Americans Spend More on Taxes Than Housing and Food, Data Shows

Americans pay more in taxes than they spend on food, clothing and shelter combined, according to data from the Committee to Unleash Prosperity (Lean Right bias) and a report from the US Treasury.

The Details: In an X post, economist and co-founder of Unleash Prosperity, Stephen Moore, shared a chart that estimated Americans paid about $8.19 trillion in taxes in 2025, compared to roughly $7.39 trillion spent on food, clothing and housing combined. The chart estimated Americans paid $2,691 billion in state and local taxes and $4,401 billion in federal income taxes, including $2,599 billion in federal personal income taxes in 2025. This is compared to an estimated $3,801 billion in housing and utilities; $1,530 billion in food at home; $1,495 billion in restaurants and accommodation, and $562 billion in clothing and footwear.

Data Framing: The data corroborated a recent a Treasury report shared by Real Clear Markets (Lean Right) showing individual income taxes increased 7% in the first nine months of the fiscal year to $136 billion. Unleash Prosperity used the data to argue that the government is too "big and bloated," and that "taxes make life less affordable."

Pressure to Increase Taxes: Real Clear Markets outlined the findings in the Treasury report. According to the outlet, total federal taxes have increased 57% from 2018 to 2025, with individual income taxes up nearly 60% and corporate tax revenue increasing 120%. The outlet said that the massive increase in taxes "is not enough for big government supporters" as "virtually every Washington interest group is calling on Congress to raise taxes even more to 'fund our unmet needs.'" It argued that "Congress should put a cap on total federal taxes and make every American's life more affordable."

The Iran War: The Center for American Progress (Lean Left) reported on the impact of the Iranian war on American spending. It reported that five of the top oil and gas companies have brought in $65.5 billion in profit this year – up 65% from last year – writing, "While Trump's war is driving up costs for consumers, oil and gas companies have been making enormous profits at the expense of everyday Americans and their families." The Center argued this isn't a coincidence, but part of President Trump's agenda to "enrich the industry" after he accepted millions of dollars in campaign donations from the oil and gas industry. It concluded by saying, "The first step in bringing energy prices down for American consumers is to stop the Trump administration's reckless and unnecessary war in Iran."

Affordability Challenge: Affordability continues to be a top issue for Americans, driven by increasing tax rates, the cost of living and an increase in gas prices amid the Iranian war. In April, a Pew Research Center (Center) survey found that 60% of US adults believed they paid more in federal taxes than is fair – up from 56% in 2023. A recent report by the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation found that 90% of respondents identified groceries and food prices as their biggest cost concern, ahead of housing and healthcare.

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