CPI Detailed Report February 1975 · 2018. 11. 7. · Fresh fruit and vegetable prices rose more than they usually do in February. Banana prices rose sharply be-cause of reduced imports

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABORJohn T. Dunlop, Secretary

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICSJulius Shiskin, Commissioner

OFFICE OF PRICES AND LIVING CONDITIONSW. John Layng, Assistant Commissioner

The CPI Detailed Report is a monthlyreport on consumer price movementsincluding statistical tables andtechnical notes.

This publication may be ordered fromthe Superintendent of Documents,U.S. Government Printing Office,Washington, D.C. 20402. Price:$11.55 for yearly subscription, $1for single copies and an additional$2.90 for foreign subscriptions.

May 1975

Library of CongressCatalog number 74-647019

CPI Detailed ReportFor February 1975Consumer Price Index U.S. and City Averages

ContentsPage

Price movements 1

Chart 1. All items index and its rate of change, 1966-75 4

Chart 2. Commodities less food index and its rates of change,

1966-75 5

Chart 3. Total food index and its rates of change, 1966-75 6

Chart 4. Services index and its rate of change, 1966-75 7Table 1. CPI—United States city average for urban wage earners and

clerical workers, by commodity and service groups, andexpenditure classes 8

Table 2. CPI—United States city average for urban wage earners andclerical workers, by commodity and service groups, andexpenditure classes 9

Table 3. CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wageearners and clerical workers, all items most recent index andpercent changes from selected dates 10

Table 4. CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wageearners and clerical workers, major groups, percent changefrom January 1975 to February 1975 10

Table 5. CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wageearners and clerical workers, commodity groups, February1975, and percent changes from November 1974 11

Table 5-A. CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wageearners and clerical workers, commodity groups, 1974 annualaverage indexes and percent changes, 1913-1A 13

Table 6. CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wageearners and clerical workers, food and its subgroups, February1975, and percent changes from January 1975 14

Table 7. CPI—United States city average for urban wage earnersand clerical workers, food items, February 1975 indexes,and percent changes from selected dates 15

Table 8. CPI—United States city average for urban wage earnersand clerical workers, indexes for selected items and groups,February 1975, and percent changes from selected dates 17

Table 9. CPI—United States city average and selected areas forurban wage earners and clerical workers, indexes for regularand premium gasoline 21

Table 10. CPI—United States city average and selected areas forurban wage earners and clerical workers, average prices forregular and premium gasoline 21

Digitized for FRASER http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/ Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Price MovementsFebruary 1975

The Consumer Price Index rose 0.7 percent in Feb-ruary to 157.2 percent of its 1967 base. Increases in awide range of goods and services, including medical careservices, utilities, rent, houses, clothing, fresh fruits andvegetables, and products containing sugar accounted forthe rise in the February CPI. The effect of these increaseswas partially offset by lower prices for meats, sugar, andused cars.

In February 1975, the CPI was 11.1 percent higherthan in February 1974. The food index was 8.9 percent,the nonfood commodities index 12.2 percent, and theservices index 11.5 percent above their levels of Feb-ruary 1974.

Seasonally adjusted changes

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the rise in the Feb-ruary CPI was 0.6 percent, the same as in January. Therise in food prices was much smaller than in January,but the increase in nonfood commodities was larger.The CPI rose 0.7 percent in December, and 0.9 percentin both November and October.

The food index rose 0.1 percent in February afterseasonal adjustment, much less than in January and thesmallest increase in 7 months. The slowdown in Feb-ruary was primarily due to declines in beef, pork,poultry, and sugar prices. Prices of sugar-based products,

Table A. Percent changes i

Month

1974:February . . . . . . . . . . .MarchApril

MayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

1975:JanuaryFebruary

n CPI and components, selected periods

Ail

Unad-justed

1.31.1

.61.11.0.7

1.31.2

.9

.8

.7

.5

.7

items

Seasonallyadjusted

1.21.1.5

1.1.9.7

1.31.3

.9

.9

.7

.6

.6

Changes from preceding month

Food

Unad-justed

2.51.0-.3.7.4.1

1.41.4.7

1.01.1

.7

.4

Seasonallyadjusted

2.2.6.4.9.3

-.41.41.91.31.4.7

.8

.1

Commoditiesless food

Unad-justed

1.01.51.11.41.31.01.31.1.9.8.4

0.7

Seasonallyadjusted

1.11.4.9

1.11.21.31.51.0.6.8.4

.6

.8

Serv-ices

Unad-justed

0.7.8.6

1.01.01.11.11.1.9.8.9

.8

.8

Changes in all

Compoundannual rate

From3 months

ago

Seasonallyadjusted

12.214.211.711.010.311.112.414.215.013.010.1

9.28.1

items

From12 months

ago

Unad-justed

10.010.210.110.611.011.511.012.012.012.112.2

11.711.1


however, continued to rise rapidly. Prices of most othergrocery store foods—notably fresh fruits and vegetablesand eggs—and prices of restaurant meals also rose inFebruary.

The nonfood commodities index rose 0.8 percentafter seasonal adjustment. Although larger than in eitherof the 2 preceding months, the February increase wasless than increases in the first 9 months of 1974. Thenew car index, which declined in December and January,rose in February, to reflect higher prices for importedcars. The index for apparel commodities also increasedfollowing 2 months of decline. Prices of many othercommodities, particularly nondurable goods, continuedto rise rapidly. Increases in prices of household durables,however, were smaller than in recent months.

The index for services increased 0.8 percent in Feb-ruary, about the same as in each of the preceding .4months. Charges for medical care services and utilitiescontinued to rise rapidly in February, while increases incharges for home repair and personal care services weresmaller than in recent months, and mortgage interestrates continued to decline.

Monthly changes in detail (not seasonally adjusted)

Food. The index for food purchased in grocery stores—the major portion of the food index—rose 0.4 percent,slightly less than the usual seasonal increase for February.A large part of the increase was due to higher prices forfresh fruits and vegetables and products which containsugar. Prices of dairy products rose slightly. The effectof these increases was partially offset by declines insugar, beef, pork, and poultry prices.

Fresh fruit and vegetable prices rose more than theyusually do in February. Banana prices rose sharply be-cause of reduced imports caused by storm damage inCentral America. Higher prices for oranges reflected theearlier effects of uncertainty in wholesale markets due tofreeze damage to the California and Texas crops. Reducedplanting in winter producing areas as well as gaps inproduction caused by a shift in harvesting to differentareas resulted in higher prices for fresh vegetables suchas lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, and cabbage. Prices of mostprocessed fruits and vegetables continued to rise be-cause of smaller pack last fall, increases in sugar priceslast year, and higher processing and distribution costs.However, the effect of these increases was more thanoffset by sharp declines in dried bean prices from therecord levels of 1974.

The rise in prices of dairy products was partly due tothe January increase in the U.S. support prices of milkused in butter, cheese, and nonfat dry milk. USDA raised

the support level for manufacturing milk to $7.24 per100 pounds effective January 4, 1975, up 10 percentfrom the previous $6.57 level. The new support pricewill remain in effect through the marketing year whichends March 1976. (See Dairy Situation, Economic Re-search Service, Department of Agriculture, March 1975.)Rising demand also contributed to the rise in butterprices and higher ingredient costs—particularly sugar—to the rise in ice cream prices.

Prices of other products which contain sugar—suchas bakery products, candy bars, and nonalcoholicbeverages—continued to rise rapidly as manufacturersused their inventories of high-priced sugar. Sugar prices,however, continued to decline in response to lower pricesat the wholesale level. In the first 2 months of 1975,sugar prices at the retail level declined a total of 14.5percent, but were still more than 200 percent higher thana year earlier. At wholesale, prices of 5 pound-bags ofgranulated sugar declined about 20 percent from De-cember 1974 to February, but they were still 178 percenthigher than in February 1974. Raw sugar prices in Feb-ruary were down about 30 percent from the November1974 peak but they were about 150 percent higher thanin February 1974.

Beef, pork, and poultry prices declined in Februaryinstead of moving up seasonally. Heavy marketings ofcattle and hogs and increased poultry slaughter in Jan-uary contributed to the February declines in prices formeats and poultry. In addition, declines in pork andpoultry prices would appear to reflect competitive pres-sures from the steady and large declines in beef pricessince September. Egg prices also declined in Februarybut not as much as they usually do.

The index for food away from home—restaurantmeals and snacks—increased 0.9 percent in February,about the same as in recent months.

Nonfood commodities. The index for nonfood com-modities increased 0.7 percent instead of decreasingslightly as it usually does in February. Increases werewidespread, particularly for nondurable goods. Theapparel index rose somewhat more than is usual inFebruary, as a result of higher introductory prices forspring items and end of clearance sales on some otheritems. Largest increases occurred among men's and boys'clothing and in prices of women's footwear. Prices oftextile housefurnishings rose sharply following the endof traditional January white sales. Continued large in-creases in prices of housekeeping supplies, alcoholicbeverages, toilet goods, drugs and prescriptions, andtobacco products reflect higher materials and packagingcosts as well as relatively strong demand. Fuel oil and


gasoline prices also increased. (See table 10 for gasolineprices and indexes in 23 urban areas.)

Among durable goods, the index for new cars roseinstead of moving down as it usually does in February.The increase was primarily due to higher prices for newmodel imported cars. Prices of most domestic modelsdecreased because of larger dealer concessions and con-tinuation of rebate programs begun in January. The usedcar index continued to decline, but less than in Decemberor January. There were also increases in prices of houses,appliances, recreational goods, dinnerware, and flatware.

Services. The services index rose 0.8 percent in February.Almost a fourth of the rise resulted from higher chargesfor medical care services—both physicians' fees andhospital services. Charges for all types of householdservices, except mortgage interest rates, increased. Higherfuel costs continued to be a primary source in the rise ofgas and electricity bills. The January increase in mini-mum wages accounted in part for the increase in house-keeping charges. Increases in home maintenance andrepair services, however, reflecting lower prices formaterials and decreased demands.


Chart 1. All items index and its rate of change, 1966-75(1967*100)

SEMI-L K 6 5150

135

120

105

90

CPI flLL ITEMS INDEX(NOT SERSONflLLY RDJUSTEO)

PERCENT CHRN6E OVER 1-MONTH SPRN(SERSONflLLY flOJUSTEDl

BHflh

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPRN(RNNURL RflTE, SERSONRLLY ROJUSTEC

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPRN(RNNURL RflTE. SERSONflLLY flDJUSTEO

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER

FEB10.5

1.21.00.80.60.40.20.0

-0.2

RRITH.SCflLE

1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975

1 / Computed from the unadjusted s e r i e s .UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABORBUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS


Chart 2. Commodities less food index and its rates ofchange, 1966-75(1967=100)

CPI COMMODITIES LESS FOOD INDEX(SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPRNtSERSONBLLY flDJUSTED)

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPRN(RNNURL RflTE> SERSONRLLY flOJUSTEO)

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPRN(RNNURL RRTE. SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN ~

1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975

XJ Computed from the unadjusted s e r i e s .UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABORBUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS


3.22.82.42.01.61.20.80.40.0

-0.4-0.8

16

12

8

4

0

- 4

Chart 3. Total food index and its rates of change,1966-75(1967=100)

PE

CPI TOTflL FOOD INDEXtSERSONRLLY RQJUSTED)

*CENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN(SERSONRLLY RDJUSTED)

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPR(RNNURL RRTE, 5ERS0NRLLY ROJUSTE,

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPRN(RNNURL RflTE. SERSONRLLY RDJUSTED,

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN-

FEB

L13.0

160

145

130

US

-1 100

24

20

16

12

8

4

0

-4

-8

RRITH.SCflLE

16

12

8

4

- 1 0

1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975

1/ Computed from the unadjusted series.UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABORBUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

6


Chart 4. Services index and its rates of change, 1966-750967=100)

150

135

120

105

90

flRITH.SCBU

10

8

6

4

2

0

flRITH.SCflLE

CPI SERVICES INDEX(NOT SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTEO)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN(NOT SEflSONfiLLY flOJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN(RNNUflL RflTE. NOT /SEflSONRLLY RDJUSTED)

PERCENT CHRN6E OVER 6-MONTH SPflN(RNNUflL RflTE. NOT tf&flSONflLLY flOJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE 2-MONTH SPflN

1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975

1 / Computed from the unadjusted s e r i e s .UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABORBUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS


Table 1. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,by commodity and service groups, and expenditure classes

Group

RelativeLmportanc<December

1974

Unadjusted indexes1967= 100 unless

otherwise notedJanuary

1975February

1975

Unadjustedpercent change to

February 1975 fronFebruary I

1974January Novemb

1975 to Pi

Seasonally adjustedpercent change from—

vember I>ecember|

December [January toto January) February

Commodity and service groups

All itemsAll items (1957-59=

Commodities —

100)

FoodFood at home

Cereals and bakery productsMeats, poultry, and fish

Dairy products -Fruits and vegetables -Other foods at home —

Food away from homeCommodities less food

Nondurables less foodApparel commodities l

Men' s and boys'Women' s and girls'Footwear

Nondurables less food and apparel •Gasoline and motor oilTobacco productsAlcoholic beveragesFuel oil and coalOther nondurable8

Durable commoditiesHousehold durables —New carsUsed carsOther durables

ServicesRentServices less rent

Household services less rentTransportation servicesMedical care servicesOther services —

Special indexes:All items less foodNondurable commoditiesApparel commodities less footwearServices less medical care services —Insurance and financeUtilities and public transportationHousekeeping and home maintenance serviceAppliances (including radio and T. V. )

All items —

Housing '•Shelter 2

Homeowner ship 3

Fuel and utilities*Gas and electricity

Household furnishings and operation

Apparel and upkeepTranspo rtation

PublicHealth and recreation

Medical carePersonal careReading and recreationOther goods and services —

Special indexes:All items less shelterAll items less medical careAll items less mortgage interest costsCPI - domestically produced farm foods 5

CPI - selected beef cuts 6

Purchasing power of consumer dollar:1967=$ 1. 00 —1957-59=$ 1.00

100.000

63.762

24.78519.6572.8826. 1402.8873. Ill4.6375. 128

38.977

23.2558.2732.6173.6111.438

14.9823.3881.9362.3151.0286.316

15.7224.5751.9052.0267.21736.2384.56831. 67015.8564.7965.4735.545

75.21548. 0406.835

30. 7659.6345.2464.6911.445

100.000

24. 785

33. 76621.2934.56816.3355. 0082.5487.465

9.633

2.71511.4501.26618.7236.2412. 5195.2224.742

78.70793.75995.61517. 2141.976

156. 1181.6153.4170.9171.4185.3163.5155.2163.5193.4169.0

143.9147.2138.6140.0135. 1142.2152.3159. 7152. 1139. 3228.9145.8139.3136.8123.4134.9147.2161.3134.0166.2179.0146.5170.7148.8

151.8158. 7137.9159.8175. 1149.9188.8116.0

157.2182.8154.4171. 6172.0187.3162.7155.6166.7193. 1170.5

144.9148.2139.2140.6135.4143. 0153.6160. 1152.8140.7229.5147.7140.3137. 3124.5133.5149.3162.6135. 1167.5180.4147. 2172.9149.7

153.0159.6138.5160.9176.3151.4189.7116.4

11. 1

10.88.98.2

21.3-6.64.26.9

30.511.712.211.06.88.84. 17. 1

13.48.89.9

11. 113.617.913.712. 110.529.612. 111.55.5

12.314.85.8

14.49.4

11.89.96.9

11.011.410. 717.59.6

0 . 7

.4

.41. 1- .5

.32.0- .2.9

.7

.4

.4

.2

.6

.9

.3

.51.0.3

1.3.7.4.9

-1.01.4

.51.3.6

.8

.6

.4

.7

.71.0.5.3

0 . 7

.7

.7

.82.3

.81.7

-2. 13.31.0.4

.4-. 1. 1

- .6- .2.7

- .4• 1.3

*.4- .31. 1

.5-. 1

*-2. 31.4* . 9* . 5* . 91. 0.7. 9.8

.6

.6-. 1* . 91.21.0. 2

*. 6

0.6

. 62.0- . 9- . 3

-.21. 1

.5- . 3- . 3- . 7.4.8.9

* . 8* . 6- . 71. 1.6.8

-1.8*-2.5

1.6* . 8* . 4* . 8

.9- . 51.3.7

.7

.6- . 4* . 7

.51.2.9

* . 7

Expenditure classes

170.9161.2164. 3134.0175.6160. 5160.2153.2139.4143.2142.2152.2148.9161.0146.5141. 0144.8

154. 1155.9154.0168.7156.6

$0. 641.551

157.2171.6162.7165.8135. 1177.3162.2162.7154. 7140. 2143.5142.5152.3150.2163.0147.8141.8145.9

155.0156.9155. 1169.3154.8

$0,636.547

8.913.511.85.5

13.813.018.518.97.5

11.011.84.2

11.713.713.010.010.3

10.910.910.75.6

-14. 1

.9

.9

.81.01. 11.61.0.6

.2

.2

. 1

.91.2.9.6.8

.6

.6

.7

.4- 1 . 1

0. 7

. 7

.91. 1*. 51.3.8

1.61.0-. 10-. 1

.9

* . 81.0.7.9.9

.7

.7

. 7* . 8

0.6

.81.01.0*.41. 21. 11.9

-. 3-. 1. 1

* . 91.3.9.8.7

.6

.6

.5*. 5

* - . 9

0 . 6

. 1-. 1.8

-1.7. 1

1.51.0.9

.5

.2

.6- . 8

. 7

.9

.8*.5

*1.001. 11.0.4

1.2*-1.0

1.6* . 8

1. 1.3

1.2.7

.9

.4

* . 7.9.7.6

* . 3

0.6. 1

1. 11.2*. 81.2.8

1.41.0

. 7

.6-. 1* . 91.2.9.8.8

.4

.6

.6*.4

* - l . 1

1 Also includes infants' wear, sewing materials, and jewelrynot shown separately.

2 Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.3 Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance,

and maintenance and repairs.4 Also includes residential telephones, fuel oil, coal, water, and

sewerage services not shown separately.5 Calculated from the CPI food at home component by excluding

fish, nonalcoholic beverages, bananas, chocolate candy bars, chocolatesyrup and about half of the index weight for sugar.

6 Calculated from the CPI beef and veal component by excludingveal cutlets and beef liver.

* Not seasonally adjusted.

NOTE: Index applies to month as a whole, not to any specific date.

8


Table 2. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,by commodity and service groups, and expenditure classes

Group

Seasonally adjusted indexes(1967=100)

January February1975

Seasonally adjusted annual ratepercent change for

3 months ending inMay1974

ugust (November] February1974 I 1974 I 1975

6 months ending inAugust

1974I February1 1975

Commodity and service groups

All itemsCommodities

FoodFood at home

Cereals and bakery productsMeats, poultry, and fishDairy productsFruits and vegetablesOther foods at home

Food away from homeCommodities less food

Nondurables less foodApparel commodities *

Men' s and boys'Women1 s and girls 'Footwea r

Nondurables less food and apparel —Gasoline and motor oilTobacco products (not seasonally

adjusted)Alcoholic beverages (not

seasonally adjusted)Fuel oil and coalOther nondurables

Durable commoditiesHousehold durablesNew carsUsed cars (not seasonally

adiusted \ -——---——.—--—.————-..-Other durables

Services (not seasonally adjusted)Rent (not seasonally adjusted)Services less rent (not seasonally

adjusted)Household services less rentTransportation servicesMedical care servicesOther services

Special indexes;All items less foodNondurable commoditiesApparel commodities less footwearServices less medical care services

(not seasonally adjusted)Insurance and financeUtilities and public transportationHousekeeping and home maintenance serviceAppliances (including radio and T. V. )

(not seasonally adjusted)

All itemsFoodHousing

Shelter2

Rent (not seasonally adjusted)Homeowner ship 3

Fuel and utilities*Gas and electricity

Household furnishings and operationApparel and upkeepTransportation

PublicHealth and recreation (not seasonally

adjusted)Medical carePersonal careReading and recreationOtner goods stnd services ——•—

Special indexes:All items less shelter

All items less mortgage interest costs -CPI - domestically produced farm foods

(not seasonally adjusted)CPI - selected beef cuts (not seasonally

adjusted)

152.0169.2170.0178.0166.3152.9169.6184.3165. 7

142.9146.5140.5141.3138.7142.4150.2158. 7

149.0

138.0230. 1143. 0137.6135.4123.9

141.6142.6158.6132.8

163.3175.2145.6167.3146.6

150. 1157.4140.2

157.3171.7146.5187. 2

114.5

169.2158.0160.7132.8171.0157. 3154.0151.0140.9143.4142.6150.4

146.3157.8144.3138.7142.6

152.7154.2152.4

166.4

161.9

153.0170.4171. 3182. 1167. 7155.5166. 1190. 3167.4

143.5147. 1140.3141.5137.9142. 1151.3158. 1

150.9

138.5229.5144. 6138.7136. 1123.8

138.4144. 6160.0133. 5

164.8177. 0146.6168.8147.7

151.0158.3140.0

158.7173.8148.0187.5

115.2

154,0171.8172.4185.7166.2155.0166.2190.0169.2

144. 3147.8139.9141. 1137. 0142.6152.5159.5

152. 1

139. 3227.8146.2139.6137.2121.6

134.9146.9161. 3134.0

166.2178.6145. 8171.0148.8

152.0159.3139.4

159. 8174.6149.8189.2

116.0

154.9171.9172.3187. 1163.4155. 1168.7191.9170.8145.5148.6140.2142. 0135.9143.6153. 8160.7

152.8

140.7227.7147.8141.0137. 7123.0

133.5149.3162.6135. 1

167.5180.6146.2173. 1149.8

153. 3159.9139.5

160.9176. 1150.8190.3

116.4

11.010.74. 12.3

28.3-31.9

16.246.815.811.414.616.89.8

13.88.58.9

20.952.7

4.7

8. 122.414.411.411.211.2

52.210.010.24. 1

11.214.26.8

10.710.0

12.510.610.8

10.06.7

11.627. 1

5.0

12.25.63.89.92.0

-9 .2-18.8

43. 112.217. 115.817. 114.718.910.314.82.5

16.9

16.822.620.519. 117.519.9

77.38.5

13.55.0

14.616.77.6

20.59. 1

15.610.017.5

12. 113.69.5

21.6

12.9

12.819.922.226.017.65.4

11.948.710.39.8

5.92.35.3

-1.46. 18.4

-14.8

7.9

11.815.822.614.212.714.8

32.410. 1

11.95.9

13.015.57.5

12. 19.5

10.512.62.3

12.314.79.2

15.4

14.0

7.96.55.5

22. 1-6.85.9

-2. 117.512.97.5

5.9- .92.0

-7 .83.49.95. 1

10.6

8. 1-4. 114. 110.37.0

-2.9

-21.020.210.57. 1

10.712.9

1.714.69.0

6.5-2. 0

9.510.712.36.8

6.8

Expenditure classes

170.4159.4162.5133.5173.3158.6156.5152.5140.8143.4142.4151.8

147.5159.3145.3139.9143.9

153.7155.3153.5

158.0

171.8161.0164. 1134.0175.4160.3159.4153.7140.5142.9142.2151. 9

148.9161.3146.6141.0144.9

154.6156.2154.3

168.7

156.6

171.9162.7166.0135. 1177. 5161.6161.7155.2141. 0143.9143. 1151.8

150.2163.2147.9142. 1146.0

155.2157. 1155.3

169.3

154.8

4. 112.59.54. 1

10.716.021. 120.410.420.523.4

2.2

9.910.411.88.66.5

11.310.911.0

5.6

15. 111.85.0

14.213.017.822.816. 116.517. 37.0

15.018.614.710.715. 1

13.412.412.5

4. 1

11.0

19.913.712.35.9

14.212.013.521.2

3.8

6.46.43.5

10.811.715. 110.49.8

12.412.911.8

11.3

-12.9

6.5

12.413.97. 1

16. 111.421.611.6

. 3

1.41.43.8

11. 114.410.410.29.9

6.77.77.8

7.2

-16.4

11. 54.93.0

18.7-16.6

2.79.2

28.711.815.816.313.414. 313.69.6

17.825. 1

10.6

12.422.517.415.214.315.5

64.29.2

11.94.6

12.915.47.2

15.59.6

14.010.314. 1

11.010. 110.524.3

8.9

4.9

13.810.64.6

12.414.519.521.613.218.520.34.6

12.414.413.29.7

10.7

12.411.611.7

2. 1

-13.6

10.313.013.524.04. 75.64.7

32.211.68.65.9

.73.6

-4.74.89.2

-5.4

9.2

9.95.4

18. 312.29.85.6

2.315.011.26.5

11.814.24.5

13.39.3

9.69.5

. 1

10.912.710.711.0

10.4

10.513.013. 113. 16.5

15.211.717.516.32.0

3.93.93.7

10.913. 012.710.39.9

9.510.39.8

9.2

-14.7

Also includes infants' wear, sewing materials, and jewelry notshown separately.

2 Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.3 Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance,

and maintenance and repairs.

4 Also includes residential telephone, fuel oil, coal, water, andsewerage service not shown separately.

NOTE: Index applies to month as a whole, not to any specific

9


Table 3. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas for urban >all items most recent index and percent changes from selected dates

'age earners and clerical workers,

Pricingschedule 2

1967= 100 1957-59- 100Otherbases

Percent change from:

U.S. city average — --

ChicagoDetroit —Los Angeles—Long BeachN. Y.— Northeastern N. JPhiladelphia

BostonHoustonMinneapolis-St. PaulPittsburgh

BuffaloClevelandDallas — —MilwaukeeSan DiegoSeattleWashington

AtlantaBaltimoreCincinnatiHonoluluKansas CitySt. LouisSan Francisco—Oakland

MMMMM

157.2

154.4156.7152.2163.2160.4

156.4159.4156.2154. 4

157.6157.7154.0152.2157.2151. 8157. 9

155. 9160. 0153.8148.2152. 7148. 6152. 1

February 1975February

1974

182.8

175.4180.0179.0194.2187.4

11. 1

9.89.011.79.510.7

January 1975 January1974

187.3182.3181.0177.6

10. 114.611. 310.8

February 1975 February1974

178. 0

171.8

178.4183.9

3 173. 3

3 166. 5

4 165. 2

9.311.010.39.5

12. 111.89.7

December 1974December

1973

179.2185.8174.5

181. 3173.6181. 1

12. 213. 712.611.613.611. 112.5

November1974

1.6.9

2.41.41.2

October1974

2.23.41.51.4

November1974

1.63. 11.81.52.42.61.2

September1974

2.21.72.32.03. 11.92.7

Janua ry1975

. 7

.9

.9

.5

1 Area coverage includes the urban portion of the correspondingStandard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) except for New York andChicago where the more extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used.Area definitions are those established for the I960 Census and do notinclude revisions made since I960.

2 Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in allcities; most other goods and services priced as indicated:

M - Every month.1 - January, April, July, and October.2 - February, May, August, and November.3 - March, June, September, and December.

3 November 1963= 100.4 February 1965= 100.5 December 1963= 100.

NOTE: The Consumer Price Index cannot be used for measuringdifferences in living costs among areas; it indicates price change with-in areas. Estimates of differences in living costs among areas are foundin the family budgets.

Table 4. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas l for urban wage earners and clerical workers,major groups, percent change from January 1975 to February 1975

GroupU.S.city

averageChicago

Los Angeles-Long Beach

New York-NortheasternNew Jersey

Philadelphia

All items

Food -HousingApparel and upkeepTransportationHealth and recreation

Medical carePersonal careReading and recreation —Other goods and services

.4

.9

.6

.2

.91. 2.9.6

. 91.3

. 50

. 5

. 7(2)

. 21. 1

.4

.9- . 701.52.4(2)

. 31.4

0.9

. 41. 5.4.3

1.31.9(2)

.9

.9

0 . 9

1.02.5

. 1

.61.5(2)

. 1

. 7

. 2

. 4

. 4

. 31. 01. 5(2)1.5

. 5

See footnote 1, table 3. Not available.

10


Table 5. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected are;commodity groups, February 1975, and percent changes from N<

s * for urban wage earners and clerical workers,vember 1974

GroupU. S.city

averageChicago Los Angeles-

Long Beach

New York-NortheasternNew Jersey

Philadelphia

Indexes (1967 = 100)

Food at homeCereals and bakery products ---Meats, poultry, and fishDairy productsFruits and vegetablesOther food at home

Food away from home

HousingShelter

Rent, residentialHomeowner ship

Fuel and utilitiesFuel oil and coalGas and electricity

Household furnishings and operation-

Apparel and upkeepMen1 s and boys'Women', s and girls'-Footwear

TransportationPrivatePublic

Health and recreationMedical carePersonal careReading and recreation —Other goods and services

All items -

FoodFood at home

Cereals and bakery productsMeats, poultry, and fishDairy productsFruits and vegetablesOther food at home

Food away from home

HousingShelter


Fuel and utilitiesFuel oil and coalGas and electricityHousehold furnishings and operation-

Apparel and upkeepMen1 s and boys'Women1 s and girls1

Footwear

Transportation -PrivatePublic

Health and recreationMedical carePersonal careReading and recreation --Other goods and services

157.2

171.6172.0187. 3162.7155. 6166.7193. 1170. 5

162.7165. 8135. 1177. 3162.2229.5162.7154. 7

140.2140.6135.4143. 0

143.5142.5152.3

150.2163.0147. 8141. 8145.9

1.9

2.32.25.5- . 81.91.55.02.6

2. 82.91.73.33.2

. 15.62.5

-1.5-1.4-4.3

. 1

. 1- . 11.9

2 . 73. 52 . 52 . 22 . 2

154.4

173. 0174. 3193.4165.3153.0172.5197.0167. 8

153.9157.6

(2)170. 1144.6209.6141. 8148.6

134.5130. 1133.7137. 3

144.7141.5165.0

150.6162.0

(2)142. 8149.3

156.7

167. 8167.6192. 8158.9157. 2154.4186. 1169.2

161.4170.0134.0177.2152. 1216.4159.7140. 8

134.5142.2121.2144.2

142.7141.4158. 8

157. 7180.3

(2)143.9149.2

152.2

166. 3169.2185. 8161.3152.2163.3186.6158.2

156. 8159.7

(2)168.4152. 7

174. 5149. 1

134.3129. 5132. 1140.1

144.7146. 1117. 6

143. 7159.5

(2)131.2139.8

163.2

176.5177.5188. 4167.0161.4181.3198.2173.7

169. 3170.2150.8184. 7182.4237.4190. 8159.3

141.3138. 1137.5139.7

151.9147.7168. 1

156.5174. 8144.9147.2153,5

Percent changes November 1974 to Februarry 1975

3.03.05.1.7

3.91.35.73.5

2 . 62 . 9(2 )3 . 91.8- .74.31.9

- 2 . 7- 2 . 5

- 5 . 9

- . 2

- 1 . 0-1.3

1. 1

2 . 33. 3(2)2.71.2

- . 2- . 7.4

-3.61.2- .62.02.2

1.41.43 . 81.4.9

1.62.41.2

-2.7-2.5-5.8

.0- . 11.5

3.45.4(2)1.23.4

2. 12.45 . 9

. 1

.5

. 65 . 41.7

3.64.4(2)5.31.8

2.81.5

-1.5. 1

- 3 . 9- . 3

1.0. 9

2 . 3

3 . 23 . 0( 2 )3 .53 . 9

1.4

2.62. 84.7- . 13.91.27.02.2

1.51. 1

3 2 .3- . 31.9- .95.32.2

-1.6-1.1-5.2

. 5

. 3

1.93.8

. 31.41. 3

160.4

174.0173. 1189.3166.4153.3168.5194.4178. 1

168. 6177.4

(2)186.6168.3221.3176. 8152.8

134.7141. 1120. 6142.7

146. 8146.0151.4

155.2176.5

(2)144.8149.2

1.2

1.51.45.3

-2. 1.8

2.24.22. 1

1.8.7

( 2 ). 6

5. 1.0

10.71.8

-2.7- 3 . 1- 6 . 2

- .6

. 1- .32.9

2.64.3(2)2. 11.6

See footnotes at end of table.

11


Table 5. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas ' for urban wage earners and clerical workers,commodity groups, February 1975, and percent changes from November 1974—Continued

GroupSan

Diego Washington

Indexes (1967=100)

All items

FoodFood at home

Cereals and bakery productsMeats, poultry, and fishDairy productsFruits and vegetablesOther food at home —

Food away from home —

HousingShelter -


F • ".el and utilitiesFuel oil and coal jGas and electricity

Household furnishings and operation

Apparel and upkeepMen1 s and boys1

Women's and girls'Footwear

TransportationPrivatePublic

Health and recreationMedical carePersonal careReading and recreationOther goods and services

All items —

Food - ~Food at home

Cereals and bakery productsMeats, poultry, and fishDairy productsFruits and vegetablesOther food at home

Food away from home

Hous ingShelter ~

Rent, residentialHome own e r s hip

Fuel and utilitiesFuel oil and coalGas and electricity

Household furnishings and operation -

Apparel and upkeepMen1 s and boys'Women's and girls'Footwear

Transportation —PrivatePublic

Health and recreationMedical carePersonal careReading and recreation —Other goods and services -

157.6

168.9168.5192.0160.4150. 1160.5186.9171.6

164.5158.5137.5162.5192.2230.8198.9160.9

151.2171.0147.6138.6

141. 8140.6155.0

147.7151.5150.6144.3145.8

1.6

2.02. 15.8

-2.0- .13. 16.11.7

2. 11.01.7.9

4.3-2 .66.73.2

- . 6-2 .9

.6-. 1

.7

.61.7

2.33.24.42.0

.5

157.7

169.8170.2195.4157.7154.5164.8189.4168.4

155.6157.2121.4163.7156.9

165. 1148.4

144.2141.4146.4140.9

149.4145.2177.1

160.4180.0157.2146.9154.0

154.0

168. 1166.4179.8153.7148.8161.9189.3174.7

153.9159.5H9.8177.5132.2

130.4153.6

140.2146.6131.7140. 8

149.0148.4157.6

150.2157.8154.5142.2144.9

152.2

169.0169.9188.2158.3155.0167.8189.5164.8

147.4143.7133.8146.7155.0234.0152.0152.0

147.7152.5140.9154.3

146.9140.9220.4

147.0157.3149.9143.1140.7

157.2

170. 8169.3183.6163.9152.3163.8185.0174.0

168.8183.5145.5199.4142.8

155.3143.8

138.7141.9133.4138.1

146.3147.8119.3

142.9156.8142. 1133.2137.7

151.8

165.4168.3186.2161.7157.1156.4186. 1155.7

159.5165.2127. 1176.5155.4214.2124.7148.6

137.5142.4126. 1140.3

130.7133.6113.7

143. 1153.8143.7139.4136.8

Percent changes November 1974 to February 1975

3.1

2.72.59.6

-1.02.52.03.53.4

5.06.5.9

7.41.8

2.91.3

-2.1-1.3-4.2-1.7

-. 1- .51.9

4.56.72.84.62.4

1.8

2.42.34.9

-1.0.9

2.65.62.6

2.32.51. 13.01.2

2.82. 3

-. 1-.5

- .1- .43.6

2.72.74.71.52.7

2.62.95.6-. 12.25.24.21.5

1.2.9

2. 1.5

1.4.2

2.71.9

- . 7.0

- 2 .8.5

1. 1.2

8.7

1.93.01.9Z.Z

.5

2.4

2. 11.97.2- .7.6

- .75.12.4

3.43.61.04.32.6

5. 13.5

- .81.3 .

-4.9- .4

1.41.33.3

3.34.61.92.23.8

2.6

2.42.55.4

.02.32.64. 12.0

3.22.92.92.96.72.27.02.3

1.01.6- .41.7

. 8

.24.8

3.44.62.43.62.4

157.9

176.6176.4191.7160.0144.6176.5213.7176.7

157.2157.5136.9169.7157.9227.1173.0155.9

144.0144.1134.7148.9

146.3145.5151.2

153.6175.2144.5138.0154.8

1.2

1.81.46.4

-3 . 1.6

2.44.32.7

.4- .11.6- .81.0

-2.02.61.5

- . 6-1.2-3.1

. 8

1.01.0.9

2.53.92.6

.93.0

See footnote 1, table 3.Not available.

Change from December 1974.

12


Table 5-A. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas l for urban wage earners and clerical workers,commodity groups, 1974 annual average indexes and percent changes, 1973-74

Group Milwaukee SanDiego Seattle Washington

Indexes (1967=100)

All itemsAll items (1957-59=100)-Food

Food at home •Cereals and bakery products -Meats, poultry, and fishDairy products •Fruits and vegetables -Other food at home —

Food away from home

HousingShelter

Rent, residential -Homeowner ship —

Fuel and utilitiesFuel oil and coal -Gas and electricity -


Apparel and upkeep —Men's and boys'Women's and girls'Footwear

TransportationPrivate •Public

Health and recreation —Medical carePersonal care* —Reading and recreation —Other goods and services •

All items —

Food at homeCereals and bakery products -Meats, poultry, and fish •Dairy productsFruits and vegetables •Other food at home —

Food away from home

HousingShelter -Rent, residential

Homeowner shipFuel and utilities

Fuel oil and coal —Gas and electricity-


Apparel and upkeep —Men's and boys' —Women's and girls'Footwear -

Transportation •Private .Public -

Health and recreationMedical carePersonal care •Reading and recreation —Other goods and services •

149.5al64.3

160.1159.9168.9163.8149.0161.4154.9162.0

154.9153.6132.3157.6176.6224.3177.9143.7

145.7166.9141.3133.3

136.3134.5156.5

138.7142.1136.7137.0

10.9

13.513.631.6

3.417.011.121.513.8

12.19.14.89.7

23.064.323.413.5

8.212.05.85.7

10.911.82.9

7.19.19.44.76.2

147.8166.9

161.1162.1166.9158.6160.0168.7160.8156.4

142.2143.1118.6147.4144.8

148.1136.7

141.5138.3146.8138.1

145.8141.6172.7

148.1164.3144.7135.7

10.2

13.413.431.9-2.019.518.623.413.5

9.48.23.18.9

14.6

11.0

9.212.09.64.5

12.213.93.5

7.98.9

11.16.07.0

145.3*157.1

157.9156.4160.5156.5147.3155.3159.8163.7

143.6148.4116.9162.6127.8

122.6141.5

136.9143.2132.6136.9

142.4141.8151.3

140.7147.7144.7132.4

144.1162.7

158.1158.8166.4159.3150.6159.4159.7155.7

140.2138.7128.8141.8147.3219.4141.8139.4

141.6146.3136.0145.9

140.0135.5195.2

138.5147.4141.0136.2

147.23154.7

159.6158.7158.4167.1147.0156.8156.0163.0

155.2169.7141.8181.5132.7

142.1129.0

137.3137.0141.0134.9

138.4139.8112.9

133.1143.9131.5126.5

141.5166.3

155.8158.2162.6164.4149.9149.8160.6148.1

146.2151.8118.1161.7143.4201.9115.6135.0

130.7133.1124.4132.8

124.6127.7106.7

132.8141.6133.9129.4

Percent changes 1973-74

10.1

12.712.728.9-1.320.711.524.012.8

9.58.83.1

10.95.7

4.712.8

6.410.5

1.84.3

15.416.63.2

7.47.9

10.56.35.3

9.6

14.214.628.4

1.219.316.625.612.3

7.74.95.04.9

12.457.74.9

12.7

6.59.43.09.2

11.111.95.1

8.110.011.16.46.8

11.1

14.314.229.32.0

18.819.121.314.8

11.0

14.315.632.84.3

18.714.923.79.8

10.510.03 . 6

12.211.7

„17.312.0

12.511.6

8.812.319.356.9

5.711.5

8.310.14.76.7

13.313.75.2

7.910.68.16.45.5

6.35.23.36.5

11.211.86.1

7.49.0

11.16.45.6

150.0174.8

166.9166.9169.7163.5144.2180.9175.6166.7

149.6152.0131.6163.9147.7219.8153.7143.6

140.7141.3138.6142.8

139.4137.9148.6

144.0161.1133.9133.3

11.1

14.715.830.32.3

17.017.530.512.1

11.310.25.9

12.415.960.919.212.4

7.58.43.66.4

10.512.5

1.7

9.011.69.86.36.8

See footnote 1, table 3.November 1963=100.

February 1965-100.1974 annual average for New York is 138.2.

13


Table 6. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas for urban wage earners and clerical workers,food and its subgroups, February 1975, and percent changes from January 1975

Totalfood

Food at home

Cerealsand

bakeryproducts

Meats,poultry,

d f ih

Dairyproducts

Fruitsand

vegetables

Otherfoods

Foodawayfromhome

U.S. city average~

AtlantaBaltimoreB o s t o n ••• • '•'

BuffaloChicago ——-———Cincinnati • -ClevelandDallas

Honolulu •'• - -Houston - • ••'Kansas CityLos Angeles—Long Beach -Milwaukee •- «—Minneapolis-St. PaulN . Y . - N o r t h e a s t e r n N . J . -PhiladelphiaPit tsburgh ——St. Louis ...—.— —-—S a n D i e g o •••••- •• -San Francisco—Oakland*——SeattleWashington

U.S . city average •

Atlanta ——————B a l t i m o r e • • ' • ' • • • •

BostonBuffaloChicago ' • • 'CincinnatiCleveland - ' • • •• •DallasDetroit • ...H o n o l u l u - .i. .in i

Houston -Kansas City •••Los Angeles—Long Beach-Milwaukee •Minneapolis-St. Paul ——N. Y.-Northeastern N.J.Philadelphia • .Pittsburgh .St. LouisSan Diego •San Francisco—OaklandSeattleWashington —-—-——-

Indexes (1967 100)

171.6

177. 1174.7171.8168.9173.0174.7169.8168. 1167.8172.9177. 1174.3166.3169.0174.2176.5174.0174. 1169.5170.8166.3165.4176.6

0.4

- . 1.7. 1.2. 9. 6

- . 2.4.4

1.3- . 4

.2

.4

. 5

. 1

. 8

.2

. 7

. 11. 1

. 7

. 7

. 6

172.0

179.8175.1171.5168.5174.3177.8170.2166.4167.6173.0175.0175.7169.2169.9173.3177.5173. 1172.9169.7169.3170.9168.3176.4

0.4

- . 2. 7

0. 1. 8. 6

- . 80

. 51.2- . 6

'.5. 2

- . 2. 7. 3. 6

. 6

. 3

187.3

189.4185.2188.8192.0193.4195.7195.4179.8192.8194.5184.9187.6185.8188.2190.9188.4189.3192.6197.7183.6183.6186.2191.7

162.7

169.5168.0164.6160.4165.3165.0157.7153.7158.9163.0165.7161.2161.3158.3164.7167.0166.4164.4155.4163.9163. 1161.7160.0

155.6

165.0150.9151. 1150. 1153.0171. 8154.5148.8157.2164.5166.4171.9152.2155.0157.2161.4153.3151. 1157.7152.3152.0157. 1144.6

166.7

172. 1169.9165.2160.5172.5170. 1164.8161.9154.4165. 7169.6165.6163.3167.8168. 1181.3168. 5166.3167.7163.8168.2156.4176.5

Percent changes January 1975 to February 1975

1. 1

-.42.8.7

- . 12.93. 11.81.42.01.80.5

1.4.7.4

-.2.6

2.4. 4

1.61.31. 11.5

- . 1- . 2

- 1 . 2- . 4- . 6- . 3- . 6

- 1 . 11.3

- 1 . 3- . 3- . 1- . 1

- 1 . 6. 5

- . 7- . 2

-1 .2- . 5

. 1- . 1

- 1 . 2

0.3

- . 6- . 2-. 1

.21.4. 5

-3.7- .5-.70

- 1 . 1- .2

.51.0.4.5.2

- . 2. 9. 6. 2. 5

- . 2

2 . 0

01.51. 02.91.92.7

-2.41.43.22. 1

.7

.9

.62.41.22. 13.22.41.31.52.52.73.0

193. 1

201. 1199-7192.0186.9197.0200. 1189.4189.3186. 1186.8191.0198.3186.6189.5190.4198.2194.4194.7184.6185.0192. 1186. 1213.7

.4- . 90

. 2- . 7- . 5- . 7- . 1

. 5- . 7- . 6

. 3- 1 . 4

- . 7. 8

- . 7- . 3- . 3

. 8

.600

170. 5

167.8173.2172.5171.6167.8162.9168.4174.7169.2171.8184.7169.8158.2164.8177.9173.7178. 1181.7168.5174.0150.2155.7176.7

0.9

. 1

. 8

.3

. 81.3. 7

3.01.8.2

1.7.4

1. 1. 1

(2)1.61. 1. 3

1.2.4

(2). 2. 6

1.2

See footnote 1, table 3. Not available.

14


Table 7. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,food items, February 1975 Indexes, and percent changes from selected dates

(1967= 100)

Item and group February 1975

Unadjusted Seasonallyadjusted

change to February 197bfrom—

February 1974

Unadjusted

January 1975


Food away from home-Restaurant meals-Snacks

Food at homeCereals and bakery products

FlourCracker meal-Corn flakes —

Bread, white -Bread, whole wheatCookiesLayer cakesCinnamon rolls

Meats, poultry, and fish -Meats

Beef and vealSteak, round —Steak, sirloin-Steak, porterhouseRump roastRib roast-Chuck roast -Hamburger—Beef liverVeal cutlets -

Pork —ChopsLoin roast-Pork sausageHam, wholePicnic sBacon

Other meats '••Lamb chopsFrankfurtersHam, cannedBologna sausage —Salami sausageLiverwurst

PoultryFrying chickenChicken breastsTurkey

Fish JShrimp, frozenFish, fresh or frozenTuna fish, cannedSardines, canned

Dairy productsMilk, fresh, groceryMilk, fresh, skim —Milk, evaporatedIce creamCheese, American process -


171.6170.5169.6174.9172.0187.3174. 5219. 5166.3219.2172.3176.7190.5194.2201.2162.7160.9156.6156. 1147.6152.3154.5166.0158.0153.9148.8188.21 69. 6159.6166.9188.5163.9157.0181.4158.3161.7153.0165.2160.6154.0154.6152.0154.7150.9140.5197.2164.5217.9178. 5227.0155.6154.0167.7182.7151.5168.4115.0

171.9170.8170. 1174.9172.3187. 1174.0219.3166.3217.2172.5176.3191.5194.6201.2163.4161.7156. 1153.8148.6152.9152.7166.2155.4153.4150.6189.9170.5159.3166.7191.8162.6157.0183.2159.3161.9155.3164.2162. 1155.4154.4154.2157.4152.6140.9197.0164.3216.8178.3226.1155. 1153.8167.7183.2151.8168.1114.7

8.911.710.318.78.2

21.31.6

28.640.2-7.615.416. 150. 036.136.4-6.6-8.7

-13.6-11.6-8.3-5.2

-10.0-4.8

-18.0-22.4-14.0

-7. 1-2.5-2.0-3.7-2.8-3.7

-13. 14.0

-6.25. 1

-13.0-3.6-9.2-7.6-8.4- 1 . 7

- .62.4

-11.48.0

-8.21.4

11.228.54.22.03.9

14.021.2

.1-1.9

0.4.9.9.9.4

1 . 1- . 12.9- .3. 4.6

- .13.9

. 12.3- . 5- .6

-1.2- . 9

-1.1- .5.3

-2 . 1.7

-2.2- . 6

-2 . 1- .2. 4

- . 52.7

-4.2-2. 1

. 4

. 1

.9-1 .52.4

-1.2- .3- .3- .5

-1.1. 9

1.8- .3.7

1.2.3

- .2. 0.2. 5.7

3.0

0. 1. 9

1.01.2- .1.8

- .22 . 1- . 3- . 1.6

- .34.0- . 12.4

-1.7-1.8-3.3-3.6-2.2-1.7-2.4-2.8-4.5-4.3-1.5-2.8-1.4-2.3-2.9

.9-1 .8-4.1

- .9- .6.3

-2.12.0

-2.1-1 .0-1.6

- . 9-1 .4

- . 1.1. 4.7

- . 8.5

1.1. 1

- .2- .1.2.9.4

3.3

15


Table 7. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,food items, February 1975 Indexes, and percent changes from selected dates—Continued

(1967*100)

Item and group

Index

February 1975


168.162.158.162.135.152.144.162.

74677183

166.0159.112.

143.166.136.174.193.170.178.168.177.177.166.167.152.183.

79

26812680981679

186.0161.173.241.152.191.165.

253.

906693

5155.7238.0274.444.227.234.213.177.167.172.140.207.209.163.186.134.163.

451880080695741

156.0170. 7160.8170.163.

04

Percent change to Februaryfrom—

February 1974

Unadjusted

January 1975


Food—ContinuedFood at home—Continued

Fruits and vegatables-Fresh fruits and vegetables -

Fresh fruits -'— —Apples •BananasOranges -- ...Orange juice, fresh -Grapefruit •GrapesStrawberriesWatermelon •

Fresh vegetables -Potatoes ————O n i o n s •••• —• • ••

Asparagus —CabbageCarrotsCeleryCucumbers •LettucePeppers, green-Spinach——————

Processed fruits and vegetables -Fruit cocktail, cannedPears, canned-Pine apple -grape fruit juice drink —Orange juice concentrate, frozen-Lemonade concentrate, frozen —<—•Beets, cannedPeas, green, cannedTomatoes, cannedDried beans -Broccoli, frozen •

Other food at homeEggsFats and oils

Margarine •Salad dressing, Italian -Salad or cooking oil

Sugar and sweetsSugar -Grape jelly -Chocolate bar-Syrup, chocolate flavored -

Nonalcoholic beverages -Coffee, can -C offe e, in stantTeaCarbonated drink, cola flavored -Carbonated drink, fruit flavored •

Prepared and partially prepared foods -Bean soup, canned-Chicken soup, canned-Spaghetti, canned-Mashed potatoes, instantPotatoes, french fried, frozen -Baby foods -Sweet pickle relish -Pretzels •

166.7159.2150.5151.0134.5145.6144.7142.2

(')( J )166.3152.4113.0

(')159. 1169.9144. 5214.2177.7184.3182.0175.4177.9177.8166. 1167.3151.8185.0185.3161.9172.8243.3152.3193. 1172. 1214.9253.0155.5237.8273.9444.5227. 1233.4214.2177.0167.2173.3139.7207.4209.3163.5187.3134.7163.4156. 5170.4160.6170.3163.2

6.93.08.4-.9

26.24.38.54.9

!

()(*)

-32! 4-39.5

< l >9.8

21.710.053.749.333.36.31.0

12.625.825.335.08.9

47.923.937.827.0

-32.518.030.5

-11.340.947.129.943. 183.2

202.257. 141.751.827.213.423.721.950.750.525.431.611.424.224.536.026.420.927.7

2. 03.62.9

.78.31.9- .2

. 9l

( )4. 1

-1.4-5.0( ' )2. 15. 1

-1.22.0

22.74. 1

. 2.63. 1- .2

.2

. 51.81.96.2- . 11.3.9

-7.8. 1

- .2- .3

. 1- . 73.0- . 8

-2.5-10.4

4.02.5

.91.0- .3.6

3.62. 11.61. 1-.4.7

- . 1. 1.5

1. 11.93.8

1.53.31.0

-1.63.01.9- .4- .7

4.6-3.3

-11.3( ' )

-6.75.6-.7

-13.332.3-9. 1

1.710.0

2.2.6.3

.21.4. 6

-7.7.3

1.06. 7

-.53.3-.7

-2.6-10.7

3.52.8

.8

.7- . 7

. 13.22. 11. 5.9.2.5

- . 1- . 6

. 51. 12.03.2

Priced only in season.

16


Table 8. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,indexes for selected items and groups, February 1975, and percent changes from selected dates

(1967- 100)

Item and groupOtherindexbase January

1975February

1975

Percent change to February 1975from;February

1974January

1975

HousingShelter l

Rent, residential •Homeowner ship2

Mortgage interest ratesProperty taxesProperty insurance premiumsMaintenance and repairs

Maintenance and repair commodities 3

Exterior house paintInterior house paint —

Maintenance and repair servicesRepainting living and dining roomsReshingling house roofResiding houseReplacing sinkRepairing furnace -

Fuel and utilitiesFuel oil and coal -

Fuel oil, No. 2iGas arid electricity

ElectricityOther utilities:

Residential telephone servicesResidential water and sewerage services

Household furnishings and operation *Housefurnishings

Sheets —Curtains, tailoredBedspreadsDrapery fabricPillows, bedSlipcovers and throws, ready-made —

Furniture and beddingBedroom furniture, chest and dresser-Sofas, upholsteredCocktail tablesDining room chairsRecliners, upholsteredSofas, dual purposeBedding, and mattress and box springAluminum folding chairs

Mar. 70

Dec. 71Mar. 70Dec. 71

Floor coveringsBroadloom carpeting, manmade fibersVinyl sheet goodsVinvl asbestos tile

Appliances excluding radio and T. V.Washing machines, electric, automatic —Vacuum cleanersRefrigerators-freezers, electricRanges, free standing, gas or electric —Clothes dryers, electricAir conditioners, demountableRoom heaters, electric , portable —Garbage disposal units —

Other housefurnishings:Dinnerware, fine china -Flatware, stainless steelTable lamps, with shadeLawn mowers, power, rotary type —Electric drills, hand-held

Housekeeping supplies:Laundry soaps and detergents• t^cLpC r l i c L p K J t i t S —*•«•••^_•___••• <_•*_._.__•_._*___••_»_••__._•_»•>_»-._••_HM*«••_«•-•

Toilet tissueHousekeeping services:

Domestic services, general houseworkBabysitter services •Postal chargesLaundry, flatwork, finished serviceLicensed day care services, preschool child •Washing machine repairs


161.2164.3134.0175.6147.1155.0127.7183.4157.4153.4144.7194.6204.9214.0185.8190.9185. 1160.5228.9223.8160,2159.7160.7

121.8163.0153.2140.3137.9136.6134.2143.6166.0115.2131.2142.1126.8136.6120.7127.8108.9133.3127.7

(5)145.7127.9118.0146.6155.6124.7127.6114.3125.5125.4132.3

(5)121.8125.8164.7164.2142.5145.2120.7

156. 3198.4195.4

191. 1181.0175.3181. 1149.3181.9

162.7165.8135.1177.3145.6155.9128.0183.9157.9154.9146.4195.2205.0214.6186.4191.4185.9162.2229.5224.4162.7162.4163.0

122.4165.0154.7141.4141.8149.4134.0146.9164.9122.6132.5142.3126.3137.0121.6127.0109.8133.5128.2

(5)145.4128.0118.0147.6155.3125.3128.7114.7126.4126.3132.6

(5)120.6126.3168.5167.9143.6146.2121.6

158.2202.2199.7

192.4183.8175.3182.5151.3183.2

13.511.85.5

13.88.02.93.4

15.010.324.317.816.815.721.318.317.6

9 . 513.013.611.018.518.618.4

1.29.6

18.915.015.820.010.424.918.012.19.39.7

10.09.2

10.811.47.86.9

14.7(5)

11.815. 112.217.624.313.215.010.016.014.315.4(5)8.6

11.021.623.110.7(6

31.438.7

23.724.719.614.810.816.7

0 . 9. 9. 8

1.0-1.0

. 6

. 2

. 3

. 31.01.2.3.0.3.3.3.4

1. 1.3.3

1.61.71.4

.51.21.0.8

2.89.4-.12.3-.76.41.0. 1

- .4.3.7

- . 6. 8. 2. 4

(S )- . 2. 1.0.7

- .2.5. 9. 3. 7. 7

)-1.0

.4

2.32.3

.8

. 7

. 7

1.21.92.2

.71.5.0. 8

1.3. 7

17


Table 8. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,indexes for selected items and groups, February 1975, and percent changes from selected dates—Continued

(1967=100)

Item and groupOtherindexbase \Tanuary

1975February

1975February

1974January

1975

Apparel and upkeep 7

Apparel commoditiesApparel commodities less footwear

Men1 s:Topcoats, wool or all-weather coats, polyester

blends -Suits, year round weightSport jacketJackets, lightweightSlacks, wool or wool blendsSlacks, cotton or manmade blendsTrousers, work, cotton or polyester/cottonShirts, work, cotton or polyester/cottonShirts, business, polyester/cottonT-shirts, chiefly cottonSocks, cotton or manmade fibersHandkerchiefs, cotton or polyester/cotton

Boys':Coats, all purpose, cotton or cotton blendsSport coats, wool or wool blendsDungarees, cotton or cotton blendsUndershorts, cotton

Women1 s and girls'Women's:

Coats, heavyweight, wool or wool blendsCarcoats, heavyweight, cotton •Sweaters, wool or acrylicSkirts, wool, wool blend or manmade fibersSkirts, cotton or polyester/cottonBlouses, cotton or manmade fibersDresses, street, chiefly manmade fibers

Panties, acetate or nylon tricotGirdles, manmade blendBrassieres, nylon laceHose or panty hose, nylon, seamlessAnklets or knee-length socks, various fibersGloves, fabric, nylon or cottonHandbags, rayon faille or plastic

Girls':Raincoats, vinyl, cotton or polyester blendsSkirts, wool, wool blends or acrylicDresses, cotton, manmade fibers or blendsSlacks, cotton or chiefly cottonSlips, polyester blendsHandbags, plastic —•

Men' s:Shoes, s t ree t , oxfordShoes, work, high

Women1 s:Shoes, s t reet , pumpShoes, evening, pumpShoes, casual, pump —Housesl ippers, scuff

Children1 s:Shoes, oxford-Sneakers , boys ' , oxford typeDress shoes, g i r l s ' , s t rap or pump

Miscellaneous apparel:Diapers , cotton gauze or disposableYard goods, polyester blendWris t watches, men1 s and women's

Apparel serv ices :Drycleaning, men ' s and women1 s d r e s s e sAutomatic laundry serviceLaundry, men1 s shi r tsTailoring charges , hem adjustmentShoe r epa i r s , women's heel lift

139.4138.6137.9140.0

139.0134.998.8

131.5114.7142.8150.6150.3125.7151.2126.7148.0

114.3120.0171.3151.8135. 1

131.2133.2139.5149.6130.9136, 1143.2116.9137.8125.2139.290.4

130.8122.9169.7

125.4115.3132.7166.0124.2144.4142,2

146.6157.4

136. 1131.2142.4137.2

142.8147. 1149.9

173.2164.4131.7

145.0129.7150.0150.7136.9

140.2139.2138.5140.6

141.6137.098.8

131.5114. 8141.3151. 1151.5125.6152.6127.9151.6

110.2118.9172.0152.0135.4

123.4131.9128.7142.5149.6144.2144.1117. 1136. 1125. 8139.691.8

130.7127. 1171.9

128.2132.2134.0165.7125.3142.0143.0

147.0158.0

137.8132. 1145.2137.3

142.0148.0150.3

176.3163. 8132.8

147.2130.4150.3151.8137.9

7.56.86.9

5.44.8(6)8.4

-2.6.4

18.016.47.8

16.27.2

15.6

-2.6(6)

16.015.34. 1

-4.31.6(6)

11.83. 13.5

10.63.88.7.2

11.49.7

10.3

9.1(6)9.1

11.012.6

3. 17. 1

7.810.8

5.54.38.84.5

4.914.07.7

39.417.08.0

13.97.89.95. 17.7

0.6.4.4.4

1.6. 0. 0. 1

- 1 . 1. 3. 8

- . 1. 9. 9

2 .4

-3 .6- . 9.4. 1.2

-5.9-1.0-7.7-4.714.36.0

.6

.2-1.2

.5

.31.5- .13.41.3

2.214.71.0-.2.9

- 1 . 7. 6

.3

. 4

1.2, 7

2.0. 1

- . 6.6.3

1.8- . 4

1.5.5.2.7. 7


18


Table 8.indexes i

Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,or selected items and groups, February 1975, and percent changes from selected dates—Continued

(1967=100)

Item and groupOtherindexbase January

1975February

1975

Fercent change to February 1975from:February

1974January

1975

TransportatioPrivate8

Automobiles, newAutomobiles, usedGasoline, regular and premiumMotor oil, premiumTires, new, tubelessAuto repairs and maintenance9

Auto insurance ratesAuto registration •Parking fees, private and municipal

Local transit faresd A l v / U U l a l CO ^^ — —

Railroad fares, coachAirplane fares, chiefly coachBus fares, intercity

Health and recreationMedical care

Drugs and prescriptionsOver-the-counter items

Multiple vitamin concentratesAspirin compoundsLiquid to ni c sAdhesive bandages, packagesCold tablets or capsulesCough syrup

PrescriptionsAnti-infective sSedatives and hypnoticsAtaracticsAntispasmadicsCough preparationsCardiovasculars and antihypertensivesAnalgesics internalHormones

Professional services:Physicians1 fees

General physician, office visitsGeneral physician, house visitsObstetrical casesPediatric care, office visitsPsychiatrist, office visitsHerniorrhaphy, adultTonsillectomy and adenoidectomy

Dentists' fees -Fillings, adult, amalgam, one surface •Extractions, adultDentures, full upper

Other professional services:Examination, prescription, and dispensing of

eyeglassesRoutine laboratory tests, urinalysis

Hospital service chargesSemiprivate roomsOperating room chargesX-ray, diagnostic series, upper G. ILaboratory tests, urinalysisAnti-infective s, tetracyline, HCLTranquilizers, chlordiazepoxide, HCL and

meprobamateElectrocardiogramIntravenous solution, salinePhysical therapy, whirlpool bathOxygen, inhalation therapy

Personal careToilet goods

Jan. 72

Jan. 72Jan. 72

Jan. 72Jan. 72Jan. 72Jan. 72Jan. 72

Toothpaste, standard dentifrice -Toilet soap, hard-milledHand lotions, liquidShaving cream, aerosol —Face powder, pressedDeodorants, aerosol —Cleansing tissuesHome permanent wave kits

Personal care servicesMen's haircutsBeauty shop services

Women's haircutsShampoo and wave sets, plainPermanent waves, cold


143. 2142. 2123. 4134.9160. 2152.8124.9170. 1137.9130. 4166. 3152. 2147. 9164. 1148. 9154. 2178. 5

148.9161. 0114.7124. 399-9

127.9112. 2151. 5121. 5127.2106. 7

70.0150.2105.6117.6158.7118.2115.099-8

160.9165. 3161. 7157.7164. 4147. 9146. 2152.4156.0160.6154.8147.9

144.6145.0125. 3222.8225.6150. 1122. 2106. 3

111.9120. 0120.2129. 7117. 0146.5144.5124.9196.6138.9118.9154. 1114. 3187.9111.8148.4151.8146.0158. 1149-4126.5

143. 5142. 5124. 5133. 5160. 6153.4125.6171. 9138. 3130. 4167.4152. 3147.8165. 4149. 2154. 2178. 5

150.2163.0116. 0126. 3100. 3128.6113. 1156.4123.2130.4107. 4

70. 3151.4105.6118. 3161. 7118.2116.8100.8

162.9167.4163.4158.7166. 1147.8147.5155.8157.2161.6156.6148.7

145.8145. 3127. 3226. 1230.6151. 0124. 1107. 1

115.6123.8123.8131.6117.8147.8146.6126. 2198. 6145.0121.4151.2116. 1190.8114. 2148.9152. 1146.7159-0150.2126.6

11.011.810. 529.68.7

11. 513. 515.4

. 41. 28.64. 2- .6

13.817.59. 1

18. 3

11. 713.78 . 4

11.05. 18 .69. 4

20.66.8

11.86 .02.9

12. 1. 6

8.713.4

3.84. 38.5

14. 215.714.011.813.68.8

10.013. 711. 712.911. 39-6

9.113. 716.418.822.411.914. 710.8

8 .513.816.420. 5

9- 313.016.916. 134.013. 511.0

. 510. 235.64.09.09. 19 - 0

11.88.86.2

0.2. 2.9

- 1 . 0. 2. 4.6

1. 1. 3.0. 7. 1

- . 1.82

.0

. 0

.91.21. 11.6

.4

. 5

.83. 21. 42. 5

.7

. 4

.8

.0

.61 9

. 01.6

1. 21. 31. 1

.61.0-. 1

92. 2

.8

.61. 2

. 5

.8

. 21.61. 52. 2

.61.6

3. 33.23.01.5.7.9

1. 51.01.04. 42. 1

-1 .91.61. 52. 1

. 3

. 2

. 5

.6

.5

. 1

19


Table 8. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,indexes for selected items and groups, February 1975, and percent changes from selected dates—Continued

(1967=100)

Item and groupOtherindexbase

Indexe s Percent change to February Jfrom;

January1975

141.0120.5100.7152.9103.695.7

120.393.4

116.4105.6140.4117.1124.5141.1130.2163.5147.6167.9164.8176.8171.81375.2

104.3121.5

169.8143.1137.8

144.8152.1154.2154.9122.1139.3137.6113.1151.3153.2

140.1111.5182.4

February1975

141.8121.3100.9153.8103.595.6

121.494.1

118.9104.6142.1116.9124.6141.2131.4166.0148.5169.5166.4178.4172.5137s.7

104.6122.1

171.2143.1138.1

145.9152.8154.7155.7122.6140.7139.4113.5151.9154.9

140.7115.9182.6

February1974

10.08.93 .1

13.13 . 31.1

10.43 .29.4

.110.1

6.27 .0

12.39.9

18.49 .8

12.812.314.212.0

6.7

4 . 25.5

20.17 .05.1

10.39.9

10.110.4

5.111.116.83 . 55.2

10.6

6.710.2

8.2

January1975

0.6.7.2.6

- . 1-. 1

. 9

.72 .1- . 91.2- . 2

.1

.1

. 91.5.6

1.01.0.9. 4. 4

. 3

. 5

. 8

.0

.2

. 8

. 5

. 3

. 5

. 41.01.3

. 4

. 41.1

. 43 .9

.1

Health and recreation—continuedReading and recreation 10

Recreational goods -TV sets, portable and console-TV replacement tubesRadio, portable and table model —Tape recorders, portablePhonograph records, stereophonic •Movie cameras, super 8, zoom lens-Film, 35mm, colorGolf balls, liquid center or solid coreBasketballs, rubber o vinyl cover .Fishing rods, fresh-water spineastingBowling ballsBicycles, boys'Tricycles —Dog food, canned or boxed

Recreational servicesIndoor movie admissions

AdultChildren's

Drive-in movie admissions, adult •Bowling fees, eveningGolf green feesTV repair, color picture tube replacement •Film developing, color •

Reading and education:Newspapers, street sale and deliveryMagazines, single copy and subscriptions-Piano lessons, beginner —-——•

Other goods and servicesTobacco products

Cigarettes, nonfilter tip, regular sizeCigarettes, filter tip, king size -Cigar8, domestic, regular size ———

Alcoholic beveragesBeer-oe e i>-— < —- — — —Whiskey, spirit blended and straight bourbonWine, dessert and tableBeer away from homeBeer away irom nome .

Financial and miscellaneous personal expenses:Funeral services, adultj; uiiciat services, BUUU - — — — . — — . - . — —

Bank service charges, checking accountsLegal services, short form will —

1 Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.2 Also includes home purchase costs not shown separately.3 Also includes pine shelving, furnace filters, packaged dry ce-

ment mix, and shrubbery not shown separately.4 Also includes window shades, nails, carpet sweepers, air deo-

dorizers, steel wool scouring pads, envelopes, re upholster ing, andmoving expenses.

* Priced only in season.6 Not available.7 Also includes men's sport shirts, women's and girl's light-

weight coats, women's slacks, bathing suits, girls' shorts, earrings,and zippers not shown separately.

* Also includes storage batteries and drivers' license fees notshown separately.

9 Includes prices for water pump replacement, motor tune-up,automatic transmission repair, exhaust system repair,# front end align-ment, and chassis lubrication.

10 Also includes outboard motors, nondurable toys, college tui-tion fees, paperback books, and college textbooks, not shown separately.

20


Table 9. Consumer Price Index—United States city average and selected areas for urban wage earners and clerical workers,indexes for regular and premium gasoline

(October 1973=100)

Area !

Regular gasoline

January 1975 February 1975

Percent changeto February 1975

from—

January 1975

Premium gasoline

January 1975 February 1975

Percent changeto February 1975

from—January 1975

U. S. city average 2

AtlantaBaltimoreBostonBuffaloChicagoCincinnatiClevelandDallasDetroit •-HonoluluHoustonKansas CityLos Angeles—Long BeachMilwaukeeMinneapolis—St. PaulNew York—Northeastern N. J -PhiladelphiaPittsburghSt. LouisSan Diego -San Francisco—Oaklana-SeattleWashington

161. 8

135.6134.3131.7132.9129.4129. 8130.3137.7128.4134. 4135.7131. 1133.4129. 8128.4130.5132.6134.2128.3133.3132.5130. 8132.8

162.2

135. 8135.3131.2133.0129.9130.3131. 1139.2127.6133. 8136.7129.5133.0129.8128.3130.4132.4133.8128.3133.3132. 1130. 8132.6

. 1

. 7-.4. 1.4.4.6

1. 1-.6-.4.7

-1.2-. 30

-. 1-. 1-.2-.300

-. 30

-.2

156.2

134.2132. 8129.5131.3126.6128.5128.3135.6126.0131.2133.8128.9130. 8129.7127.4130. 5131.2130.6127.6131.5130.3128.2129.9

156.7

134. 1133.2129.2131.3126.7128.7128.8136.6125. 6130.5134.9128.5130.4129.5128. 8131. 1131.6130.4127.6131.7129.9128.4129.6

-. 1.3

-.20. 1.2.4. 7

-.3- .5.8

- .3-.3-.21. 1.5.3

-.20.2

-.3.2

-.2

1 Area coverage includes the urban portion of the correspondingStandard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) except for New York andChicago where the more extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used.

Area definitions are those established for the 1960 Census and do notinclude revisions made since 1960.

2 1967=100.

Table 10. Consumer Price Index—United States city average and selected areas for urban wage earners and clerical workers,average prices for regular and premium gasoline

Regular gasoline Premium gasoline

Average price per gallon

December 1974 January 1975 February 1975 December 1974 January 1975 February 1975

U. S. city average

AtlantaBaltimoreBostonBuffaloChicago —:CincinnatiClevelandDallasDetroitHonoluluHoustonKansas CityLos Angeles—Long BeachMilwaukeeMinneapolis—St. Paul —New York—Northeastern N. J •PhiladelphiaPittsburgh •St. Louis ;San DiegoSan Francisco—OaklandSeattleWashington

$0,528

.523

.541

.532

.537

.541

.527

.530

.484

.532

.599

.469

.497

.524

.496

.504

. 554

.529

.528

.517

.541

.563

.515

.547

$0,532

.539

.550

.533

.535

.544

.526

.530

.484

. 536

.607

.471

.501

.539

.500

.507

. 553

.530

.537

.522

.552

.566

.527

.549

$0,533

.540

.554

.531

.536

.546

.528

.534

.490

.533

.605

.475

.495

. 537

. 500

. 507

. 552

. 529

. 535

.522

. 552

.564

.527

.549

$0,568

.569

.591

.573

.574

. 580

.572

. 570

.524

.575

.629

.515

. 539

.563

.542

.549

.598

.580

.571

.561

.582

.598

.556

.589

$0,572

.581

.595

.574

.575

.581

.571

.571

.527

.576

.639

.516

.543

.576

.548

.553

.598

.582

. 577

.566

.590

.604

.576

.592

$0,574

.581

.596

.573

.575

.582

.572

.573

.531

.574

.636

.520

.541

.574

. 547

.559

.601

.583

. 576

.566

.591

.603

.568

.590

1 Area coverage includes the urban portion of the correspondingStandard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) except for New York andChicago where the more extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used.

Area definitions are those established for the I960 Census and do notinclude revisions made since 1960.

21


Brief Explanation of the CPI

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures averagechanges in prices of goods and services usually boughtby urban wage earners and clerical workers. It is. basedon prices of about 400 items which were selected to rep-resent the movement of prices of all goods and servicespurchased by wage earners and clerical workers. Pricesfor these items are obtained in urban portions of 39major statistical areas and 17 smaller cities, which werechosen to represent all urban places in the United States.They are collected from about 18,000 establishments—grocery and department stores, hospitals, filling stations,and other types of stores and service establishments.

Prices of foods, fuels, and a few other items areobtained every month in all 56 locations. Prices of mostother commodities and services are collected every monthin the five largest areas and every 3 months in otherareas. Prices of most goods and services are obtained by

personal visits of the Bureau's trained representatives.Mail questionnaires are used to obtain local transit fares,public utility rates, newspaper prices, fuel prices, andcertain other items.

In calculating the index, price changes for the variousitems in each location are averaged together with weightswhich represent their importance in the spending of allwage earners and clerical workers. Local data are thencombined to obtain a U.S. city average. Separate indexesare also published for 23 areas.

The index measures price changes from a designatedreference date—1967—which equals 100.0. An increaseof 22 percent, for example, is shown as 122.0. Thischange can also be expressed in dollars as follows: Theprice of a base period "market basket" of goods andservices bought by urban wage earners and clericalworkers has risen from $ 10 in 1967 to $ 12.20.

A Note About Calculating Index Changes

Movements of the indexes from one month to anotherare usually expressed as percent changes rather thanchanges in index points because index point changes areaffected by the level of the index in relation to its baseperiod while percent changes are not. The example in theaccompanying box illustrates the computation of indexpoint and percent changes.

Seasonally adjusted percent changes in the U.S. AllItems Index are based on seasonal adjustment factorsand seasonally adjusted indexes carried to two decimalplaces. This procedure helps to eliminate rounding errorin the percent changes.

Percent changes for 3-month and 6-month periodsare expressed as annual rates and are computed accord-ing to the standard formula for compound growth rates.These data indicate what the percent change would beif the current rate were maintained for a 12-month

period. BLS does not publish annual rates based ondata for 1 month.

Index Point Change

CPILess previous index

Equals index point change:

Percent Change

Index point difference,Divided by the previous index,Equals,Results multiplied by one hundredEquals percent change:

123.8123.2

0.6

0.6

123.20.0050.005x1000.5

A Note on Seasonally Adjusted and Unadjusted Data

Because price data are used for different purposes bydifferent groups, the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishesseasonally adjusted as well as unadjusted changes eachmonth.

For analyzing general price trends in the economy,seasonally adjusted changes are usually preferred, sincethey eliminate the effect of changes that normally occurat the same time and in about the same magnitude everyyear—such as price movements resulting from changing

climatic conditions, production cycles, model change-overs, holidays, and sales.

The unadjusted data are of primary interest to con-sumers concerned about the prices they actually pay.Unadjusted data are also used extensively for escalationpurposes. Many collective bargaining contract agree-ments and pension plans, for example, tie compensa-tion changes to the Consumer Price Index unadjustedfor seasonal variation.

22


Reliability of Percent Changes in the CPI

A system of "replicated" samples introduced intothe index structure in the 1964 revision permits an esti-mate of sampling error for the CPI. * TTie table belowshows standard errors for montly, quarterly, and annual

Average standard errors of percent changes in theCPI based on 1974 data

Component

All itemsFood at homeFood away fromhome

HousingApparel and upkeep..TransportationMedical carePersonal careReading andrecreation

Other goods andservices

Standard error

Monthlychange

.05

.10

.13

.09

.21

.07

.16

.19

.16

.13

Quarterlychange

.07

.19

.23

.15

.28

.10

.21

.24

.21

.18

Annualchange

.12

.40

.42

.23

.33

.20

.28

.34

.27

.28

percent changes in the CPI for all items and for ninecommodity groupings based on 1974 averages. Thefigures may be interpreted as follows: The chancesare about 95 out of 100 that the percent change in theCPI as computed differs from the corresponding "com-plete coverage" change by less than twice the standarderror.

Because the CPI is rounded to one decimal place,some ambiguity may arise in interpreting small indexchanges. As the table indicates, for example, a month-to-month change of 0.1 percent in the all-items CPIis significant. Because of rounding, however, a changeof this size in the published index might result from amuch smaller change in the unrounded value. Hence,any particular change of 0.1 percent may or may notbe significant. On the other hand, a published change of0.2 percent for a one-month period is almost alwayssignificant.

This replaces the table of average errors based on1973 data which was included in the CPI report throughJanuary 1975.

The method of deriving these estimates is described in apaper by Marvin Wilkerson, "Measurement of Sampling Errorin the Consumer Price Index," Journal of the American Statis-tical Association, September 1967.

*U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE:l975 583-603/12 1-3

23


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