What Does It Cost To Live in The White House and Who Pays the Bill?
Written by
Caitlyn Moorhead
Edited by
Mark Shrayber
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Unlike the average American, President Donald Trump doesn’t have to worry about paying for rent or utility bills while living in The White House. Though this is a pretty ideal financial setup, he is still responsible for paying many of his other expenses out-of-pocket. However, when your housing, transportation, utilities and even a majority of meals are covered, just how much does it cost to live in The White House?
The personal expenditures will vary by president and family, yet there are some hefty tabs for which the American taxpayer consistently has to ante up. For example, it is estimated that the annual cost of maintenance for Trump’s current home ranges from $750,000 to $1.6 million. That’s a pretty substantial number, and the paint alone can cost more than $20,000.
Considering the U.S. Department of Treasury pays the president using money from taxes and fees, technically even the personal expenses of the person in the Oval Office are covered by taxpaying Americans. Congress authorizes the president’s salary, but here is what it costs to keep the president paid:
- Presidential salary: $400,000
- Expense allowance: $50,000
- Travel account: $100,000
- Entertainment budget: $19,000
Keep reading to find out more about how the president spends his salary.
Things the President Still Has To Personally Cover Financially
The big-ticket items you may have to factor into your monthly budget are typically covered for the president, but this doesn’t mean everything is included for him. Here are a few examples of out-of-pocket expenses for the commander-in-chief.
Groceries and Household Items
The chef may be included, but the food cost isn’t. Former First Lady Michelle Obama, upon finding out that she and the president had to foot the grocery bill, thought it was more than fair but was still surprised. She said, “It’s a little shocking, because no one tells you this stuff. Rent is free, staff is free — we shouldn’t be mooching off of the taxpayers.”
A majority of household items are also part of any current White House resident’s expenses. Though they don’t have to pay for utility bills such as water, electricity or gas, they do have to stock the personal quarters with toilet paper, toothpaste and other essentials needed around the house.
Personal Clothing and Dry Cleaning
Being the president or first lady comes with the expectation of looking a certain way. However, all designer clothing and hairstyling are considered personal expenditures and therefore not paid for with everyone’s taxes.
In her book, “Spoken From the Heart,” former First Lady Laura Bush said that she was not prepared for all the expenses that came along with being a White House resident. “There were some costs that I was not prepared for. I was amazed by the sheer number of designer clothes that I was expected to buy, like the women before me, to meet the expectations for a first lady,” she said.
Those designer duds aren’t going to clean themselves either, and all dry cleaning costs for personal wardrobe items are not included in the benefit package. There is a lot of dirty laundry in politics, so to speak, so this could get pricey.
Vacations
The travel account may come with a $100,000 budget, which is much more than your average per diem, but that doesn’t mean all trips are included. In fact, vacation accommodations such as hotels, rental houses and meals are paid for by the president and family members. This excludes trips to Camp David or traveling for work, which is a big part of the job description of course.
Some Interior Design
If the Trumps want to do any redecorating while they’re living in the White House, they may also have to foot the bill for that. The president’s family is given a $100,000 stipend for redecorating, but they must pay for anything above that themselves, according to The White House Historical Association. While that may seem like a lot of money to the average taxpayer, it has been exceeded before.
Private Events and Staff
The cost for official receptions is also covered (at least partially) by Congress, but for private events, food and beverages are paid for by the president himself. He also foots the bill for the hourly wages and cleaning services and staff. The $19,000 entertainment budget is allocated for expenses, but outside of private affairs.
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