Table 2. Rental and Homeowner Vacancy Rates, by Area: Fourth Quarter 1997 and Fourth Quarter 1996 Rental vacancy rates Fourth Fourth Standard Standard Area quarter quarter error on error on 1997 1996 1997 rate difference United States.......... 7.7 7.7 0.2 0.3 Inside MAs........... 7.5 7.6 0.2 0.3 In central cities.. 7.9 8.3 0.3 0.4 Not in central cities (suburbs).......... 7.1 6.8 0.3 0.4 Outside MAs.......... 8.6 8.3 0.5 0.7 Northeast............. 6.9 7.1 0.4 0.6 Midwest............... 7.3 8.2 0.4 0.6 South................. 9.3 8.5 0.3 0.5 West.................. 6.5 6.7 0.3 0.5 Homeowner vacancy rates Fourth Fourth Standard Standard Area quarter quarter error on error on 1997 1996 1997 rate difference United States.......... 1.7 1.7 0.1 0.1 Inside MAs........... 1.6 1.7 0.1 0.1 In central cities.. 2.0 2.1 0.1 0.2 Not in central cities (suburbs).......... 1.4 1.5 0.1 0.1 Outside MAs.......... 2.2 1.7 0.1 0.2 Northeast............. 1.6 1.8 0.1 0.2 Midwest............... 1.3 1.4 0.1 0.2 South................. 2.1 1.8 0.1 0.1 West.................. 1.7 1.9 0.1 0.2