1 — U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS • bls.gov

A LARGE, FREE, PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DATA 

SOURCE

ABOUT THE CONSUMER 

EXPENDITURE SURVEYS:

Geoffrey Paulin, Ph.D.

Senior Economist

Division of Consumer Expenditure Surveys

American Council on Consumer Interests (ACCI) 

May 23, 2024

Virtual Panelist for In-Person Event
2 — U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS TATISTICS • bls.gov bls.gov

About the Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CE)

◼ Name, organization, role, data source

◼ Origin story/history

◼ Sampling details/methodology

◼ Collection mode

◼ Weighting approach

◼ Availability for use (is it available to download, or something 

else?)

◼ Anything else you think is meaningful!
3 — U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS TATISTICS • bls.gov bls.gov

About the Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CE)

◼ Name, organization, role, data source

Sponsored by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Collected by Census Bureau

To provide the “market basket” for the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and to benefit users 

like you!

Collected directly from consumers across the U.S.

◼ Origin story/history

First national surveys: 1888-91 in response to the McKinley Tariff

Early surveys in response to economic conditions (1901, 1917-19, 1935-36, 1940’s)

Roughly decennial thereafter until 1972-73 (oil shock renders data outdated as soon as 

they are collected!)

Annual data published for first time in 1980, with consistent format from 1984 onward
4 — U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS TATISTICS • bls.gov bls.gov

About the Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CE)

◼ Sampling details/methodology

Nationally representative sample of U.S. “consumer units” (similar to household or 

family)

Interview and Diary Surveys

– Independent samples

– Interview:

• Three-month recall survey, administered for four consecutive quarters

• Designed to capture “big ticket” and recurring expenditures

– Diary:

• Respondent records daily expenditures for two weeks

• Designed to capture “small ticket” and frequently occurring expenditures

• Excellent detail for food, especially from grocery stores: round steak; rice; lettuce; cheese; peanut butter; and jelly (well, jams, 

preserves, and other sweets)

◼ Collection mode

In person is preferred for both (in Diary, for characteristics only; respondent fills out 

form in private)

Telephone/online in certain circumstances
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About the Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CE)

◼ Weighting approach

Data are pseudorandom, so for some purposes, weights are optional

Weights allow for computation of nationally representative means

– Region, Census Division, Major Metropolitan Statistical Area means also available

Special weights allow for computation of variance/standard error (Balanced Repeated 

Replication, or “BRR” method) for national/regional/urban vs. rural areas, and by size 

of area (population)

Region, Census Division, Major Metropolitan Statistical Area

State weights for five states historically, but four currently

– For means only; not for variance/standard error

– New York, Florida, Texas California weights available today; New Jersey series discontinued for 

statistical reliability reasons

◼ Availability for use (is it available to download, or something 

else?)

Tables and microdata available for free download at www.bls.gov/cex
6 — U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS • bls.gov

About the Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CE)

◼ Anything else you think is 

meaningful!

Good grief! So much 

more to learn...

What to say... what to 

say....
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I know!!!
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Join Us!

The Consumer Expenditure Surveys Microdata Users’ Workshop 

July 2025

Virtual Event
Contact Information

9 — U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS • bls.gov

Geoffrey Paulin, Ph.D.

Senior Economist

Division of Consumer Expenditure Surveys 

www.bls.gov/cex

paulin.geoffrey@bls.gov