October 8, 2021

State personal consumption expenditures (PCE) decreased 2.6 percent in 2020 after increasing 3.7 percent in 2019. The percent change in PCE across all 50 states and the District of Columbia ranged from 1.2 percent in Idaho and Utah to –5.8 percent in the District of Columbia. The PCE by state estimates were impacted by the response to the spread of COVID-19, as governments issued and lifted "stay-at-home" orders. This led to rapid changes in demand and consumers canceled, restricted, or redirected their spending.

State consumer spending, percent change from 2019 to 2020
  • Food services and accommodations decreased 20.5 percent nationally and was the largest contributor to decreases in the District of Columbia and 27 states including Hawaii and New York.
  • Nationally, expenditures on housing and utilities increased 3.8 percent and was the leading contributor to the increases in Idaho, Utah, and Montana. PCE increased in only four states, Idaho, Utah, Montana, and Arkansas.

For more information, read the full report.