📊 American Spending Statistics

33%

Average housing cost as percentage of income

16%

of households spend on transportation

$5,111

Average monthly household expenses

78%

of Americans live paycheck to paycheck

60%

of Americans can't cover a $1,000 emergency from savings

6%

Average retirement savings rate for American workers

The Expense Comparison Tool is designed for financial enthusiasts who enjoy analyzing their spending patterns and challenging themselves to optimize. By comparing your expenses to national averages, you can identify where you stand, celebrate your wins, and spot opportunities for improvement—not because you should match arbitrary benchmarks, but because the data reveals where your money flows and whether those flows align with your goals.

This tool transforms abstract spending into concrete comparisons. High performers often find motivation in metrics and benchmarks, using data to fuel continuous improvement. If you're the type who gets energized by tracking, analyzing, and optimizing your finances, this comparison provides the feedback loop you need to push your financial discipline to the next level.

💰 Your Annual Household Income

Total Annual Household Income

Include all sources: salary, bonuses, side income, investment income, etc.

📝 Your Monthly Expenses

Enter Your Monthly Spending

Enter your average monthly spending in each category. Be as accurate as possible for the best comparison.

Rent/mortgage, property tax, HOA, maintenance
Car payment, gas, insurance, maintenance, public transit
Groceries and dining out
Life, health, disability (if not payroll deducted)
Out-of-pocket medical, dental, prescriptions
Subscriptions, hobbies, recreation, travel
Electric, gas, water, internet, phone
Credit cards, student loans, personal loans (beyond minimums)
401(k), IRA, and other retirement contributions
Clothing, personal care, miscellaneous

🧠 Understanding the Data

💡 How to Interpret Your Results

The national averages shown here represent median American household spending based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The professional guidance percentages are based on widely-cited financial planning standards from organizations like the CFP Board, major financial institutions (Fidelity, Vanguard), mortgage lenders (28/36 rule), and financial advisor consensus. Keep these important considerations in mind:

  • Cost of Living Varies: If you live in New York City or San Francisco, your housing costs will naturally exceed national averages. Compare to your local market, not just national data.
  • Life Stage Matters: Young families with children have different expense patterns than empty nesters or retirees. Healthcare costs increase with age while child-related expenses decrease.
  • Income Drives Spending: Higher-income households typically spend more in absolute dollars across most categories, even if percentages remain similar.
  • Values Are Personal: Spending more on what you value (travel, hobbies, quality food) while less on what you don't (fashion, cars, entertainment) is perfectly reasonable if it aligns with your priorities.
  • The Goal Isn't Average: Being "below average" in every category isn't necessarily better. The goal is intentional spending aligned with your values and financial goals.

Use this tool to identify outliers and ask yourself: "Is this spending pattern serving my long-term goals, or is there an opportunity to reallocate resources?"

📊 Visual Comparison

National Average Spending

$5,111/month

Your Monthly Spending

$0/month

🎯 Personalized Spending Analysis

Enter your income and expenses above to receive personalized insights and recommendations.

🎯 Key Takeaways

  • Enter your income and expenses above to receive personalized takeaways based on your spending patterns.