With the clothing prices going up significantly over the past few years, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the Cities Where People Spend the Most & Least on Clothes to highlight where Americans’ wallets are strained the most when purchasing apparel.
To determine where consumers spend the most and least relative to their earnings, WalletHub analyzed the average prices of a men’s dress shirt, a pair of boys’ jeans and a pair of women’s slacks in 100 of the largest cities, then compared them to the cities’ median household incomes.
| Highest % of Income Spent | Lowest % of Income Spent | |
| 1. Detroit, MI (3.93%) | 91. Denver, CO (1.10%) | |
| 2. Cleveland, OH (3.38%) | 92. Huntington Beach, CA (1.09%) | |
| 3. Birmingham, AL (3.26%) | 93. Santa Clarita, CA (1.08%) | |
| 4. Baton Rouge, LA (2.86%) | 94. Irvine, CA (1.00%) | |
| 5. Wichita, KS (2.85%) | 95. Henderson, NV (1.00%) | |
| 6. New Orleans, LA (2.64%) | 96. Chandler, AZ (0.93%) | |
| 7. Cincinnati, OH (2.62%) | 97. Scottsdale, AZ (0.90%) | |
| 8. Lubbock, TX (2.56%) | 98. Fremont, CA (0.89%) | |
| 9. Newark, NJ (2.53%) | 99. San Jose, CA (0.84%) | |
| 10. Houston, TX (2.52%) | 100. Gilbert, AZ (0.79%) | |
To view the full report and your city’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/
“In certain cities, a family can expect to shell out close to 4% of the median monthly household income just for a pair of women’s slacks, a men’s dress shirt and a pair of boys’ jeans. In the cities where people spend the most, residents typically face high prices in conjunction with low incomes.
Since clothing purchases can be so expensive, consumers should always ask themselves if a purchase is really necessary. They should also consider sales, coupons, buying used, clothing swaps and other ways to reduce the pressure on their wallets.”
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“Detroit has the most expensive clothing prices relative to what residents earn. Buying a men’s dress shirt, a pair of boys’ jeans, and a pair of women’s slacks costs an average of around $130. That’s 3.9% of the city’s median monthly household income, and the highest percentage in the country. For comparison, in the least expensive city, Gilbert, AZ, where those same purchases would cost residents just $80.25. That’s only around 0.8% of the median monthly income.”
- Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst
Expert Commentary
What tips do you have to help people avoid overspending on clothes?
“People should set themselves a monthly or quarterly clothing budget they can afford and stick to it. Buyers on a budget should also avoid falling into fashion traps where they feel the need to buy designer clothing. Many stores offer cheaper ‘dupes’ (look-alike) clothing that are similar to expensive name brands. Bargains are also available in thrift stores and buyers should take advantage of sales.”
David (Steve) Heesacker – Business Instructor; Faculty Advisor, Central Carolina Community College
“It is very easy to overspend on clothing. Before you buy new items, take inventory of your current wardrobe. Categorize your clothing so that you know how many items of clothing you have for different types of contexts (i.e., work, leisure, etc.). This is a good time to donate or sell the items that you no longer use or no longer reflect your current sense of style. Be intentional about structuring your wardrobe. Once you have determined what items your wardrobe may be missing, consider opting for a few high-quality, versatile pieces that you can collect over time as your budget allows. Once you feel your wardrobe suits your needs and reflects your current style, consider adopting a system that requires you to donate, sell, or trash an item of clothing if you purchase a new item.”
Michelle Kruger, Ph.D., CFP® – Part-Time Lecturer, University of Georgia
How important is budgeting when it comes to saving money on clothes?
“Effective budgeting is essential across all spending categories. To prevent incurring debt, it is advisable to maintain expenditures within one’s financial capacity. While establishing an annual or monthly clothing budget may present challenges, setting limits for individual shopping trips can facilitate adherence to financial goals. Additionally, allocating specific price ranges for different types of clothing items (such as $20–60 per shirt or t-shirt) can support more disciplined purchasing decisions. Nonetheless, it is important to acknowledge that shopping for apparel can contribute positively to personal well-being. Accordingly, a balanced approach should be pursued that considers both budgetary constraints and the value of personal satisfaction.”
Fahri Karakaya, Ph. D. – Emeritus Professor, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
“Budgeting is critical for people with a finite amount of funds available for clothing needs. Purchasing fashionable clothing can become addictive just like gambling or the urge to collect certain things (shoes or sneakers are good examples). I once bought four custom made suits in South Korea just because they looked great although I rarely ever wore suits for work or otherwise. Overspending on clothes can result in shortfalls in other budgeted areas such as car payments, electric bills, insurance or rent. Having the discipline to adhere to an established spending limit is important to keep a financial plan in balance.”
David (Steve) Heesacker – Business Instructor; Faculty Advisor, Central Carolina Community College
How do you think the current social and economic environment is influencing household spending on clothes decisions?
“With current economic uncertainty and increased prices, many consumers are choosing to tighten discretionary spending on items such as clothing. Some consumers are choosing to purchase fewer but higher-quality items while others are choosing to enter the clothing resale market to see what is available.”
Michelle Kruger, Ph.D., CFP® – Part-Time Lecturer, University of Georgia
“Uncertainty about the rate of inflation or impact of possible tariffs can impact spending decisions on many items, including clothes. Some people may feel the need to buy wardrobe items as soon as possible to avoid potential price increases, while others may delay purchases until there is greater clarity on prices. The cost of other essential items can also impact buying decisions if rising prices exceed budgeted amounts in areas other than clothing.”
David (Steve) Heesacker – Business Instructor; Faculty Advisor, Central Carolina Community College
Tips for Saving Money on Clothing
- Look for sales and coupons: Clothing prices are usually a lot higher than the cost to make the items. Clothing store sales can save you a significant amount of money compared to the sticker price. There are also many stores that offer coupons, so it’s worth taking the time to look for them and apply them at checkout.
- Budget carefully: If you know how to budget well, you’ll be clear on how much you can afford to spend on your clothing purchases, and can set aside an appropriate amount of money. When you make your budget, you can add essential clothing purchases in with your “needs” while putting expensive luxury items in last with your “wants.” You also might not need to budget money for clothing every month.
- Buy used: Consignment stores and thrift shops are great places to find low-cost clothing. Although the quality will be inconsistent, you should be able to find some fantastic items if you take the time to look.
- Join local community groups: Check out local community groups on social media, like “Buy Nothing” groups, where people often give away used or even new clothes for free.
- Limit your designer clothing purchases: A shirt with a designer logo can be tens or even hundreds of dollars more than a different shirt of the same quality. Choosing not to buy big clothing brand names can save you a lot of money.
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