Some Christmas shoppers spending over half their monthly income on gifts

Americans are expected spend over $300 billion on Christmas presents alone in 2022. But residents in Scottsdale, Ariz., are shelling out the most, giving up over half their monthly wage on gifts this year. 

Ecommerce Intelligence — a full-service email marketing agency — analyzed the top 100 most populous cities across the nation to see how much they are willing to spend this Christmas. 

For its analysis, it looked at the average monthly wage and how much people are willing to spend in the respective area. Ultimately, this shows a direct correlation between how cities and the differing impact of inflation, according to Ecommerce Intelligence. 

Most and least generous

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Ecommerce Intelligence reported that the average monthly salary in Scottsdale is $4,125 but that their average holiday budget is $2,271. This means residents are spending 55% of their monthly budget on gifts this year. 

Scottsdale was considered the most generous city overall while Memphis, Tenn., was one of the least generous cities only spending 11% of their monthly wage on presents, according to the data. 

Meanwhile, Gilbert, Ariz., which is just over 18 miles east from Scottsdale, is clocking in at the second-most generous city, according to the data. 

Shoppers in the area are expected to spend 40% of their monthly wage on gifts. Meanwhile, holiday shoppers in Chesapeake, and Arlington, Va., are projected to spend 38% and 37% of their wages on gifts, respectively. 

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Amid persisting inflation and the uncertain economy, it's surprising that some people are willing to give up more than half their income this year, according to Ecommerce Intelligence CEO Ryan Turner. 

"When you take into account bills and all of the added costs that comes with Christmas this is really quite shocking," he said, adding that "the impact inflation is having varies massively across the country." 

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Here are the top five most generous cities and the percent of wages spent: 

1. Scottsdale, Ariz.: 55%
2. Gilbert, Ariz.: 40%
3. Chesapeake, Va.: 38%
4. Arlington, Va.: 37%
5. Santa Clarita, Calif.: 37%

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Here are the top five least generous cities and the percentage of wages spent: 

1. Memphis, Tenn.: 11%
2. Newark, N.J.: 11%
3. Cincinnati, Ohio: 12%
4. New Orleans, La.: 12%
5. Detroit, Mich.: 14%

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