Table 21. Selected northeastern metropolitan statistical areas: Average annual

expenditures and characteristics, Consumer Expenditure Survey, 2006-2007

Item

All consumer

units in the

Northeast

New York Philadelphia Boston

Number of consumer units (in thousands) ....... 22,570 8,716 2,722 2,890 

Consumer unit characteristics:

Income before taxes ...................................... $67,060 $76,022 $65,637 $80,966 

Age of reference person ................................. 50.1 50.7 48.4 48.1 

Average number in consumer unit:

Persons ........................................................ 2.4 2.5 2.4 2.3 

Children under 18 ......................................... .6 .6 .6 .6 

Persons 65 and over .................................... .3 .3 .3 .3 

Earners ......................................................... 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.4 

Vehicles ........................................................ 1.6 1.3 1.5 1.7 

Percent homeowner ....................................... 65 58 70 62 

Average annual expenditures ........................... $50,703 $56,683 $48,649 $55,189 

Food ............................................................... 6,320 7,023 5,600 6,700 

Food at home ............................................... 3,529 3,822 3,028 3,893 

Cereals and bakery products ..................... 486 528 408 553 

Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .................... 825 955 734 887 

Dairy products ............................................ 390 396 343 423 

Fruits and vegetables ................................. 641 743 559 657 

Other food at home .................................... 1,187 1,199 984 1,374 

Food away from home .................................. 2,791 3,202 2,571 2,807 

Alcoholic beverages ....................................... 513 533 451 565 

Housing .......................................................... 18,408 22,295 18,411 20,174 

Shelter .......................................................... 11,335 14,848 10,755 13,068 

Owned dwellings ........................................ 7,452 9,327 7,410 8,822 

Rented dwellings ........................................ 3,039 4,438 2,613 3,175 

Other lodging .............................................. 843 1,084 732 1,071 

Utilities, fuels, and public services ................ 3,707 3,879 3,981 3,850 

Household operations .................................. 971 1,171 1,054 1,036 

Housekeeping supplies ................................ 579 572 602 542 

Household furnishings and equipment ......... 1,815 1,824 2,020 1,678 

Apparel and services ...................................... 2,069 2,619 2,041 2,093 

Transportation ................................................ 8,107 8,048 7,345 8,707 

Vehicle purchases (net outlay) ..................... 2,703 2,349 2,244 3,420 

Gasoline and motor oil ................................. 1,994 1,892 2,106 2,026 

Other vehicle expenses ................................ 2,722 2,721 2,447 2,642 

Public transportation ..................................... 688 1,085 548 618 

Healthcare ...................................................... 2,618 2,674 2,175 2,809 

Entertainment ................................................. 2,666 2,600 2,327 3,352 

Personal care products and services ............. 583 685 602 546 

Reading .......................................................... 134 118 109 177 

Education ....................................................... 1,121 1,420 1,228 1,381 

Tobacco products and smoking supplies ....... 346 221 406 350 

Miscellaneous ................................................. 855 1,006 689 736 

Cash contributions .......................................... 1,445 1,517 1,486 1,235 

Personal insurance and pensions .................. 5,517 5,924 5,778 6,365 

Life and other personal insurance ................ 338 338 289 254 

Pensions and Social Security ....................... 5,179 5,586 5,488 6,111