Elina HartsBack to School 2026: What Families Actually Spend
Families are spending an average of $863.86 on back-to-school shopping in 2026, according to the National Retail Federation — up from $858.07 in 2025. Total U.S. K-12 spending is projected at $43.3 billion.
Where the Money Goes
Per the same NRF survey, spending breaks down across four main categories:
| Category | Average spend |
|---|---|
| Electronics | $293.11 |
| Clothing & accessories | $250.29 |
| Shoes | $174.01 |
| School supplies | $146.45 |
The NRF also found that 62% of shoppers had already started buying school items by early July 2026, slightly below the 67% recorded at the same point in 2025 but still well above 2024's 55% — a sign that back-to-school shopping keeps starting earlier each year.
Where to Find Active Coupon Codes for Each Category
We track active discount codes across the same categories the NRF survey covers. Rather than guess which stores are relevant, here's where to look on Elina Harts:
- Electronics — check the Electronics coupon codes page
- Clothing & footwear — see the apparel and footwear categories
- Backpacks & supplies — our Back to School Shopping Guide groups backpack sellers into their own section
See All Back to School Deals →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do families spend on back-to-school shopping in 2026?
According to the National Retail Federation's 2026 survey, families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $863.86, up from $858.07 in 2025.
What do families spend the most on?
Per the same NRF survey, the biggest single category is electronics at an average of $293.11, followed by clothing and accessories ($250.29), shoes ($174.01), and school supplies ($146.45).
Is this guide based on our own research?
No — the spending figures come from the National Retail Federation's published 2026 survey (linked below), not from our own survey or personal experience. The coupon codes on this page are the ones we track and verify as active.
Source
Spending figures cited from the National Retail Federation's 2026 back-to-school survey coverage: nrf.com — "Majority of Back-to-School Shoppers Get a Head Start on the Season". We did not independently verify NRF's survey methodology; figures are reported as published.