Understanding Household Spending in Nashik and Pune (2019–2021)

This study investigates how socio-economic and demographic factors influenced household spending on food, health, and leisure (recreation, restaurants, and vacations) in Nashik and Pune between 2019 and 2021.Drawing data from the Consumer Pyramid Household Survey (CPHS), it compares rural and urban households to identify key spending drivers, including income, education, age, gender, occupation, and household size.The research examines how these factors evolved before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing distinct spending behaviors and trends across regions.The analysis found that income and household size were the most significant predictors across all categories, particularly in rural areas.Urban households demonstrated more complex spending patterns, with additional influences from education, gender, and age, especially in health and leisure expenditures.The pandemic amplified urban households' focus on health and leisure, while rural households remained constrained by limited financial flexibility.These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers to design targeted interventions addressing rural-urban disparities and promoting inclusive economic growth.