Table 2. Rental and Homeowner Vacancy Rates, by Area: First Quarter 2003 and 2002 Rental vacancy rates First First Standard Standard Area quarter quarter error on error on 2003 2002r 2003 rate difference United States.......... 9.4 9.1 0.2 0.2 Inside MAs........... 9.3 9.0 0.2 0.3 In central cities.. 9.4 9.5 0.3 0.4 Not in central cities (suburbs).......... 9.2 8.3 0.3 0.4 Outside MAs.......... 10.1 9.8 0.5 0.7 Northeast............. 6.0 5.8 0.3 0.5 Midwest............... 10.2 10.3 0.4 0.6 South................. 12.4 11.8 0.3 0.5 West.................. 7.3 7.0 0.3 0.4 Homeowner vacancy rates First First Standard Standard Area quarter quarter error on error on 2003 2002r 2003 rate difference United States.......... 1.7 1.7 (z) 0.1 Inside MAs........... 1.6 1.6 0.1 0.1 In central cities.. 1.8 2.0 0.1 0.2 Not in central cities (suburbs).......... 1.5 1.4 0.1 0.1 Outside MAs.......... 1.9 1.9 0.1 0.2 Northeast............. 1.1 1.2 0.1 0.2 Midwest............... 1.7 1.7 0.1 0.1 South................. 2.0 1.9 0.1 0.1 West.................. 1.6 1.5 0.1 0.1 rRevised (z) Less than 0.05.