How much should 1 person spend a month?

Asked by: Anthony Feil III  |  Last update: February 4, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (37 votes)

The average monthly expenses for one person in 2022 were $3,693, up 8.5% from 2021. That translates into an increase of $287.75 per month. The 2022 average for annual expenses was $44,312. That is less than half of the average expenses for a family of four, which was over $100,000.

How much does the average single person spend a month?

A single person household spends an average of $4,641 on monthly expenses. Married couples without kids spend an average of $7,390 on monthly expenses. A family of four spends an average of $8,450–9,817 on monthly expenses (depending on kids' ages).

How much money does one person need for a month?

General living expenses for a comfortable living standard

It depends on lifestyle and personal preferences. However, to be comfortable you can expect to spend £1,500-£2,000 per month of your net income.

How much should I spend on myself a month?

Enter Your Monthly Income

50% of your net income should go towards living expenses and essentials (Needs), 20% of your net income should go towards debt reduction and savings (Debt Reduction and Savings), and 30% of your net income should go towards discretionary spending (Wants).

What is a good grocery budget for 1 person for a month?

Averages look at foods many people commonly purchase, such as eggs, dairy, meat, bread, and produce items. For a single person, the average grocery bill can range, depending on age and gender, between $238.46 to $434.33.

How Much Should One Person Spend On Food A Month? - South America Travel Pros

20 related questions found

What is the 50 30 20 rule?

Those will become part of your budget. The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

Is 100 a week on food too much?

A rough rule of thumb is to allow about $100 a week per person in your household, but the overall amount shouldn't be more than one-third of your household's after-tax income. Plan meals. Save money and time by planning meals for a few days or a week. This will also help reduce food waste.

How much should a single person save per month?

For many people, the 50/30/20 rule is a great way to split up monthly income. This budgeting rule states that you should allocate 50 percent of your monthly income for essentials (such as housing, groceries and gas), 30 percent for wants and 20 percent for savings.

What is considered fun money?

💸 Fun money is just what it sounds like — cash for things that make you and your family happy. Your fun money can go toward all sorts of things: a vacation, a night on the town, or buying clothes you don't need but really want.

What is the 60 20 20 rule?

If you have a large amount of debt that you need to pay off, you can modify your percentage-based budget and follow the 60/20/20 rule. Put 60% of your income towards your needs (including debts), 20% towards your wants, and 20% towards your savings.

Can a single person live on $1000 a month?

Bottom Line. Living on $1,000 per month is a challenge. From the high costs of housing, transportation and food, plus trying to keep your bills to a minimum, it would be difficult for anyone living alone to make this work. But with some creativity, roommates and strategy, you might be able to pull it off.

What is a good monthly income for a single person?

A good monthly income in California is $5,002, based on what the Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that Californians pay for their cost of living. A good monthly income for you will depend on what your expenses are and how much you typically spend per month.

Can one person eat on $100 a month?

To stick to a budget of $100 a month, or $25 a week, you'll have to eat for less than $4 each day. For breakfast, try a bowl of oatmeal with half a banana and a scrambled egg, which should cost less than a dollar. Get into the habit of repackaging ingredients from dinner for lunches the next day.

What is a reasonable monthly budget?

NerdWallet advocates the 50/30/20 budget. With this formula, you aim to devote 50% of your take-home pay to needs like rent and insurance, 30% to wants like vacations and entertainment, and 20% to debt repayment and savings.

How much is clothing a month for a single person?

Question: What is the average clothing costs per month for 1 person in the U.S.? Answer: According to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average clothing costs per month for 1 person in the United States is approximately sixty-seven dollars ($67.00), as shown on the chart below.

What is lazy money?

The term lazy money refers to funds you've earmarked for retirement that are not actively working to generate returns. One of the most common examples of lazy money is cash that's sitting in a low-interest savings account, earning minimal interest.

What is the 50 20 30 rule?

The 50-30-20 budget rule states that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on needs and obligations that you must have or must do. The remaining half should dedicate 20% to savings, leaving 30% to be spent on things you want but don't necessarily need.

What is good money at 25?

Average Salary for Ages 25-34

For Americans ages 25 to 34, the median salary is $1,107 per week or $57,564 per year. That's a big jump from the median salary for 20- to 24-year-olds. As a general rule, earnings tend to rise in your 20s and 30s as you start to climb up the ladder.

How much should 1 person spend per month?

The average monthly expenses for one person can vary, but the average single person spends about $3,405 per month. Housing tends to consume the highest portion of monthly income, with the average annual spending on housing at $1,885 per month per person.

Can you live on $4,000 a month?

$4000 a month isn't anywhere close to the poverty line unless you're living in like NY or SF. It's almost 4x above the poverty line on a federal level. If you make that much and don't live in a big city you should be counting your blessings.

Is saving $500 a month good?

Investing $500 a month can lead to significant long-term growth, thanks to the power of compounding returns. Whether you are just starting out or adding to an existing portfolio, consistently investing $500 each month can help you build substantial savings for future goals, like retirement or a down payment on a house.

What is the 80 rule food?

The 80/20 rule is super simple: you focus on eating healthy foods 80% of the time and allow yourself to indulge in not-so-healthy foods for the remaining 20%. It's all about striking a balance—getting your body the nutrition it needs while still enjoying your favorite treats without feeling guilty.

What is a realistic food budget for a week?

For a low-cost budget for a family of four, you can plan on spending $246.10 a week or about $1,066.20 a month. Moderate-cost plan. For a moderate budget for a family of four, you would spend $304.30 a week for groceries or $1,318.80 a month. Liberal budget.

What is the average grocery budget for one person?

The cost of groceries for an average person can vary widely depending on their regional location, shopping habits, age, dietary requirements and biological sex. On average, the cost of food for a single adult male with a moderate USDA food budget is $445 a month, while a single adult female is approximately $385.