Back to School Budget

The average American family spends $600–$900 per child on back-to-school supplies, clothes, and electronics each year. For families with multiple kids, that’s a $2,000+ hit in a single month. A solid back to school budget prevents impulse buying and helps you spread costs across the summer — so September doesn’t wreck your finances.

Average Back-to-School Costs by Grade Level

Grade Level	Supplies	Clothing	Electronics	Total
Elementary (K-5)	$50–$100	$150–$300	$0–$100	$200–$500
Middle School (6-8)	$75–$150	$200–$400	$100–$300	$375–$850
High School (9-12)	$100–$200	$250–$500	$200–$500	$550–$1,200
College	$200–$400	$200–$400	$300–$1,000	$700–$1,800

Back-to-School Shopping Checklist

School Supplies

• Backpack: $20–$60
• Notebooks and folders: $10–$25
• Pens, pencils, highlighters: $10–$15
• Calculator (if required): $15–$120
• Binders and dividers: $10–$20
• Glue, scissors, tape: $5–$10
• Art supplies: $10–$20
• Planner/agenda: $5–$15

Clothing

• 5–7 outfits for the first weeks: $100–$300
• 2 pairs of shoes (everyday + gym): $40–$120
• Jacket/coat (if fall purchase): $30–$80
• Gym clothes: $20–$40
• Socks and underwear: $15–$30

Technology

• Laptop or tablet (if required): $200–$800
• Headphones: $15–$50
• USB drive or cloud storage: $0–$15
• Printer ink/paper: $20–$40
• Protective case: $15–$30

Other Costs People Forget

• School fees (activity, lab, technology): $50–$200
• Sports equipment or uniforms: $50–$300
• Music instrument rental: $20–$50/month
• School lunch deposits: $50–$100
• Transportation (bus pass): $0–$50/month
• After-school care: $200–$500/month

8 Ways to Cut Back-to-School Costs

1. Inventory before shopping — Check what you already have. Last year’s supplies that still work don’t need replacing.
2. Shop tax-free weekends — Many states offer sales tax holidays in July/August. Save 5–8% on eligible items.
3. Buy generic supplies — Store-brand notebooks and pens work identically to name brands at 40–60% less.
4. Shop secondhand for clothing — Thrift stores, consignment shops, and Facebook Marketplace for gently used clothes.
5. Wait on electronics — Back-to-school sales often have the worst laptop deals. Black Friday is better if you can wait.
6. Use cashback apps — Rakuten, Ibotta, and Honey can save 3–10% on online purchases.
7. Split costs with other families — Buy bulk supplies and split them. 24-pack of glue sticks for 4 families is cheaper than 4 individual purchases.
8. Set a firm budget per child — Give older kids a fixed amount and let them prioritize. This teaches budgeting skills too.

Monthly Savings Plan for Back-to-School

Don’t wait until August. Start saving in April or May:

Month	Monthly Savings	Total Saved
April	$100	$100
May	$100	$200
June	$150	$350
July	$150	$500
August	$100 (start shopping)	$600

$600 covers the average elementary/middle school costs comfortably.

Budget by Category: Where to Spend and Where to Save

Category	Spend More	Save Here
Backpack	✅ Quality lasts 2–3 years
Notebooks		✅ Store brand works fine
Shoes	✅ Good shoes prevent injuries
Pens/Pencils		✅ Buy bulk, cheapest option
Laptop	✅ If required for school
Clothing		✅ Mix thrift + new basics
Calculator	✅ Required models last years

FAQ

When is the best time to shop for back-to-school? Late July to mid-August for supplies (sales peak then). For clothing, late August clearance racks offer the best deals on summer items that work for early fall.

How much should I budget per child? $300–$500 for elementary, $500–$900 for middle/high school. College students should budget $700–$1,500 depending on technology needs.

How do I handle back-to-school costs on a tight budget? Apply for free/reduced lunch programs, check if your school offers supply assistance, shop tax-free weekends, and use our monthly budget checklist to set aside money starting in spring.

Plan Your Back-to-School Budget

Use our Budget Tracker Template to create a dedicated back-to-school savings category and track every purchase against your budget.

Related: Budget Template for Single Moms | How to Budget on $3,000 a Month