What You Spend on Fun Costs More Than Most Young People

Looks like the younger folks aren’t making as much cash as the last few generations, even after accounting for inflation. Gen Zers, born between 1997 and 2012, are dealing with more bills than millennials had at the same age, according to the data. Rent and debt may be chipping away at a big chunk of their income, but there’s another sneaky expense on the rise – the cost of entertainment.

A 2025 survey found that Gen Z entertainment spending averages $157 per month ($1,884 per year). Over half spend between $1 and $110 monthly, and another 21.2% spend $51 to $80, with only 4% spending over $700. This covers streaming, music, gaming, and similar stuff. Government data from 2023 backs this up, showing folks under 25 spend $1,835 a year or $153 a month on average on entertainment. So if your monthly entertainment costs more than $160, you’re spending more than most Gen Zers.