Subscription Cost Calculator
See the true lifetime cost of your subscriptions — and what that money could be worth if invested instead.
The average American spends $200–300/month on subscriptions — and consistently underestimates the total by 2–3x. Streaming services, apps, gym memberships, and software add up quietly because each one seems small on its own. This calculator shows the lifetime cost of your subscriptions and what that money could grow to if invested instead, helping you decide which subscriptions are truly worth keeping.
At $85/month, you spend $10,200 over 10 years. If invested at 7%, that money would grow to $14,798 — an opportunity cost of $4,598.
True cost of subscriptions
Annual cost
$1,020
10-year cost
$10,200
If invested instead
$14,798
Opportunity cost
$4,598
How to use this calculator
Total monthly subscriptions — Add up ALL your monthly recurring charges: streaming, apps, gym, cloud storage, meal kits, etc. Check your credit card statement — most people forget 2–3 subscriptions.
Time horizon — How long you expect to keep these subscriptions. Even 5 years of $100/month = $6,000 spent (or $7,200+ if invested).
Expected investment return — What you could earn by investing this money instead. S&P 500 historical real return: ~7%. High-yield savings: ~4–5%.
Real-world examples
Average American: $219/month
At $219/month (the US average) for 10 years at 7%: $26,280 spent vs $38,400 if invested. Over 30 years: $78,840 spent vs $265,000 if invested. Subscriptions cost nearly 4x their sticker price in lost wealth.
Cutting $50/month of unused services
Most people find $50/month in subscriptions they rarely use. Redirecting that $50/month to investments at 7% grows to ~$8,300 in 10 years, ~$30,000 in 20 years, and ~$91,000 in 30 years.
Streaming services alone: $45/month
Netflix + Spotify + Disney+ = ~$45/month. Over 20 years at 7%: $10,800 spent vs $27,800 if invested. That's $17,000 in opportunity cost just from streaming.
Formula & Methodology
Future value of monthly investment
- PMT = Monthly subscription cost
- r = Annual investment return (decimal)
- t = Time in years
Assumptions & limitations
- Subscription costs are assumed constant. In practice, most services raise prices 5–10% per year.
- Investment returns are assumed constant. Real markets fluctuate significantly.
- Taxes on investment gains are not included.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the average American spend on subscriptions?
Studies show the average US consumer spends $200–$300/month on subscriptions, often underestimating by 2–3x when asked.
Should I cancel all subscriptions?
No — focus on subscriptions you don't actively use. Even cutting $30/month of unused services saves $3,600+ over a decade.
How do I find all my subscriptions?
Review your bank and credit card statements for the last 3 months. Look for recurring charges. Apps like Rocket Money or Trim can also auto-detect subscriptions.
What about annual subscriptions?
Divide the annual cost by 12 and add it to your monthly total. A $120/year subscription = $10/month. Annual plans often save 15–20% vs monthly billing.