Household information | 1990 | 1995 | 2000 | 2005 | 2012 | 2014 |
Income before taxes | $31,889 | $36,918 | $44,649 | $58,712 | $65,596 | $66,877 |
Average annual increase | | 3.0% | 3.9% | 5.6% | | 4.8% |
Household income after taxes | $28,937 | $33,864 | $41,532 | $56,304 | | |
Average annual expenditures (dollars) | $28,381 | $32,264 | $38,045 | $46,409 | $51,442 | $53,495 |
average annual increase | | 2.6% | 3.4% | 4.1% | | 4.7% |
Average annual CPI increase | 4.0% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 2.5% | | |
percent of after tax | 98.1% | 95.3% | 91.6% | 82.4% | | |
Type of expenditure | 1990 | 1995 | 2000 | 2005 | 2012 | 2014 |
Housing | 30.7% | 32.4% | 32.4% | 32.7% | 32.8% | 33.3% |
Transportation | 18.0% | 18.6% | 19.5% | 18.0% | 17.5% | 17.0% |
Food | 15.1% | 14.0% | 13.6% | 12.8% | 12.8% | 12.6% |
Personal insurance and pensions | 9.1% | 9.2% | 8.8% | 11.2% | 10.9% | 10.7% |
Utilities, fuels, and public services | 6.7% | 6.8% | 6.5% | 6.9% | | |
Health care | 5.2% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 5.7% | 6.9% | 8.0% |
Entertainment | 5.0% | 5.0% | 4.9% | 5.1% | 5.1% | 5.1% |
Apparel and services | 5.7% | 5.3% | 4.9% | 4.1% | 3.4% | 3.3% |
Household furnishings and equipment | 4.0% | 4.3% | 4.1% | 3.8% | | |
Health Insurance | | | | | 4.0% | 5.4% |
Other | % | % | % | % | 6.9% | 6.6% |
Details below
Source:
Income, Expenditures, Poverty, and Wealth | census.gov
CONSUMER EXPENDITURES - 2014 (bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cesan.pdf)
Consumer Expenditures at (www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/ income_expenditures_poverty_wealth/consumer_expenditures.html)
Consumer Price Index (www.bls.gov/schedule/archives/cpi_nr.htm)
See details below.
![](images/household_spending.gif)
"Even the Insured Feel Strain of Health Costs", in the NY Times Sun. May 4, 2008
See Healthcare
Personal consumption expenditures
at the Bureau of Economic Analysis bea.gov
Type | 1990 | 1995 | 2000 | 2005 | 2007 |
Durable goods | 9.5% | 11.6% | 15.4% | 16.5% | 15.4% |
Motor vehicles and parts | 5.4% | 5.7% | 6.9% | 6.5% | 5.6% |
Furniture and household equipment | 2.5% | 2.5% | 3.4% | 4.8% | 6.8% |
Other | 1.9% | 2.3% | 2.9% | 3.0% | 2.8% |
Nondurable goods | 31.1% | 34.3% | 34.7% | 32.6% | 29.7% |
Food | 16.4% | 17.3% | 16.5% | 15.2% | 13.9% |
Clothing and shoes | 3.9% | 4.8% | 5.3% | 5.4% | 5.1% |
Gasoline, fuel oil, and other energy goods | 3.3% | 3.3% | 3.1% | 2.8% | 2.5% |
Gasoline and oil | 3.0% | 3.2% | 3.1% | 2.7% | 2.3% |
Fuel oil and coal | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.2% |
Other | 7.6% | 8.7% | 9.5% | 9.2% | 8.5% |
Services | 59.8% | 68.2% | 69.9% | 64.1% | 58.1% |
Housing | 16.8% | 18.6% | 17.9% | 16.2% | 14.6% |
Household operation | 5.6% | 6.5% | 6.9% | 6.0% | 5.3% |
Electricity and gas | 2.5% | 2.7% | 2.6% | 2.2% | 2.0% |
Other household operation | 3.1% | 3.8% | 4.4% | 3.8% | 3.3% |
Transportation | 4.1% | 4.9% | 5.2% | 4.2% | 3.7% |
Medical care | 16.7% | 19.0% | 18.3% | 18.2% | 16.6% |
Recreation | 3.6% | 4.6% | 4.8% | 4.5% | 4.2% |
Other | 13.0% | 14.7% | 16.8% | 15.0% | 13.7% |
See details below
Table 2.3.6U. Real Personal Consumption Expenditures by Major Type of Product and Expenditure, at the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA.gov)
Detail Spending
Item | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | percent change |
2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 |
Number of consumer units (in thousands) | 121,107 | 122,287 | 124,416 | 125,670 |
Consumer unit characteristics: | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before taxes | $62,481 |
$63,685 |
$65,596 |
$63,784 |
|
|
|
Age of reference person | 49.4 |
49.7 |
50 |
50.1 |
|
|
|
Percent homeowner | 66 |
65 |
64 |
64 |
|
|
|
Average annual expenditures | $48,109 |
$49,705 |
$51,442 |
$51,100 |
3.3% |
3.5% |
-0.7% |
Food | $6,129 |
$6,458 |
$6,599 |
$6,602.00 |
5.4% |
2.2% |
0.0% |
Food at home | 3,624 |
3,838 |
3,921 |
3,977 |
5.9% |
2.2% |
1.4% |
Cereals and bakery products | 502 |
531 |
538 |
544 |
5.8% |
1.3% |
1.1% |
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs | 784 |
832 |
852 |
856 |
6.1% |
2.4% |
0.5% |
Dairy products | 380 |
407 |
419 |
414 |
7.1% |
2.9% |
-1.2% |
Fruits and vegetables | 679 |
715 |
731 |
751 |
5.3% |
2.2% |
2.7% |
Other food at home | 1,278 |
1,353 |
1,380 |
1,412 |
5.9% |
2.0% |
2.3% |
Food away from home | 2,505 |
2,620 |
2,678 |
2,625 |
4.6% |
2.2% |
-2.0% |
Alcoholic beverages | 412 |
456 |
451 |
445 |
10.7% |
-1.1% |
-1.3% |
Housing | 16,557 |
16,803 |
16,887 |
17,148 |
1.5% |
0.5% |
1.5% |
Shelter | 9,812 |
9,825 |
9,891 |
10,080 |
0.1% |
0.7% |
1.9% |
Owned dwellings | 6,277 |
6,148 |
6,056 |
6,108 |
-2.1% |
-1.5% |
0.9% |
Rented dwellings | 2,900 |
3,029 |
3,186 |
3,324 |
4.4% |
5.2% |
4.3% |
Other lodging | 635 |
648 |
649 |
649 |
2.0% |
0.2% |
0.0% |
Utilities, fuels, and public services | 3,660 |
3,727 |
3,648 |
3,737 |
1.8% |
-2.1% |
2.4% |
Household operations | 1,007 |
1,122 |
1,159 |
1,144 |
11.4% |
3.3% |
-1.3% |
Housekeeping supplies | 612 |
615 |
610 |
645 |
0.5% |
-0.8% |
5.7% |
Household furnishings and equipment | 1,467 |
1,514 |
1,580 |
1,542 |
3.2% |
4.4% |
-2.4% |
Apparel and services | 1,700 |
1,740 |
1,736 |
1,604 |
2.4% |
-0.2% |
-7.6% |
Transportation | 7,677 |
8,293 |
8,998 |
9,004 |
8.0% |
8.5% |
0.1% |
Vehicle purchases (net outlay) | 2,588 |
2,669 |
3,210 |
3,271 |
3.1% |
20.3% |
1.9% |
Gasoline and motor oil | 2,132 |
2,655 |
2,756 |
2,611 |
24.5% |
3.8% |
-5.3% |
Other vehicle expenses | 2,464 |
2,454 |
2,490 |
2,584 |
-0.4% |
1.5% |
3.8% |
Public and other transportation | 493 |
516 |
542 |
537 |
4.7% |
5.0% |
-0.9% |
Healthcare | 3,157 |
3,313 |
3,556 |
3,631 |
4.9% |
7.3% |
2.1% |
Entertainment | 2,504 |
2,572 |
2,605 |
2,482 |
2.7% |
1.3% |
-4.7% |
Personal care products and services | 582 |
634 |
628 |
608 |
8.9% |
-0.9% |
-3.2% |
Reading | 100 |
115 |
109 |
102 |
15.0% |
-5.2% |
-6.4% |
Education | 1,074 |
1,051 |
1,207 |
1,138 |
-2.1% |
14.8% |
-5.7% |
Tobacco products and smoking supplies | 362 |
351 |
332 |
330 |
-3.0% |
-5.4% |
-0.6% |
Miscellaneous | 849 |
775 |
829 |
645 |
-8.7% |
7.0% |
-22.2% |
Cash contributions | 1,633 |
1,721 |
1,913 |
1,834 |
5.4% |
11.2% |
-4.1% |
Personal insurance and pensions | 5,373 |
5,424 |
5,591 |
5,529 |
0.9% |
3.1% |
-1.1% |
Life and other personal insurance | 318 |
317 |
353 |
319 |
-0.3% |
11.4% |
-9.6% |
Pensions and Social Security | 5,054 |
5,106 |
5,238 |
5,209 |
1.0% |
2.6% |
-0.6% |
Source: Consumer Expenditures in 2013 (www.bls.gov/cex/csxann13.pdf)
By Age
Source: Generational Table | bls.gov, 2014
By Income
![](images/budget-by-income.png)
Source: How the Rich and Poor Spend Money Today--and 30 Years Ago - The Atlantic, 2014
Change over Time:
![](images/budget-over-time-poor.png)
Source: How the Rich and Poor Spend Money Today--and 30 Years Ago - The Atlantic, 2012
Location - Location - Location:
Living Wage Calculator | MIT Examples
| San Francisco | | Sacramento | | Somerset, NJ | | Durham, NC |
| 2 Adults | 2 Adults 1 Child | | 2-A | 2-A 1-C | | 2-A | 2-A 1-C | | 2-A | 2-A 1-C |
Housing+utilities | 39% |
41% | |
27% |
27% |
|
33% |
34% |
|
23% |
23% |
Transportation | 20% |
15% | |
23% |
18% |
|
21% |
16% |
|
29% | 23% |
Food | 17% |
14% | |
21% |
17% |
|
19% |
15% |
|
18% |
15% |
Child Care | 0% |
12% |
|
0% |
15% |
|
0% |
15% |
|
0% |
14% |
Medical | 12% |
10% | |
15% |
13% |
|
14% |
12% |
|
16% |
14% |
Other | 12% |
8% | |
14% | 10% |
|
12% |
9% |
|
14% | 11% |
Required annual income after taxes | $37,053 |
$57,804 |
|
$31,365 |
$47,196 |
|
$33,295 |
$51,533 |
|
$30,288 |
$44,457 |
Annual taxes | $5,195 |
$8,104 |
|
$4,397 |
$6,617 |
|
$4,418 |
$6,838 |
|
$5,609 |
$8,233 |
Required annual income before taxes | $42,248 |
$65,908 |
|
$35,762 |
$53,812 |
|
$37,713 |
$58,371 |
|
$35,897 |
$52,691 |
| Fairfield, CT | | Jackson, MS | | Boston, MA | | Minneapolis, MN |
|
2 Adults | 2 Adults 1 Child | |
2-A | 2-A 1-C | |
2-A | 2-A 1-C | |
2-A | |
Housing+utilities | 33% |
32% |
|
25% |
24% |
|
34% |
31% |
|
24% |
25% |
Transportation | 21% |
15% |
|
28% |
24% |
|
20% |
15% | |
28% |
21% |
Food | 19% |
15% |
|
22% | 21% |
|
18% |
15% |
|
19% |
15% |
Child Care | 0% |
18% |
|
0% |
9% | |
0% |
19% | |
0% |
16% |
Medical | 15% |
11% |
|
16% |
16% | |
15% |
12% |
|
15% |
13% |
Other | 12% |
9% |
|
14% | 11% |
|
12% |
8% | |
14% | 10% |
Required annual income after taxes | $33,271 |
$52,530 |
|
$31,226 |
$41,675 |
|
$34,245 |
$53,295 |
|
$29,841 |
$45,429 |
Annual taxes | $5,496 |
$8,678 |
|
$4,846 |
$6,468 |
|
$5,760 |
$8,964 |
|
$5,541 |
$8,436 |
Required annual income before taxes | $38,768 |
$61,208 |
|
$36,073 |
$48,143 |
|
$40,005 |
$62,259 |
|
$35,382 |
$53,865 |
Housing assumes 1 bedroom rental for 2 Adults and 2 bedroom rental with 1 Child.
Two Examples - San Francisco (high housing cost) - Minneapolis-St. Paul (low housing costs)
San Francisco
Annual Expenses | 1 Adult | 1 Adult 1 Child | 1 Adult 2 Children | 1 Adult 3 Children | 2 Adults (One Working) | 2 Adults (One Working) 1 Child | 2 Adults (One Working) 2 Children | 2 Adults | 2 Adults 1 Child | 2 Adults 2 Children |
|
Food | $3,530 |
$5,206 |
$7,822 |
$10,385 |
$6,472 |
$8,058 |
$10,392 |
$6,472 |
$8,058 |
$10,392 |
Child Care | $0 |
$7,209 |
$10,073 |
$12,936 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$7,209 |
$10,073 |
Medical | $2,134 |
$6,138 |
$5,967 |
$5,827 |
$4,626 |
$5,967 |
$5,827 |
$4,626 |
$5,967 |
$5,827 |
Housing | $14,292 |
$23,472 |
$23,472 |
$31,884 |
$18,612 |
$23,472 |
$23,472 |
$14,292 |
$23,472 |
$23,472 |
Transportation | $3,727 |
$7,367 |
$8,421 |
$9,414 |
$7,367 |
$8,421 |
$9,414 |
$7,367 |
$8,421 |
$9,414 |
Other | $2,374 |
$4,295 |
$4,677 |
$5,459 |
$4,295 |
$4,677 |
$5,459 |
$4,295 |
$4,677 |
$5,459 |
Required annual income after taxes | $26,057 |
$53,688 |
$60,431 |
$75,905 |
$41,373 |
$50,594 |
$54,564 |
$37,053 |
$57,804 |
$64,637 |
Annual taxes | $3,653 |
$7,527 |
$8,472 |
$10,642 |
$5,800 |
$7,093 |
$7,650 |
$5,195 |
$8,104 |
$9,062 |
Required annual income before taxes | $29,710 |
$61,215 |
$68,903 |
$86,547 |
$47,173 |
$57,688 |
$62,214 |
$42,248 |
$65,908 |
$73,699 |
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
Annual Expenses | 1 Adult | 1 Adult 1 Child | 1 Adult 2 Children | 1 Adult 3 Children | 2 Adults (One Working) | 2 Adults (One Working) 1 Child | 2 Adults (One Working) 2 Children | 2 Adults | 2 Adults 1 Child | 2 Adults 2 Children |
Food | $3,021 |
$4,456 |
$6,695 |
$8,888 |
$5,539 |
$6,897 |
$8,894 |
$5,539 |
$6,897 |
$8,894 |
Child Care | $0 |
$7,158 |
$11,811 |
$16,464 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$7,158 |
$11,811 |
Medical | $2,353 |
$6,174 |
$6,002 |
$5,863 |
$4,541 |
$6,002 |
$5,863 |
$4,541 |
$6,002 |
$5,863 |
Housing | $7,296 |
$11,352 |
$11,352 |
$15,984 |
$9,072 |
$11,352 |
$11,352 |
$7,296 |
$11,352 |
$11,352 |
Transportation | $4,189 |
$8,281 |
$9,464 |
$10,581 |
$8,281 |
$9,464 |
$10,581 |
$8,281 |
$9,464 |
$10,581 |
Other | $2,312 |
$4,184 |
$4,555 |
$5,317 |
$4,184 |
$4,555 |
$5,317 |
$4,184 |
$4,555 |
$5,317 |
Required annual income after taxes | $19,172 |
$41,604 |
$49,880 |
$63,097 |
$31,617 |
$38,271 |
$42,007 |
$29,841 |
$45,429 |
$53,818 |
Annual taxes | $3,560 |
$7,726 |
$9,263 |
$11,717 |
$5,871 |
$7,107 |
$7,801 |
$5,541 |
$8,436 |
$9,994 |
Required annual income before taxes | $22,732 |
$49,330 |
$59,142 |
$74,814 |
$37,488 |
$45,378 |
$49,808 |
$35,382 |
$53,865 |
$63,812 |
2014 Annual Average Cost of living (Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC)) - Examples
State | Index | Grocery | Housing | Utilities | Transpor- ation | Health | Misc. |
Mississippi | 86.9 |
91.0 |
72.5 |
86.1 |
94.2 |
91.7 |
94.6 |
Tennessee | 89.3 |
93.2 |
77.3 |
91.0 |
93.6 |
89.8 |
96.0 |
Idaho | 90.2 |
93.1 |
75.7 |
86.6 |
103.9 |
99.9 |
96.3 |
Michigan | 91.8 |
94.2 |
80.6 |
96.3 |
99.5 |
94.8 |
95.7 |
Texas | 92.8 |
90.7 |
86.2 |
93.4 |
96.3 |
94.9 |
97.8 |
North Carolina | 96.5 |
102.5 |
85.9 |
99.7 |
98.5 |
105.4 |
100.2 |
Virginia | 97.0 |
96.4 |
93.3 |
103.7 |
93.2 |
98.6 |
99.7 |
Florida | 99.8 |
104.1 |
95.5 |
101.2 |
103.0 |
98.5 |
100.2 |
Arizona | 100.2 |
100.9 |
101.1 |
96.6 |
100.7 |
101.9 |
100.0 |
Colorado | 101.3 |
97.2 |
109.4 |
90.8 |
101.8 |
104.3 |
98.7 |
Minnesota | 101.5 |
105.4 |
97.1 |
89.4 |
101.8 |
103.9 |
107.2 |
Nevada | 101.6 |
108.8 |
96.9 |
86.1 |
106.1 |
98.6 |
106.4 |
Pennsylvania | 102.1 |
103.0 |
99.2 |
107.9 |
102.6 |
95.2 |
103.2 |
New Hampshire | 115.6 |
97.9 |
128.1 |
124.5 |
99.1 |
118.1 |
115.5 |
Massachusetts | 123.5 |
104.7 |
140.9 |
126.1 |
114.7 |
118.7 |
119.5 |
New Jersey | 126.7 |
106.3 |
165.1 |
114.3 |
108.3 |
106.6 |
115.7 |
California | 128.7 |
114.5 |
175.7 |
113.4 |
113.8 |
110.5 |
106.7 |
New York | 133.3 |
109.8 |
191.7 |
106.1 |
112.0 |
104.4 |
113.1 |
Connecticut | 145.2 |
117.1 |
208.4 |
127.7 |
118.5 |
110.7 |
122.7 |
Hawaii | 164.0 |
157.1 |
210.3 |
238.4 |
125.8 |
113.5 |
123.5 |
The biggest difference is in housing, with Conn. more than twice as expensive than Mississippi and Utilities (Conn. is 50% more than Miss.).
See Cost of Living 2014 Annual Average | Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) for all states.
Living Wage Calculator - Introduction to the Living Wage Calculator | MIT
Links:
See also
Consumer Expenditures at (census.gov)
Budgeting
Return to Finance
last updated 5 May 2008
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