Table 21. Selected northeastern metropolitan statistical areas: Average annual

expenditures and characteristics, Consumer Expenditure Survey, 2007-2008

Item

All consumer

units in the

Northeast

New York Philadelphia Boston

Number of consumer units (in thousands) ....... 22,365 8,811 2,571 2,744 

Consumer unit characteristics:

Income before taxes ...................................... $70,186 $82,011 $73,674 $75,087 

Age of reference person ................................. 50.7 51.1 49.8 49.8 

Average number in consumer unit:

Persons ........................................................ 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.4 

Children under 18 ......................................... .6 .6 .7 .6 

Persons 65 and older ................................... .3 .3 .3 .3 

Earners ......................................................... 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 

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

Percent homeowner ....................................... 65 59 68 64 

Average annual expenditures ........................... $53,268 $59,185 $55,706 $55,954 

Food ............................................................... 6,688 7,223 6,107 7,446 

Food at home ............................................... 3,806 3,892 3,422 4,629 

Cereals and bakery products ..................... 537 535 467 641 

Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .................... 875 986 803 1,044 

Dairy products ............................................ 430 414 398 522 

Fruits and vegetables ................................. 686 755 589 802 

Other food at home .................................... 1,278 1,203 1,165 1,620 

Food away from home .................................. 2,881 3,331 2,685 2,817 

Alcoholic beverages ....................................... 481 516 465 604 

Housing .......................................................... 19,305 23,441 20,870 20,677 

Shelter .......................................................... 11,831 15,472 12,637 13,051 

Owned dwellings ........................................ 7,752 9,760 8,790 8,804 

Rented dwellings ........................................ 3,052 4,387 2,721 3,155 

Other lodging .............................................. 1,027 1,325 1,126 1,092 

Utilities, fuels, and public services ................ 3,975 4,146 4,356 4,067 

Household operations .................................. 1,094 1,365 1,131 1,215 

Housekeeping supplies ................................ 620 610 701 527 

Household furnishings and equipment ......... 1,786 1,848 2,044 1,817 

Apparel and services ...................................... 2,021 2,535 1,940 2,097 

Transportation ................................................ 8,455 8,249 8,658 8,067 

Vehicle purchases (net outlay) ..................... 2,597 2,102 2,455 2,572 

Gasoline and motor oil ................................. 2,233 2,051 2,447 2,224 

Other vehicle expenses ................................ 2,867 2,928 2,977 2,615 

Public transportation ..................................... 757 1,168 779 657 

Healthcare ...................................................... 2,840 2,829 2,682 2,936 

Entertainment ................................................. 2,885 2,763 2,874 3,334 

Personal care products and services ............. 624 699 641 594 

Reading .......................................................... 138 113 151 177 

Education ....................................................... 1,374 1,795 1,895 1,538 

Tobacco products and smoking supplies ....... 342 210 378 349 

Miscellaneous ................................................. 889 964 935 868 

Cash contributions .......................................... 1,453 1,462 2,106 1,042 

Personal insurance and pensions .................. 5,772 6,386 6,004 6,222 

Life and other personal insurance ................ 363 396 294 268 

Pensions and Social Security ....................... 5,409 5,990 5,710 5,954