Going to concerts is a popular pastime for many people. Whether it’s seeing your favorite musician perform live or discovering new artists, concerts provide a unique entertainment experience. However, between the cost of tickets, transportation, food and drinks, merchandise, and other expenses, attending concerts can get quite pricey. So how much does the average person really spend on concerts? Let’s take a closer look at the numbers.
Ticket Prices
The biggest factor in how much someone spends on a concert is the price of the ticket. Ticket prices can vary widely depending on the artist, venue, city, and other factors. According to a recent report by Pollstar, the average ticket price for the top 100 tours in North America in 2022 was $123. For the top 50 tours, the average price jumped to $177 per ticket.
For superstar acts like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, The Rolling Stones, and The Eagles, ticket prices can easily climb above $200 or even $300 each. Seats closest to the stage usually command the highest prices. Small club shows and lesser known artists tend to have cheaper ticket prices, often between $20-50.
Geographic location also impacts pricing. Concerts in major metropolitan areas like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago are generally more expensive. The supply of tickets and demand from fans in the area is a big driver of costs.
| Artist | Average 2022 Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Taylor Swift | $425 |
| The Rolling Stones | $226 |
| Billie Eilish | $103 |
Number of Concerts Attended Per Year
Beyond the ticket price for individual shows, the number of concerts someone attends in a year significantly contributes to their overall spending. According to a 2021 survey by TicketSource, 27% of respondents said they typically attend 1-2 concerts per year. 23% go to 3-4 shows annually, while 15% go to 5 or more.
Superfans who travel to see their favorite band or artist on multiple tour stops easily spend thousands per year on concerts. For example, Grateful Dead and Phish fans have been known to spend upwards of $10,000 annually following their favorite groups around the country. Even frequenting local concert venues once a month can quickly add up.
Average Concerts Attended by Age
Younger adults tend to attend more concerts on average than other age groups. According to TicketSource, 18-24 year-olds attend the most shows per year at an average of 2.9 concerts annually. This drops slightly to 2.5 concerts per year for adults aged 25-44. Middle aged adults attend the fewest number of shows, with an average of 1.5 concerts annually for 45-64 year-olds.
| Age Group | Average Concerts Per Year |
|---|---|
| 18-24 | 2.9 |
| 25-44 | 2.5 |
| 45-64 | 1.5 |
Ancillary Expenses
In addition to tickets, there are a host of other expenses associated with attending concerts. These ancillary costs can quickly inflate the total spent.
Transportation
Whether it’s gas, train/bus fare, ride shares, parking, or other transportation costs, getting to and from the concert venue comes at a price. Those traveling long distances to concerts tend to have the highest transportation expenses.
Food and Drinks
Eating and drinking at the concert venue helps enhance the experience. Prices for concessions at major concert venues tend to be expensive. A bottle of water or soda can cost $5-6 and meals easily run $10-15 per person. Alcoholic drinks are even pricier, with beer often $10-15 per cup and cocktails $15-20.
Merchandise
Many concertgoers like to buy a t-shirt, hoodie, poster, or other merchandise to commemorate the show. Band merchandise prices typically range from $25 for t-shirts, $50 for sweatshirts, and $5-10 for small items like keychains. Limited VIP packages with early entry, exclusive merchandise, and a meet & greet can cost hundreds more per person.
Hotels
For those traveling to concerts in other cities, lodging costs add up quickly. The average hotel room in the United States costs around $150 per night. Add multiple nights for a full concert weekend and hotel bills can quickly drain wallets. Airbnb rentals can provide more affordable lodging alternatives in the $50-100 per night range.
Other Costs
Finally, incidental expenses like booking fees, service fees, upgrades, VIP packages that include crowd-free bathrooms and better seating, and more all increase the total spent. For big concerts, total ancillary costs often reach $100 or more per person.
Average Total Spend
So what does this all mean in terms of numbers? Here’s a breakdown of the average total spending on concert tickets and related costs:
| Item | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Tickets | $123 per ticket |
| Concerts per year | 2.5 concerts |
| Tickets per year | $307.50 |
| Transportation | $50 per concert |
| Food & drinks | $40 per concert |
| Merchandise | $50 per concert |
| Hotels & lodging | $100 per concert |
| Total ancillary per concert | $240 |
| Total ancillary per year | $600 |
| Total spend per year | $907.50 |
Based on typical costs, the average person spends about $907 annually on concert tickets and related expenses by attending 2.5 shows per year. Of course, this varies widely depending on factors like venue, artist, seat location, travel costs, and spending habits. Superfans attending dozens of shows per year can easily spend ten times as much.
How to Save on Concert Costs
If your concert budget is limited, there are some ways to save:
- Buy tickets early – Prices usually go up as the event date approaches.
- Look for ticket deals and promos – Many tickets sites offer discounts for new users or email list members.
- Consider obstructed view or upper level seats – You can still enjoy the show from these affordable options.
- Buy in bulk – Groups of 3+ tickets often come with discounts.
- Attend local shows – Saves on travel costs.
- Use public transportation – Cheaper than driving and parking yourself.
- Limit food, drinks & merch – Or sneak snacks and water in to avoid high concession prices.
- Split costs with friends – Coordinate on rideshares, hotel rooms, etc.
While concerts can get expensive, some careful planning allows you to keep costs under control and maximize your entertainment budget.
Conclusion
Attending live concerts allows you to experience and connect with music in a unique way. But between ticket prices, travel and lodging costs, food and drinks, merchandise, and more, concert costs can quickly add up. On average, most people spend around $900 per year on concerts, factoring in an average ticket price of $123 and around $240 in ancillary expenses per show. With careful budgeting and smart savings strategies, you can cut down on concert costs while still enjoying live music. What matters is getting to see your favorite artists perform, make memories, and build a lifelong appreciation for music.
