US Households Budget for AI

In the latest generative AI news, CBS MoneyWatch reported that US households are actively making room in their budgets for AI subscriptions, backed by Bank of America Institute data showing the number of paying AI subscribers has surged 38% from the 2024 average.

Generative AI news has moved from enterprise budgets to household spending lines. Bank of America Institute analysis of nearly 70 million consumer accounts found that the number of households making AI subscription payments is up 38% from the 2024 average, with median monthly spend sitting at $20 for those who pay, up 10.4% year over year.

The market is still early: only around 3% of Bank of America households are currently paying subscribers. But the growth metrics tell a different story than the headline penetration number.

Higher-income households and younger generations make up the largest share of paying subscribers. But the Bank of America data shows expansion is happening beyond that base. Median AI spending growth was strongest among households earning $75,000 to $125,000 in February 2026, suggesting uptake among middle-income consumers who are integrating tools into professional and personal workflows rather than treating them as discretionary luxuries.

The standard pricing tier across major AI platforms has consolidated around $20 per month, with ChatGPT Plus, Claude Pro, and Google AI Pro each landing in that range. OpenAI recently introduced a $100 per month Pro tier targeting intensive coding and Codex users, while the original $200 monthly plan remains available. The jump in the $21 to $40 monthly bracket reflects consumers moving into bundled or multi-model subscriptions rather than sticking to one platform at the base price.

Bank of America Institute analyst Stephanie Bowley described the trajectory: “I think in some ways it looks a lot like maybe the early days of music or video streaming platforms, where you have this small base, but we’re seeing fast growth and increasing willingness to pay.”

The Consumer Monetization Gap

The Stanford 2026 AI Index estimated that generative AI tools generate $172 billion in annual value for US consumers, while actual consumer subscription revenue remains a fraction of that figure. Most users still access AI through free tiers. The gap between value delivered and revenue captured is what the major AI companies are now attempting to close through new pricing structures, bundled features, and premium tier launches.

Bank of America Research projects the consumer AI market could reach $75 billion annually if adoption continues on its current trajectory, driven by rising demand for tools that save time across shopping, trip planning, financial education, and everyday decisions.

What This Means for AI Tokens and Crypto

The shift from free to paid AI use has direct implications for AI tokens, where infrastructure demand and user monetization rates are primary valuation inputs. Consumer willingness to pay is the commercial signal that separates durable AI market expansion from speculative infrastructure spending, a distinction that has been central to the debate over whether current AI bubble warnings apply to AI platform investments or only to the underlying infrastructure buildout. The Bank of America data suggests the consumer demand side is now real enough to matter beyond early adopters.