In Your 30s? Here’s What the Average Household Spends

When budgeting or splurging, it’s natural to wonder whether your spending habits are “normal.” For most people, the only benchmark is friends or family. But that’s a narrow comparison.

National data offers a much clearer perspective. Thanks to the latest Consumer Expenditure Survey from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), we can see how much the average household spends each year by age group—and precisely where that money goes.

Average Spending for Households in Their 30s

Households led by someone ages 30 to 39 spend an average of $85,114 per year, according to the BLS’ 2024 survey. That works out to about $7,093 per month. Note that the figures reflect average spending across all households in each age group—not just those reporting a specific expense.

The total for households age 30–39 reflects a decade when income is often rising—but so are obligations. For many households, the 30s bring higher fixed costs tied to housing, transportation, and family life.

As the chart shows, spending climbs sharply from the 20s into the 30s, as households take on mortgages or higher rents, larger grocery bills, and more recurring expenses. While the 30s aren’t the peak spending years overall, they mark a clear shift from early-career budgets to more established—and more expensive—financial commitments.

Those higher annual totals aren’t just about lifestyle upgrades. They often reflect structural changes: forming households, expanding families, and locking in long-term costs that shape monthly budgets for years to come.

Housing and Transportation Take the Biggest Share

The BLS also breaks down spending by major category. The chart below shows average monthly expenditures for households led by someone in their 30s.

For these households, the largest expenses are fixed, recurring, and often difficult to trim.

Housing—meaning mortgage payments, rent, and other direct shelter costs—averages $1,537 per month, making it the single largest expense. Separate housing-related costs such as utilities and household operations add hundreds more each month.

Transportation ranks second at $1,187 per month. Car payments, insurance premiums, fuel, maintenance, and public transportation costs add up quickly—particularly in households with two working adults or growing families.

Another notable finding: Spending on life insurance and retirement contributions averages $1,030 per month, exceeding food at home. This category includes retirement account contributions as well as certain personal insurance premiums, such as life and non-government disability insurance. It does not include health insurance, auto insurance, or homeowners’ coverage, which fall under other categories.

Food at home averages $893 per month, with another $475 spent on food away from home. Utilities and household operations account for an additional $614, underscoring how day-to-day home costs extend beyond rent or mortgage payments alone.

What This Spending Pattern Means for Households in Their 30s

The BLS data reveals several clear themes:

• Roughly half of total spending goes toward housing and transportation—two large, recurring expenses that are often difficult to reduce once they’re locked in.
• Spending tends to rise throughout the decade. As incomes grow, expenses often climb alongside them. Childcare costs, larger homes, lifestyle upgrades, and higher healthcare expenses can all contribute to that upward shift.
• Financial planning becomes more forward-looking in this stage of life. Households in their 30s typically increase retirement contributions and purchase personal insurance policies, signaling a stronger focus on long-term security.

For many Americans, the 30s are a defining financial decade. Higher wages often come with greater responsibility—and more pressure to balance present needs with future goals. The habits formed during these years, from saving to housing decisions, can play an important role in shaping long-term financial stability.