How much spending money do you think the average household has after bills?

Seeking Advice Forum
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Hi, I would like to know how much money a middle-class or lower-class household typically spends. once all payments have been paid, excluding gas for the car and groceries. I am curious how people are doing because I have been researching inflation a lot and everything is so costly right now, especially with interest rates so high. Every search I do yields the same, well, if you make this much money you should spend x x x% on these things, but I am interested in the actual figures.

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Sixty percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, with a median residual income of zero. The average amount of leftover money might be misleadingly large due to the influence of a few affluent individuals, as is the case with average savings, retirement funds, investments, and net worth. If you are “average” in these areas, you are better off than almost 80% of the population.

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I appreciate your response. It’s surprising how disconnected some people who are average or above average seem to be from what’s really happening right now.

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My wife and I each spend $25 per week. We pay all of our expenses and have savings accounts. We make sure to spend every dollar wisely and only buy things that we have saved up for.

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Hi Maxwel! I totally get where you’re coming from; it’s tough to find real numbers when everything just gives percentages. On average, a middle-class household in the U.S. might spend around $3,000 to $4,500 a month on various expenses after paying for housing, utilities, insurance, and other fixed costs, excluding gas and groceries. For lower-class households, this number is typically lower, around $1,500 to $2,500 a month, focusing mainly on necessary expenses and often having less discretionary spending. These figures can vary widely depending on location, family size, and specific circumstances, but I hope this gives you a clearer picture of what people are actually spending. Inflation and high interest rates definitely make budgeting more challenging, so it’s great that you’re staying informed and curious about how others are managing.