The study examines the socio-economic and occupational determinants influencing household consumption patterns in Odisha, with a focus on disparities across different population groups. Adopting a descriptive and analytical research design, primary data were collected from 120 households selected through stratified random sampling, covering both rural and urban areas. The analysis employs descriptive statistics, Engel curve assessment, and multiple regression techniques to evaluate the relationship between consumption expenditure and key variables such as occupation, income, education, household size, and location.

The findings reveal that occupation significantly shapes consumption behaviour, with households engaged in agriculture and informal labour allocating a larger share of expenditure to food, while salaried and business households demonstrate higher non-food consumption and greater diversification. Income is identified as the most influential determinant, exhibiting a strong positive association with total consumption expenditure. Education further enhances consumption diversification, particularly in welfare-oriented categories such as health and education. The study also identifies notable rural–urban disparities, reflecting differences in income levels and access to services.