Study: Women Spend Nearly 3 Hours Daily Listening to Music

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Edison Research

Women in the U.S. age 18 and older spend just under three hours per day listening to music, using it as a tool for emotional well-being, family bonding, and daily enjoyment, according to the new Women's Audio Report: Women & Music released by Edison Research and SiriusXM Media.

Presented by Megan Lazovick, Vice President at Edison Research, and Melissa Paris, Vice President of Sales Research at SiriusXM Media, the study builds on the previous Women & Podcasts report and explores the vital role music plays in women's lives.

"Women, especially young women, want representation," said Lazovick. "More younger women are primarily listening to female artists, and they've catapulted so many new, young female artists to superstardom. The smart brands are paying attention and are supporting these young voices. And the fans are smart and paying attention too."

Among key findings:

• 89% of U.S. women 18 plus are reached by music audio daily.

• They spend an average of 2 hours and 55 minutes each day listening to music.

• 77% of their daily audio listening time is devoted to music.

• 85% of women music listeners said they've used music to cope with life challenges.

• 59% strongly agree music puts them in a good mood.

• 58% say it helps relieve stress.

Younger women showed a stronger connection to female artists. While 32% of women aged 18-34 say most of the music they listen to is by female artists, that drops to 19% for women 35-54 and just 7% for those 55 and older.

The report also highlights the generational connection through music:

• 89% of women with children under 18 listen to music with their kids.

• 77% say it's a fun family activity.

• Nearly half (49%) want to learn more about their children's music preferences.

On the business side, music emerges as a powerful platform for brands to reach women. Among music listeners:

• 79% are primarily responsible for fashion and apparel purchases.

• 73% handle grocery shopping.

• 67% manage health and wellness-related spending.

• 59% play a major role in financial decisions.

"Music offers exceptional opportunities for authentic brand connections," said Paris. "Music's omnipresence in women's lives, their dedicated engagement, and emotional connection make a compelling case for music-focused advertising. Brands that understand these dynamics can craft more relevant, resonant campaigns that reach women where they're already spending significant time and emotional energy."

The study is based on 2,520 interviews with U.S. women 18 plus who listened to audio in the past month, weighted to reflect national demographics. It incorporates data from Edison's Infinite Dial, Share of Ear, and Podcast Metrics research.