This page explores how U.S. consumers are feeling and spending, combining sentiment signals with real household cost pressures. We track changes in confidence and optimism, then connect them to balance-sheet realities like overall debt, credit card balances, and student loan burdens. You’ll also see how spending varies by category—housing, food, apparel, and transportation—then follow how demographics and channels shape what people buy.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. Consumer Confidence Index stood at 98.4 in May 2024, down from 102.0 in April, reflecting mixed sentiment on business conditions
- 68% of consumers reported feeling optimistic about their personal finances in Q1 2024, up 3% from Q4 2023
- Consumer sentiment index from University of Michigan was 69.1 in June 2024, indicating ongoing concerns over inflation
- Total U.S. household debt reached $17.5 trillion in Q1 2024, up 1.2% QoQ
- Credit card debt hit $1.13 trillion in Q1 2024, highest since 2011, averaging $6,501 per borrower
- Student loan balances totaled $1.61 trillion for 42.6 million borrowers in Q1 2024
- In 2023, U.S. consumer spending on food at home reached $1.2 trillion, representing 7.8% of total personal consumption expenditures
- The average U.S. household spent $8,289 on housing in 2022, accounting for 33% of total expenditures
- Consumer outlays on apparel and services totaled $438 billion in 2023, up 4.2% from 2022
- In 2023, 38% of U.S. population aged 18-34 were millennials driving 45% of consumer purchases
- Baby boomers (55+) accounted for 52% of U.S. luxury goods spending in 2023
- Gen Z (18-24) represented 21% of online shoppers with 2.5x higher mobile usage in 2023
- E-commerce sales reached $1.1 trillion in U.S. 2023, 15.2% of total retail
- 80% of U.S. online shoppers used mobile devices for purchases in 2023
- Amazon captured 37.6% of U.S. e-commerce market share in 2023
Consumer confidence is uneven as optimism rises for personal finances but inflation concerns and rising debt remain pressures.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Confidence And Sentiment30 stats
01
The U.S. Consumer Confidence Index stood at 98.4 in May 2024, down from 102.0 in April, reflecting mixed sentiment on business conditions
02
68% of consumers reported feeling optimistic about their personal finances in Q1 2024, up 3% from Q4 2023
03
Consumer sentiment index from University of Michigan was 69.1 in June 2024, indicating ongoing concerns over inflation
04
42% of U.S. consumers planned to increase spending in 2024, per Deloitte survey
05
The Conference Board Expectations Index fell to 71.4 in May 2024, signaling recession fears among consumers
06
55% of consumers expressed confidence in job market stability in 2024 NPR/PBS poll
07
U.S. consumer optimism hit 77.5 on the CNBC index in Q2 2024, highest since 2022
08
37% of consumers anticipated higher inflation in next 12 months per March 2024 Fed survey
09
PYMNTS Consumer Sentiment Tracker showed 48% positive view on economy in April 2024
10
61% of global consumers felt financially secure in 2023 PwC survey, U.S. at 58%
11
U.S. consumer confidence rebounded 20% in present situation index to 141.3 in May 2024
12
52% of consumers reported reduced spending due to economic uncertainty in 2024 Edelman
13
Michigan sentiment preliminary June 2024 at 65.6, down amid election concerns
14
45% of U.S. adults optimistic about 2024 economy per Ipsos poll January 2024
15
Consumer comfort index from Bloomberg rose to 70.1 in June 2024
16
39% of consumers feared recession in Q2 2024 per Bankrate survey
17
U.S. consumer sentiment improved to 78.8 on Conference Board measure in June 2024 prelim
18
67% of millennials confident in finances vs 49% boomers in 2024 EY survey
19
Expectations index at 72.8 in June 2024 Michigan final
20
51% consumers plan major purchases in 2024 despite caution, per Numerator
21
Consumer confidence gap widened to 25 points between rich and poor in 2024
22
44% reported better personal finances year-over-year in May 2024 Conference Board
23
U.S. consumer misery index at 22.5% in 2024, blending unemployment and inflation
24
62% of consumers somewhat/very confident in savings per 2024 Northwestern Mutual
25
Sentiment index current conditions at 88.1 in June 2024 Michigan
26
73% of high-income consumers optimistic vs 41% low-income in 2024 Deloitte
27
47.9 index points for May 2024, Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index (U.S.)
28
60.8 index points for June 2023, Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index (U.S.)
29
100.2 index points for June 2022, Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index (U.S.)
30
129.7 index points for June 2021, Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index (U.S.)
Interpretation
Consumer Confidence And Sentiment Interpretation
Overall consumer confidence and sentiment in 2024 look mixed, with major surveys pulling in different directions such as the U.S. Consumer Confidence Index falling to 98.4 in May from 102.0 in April while only 42% of consumers planned to increase spending and the University of Michigan index stayed at 69.1 in June, reflecting ongoing inflation and recession worries.
report visual · Projection
U.S. Consumer Confidence fell from 2019 levels to 2024 lows
Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index (U.S.) declined sharply over time, with the lowest level in May 2024 (47.9) and the earlier peak in June 2019 (131.3), showing a sustaine
131 index points
Start
-18.26%
CAGR · 5y
47.9 index points
Projected
20242029
source-verifiedconference-board.org2024
02 · Category
Consumer Debt And Financial Health20 stats
01
Total U.S. household debt reached $17.5 trillion in Q1 2024, up 1.2% QoQ
02
Credit card debt hit $1.13 trillion in Q1 2024, highest since 2011, averaging $6,501 per borrower
03
Student loan balances totaled $1.61 trillion for 42.6 million borrowers in Q1 2024
04
Mortgage debt stood at $12.44 trillion in Q1 2024, with delinquency rate 0.62%
05
Auto loan debt reached $1.61 trillion, average balance $23,029 per borrower in 2024
06
Personal loan debt averaged $16,493,with 46 million borrowers in Q1 2024
07
U.S. consumer delinquency rate rose to 3.2% on credit cards in Q1 2024
08
Debt payment as % of disposable income was 9.7% in Q1 2024, lowest since 2000
09
78% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck per 2024 LendingClub survey
10
Average consumer credit limit utilization hit 47% in Q1 2024
11
Subprime auto loan delinquencies reached 7.1% 60+ days past due in Q1 2024
12
Household net worth grew to $156.2 trillion but debt service ratio 11.8% in Q1 2024
13
43% of credit card holders carried balance >$1,000 in 2024
14
Total revolving debt up 5.5% YoY to $1.134 trillion March 2024
15
Median household debt $48,500excluding mortgage in 2023 SCF data
16
Buy now pay later debt outstanding $60 billion with 25% users behind in 2024
17
Credit scores averaged 715 in 2024, down from 718 in 2023 per FICO
18
11 million consumers have debt in collections averaging $1,120 in 2024
19
Household debt-to-GDP ratio 74.5% in Q1 2024
20
Non-housing debt per capita $37,650in 2024 estimates
Interpretation
Consumer Debt And Financial Health Interpretation
U.S. households ended Q1 2024 with $17.5 trillion in total debt, and the pressure is especially visible in revolving and other consumer obligations as credit card debt rose to $1.13 trillion, the highest level since 2011 and averaging $6,501 per borrower, signaling tightening consumer financial health.
03 · Category
Consumer Spending Habits30 stats
01
In 2023, U.S. consumer spending on food at home reached $1.2 trillion, representing 7.8% of total personal consumption expenditures
02
The average U.S. household spent $8,289on housing in 2022, accounting for 33% of total expenditures
03
Consumer outlays on apparel and services totaled $438 billion in 2023, up 4.2% from 2022
04
U.S. consumers allocated 16.5% of their budgets to transportation expenses averaging $9,826 per household in 2022
05
Spending on entertainment by American households averaged $3,312annually in 2022, a 12% increase from 2021
06
In 2023, healthcare spending by consumers hit $577 billion, or 8.1% of PCE
07
Average annual spending on personal care products was $902per U.S. household in 2022
08
U.S. consumer spending on education services reached $171 billion in 2023
09
Households spent an average of $2,914on utilities in 2022, comprising 11.7% of non-housing costs
10
Alcoholic beverages consumption expenditure averaged $577per household in 2022
11
In 2023, U.S. PCE on recreational goods and vehicles was $284 billion, up 5.1%
12
Average spending on tobacco products was $335per smoking household in 2022
13
Consumer spending on reading materials averaged $127annually per household in 2022
14
U.S. households spent $1,614on cash contributions in 2022
15
Personal care services expenditure averaged $572per household in 2022
16
In 2023, food away from home spending totaled $1.1 trillion, 12.3% of PCE
17
Average miscellaneous expenditure was $1,036per U.S. household in 2022
18
U.S. consumer spending on furniture and furnishings was $152 billion in 2023
19
Households spent $2,563on vehicle purchases average in 2022
20
Spending on legal services averaged $438per household in 2022
21
In 2023, PCE for pharmaceuticals was $465 billion
22
Average pet-related spending was $1,381per pet-owning household in 2022
23
U.S. consumers spent $76 billion on jewelry in 2023
24
Household spending on shoes averaged $379in 2022
25
In 2023, sporting goods sales reached $92 billion, up 3.5%
26
Average spending on toys and games was $412per household with children in 2022
27
U.S. PCE on motor vehicle parts was $68 billion in 2023
28
Households spent $1,240on gasoline average in 2022
29
Consumer spending on cosmetics was $18 billion in 2023
30
Average insurance premiums paid by households were $11,746in 2022
Interpretation
Consumer Spending Habits Interpretation
In 2023, U.S. consumer spending stayed broadly resilient with food at home at $1.2 trillion and healthcare rising to $577 billion, while apparel and services climbed to $438 billion and overall budgets still prioritized essentials like housing at 33% of total expenditures.
More related reading
04 · Category
Demographic Consumer Trends20 stats
01
In 2023, 38% of U.S. population aged 18-34 were millennials driving 45% of consumer purchases
02
Baby boomers (55+) accounted for 52% of U.S. luxury goods spending in 2023
03
Gen Z (18-24) represented 21% of online shoppers with 2.5x higher mobile usage in 2023
04
Hispanic consumers grew to 19% of U.S. population, spending $2.8 trillion annually in 2023
05
Women made 80% of consumer purchasing decisions, influencing $20 trillion globally in 2023
06
Urban millennials spent 28% more on dining out than suburban peers in 2023
07
African American buying power reached $1.6 trillion in 2023, up 10% YoY
08
Seniors (65+) comprised 17% of population but 25% of healthcare spending in 2023
09
Gen Z parents spent 15% more on organic foods averaging $450/month in 2023
10
Asian Americans (7% population) had highest median income $98,174 driving premium purchases in 2023
11
Rural consumers aged 25-44 spent 22% more on vehicles than urban in 2023
12
LGBTQ+ consumers (5-7% U.S.) spent $1.2 trillion with 20% higher brand loyalty in 2023
13
Single-person households (28% total) averaged $45,000 spending vs $60,000 families in 2023
14
Low-income (<$50k) made 40% of discount store purchases in 2023
15
High-income (>$100k) households drove 35% of travel spending $250B in 2023
16
Gen X (45-60) controlled 31% of U.S. wealth, spending heavily on home improvements in 2023
17
College-educated consumers spent 50% more on tech gadgets averaging $1,200/year in 2023
18
Empty nesters (55-64) spent $15,000avg on leisure travel in 2023
19
Young families (25-34 with kids) allocated 18% budget to childcare $12,000 avg in 2023
20
Boomers in suburbs spent 2x more on gardening products $2,500avg in 2023
Interpretation
Demographic Consumer Trends Interpretation
For the Demographic Consumer Trends, millennials (18 to 34) made up 38% of the U.S. population yet drove 45% of consumer purchases in 2023, showing that this cohort is punching above its weight in shaping mainstream demand.
05 · Category
E Commerce And Digital Consumption21 stats
01
E-commerce sales reached $1.1 trillion in U.S. 2023, 15.2% of total retail
02
80% of U.S. online shoppers used mobile devices for purchases in 2023
03
Amazon captured 37.6% of U.S. e-commerce market share in 2023
04
Digital video game sales hit $59.5 billion globally, U.S. 48% share in 2023
05
62% of consumers used buy-now-pay-later services online, totaling $96B in 2023 U.S.
06
Streaming services revenue reached $47 billion in U.S. 2023, 85% subscription-based
07
Social commerce sales grew 32% to $67 billion in U.S. 2023
08
57% of Gen Z made purchases via TikTok/Instagram in 2023
09
U.S. online grocery sales surged 13% to $100 billion in 2023
10
Voice commerce transactions expected $40 billion via smart speakers in 2023 U.S.
11
72% of consumers read reviews before online buys, influencing 93% decisions in 2023
12
Cross-border e-commerce hit $785 billion globally, U.S. imports 25% in 2023
13
Mobile app downloads for shopping apps reached 2.9 billion in U.S. 2023
14
Subscription e-commerce grew 18% to $120 billion U.S. revenue 2023
15
41% abandoned carts due to high shipping costs in 2023 online surveys
16
Live-stream shopping sales $50 billion projected U.S. 2023
17
AR try-on features boosted conversion 94% for beauty e-comm in 2023
18
U.S. online luxury sales $68 billion in 2023, 20% growth
19
Email marketing drove 42% of e-commerce revenue in 2023 U.S.
20
Headless commerce platforms grew 25% adoption among retailers 2023
21
Sustainable product searches online up 65% YoY to 2023 peak
Interpretation
E Commerce And Digital Consumption Interpretation
In 2023, e commerce and digital consumption were increasingly mobile and subscription driven, with 80% of U.S. online shoppers using mobile for purchases and streaming services reaching $47 billion in revenue with 85% coming from subscriptions.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Marcus Engström. (2026, February 13). Consumer Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/consumer-statistics
MLA
Marcus Engström. "Consumer Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/consumer-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Engström. 2026. "Consumer Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/consumer-statistics.
Sources & references
1 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level