Table 21. Selected northeastern metropolitan statistical areas: Average annual expenditures and characteristics, Consumer Expenditure Survey, 2002-2003 All consumer Item units in New York Philadelphia Boston Pittsburgh the Northeast Number of consumer units (in thousands)...... 21,748 7,446 2,404 2,605 1,038 Consumer unit characteristics: Income before taxes a/ .................... $55,278 $66,643 $59,006 $59,648 $52,988 Age of reference person.................... 49.4 49.2 49.9 47.8 52.6 Average number in consumer unit: Persons.................................. 2.4 2.7 2.6 2.3 2.3 Children under 18........................ .6 .7 .7 .6 .5 Persons 65 and over...................... .3 .3 .3 .3 .4 Earners.................................. 1.3 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 Vehicles................................. 1.7 1.4 1.7 1.6 2.0 Percent Homeowner......................... 64 56 74 62 73 Average annual expenditures.................. $42,274 $50,319 $40,986 $41,814 $42,102 Food....................................... 5,771 7,005 4,862 5,627 5,295 Food at home............................. 3,301 3,808 2,630 3,303 3,102 Cereals and bakery products............ 491 570 411 495 473 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs......... 883 1,079 711 897 821 Dairy products......................... 350 396 280 356 322 Fruits and vegetables.................. 595 732 470 562 515 Other food at home..................... 981 1,031 758 994 972 Food away from home...................... 2,470 3,197 2,232 2,324 2,192 Alcoholic beverages........................ 442 469 448 504 403 Housing.................................... 14,687 18,919 14,780 15,211 12,310 Shelter.................................. 9,049 12,402 8,843 10,145 6,528 Owned dwellings........................ 5,864 7,640 6,522 6,318 4,562 Rented dwellings....................... 2,617 4,066 1,867 3,203 1,481 Other lodging.......................... 569 696 454 623 485 Utilities, fuels, and public services.... 2,821 3,055 3,105 2,676 2,902 Household operations..................... 809 1,113 789 772 639 Housekeeping supplies.................... 511 553 517 407 532 Household furnishings and equipment...... 1,497 1,796 1,527 1,212 1,708 Apparel and services....................... 1,911 2,638 2,106 1,610 1,630 Transportation............................. 7,113 7,729 6,510 7,175 6,972 Vehicle purchases (net outlay)........... 3,038 2,928 2,399 3,518 2,769 Gasoline and motor oil................... 1,120 1,101 1,142 1,159 1,164 Other vehicle expenses................... 2,380 2,658 2,596 2,074 2,639 Public transportation.................... 575 1,042 374 424 399 Health care................................ 2,166 2,235 2,138 2,007 2,459 Entertainment.............................. 2,200 2,350 2,031 2,019 2,550 Personal care products and services........ 525 643 567 496 533 Reading.................................... 159 166 132 163 169 Education.................................. 1,051 1,260 834 1,118 1,139 Tobacco products and smoking supplies...... 311 266 289 273 492 Miscellaneous.............................. 639 771 682 473 705 Cash contributions......................... 1,180 949 1,050 1,016 3,570 Personal insurance and pensions............ 4,120 4,918 4,556 4,121 3,875 Life and other personal insurance........ 456 531 461 235 485 Pensions and Social Security............. 3,664 4,388 4,095 3,886 3,390 a Components of income and taxes are derived from "complete income reporters" only; see glossary.