PolicyMap, Quantitative Innovations (QI), BLS, and Census: Consumer Spending Habits

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Details Estimated average spending per household, estimated aggregate household expenditures, and estimated percent of household expenditures spent by expense category
Topics economy, spending
Source PolicyMap, Quantitative Innovations, Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, and U.S. Census American Community Survey
Years Available 2023
Geographies Census tract, ZCTA, Census place, city, congressional district, county, CBSA, state
Public Edition or Subscriber-only Premium subscriber-only
Download Available no
For more information https://www.bls.gov/cex/
Last updated on PolicyMap May 2025

Description:

PolicyMap and Quantitative Innovations (QI) developed Consumer Spending Habits data by combining information on household spending behavior from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey (2022-2023) with demographic and economic data from the U.S. Census American Community Survey (2019-2023). Consumer Spending Habits data provides small-area estimates of household expenditures for several major categories of household expenses. “Households” are defined here as “consumer units,” individuals living together who share major expenses. This differs from the Census Bureau’s definition of household, which may contain multiple consumer units if household members do not share all major expenses.

Estimates were generated by PolicyMap and QI and include:

  • Total household expenditures
  • Average household spending
  • Average percent of household income spent

These metrics are available by expense category, including: total expenditures, food, food at home, food away from home, alcohol, education, and housing.

The Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES), conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), collects detailed information on household spending patterns, including expenditures on food, housing, and other major categories. Survey participants report spending for all members of their consumer unit over specific time periods. The BLS releases CES microdata and summary tables on a regular basis—typically annually or semiannually.

The American Community Survey (ACS), conducted annually by the U.S. Census Bureau, collects data throughout the year from a randomly selected sample of households in the United States and Puerto Rico. It provides detailed information on population, housing, demographic, social, and economic characteristics.

Quantitative Innovations is a data strategy and applied analytics advisory firm that helps clients turn their data into strategic insights and actions.

Available Data Layers & Indicators (7)
Estimated average annual amount spent per household on alcohol as of 2023.
Estimated average annual amount spent per household on all household expenses as of 2023.
Estimated average annual amount spent per household on education as of 2023.
Estimated average annual amount spent per household on food as of 2023.
Estimated average annual amount spent per household on food at home as of 2023.
Estimated average annual amount spent per household on food away from home as of 2023.
Estimated average annual amount spent per household on housing as of 2023.