Table 2. Rental and Homeowner Vacancy Rates, by Area: Third Quarter 1998 and 1997 Rental vacancy rates Third Third Standard Standard Area quarter quarter error on error on 1998 1997 1998 rate difference United States.......... 8.2 7.9 0.2 0.3 Inside MAs........... 8.0 7.6 0.2 0.3 In central cities.. 8.5 8.2 0.3 0.4 Not in central cities (suburbs).......... 7.3 7.0 0.3 0.4 Outside MAs.......... 9.6 9.0 0.5 0.7 Northeast............. 7.0 7.2 0.4 0.6 Midwest............... 8.5 7.9 0.4 0.6 South................. 9.9 9.1 0.3 0.5 West.................. 6.6 6.8 0.3 0.5 Homeowner vacancy rates Third Third Standard Standard Area quarter quarter error on error on 1998 1997 1998 rate difference United States.......... 1.7 1.5 0.1 0.1 Inside MAs........... 1.6 1.5 0.1 0.1 In central cities.. 2.0 1.8 0.1 0.2 Not in central cities (suburbs).......... 1.4 1.4 0.1 0.1 Outside MAs.......... 2.2 1.7 0.1 0.2 Northeast............. 1.4 1.5 0.1 0.2 Midwest............... 1.4 1.2 0.1 0.2 South................. 2.0 1.7 0.1 0.1 West.................. 1.8 1.7 0.1 0.2