What Are the Average Monthly Expenses for One Person?

It’s human nature to wonder how you compare to everyone else. And that goes for money, too. For instance, are you spending more or less on housing? Food? Transportation?

In total, the average single person spends about $4,641 per month, according to the most recent (2023) Consumer Expenditure Survey from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).^[1] The numbers may be slightly higher for 2024. According to 4th quarter 2024 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the average monthly spending for a single person was $4,948 per month, when seasonally adjusted.^[2]

Of course, monthly expenses will vary depending on where and how you live. Still, knowing where you stand can help you budget better and see how your spending stacks up against other people’s outflow of cash.

Here, you’ll get a sense of how much an average person might spend per month so you can consider how your own budget looks.

Average Monthly Expenses in 2025

Housing

Housing tends to consume the highest portion of monthly income. Using BLS statistics, the average spending on housing is $1,684 per month for one person.^[1] Typically, single people devote more of their monthly income to housing (around 36%) than those living as a married couple or family (around 31%).^[3]

Costs can also vary significantly depending on whether you live alone (more costly) or have one or more roommates (less costly). That’s important to consider when estimating expenses and making a monthly budget.

Where you live can also have a major impact on your monthly housing costs. A single person living in a studio will generally spend more on housing in New York City than they would in a more affordable metro area. According to RentHop, the average price for a studio (one-room) rental in New York City was $3,550 in April 2025,^[4] compared to $2,450 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.^[5]

Transportation

Transportation costs can vary depending on your mode of transport (i.e., car vs. bus vs train), as well as what region of the country you live in.

But one thing that holds true for many of us: Transportation often accounts for the second-largest budget item, after housing.

The average single person shells out around $756 per month on transportation, including car or public transportation, gas, insurance and other related expenses, according to BLS statistics.^[1] Of course, you can take steps to lower those costs as needed, like learning how to save money on gas.

Health Care

Health care expenses can vary depending on each individual’s circumstances, and can also rise and fall from one month to the next. For example, there may be some months where unexpected medical costs crop up (such as emergency care), and other months where you only need to cover insurance premiums.

What you’ll have to spend on health care will also depend on where you live and what type of insurance coverage you choose. According to the BLS survey, individuals spend an average of $367 each month on health care.^[1] That number could be higher, however, for those who aren’t covered by an employer plan.

According to the Economic Policy Institute, an individual living in Columbus, Ohio spends about $470 per month on health care, including insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs, assuming they purchase the lowest cost bronze plan on the Affordable Care Act health insurance exchange. That number rises to $696 per month for a single person living in New York City.^[6]

Recommended: How to Save Money Daily

Food

Everyone’s gotta eat, and the average single person spends about $572 on food per month, including food eaten at home as well as away from home, according to BLS data.^[1] However, the monthly cost for food for one person can vary widely depending on age, income, location, and eating habits.

While some monthly costs, like rent, are fixed, food is an area where consumers can often find savings if they need to reduce monthly spending (such as getting serious about meal planning and choosing lower cost brands at the supermarket).

Cell Phone

The average monthly cost of a cell phone plan is $141 per month, according to J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Wireless Retail Experience Study.^[7]

The good news? If your budget is particularly tight, you could spend as little as $25 a month for basic service and a monthly cap on data.

Utility Bills

After you’ve saved up and carefully budgeted to buy a home, you probably don’t want to be surprised by a higher-than-expected utility bill. The average monthly electricity bill in the U.S. is $137 per month, while the average monthly bill for natural gas runs around $69, according to Move.org.

Your monthly utilities may also include water, which runs $47 per month on average. Other monthly utility costs you may need to cover (and their average monthly costs) include: sewer ($65), trash ($62.50), and internet ($77). Americans also cough up an average of $59 monthly for streaming services.^[8]

Clothing

The average single adult spends about $123 on clothing per month, according to BLS data. If your budget is tight, this is one category where you can often pare back spending, whether by shopping your closet, hitting the sales racks, or bringing older clothes that need repairs or fit adjustments to the tailor. A clothing swap with friends can be another option.

Gym Memberships

The average gym membership runs anywhere from $10 to $100 per month, depending on location and amenities. If you can find one on the lower end of that range, it could be a good deal if you use it regularly.

If, however, you aren’t really using that membership or it’s too pricey for your budget, you could try going outside and hitting the pavement, joining an exercise meetup group, watching YouTube videos, and/or picking up some dumbbells and exercise bands to workout at home.

Recommended: Cost of Living per State

Getting Your Monthly Expenses in Check

Knowing the average cost of living can be helpful when you’re trying to determine how much of your budget you may need to allocate to different spending categories. (If you’re thinking, “What budget?” it’s likely a wise move to get busy creating a budget.)

These average monthly expenses shared above, though, are just that — averages.

To fine-tune your budget, and make sure your spending is in line with both your income and your goals, it’s a good idea to track your own spending (which means every cash/debit card/credit card payment and every bill you pay) for a month or two.

There are a few options for tracking spending. One easy method is to make all purchases for the month on one debit card or credit card, then, at the end of the month, take note of all the purchases made.

Another option is to use an app (your bank may provide a good one) that can help you log and track your spending. At the end of the month, you can then see everything you spent, as well as allocate each expense into key categories, such as housing, transportation, food, health care, etc.

You can then see how your spending compares to national averages, as well as where you might want to tweak things. For instance, if you don’t have enough at the end of the month to put any money away into your retirement fund, you might want to pare back non-essential spending (such as restaurants, clothing, gym memberships).

The same holds true if you haven’t been able to put money towards an emergency fund, which is an important safety net if you were to endure an emergency such as a job loss.

Recommended: Emergency Fund Calculator: Calculate How Much to Save

The Takeaway

Whether you’re creating a new budget or refreshing an old one, you’ve probably noticed how important (and tricky) it is to get your monthly expenses right.

Knowing the average amount people spend to live can help you figure out how your spending stacks up and, if you’re just starting out, help to ensure you’re budgeting enough for each category.

To stay on top of your money, you may want to track your daily spending for a month (or more), and then set up certain spending limits to keep your purchases in line with your income, as well as your savings goals.

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FAQ

How much should a single person spend a month?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, as spending varies based on location, lifestyle, and income. However, a general guideline is to allocate your income as follows: 50% on necessities (rent, utilities, groceries), 30% on discretionary spending (entertainment, dining out), and 20% on savings and debt repayment beyond the minimum. Adjust these percentages based on your specific needs and financial goals.

What is the average living expenses for a single person in the US?

The average living expenses for a single person in the U.S. can vary widely depending on location. According to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023), the average single person spends around $4,641 per month. This includes housing, food, transportation, health care, and other essentials.

Living in urban areas or coastal cities tends to be more expensive, while costs are lower in rural or Midwest regions. Personal choices, such as eating out frequently or owning a car, can also significantly affect monthly living expenses.

What is a good monthly personal budget?

A good monthly personal budget should prioritize essential expenses like housing, food, and utilities, while also allowing for saving and discretionary spending. A popular method is the 50/30/20 rule: 50% of your income goes to necessities, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings and debt repayment. This balanced approach helps ensure you can cover your expenses while also progressing toward long-term goals. You may need to adjust the percentages based on your specific financial situation and priorities.

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Article Sources

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Consumer expenditures in 2023.
2. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Personal consumption expenditures per capita.
3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Consumer Expenditures–2023.
4. RentHop. Average Rent in New York, NY.
5. RentHop. Average Rent in Oklahoma City, OK.
6. Economic Policy Institute. Family Budget Calculator.
7. Economic Policy Institute. Wireless Purchases Through Apps Increase, Leading to Increase of Value and Affordability Perceptions, J.D. Power Finds.
8. move.org. Utility Bills 101: Average Monthly Cost of Utilities by State and Nationally.

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