The complete budget. In Table 6 are summarized the percentages of increase between October, 1914, and October, 1919, for the separate budget items and for all items combined, for a family of man, wife and three children under fourteen years of age.[6 ] From this it appears that the cost of living at a minimum standard increased 73% between 1914 and 1919. The more liberal budget was 74% higher in 1919 than in 1914.[7 ]
It should be pointed out, however, that these increases are estimated on the basis of the maintenance of an identical standard in 1914 and 1919. As a matter of fact, standards of living have changed greatly within the last five years. On the one hand, there have been substitutions as prices have mounted, and on the other, wage increases greater than advances in the cost of living have in many instances enabled families to buy more and better goods than ever before. It is not possible to say which influence has been the more important.
Conclusion
From the results of this brief survey of the cost of living among mill operatives in Fall River, it appears that to maintain a family consisting of man, wife and three children under fourteen years of age, at a minimum American standard of living but without any allowance for savings, $1,267.76 per year will be required, or a steady income of $24.38 per week. The distribution of expenses among the different budget items is:
| Item | Weekly | Yearly |
| Food | $11.00 | $ 572.00 |
| Shelter | 2.25 | 117.00 |
| Clothing | 4.68 | 243.36 |
| Fuel, heat and light | 1.35 | 70.20 |
| Sundries | 5.10 | 265.20 |
| All items | $24.38 | $1,267.76 |
To maintain a somewhat more comfortable standard, again without specific allowance for savings, $1,573.90 per year will be necessary or a steady income of $30.27 per week. The cost by separate items is:
| Item | Weekly | Yearly |
| Food | $12.15 | $ 631.80 |
| Shelter | 3.50 | 182.00 |
| Clothing | 6.20 | 322.25 |
| Fuel, heat and light | 1.62 | 84.25 |
| Sundries | 6.80 | 353.60 |
| All items | $30.27 | $1,573.90 |
Between October, 1914, and October, 1919, the cost of living at a minimum standard in Fall River increased 73% and at a more liberal standard, 74%, the advance for the separate items being as follows: