See How Much the Average American Is Spending on Fourth of July 2024

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Americans ringing in the Fourth of July will be doing so on a budget, following what appears to be a growing pattern for spending during long holiday weekends in Summer 2024.

Using data aggregated in GOBankingRates’ May 2024 survey, we’re taking a closer look at how much the average American will spend this July 4th, how this spending compares to the recent Memorial Day 2024 weekend and what Americans that plan to shop during the Fourth of July weekend will be buying this summer.

How Much Will the Average American Spend This Fourth of July?

GOBankingRates polled a sample size of 999 American respondents asking those that plan to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday weekend how much money they would spend. A combined 47% of respondents said they planned to keep their budgets to $99 or less. 

Within that combined 47%, 28% of respondents said they didn’t want to exceed more than $50 spent on July 4th. The remaining 19% said they planned to keep their holiday spending between $51 to $99. 

Comparing Fourth of July Spending To Memorial Day 2024 Spending

The percentages cited for Fourth of July spending in 2024 are fairly similar to the amount of money surveyed Americans planned to spend on Memorial Day weekend.

As a refresher, a combined 52% of respondents told GOBankingRates they would keep their Memorial Day spending under $99. When broken down, 29% of respondents said they would keep their spending under $50. Meanwhile, 23% planned to stay within the $50 to $99 spending range. 

So far, the data suggests that the majority of Americans wouldn’t spend more than $100 on Memorial Day weekend in 2024. And while the percentage is quite close to the halfway point for Fourth of July spending at 47%, the 5% gap may allude to slightly more wiggle room afforded in spending plans.

The Number One Thing Fourth of July Shoppers Are Buying This Year

Forget fireworks or red, white and blue apparel. This Fourth of July, more than 80% of Americans planning to celebrate the holiday will be buying food.

Here’s what the shopping breakdown looks like for every age range.

• Ages 18 to 24: 61.06%
• Ages 25 to 34: 71.97%
• Ages 35 to 44: 80.12%
• Ages 45 to 54: 86.51%
• Ages 55 to 64: 91.74%
• Ages 65 and over: 91.59%

Food also emerged as the top category among Americans shopping during Memorial Day weekend. The percentages were similar to those spending during the Fourth of July with no noticeable gaps made in comparison. 

The largest gap, at 5%, was for ages 18 to 24. As noted above, 61% of these Americans will spend money on food during the July 4th weekend compared to 56% spending during the Memorial Day weekend.

Food aside, there were two runner-up categories for spending during the Fourth of July weekend this year. 

Outdoor essentials took second place at 36% with Americans planning to buy grills and patio furniture. (Presumably for food preparation and enjoyment purposes: one cannot exist without the other for holiday weekend festivities.) Summer essentials, at 31%, took third place. These include spending money on sunscreen, beach towels and pool accessories.

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