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NewsWSVN 7 MiamiAugust 14, 2026Miami-Dade

LendingTree analysis shows flat back-to-school spending as electronics costs drop

Back-to-school spending for K-12 students has remained flat compared to pre-pandemic levels, as lower costs for electronics offset rising prices for school supplies and clothing. Families are increasingly choosing to reuse existing devices rather than purchasing new ones to manage household budgets.

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Why It Matters

This trend highlights how shifting consumer behavior and fluctuating electronics prices are impacting the total cost of education-related expenses for families.

Key Facts

  • Back-to-school spending for K-12 has remained flat since before the pandemic.
  • The average cost spent on electronic devices fell from $338 in 2019 to $296 in 2025.
  • Prices for common school electronics, such as Chromebooks and calculators, have decreased by more than 12%.
  • Costs for clothing, accessories, shoes, and general school supplies have increased.
  • Over 60% of surveyed shoppers began their back-to-school shopping in early July.
  • Many families are opting to keep existing laptops or tablets for an additional year rather than buying new ones.

Who's Mentioned

organizationSunbeam Television Corp“Copyright holder of the news article.”personMatt Schulz“Chief Consumer Finance Analyst at LendingTree.”organizationNational Retail Federation“Industry group providing data on shopping timelines.”organizationLendingTree“Financial services company that conducted the spending analysis.”