Rural households spend less than urban ones, but more on animals and recreational vehicles

Rural households spend less overall than urban ones, according to information from 2011, the last year data was available. On average urban households spent $50,348 in 2011, 18 percent more than the $42,540 spent by rural ones, reports Phil Izzo of the Wall Street Journal.

Urban households spend more on housing, but rural consumers spend more on health care and transportation, writes Izzo. Rural residents tend to be older, which explains the health-care costs, and tend to have to drive more, which explains bigger outlays for gasoline and automotive maintenance.

Rural households spent $2,652 on entertainment in 2011, $86 more than those in urban regions. Rural consumers spent more on expenditures such as boats and all-terrain vehicles. They also spent more on pets. Urban households spent an average $484 on pet food; pet purchase, supplies, medicine; pet services; and vet services in 2011, compared to $716 for rural households. Izzo attributes that to horses, which are hard to keep in urban areas.