2015 – Midyear Update Consumer Expenditures Surveys — 2016-04-15

Average expenditures per consumer unit (1) for July 2014 through June 2015 were up 5.9 percent compared with the July 2013 through June 2014 midyear average, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today. Average incomes also increased, up 6.6 percent. All major components of household spending, with the exception of cash contributions,increased over the 12 months ending June 2015.(See table A.) The 19.2-percent rise in education spending was the largest percentage increase among all major components, followed by a 12.6-percent rise in apparel and services spending and an 11.7-percent increase in healthcare spending. Table A. Average expenditures and income of all consumer units _____________________________________________________________________________ Percent change July 2013- July 2014- July 2013 - June 2014 Item June 2014- June 2015- to Average Average July 2014 - June 2015 --------------------------------------- ---------- --------------------- Income before taxes $64,432 $68,662 6.6 Average annual expenditures 51,933 54,992 5.9 Food 6,665 6,887 3.3 Housing 17,377 18,128 4.3 Apparel and services 1,674 1,885 12.6