The Average U.S. Household's Expenses Are About $78,535 A Year —Yet The Average Annual Salary is Just $67,080

The numbers don't lie. They just don't add up. In 2024, the average American household spent $78,535—and that figure comes directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which released its annual Consumer Expenditures report in December But inflation didn't stop when the calendar flipped. While spending data hasn't caught up yet, costs clearly have. Food prices rose 3% over 2025, outpacing overall inflation. Specific essentials like coffee and beef surged by nearly 20%. Even with inflation cooling to an a ...