The average American household spent $9,826 on transportation in 2020, which accounted for 16% of all annual household expenditures.
July 25, 2022The average American household spent $9,826 on transportation in 2020, which accounted for 16% of all annual household expenditures. Transportation expenditures include vehicle purchases, gasoline and motor oil, other vehicle expenses (maintenance, insurance, etc.), and public transportation costs. For households with incomes between $50,000 and $59,999, transportation accounted for 18% of total expenditures – the highest share of any income group. While those in the highest income group spent more on transportation overall, it made up only 13.3% of their household expenditures, the lowest share of any income group.
![Annual Household Expenditures on Transportation and Transportation Share of Total Expenditures by Household Income, 2020](/sites/default/files/styles/full_article_width/public/2022-07/FOTW_1248.png?itok=brdlp97E)
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey Tables, Table 1203 Income Before Taxes.