Here’s how spending habits change with age

Ask which age groups are the biggest spenders, and a lot of finger-pointing may occur. Generational debates about who spends the most, who saves the most, and who is the most financially savvy have infected the cultural lexicon over the years, especially with how unpredictable the economy has been over the past couple of decades.

To take a closer look at the shopping trends of different age groups, Giving Assistant compiled statistics collected by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics that examined spending habits of Americans in 2020. Data were collected from surveys conducted by the BLS twice per year. The values are average spending per year per “consumer unit.” A CU is generally a group of people related by blood, marriage, or adoption, but it also includes households where individuals living together are financially independent, and those living together and making financial decisions together.

The average income of CUs in all age groups was $74,949 after taxes. The mean expenditure of all CUs was $61,334.

Here’s the takeaway: People aged 35-44 were the highest spenders in the most categories, owning five out of 10 categories listed here. However, one thing to consider when looking at this reporting is the impact of the pandemic and safer-at-home and social distancing mandates, which were at their height at the time the data was collected. Several variables came into play, especially when looking at highly impacted industries like the restaurant and automotive industries.

Ready to let the finger-pointing begin? We kick off by examining which age groups dine at home. Prepare for some surprises.

- Average annual spending in 2020 for all consumer units: $4,942

- Under 25 years of age: $2,604

- Age 25-34: $4,383

- Age 35-44: $6,202

- Age 45-54: $5,783

- Age 55-64: $5,076

- Age 65-74: $4,591

- Age 75 years and older: $3,632

When COVID-19 hit, the restaurant industry took a big hit. The National Restaurant Association reported a significant drop in sales in the majority of full-service restaurants: a total 36% drop in sales. Approximately 110,000 restaurants closed amid the height of the pandemic. The trend of dining at home may have also been spurred on by factors like food delivery services, ranging from meal kits and grocery delivery to prepared meal services and restaurant delivery. Cooking become more commonplace, with many finding more time for recipe experimentation while stuck at home.

A pre-pandemic 2017 survey by The Spoon found 95% of 18-29-year-olds cook at home with about a third doing so three or four times a week. The 30-44-year-old counterparts cooked at home 92% of the time, with 28% of those instances occurring five to six times a week. As for ages 45-59, 93% cooked at home, with 29% doing so five to six times a week. The 60+ crowd came in at 92% with about a third of them doing so every day.

Overall, the survey found the older the age group, the more likely they are to cook at home.

- Average annual spending in 2020 for all consumer units: $2,375

- Under 25 years of age: $1,923

- Age 25-34: $2,665

- Age 35-44: $3,141

- Age 45-54: $3,000

- Age 55-64: $2,217

- Age 65-74: $1,696

- Age 75 years and older: $1,197

The pandemic deeply impacted restaurants with diners turning more toward their home kitchens. Several restaurants and food retailers expanded options for delivery and ordering in, with even convenience stores like 7-Eleven now offering delivery options. A report by PYMNTS found 39% of consumers feared for their health amid the height of the pandemic and relied on ordering in food to halt the risk of contagion.

This increase in demand for delivery impacted generations differently as ordering online became more widespread and normalized. Older generations were found to be slower adopters of online ordering, which may account for their lower spending habits. Baby boomers specifically have been found to cook at home more during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

- Average annual spending in 2020 for all consumer units: $478

- Under 25 years of age: $225

- Age 25-34: $481

- Age 35-44: $551

- Age 45-54: $547

- Age 55-64: $563

- Age 65-74: $462

- Age 75 years and older: $217

A common trend during the pandemic was increased alcohol consumption. Statista researched drinking based on age ranges for 2020, finding ages 21-25 topped the list with 63% identifying as current alcohol drinkers. This age group also had the highest rate of binging at 11%.  A study found that another determinant of drinking patterns was age, and that high-frequency drinking increases as we age, but more risky behavior was more likely among those aged 20-30.

Looking at which drinks each generation gravitates toward, beer remains a favorite beverage amongst all ages, per a NielsenIQ study. A shift in beer drinking noted by the study saw those under 67 moving toward craft beer.

Ages 21-36 tended to purchase wines on sale, the 37-48 crowd went for variety, with the 49-67 set leaning towards being oenophiles and purchasing based on a passion for wine. Spirits chosen by age groups saw ages 21-36 favoring vodka, 37-48 leaning towards rum, and 49-67 balancing between vodka and tequila.

- Average annual spending in 2020 for all consumer units: $21,409

- Under 25 years of age: $14,745

- Age 25-34: $21,220

- Age 35-44: $26,354

- Age 45-54: $24,425

- Age 55-64: $21,379

- Age 65-74: $18,492

- Age 75 years and older: $15,937

According to research from EBRI, a nonprofit that looks at data to support the well-being of U.S. workers and families, housing takes up the biggest category of spending across generations.

The reasons age groups purchase homes varies. A study by the National Association of Realtors found the primary reason for buying a home among all ages was simply desire. The secondary reason for ages 22-29 was a change in family situation, such as a marriage, birth of a child, or divorce. The secondary reason why those in the age range of 30-54 purchased homes was the desire for a larger home. As for ages 55-73, they wanted to be closer to loved ones. In the 74+ category, two secondary reasons for buying a home were neck-and-neck—to be closer to family and friends, and the desire for a smaller home.

- Average annual spending in 2020 for all consumer units: $1,434

- Under 25 years of age: $1,164

- Age 25-34: $1,703

- Age 35-44: $2,010

- Age 45-54: $1,884

- Age 55-64: $1,208

- Age 65-74: $960

- Age 75 years and older: $617

Price tags aren’t the only differences in how generations shop. In 2015, The New York Times cited a study from Accenture that predicted millennials, approximately ages 24-39, would spend $1.4 trillion by 2020. Per NPD, which provides businesses industry data, a third of that $1.4 trillion will go to retail purchases. Enter COVID-19, which had the McKinsey Global Fashion Index anticipating the global fashion industry’s growth slowing 3-4% below 2019 stats. What MGFI forecast in terms of consumer shifts: 70% of consumers would be taking their fashion cues from social media, which points to younger spenders.

NPD did a deep dive into two markets highly targeted for their shopping habits, ages 18-24 and 25-34. The 18-24 age group spent more money on beauty products, with ages 25-34 purchasing more accessories. Sportswear drew more of the 18-24 crowd, with the 25-34 embracing parenthood and heading to children’s clothing stores.

- Average annual spending in 2020 for all consumer units: $9,826

- Under 25 years of age: $7,300

- Age 25-34: $10,277

- Age 35-44: $12,617

- Age 45-54: $12,316

- Age 55-64: $10,287

- Age 65-74: $7,676

- Age 75 years and older: $4,205

The automotive industry has been on a wild ride since COVID-19 struck. In April 2020, U.S. sales dropped by 47%. With in-person restrictions making visits to dealerships difficult, many buyers went online for their purchases. Still, there was the issue of supply versus demand, with supply chain issues and microchip shortages adding to the delays. And with fewer people commuting to work, the necessity for owning a vehicle was not as great for many.

Another trend that sprang out of this was used car sales. Ages 35-44 were the highest spenders in this category with an average annual spend of $3,573. For car rentals, the 45-54 age group came out on top here, spending on average $952 annually.

Despite limitations in terms of access to vehicles, use of public transportation didn’t climb either, potentially due to COVID-19 restrictions. The age group that took public transportation the most was 35-44, spending an average of $335 for the year. During 2020, though, some positive changes also began, including a 43% upturn in electric vehicles.

- Average annual spending in 2020 for all consumer units: $5,177

- Under 25 years of age: $1,350

- Age 25-34: $3,320

- Age 35-44: $4,579

- Age 45-54: $5,465

- Age 55-64: $5,684

- Age 65-74: $6,695

- Age 75 years and older: $6,627

The pandemic saw the public vacillating on how to approach health care. Peterson-KFF’s Health System Tracker studied information from the National Health Expenditure and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, revealing health spending and consumption tripled from past averages, reaching $4.1 trillion. This was a 9.7% increase from 2019 to 2020.

Many chose to skip or postpone doctor visits and elective surgeries to avoid exposure to COVID-19, leading to a decline in the use of health services by 8.4%. Despite this, health care prices rose by 2.5%. The highest spenders on medical services were ages 45-54 with an annual average of $1,083.

- Average annual spending in 2020 for all consumer units: $690

- Under 25 years of age: $382

- Age 25-34: $672

- Age 35-44: $873

- Age 45-54: $590

- Age 55-64: $1,010

- Age 65-74: $597

- Age 75 years and older: $266

Stay-at-home orders amid the pandemic led to a rise in pet adoptions and purchases. The Washington Post reported on stats provided by the American Society Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. What they found in 2020: “More than 23 million American households—nearly 1 in 5 nationwide—adopted a pet during the pandemic.”

Beyond the annual average spending mentioned above, the BLS studied expenditures on toys, hobbies, and playground equipment. Who were the luckiest dogs (cats, ferrets, etc.)? Those adopted by the 35-44 age group, who spent $1,163 on average for pet toys over the course of 2020.

- Average annual spending in 2020 for all consumer units: $1,271

- Under 25 years of age: $2,264

- Age 25-34: $1,148

- Age 35-44: $1,114

- Age 45-54: $2,611

- Age 55-64: $1,259

- Age 65-74: $416

- Age 75 years and older: $497

Education was impacted greatly during COVID-19, with most classes being conducted online throughout 2020. With the enactment of President Joe Biden’s Executive Order on Supporting the Reopening and Continuing Operation of Schools and Early Childhood Education Providers, the national mission of ensuring every student in America receives a high-quality education in a safe environment was put into play. The Office for Civil Rights undertook a study on how COVID-19 deepened “divides in educational opportunity across our nation’s classrooms and campuses,” disparities that existed pre-pandemic.

In 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau conducted a Household Pulse Survey focusing on education costs for homes with school-age children. A stand-out concern was a digital disparity with online learning, with 85% of families with household incomes of $100,000+ using online resources, compared to 76.5% of families with incomes of $50,000-$99,000, and 65.8% of families with incomes less than $50,000.

This story originally appeared on Giving Assistant and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.