How much does the average person spend on streaming services?

How Much Does the Average Person Spend on Streaming Services?

In recent years, streaming services have become a staple of entertainment for many households. As new platforms emerge and existing ones raise their prices, it's easy to lose track of how much you're actually spending on streaming subscriptions. So, just how much does the average person spend on these services? Let's dive into the numbers and explore ways to manage and optimize your streaming expenses.

Understanding the Average Spend

As of 2024-2025, the average person in the U.S. spends approximately $40 to $45 per month on streaming services, translating to roughly $500 annually. This figure reflects a combination of multiple subscriptions per household and rising subscription prices across major platforms.

Subscription Counts and Costs

• U.S. Streaming Subscriptions: As of Q2 2025, there were 339 million streaming subscriptions in the U.S. The average household subscribes to about 4.1 paid streaming services.
• Price Increases: The average monthly cost for the top 10 paid streaming services increased by 12% in 2025 due to inflation💡 Definition:General increase in prices over time, reducing the purchasing power of your money. and rising content costs. For instance, HBO Max raised its standard subscription price to $18.49/month.

Popular Streaming Services and Costs

Here's a breakdown of typical costs for popular streaming services as of 2025:

Despite economic pressures, premium💡 Definition:The amount you pay (monthly, quarterly, or annually) to maintain active insurance coverage. streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+ account for 79% of all subscriptions, showing strong consumer loyalty.

Real-World Scenarios

Let's consider a few real-world scenarios to understand how these costs add up:

1. Typical Household Setup: A household with subscriptions to Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video might spend around $40-$50 monthly. This aligns with the national average when considering recent price hikes.

2. Niche Preferences: Some consumers prioritize niche services, such as sports streaming, while cutting back on general entertainment platforms. For example, ESPN+ subscribers may shift their budget💡 Definition:A spending plan that tracks income and expenses to ensure you're living within your means and working toward financial goals. towards more comprehensive entertainment options💡 Definition:Options are contracts that grant the right to buy or sell an asset at a set price, offering potential profit with limited risk..

3. Selective Subscriptions: Many users maintain one or two "must-have" services, such as Netflix, and occasionally subscribe to others based on specific content interests or seasonal releases.

Common Considerations

• Subscription Fatigue: Consumers are beginning to reduce the number of streaming services they subscribe to, which may affect average spending trends.
• Bundling and Sharing: Many users 💡 Definition:Equity represents ownership in an asset, crucial for wealth building and financial security.share💡 Definition:Stocks are shares in a company, offering potential growth and dividends to investors. accounts or subscribe through bundles (e.g., Amazon Prime Video with other Amazon services), which can lower effective per-service costs but complicate average spending estimates.
• Ad-Supported vs. Ad-Free: Ad-supported tiers are generally cheaper but may affect user experience and retention differently.

Bottom Line

Streaming services have become an integral part of modern entertainment, but keeping track of costs is essential. With the average person spending roughly $40 to $45 per month, it's important to regularly review your subscriptions. Consider the following steps to optimize your streaming expenses:

• Evaluate Usage: Regularly assess which services you use the most and consider cancelling those you rarely watch.
• Explore Bundles: Look into bundled services or family plans that might offer savings💡 Definition:Frugality is the practice of mindful spending to save money and achieve financial goals..
• Opt for Ad-Supported Plans: If you don't mind occasional ads, opting for a cheaper, ad-supported plan could save money.

By staying informed and making strategic decisions, you can enjoy your favorite content without overspending.