I said "average" not "mean". The median is a form of average.
BLS looks at mostly median households in the survey dataset, but also considers means of some aggregates, when choosing weightings of goods in the basket.
I suspect in the specific case you're talking about -- housing -- using the mean would overweight housing in the basket.
BLS looks at mostly median households in the survey dataset, but also considers means of some aggregates, when choosing weightings of goods in the basket.
I suspect in the specific case you're talking about -- housing -- using the mean would overweight housing in the basket.