As inflation strains an increased number of household budgets, many financial advisers are finding that the 60/30/10 budgeting method is a better fit for households than the long-standing 50/30/20 budgeting model.
The 50/30/20 rule, created by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren in her book All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan, has been a gold standard for budgeting since 2006. The method advises individuals to allocate 50% of their income towards necessities, 30% towards “wants” and 20% towards savings and paying down debt.
However, many individuals may find that 50% of their income just isn’t enough to cover all necessary expenses. This is why the new model can work better for a growing number of individuals who spend a higher portion of their monthly income on necessities.
For example, the number of cost-burdened (when a household has a cost ratio of over 30%) renter-occupied households was 21 million in 2023, or roughly half of the 42.5 million renter households in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent report.
That marks an increase of nearly 1 million households since 2021. The number of severely cost-burdened households (when a household has a cost ratio of over 50%) reached about 21.5 million in 2023, up sharply from prior years and setting a new record for severe housing affordability stress.
Andrew Harris, managing director at Jenius Bank tells Kiplinger: "The 60/30/10 budgeting method is a flexible alternative to the traditional 50/30/20 rule, which may be a better option for many consumers in today’s inflated economy. With half of Americans paying more than 30% of their income on housing (let alone additional necessities), they must reevaluate their financial priorities and adapt their budgets for the current times."
Average American household budget
Here’s a look at how the average American household breaks down its annual spending across major budget categories, according to the most recent Consumer Expenditure Survey from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Average household income: $104,207
- Total household spending: $78,535
- Food: $10,169
- Housing: $26,266
- Transportation: $13,318
- Healthcare: $6,197
- Entertainment: $3,609
Overall, the largest annual expenditures go toward housing, accounting for about 34% of total household spending. Transportation makes up roughly 17% of the budget, while food represents about 13%. Healthcare accounts for nearly 8% and entertainment just under 5%.
Even though inflation has cooled from its 2022 peak, prices for essentials like housing, transportation, and food remain elevated, continuing to take up a significant share of the average American household budget. That’s why an alternative budgeting approach can often be a better fit for households trying to manage rising fixed costs and preserve flexibility.
How does the 60/30/10 budgeting method work?
When using the 60/30/10, you’ll allocate 60% of your monthly income towards essential expenses, such as gas, utilities, groceries and rent. You'll designate 30% of your income for discretionary spending, such as shopping or dining out, and the final 10% is either put in savings or used to pay off high-interest debt.
This method of spending is particularly well-suited for younger individuals who have more time to save for long-term goals, as well as those who live in high-cost cities like New York or Los Angeles, shares Harris.
If you live in one of the most expensive cities in the U.S., there's a good chance a large portion of your income each month goes to housing alone.
The average rent in New York, NY is $4,034 per month — 148% higher than the national average rent price of $1,624/month, according to Apartments.com. In San Jose, CA? The average rent is $2,638 per month — 62% higher than the national average. And that's just housing costs.
In high-cost cities like New York City, overall living expenses can run well more than double the national average once you factor in groceries, transportation, taxes and everyday services.
Making the 60/30/10 rule work for your priorities
One downfall of the method, however, is that it doesn't allocate as much money towards savings as the 50/30/20 model does. And a savings category is still essential to any budget.
"It’s widely recommended that consumers put away 15% of their pre-tax earnings for retirement, so the 10% goal isn’t far off from the recommended amount, Harris tells Kiplinger. "The 60/30/10 rule may be suitable for all consumers depending on their individual goals and situations but may appeal more to younger generations who can adjust their contributions as their income increases. Though saving may fall lower on the list of priorities for young people, the benefits of compounding, in savings accounts as well as investments, could pay off later."
However, while using the 60/30/10 can be a great starting point for budgeting, Harris advises individuals to tailor their budget towards their unique financial situation and priorities.
For example, older individuals may want to prioritize savings over spending, leading them to trim down the 30% allocation on discretionary spending and save more for retirement.
Once you establish a budget that works for you, it's important to regularly revisit it to ensure it aligns with your actual spending, current savings goals and any major life changes.
"In your financial wellness journey, it's crucial to identify the values and priorities that will guide your money decisions moving forward," says Harris. By doing so, you can break them into "manageable steps" and incorporate them into your overall budget.
