The 5 Cities Where Residents Spend the Most on Clothing

You may be a die-hard saver, but is the rest of your city? Residents in the following metropolitan areas tend to spend more money on clothing than the national average, according to Mint.com. Note: Data spans July 2010 to July 2011 and covers 50 cities. (Reuters)

5. Arlington, Va. Total spent on apparel: $251 a month Percentage of discretionary spending: 21%* Capitol Hill’s knack for heavy spending seems to have spread to neighboring cities; after all, the average Arlington resident spends $251 a month on clothing, or 56% more than the national average. * Mint.com users were found to have spent 15% to 23% of their discretionary spending  on apparel purchases. Discretionary spending includes spending on entertainment, restaurant dining, bars, gym, electronics, furnishings and entertainment. It excludes spending on  necessities such as housing, utilities, groceries, health care and taxes.

4. San Jose, Calif. Total spent on apparel: $253 a month Percentage of discretionary spending: 20% Even with all of the high-tech innovating going on in California’s Silicon Valley, it appears residents still have time to shop for clothes. The average person in San Jose, Calif. spends 57% more on clothing each month than the rest of the nation.

3. Dallas Total spent on apparel: $273 a month Percentage of discretionary spending: 20% “Everything’s bigger in Texas” is a phrase that certainly extends to apparel purchases; after all, residents in Dallas spend 70% more on clothing than the national average. They’re also some of the most frequent shoppers, averaging 2.9 clothing transactions a month while the rest of the nation averages 1.9 clothing transactions a month.

2. San Francisco Total spent on apparel: $308 a month Percentage of discretionary budget: 20% A good portion of San Francisco residents may not be wearing fur, but they’re certainly wearing something. People here spend an average of $308 on clothing each month, or 91% more than the national average.

1.   Manhattan Total spent on apparel: $362 a month Percentage of discretionary spending: 21% As residents of one of the fashion capitals of the world, it’s no surprise that New Yorkers spend serious cash on clothing. With an average monthly spending total of $362, they shell out 125% more than the national average and are tied with Dallas residents in terms of boasting the most frequent shoppers.