Sports, recreation, and exercise equipment
Social, recreation, and health club memberships
Tobacco products and smoking supplies
Reading
2010
3,624
2,505
661
160
222
190
127
121
362
100
2011
3,838
2,620
649
216
242
214
145
122
351
115
2012
3,921
2,678
734
234
249
202
145
127
332
109
2013
3,977
2,625
699
212
261
184
126
144
330
102
2014
3,971
2,787
704
215
249
214
143
156
319
103
2015
4,015
3,008
784
213
290
225
131
166
349
114
2016
4,049
3,154
747
397
267
217
152
179
337
118
2017
4,363
3,365
765
277
278
280
179
188
332
110
2018
4,464
3,459
789
242
293
290
151
197
347
108
2019
4,643
3,526
805
290
316
263
151
206
320
92
2020
4,935
2,375
806
481
331
147
188
169
315
114
2021
5,259
3,030
829
500
305
249
282
212
341
114
2022
5,703
3,639
889
495
286
297
218
228
371
117
2023
6,053
3,933
799
445
294
343
231
257
370
117
2024
6,224
3,945
781
322
269
374
225
272
352
125
Household spending on food at home in 2024 averaged $6,224, compared with $3,945 for food away from home (which in addition to restaurant meals also includes delivery and takeout meals). Spending on alcoholic beverages for use at home averaged $269 in 2024, while alcoholic beverages away from home was $374.
Some people exercise at a gym or health club, others invest in exercise equipment for use at home. Spending for social, recreation, and health club memberships averaged $272 in 2024. Spending for sports, recreation, and exercise equipment was $225. In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, these proportions were reversed, with spending for equipment outpacing spending for memberships.
Eating healthier and exercising may require spending, but if people are able to economize, they may have more money to give to good causes. Contributions to churches and other religious organizations averaged $781, while contributions to charities and other organizations were $322 in 2024.
These data are from the Consumer Expenditure Surveys. To learn more, see “Consumer Expenditures — 2024.” In these data households are defined as consumer units, which consist of families, single persons living alone or sharing a household with others but who are financially independent, or two or more persons living together who share major expenses.
United States Department of Labor
