The Effect of Income Level on People's Lifestyle Patterns (Case Study on Visitors to Lhokseumawe City Cafes)

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FORMOSA NEWS - Medan - Income Levels Shape Urban Cafe Culture and Lifestyle Patterns in Lhokseumawe. A comprehensive study conducted by researchers Putri Humaira, Yosie Gabriela Panjaitan, Lestari Sihite, and Siti Maisyarah from Universitas Senior Medan investigates how income levels directly influence modern lifestyle patterns. Published in September 2026 in the Formosa Journal of Applied Sciences, the research explores the evolving urban culture of cafe visitors in Lhokseumawe City, Aceh. The findings reveal that individual financial capacity plays a decisive role in shaping social habits, consumption, and recreational choices, offering vital insights into shifting urban behaviors and modern economic trends.

Economic Growth and the Rise of Cafe Culture

Urban areas across Indonesia are experiencing rapid transformations in how residents utilize leisure time and discretionary funds. In Lhokseumawe City, cafes have evolved far beyond traditional dining spaces, serving as modern social hubs for working, collaborative studying, professional networking, and community discussions. Data from the Central Statistics Agency indicates a notable shift in household expenditures, where non-food spending has steadily risen to surpass basic food costs. This economic shift highlights a growing allocation of resources toward recreation, socializing, and lifestyle enhancement. To examine these dynamics, the researchers utilized a quantitative causal associative approach. Gathering data from 101 respondents via structured online questionnaires, the team applied simple linear regression analysis using SPSS 25 to measure how financial standing dictates everyday consumer behavior and activities.

Key Research Findings
The study establishes a clear, measurable connection between financial earnings and social habits among urban residents:

• Positive and Significant Impact: Statistical evaluations confirm that income level has a direct, positive, and significant impact on the lifestyle patterns of cafe visitors.
  
• Predictive Statistical Power: The coefficient of determination ($R^2$) reached 0.556, indicating that 55.6% of the variation in community lifestyle patterns is directly accounted for by income levels, while the remaining 44.4% is influenced by external factors.
  
• Regression Insights: The regression equation demonstrates that every incremental rise in financial capacity yields a corresponding shift toward more active lifestyle choices, validated by strong partial and simultaneous test results ($t = 11.142$ and $F = 124.134$, with a significance level of $p < 0.05$).
  

Real-World Implications and Future Outlook
The implications of this research extend across multiple sectors, including urban business development, financial literacy education, and local economic policymaking. For local businesses and hospitality enterprises, understanding the direct link between income levels and consumer habits allows cafe operators to better tailor their services, pricing strategies, and product offerings to match local financial capabilities. Furthermore, the findings encourage consumers to balance discretionary spending with sound financial management to prevent excessive consumption. Future research directions recommended by the team include expanding sample sizes, broadening geographical scopes, and exploring secondary variables such as social media influence, peer environments, and personal financial literacy.

Authors Profil
Putri Humaira – Bachelor of Science, Universitas Senior Medan, with an expertise in economic behavior and community lifestyle studies.
Yosie Gabriela Panjaitan – Bachelor of Science, Universitas Senior Medan, specializing in quantitative social research and urban consumer trends.
Lestari Sihite – Bachelor of Science, Universitas Senior Medan, focusing on applied economics and regional development.
Siti Maisyarah – Bachelor of Science, Universitas Senior Medan, specializing in consumer pattern analysis and community development.

Source
Putri Humaira, Yosie Gabriela Panjaitan, Lestari Sihite, Siti Maisyarah. The Effect of Income Level on People's Lifestyle Patterns (Case Study on Visitors to Lhokseumawe City Cafes). Formosa Journal of Applied Sciences (FJAS). Vol. 5, No. 9, hlm. 1889-1902
DOI : https://doi.org/10.55927/fjas.v5i9.116
URL: https://journalfjas.my.id/index.php/fjas