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Paid AI Use Edges Into U.S. Households as $20 Plans Gain Traction

New bank data shows paid use is growing fast from a tiny base.

Overview

  • Bank of America Institute finds about 3% of households now pay for AI tools, with paying customers up 38% from the 2024 average and a median monthly spend of $20.
  • PNC reports the share of paying households has jumped roughly 155% year over year to about 2%, and the average subscription lasts seven months.
  • Major services keep free tiers but cluster standard plans near $20, with higher-cost options such as ChatGPT Pro and Claude Max at $100 for heavier use.
  • Early adopters skew younger and higher income, yet Bank of America data shows the fastest recent growth among households earning $75,000 to $125,000.
  • Analysts highlight a monetization gap, with Bank of America Research projecting a $75 billion U.S. consumer market even as Stanford estimates $172 billion in annual value for users today.