Newsroom

NEW YORK — In July 2010, U.S. Census Bureau field representatives will begin collecting information about how much Americans spend for groceries, clothing, transportation, housing, health care and other items from a sample of households across the country. The Consumer Expenditure Survey (CE) is not to be confused with the 2010 Census. The decennial census operations are scheduled to conclude at the end of July, whereas the CE is an ongoing survey.

The CE consists of two parts:

• The Interview Survey — During the year, about 15,000 households will be interviewed each quarter to obtain data on relatively large expenditures and also those expenditures that occur on a regular basis (such as rent and utilities).
• The Diary Survey — During the year, another 12,500 households will be asked to keep two consecutive one-week diaries of smaller, more frequent purchases that may be difficult for respondents to recall later (such as a fast-food purchase at a drive-through window, a soda or candy bar from a vending machine, or a carton of eggs from the supermarket).

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics then calculates and publishes integrated data from the two surveys — providing a snapshot of our nation's economy and spending habits. Government economists use the survey results to update a “market basket” of goods and services for the Consumer Price Index, our nation's most widely used measure of inflation.

“The Consumer Price Index,” said Lester A. Farthing, director of the Census Bureau's New York Regional Office, “helps businesses around the country keep wages, salaries and pensions in line with increases in the cost of living.”

Before the CE interviews begin, households will receive a letter from the Census Bureau director informing them of their selection to participate in the survey. Census Bureau field representatives will visit these households to conduct the interview. The field representative conducting the CE interviews must display an official photo identification before proceeding with the interview. Federal law ensures survey respondents' personal information and answers are kept confidential.

Household Expenditures for Housing: 2007-2008

Area	Average annual amount spent for housing	Percentage of total expenditures
United States	$17,015	34.0
Northeast	$19,305	36.2
New York	23,441	39.6
Philadelphia	20,870	37.5
Boston	20,677	37.0
South	$15,095	32.7
Washington, D.C.	26,128	37.0
Baltimore	20,255	38.5
Miami	18,459	39.2
Houston	18,059	32.4
Dallas-Fort Worth	17,737	33.5
Atlanta	17,275	37.0
Midwest	$15,466	32.3
Chicago	20,830	36.0
Minneapolis-St. Paul	19,842	34.1
Cleveland	16,933	34.9
Detroit	15,866	33.0
West	$19,784	35.4
San Francisco	26,111	37.9
Los Angeles	22,645	38.3
San Diego	22,562	44.1
Seattle	21,515	33.8
Phoenix	19,492	34.3

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics