As clothing costs continue to rise, a new WalletHub study highlights where Americans are spending the biggest — and smallest — chunk of their income on apparel.
With inflation hitting fashion alongside food and fuel, WalletHub ranked all 50 states based on how much people spend on clothes relative to their median household income. The data reveals sharp contrasts across the U.S., showing that location plays a key role in clothing affordability.
Kentucky Tops the List for Clothing Burden
Kentucky ranks as the most expensive state for clothing when factoring in household income. A basic wardrobe of:
- One men’s dress shirt
- One pair of women’s slacks
- One pair of boys’ jeans
costs Kentucky residents $125, or 2.4% of the state’s median monthly income. That’s the highest percentage in the country, making clothing far more burdensome for families in the Bluegrass State.
In contrast, Nevada has the lowest burden, with the same clothing items costing $69.23, or just 1.1% of the monthly median income.
New York: High Prices, Mid-Ranking Impact
New York didn’t land at either extreme but still showed signs of strain:
- Average clothing cost: $102.77
- Percentage of monthly income: 1.46%
- Rank: 35th for men’s shirts, 12th for women’s slacks, and 19th for boys’ jeans
This places New York near the national average, but the high base prices reflect the state’s overall elevated cost of living.
Expert Tips to Cut Clothing Costs
WalletHub analysts and university experts offered practical tips to stay stylish without overspending:
- Set a clothing budget: Avoid impulse buys by assigning a set amount monthly or quarterly.
- Shop during sales: Major retailers offer deep discounts during clearance events.
- Buy secondhand: Thrift stores and online consignment shops often carry quality items at a fraction of the price.
- Unsubscribe from retailer emails: Reduce temptation by cutting off constant promotional messages.
- Limit designer brands: Similar quality exists at much lower prices without the label markup.
“People should reassess whether a clothing purchase is really necessary before buying, especially when prices are rising faster than income,” said Christian Barney, Assistant Professor at Georgia Southern University.
Social and Economic Pressures Are Shaping Behavior
Experts say many households are tightening clothing budgets due to inflation and ongoing economic uncertainty.
“Money simply doesn’t go as far today,” said Dr. Priyamvadha Rangan, Associate Professor at SUNY Brockport. “That’s definitely impacted how I think about shopping for clothes.”
Budget Retailers Gaining Popularity
As consumers cut back, budget-friendly chains like Aldi and Trader Joe’s are also benefiting. Both brands have gained traction by offering limited but affordable selections — a pattern echoed in clothing spending.
Shoppers are now applying the same logic to apparel: fewer frills, more function, and stretching every dollar further.
Full Report Available
You can view the full rankings and interactive data at WalletHub’s full study.
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