The Purchasing Power of Working-Age Adults With Disabilities in Boston and Other Top Metropolitan Areas
Authors: Michelle Yin, Dahlia Shaewitz, & Mahlet Megra Year: 2020 | Type: Research Report Published by: AIR / Ruderman Family Foundation
$7B
Boston Disposable Income
Exceeds
City's Annual Budget
10
Largest Metros Analyzed
6 Types
Disability Categories Examined
Abstract
This report quantifies the purchasing power of working-age adults with disabilities across the 10 largest metropolitan areas in the United States, with a special focus on Boston. The study reveals that the disability community in Boston alone holds $7 billion in disposable income -- a figure that exceeds the city's annual operating budget. By analyzing purchasing power by disability type and metro area, the report demonstrates the enormous, often-overlooked economic contribution of people with disabilities and provides a data-driven rationale for businesses and policymakers to invest in accessibility and inclusion.
Key Findings
Boston: $7 billion in disposable income. Working-age adults with disabilities in the Boston metro area collectively hold approximately $7 billion in disposable income, a sum that exceeds the city of Boston's annual operating budget.
Top 10 metros analyzed: The study provides purchasing power estimates across the 10 largest metropolitan areas, revealing substantial disability consumer markets in each.
Analysis by disability type: Purchasing power varies by disability type, with people with hearing and vision disabilities typically holding higher disposable incomes due to higher employment and earnings rates.
A compelling business case: The findings present a strong economic argument for businesses to invest in accessible products, services, and hiring practices to capture this significant consumer market.
Local policy implications: City and state governments can leverage these data to justify investments in disability employment programs, accessible infrastructure, and inclusive economic development strategies.
Disposable Income of Adults With Disabilities by Metro Area
Estimated disposable income in billions of dollars
Disposable Income by Metro Area
Metropolitan Area
Disposable Income (Approx.)
New York
$25 billion
Los Angeles
$16 billion
Chicago
$12 billion
Dallas
$9 billion
Houston
$8 billion
Boston
$7 billion
Philadelphia
$7 billion
Washington DC
$7 billion
Miami
$6 billion
Atlanta
$5 billion
Data & Methods
This study uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Expenditure Survey (CEX) to estimate disposable income of working-age adults (ages 18-64) with disabilities across the 10 largest metropolitan statistical areas. Disposable income is estimated by subtracting essential expenditures from total after-tax income, with adjustments for regional cost-of-living differences. The analysis is further disaggregated by disability type (hearing, vision, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care, and independent living).
Implications
Invest in local accessibility infrastructure. Metro areas should recognize the disability community as a significant economic force and invest in accessible transportation, housing, and public spaces to support their economic participation.
Target business development to disability markets. Local economic development agencies should help small businesses and entrepreneurs understand and serve the disability consumer market, which represents billions of dollars in each major metro area.
Use data for advocacy. Disability advocates and policymakers can use these metro-level purchasing power figures to make compelling economic arguments for inclusion initiatives and disability employment programs.
Analyze by disability type. Because purchasing power varies by disability type, programs and policies should be tailored to address the specific economic profiles and needs of different disability communities.
Citation
Yin, M., Shaewitz, D., & Megra, M. (2020). The Purchasing Power of Working-Age Adults With Disabilities in Boston and Other Top Metropolitan Areas. American Institutes for Research / Ruderman Family Foundation.