Do the data show cost-of-living differences among areas?
No. The Consumer Expenditure Survey data in published tables show average expenditures and incomes of consumer units. The expenditure levels may vary across areas for a number of reasons. These include demographic and economic differences in age levels, income levels, size of consumer units, tastes, and personal preferences. A commonly used method of comparing the cost of living among areas involves developing an estimate of the cost of a similar bundle of goods and services for each area. The Consumer Expenditure Survey makes no attempt to measure the cost of a standard bundle of goods and services, but instead provides actual expenditure levels of consumer units.
