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
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. |