Consumer Spending Statistics 2026
This page collects 50 figures on consumer spending: total US personal consumption expenditures and retail sales, how US households split their budgets by category, prices and food costs, consumer sentiment and confidence, household debt, 2026 holiday spending forecasts, and household spending in the UK, the EU, Canada and Australia. The data run from 2024 to November 2026 and come mainly from statistical agencies (BEA, BLS, the Census Bureau, USDA, the ONS, Eurostat, Statistics Canada and the ABS) and central banks, with survey data from the University of Michigan, The Conference Board, NRF, Deloitte and the Bank of America Institute.
By the Comredix review desk · Updated November 13, 2026 · 50 numbers drawn from 21 publishers and reports
Short answer
US consumers spent $113.1 billion more in September 2026 than in August, a 0.5% rise in personal consumption expenditures according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, but prices rose 3.6% over the year so real spending barely grew. The BLS Consumer Expenditure Surveys put average household spending at $81,905 in 2025, with housing taking 33.9%, while the University of Michigan sentiment index stood at a low 51.0 in November 2026.
Headline numbers
- $113.1 billionUS personal consumption expenditures rose by $113.1 billion, or 0.5%, in September 2026, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
- $2.6 billionAfter adjusting for prices, US real PCE rose only $2.6 billion in September 2026, less than 0.1% at a monthly rate.U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
- $81,905Average annual expenditures for US consumer units were $81,905 in 2025, a 4.3% increase from 2024, according to the BLS Consumer Expenditure Surveys.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- 33.9%US consumer units spent an average of $27,790 on housing in 2025, which was 33.9% of total spending.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- 3.6%The US PCE price index rose 3.6% in the year to September 2026, and 3.1% excluding food and energy.U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
- 51.0The University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment was 51.0 in the preliminary November 2026 reading, up from 48.0 in October 2026 and level with November 2025.University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers
- $19.1 trillionTotal US household debt rose by $334 billion, or 1.8%, in Q3 2026 to $19.1 trillion, according to the New York Fed.Federal Reserve Bank of New York
- $1.013 trillionThe National Retail Federation forecasts US holiday retail sales in November and December 2026 will grow 4.2% to $1.013 trillion.National Retail Federation
Reading the numbers
US spending is growing in dollars faster than in volume. BEA reports that personal consumption expenditures rose $113.1 billion, or 0.5%, in September 2026, with services contributing $78.1 billion of the gain, but real PCE rose only $2.6 billion because the PCE price index was up 3.6% on the year. Census retail and food services sales of $745.0 billion were 6.3% above a year earlier, and Bank of America card spending per household was up 6.2%, figures that also include price growth.
The BLS Consumer Expenditure Surveys show where the money goes. The average household spent $81,905 in 2025, and housing took 33.9% of that, followed by transportation at 16.5%, food at 13.0% and personal insurance and pensions at 12.4%. Shelter spending rose 8.0% in a year when the CPI rose 2.6%. The highest income fifth spent $159,512 against $37,935 for the lowest, and USDA finds the lowest income households spend 33.0% of pre-tax income on food.
Households spend steadily while feeling poorly about it. The University of Michigan sentiment index was 51.0 in the preliminary November 2026 reading, with 57% of respondents saying high prices had eroded their living standards. The Conference Board index recovered to 91.7 in October, but its Expectations Index was 72.6 and 12-month inflation expectations were 5.8%. Debt is rising alongside: the New York Fed counts $19.1 trillion in household debt and 5.0% of it delinquent.
The holiday season and other countries show similar patterns. NRF forecasts holiday sales of $1.013 trillion, up 4.2%, and Deloitte finds households earning $200,000 or more plan to spend more than five times what those under $50,000 do. In the UK the ONS puts real household consumption up 0.6% in Q3 2026, Eurostat finds food, housing and transport take 46.0% of EU household budgets, and Canadian retail and Australian household spending both grew in late 2026.
Total US consumer spending
- 1.
US personal consumption expenditures rose by $113.1 billion, or 0.5%, in September 2026, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Personal Income and Outlays, September 2026 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Disposable personal income (DPI) —personal income less personal current taxes—increased $52.7 billion (0.2 percent), and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $113.1 billion (0.5 percent).
- 2.
Spending on services rose $78.1 billion in September 2026, more than twice the $35.1 billion increase in spending on goods.
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Personal Income and Outlays, September 2026 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The $113.1 billion increase in current-dollar PCE in September reflected increases of $35.1 billion in spending on goods and $78.1 billion in spending on services.
- 3.
After adjusting for prices, US real PCE rose only $2.6 billion in September 2026, less than 0.1% at a monthly rate.
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Personal Income and Outlays, September 2026 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Real PCE increased $2.6 billion ( less than 0.1 percent at a monthly rate) in September.
- 4.
US real GDP grew at a 3.4% annual rate in the third quarter of 2026, with consumer spending among the contributors, according to BEA's advance estimate.
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, GDP (Advance Estimate), 3rd Quarter 2026 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 3.4 percent in the third quarter of 2026 (July, August, and September), according to the advance estimate released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
- 5.
Real final sales to private domestic purchasers, the sum of consumer spending and private fixed investment, rose 4.9% at an annual rate in Q3 2026.
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, GDP (Advance Estimate), 3rd Quarter 2026 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Real final sales to private domestic purchasers , the sum of consumer spending and gross private fixed investment, increased 4.9 percent in the third quarter, compared with an increase of 4.6 percent in the second quarter.
- 6.
US retail and food services sales were $745.0 billion in September 2026, up 0.8% from August and 6.3% from September 2025, not adjusted for price changes.
U.S. Census Bureau, Advance Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services, September 2026 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for September 2026, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $745.0 billion, up 0.8 percent (±0.4 percent) from the previous month, and up 6.3 percent (±0.5 percent) from September 2025.
- 7.
US retail and food services sales for July to September 2026 were 5.5% higher than in the same period of 2025.
U.S. Census Bureau, Advance Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services, September 2026 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Total sales for the July 2026 through September 2026 period were up 5.5 percent (±0.5 percent) from the same period a year ago.
- 8.
Bank of America credit and debit card spending per household rose 6.2% year over year in September 2026, or 5.1% excluding gasoline.
Bank of America Institute, Consumer Checkpoint: Strength in numbers (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Bank of America aggregated credit and debit card spending per household rose 6.2% year-over-year (YoY), or 5.1% excluding gasoline, both the third strongest growth rates over the past four years.
US household budgets by category
- 9.
Average annual expenditures for US consumer units were $81,905 in 2025, a 4.3% increase from 2024, according to the BLS Consumer Expenditure Surveys.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditures in 2025 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Average annual expenditures for all consumer units in 2025 were $81,905, a 4.3-percent increase from 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.
- 10.
Average US household income before taxes was $110,847 in 2025, up 6.4%, while the CPI-U rose 2.6% over the same period.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditures in 2025 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Average income before taxes was $110,847 in 2025, a 6.4-percent increase from 2024. During the same period, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 2.6 percent.
- 11.
US consumer units spent an average of $27,790 on housing in 2025, which was 33.9% of total spending.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditures in 2025 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
On average, consumer units spent $27,790 on housing in 2025, which was 33.9 percent of total average annual expenditures.
- 12.
After housing, the largest shares of US household spending in 2025 were transportation at 16.5%, food at 13.0% and personal insurance and pensions at 12.4%.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditures in 2025 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The next largest shares of total expenditures were transportation (16.5 percent), food (13.0 percent), and personal insurance and pensions (12.4 percent).
- 13.
US household spending on housing rose 5.8% in 2025, driven by an 8.0% increase in spending on shelter.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditures in 2025 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Average annual expenditures on housing increased 5.8 percent in 2025, mostly due to an 8.0-percent increase in expenditures on shelter.
- 14.
Average US food spending rose 4.6% in 2025, partly because spending on meats, poultry, fish and eggs rose 11.7%.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditures in 2025 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The 4.6-percent increase in the average annual expenditures on food is due in part to an 11.7-percent increase in expenditures on meats, poultry, fish, and eggs.
- 15.
Average annual spending in 2025 ranged from $37,935 for US households in the lowest income fifth to $159,512 for those in the highest fifth.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditures in 2025 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In 2025, average annual expenditures ranged from $37,935 for consumer units in the lowest income quintile to $159,512 for consumer units in the highest income quintile
Chart
Average annual US household spending by income fifth, 2025
Average annual expenditures per US consumer unit by quintile of income before taxes, 2025.
- Lowest fifth$37,935
- Second fifth$51,405
- Middle fifth$68,983
- Fourth fifth$92,250
- Highest fifth$159,512
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditures in 2025
Prices and the cost of living
- 16.
The US PCE price index rose 3.6% in the year to September 2026, and 3.1% excluding food and energy.
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Personal Income and Outlays, September 2026 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
From the same month one year ago, the PCE price index for September increased 3.6 percent . Excluding food and energy, the PCE price index increased 3.1 percent from one year ago.
- 17.
The US Consumer Price Index rose 0.4% in October 2026, seasonally adjusted, after a 0.6% increase in September.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index, October 2026 (Nov 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in October after rising 0.6 percent in September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.
- 18.
US food prices rose 0.5% in October 2026, with food at home up 0.4% and food away from home up 0.5%.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index, October 2026 (Nov 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The food index increased 0.5 percent in October, as the food at home index rose 0.4 percent and the food away from home index increased 0.5 percent.
- 19.
US consumers spent 9.7% of their disposable personal income on food in 2025, down from 10.4% in 1997, according to USDA's Economic Research Service.
USDA Economic Research Service, Ag and Food Statistics: Charting the Essentials, Food Prices and Spending (Jun 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In 2025, U.S. consumers spent an average of 9.7 percent of disposable personal incomes on food, down from 10.4 percent in 1997.
- 20.
Food away from home took 4.9% of US disposable income in 2025, up from 4.3% in 1997.
USDA Economic Research Service, Ag and Food Statistics: Charting the Essentials, Food Prices and Spending (Jun 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The share spent on food away from home was 4.9 percent in 2025, up from 4.3 percent in 1997.
- 21.
US households in the lowest income fifth spent an average of $5,498 on food in 2024, equal to 33.0% of their before-tax income.
USDA Economic Research Service, Ag and Food Statistics: Charting the Essentials, Food Prices and Spending (Jun 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In 2024, households in the lowest income quintile spent an average of $5,498 on food (representing 33.0 percent of before-tax income).
- 22.
58% of US adults said in 2025 that changes in the prices they paid had made their financial situation worse, down from 65% in 2023, according to the Federal Reserve.
Federal Reserve Board, Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2025: Executive Summary (May 2026)
Exact wording at the source
A majority of adults (58 percent) said that changes in the prices they paid compared with the prior year had made their financial situation worse, but this share was down from 60 percent in 2024 and 65 percent in 2023.
Consumer sentiment and confidence
- 23.
The University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment was 51.0 in the preliminary November 2026 reading, up from 48.0 in October 2026 and level with November 2025.
University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers, Preliminary Results for November 2026 (Nov 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Index of Consumer Sentiment 51.0 48.0 51.0 +6.3% +0.0%
- 24.
About 57% of consumers in the University of Michigan survey said in November 2026 that high prices had eroded their living standards, up from 46% in February.
University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers, Preliminary Results for November 2026 (Nov 2026)
Exact wording at the source
About 57% spontaneously mentioned that their living standards have been eroded by high prices, the highest seen since May and up from 46% in February, just prior to the Iran conflict.
- 25.
US consumers' year-ahead inflation expectations were 4.3% in November 2026, down from 4.7% in October, according to the University of Michigan.
University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers, Preliminary Results for November 2026 (Nov 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Year-ahead inflation expectations declined from 4.7% last month to 4.3% this month.
- 26.
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index rose 7.5 points to 91.7 in October 2026, up from 84.2 in September.
The Conference Board, US Consumer Confidence, October 2026 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index ® rose by 7.5 points to 91.7 (1985=100) in October, up from 84.2 in September (a slight upward revision).
- 27.
The Conference Board Expectations Index, which tracks the short-term outlook for income, business and jobs, rose to 72.6 in October 2026.
The Conference Board, US Consumer Confidence, October 2026 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The Expectations Index —based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—recovered by 6.9 points to 72.6, only partially reversing three consecutive monthly declines.
- 28.
US consumers' average 12-month inflation expectations were 5.8% in the Conference Board's October 2026 survey.
The Conference Board, US Consumer Confidence, October 2026 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Consumers' average 12-month inflation expectations declined in October but remained elevated at 5.8%.
- 29.
73% of US adults were doing at least okay financially in 2025, a share that held steady from the year before, according to the Federal Reserve.
Federal Reserve Board, Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2025: Executive Summary (May 2026)
Exact wording at the source
At 73 percent, the share of adults "doing okay financially" or "living comfortably" held steady in 2025
Chart
Conference Board consumer confidence measures, October 2026
Index values with 1985 = 100, US consumers, preliminary October 2026 results.
- Consumer Confidence Index91.7
- Present Situation Index120
- Expectations Index72.6
Source: The Conference Board, US Consumer Confidence, October 2026
Consumer credit and household debt
- 30.
Total US household debt rose by $334 billion, or 1.8%, in Q3 2026 to $19.1 trillion, according to the New York Fed.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Household Debt Increased Moderately; Delinquency Transition Rates Remain Flat (Nov 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The report shows total household debt expanded by $334 billion, a 1.8% increase, in Q3 2026, to $19.1 trillion.
- 31.
US credit card balances rose $22 billion in Q3 2026 to $1.29 trillion, while auto loan balances rose $21 billion to $1.73 trillion.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Household Debt Increased Moderately; Delinquency Transition Rates Remain Flat (Nov 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Credit card balances rose by $22 billion and stood at $1.29 trillion, and auto loan balances increased by $21 billion to $1.73 trillion.
- 32.
5.0% of outstanding US household debt was in some stage of delinquency in Q3 2026, up 0.3 percentage points from the previous quarter.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Household Debt Increased Moderately; Delinquency Transition Rates Remain Flat (Nov 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Aggregate delinquency rates worsened in Q3 2026, with 5.0% of outstanding debt in some stage of delinquency, up 0.3 percentage points from the previous quarter.
- 33.
Aggregate US credit card limits rose by $115 billion in the third quarter of 2026.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Household Debt Increased Moderately; Delinquency Transition Rates Remain Flat (Nov 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Aggregate limits on credit cards continued to rise, with a $115 billion uptick in the third quarter.
- 34.
US consumer credit grew at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.2% in Q3 2026, with revolving credit up 4.1%, according to the Federal Reserve.
Federal Reserve Board, Consumer Credit, G.19, September 2026 (Nov 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Consumer credit increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.2 percent during the third quarter. Revolving credit increased at an annual rate of 4.1 percent, while nonrevolving credit increased at an annual rate of 4.2 percent.
- 35.
Bank of America deposit data through September 2026 show that nearly one in five households using buy now, pay later has a repayment of over $500.
Bank of America Institute, Consumer Checkpoint: Strength in numbers (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
However, nearly one in every five households that use BNPL has a repayment of over $500.
Chart
US non-housing household debt balances, Q3 2026
Outstanding balances at the end of September 2026, New York Fed Consumer Credit Panel.
- Auto loans$1.73 trillion
- Student loans$1.66 trillion
- Credit cards$1.29 trillion
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Household Debt Increased Moderately; Delinquency Transition Rates Remain Flat
Holiday spending in 2026
- 36.
The National Retail Federation forecasts US holiday retail sales in November and December 2026 will grow 4.2% to $1.013 trillion.
National Retail Federation, NRF Forecasts 2026 Holiday Sales Growth as Consumers Remain Resilient (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The National Retail Federation today released its annual holiday forecast, predicting retail sales in November and December will grow 4.2% over 2025. That translates to total spending of $1.013 trillion.
- 37.
US holiday retail sales rose 3.1% in 2025 to a total of $972 billion, according to NRF.
National Retail Federation, NRF Forecasts 2026 Holiday Sales Growth as Consumers Remain Resilient (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
By comparison, last year's holiday sales rose 3.1% over 2024 totaling $972 billion.
- 38.
NRF expects US retailers to hire between 325,000 and 375,000 seasonal workers for the 2026 holidays.
National Retail Federation, NRF Forecasts 2026 Holiday Sales Growth as Consumers Remain Resilient (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
NRF expects retailers to hire between 325,000 and 375,000 seasonal workers, in line with last year's estimated 356,000 seasonal jobs.
- 39.
US consumers surveyed by Deloitte expect to spend $1,654 on average for the 2026 holiday season, up 4% from $1,595 in 2025.
Deloitte, Deloitte: Holiday spending set to increase (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Surveyed consumers expect to spend $1,654 on average this holiday shopping season, up 4% from $1,595 in 2025, with gains primarily coming from Gen Z and millennials; both groups plan to increase spend by double digits year over year.
- 40.
Planned 2026 holiday spending on retail goods is up 10% to $988 per household, while planned spending on holiday activities is down 4% to $666, according to Deloitte.
Deloitte, Deloitte: Holiday spending set to increase (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Surveyed consumers expect their spending on retail goods to be up 10% year over year ($988), while planned spending on holiday activities is down 4% YoY ($666)
- 41.
US households earning $200,000 or more plan to spend $3,607 on the 2026 holidays, more than five times the $693 planned by households earning under $50,000.
Deloitte, Deloitte: Holiday spending set to increase (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Households earning $200K+ plan to spend $3,607 on average, more than five times the $693 expected by those earning under $50K.
- 42.
38% of US holiday shoppers in Deloitte's 2026 survey qualify as value seekers who use five or more money-saving behaviors.
Deloitte, Deloitte: Holiday spending set to increase (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Nearly 4 in 10 (38%) shoppers qualify as "holiday value seekers," adopting five or more money-saving behaviors, yet they expect to spend 12% more than others.
Consumer spending in the UK, Europe, Canada and Australia
- 43.
UK households spent an average of £676.60 per week in the financial year ending March 2025, a real-terms increase of £35.10, or 5%, according to the ONS.
Office for National Statistics, Family spending in the UK: April 2024 to March 2025 (Jun 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Average weekly household expenditure increased to £676.60, a nominal increase of £53.30 (9%) from the previous year; after accounting for inflation there was a real-terms increase of £35.10 (5%).
- 44.
The richest fifth of UK households spent £1,083.60 a week in the year to March 2025, over 2.7 times the £407.30 spent by the poorest fifth.
Office for National Statistics, Family spending in the UK: April 2024 to March 2025 (Jun 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In FYE 2025, the richest fifth of households' total expenditure was £1,083.60, which was over 2.7 times more than the poorest fifth of households at £407.30.
- 45.
UK real household final consumption expenditure rose 0.6% in Q3 2026 and was 1.8% higher than a year earlier, according to the ONS first estimate.
Office for National Statistics, GDP first quarterly estimate, UK: July to September 2026 (Nov 2026)
Exact wording at the source
There was a 0.6% increase in real household final consumption expenditure in Quarter 3 2026, and it is now estimated to have grown by 1.8% compared with the same quarter a year ago.
- 46.
In January 2026, 46.0% of EU household consumption expenditure went on food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing, water and energy, and transport, according to Eurostat.
Eurostat, What are the main expenses in EU households? (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In January 2026, almost half (46.0%) of total household consumption expenditure in the EU was spent on 3 categories: food and non-alcoholic beverages; housing, water and energy; and transport.
- 47.
Euro area household consumption rose 1.3% in Q2 2026, faster than the 1.1% rise in gross disposable income, which lowered the saving rate to 14.2%.
Eurostat, Household saving rate decreases to 14.2% in the euro area (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The household saving rate in the euro area decreased to 14.2% in the second quarter of 2026 (compared with 14.4% in the first quarter of 2026), which is explained by consumption increasing at a faster rate than gross disposable income (respectively +1.3% and +1.1%).
- 48.
Household real consumption per capita in the euro area rose 0.3% in Q2 2026 after staying flat in the first quarter, according to Eurostat.
Eurostat, Real consumption per capita increases in the euro area and the EU (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In the same period, household real consumption per capita increased by 0.3%, after having stayed stable in the previous quarter.
- 49.
Canadian retail sales rose 1.2% to $74.6 billion in August 2026, with all nine subsectors up, according to Statistics Canada.
Statistics Canada, Retail trade, August 2026 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Retail sales increased 1.2% to $74.6 billion in August. Sales were up in all nine subsectors, led by increases at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
- 50.
Australian household spending rose 0.6% in September 2026 and was 6.8% higher than in September 2025 at current prices, seasonally adjusted, according to the ABS.
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Monthly Household Spending Indicator, September 2026 (Nov 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Seasonally Adjusted 82,610.8 0.6 6.8
Questions readers ask
- How much do Americans spend each month?
- BEA reports that personal consumption expenditures rose $113.1 billion, or 0.5%, in September 2026, with $78.1 billion of the increase in services. Adjusted for prices, real PCE rose only $2.6 billion that month.
- What do US households spend the most money on?
- Housing. The BLS Consumer Expenditure Surveys found the average household spent $27,790 on housing in 2025, 33.9% of its $81,905 total. Transportation (16.5%), food (13.0%) and personal insurance and pensions (12.4%) came next.
- What percentage of income do Americans spend on food?
- USDA's Economic Research Service found US consumers spent 9.7% of disposable personal income on food in 2025, split between 4.8% for food at home and 4.9% for food away from home. Households in the lowest income fifth spent 33.0% of before-tax income on food in 2024.
- What is the current consumer confidence level?
- The University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment was 51.0 in the preliminary November 2026 reading, up from 48.0 in October. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index rose to 91.7 in October 2026 from 84.2 in September.
- How much will Americans spend on the 2026 holidays?
- NRF forecasts November and December 2026 retail sales of $1.013 trillion, up 4.2% from 2025. Deloitte's survey puts planned spending at $1,654 per household, up 4% from $1,595.
- How much do UK households spend per week?
- The ONS found UK households spent an average of £676.60 per week in the financial year ending March 2025, a real-terms rise of 5%. The richest fifth spent £1,083.60 a week, over 2.7 times the poorest fifth.
Where these numbers come from
We used primary publishers only: statistical agencies (BEA, BLS, the Census Bureau, USDA ERS, the ONS, Eurostat, Statistics Canada and the ABS), the Federal Reserve Board and the New York Fed, the organizations that run their own surveys (the University of Michigan, The Conference Board, Deloitte, NRF) and the Bank of America Institute reporting on its own card and deposit data. Every quote was refetched from the source page. Most dollar figures are nominal and include price growth; BEA's real PCE is the main inflation-adjusted measure here. Monthly and quarterly estimates are revised, and the BLS Consumer Expenditure Surveys missed October and November 2025 collection because of the federal funding lapse. Confidence indexes use different questions and base periods, so the Michigan and Conference Board levels are not comparable. Bank of America data cover its own customers, and holiday figures are forecasts or planned spending, not actual sales. We store the sentence each number appears in, and a script loads the publisher's page again to make sure that sentence is still there. Our methodology has the details.
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. Monthly Household Spending Indicator, September 2026 (Nov 2026).
- Bank of America Institute. Consumer Checkpoint: Strength in numbers (Oct 2026).
- Deloitte. Deloitte: Holiday spending set to increase (Oct 2026).
- Eurostat. What are the main expenses in EU households? (Sep 2026).
- Eurostat. Household saving rate decreases to 14.2% in the euro area (Oct 2026).
- Eurostat. Real consumption per capita increases in the euro area and the EU (Oct 2026).
- Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Household Debt Increased Moderately; Delinquency Transition Rates Remain Flat (Nov 2026).
- Federal Reserve Board. Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2025: Executive Summary (May 2026).
- Federal Reserve Board. Consumer Credit, G.19, September 2026 (Nov 2026).
- National Retail Federation. NRF Forecasts 2026 Holiday Sales Growth as Consumers Remain Resilient (Oct 2026).
- Office for National Statistics. Family spending in the UK: April 2024 to March 2025 (Jun 2026).
- Office for National Statistics. GDP first quarterly estimate, UK: July to September 2026 (Nov 2026).
- Statistics Canada. Retail trade, August 2026 (Oct 2026).
- The Conference Board. US Consumer Confidence, October 2026 (Oct 2026).
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Personal Income and Outlays, September 2026 (Oct 2026).
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. GDP (Advance Estimate), 3rd Quarter 2026 (Oct 2026).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Consumer Expenditures in 2025 (Sep 2026).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Consumer Price Index, October 2026 (Nov 2026).
- U.S. Census Bureau. Advance Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services, September 2026 (Oct 2026).
- University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. Preliminary Results for November 2026 (Nov 2026).
- USDA Economic Research Service. Ag and Food Statistics: Charting the Essentials, Food Prices and Spending (Jun 2026).
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Comredix. (2026, November 13). Consumer Spending Statistics 2026. https://comredix.com/consumer-spending-statistics
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