U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Vehicle Technologies Office
Fact #747: October 1, 2012
Behind Housing, Transportation is the Top Household Expenditure
Except for housing, transportation was the largest single expenditure for the average American household in 2010. The average household spends more on transportation in a year than on food. Vehicle purchases, along with gasoline and motor oil, make up a large part of vehicle expenditures, but insurance, finance charges, repairs, vehicle rental and public transportation are all considered transportation.
2010 Share of Annual Household Expenditures
Notes: Transportation includes new and used vehicle purchases; gasoline and motor oil; maintenance and repairs; vehicle insurance; vehicle finance charges; vehicle rental and public transportation.
Other includes personal care products and services; reading; education; tobacco products and smoking supplies; cash contributions; personal insurance and pensions; and miscellaneous.
Supporting Information
2010 Share of Annual Household Expenditures
| Expenditure Type |
Percent |
| Housing |
34.4% |
| Transportation |
16.0% |
| Food |
13.6% |
| Personal Insurance and Pensions |
11.2% |
| Health care |
6.6% |
| Entertainment |
5.2% |
| Apparel and Services |
3.5% |
| Other |
9.6% |
| Source: 2011 Vehicle Technologies Market Report, Figure 19. |
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