Abstract: In this paper,eight statistical indexes of the living consumption structure are selected for the cluster analysis of the rural residents in the eight counties and cities of Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture.The results are studied by different hierarchical clustering methods.The eight counties and cities of Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture are divided into three categories,and the differences of living consumption structure of the rural residents among the three categories are respectively discussed according to the results of cluster analysis.This study provides effective reference for the local government to set more rational policies to further improve people's living standards.

Key words: Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture, rural residents, consumption structure, cluster analysis