Table 3320. South region by housing tenure: Average annual expenditures and characteristics, Consumer 

Expenditure Survey, 2016-2017

Homeowner 

Item 

All 

consumer 

units in 

the South 

Total 

Homeowner 

with 

mortgage 

Homeowner 

without 

mortgage 

Renter 

Number of consumer units (in thousands) ................................................................ 49,841 31,932 17,645 14,287 17,909 

Consumer unit characteristics: 

 Income before taxes ................................................................................................ $67,297 $81,147 $103,590 $53,430 $42,602 

 Income after taxes ................................................................................................ 58,827 69,849 87,744 47,747 39,176 

 Age of reference person ................................................................................................ 50.7 55.5 49.4 63.1 42.0 

 Average number in consumer unit: 

 People ................................................................................................................................ 2.4 2.5 2.8 2.1 2.3 

 Children under 18................................................................................................ .6 .5 .8 .3 .6 

 Adults 65 and older ................................................................................................4 .5 .3 .8 .2 

 Earners ................................................................................................ 1.2 1.3 1.6 .8 1.2 

 Vehicles ................................................................................................ 1.8 2.2 2.3 2.0 1.2 

Percent distribution: 

 Reference person: 

 Men ................................................................................................................................ 46 48 50 46 43 

 Women ................................................................................................ 54 52 50 54 57 

 Housing tenure: 

 Homeowner ................................................................................................ 64 100 100 100 n.a. 

 With mortgage ................................................................................................ 35 55 100 n.a. n.a. 

 Without mortgage................................................................................................ 29 45 n.a. 100 n.a. 

 Renter ................................................................................................................................ 36 n.a. n.a. n.a. 100 

 Race of reference person: 

 Black or African-American ................................................................................................ 19 14 15 12 29 

 White, Asian, and all other races ................................................................ 81 86 85 88 71 

 Hispanic or Latino origin of reference person: 

 Hispanic or Latino ................................................................................................13 11 12 9 18 

 Not Hispanic or Latino ................................................................................................ 87 89 88 91 82 

 Education of reference person: 

 Elementary (1-8) ................................................................................................ 3 3 1 5 3 

 High school (9-12) ................................................................................................33 31 24 40 37 

 College ................................................................................................ 63 66 74 55 59 

 Never attended and other ................................................................................................ ( 1 ) ( 1 ) ( 1 ) ( 1 ) 1 

 At least one vehicle owned or leased ................................................................ 89 95 97 92 78 

Average annual expenditures................................................................................................ $53,740 $62,019 $73,733 $47,121 $38,872 

 Food ................................................................................................................................ 6,921 7,775 8,537 6,558 5,355 

 Food at home ................................................................................................ 3,892 4,315 4,578 3,881 3,113 

 Cereals and bakery products ................................................................ 500 556 571 533 397 

 Cereals and cereal products ................................................................ 155 166 178 146 135 

 Bakery products ................................................................................................ 345 391 393 387 262 

 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ................................................................ 884 963 1,019 869 740 

 Beef ................................................................................................ 240 265 270 257 194 

 Pork ................................................................................................ 178 198 201 191 142 

 Other meats ................................................................................................108 120 131 101 86 

 Poultry ................................................................................................ 178 187 206 156 161 

 Fish and seafood ................................................................................................ 127 138 152 113 109 

 Eggs ................................................................................................ 53 56 59 52 47 

 Dairy products ................................................................................................376 424 450 380 289 

 Fresh milk and cream ................................................................................................ 133 146 153 134 109 

 Other dairy products ................................................................................................ 244 278 297 246 181 

 Fruits and vegetables ................................................................................................ 724 816 884 705 553 

 Fresh fruits ................................................................................................ 262 299 325 257 194 

 Fresh vegetables ................................................................................................ 226 259 281 221 167 

 Processed fruits ................................................................................................ 101 112 124 93 80 

 Processed vegetables ................................................................................................ 135 146 154 134 113 

 Other food at home ................................................................................................ 1,407 1,555 1,654 1,393 1,134 

 Sugar and other sweets ................................................................ 136 153 160 141 105 

 Fats and oils ................................................................................................107 118 123 110 86 

See footnotes at end of table. 
Table 3320. South region by housing tenure: Average annual expenditures and characteristics, Consumer 

Expenditure Survey, 2016-2017 — Continued 

Homeowner 

Item 

All 

consumer 

units in 

the South 

Total 

Homeowner 

with 

mortgage 

Homeowner 

without 

mortgage 

Renter 

 Miscellaneous foods ................................................................................................ 712 783 850 671 581 

 Nonalcoholic beverages ................................................................ 409 448 463 424 338 

 Food prepared by consumer unit on out-of-town trips ................................ 43 53 58 47 24 

 Food away from home ................................................................................................ 3,030 3,460 3,959 2,678 2,242 

 Alcoholic beverages ................................................................................................ 421 494 569 378 286 

 Housing ................................................................................................................................ 17,383 18,858 24,024 12,450 14,733 

 Shelter ................................................................................................................................ 9,797 9,808 13,890 4,767 9,778 

 Owned dwellings ................................................................................................ 5,659 8,793 12,789 3,858 71 

 Mortgage interest and charges ................................................................2,812 4,371 7,815 117 233 

 Property taxes ................................................................................................ 1,377 2,138 2,523 1,664 20 

 Maintenance, repairs, insurance, other expenses ................................ 1,470 2,284 2,452 2,076 18 

 Rented dwellings................................................................................................ 3,463 103 98 108 9,454 

 Other lodging ................................................................................................ 675 912 1,002 801 253 

 Utilities, fuels, and public services ................................................................ 3,864 4,478 4,872 3,992 2,769 

 Natural gas ................................................................................................ 208 266 301 224 103 

 Electricity ................................................................................................ 1,664 1,907 1,972 1,827 1,232 

 Fuel oil and other fuels ................................................................................................ 42 58 56 61 14 

 Telephone services ................................................................................................ 1,371 1,542 1,769 1,262 1,066 

 Residential phone service, VOIP, and phone cards ................................ 252 328 286 381 116 

 Cellular phone service ................................................................................................ 1,119 1,214 1,483 882 949 

 Water and other public services ................................................................ 578 704 775 618 353 

 Household operations ................................................................................................ 1,339 1,663 2,064 1,165 760 

 Personal services................................................................................................ 426 517 761 215 265 

 Other household expenses ................................................................ 912 1,146 1,303 949 495 

 Housekeeping supplies ................................................................................................ 674 809 821 791 423 

 Laundry and cleaning supplies ................................................................ 169 183 186 177 143 

 Other household products ................................................................ 370 453 467 430 218 

 Postage and stationery ................................................................................................ 134 174 168 184 62 

 Household furnishings and equipment ................................................................ 1,709 2,100 2,377 1,736 1,003 

 Household textiles................................................................................................ 104 130 141 112 57 

 Furniture ................................................................................................ 444 512 637 357 322 

 Floor coverings ................................................................................................14 17 22 11 8 

 Major appliances ................................................................................................ 274 361 404 309 118 

 Small appliances, miscellaneous housewares ................................ 112 129 132 125 80 

 Miscellaneous household equipment ................................................................ 762 950 1,040 821 418 

 Apparel and services ................................................................................................ 1,691 1,854 2,148 1,422 1,394 

 Men and boys ................................................................................................ 394 424 494 321 337 

 Men, 16 and over ................................................................................................ 301 331 375 263 246 

 Boys, 2 to 15 ................................................................................................ 93 93 118 58 92 

 Women and girls ................................................................................................624 710 785 592 465 

 Women, 16 and over ................................................................................................ 520 606 650 534 363 

 Girls, 2 to 15 ................................................................................................ 103 104 135 59 102 

 Children under 2 ................................................................................................ 73 67 91 27 83 

 Footwear ................................................................................................ 358 375 429 286 326 

 Other apparel products and services ................................................................243 278 349 195 182 

 Transportation ................................................................................................ 9,323 10,893 12,554 8,870 6,511 

 Vehicle purchases (net outlay) ................................................................ 4,204 4,964 5,860 3,857 2,849 

 Cars and trucks, new ................................................................................................ 2,059 2,629 2,979 2,198 1,042 

 Cars and trucks, used ................................................................................................ 2,075 2,263 2,779 1,624 1,740 

 Other vehicles ................................................................................................ 70 72 102 34 67 

 Gasoline, other fuels, and motor oil ................................................................1,949 2,192 2,540 1,762 1,517 

 Other vehicle expenses ................................................................................................ 2,688 3,134 3,430 2,800 1,879 

 Vehicle finance charges ................................................................................................ 248 290 386 171 172 

 Maintenance and repairs ................................................................................................ 794 947 1,089 766 520 

 Vehicle insurance................................................................................................ 1,201 1,399 1,312 1,544 837 

 Vehicle rental, leases, licenses, and other charges ................................ 445 498 643 319 349 

 Public and other transportation ................................................................ 482 603 724 451 265 

 Healthcare ................................................................................................ 4,473 5,595 5,747 5,414 2,469 

 Health insurance ................................................................................................ 3,135 3,928 3,983 3,860 1,722 

 Medical services ................................................................................................720 895 1,050 703 409 

 Drugs ................................................................................................................................ 480 601 548 671 260 

 Medical supplies ................................................................................................138 171 166 179 79 

 Entertainment ................................................................................................ 2,741 3,385 3,794 2,837 1,581 

See footnotes at end of table. 
Table 3320. South region by housing tenure: Average annual expenditures and characteristics, Consumer 

Expenditure Survey, 2016-2017 — Continued 

Homeowner 

Item 

All 

consumer 

units in 

the South 

Total 

Homeowner 

with 

mortgage 

Homeowner 

without 

mortgage 

Renter 

 Fees and admissions ................................................................................................ 551 708 890 475 271 

 Audio and visual equipment and services ................................................................ 1,035 1,196 1,308 1,041 747 

 Pets, toys, hobbies, and playground equipment................................................................ 699 867 930 785 391 

 Pets ................................................................................................................................ 556 704 754 642 285 

 Toys, hobbies, and playground equipment ................................................................ 143 163 176 143 106 

 Other entertainment supplies, equipment, and services ................................ 456 614 666 536 172 

 Personal care products and services ................................................................ 668 772 880 621 479 

 Reading ................................................................................................................................ 95 114 112 120 62 

 Education................................................................................................ 1,088 1,264 1,585 864 774 

 Tobacco products and smoking supplies ................................................................ 336 328 324 333 349 

 Miscellaneous ................................................................................................ 779 936 1,091 739 498 

 Cash contributions................................................................................................ 1,773 2,290 2,447 2,096 851 

 Personal insurance and pensions ................................................................ 6,047 7,458 9,920 4,418 3,530 

 Life and other personal insurance ................................................................ 350 477 559 377 123 

 Pensions and Social Security ................................................................ 5,697 6,981 9,361 4,042 3,407 

Sources of income and personal taxes: 

 Money income before taxes ................................................................................................ $67,297 $81,147 $103,590 $53,430 $42,602 

 Wages and salaries................................................................................................ 52,946 62,642 87,338 32,142 35,657 

 Self-employment income ................................................................................................ 4,440 5,879 7,638 3,706 1,875 

 Social Security, private and government retirement ................................ 7,645 10,186 6,369 14,899 3,114 

 Interest, dividends, rental income, other property income ................................ 1,164 1,663 1,455 1,919 274 

 Public assistance, Supplemental Security Income, 

 Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) ................................ 443 242 171 330 800 

 Unemployment and workers' compensation, veterans' 

 benefits, and regular contributions for support ................................ 366 387 426 340 327 

 Other income ................................................................................................ 295 148 192 94 556 

 Personal taxes (contains some imputed values) ................................................................ 8,470 11,299 15,846 5,683 3,426 

 Federal income taxes ................................................................................................ 6,944 9,374 13,156 4,704 2,610 

 State and local income taxes ................................................................ 1,461 1,839 2,577 927 786 

 Other taxes ................................................................................................ 66 85 113 52 31 

 Income after taxes ................................................................................................ 58,827 69,849 87,744 47,747 39,176 

Addenda: 

 Net change in total assets and liabilities ................................................................ $8,166 $12,249 $8,996 $16,268 $886 

 Net change in total assets ................................................................................................ 15,342 22,532 26,543 17,577 2,522 

 Net change in total liabilities ................................................................ 7,175 10,282 17,548 1,309 1,636 

 Other financial information: 

 Other money receipts ................................................................................................ 516 711 784 621 168 

 Mortgage principal paid on owned property ................................................................ -1,615 -2,507 -4,238 -369 -25 

 Estimated market value of owned home................................................................ 137,443 214,529 246,980 174,451 ( 3 ) 

 Estimated monthly rental value of owned home ................................................................ 885 1,380 1,544 1,177 21 

 Gifts of goods and services, total ................................................................ 1,027 1,297 1,336 1,249 541 

 Food ................................................................................................................................ 76 100 93 113 30 

 Alcoholic beverages ................................................................................................7 8 7 9 7 

 Housing ................................................................................................ 231 273 298 240 156 

 Housekeeping supplies ................................................................................................ 24 33 36 28 8 

 Household textiles................................................................................................7 10 9 13 22 

 Appliances and miscellaneous housewares ................................................................ 20 28 27 31 5 

 Major appliances................................................................................................ 9 14 12 16 21 

 Small appliances and miscellaneous housewares ................................ 11 15 14 15 24 

 Miscellaneous household equipment ................................................................45 59 64 52 20 

 Other housing ................................................................................................135 142 163 116 121 

 Apparel and services ................................................................................................ 189 211 233 176 150 

 Males, 2 and over ................................................................................................ 50 63 64 63 27 

 Females, 2 and over ................................................................................................ 69 76 87 59 56 

See footnotes at end of table. 
Table 3320. South region by housing tenure: Average annual expenditures and characteristics, Consumer 

Expenditure Survey, 2016-2017 — Continued 

Homeowner 

Item 

All 

consumer 

units in 

the South 

Total 

Homeowner 

with 

mortgage 

Homeowner 

without 

mortgage 

Renter 

 Children under 2 ................................................................................................27 26 33 16 29 

 Other apparel products and services................................................................43 45 49 39 38 

 Jewelry and watches ................................................................................................ 10 12 15 8 26 

 All other apparel products and services ................................................................ 33 33 35 31 33 

 Transportation ................................................................................................ 104 134 158 105 50 

 Healthcare ................................................................................................ 28 27 25 29 30 

 Entertainment ................................................................................................ 79 107 96 125 29 

 Toys, games, arts and crafts, and tricycles ................................................................ 34 44 38 55 14 

 Other entertainment ................................................................................................ 45 62 58 69 15 

 Personal care products and services ................................................................ 11 12 11 14 10 

 Reading ................................................................................................ 3 4 4 5 2 

 Education ................................................................................................ 224 325 320 331 46 

 All other gifts ................................................................................................ 73 96 92 102 31 

1

 Value is too small to display. 

2

 Data are likely to have large sampling errors. 

3

 No data reported. 

n.a. Not applicable. 

Source: Consumer Expenditure Survey, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, September, 2018