PORTLAND, Maine (AP) _ A report by the federal government says Maine residents spend more than the average American on food, gasoline and health care, but less on housing and utilities.
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis on Thursday released a report comparing the personal consumption expenditures of the 50 states. The report states Maine's per capita personal consumption expenditure for 2012 was $38,677. The figure is the second-lowest in New England, above only Rhode Island, but is more than the national average of $35,498.
The report found Maine spent the most out of the New England states on gasoline at $2,373 per capita. Only North Dakota, Wyoming and South Dakota spent more. Maine's per capita expenditure of $5,803 on housing and utilities was the lowest of the six New England states.