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Minimal Quality of Life

The cost of basic recreation

Most middle- and lower-income families may find it necessary to take on debt just to enjoy even the most basic quality of life activities.

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Basic recreation costs are up.
Between 2001 and 2021, the true cost of recreation for the average family increased by 38%. During the same period, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of recreation only grew by 19%.
+38
%
Nearly two in five American families can’t afford basic recreation activities.
39% of American families do not earn enough to pay for basic recreation.
To measure the affordability of these activities, LISEP created the Minimal Quality of Life (MQL) Index as an extension of the True Living Cost (TLC) Index, which assesses the affordability of necessities, including shelter, food, healthcare, childcare, transportation, minimal technology, and personal care products.
For a more in-depth explanation of the Minimal Quality of Life Index, please reference LISEP’s MQL white paper.
True
Living Cost
Some recreational activities are critical to maintain physical and mental health. They enhance social interaction and work productivity, extend life expectancy, and improve the overall quality of life.
The MQL Index tracks the cost of:
Eating Out
TV Subscription
Adults’ Fitness
Children’s Sports
Spectator Sports
3-Day Vacation
Holiday Budget
Budget for the Median American Couple with Two Children
Budget for the Median American
Couple with Two Children
By Expense Category, in 2021 Dollars
Select any point on the chart to see the data for that expense category.
The median American household cannot keep up with the cost of necessities, let alone basic recreation activities that are staples of the American way of life.
*
Owed taxes significantly decreased for households with children due to the cancellation effect of government transfers during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). This effect was particularly pronounced for households with children.
Change in Basic Recreation Costs
By Expense Category, in 2021 Dollars
Select any point on the chart to see the data for that expense category.
Cost of Basic Recreation Expenses
By Family Size, in 2021 Dollars
Select any point on the chart to see the data for that family size.
Singles
Couples
The cost for basic recreation expenses has risen for every family size since 2001.
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