It is no surprise that households in British Columbia spend the biggest percentage of their average total spending on shelter in Canada, but when it comes to transportation, they tend to be the most frugal.
British Columbians spent 18.3% of their total yearly spending in 2013 on transportation, which includes the purchase and operating costs of personal vehicles and public transit, Statistics Canada announced January 22.
With an average of around $61,000 in total household spending in the year – up more than 3.7% compared with 2012 – transportation costs amounted to almost $11,200. In contrast, the average Canadian spent 20.6% of their total expenditures on transportation.
Households in this province also spent the smallest percentage of total earnings on clothing and accessories, at 5.7%, compared with the national average of 6.1%.
The average Canadian spent a total of $58,600 in 2013, up 4% from $56,300 in 2012.
Albertans were the biggest spenders in the country, with an average household outlay of $71,400. They also spent the most in 2012, at $70,000.
Statistics Canada also found that, nationwide, the proportions of spending differed by how wealthy the household was. The lowest 20% – defined as those with incomes under $31,000, spent 30.4% of their total expenditures on shelter, compared with 16.6% for the wealthiest 20%.
The wealthiest 20% spend the biggest percentage of their incomes on income taxes (28.3%), compared with 1.3% for the lowest 20%.
