U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Vehicle Technologies Program

Fact #463: April 2, 2007
Transportation is a Large Share of Average Household Expenditures

After housing, transportation was the largest single expenditure for the average American household in 2005. Within the transportation category, expenditures for vehicles and for gasoline and oil were the highest.

Average Annual Household Expenditures, 2005
Graph showing average annual household expenditures in 2005 and that after housing, transportation is the second highest expendure. For more detailed information, see the table below.

* Other transportation expenditures include vehicle expenses, such as insurance, maintenance, and parts, and public transportation expenses.
** Other household expenditures include entertainment, personal care products and services, education, tobacco products and smoking, and miscellaneous.

Supporting Information


Average Annual Household Expenditures, 2005
Expenditure Category Share of Household
Expenditures
Housing 33%
Transportation
  Vehicles 7.6%
  Gasoline and Motor Oil 4.3%
  Other* 6.1%		 18%
Food 13%
Personal Insurance and Pensions 11%
Health Care 6%
Apparel and Services 4%
Other** 16%
Average Annual Expenditures $46,409

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2005 Consumer Expenditure Survey.
* Other transportation expenditures include vehicle expenses, such as insurance, maintenance, and parts, and public transportation expenses.
** Other household expenditures include entertainment, personal care products and services, education, tobacco products and smoking, and miscellaneous.

 

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