U.S. average annual home improvement spending

2000: $2,128 2007: $2,950(39 percent increase)

2009: $2,432(18 percent decline )

Though many Minnesotans are scaling back remodeling projects, Minneapolis residents were big spenders through 2009, at least compared with other major cities.

Metro areas where homeowners spent the most:

1. San Jose: $4,885

2. Boston: $4,583

3. Minneapolis: $4,357

5. Los Angeles: $4,319

6. Sacramento: $4,271

7. San Francisco: $3,983

8. Washington: $3,548

9. New York: $3,454