---
"title": "Cash is a Lesser King"
"description": "That's the percent of Americans who say they mainly use cash for their everyday purchases, 31% say they use debit cards, 16% say they use credit cards and 15% say they use checks."
"date": "2007-03-01"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "Russell Heimlich"
    "job_title": "Former web developer"
    "link": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
"url": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/short-reads/2007/03/01/cash-is-a-lesser-king/"
---

# Cash is a Lesser King

When it comes to paying for everyday expenses (as opposed to monthly bills), cash is no longer king — or at least not a fully sovereign king; just 37% of Americans say they mainly use cash for their everyday purchases. Some 31% say they use debit cards, 16% say they use credit cards and 15% say they use checks. Those with lower incomes rely mostly on cash for everyday living expenses; 54% of those with incomes under $30,000 do so compared with 24% among those with incomes of at least $100,000 annually. [Read More](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/pubs/407/what-americans-pay-for---and-how)