How Much Do People Spend on Clothes? (2021–2023)
The latest apparel industry statistics reveal that overall revenue from apparel sales worldwide is forecast to rise by 2.8% in 2025, to $1.84 trillion. This will mark the fifth consecutive year of revenue growth.
These annual increases reflect growing lucrative opportunities for businesses. This is particularly true for the United States, which is the largest apparel market globally, where apparel and accessories rank among the fastest-growing consumer products.
This trend raises the question: How much do people spend on clothes in a year in the US? Official government data suggests that, much like the global trend, expenditure on apparel among US shoppers has been increasing consistently. Here’s a closer look at the average cost of clothes in recent years.
How much does the average person spend on clothes per year: table
|
Year |
Average expenditure on apparel and services |
Annual change |
Average clothing cost per month |
|
2021 |
$1,754 |
$146 |
|
|
2022 |
$1,945 |
+10.9% |
$162 |
|
2023 |
$2,041 |
+4.9% |
$170 |
How much does the average person spend on clothes in the US?
According to the latest consumer expenditures report published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American consumer spent $2,041 on apparel and services in 2023, representing a 4.9% annual increase. This approximates to an average clothing cost per month of $170.
2023’s rise in consumer expenditure on clothes reflects a marked slowdown from the previous year’s increase, which was recorded at 10.9%—from $1,754 in 2021, to $1,945 in 2022.
A deeper analysis also shows that in 2023, apparel accounted for 2.6% of the average US consumer’s total expenditure of $77,280. This represents a marginal decline from 2022, when apparel made up 2.7% of total annual expenses.
How much do people spend on clothes: annual changes by income quintile
|
Lowest quintile |
Second quintile |
Third quintile |
Fourth quintile |
Highest quintile |
|
|
Over-the-year dollar change |
$34 |
$31 |
-$79 |
$217 |
$277 |
|
Over-the-year percentage change |
3.7% |
2.5% |
-4.6% |
9.5% |
7.7% |
An analysis of clothing expenditure by income groups reveals differences in spending behavior. Consumers belonging to the lowest quintile increased their annual apparel spending by $34 in 2023, representing a 3.7% rise. Likewise, the second quintile recorded a modest $31 (2.5%) increase.
In contrast, the third quintile experienced a decline in clothing expenses, the only income group to do so. With a $79 drop, this translates to a 4.6% annual fall. Meanwhile, higher-income groups demonstrated significant growth. The fourth quintile increased apparel spending by $217, a 9.5% rise, while consumers in the highest income bracket saw the biggest dollar change, with a $277 increase, or 7.7%.
These figures highlight that higher-income consumers are driving much of the growth in apparel spending, while middle-income consumers are showing a more cautious approach.