The cost of running the White House, from staff salaries to subscription services
Running the White House Office and Residence costs millions every year.The White House Office is expected to spend about $51 million on permanent staff pay in fiscal 2026.Using government data, Business Insider compiled the costs of running the White House.Keeping the White House running is no small feat — and comes at no small cost.With 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and a kitchen capable of serving dinner to as many as 140 guests and hors d'oeuvres to more than 1,000, looking after the residence is a lot of work.Then there's the cost of White House operations, which includes tens of millions of dollars a year in staff compensation and travel.Business Insider compiled a list of costs associated with running the White House using data from the Office of Management and Budget and government spending data.They include a mix of approved funding, money committed to be spent, and full-year estimates. Typically, White House expenses are funded by taxpayers through congressional appropriations.
Reported by 1 outlet — Business Insider. See all sources ↓
Running the White House Office and Residence costs millions every year.The White House Office is expected to spend about $51 million on permanent staff pay in fiscal 2026.Using government data, Business Insider compiled the costs of running the White House.Keeping the White House running is no small feat — and comes at no small cost.With 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and a kitchen capable of serving dinner to as many as 140 guests and hors d'oeuvres to more than 1,000, looking after the residence is a lot of work.Then there's the cost of White House operations, which includes tens of millions of dollars a year in staff compensation and travel.Business Insider compiled a list of costs associated with running the White House using data from the Office of Management and Budget and government spending data.They include a mix of approved funding, money committed to be spent, and full-year estimates. Typically, White House expenses are funded by taxpayers through congressional appropriations. Some costs, such as current renovation work, are listed as reimbursable, meaning that another source will repay the account.Here's a breakdown of some of the costs of running the White House.White House Executive Residence personnelButlers, housekeepers, chefs, doormen, florists, and electricians, among other staff, work to keep the White House running, all under the purview of the White House's chief usher.About 90 to 100 staff work at the Executive Residence, according to the White House Historical Association.The Executive Residence reported roughly $9 million in personnel-compensation obligations for fiscal 2025. That included roughly $8 million for permanent full-time staff and $1 million in other employee pay.
Read the full report at Business Insider ↗
Why it matters
A world story we're tracking; its significance and source trust firm up as more outlets confirm it.
- What's the story?
- Running the White House Office and Residence costs millions every year.The White House Office is expected to spend about $51 million on permanent staff pay in fiscal 2026.Using government data, Business Insider compiled the costs of running the White House.Keeping the White House running is no small feat — and comes at no small cost.With 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and a kitchen capable of serving dinner to as many as 140 guests and hors d'oeuvres to more than 1,000, looking after the residence is a lot of work.Then there's the cost of White House operations, which includes tens of millions of dollars a year in staff compensation and travel.Business Insider compiled a list of costs associated with running the White House using data from the Office of Management and Budget and government spending data.They include a mix of approved funding, money committed to be spent, and full-year estimates. Typically, White House expenses are funded by taxpayers through congressional appropriations.
- How widely is it covered?
- 1 outlet, average source rating 6.0/10.
- When was it last updated?
- 6m ago.
How outlets are framing the same story
Here's how each outlet is covering the story — compare their headlines and timing at a glance.
- Coverage card1 outlet1CoverageScouting report
The cost of running the White House, from staff salaries to subscription services
Sources1TypeCoverageBusiness Insider