Aug 17, 2026 - Education
Southern families expect to spend $800+ on back-to-school shopping, survey says
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U.S. families expect to spend nearly $1,000 on average on back-to-school shopping this year, according to a PwC survey.
- Nearly half expect to spend more than they did last year.
State of play: The national average is $922, which includes clothes, tech, equipment for after-school activities, books, school supplies and other one-time purchases.
- Prices are higher, classroom needs have changed and kids have more say over what families buy — including requests for pricier items.
Reality check: The spending doesn't stop once school starts.
- Households nationwide plan to spend $635 a month on recurring expenses like meals, snacks and tutoring, per PwC.