Average back-to-school spending per household in the U.S. 2021

The average planned back-to-school spending per household in the United States has gradually increased year-on-year to reach 848.9 U.S. dollars in 2021. This is an increase of over 350 dollars since the beginning of the survey period in 2004. According to another survey, in 2019, three quarters of respondents did back-to-school shopping in August in the United States.

Spending breakdown

In 2021, teens’ spending of their own money on back-to-school supplies averaged out at 46.46 U.S. dollars, whilst pre-teen spending averaged out at 39.19 dollars. Electronics or computer-related equipment was the biggest spending category for back-to-school shoppers in 2021. Average household spending was expected to reach around 295 U.S. dollars. Online retailers were the leading location for back-to-school shoppers to purchase such items – some 48 percent of respondents planned to undertake their shopping there. Department and discount stores ranked in second and third places.