CPI Detailed Report March 1976 · The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2 percent in March, before seasonal adjustment, to 167.5 percent of its 1967 base. The CPI in March was 6.1

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABORW. J. Usery, Jr., 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.

Subscription price per year:$9.00, domestic$11.00, foreign

$.75, single copy

Library of CongressCatalog number 74-647019

May 1976

CPI Detailed ReportFor March 1976Consumer Price Index: U.S. City Average and Selected Areas

Contents

Page

Price movements 1

Chart 1. All items index and rates of change, 1967-76 7Chart 2. Commodities less food index and rates of change,

1967-76 8Chart 3. Total food index and rates of change, 1967-76 9Chart 4. Services index and rates of change, 1967-76 10

Table 1. CPI—U.S. city average, by commodity and servicegroup and expenditure class 11

Table 2. CPI—seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by commodityand service group and expenditure class 12

Table 3. CPI—food items, U.S. city average . . . 13

Table 4. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city

average 14

Table 5. CPI—selected areas, all items index 18

Table 6. CPI—areas priced monthly, by expenditure class,

percent change from February 1976 to March 1976 18

Table 7. CPI—selected areas, by expenditure class 19

Table 8. CPI—food groups, selected areas 21

Table 9. CPI—gasoline indexes, U.S. city average and selectedareas 22

Table 10. CPI—gasoline average prices, U.S. city average andselected areas 22

Table 11. CPI—regular leaded gasoline indexes, U.S. city averageand selected areas 23

Table 12. CPI—premium gasoline indexes, U.S. city average and

selected areas 25

Table 13. CPI—by population size 27

Table 14. CPI—by region 27

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

Price MovementsMarch 1976

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2 percent inMarch, before seasonal adjustment, to 167.5 percent of its1967 base. The CPI in March was 6.1 percent higher thanin March 1975.

Seasonally adjusted changes

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI rose 0.2 percentin March. In February, the increase was 0.1 percent. Theseincreases compare with a rise of 0.4 percent in January andan average monthly increase of 0.6 percent in the last 3months of 1975. The indexes for food and gasoline de-clined substantially in March as they had in February.Prices of most other commodities increased moderately inMarch; a notable exception was used car prices which rosesharply. Charges for consumer services continued to riserapidly.

Price changes, first quarter

The CPI rose at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 2.9percent for the 3 months ending in March. This was theslowest pace in almost 4 years and compares with a steadyrise of about 7 percent in 1975. Declines in food and fuelprices accounted for much of the slowdown in the firstquarter. Prices of other commodities rose at a moderatepace—about the same as in the preceding 3 quarters.Charges for consumer services continued the rapid riseevident since mid-1975 (table B).

Changes in the CPI are influenced partly by behavior ofprices at the producers' level. The Wholesale Price Index(WPI) measures prices of food and industrial commoditiesat all stages of production, but it has no services component.The WPI component most nearly comparable to the com-modities component of the CPI is the index for finishedconsumer goods.

Table A. Percent changes in CPI and components, selected periods

Month

Changes from preceding month

All items

Unad-justed

Seasonallyadjusted

Food

Unad-justed

Seasonallyadjusted

Commoditiesless food

Unad-justed

Seasonallyadjusted

Services

Unad-justed

Seasonallyadjusted

Changes in all items

Compoundannual rate

From3 months

ago

Seasonallyadjusted

From12 months

ago

Unad-justed

1975:MarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugust . . .SeptemberOctober...November.December.

1976:January...February..March . . . .

0.4.5.4.8

1.1.3.5.6.6.4

.2

.2

.2

0.4.5.5.7

1.0.4.4.6.6.5

.4

.1

.2

-0.2- .1

.41.52.4- .3- . 2

.7

.4

.5

.1- .4- .7

-0.3.2.9

1.21.8- .2

.3

.9

.6

.6

- .2-1 .0

- . 8

0.8.8.6.5.7.5.5.5.3.1

- .3.3.4

0.6.5.3.4.9.6.3.3.3.4

.2

.3

.3

0.4.6.2.7.5.5

1.0.6

1.1.6

1.0.7.6

0.6.6.4.7.5.4.8.6

1.0.6

1.1.7.7

6.65.75.77.09.18.57.45.86.87.3

6.54.42.9

10.310.29.59.39.78.67.87.67.37.0

6.86.36.1


Table B. Quarterly percent changes in selected components of the Consumer and Wholesale Price Indexes,

1975-76

Component

Compound annual rate, seasonally adjusted, for 3 months ending—

1975

March June September December

1976

March

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

All itemsFoodCommodities less foodServices

All items less food and energy itemsCommodities less food and energy items . .Services less energy itemsEnergy items (gas, electricity, fuel oil,coal, gasoline, motor oil)

WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX

All commoditiesFarm products and processed foods and feeds

Crude foods and feedsIntermediate materials for foodmanufacturing

Consumer foods

Industrial commoditiesCrude materials except foodsIntermediate materials except feedsProducers' finished goodsConsumer finished goods except food

6.6.5

8.09.3

9.49.47.4

1.4

-5.2-24.7-37.4

-46.6-14.3

3.9-13.0

4.412.73.5

7.09.75.36.8

5.14.25.7

17.0

6.518.363.8

-39.428.7

2.113.5- . 24.84.1

7.48.07.57.4

5.85.08.2

23.6

10.818.317.0

22.311.2

8.016.75.86.3

10.7

7.38.34.39.3

7.14.49.7

6.0

6.5-4.1-2.4

-26.2.9

10.84.4

12.19.19.3

2.9-7.5

2.911.1

7.75.29.7

-8.3

-1.8-15.8-24.7

-11.1-20.5

3.21.93.76.8

.5

The WPI for consumer finished goods declined at a7.8-percent rate in the 3 months ending in March. Thedecline followed a deceleration in 1975 from a 13.9-percentrate of advance in the second quarter to 5.6 percent in thefourth quarter. The deceleration in 1975 was primarily dueto changes in the food component; nonfood commoditiesrose at rapid rates in the third and fourth quarters of 1975.For the 3 months ending in March 1976, the consumer foodindex declined sharply while the index for nonfood com-modities held almost steady (table C).

Consumer foods

Food prices in the WPI declined at a 20.5-percent rate inthe first quarter, following a small rise of 0.9 percent in thefinal quarter of 1975. Lower prices by processors led todeclines in retail prices in the first quarter for most grocerystore foods, including beef, pork, poultry, eggs, fresh andprocessed fruits and vegetables, sugar, cereal and bakeryproducts, and fats and oil products. Thus, the index forfood purchased in grocery stores—the major portion ofthe food index in the CPI—declined at an 11.7-percentrate, compared with increases of 8 to 11 percent in thepreceding 3 quarters.

Declines in food prices can be traced to sharply lowerprices at all stages of food production—crude, semi-processed, and processed. Cattle prices fell at an annualrate of about 65 percent as marketings increased. In con-trast to 1975, when record numbers of grass-fed cattlewere marketed, much of the expansion in marketings thiswinter was in grain-fed cattle. More cattle were placed infeedlots after mid-1975 as a result of lower feed costs andfavorable prices cattlemen were receiving for their livestock.As beef production increased, processors' prices declined68.7 percent and retail prices fell 37.3 percent in the first3 months of 1976. According to the Department of Agri-culture, 6.3 million head of cattle were marketed in thefirst quarter of 1976; in the second quarter, cattlemenexpect to market 6 percent less. Cattle placed on feedduring the first quarter totaled 5.4 million head or 14 per-cent more than the very low level in the first quarter of1975. On April 1, feedlots in the 23 major feeding stateshad 10.8 million head of cattle—28 percent more than onApril 1, 1975, but still 12 percent less than on April 1,1974.

In the first quarter of 1976,live and processed poultryprices also moved down sharply—by more than 40percent—and retail prices declined 34 percent. Poultryproduction was increased in late 1975 as a result of lower


Table C. Quarterly percent change in wholesale and retail prices for consumer goods and services,

1975-76

Goods and services Index

Compound annual rate, seasonally adjusted, for 3 months ending—

1975

March June September December

1976

March

Consumer goods

Food

Commodities less food . . . .

Nondurables less food .

Apparel less footwear

Footwear

Gasoline 2

Fuel oil

Tobacco products. . .

Durables 1

New cars

Furniture

Appliances includingradio and TV . . . . .

ServicesRentHousehold less rent.Medical careTransportationOther services

CPIWPICPIWPICPIWPICPIWPICPIWPICPIWPICPIWPICPIWPICPIWPICPIWPICPIWPICPIWPI

CPIWPI

CPICPICPICPICPICPI

5.1-4.4

.5-14.3

8.03.54.12.3- .6

.34.91.7

-3.7-3.4-7.5

-25.47.16.4

13.66.1

9.33.76.32.8

7.56.1

9.35.2

10.314.56.77.2

6.913.99.7

28.75.34.14.95.4

- . 3-3.5

- . 33.3

17.023.014.513.8

.3- . 86.31.2.3

1.87.4

-1.1

4.24.2

6.84.58.49.25.53.2

7.810.78.0

11.27.5

10.78.2

14.44.1.9

1.47.6

30.072.728.842.4

2.12.76.24.46.13.73.93.6

4.52.4

7.44.84.9

10.516.75.7

5.95.68.3

.94.39.34.29.53.26.84.23.82.7

13.12.1

31.66.6

26.44.49.2

14.415.74.78.7

3.74.5

9.36.59.37.2

18.95.6

-1.2-7.8-7.9

-20.52.9.5.8

- . 92.39.84.57.1

-17.7-26.7-8.1

-21.58.2

.86.93.42.42.63.84.1

5.42.0

10.65.59.1

14.021.1

7.9

Includes items not listed. CPI includes motor oil. Also see note on Gasoline, p. 6).

feed costs and higher chicken prices in late summerand early fall. The downtrend in hog and wholesale porkprices, which began in the fourth quarter of 1975, continueduntil late in the first quarter. The declines were primarilydue to consumer resistance to high prices and abundantsupplies of beef and poultry. The upturn late in the quarterwas due to smaller supplies of marketable hogs. Althougha record corn crop was predicted for 1975-76, hog pro-ducers were cautious about increasing pig crops last fall.However, a report released by the Department of Agriculturein mid-March indicated that the 14 major hog-producingStates expected a 12-percent increase in the December1975-May 1976 pig crop compared with a year earlier. Thiswould be the first year-to-year increase in 5 years.

After rising sharply in the second half of 1975, milkprices at the farm level and processors' prices for dairy

products turned down in the first quarter of 1976. Retailprices for dairy products continued to rise, but at a slowerrate. Prices of milk used by processors declined due to in-creased milk output with higher butterfat content, com-bined with reduced demand for processed dairy products.Butter prices fell substantially.

Prices for margarine, as well as for all types of fats andoil products, continued to decline in the first quarter dueto surplus soybean supplies, price competition from foreignoils such as palm oil, and a sluggish export market. Amplesupplies resulted in lower prices for other foods such aseggs, fresh vegetables, and canned and frozen fruits andvegetables.

Adverse weather was partly responsible for price ad-vances for some farm products—notably grains, coffee,and fresh fruits. Banana prices increased as earthquakes


in Guatemala created uncertainities about supplies. Coffeeprices continued to rise as supplies, already reduced byweather damage to the Brazilian crop last summer, registeredanother setback in February when earthquakes in Guatemaladisrupted shipping capabilities.

Grain prices, which declined during most of 1975, rosein the first 3 months of 1976. Wheat prices rose due to(1) weather damage to the 1976 winter crop in the South-western states; (2) the possibility of additional wheat salesto the Soviet Union because of weather damage to cropsthere. Corn prices also rose in the first quarter reflectingincreased demand. The increase in the price of corn, aswell as other grains such as barley and rye, was also due tolimited selling by farmers.

After declining steadily during 1975, sugar prices at thewholesale level increased for the quarter ending in March.The increase was due primarily to (1) higher prices forsugar cane which apparently reflected lowered estimates ofworld sugar production, especially in the Soviet Union, and(2) the holding back of supplies by sugar-producingcountries, such as the Dominican Republic and the Phil-ippines. Beet sugar prices, however, declined slightly duringthe first quarter as a result of the large supplies on handfrom last year's record U.S. crop. Further downwardpressure was created when the Department of Agriculturereleased a prospective planting report which showed beetsugar acreage unchanged from last year. A reduction of atleast 10 percent had been expected. Sugar prices at theretail level continued to decline in the first quarter, but ata slower pace than in the fourth quarter of 1975.

Consumer goods other than food

The CPI for consumer goods other than food rose at anannual rate of 2.9 percent during the 3 months ending inMarch 1976. The WPI for consumer finished goods otherthan food rose at a 0.5 percent annual rate. The slowdownwas primarily due to declines in gasoline and fuel oil prices.

Large inventories led to a sharp decline in gasolineprices in the first quarter despite an uptrend in demand.Many areas experienced "gas wars" as major oil companiestried to maintain market and gallonage. Fuel oil prices alsodeclined sharply in the first quarter chiefly due to abnor-mally warm winter weather in major fuel-consuming areas.

Retail prices for most consumer goods other than foodand fuels increased in the first quarter. Prices for apparel,footwear, furniture, and appliances rose at a moderate ratereflecting small increases at the manufacturers' level lastsummer and fall. Although the demand for consumer goodshas been rising, outlays for most items—except autos—rose at a considerably slower rate in the first quarter of1976 than in the spring and summer of 1975. Outlays(in constant dollars) for apparel and footwear rose at abouta 4-percent rate in the first quarter, compared with almost16 percent in the second quarter of 1975. Outlays forfurniture and other household durables increased at about

a 1.6-percent rate in the first quarter of this year comparedwith 18 percent in the second quarter of 1975.

New car prices also rose moderately in the first quarter,after large increases in the fourth quarter when 1976 modelswere introduced. Auto sales rose sharply in the firstquarter—continuing the recovery which began in the springof 1975. But, contrary to manufacturers' expectations fora rapid growth in small car sales, consumers have showna preference for larger cars. Thus, prices rose for somelarger models in short supply, while rebate programs wereinitiated to promote sales of smaller cars. Used car prices,which declined in late 1975, rose sharply in the first quarterin response to strong demand for clean, standard size cars.

Reflecting earlier increases in prices at the manufacturers'level, price rises accelerated for some consumer goods suchas floor coverings, tobacco products, textile housefurnish-ings, and housekeeping supplies.

The WPI for new cars, furniture, appliances, and tobaccoproducts increased at a slower rate in the first quarter thanin the last quarter of 1975, but apparel and footwear pricerises accelerated (table C).

Consumer services

Charges for consumer services continued to rise rapidlyin the first quarter of 1976. The rise began acceleratingafter mid-1975; service charges rose at a rate of 10.6 per-cent in the first quarter of 1976 compared with 9.3 percentin the previous quarter. Indexes for medical care, trans-portation, and various other services rose at a faster rate inthe first quarter and rent and household services other thanrent increased at about the same rate as in the previousquarter (table C).

In the first quarter, transportation services increased21.1 percent—more rapidly than in the two final quartersof 1975. Additional increases in auto insurance rates dur-ing the first quarter accounted for about three-fourths ofthe increase in the transportation services index. Rates forauto insurance have risen at annual rates of 10.2, 54.4, and55.0 percent in the last three quarters. The rapid rise inauto repair parts as well as labor charges have had a sub-stantial impact on auto insurance rates. The auto repairsand maintenance index in the CPI, which represents con-sumers direct out-of-pocket expenses for auto repairs andmaintenance, rose at a rate of 9.3 percent in the firstquarter compared with 8.5 percent in the fourth quarter of1975. Among the public transportation groups, airline faresrose again in the first quarter after a 2.2-percent rateincrease on November 15, 1975. Increases for localtransit fares were also larger in the first quarter but intercitybus and railroad fares registered smaller increases than inthe final quarter of 1975.

During the first quarter, the index for medical careservices rose at the sharpest rate in more than a year. Therate of advance had slowed during the fourth quarter of1975 reflecting to a large extent the impact of the annualadjustment to the CPI health insurance component. In


the March quarter, physicians' fees increased at a 14.2-percent rate—about the same as in the previous quarter—but hospital services jumped significantly. Increases in semi-private room rates and laboratory tests, as well as variousdrugs prescribed in hospitals, were more than double theincreases in the fourth quarter. Spiraling operating costs andhigher malpractice insurance premiums were cited as thereasons for the significant increases.

Despite first-quarter declines in mortgage interest ratesand smaller increases in property taxes and natural gas andelectricity rates, the household services index continued toincrease rapidly because of higher charges for propertyinsurance and housekeeping services. Property insurancerates, which had averaged about an 8.0-percent increase ineach quarter of 1975, jumped to a rate of 14.3 percent inthe first quarter of 1976. Many insurance companiesraised rates to cover increases in claims. Replacement costshave risen because of increases in material prices, such aslumber, concrete, plumbing fixtures, and general millworkduring the last 3 years. Charges for nearly all types ofhousekeeping services accelerated in the March quarter.Postal rates rose significantly, reflecting the increase infirst class and parcel post rates. The increase in the minimumwage on January 1 contributed to increased charges fordomestic services, baby sitters, and laundry flatwork.Smaller increases for natural gas and declines in electricityrates helped to offset the increase for other householdservices in the first quarter. Electricity rates declined as thesurplus of petroleum for energy production caused fuelprices to be adjusted downward in some areas. In addition,some electricity producers have encountered new legislationwhich attempts to limit the pass-through of changes in fuelcosts. Property taxes, which had increased nearly 15.0 per-cent in the final quarter of 1975, rose only about one-thirdas much in the first quarter of 1976.

During the first quarter of 1976, the index for mortgageinterest rates declined at a 4.6-percent rate, the first de-cline since mid-1975. After increasing significantly in thefinal quarter of 1975, conventional rates began falling earlyin 1976 and VA- and FHA- insured rates followed later inthe first quarter. Supplies of lendable funds increased in thefirst quarter as the flow of new savings received by savingsand loan institutions reached a record in January. Further-more, despite renewed interest in real estate, demand formortgage funds remained weak in many areas partly becauseof competition from bond markets.

The CPI for rent increased at a 5.5-percent rate, orslightly less than the 6.5 percent rate in the final quarter of1975. Strong demand in many large metropolitan areas foravailable units resulted in low rental vacancy rates. Land-lords continued to press for higher rents to cover risingoperating costs.

Prices for most other services in the CPI also rose at afaster rate in the first quarter of 1976 than in the final

quarter of 1975. Increases in charges for recreationalservices, personal care, and apparel services were larger inthe March quarter.

Industrial materials

Changes in materials costs are an important factoraffecting manufacturers' prices of finished goods and,therefore, prices consumers pay for goods and some services.Price rises for industrial commodities at the intermediatestage of production—just below the finished goods level—decelerated sharply from mid-1974 to mid-1975. In thesecond half of 1975, with economic recovery underway,prices of these commodities rose at 5.8 percent rate in thethird quarter and 12.1 percent in the fourth. In the firstquarter of 1976, price rises slowed to a 3.7-percent rate.This slowdown may have reflected in part a more moderaterate of economic expansion in late 1975 than earlier in theyear; also the rise in crude materials prices slowed in late1975 (table B).

Prices of steel mill products averaged unchanged in thefirst quarter, after a large increase in the last quarter of1975. Prices rose for some steel products due to increaseddemand from automobile and appliance manufacturers.Weak demand particularly in the capital goods sectorcaused some prices to decline. Prices for refined petroleumproducts declined and price increases were smaller than inthe fourth quarter for petroleum-based products such asplastic materials, chemicals, and synthetic rubber partlybecause of lower prices for crude oil. Prices of textileproducts also increased at a slower rate in the first quarterreflecting primarily falling demand for double-knit fabrics.

Leather prices, however, continued to advance rapidlyin response to higher prices for hides and skins and increaseddemand from manufacturers of footwear and leathergarments. The rise in prices of construction materialsaccelerated as the construction outlook continued to im-prove. Higher prices for some nonferrous metals and fabri-cated metal products resulted from the higher level ofhousing starts and increased demand for consumer goods.

The WPI for raw industrial materials increased at a 1.9-percent rate in the 3 months ending in March, a smallerrise than in any of the three preceding quarters. The slow-down was primarily due to lower prices for crude petroleum(which accounts for almost one-third of the weight of theraw industrials component). Prices of fertilizer materialscontinued to decline in the first quarter because of excesssupplies, but prices of other raw industrial materials rose.Iron and steel scrap and nonferrous scrap prices turned upas mills increased the level of their inventories at the sametime that they stepped up regular purchases to meet ex-panding production needs. Prices for crude rubber andwastepaper continued to rise at rapid rates.


Announcement of Changes in Gasoline Price Data

Effective with release of the March 1976 CPI, the Bureau of Labor Statisticshas begun publication of indexes and average prices for unleaded regulargasoline. Separate indexes and average prices will now be available for regularunleaded, regular leaded, and premium gasoline for the U.S. city average andseparately for 23 metropolitan areas. In order to facilitate comparisons amongindexes for the several types of gasoline, each has been put on a January1967=100 reference base effective with the release of the Consumer PriceIndex for March. For the convenience of users, the historical index seriesfor regular leaded and premium gasoline on the new base appear in tables 11and 12 of this bulletin. It should be noted that rebasing does not indicate achange in price levels, but simply a change in the point of time from whichprice changes are measured.


SEMI-LOG

190

170

150

130

110

90

RRITH.SCflLE

8

6

4

2

0

flRITH.SCALE8

Chart 1. All items index and rates of change, 1967-76(1967=100)

CPI flLL ITEMS INDEX(NOT SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN(SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTEO)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN(RNNUflL RflTE, SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPRN(flNNUflL RflTE, SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN 1/

. . I . , ! . , , , ! , , I , , I I , , ! , , ! ,

MAR167.5

MflR

v •

MflR2 . 9

\

MflR5 . 1

MflR6 . 1

1 .41.21.00.80.60.40.20.0

-0.2

flRITH.SCflLE

1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976

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


Chart 2. Commodities less food index and rates of change, 1967-76(1967=100)

190

170

150

130

110

90

6

4

2

0

-2

mi-

CPI COMMODITIES LESS FOOD INDEX(SEflSONflLLY ADJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN{SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTEO)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTEO)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflNjV

1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976

1/ Computed from t h e unadjus ted s e r i e s .UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABORBUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

8


Chart 3. Total food index and rates of change, 1967-761967=100)

Fdll —3.22.82.42.01.61.20.80.40.0

-0.4-0.8

6

12

8

4

0

-4

CPI TOTflL FOOD INDEX{SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTEO)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPfl(SEflSONflLLY RDJUSTED

flRITH.SCflLE

24PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN(flNNUflL RflTE, SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTEO)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN±

1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976

1 / Computed from t h e unadjus ted s e r i e s .UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABORBUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

9


Chart 4. Services index and rates of change, 1967-76(1967=100)

SEMI-LOG

190

170

150

130

110

90

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

CPI SERVICES INDEX(SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER( 1-MONTH SPfl'(dEflSONflLLY RDJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflNflNNUflL RATE, SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

OVER 12-MONTH SPflNl

. i . . i . . i . . . . i . . I . . i . . . . i . . I . . i . .

1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976

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

10


Table 1. CPI -U.S. city average, by commodity and service group and expenditure class

(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967-100)

Relativeimportance

December1975

Unadjusted indexes

February1976 '

March1976

Unadjustedpercent change to

March1975

February1976

Seasonally adjustedpercent change from—

December to January to February toJanuary February March

Commodity and service groups

All items

All items (1957-59=100)

Commodities

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'Women's and girls'Footwear

Other apparel commodities

Nondurables less food and apparel . . . .

Gasoline and motor oil

Tobacco productsAlcoholic beverages

Fuel oil and coalOther nondurables

Durable commoditiesHousehold durablesNew automobilesUsed automobilesOther 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 servicesInsurance and financeUtilities and public transportationHousekeeping and home maintenance service . .Appliances (including radio and TV)

All items

Food

HousingShelterl

RentHomeownership2

Fuel and utilities 3

Gas and electricityHousehold furnishings and operation

Apparel and upkeep

TransportationPrivatePublic

Health and recreationMedical 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 foodsCPI - selected beef cuts 5

Purchasing power of consumer dollar:1967=S1.OO ."

1957-59= $1.00

100.000

63.355

24.19.2.6.2.3.4.5.

38.22.7.2.3.1..

15.3.1.2.1.

it4127

36. 6454.49732.14716.0305.0125.6425.463

75.32547.5476.485

31. 0029.8085.4844.6491.417

675524702641876103202150

681872861475426377

.584011498880244045m495910046358

100.000

24.675

33.99821.3704.49716.4845.2052.7227.422

9.21713.05311.7291.324

18.6816.4132.5055. 1484.616

78.63093.58795.61017. 1482.056

167. 1194.4

162. 3

180.0179.6181. 1183.0168.5173.2186.6181.9

152.7155.2142.2143.9138.2146. 1150.2162.9173. 1159.2144.4249.4

\m144.0134.3144.9158.7176. 1142. 1182.2194.4168.9190.4157.4

163.4167.2141.4173.8193.5167.2203.9121.8

167. 1

180.0

173.8176. 0142. 1188.6177.9181.9165.2

144.0

158.5157.2170.4

159.7178.8157.0148.5151.3

164.9166.5164.9176.9169.4

$0,598.514

167.5194.8

162. 3

178.7177.7180.6180.2167.9173.6182.9182.8

153.3155.5143. 1145.4138.5147.5150.9162.8170.9159.5145.2247.6157. 7150.4144.8134.5150.9159.0

177.2142.7183.4195. 1171. 1192.5158.4

164.2166.7142.2174.8194. 1168.7205.6122. 1

6. 1

4. 7

4.33.7

-4.511.48.03.7

-3.86.75.04.52.32.91.82.41.85.66.54.22.78.5

H4.75.7

11.55. 18.65.39.07.9

15.410.25.5

6.74.42.28.3

10.010.88.24.4

0.2

-.7- 1 . 1-.3

-1.5-.4.2

-2.0.5

. 4

.2

.61.0.2

1.0.5

- . 1-1 .3

.2

.6- . 7

: *.6. 1

4. 1.2

. 6

.4

.7

.41.31. 1.6

.5- . 3

.6

.6

.3

.9

0.4

. 1

- . 2- . 4

.8-2.22.2- . 30

.8

.2

.2

.4

.5

.8- . 4.4. 1

-1.61. 1.4

-1.4

.3- . 2

.4* . 4

1. 1.3

1.21.02.21.2.8

* . 3* - . 2

.6• 1.0

1.8- . 2

*1 .9.5

Expenditure classes

167.5

178.7

174.5176.3142.7188.7178.9183.7166.6

145.0

159.8158.5172.3

160.6180.6157.4149.0151.8

165.3166.8165.3174.8165.4

$0,597.513

6. 1

4.3

6.75. 85.35.99.8

12.07. 1

2.910.410. 113. 1

6.39.75.74.93.6

6.25.96.23.79. 1

-5 .8

0.2

- . 7

.4

.2

.4

. 1

.61.0

.81. 1

.61.0.3.3.3

.2

.2

.2-1 .2-2.4

- . 2

0.4

- . 2

* . 6* . 5

.3* . 5- . 4- . 61.5

.6

.3

.3

.4

*. 7* 1 . 1

*. 7.5. 7

* . 2* . 2* . 2.

* - . 2* . 4

0. 1

- . 2

-1 .0-1 .5-1 .3- 3 . 1

- . 6-1 .7

.2

.8

.3

. 1

.21.0- . 81.0

. 10

-1 .5.7. 1

- . 6

. 7

.52. 7

* - . 1

.7

.6

.8

. 61.31. 1.5

*.5* - . 1

- . 1* . 6

.6

.7* . 5

.5

0. 1

-1.0

*.3*. 1

.6*'-. 1

.31. 11.0

.91.0

. 1*.7

•1 .2*.8

.3

.5

* . 3* . 2* . 3

* - . 9*-4 . 1

0.2

- . 2

- . 8-1.2

- . 6-2 . 1

- . 3- . 5

- 1 . 1.5

.3- . 10

.3- . 4.5.3

- . 1-1 .7

.2

.7- . 1

. 3

.33.8* . 2

.7

.4

.8

.61.31.0.6

* . 5* - . 3

. 1* . 6

. 7

.9* . 8

.3

0.2

- . 8

*.4*.2

.4*. 1

.81. 1.7

.3

.4

.41.3

* . 6*1 .0

* . 3.4.3

*.2*. 2*.2

*-1.2*-2.4

1 Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.2 Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance and repairs.3 Also includes residential telephone, fuel oil, coal, water, and sewerage services not shown separately.4 Calculated from the CPI food at home component by excluding fish, nonalcoholic beverages,

bananas, chocolate candy bars, chocolate syrup and about half of the index weight for sugar.

5 Calculated from the CPI beef and veal component by excluding veal cutlets and beef liver.* Not seasonally adjusted.

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

11


Table 2. CPI—seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by commodity and service group and expenditure class

(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Group

Seasonally adjusted indexes

December1975

January (February1976 1976

March1976

Seasonally adjusted annual ratepercent change for

3 months ending in

June ISepteml1975 1975

tberpec5 T 1

ember1975

March1976

6 months ending in

September March1975 1976

All items

Commodities

FoodFood at home

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

Food away from home

Commodities less food

Nondurables less foodApparel commodities '

Men's and boys'Women's and girls'FootwearOther apparel commodities1

Nondurables less food and apparelGasoline and motor oilTobacco productsAlcoholic beveragesFuel oil and coalOther nondurables

Durable commoditiesHousehold durablesNew automobilesUsed automobilesOther durables (not seasonally adjusted)

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

Household services less rentTransportation servicesMedical care servicesOther services (not seasonally adjusted)

Special indexes:All items less food (not seasonally adjusted)Nondurable commodities (not seasonally adjusted)Apparel commodities less footwearServices less medical care services (not seasonally adjusted)Insurance and financeUtilities and public transportationHousekeeping and home maintenance service (not seasonally adjusted)Appliances (including radio and TV)

All items

Food

Housing (not seasonally adjusted)Shelter' (not seasonally adjusted)

Rent (not seasonally adjusted)Homeownership 2 (not seasonally adjusted)

Fuel and utilities 3

Gas and electricityHousehold furnishings and operation

Apparel and upkeep


Health and recreation (not seasonally adjusted)

Medical care (not seasonally adjusted)Personal care (not seasonally adjusted)Reading and recreationOther goods and services

Special indexes:

All items less shelter (not seasonally adjusted)All items less medical care (not seasonally adjusted)All items less mortgage interest costs (not seasonally adjusted)CPI - domestically produced farm foods (not seasonally adjusted)CPI — selected beef cuts (not seasonally adjusted)5

Commodity and service groups

162.9181.6182. 1180.6192.9164. 1177.8183.4179.5152.8

155.3142.7143.5139.7145.9150.0162.8179. 1156. 7143.5247.5155.3149.2143.2133.4149.4158. 1172.8140.7178.5191. 1163. 1186. 1155.6

162. 1167.6142. 1171. 1188.3165.6199.0120.6

181.6172.2175.0140.7187.8176.3179.6162.0

144. 1

158.3157.0169.0

157.5174.7154.6147.6149.7

164. 1165.8164.0178.8175.9

163. 1181.2181.4182.0188.6167.7177.2183.4180.9153. 1

155.6143.3144.2140.8145.3150.6162.9176.2158.4144. 1244.0156.5149. 7143.7133. 1150.5158.8174.7141. 1180.7193. 1166.7188.4156.8

162.6167.3143.0172.8191.7165.3202.8121.2

162.7179.4178.6179.7182.8166.7174.2183.8182.4153.5

155.7143.6145.6139.7146.7150.8162.9173.6159.5144.3242.6157.4150.6144.7133.8154. 1158. 7176.0142.0182. 1194.2168.9190.4157.6

163.4167.2142.8173.8192.9166.4203.9121.8

162.4177.9176.5178.6178.9166.2173.4181.8183. 3153.9155.6143.6146.0139.2147.5151.2162. 7170.6159.8145.3242. 3158.0151.7145.2134.2159.9159.0177.2142.6183.5195.3171. 1192.3158.6

164.2166.7142.9174.8194.3167.9205.6122.2

181.2173.2175.9141. 1 I188.8175.6178.6164.4145.0

158. 7157.4169.7

158.6176.6155.7148. 3150.7

164.4166.2164.4178.5176.6

179.4173.8176.0142.0188.6176. 1180.5166.0

145.0

160. 1158.9169.9159.7178.8157.0148.8151.5

164.9166.5164.9176.9169.4

177.9174.5176.3142.6188.7177.5182.4167. 1

145.4

160.8159.5172. 1

160.6180.6157.4149.4152.0

165.3166.8165.3174.8165.4

7.06.99.7

11.3-1.952.2

03.6

-12.33.85.3

4.9-.6

-1.4.3

- .307.5

17.0.3

2.314.56.36.33.8.3

2.89.96.84.57. 18.45.59.23.2

7.26.9- .35.88.4

11.86.04.2

7.47.88.08.2

-4.920.711.98.8

-3.07. 17.58.23.83.25. 11.41.9

10.930.0

2. 1. 3

28.84.96.23.86. 1

19.34.77.44.87. 74.9

16.710.55. 7

7.67.64. 18. 12.9

18.67.24.5

7.3

5.98.38.6

-6.813.015.813.44.37.24.3

4.23. 13. 13.24.22.24.82.76.63. 12. 16.44.45.5

14.4-3.7

3.69.36.59.79.3

18.97.25.6

6.75.43.2

10.515.37.35.63.7

2.9 7.2

-1.2 ! 7.4-7.9

-11.7-4.4

-26.05.2

-9.5-3.48.72.9

2.57.2

-1.44.53.2- .2

-17.78.25. 1

-8 . 17. 16.95.72.4

31.22.3

10.65.5

11.79. 1

21. 114.07.9

5.3-2. 12.38.9

13.45.7

13.95.4

8.99.7

-3.435.65.86.2

-7.85.46.46.61.6.8

2.6.6.9

9.223.3

1.21.3

21.55.66.23.83.2

10.77.37. 14.67.46.6

10.99.94.4

7.47.31.96.95.6

15.26.64.3

Expenditure classes

7.09.77.06.94.57.4

13.516.75.0

8.29. 15. 1

5.78.83.84.01.9

7.47.37.7

10.9

7.48.06. 15.34.85.6

14. 115.24.64.0

19.916.945.0

5.910. 14.95. 11.4

8.37.47.88.31.4

7.38.3

8.08.26.58.89. 19.95.9

3.7

7.48.0-O2

5.55.96.75.35.0

6.36.56. 15.65.3

2.9

-7.95.53.05.51.92.86.4

13.23.7

6.56.57.5

8. 114.27.45.06.3

3.02.43.2

-8.7-21.8

7.28.9

6.66. 14 .66.5

13.815.94.8

2.0

13.913.023.4

5.89.44.34.51.6

7.97.47.79.6

38.3

5. 1

2.3- . 1

-2. 1-5.6-8.610.4

1.3.3

8.03.62.52.85. 1

.94.32.72.2

-8.07.44. 1

- 3 . 16.85.65.68.2

12.43.09.96.0

10.79.2

20.010.56.8

6.01.62.79.7

14.36.59.74.6

-. 16.75.66.05.35.98. 19.5

3.7

6.97.33.6

6.810.07. 15. 15.6

4.64.54.6

-1.8-13.9

Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown.Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenence and repairs.Also includes residential telephone, fuel oil, coal, water, and sewerage services not shown separately.Calculated from the CPI food at home component by excluding fish, nonalcoholic beverages, bananas,

chocolate candy bars, chocolate syrup and about half of the index weight for sugar.5 Calculated from the CPI beef and veal component by excluding veal cutlets and beef liver.

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

12


Table 3. CPI-food items, U.S. city average

(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100}

Unadjusted! Seasonally

adjusted

Percent change to March 1976f rom—

adjusted

Item and group

Percent change to March 1976from—

FoodFood away from home

Restaurant mealsSnacks

Food at homeCereals and bakery products

FlourCracker mealCorn flakesRiceBread, whiteBread, whole wheatCookiesLayer cakeCinnamon rolls

Meats, poultry, and fishMeats

Beef and vealSteak, roundSteak, sirloinSteak, porterhouseRump roastRib roastChuck roastHamburgerBeef liverVeal cutlets

PorkChopsLoin roastSausageHam, wholePicnicsBacon

Other meatsLamb chopsFrankfurtersHam, cannedBologna sausageSalami sausageLiverwurst

PoultryFrying chickenChicken breastsTurkey

FishShrimp, frozenFish, fresh or frozenTuna fish, cannedSardines, canned

Dairy productsMilk, fresh, groceryMilk, fresh, skimMilk, evaporatedIce creamCheese, American process . . . .Butter

Fruits and vegetablesFresh fruits and vegetables . . .

Fresh fruitsApplesBananas

178. 7182. 8181. 8187. 8177. 7180. 6157.3223.6166. 1203.4162.2175.3188. 5185. 7194. 5180.2179. 6164. 7164. 7160.5175. 1161.2186. 6169. 7159.9132.3186.7204.3189.3207.6226. 7203. 7200.3209. 5177.7177. 6169. 6210. 2174. 2166.0168. 0157. 7160.5160.5142. 0219. 3213.3234.4182. 8245. 1167. 9160. 7176.5203.3156. 7196. 6142. 9173. 6165.2148. 1141. 5151.6

177. 9183.4

(')188.4176.5178.6153. 6221. 2166. 1198. 6

(l)174.4

(')184. 0193.9178. 9176. 3160.8159.4158. 6174. 8156.7184.6161. 9155.4131.4185.0202.3187.4203. 1225.3199.9195.4209. 5176.6175. 8167. 9206. 7173. 5166.2168. 0157.9160. 5161. 0142.4

181. 9245.3166.2158. 5174.4

155. 9194. 5142. 9173.4165. 7157.4151. 0157. 9

4,36. 76. 76. 83. 7

-4. 5-7. 7-3.3

- . 5-7.4-5.6

-.6-5. 3-4. 7-4. 111.412. 57.47. 8

11. 717.65.9

14.29.36.5

-8.4. 8

19. 818. 824. 819.423.225.314.411.99.6

11.026.2

7. 97.58. 13.93. 56.62.7

11. 330. 7

8. 12.37.38.04. 85.5

11. 32.9

16.523. 9

3. 73.3

-3 . 5-5 .42. 9

-0. 7. 5. 6. 3

- 1 . 1-. 3-'.3-.20- . 9. 1

-. 6-. 7. 1

- . 4- 1 . 5- 1 . 8-2. 1- 2 . 9-2 . 8- 2 . 7-2 . 5-3 .9-2 . 5- 1 . 1

- . 9- . 3

-2 .0- . 5-. 8

-3 .3- 1 . 7-3.0-3.2

-.6-.4-.2

- 1 . 0-. 9. 2

-1.2-1.3- 1 . 0-2.3-2.001. 1-. 7.2

- .4- .40. 7. 8

- 1 . 0-1.2-4.4

.2

. 51.33. 10

-0 . 8. 5

n. 5

-1.2- .6

- 1 . 1- 1 . 3

. 4- . 5( !)- . 7-. 8. 1

-2. 1-3 . 3-4. 7-4. 8-5. 0-3.5-4.0-5.2-5.2-4. 5-2.4- 1 . 8- 1 . 5

-. 1-2.2-4.0- 1 . 6-4.4-1.6-1.0-1.2- 1 . 8- 1 . 1-1.6

-.4- 1 . 02. 7

-3 . 3-3 .6- 3 . 9

. 1- .2- .3- .2. 5

- 1 . 0- .9

-3 . 7-. 5

- 1 . 11. 72.6

. 6

Food—ContinuedFood at home—Continued

Fruits and vegetables—ContinuedFresh fruits and vegetables—Continued

Fresh fruits—ContinuedOrangesOrange juice, freshGrapefruitGrapesStrawberriesWatermelon

Fresh vegetablesPotatoesOnionsAsparagusCabbageCarrotsCeleryCucumbersLettucePeppers, greenSpinachTomatoes

Processed fruits and vegetablesFruit cocktail, cannedPears, cannedPineapple-grapefruit drink,

cannedOrange juice concentrate, frozenLemonade concentrate, frozenBeets, cannedPeas, green, cannedTomatoes, cannedDried beansBroccoli, frozen

Other food at homeEggsFats and oils:

MargarineSalad dressing, ItalianSalad or cooking oil

Sugar and sweetsSugarGrape jellyChocolate barSyrup, chocolate flavored

Nonalcoholic beveragesCoffeeCoffee, instantTeaCarbonated drink, cola flavored . . . .Carbonated drink, fruit flavored . . . .

Prepared and partially preparedfoods

Bean soup,cannedChicken soup, cannedSpaghetti, cannedMashed potatoes, instantPotatoes, french fried, frozenBaby foodsSweet pickle relishPretzels

143. 8151.2136.4

(2)0(2)

179. 1211.2170. 6210. 9155. 1146.4189.4195. 1138. 5161.5188.3162. 2186. 1174.2157. 9

173. 6158. 9191. 01 85. 2157.4177. 1311. 1155.4182.9160.4175. 0191.3152. 9182. 1222.4210.4222. 9240.4213. 9193. 0202. 1205. 8147. 7192. 8197. 4

167.3206.5134. 3160. 1154. 3176. 1162.3183. 8159. 9

149. 5

153.8

172.5213. 5169. 8176. 3146.5143.4192. 3149. 7

156. 5186.6152.0184. 8173. 7157.7

173. 6

189. 5O

156. 8

181. 8158. 7173.3189.2151. 8180. 7

8208. 7

206.6147. 3

C)133. 8160. 6154. 9177. 7

180.4159. 7

-1.84.0

-4.2

8.447. 835.7-3.2-2.3

-18.633. 7

-17. 3-6.2

-10. 03. 9

-7 . 64. 1

-2.5-5. 1

2. 14.21. 5

-2. 3-3.01.7

31.21. 1

-3.84. 5

-17.9-23. 1

-3.0-22.3-17.5-48.8

-3. 8. 7

-1.28. 5

20. 918. 73. 8

-8 .0-6 .0

1.69.5-. 7

- 1 . 4-1.23.9

. 65.7

-5 .2

0.5. 1

-.2

-. 1-1.4-8.3

(2)-8.2-3.0

-15.416. 5-2.52. 7

-2.26. 0-. 2-. 5

- 1 . 0

.6- .2.2

- .2- .5- .4. 9

- 1 . 1-2.0

•13.3-1.4-1.5

-. 1-2. 2

-. 7-. 8- .6-. 6-. 8. 7

1. 51.2-. 5- .60

-. 1. 5

1. 0-2. 1- 1 . 0

-. 7. 7. 9

-. 1

0.3

. 12

( )-2. 8-5. 7

-14.9(2)

-11. 5-3. 6

-13.57.0

3.3- 1 . 610.4

- .5-. 5-. 9

-. 1

o- . 2

n-6.9-2. 0-1.9

-. 7-3.2

n()o(*)- 1 . 6

1.3-. 7

-1.4-. 8

- 1 . 0

Priced only in season.

13


Table 4. C PI-nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average


Item and groupOtherindexbase

Mar. 70

Dec. 71Mar. 70Dec. 71

June 70

February1976

173.8176.0142. 1188.6143.7166.9139.2193.7164.6162.0149.4206.3

219.2226.8192.6204.3200.7177.9249.4245.6181.9191.8172.6

128. 1

182.8165.2148.5145.4158.5139.8144. 1172.2122.0135.4150.0

130.0139.6129.4133.5109.6138.4132g. 6

151.2134.3122.5160. 6162.9132.9137.9118.5

133.4

136.6144.0

128.7132.0

186.3182.2148.2157.0128.3

169.9215.9225.3

207.6204.2218. 1198.6

160.3195.7

axes

March1976

174.5176.3142.7188.7142.7167.2139.8194.7165.0160.9149.6207.6

220.3227.6194.2206. 1201.3178.9247.6243.8183.7193.6174.6

128.9

183.8166.6149.5147.4158.9143.6147.2174.4124. 1135.3151.0

131.4139.5129.9134.9112.4139.5132g. 5

151.7135.6123.7163.0163.4133.3139.2119.5

133.0

137. 1145.7

126.2133.0

188.4182.9148.0162.2128.4

173.0217.7226.7

209.2211.2218. 1200.2

161.2198.7

Percent change toMarch 1976 from—

March1975

6 . 75 . 85 . 35 . 907. 08 . 95 . 84 . 23 . 72 . 86 . 4

7 . 66 . 75 . 07 . 06.69 . 88 . 59 . 3

12.018. 1

6 . 5

4 . 5

10.77. 15 . 04 . 39 . 18. 1

. 23 . 42. 12 . 94 . 9

3 . 51.65 . 94 . 21.73.4 !3 . 4

2 . 55 . 54 . 69 . 64 . 95 . 77 . 74 . 0

5. 1

7 . 58 . 7

4. 15 . 0

10.36.62 . 88 . 96 . 6

8 . 18 . 0

13.6

8 . 213.824.4

8 . 9

6 . 37 . 8

February1976

0 . 4. 2. 4. 1

- . 7. 2. 4. 5. 2

- . 7. 1.6

.5

.4

.8

.9

. 3

.6- . 7- . 71.0

.91.2

.6

. 5

. 8

. 71.4

. 32 . 72 . 21.31.7- . 1

. 7

1. 1- . 1

. 41.02.6

.8

. 31.01.01.5

. 3

. 3

. 9

. 8

- . 3

. 41.2

-1.9. 8

1. 1. 4

- . 13 . 3

. 1

1.8. 8.6

.83 . 40

. 8

.61.5

HousingShelter '

Rent, residentialHomeownership a

Mortgage interest ratesProperty taxes . . . ,Property insurance premiumsMaintenance and repairs

Maintenance and repair commodities 3

Exterior house paintInterior house paint

Maintenance and repair servicesRepainting living and diningrooms

Reshingling house roofResiding houseReplacing sinkRepairing furnace

Fuel and utilitiesFuel oil and coal

Fuel oil, No. 2Gas and electricity

GasElectricity

Other utilities:Residential telephone servicesResidential water and sewerageservices

Household furnishings and operation 4

HousefurnishingsTextiles

Sheets, full, flatCurtains, tailoredBedspreads ;Drapery fabricsPillows, bedSlipcovers and throws, ready-made

Furniture and beddingBedroom furniture, chest anddresser

Sofas, upholsteredCocktail tablesDining room chairsRecliners, upholsteredSofas, dual purposeBedding, mattress and box springsAluminum folding chairsCribs

Floor coveringsBroadloom carpetingVinyl sheet goodsVinyl floor tile

Appliances (excluding radio and TV)Washing machines, electricVacuum cleanersRefrigerators, refrigerator-freezers,electric

Ranges, free standing, gas orelectric

Clothes dryers, electricAir conditioners, demountableRoom heaters, electric, portableGarbage disposal units

Other housefurnishings:Dinnerware, fine chinaFlatware, stainless steelTable lamps, with shadeLawn mowers, power, rotary typeElectric drills, hand-held

Housekeeping supplies:Laundry soaps and detergentsPaper napkinsToilet tissue

Housekeeping services:Domestic services, general

housework ,Baby sitter servicesPostal chargesLaundry, flatwork, finished serviceLicensed day care services, preschoolchild

Washing machine repairs

See footnotes at end of table.

14


Table 4. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average—Continued

(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers. 1967=100)

1Other

indexbase

j

June 74

Indexes

February1976

144.0142.2141.4143.9

144.8138.799.2

136.9117.7143.6155.8154.6128.0155.8133. 1158.0

111.9124.3182. 1152.3138.2

129. 0138.5136.0150.5148.4137. 7146.9122.3144.3131.2147.291.2

134. 0128.3166.7

127.8148.6129.9165.8131. 1137.7150.2183.3157.2138.7146. 1

147.6164.4

140.9131.8147.4143.8

146.9150.3157. 1

157. 0140.5160.5157.7145. 7

158.5157.2134.3144.9174.2158.0130.4185.6177.6132.8179.4

March1976

145.0143. 1142.2145.4

146. 0141.598.9

138.3120.4144.5157. 1154.4130.4158. 1133.8160.6

111.6123.8183.8155.0138.5

126.2134. 1132.4152.6149.0139.9146.9123.9147.8132.4148.091.9

133.9128.6167.9

128.2150.8131.6166.0130.7135.5150.9185.6157.9138.9147.5

150.8166.7

141.7132.4148.5144.6

149. 1150.5158.3

158.6142.5160.0158.9146.8

159.8158.5134.5150.9171.9158. 1130.2186.6182. 1132.8179.6


March1975

2 . 92 . 32 . 22 . 9

4. 13 . 0

-2. 13. 71.91.33 . 82 . 03 . 02 . 64 . 64 . 8

2 . 64 . 36 . 41.91.8

4. 1

n-3.83. 1- . 9

-2.81.75 . 57 . 65. 15 . 902 . 3

. 5-2.0

- . 914. 1-2.3-1.2

4 . 3-2.9

1.83. 1

-2.54 . 22 . 4

1.95 . 2

1.9. 2

1.94 . 6

3 . 61.24. 1

6 . 87 . 95 . 84 . 45 . 7

10.410. 15 . 7

11.56 . 82 . 93 . 67 . 3

30.81.86 . 7

February1976

0 . 7! . 61 . 6! l . o

I - 8*2.0- . 3

! 1.0i 2.3

. 6

. 8- . 1

I 1 . 9: 1.5: .5

1.6

- . 3- . 4

.91.8

. 2

-2.2-3.2-2.6

1.4. 4

1.601.32 . 4

. 9

. 5

. 8- . 1

. 2

. 7

. 31.51.3. 1

- . 3-1.6

. 51.3

. 4

. 11.0

2 . 21.4

. 6

. 5

. 7

. 6

1.5. 1. 8

1.01.4- . 3

. 8

. 8

. 8

. 8

. 14. 1

-1.3. 1

- . 2. 5

2 . 50

. 1

Apparel and upkeepApparel commodities

Apparel commodities Jess footwearMen's and boys'

Men's:Topcoats and all-weather coats . .Suits, year round weightSport jacketsJackets, lightweightSlacks, heavyweightSlacks, lightweightTrousers, workShirts, workShirts, business or dressT-shirtsSocksHandkerchiefs

Boys':Coats, heavyweightSport coats, wool or wool blends . .DungareesUndershorts

Women's and girls'Women's:

Coats, heavyweightCarcoats, heavyweightSweatersSkirts, winter weightSkirts, summer weightBlousesDresses, street, year round weight .SlipsPantiesGirdlesBrassieresHose or panty hose, nylonAnklets or knee-length socksGloves, fabricHandbags

Girls':RaincoatsSkirts, fall and winterDressesSlacks, fall and winterSlipsHandbags

Other apparel commoditiesDiapersYard goodsWrist watches, men's and women's

FootwearMen's:

Shoes, streetShoes, work, high

Women's:Shoes, street, pumpShoes, evening, pumpShoes, casualHouseslippers, scuff

Children's:Shoes, oxfordSneakers, boys', oxford typeDress shoes, girls'

Apparel services:DrycleaningAutomatic laundry serviceLaundry, men's shirtsTailoring charges,Shoe repairs

TransportationPrivate?

Automobiles, newAutomobiles, usedGasoline, regular, premium and unleadedMotor oilTiresAuto repairs (mechanical) and maintenance? .Auto insurance premiumsAuto registration feesParking fees, private and municipal


15


Table 4. CPI-nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average-Continued

(Consumer price index for urban wage earner* and clerical worker*, 1967-100)

Item and groupOther

indexbase

Jan. 72

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

Indexes

February1976

170.4170.4173.3158. 1165.6192.6

159.7178.8123.3135.4105.0137. 1119.4172.7128.6142.3113. 172. 1

160.0110.6132.0173. 1119.8120.5

(*)108.7

181.9187. 1184. 1183.0186.3161. 1161.3171.7168.2173.4166.9158.9

156.0154.9144. 1259.2263.2168.5137.3121.2127.3134. 1139.9144.4128.0157.0156.2136.3194.9160.0132.7160.2119.4213.4125.8157.8158.5157.3178.2158.7133. 1148.5126.0103. 1164.5104.894.9

124.095.3

120.9104.2

March1976

172.3172.3174.7161.5168.2192.6

160.6180.6.123.9136. 1104.8137.6119.4176.0129.3141.5113.772.4

160.8110.6133.3178. 1120. 1120.5

(*)109.4

184.3189.3185.6187.8189.0162.6164.3175. 1169.4174.7168. 1159.9

156.7 !158.0 !

145.4261.5265.9169.8140.8120.7 !128.0135.0141.7145.2129.4 !157.4155.8137. 1193.7159.9131. 1160.6116. 1214.3126.7159.0159.9158.5179.9160. 1133.4149.0126.2103. 1165.3105.295.5

124.095.4

122.0103. 1


March1975

13.116.6

5 . 37 . 69 . 09 . 7

6 . 39 . 76. 16 . 73. 16 . 34 . 8

10.73 . 98 . 05 . 62 . 75 . 24 . 9

12.39 . 71.32 . 8(*)8 . 2

11.711.511.517.212.9

9 . 310.710.56.77. 16 . 56 . 2

6 . 76 . 7

13.214.814.312.211.711. 110.2

8 . 711.89 . 89 . 25 . 75. 16 . 5

-1.78 . 46. 16 . 5

-1.910.08 . 76 . 44 . 97 . 6

12.56 . 25 . 24 . 03 . 52 . 36.61.4

. 12. 11 .42 . 3- . 5

February1976

1. 11. 1

. 82 . 21.60

. 61.0

. 5

. 5- . 2

. 401.9

. 5- . 6

. 5

. 4

. 5. 0

1.02.9

. 30(*)

.6

1.31.2

. 82 . 61 .4. 9

1.92 . 0

. 7

. 7

. 7

. 6

. 42 . 0

. 9

. 91.0

. 82 . 5- . 4

. 5

. 71 .3. 6

1. 1. 3

- . 3. 6

- . 6- . 1

-1.2. 2

-2.8, 4. 7. 8. 9. 8

1 .0.9. 2. 3. 2

0. 5. 4.6

0. l. 9

-1.1

Transportation—ContinuedPublic

Local transit faresTaxicab faresRailroad fares, coachAirplane fares, chiefly coachBus fares, intercity

Health and recreation'Medical care1.0

Drugs and prescriptionsOver-the-counter items

Multiple vitamin concentratesAspirin compoundsLiquid tonicsAdhesive bandages, packagesCold tablets or capsulesCough syrup

PrescriptionsAnti-infectivesSedatives and hypnoticsAtaracticsAntispasmodicsCough preparationsCardiovasculars and antihypertensives . . . .Analgesics, internalAnti-obesitiesHormones

Professional services:Physicians' fees

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

Dentists' feesFillings, adult, amalgam, one surfaceExtractions, adultDentures, full upper

Other professional services:Examination, prescription, and dispensingof eyeglasses

Routine laboratory testsHospital service charges

Semiprivate roomsOperating room chargesX-ray, diagnostic series, upper GlLaboratory testsAnti-infectivesTranquilizersElectrocardiogramIntravenous solutionPhysical therapyOxygen, inhalation therapy

Personal careToilet goods

Toothpaste, standard dentifriceToilet soap, hard-milledHand lotionsShaving creamFace powderDeodorantsCleansing tissuesHome permanent wave kits

Personal care servicesMen's haircutsBeauty shop services

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

Reading and recreation1.1

Recreational goodsTV sets, portable and consoleTV replacement tubesRadios, portable and table modelsTape recorders, portablePhonograph records, stereophonicMovie cameras, 8mmFilm, 35mm, colorGolf balls


16


Table 4. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average—Continued

(Consumer price index for urban wage earner* and clerical workers. 1967=100)

Otherindex

February1976

March1976

Percent change to

March 1976 from—March1975

February1976

Health and recreation—ContinuedReading and recreation—Continued

Recreational goods—ContinuedBasketballs, rubber or vinyl coverFishing rods, fresh-water spincastingBowling ballsBicycles, boys'TricyclesDog food, canned or boxed

Recreational servicesIndoor movie admissions

AdultChildren's

Drive-in movie admissionsBowling fees, eveningGolf green feesTV repairFilm developing

Reading and education:Newspapers, street sale and deliveryMagazines, single copy and subscriptionPiano lessons, beginner

Other goods and servicesTobacco products

Cigarettes, nonfilter tip, regular sizeCigarettes, filter tip, king sizeCigars, domestic, regular size

Alcoholic beveragesBeer, at homeWhiskey, spirit blended and straight bourbonWine, dessert and tableBeer, away from home

Financial and miscellaneous personal expenses:Funeral services, adultBank service charges, checking accountLegal services, short form will

147.8123.5128.6143. 1147.0170.3152. 1173.3168.4187.3175.6145.4

(5)106.4123.6

179.3177.8142.9151.3159.2161.5162.0127.7144.4141.4115.8155.9161.4

148.3124.2194.9

147.2124.0129.2143.2147.2169.7153.0174.4169. 3188.7176.7145.5

(5)106.3124.0

180.6177.8143. 1151.8159.5161.7162. 1128.4145.2142.5115.6156. 1162.6

148.6124.8197.9

3.44.83.61.0

10.21.33.43.22.35.52.35.6(5)1.0.6

4.924.23.33.64.24.34.04.52.71.21.82.24.8

4.86.87.9

-0 .4.4.5. 1. 1

- . 4.6.6.5. 7.6. 1

(5)- . 1

.3

. 1

. 3

.2

. 1

. 1

.5

.6

.8- .2

. 1

.7

.2

.51.5

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 filter, packaged dry cement mix, and shrubbery not shown4 Also includes window shades, nails, carpet sweepers, air deodorizers, steel wool scouring pads, en-

velopes, reuphoistering and moving expenses.s Priced only in season.4 Also includes men's sport shirts, women's and girls' lightweight coats, women's slacks, bathing suits,

girls' shorts, earrings, and zippers not shown separately.7 Not available.

8 Also includes storage batteries and drivers' license fees not shown separately.9 Includes prices for water pump replacement, motor tune-up, automatic transmission repair, front-end

alignment, and chassis lubrication; does not include prices for auto body repairs. In the CPI this componentrepresents consumers' direct, out-of-pocket expenses for automobile repairs and maintenance.

1 ° Also includes health insurance not shown separately.1 ' Also includes outboard motors, nondurable toys, college tuition fees, paperback books, and college

textbooks, not shown separately.(*) Discontinued.

17


Table 5. CPI—selected areas, all items index

;r price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers)

Area '

U.S. city average . . .

Chicaqo

Detroit

Los Anqeles-Long Beach

N Y . -Northeastern N.J

Philadelphia '.-. ."•

Houston

Minneapolis-St. Paul

Pittsburgh

Buffalo

Cleveland

Dallas . . . .

Milwaukee

San Diego

Seattle

Washington

Atlanta

Baltimore

Cincinnati

Honolulu

Kansas City

St. Louis

San Francisco-Oakland

Pricing

schedule 2

M

MMMMM

I

11

2222222

3333333

Indexes

1967=100 1957-59 = 100 Other

bases

March 1976

167.5

162.0165.8163.9173.9169.7

194.8

184. 1190.5192.8207.0198.2

January 1976

3 171. 9172. 3167. 1164. 1

3205.9197. 1193. 7188.7

February 1976

167.2165. 1163.7162.5167.3161.7167.0

186.4

183.5

190. 0194.5

March 1976

166.6170.4

6167. 1160.5163.4162.7165.5

191.6197.8

7189.7

194.0190. 0196.9

4 183. 7

4 177.0

5175.9

8 173.0

Percent change from:

March1975

6. 1

4. 15.56. 36.45.3

January1975

9.98.17.06.3

February1975

6. 14.76.36.86.46.55.8

March1975

5. 14.67.36.05.66.86. 1

December1975

0.7

.4

.6

. 1

.9

. 7

October1975

4 .32 . 11 . 3

. 8

November1975

0.8.4.8.6

1.51.31.0

December1975

0.21.21.5.8.2

1.5.8

February1976

0.2

.3- . 1

. 1

.20

1 Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area

(SMSA) except for New York and Chicago where the more extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used.

Area definitions are those established for the 1960 Census and do not include revisions made since 1960.2 Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all cities; 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 Revised indexes.

November 1963=100.

February 1965=100.

Revised indexes for March 1975, 155.8; June 1975, 160.6; annual average 1975, 160.3.

Revised indexes for March 1975, 176.9; June 1975, 182.3; annual average 1975, 182.0.

December 1963=100.

NOTE The Consumer Price Index cannot be used for measuring differences in living costs among areas;

it indicates price change within areas. Estimates of differences in living costs among areas are found in the

family budgets.

Table 6. CPI-areas priced monthly, by expenditure class, percent change from February 1976 to March 1976


Expenditure class

All items

Food

Apparel and upkeep

Transportation

Health and recreation

IVicQlCol CaiG ,

Personal care

Reading and recreation

Other goods and services

U.S.

city

average

0.2

- . 7.4.7.8.6

1.0. 3.3. 3

Chicago

0.3

- . 8

.7

. 61. 11.8

1. 1.4

Detroit

- 0 . 1

- 1 . 1- . 1

.3

.2

.4

. 4

.5

.2

Los Angeles-

Long Beach

0. 1

- . 8- . 21.8

:l. 3

( 2 ). 2

1 . 2

New York-

Northeastern

New Jersey

0.2

- . 8.3

1.8.6. 8

. 1

.6

Philadelphia

0

-1 .2.2.7

1.30

.3

- . 3. 1

See footnote 1, table 5.2 Not available.

18


Table 7. CPI—selected areas, by expenditure class(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

GroupU.S.city

averageChicago Detroit Los Angeles-

Long Beach

New York-NortheasternNew Jersey

Philadelphia

Indexes (March 1976)

167. 5

178.7177.7180.6180.2167.9173.6182.9182.8

174.5176.3142.7188.7178.9247.6183.7166.6

145.0145.4138.5147.5

159.8158.5172.3

160.6180.6157.4149.0151.8

0 . 7

- 1 . 1-1.8

- . 9-4.8

1.5. 9

-1.61.6

1.3. 7

1.5. 5

1.6- . 42 . 62 . 8

- . 1. 8

-2.51.2

1.41.51.3

2. 03 . 41.81.01.3

162.0

177.3176.4181.5182.6159.0169. 1181.8180.9

160. 1160.3136.3171. 1161.2234.9166.2158.9

136.4133.5131.0139.5

160.3159.3166.6

162.0184.3152.9150.9154.3

165.8

173.6171.7181.7171.9169.0160. 1177.0182.3

169.7173.9

(2)180.8176.5242.8190.4151.9

141.0149. 1129.0148.2

154.6153.5167.8

170.7203.8

(2)150.8155.4

Percent changes Decembe

0 . 4

- . 2 0-2.8

- . 7-5.4

. 1-2.7-1.2

1.2

1. 1. 4

3 . 7- . 13 . 0

- 3 . 06 . 52 . 5

-1.0. 5

-3.8- . 1

1.82. 0

. 3

2 . 54 . 51.52 . 01.2

0 . 6

-1.8-2.6-1.6-5.9

1.02. 1

-2.91.3

. 7

. 3(2)

. 3

. 6-1.6

. 81.8

. 63 . 5

-1.5- . 7

. 6

. 52 . 4

3. 14 . 0(2)2 . 92 . 6

163.9

170.9170.5178.0176.6155.5159.0176.4172. 1

172.4177.5141.2188.9160.9

_186.0160. 0

138.6131.4134.8143.3

160.0162. 1120.4

156.5181.4145.6138.9148.0

r 197S to March 1976

0 . 1

-2.5-3.9-2. 1-5.6

- . 8-4.4-4.3

1.7

. 1- . 4

31.4-1.2

- . 9

-1.22 . 8

. 4

. 6- . 4

. 8

. 91. 01.2

2 . 63 .91.21.72. 0

173.9

183.2183.5183.0180. 7171.8189.8192.2182.6

180.5179.9

(2)194.4200.2257. 1216.6170.5

142.6142.0135.0143.6

180.9168.9226.8

166.8195.4

(2)152.2156.9

0 .9

-1.0-1.8-2.8-4.4

. 82 . 8

-1.61.4

1.3. 8

(2). 2

2 . 4. 6

5 . 22. 1

. 12 . 2

-2.22 . 4

2 . 02 . 4

. 8

2 . 53 .9(2)1. 1. 6

169.7

184.6182.3181. 1184.8168.8184.6188. 1194.4

176.9185.6153. 1194. 1172.7237.8177. 0163.7

138.0145.8120. 1148.8

160.4161.9152.0

164.4194.9

(2)149.5154.5

0 . 7

- . 2- . 6

. 2-4.0

3 . 73 . 5

-1.71.3

1.3. 5

3 . 9. 2

1.6-1.2

3 . 82 . 6

- . 43 . 3

-5.41.5

1. 11. 3

. 3

1.21.6(2)1. 1

. 9

All items

FoodFood at home

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

Food away from home

HousingShelter

Rent, residentialHomeownership

Fuel and utilitiesFuel oil and coalGas and electricity

Household furnishings and operation

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


Health and recreationMedical carePersonal careReading and recreationOther goods and services

All items

FoodFood at home


Food away from home

HousingShelter




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


Health and recreation.Medical carePersonal careReading and recreationOther goods and services


19


Table 7. CPI—selected areas, by expenditure class—Continued


Group

All items

FoodFood at home

Cereals and bakery productsMeats, poultry, and fish

Fruits and vegetablesOther food at home

Food away from home

ShelterRent, residential

Fuel and utilitiesFuel oil and coal


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


Health and recreationMedical carePersonal care . . . .Reading and recreationOther goods and services

Atlanta Baltimore Cincinnati HonoluluKansasCity

St.Louis

SanFrancisco-Oakland


166.6

184.2184. 3183.9183.0180.8183.8188.9183.9

172.8176.9130. 6190.6167.6

178.5166.4

141.5150.9131.4126. 3

148.6152. 794.5

164.8193. 7161.9149. 7140.5

170.4

181.9180.9176.0184.8168.2176.2189.5185. 6

181.3189. 1132.8212. 6173. 7243.5175.4168.6

151.6154.3136. 0160. 7

154.2154. 0154. 5

162.0187.9154.4147.3157.3

4167. 1

180.6183.3190.8188.2170.3176.2188. 1170.4

5 170. 96175. 1

123.08 199. 6

177.4

179.5156.2

151.2147.9148.5159.4

148.4154.0

11 105.3

165.7193.4156.2143. 1163.3

160.5

182.6180.0179.8183.6175.9175.9180.5190. 0

152.6153.6154.8152.8142.2

158. 0155.5

145. 1142.9132.8143.3

151.5156.6123.9

157.7177.2167.2155.6133.6

163.4

180. 3180.5180. 1178.7183.4169.2189.4179.8

166.7171. 1122.3

9 190. 3154. 7

172. 1162.8

146.9148. 1143. 3155.8

154.9155. 1150.3

156.6170.3158.7141.9156.2

162.7

178.4178.2193.9178.7170. 1173.8177. 1179.4

165.27163.5

119.010 176. 4

168. 1260.7169.6166.7

140.2137.0134.6150.2

153. 1157.3103. 1

156.6165.2159.0146.3154.2

165.5

172.2174.3177.9182.8157.4163.7179. 3164.8

174. 0178.8150.4193.2159.0

179.9165.7

145.5149.9142.0143.6

159.7160.3148.3

158.0178.8155.9143.9144.2

Percent changes December 1975 to March 1976

All items

FoodFood at home


Food away from home

HousingShelter



Household furnishings and operation .

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


Health and recreation . .Medical carePersonal careReading and recreatioiOther goods and servic

. 91. 3

- 1 . 31.6

. 3

.3

1. 02.41. 1- . 30

2.22.91.91.4

2. 3.5

16.8

1. 32.4

.901.6

2.82.72.23.9

- . 1- .2

.4

3.56.71.91.52. 3

1.63. 1

.41.6

1. 11.40

2. 14. 12. 1

. 9

.9

1.1.2.2.

7 i6 ii !3 !

2 .

2 .1.

0958

. 1

. 1

.6

1.3.7.5

. 91.0.4

2.03.3

. 31. 02. 1

10 .2 ! 1.2

- 1 . 9 - . 5- 2 . 6 - . 8

- . 8 1 - . 5-8 .3 | -3 .8

5.5 ; 5.3- . 8 1 1.0

-1.2 | - . 7.7 .7

1. 1 1. 7.1 .7.2 1.5

- . 1 .42.0 5.8

- . 73. 3 8. 32.9 1.8

1.5

- . 2- . 61. 1

-2 .3, l. 1. 1

1.4

1.91.2

. 41.63 . 7_

6 . 23. 1

0 . 8

. 2

. 1-1 .3-1.2

2. 11.31.7

0- . 61.4

-1.9- . 7.

- . 72 . 9

0 . 2

-2 .0-2.7-1 .3-6 .4

1.0-1 .3-2.0

. 7

. 9- . 1

. 8- . 71.6_

2 . 43 . 2

1.5

- . 4- . 8

. 5-3.9

2 . 62 . 2

-1.91.4

2 . 92 . 0

. 82 . 34 . 21.36. 13 . 3

0 . 8

-2 . 1-3.2

. 6-5.6- 1 . 7-1.6- 3 . 7

2 . 4

1.41.01.2

. 8

_03 . 4

1.02.5

. 11.6

1.71.61.2

2.34.0

.81. 11.5

1 See footnote 1, table 5.2 Not available.3 Change from January 1976.4 Revised indexes: March 1975, 155.8; June 1975, 160.6; 1975 annual average. 160.3.5 Revised indexes: March 1975, 154.3; June 1975, 164.2; 1975 annualaaverage, 162.1.6 Revised indexes: March 1975, 153.6; June 1975, 168.2; 1975 annual average, 165.3.7 Revised indexes: June 1975, 157.2; September 1975, 159.7; December 1975, 160.3; 1975 annual

average, 155.5.

8 Revised indexes: March 1975, 169.7; June 1975, 191.0; September 1975, 197.4; December 1975,196.4; 1975 annual average, 186.2.

9 Revised indexes: June 1975, 181.2; September 1975, 184.5; December 1975, 191.6; 1975 annualaverage, 182.0.

10 Revised indexes: June 1975, 169.2; September 1975, 172.1; December 1975, 172,5; 1975 annualaverage, 166.9.

11 Revised indexes: September 1975, 104.5; December 1975, 104.8; 1975 annual average, 104.5

2 0


Table 8. CPI—food groups, selected areas


Area1

AtlantaBaltimoreBostonBuffaloChicagoCincinnatiClevelandDallasDetroitHonoluluHoustonKansas CityLos Angeles-Long BeachMilwaukeeMinneapolis—St PaulN.Y.-Northeastern N J . .PhiladelphiaPittsburghSt. LouisSan DiegoSan Francisco-OaklandSeattleWashington

U.S. city average

AtlantaBaltimoreBostonBuffaloChicagoCincinnatiClevelandDallasDetroit . . . . .HonoluluHoustonKansas City

Milwaukee . . . .Minneapolis-St. PaulN Y —Northeastern N JPhiladelphiaPittsburghSt Louis . . .San DiegoSan Francisco—OaklandSeattleWashington

Totalfood

Food at home

Total

Cerealsand

bakeryproducts

Meats,poultry,and fish.

Dairyproducts

Fruitsand

vegetables

Otherfoods

athome

Foodawayfromhome


178.7

184. 2181.9182. 1177.5177. 3180.6182. 2174.6173. 6182.6185.3180. 3170.9176.5185. 1183.2184.6179.4178.4175.5172.2172.5182.4

-0.7

-1.0- .9- . 2- . 9- .8-. 3- .3-. 9

- 1 . 1- 1 . 0- .6

-1.3-.8-. 6-.5- .8

-1.2-.3-.5

-1.5-.7-. 3- .7

177.7

184. 3180.9181.2176. 7176.4183. 3182.2170.8171. 7180.0181.7180. 5170.5176.4180.9183.5182.3177. 3178. 2169.2174. 3173.9180. 3

- 1 . 1

- 1 . 3-1.3

- . 4-1.2- 1 . 1-.5- .4

-1.4-1.6-1.4-.8

-1.7-1.4-.8-.8

-1.1- 1 . 7- .4- .8

-2.2-1.2-. 7-.9

180.6

183.9176.0185.2187.0181.5190.8188.2175.6181. 7179.8183.6180. 1178. 0182.9189.6183.0181. 1190. 3193. 9173.8177.9179.7185.4

180.2

183. 0184.8183.6180.2182.6188.2181.2171. 7171. 9183.6186.8178.7176. 6179.5184. 7180.7184.8183.2178. 7178.3182.8185.4172.0

167.9

180. 8168.2162. 3164. 0159.0170. 3172. 6161.2169. 0175.9178. 7183.4155.5169. 1181.4171.8168.8151.6170. 1157. 1157.4167. 1160.3

173.6

183.8176.2183.8168.7169. 1176.2180. 0167.4160. 1175.9174.5169.2159. 0172.8170.3189.8184.6174.8173. 8158.3163.7153. 1187.5

182.9

188.9189.5186.9181.0181.8188. 1188.4174.6177. 0180.5180.2189.4176.4176.2179.4192.2188. 1180.7177. 1168.9179.3176.5197.9

182.8

183.9185.6185.5182. 1180.9170.4182. 7188.4182. 3190.0198.3179.8172. 1176.4203.3182.6194.4192.3179.4191.2164.8167.9187.6

Percent changes February 1976 to March 1976

- 0 . 3

- . 10

.62.0- . 2

. 1- 1 . 7- 2 . 0

- . 8- 5 . 0

- . 3- . 2- . 7_. 1- . 8

- 1 . 0. 7

3.9- . 1

- 2 . 3. 3

- . 21.6

-1.5

-3.4-1.9

- . 9- . 9

-2. 1-1.2-.3

-1.4-2. 1- 1 . 3-1.5-2.5-1.5-. 3- .4

-1.8-2.6-1.2-1.5-2.0- 1 . 1- 1 . 1-1.7

-0.4

. 2

-1.0- . 2

-1.5-.61.5-. 3- . 6-.2-. 7-.2- .6

- 1 . 2-. 1-.2-.5-. 1-.8

-1.4-1.4- .4.6

0.2

1.6. 1

1.0-3.9

.9

.8

.3

. 3

. 2- 1 . 1

1.0-1.4-. 7_.4-.21. 1- .8-.21.5

- 1 . 1. 1.5

-1.2

-2.0

-1.6-2.7- 1 . 1-2.0-1.2-1.3-1.6-3. 1-3. 0

.7-1.6-2.9-2.8- 1 . 9-2.2-2.3-3. 1-2.5-2.0-3.7-3.3-1.3-1.9

0.5

.2

.4

. 7

.2

. 6

. 7

.2

. 8

. 7

.2

. 30.9

0.3.5.6.3.7

01.2.6. 1

21


Table 9. CPI—gasoline indexes, U.S. city average and selected areas

(Consumer price index for urban wage earneri and clerical worker*, January 1976-100!

Area1

Leaded regular gasoline

Index

February1976

98.8

98.898. 199.298.898. 199.499.399. 198.799.599.099.498.399.298.499.097.298.398.698.599.098.498.1

March1976

97.4

97.496.197.496.597.097.296.097.997.099.298.397.497.398.196.796.495.596.298.397.597.398.296.9

Percent changeto March 1976

f rom—

February1976

- 1 . 4

- 1 . 4- 2 . 0- 1 . 8- 2 . 3- 1 . 1- 2 . 2- 3 . 3- 1 . 2- 1 . 7

- . 3- . 7

- 2 . 0- 1 . 0- 1 . 1- 1 . 7- 2 . 6- 1 . 7- 2 . 1

- . 3- 1 . 0- 1 . 7

- . 2- 1 . 2

Unleaded regular gasoline

Index

February1976

99. 1

99.597.799.698.998.799.699.599.299. 199.698.999.4

100.499.599.099.698.598.798.999.098.598.198.8

March1976

98.2

99.097.699.097.698.298.797.998.898.699.298.798.298.399.098.798.798.297.998.598.398.098.298.3

Percent changeto March 1976

f rom—

February1976

- 0 . 9

- . 5- . 1- .6

- 1 . 3- . 5- . 9

- 1 . 6- . 4- . 5- . 4- . 2

- 1 . 2- 2 . 1

- . 5- . 3- . 9- . 3- . 8- . 4- . 7- . 5

. 1- . 5

Premium gasoline

Index

February1976

99. 1

99.498.299.498.798.799.698.999.398.899.398.699.599.099.698.699.698.198.998,698.898.798.698.9

March1976

98. 1

98.497.497.796.797.597.996.398.697.998.998.097. 198.398.497.897.7,96.697.698.298.098.098.297.7

Percent chsn96to March 1976

f r o m —

February1976

- 1 . 0

- 1 . 0- . 8

- 1 . 7- 2 . 0- 1 . 2- 1 . 7- 2 . 6

- . 7- . 9- . 4- .6

- 2 . 4- . 7

- 1 . 2- . 8

- 1 . 9- 1 . 5- 1 . 3

- . 4- . 8- . 7- . 4

-1 .2

U.S. city average 2

AtlantaBaltimoreBostonBuffaloChicagoCincinnati

DallasDetroitHonoluluHoustonKansas CityLos Angeles-Long BeachMilwaukeeMinnMpolis-St. P a u l . . . .N.Y.-Northeastern N.J . .PhiladelphiaPittsburghSt. LouisSan DiegoSan Francisco-Oakland..SeattleWashington

1 Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area(SMSA) except for New York and Chicago where the more extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used.Area definitions are those established for the 1960 Census and do not include revisions made since 1960.

NOTE: Effective with the release of the March 1976 CPI, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has begun pub-

lication of indexes and average prices for unleaded regular gasoline. In order to facilitate comparisons amongindexes for the several types of gasoline, each has been put on a January 1976*100 reference base. For theconvenience of users, the historical index series for regular leaded and premium gasoline on the new base aregiven in tables 11 and 12 of this publication. It should be noted that rebating does not indicate a change inprice levels, but is simply a change in the point of time from which price changes are measured.

Table 10. CPI-gasoline average prices, U.S. city average and selected areas

(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers)

Leaded regular gasoline Unleaded regular gasoline Premium gasoline

p6f g8i I on

February1976

March1976

January1976

February1976

March1976

January February March1976

U.S. city average

AtlantaBaltimoreBostonBuffaloChicagoCincinnatiClevelandDallasDetroitHonoluluHoustonKansas CityLos Angeles-Long BeachMilwaukeeMinneapolis-St. Paul . . .N.Y.-Northeastern N.J . .PhiladelphiaPittsburghSt. LouisSan Diego

. San Francisco-Oakland .SeattleWashington

$0,584 $0,578 0.569

. 5 7 7

.598

.585

.594

.599

.575

.585

.538

.579

.685

.527

.554

.583

.544

.575

.598

. 5 8 3

.581

.567

.603

.614

.574

.602

.570

.586

.581

.586

.588

.571

.581

.533

.572

.682

.522

.551

.573

.540

.565

.592

.566

.571

.559

.594

.608

.564

.590

$0,605 $0,600

562574570573581559562526562680518539568534556576557559557588597563583

.601

.614

.601

.617

.632

.592

.595

.556

.604

.696

.546

.570

.611

.566

.591

.615

.612

.602

.582

.628

.632

.594

.627

.598

.600

.599

.610

.623

.590

.592

.551

.599

.693

.540

.566

.613

.563

.585

.612

.603

.594

.576

.622

.623

.582

.620

$0,594

.595

.599

.595

.602

.620

.585

.582

.549

.596

.690

.539

.559

.600

.560

.584

.607

.601

.589

.574

.618

.619

.583

.617

$0,629 $0,623 $0,617

627644629641642622628579632727576599627593633649641625614650659618656

.623

.633

.625

.633

.634

.620

.621

.575

.625

.721

.568

.596

.621

.590

.624

.646

.629

.618

.605

.642

.651

.609

.648

.617

.627

.615

.620

.626

.609

.605

.571

.619

.719

.565

.582

.616

.583

.619

.634

.619

.610

.603

.637

.646

.607

.641

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

Area definitions are those established for the 1960 Census and do not include revisions made since 1960.

2 2


Table 11. CPI—regular leaded gasoline indexes, U.S. city average and selected areas

(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, January 1976=100)

January | F ®^ r U " March April May July August p e P t e m " October Novem- Decem- Annual° I ber { | ber ] ber [Average

U. S. City Average

197319741975

19731974 _1975 -

197319741975

197319741975

197319741975

197319741975

1973 —1974 —1975 —

1973 —1-974 —1975 —

197319741975

79.590.9

84.091.2

90.391.4

91.892.5

94. 194. 1

95. 197.0

95.5101.2

94.8101.8

94. 1102. 1

68.991.4

101.6

71.590. 3

100.7

74.890. 3

100.290.997. 1

Atlanta

79.593.4

83.593.5

90.092.6

93.294.2

94.496.3

96.8100. 2

98.2103.6

96.3103. 1

95.8103.2

68.990.6

101.7

71. 390. 4

100.8

75.790. 7

100. 091.698. 6

Baltimore

79. 791.9

85.492.6

89.792. 1

92. 793.6

94.495.6

95. 198.2

95.2101.6

94.3102.9

94.2102.6

68.490.9

102. 0

71.591.0

101.0

75. 190.4

100. 191 . 197.8

Boston

78.691.0

83.690. 7

88.392. 1

89.093.0

92.593.7

93.295.9

94.7102.4

94. 3102.8

93.9101.9

69.190.9

101.9

71. 790. 7

101.2

74.990.9

100.590. 097. 2

Buffalo

76. 190.2

82.990.2

91.290. 0

96.591.2

95.794. 0

97.296.2

98.0101.8

97.7102.2

96.7102. 7

67.892. 1

101.6

70. 090. 3

100. 9

72.690. 5

100. 392. 196.7

Chicago

83.490.8

79.691.4

79. 090. 6

86.491.2

86.491.8

85.791. 2

93.391.5

92.392.7

90.592. 0

93.392.4

94.793,5

89.693.6

94.993.5

98.795.8

97.095. 1

96.896.4

96.7101.9

Cincinnat

98.999.6

97.298.3

99.0103.4

95.9102.2

L

98.5104. 0

Cleveland

94.6102.4

94.2103. 1

94.9102.5

96.4104. 1

92.6102.8

70.291.3

101.3

70.494.4

103. 0

69.590.8

102.0

73.490. 1

100. 1

75.492. 0

100.9

73.690.3

100.8

77. 190.399.6

78. 191.6

101. 1

76.690. 5

100.3

92.397.0

93.598.5

91.097.7

Dallas

77.690. 1

83. 591.0

90. 691.4

93.592.2

94. 295.2

95.797. 7

95.0103.4

95.2102.9

94.2103. 3

65.492.3

102.9

67.890. 1

101. 8

71. 190. 1

100. 991 . 097.7

Detroit

83. 392.5

88. 091.9

97.092.7

99.293.4

98.994. 0

99. 697.8

99. 1103.6

97.3103.2

96.4103.5

72.093.3

102.3

74.691.7

100.3

78.991.9

100. 094. 797.9

Honolulu

73.288.7

77.788.3

83.088.7

82.990.9

85.994.7

87.498.3

87.7101.5

88.3101.7

87.7102.6

66.086.5

101.9

67.886.8

101.8

69.687.4

100. 784.696.6

Houston

77. 189.4

81. 090. 1

86. 090.9

91. 091.4

92.794.3

94.597. 8

93.4103. 3

93.5103.2

93.2103. 0

65.991.2

102.2

68. 589.4

101.3

7 1 . 188.9

100.589. 397. 3

23


Table 11. CPI-regular leaded gasoline indexes, U.S. city average and selected areas-Continued(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and derical workers, January 1976=100)

January larch April May June J u l y August * * « » - October * < £ » - Decem- A ^

197319741975

197319741975

197319741975

197319741975

197319741975

197319741975

197319741975

1973 —1974 —1975 —

197319741975

197319741975

197319741975

197319741975

84.090.5

79.292.3

81.591.9

80.488.2

81.392.5

78.390.9

79.392.4

83.992.0

77.691.5

78.992. 1

79.691.8

79.591.3

Kansas City

86.789.4

90. 189.6

93.691.4

95.494. 1

96.795.7

97.6101.0

96. 1102.6

94.5102.4

69.091.5

101.6

72.390.6

100.0

74.589.999.5

Los Angeles—Long Beach

84.892.0

90.891.8

92.593.4

94. 194.5

94.397.2

94.0101.0

93.1100.8

92.0101.2

69.289.4

101.7

72. 189.0

100.6

74.689.8

100.0

86.691.9

96.692. 1

97.992.6

97.894.5

100. 197.6

99.5103.2

98.1103.3

98.0103.5

70.893.6

•102.9

74.691.6

100.9

77.691.2

100.4

Minneapolis—St. Paul

83.888.2

88.687.4

93.389.7

95.391.7

96.396.9

97.0101.9

94.8102.7

92.2102.3

68.788.9

102.3

70.887.7

101.2

73.787.799.5

New York—Northeastern New Jersey

86.592.4

91.992.4

93.493.2

96.793.6

98.795.7

99.0100.7

97.9101.3

97.8102.2

70.994.6

101. 1

72.993.5

100.4

76.892.7

100. 1

Philadelphia

83.390. 7

93. 190.7

92.391.5

94.093.9

95.596.9

95.8100.2

95.0100.8

95.1100.8

68.592. 1

101.4

69.690.9

100.7

74.390.7

100.0

Pittsburgh

83.292. 1 91.9

91.593.5

93.895.3

93.997.7

94.5101.7

94. 1103. 1

93.9102. 1

68.991.4

101.6

71. 190. 1

100.7

73.790.9

100.2

St. Louis

88.092.0

92.692.3

94.493.8

96. 196.4

98.498.5

98.3 97.0103.9

96.0104.2

71.792.7

102.4

74.091.5

101.5

76.991.2

100. 1

San Diego

84. 091.5

89.291.7

90.092.9

92. 194.3

92.696.2

92.7100.8

91.6101.3

91.4102.0

68.688.9

102. 1

70.688.6

100.8

72.889.7

100.6

San Francisco—Oakland

83.291.9

88.592.6 94.3

93.094.9

93.897.2

95. 1100.6

94.9102.0

93.9101.7

69.591.5

101.6

72.291.7

101.3

75.291.7

100.5

83.791.8

90.791.9

91.493.8

93.395.6

95. 197.9

94.2100.6

94.7101.8

93.0101.7

70.290.4

101.6

72.289.9

101.5

74.989.7

100.6

Washington

82.391.2

87.891.7

88.992.8

92.794.6

93.396.3

93.5100.4

93.3101.0

93.3101.4

68.891. 1

100.7

70.790.9

100.5

74. 190.9

100.3

92.296.5

90.297.2

94.497.9

90.596.0

93.797.2

91.496.6

90.497.7

93.398.4

89.097. 1

90.497.6

90.597.5

89.896.8

24


Table 12. CPI—premium

(Consumer price index for urban wage eari

gasoline indexes, U.S. city average and selected areas

and clerical workers, January 1976=100)

Year

1̂ 7319741975

1973

1973

197 c

1973

,975

1974

1973

1975

1973

i2» = = = = = = =

1974

I97319 741975 -

I97319741975

19731974

197319741975

January

79.690.9

79.092.7

Febru-ary

83.791.2

82.992.7

March

89.691.5

88.892.9

April

91.292.4

91.894.3

May

93. 393.9

92.396.3

June

U.S.

93.996.6

94.499.3

July August

City Average

94.5100.5

Atlanta

95.6102.0

93.9101.2

94.4101. 7

Septem-ber

93.4101.6

93.8101.7

October

69.891.2

101.2

69. 190.6

101.2

Novem-ber

72.290. 2

100.6

71.690.5

100.8

Decem-ber

AnnualAverage

75.290.3

100. 290.496.8

75.890. 7

100.090.498.0

Baltimore

80. 192.3

85.592.6

89.292.8

92.594.2

93.795.2

94.297.6

94.9100.8

94. 1102. 1

93.8102.6

69.591. 7

102.2

72. 391.3

100.8

75.891.799.9

91.097.8

Boston

79.391.3

84. 191. 1

88.292.7

89. 193.2

92.294. 0

92.795.7

94. 1101.8

94. 0102.0

93.7101. 7

70.591.5

101.8

73.091.2

101. 3

76. 091. 1

100.890. 197.2

Buffalo

76.289.7

82.789.7

90.689.3

95.390.4

94.793. 1

95.794.9

96.7101.8

95.8102.2

95.4102.3

68.391.3

100.9

70.589.7

100.6

72.889.5

100.491. 196.3

Chicago

83.690.6

79.791.7

79.590.9

85.990.6

86. 191.9

86.391.3

93. 191. 0

91.292.6

89. 792.6

93. 192. 1

93.593. 1

90.693.7

94.293.6

97.495.3

96.095. 1

95.296.2

C

97.698.7

95.2101.2

Cincinnati

97.4102. 1

Cleveland

96.597.9

94. 1102. 1

95.0101.9

97.2102.6

94.3102.3

94.0102. 1

95.3102.7

92.3101.9

71.590.8

100.9

71.493.6

102.2

70.991.0

101.8

74. 390. 1

100. 1

76.292. 1

100.6

74. 790.7

100.9

78. 090. 399.9

91.796.7

78.391.9

100.792.897.9

76.790. 799.7

91.097.5

Dallas

78.091. 1

83.691.8

90.592. 1

92.792.5

93. 395.3

94.497.5

94.8102.2

95. 1102.2

94.4102.8

67.292.6

102.6

69.190.3

101.5

72.590.5

100.990.997.7

Detroit

82.69 1 . 2

73.787.9

86.590.9

77.987.5

95.092.0

82.987.8

97. 192.4

82.890.0

97.093. 1

85.894.2

96.796.2

87. 097.7

97. 1101. 7

Honolulu

87. 1100. 7

95.3101.4

87.7101. 1

94.4102.5

86.9101.8

72.491.8

101.2

67. 085.8

101.8

74.690.599.8

68.686. 1

101.7

78.591.099.8

92.996.8

70. 486.6

100.984.296.1

Houston

76.989.6

80.790.3

85.391.0

89.991.6

91.494.2

93. 197.3

92.8101.9

92.5102. 1

92.6101.9

66.990.9

101.6

69.389.5

100.7

71.489.4

100.488.896.9

25


Table 12. CPI-premium gasoline indexes. U.S. city average and selected areas-Continued

Year

19 73I974I975

I973

1975

I973I974 _1975

197319741975

1973I974 _ _1975

1973 - -19741975

197319 741975

j97319741975

I9731974I975

I97319741975

I973I9741975

I97319741975

January

84.390.6

79.591.8

81.292.4

79. 187.4

80. 392.2

77. 690. 7

79.892.4

83.492. }

77.690. 8

Febru-ary

86.490.4

84.691.5

85.792.3

82.288. 3

85. 192.6

82. 391.0

83.692.2

87. 192. 1

83.291.0

March

89.890.2

90. 391.7

95.292. 1

86.687.4

90.892. 7

91. 191.3

88.492.0

91.592.2

88. 191.2

April

92.891.7

92.093. 0

96.292.9

90. 789. 0

91.893. 1

91.092. 0

91.293.7

93.493.6

89. 092. 1

May

94.494. 1

93.694.2

96.394.9

92. 190. 7

New

95.693.4

92.493.3

93.494.7

95. 195.7

91.093.6

June July August

Kansas City

95.896. 0

97. 1100. 6

95.6102.5

Los Angeles—Long Beach

93.796.6

It

96.996.9

93. 0100.3

92.6100.8

Milwaukee

97.5101.9

97. 1102.6

Minneapolis—St. Paul

92. 795. 6

93.399.9

92.5101.2

York—Northeastern New Je

96.895.4

97. 1100.8

96.4101.4

Philadelphia

93.496.5

93.799.6

93.6100. 6

Pittsburgh

93.697.6

94.3101.3

93.8102.5

St. Louis

96.797.8

97.0102.0

96.2103.0

San Diego

91.795.2

91.699.7

91.0100.2

Septem-ber

94.9102. 7

91.5101.0

96.8102.9

90. 3100.3

rsey

96.2101.5

93.4100.8

93.7101.5

95. 0103.6

90.7101.0

October

70. 391.7

101.5

70.289. 3

101.5

71.393. 1

102.4

68.686.9

100.4

70.693.8

101. 1

69.291.5

101.0

70. 791.4

101.4

72.292.4

101.8

69. 188.5

101. 1

Novem-ber

73.291.2

100. 1

72.589.3

100.9

75. 191.7.

101.0

70.486.4

100.2

72.592.6

101.0

70.589. 1

100.5

72.890.6

100.6

74.491.5

101.2

70.888.5

100. 3

Decem-ber

75.590.099.4

75.389.8

100.5

77.791.4

100.3

72.986.799.7

76. 192.2

100. 1

73.990.5

100. 1

74.991.4

100.4

77. 091.3

100.0

73. 189.5

100. 3

AnnualAverage

92. 096.6

90.097.0

93.297.7

88. 395. 1

92.497. 1

90.096.5

90.597.5

92.697.9

88.496.4

San Francisco-Oakland

78.991.7

82.891.4

88.092. 3

87.693.7

92. 094.4

92.896.7

93.5100. 1

93.5101.0

92.8101.8

70.490.5

100.8

72.890.6

100.4

75.590.8

100. 189.497. 0

Seattle

80.591.7

84. 091.8

90. 391.9

91.793.7

93.395. 1

94.697.4

93.6100.0

94.3101. 1

92.6101.0

71.590.3

101.0

73.489.9

101. 1

75.589.9

100.490.497.2

Washington

79. 590.3

81.990. 1

86.891.2

87.991.9

91.593.6

91. 595.5

91.899.5

91.8100.3

91.9100.9

69.589.8

100.4

71.489.6

100. 1

74.589.9

100. 188.796.2

26


Table 13. CPI—by population size

(Comumer price Index for urban wage earners and clerical worken, 1967*100)

Area and group

Relativet m ports nc8

December1975

100.00024.67534.002

9.21713.05318.681

32.4098.280

10. 7303. 0134.2416. 145

11.6942.9483.9511.0951.4932.207

25.6456.0738.9092.3653.4444.854

12.5843.0854.330

1. 1911.6682. 312

17.2924.2896.0781.5542.2073. 163

March1975

157.8171.3163.6140.9144.8151. 1

159.4

172.9164.4138.6

148.9154. 0

157. 0171.0160.8142. 7144.9150.3

156.9171.0

162. 1142.2142.4150. 7

157.0169. 0164.2

142.9143.3148. 7

157.6170.6165. 3140.6142.4148.9

n exes

December1975

166.3180. 7172.2145. 2157.6157.5

167.6182. 1171.8140.4165. 1160.4

165.0180.5168. 1146.2155.8158.0

165.2180. 3

170.9147.5153. 1

156.9

166.2179.7173.7149.4155.3

154.9

166. 6179. 3176.0147.0154. 2154.7

March1976

167.5178. 7174.5145. 0159. 8160. 6

168. 7179.5173.5140. 3167.6164.3

167. 0179.2170.6146.9162.2161. 0

166.3178.6173.4147.4154.4159.6

166.7177. 5175.4147.7156.4157.2

168.2178. 1179.2146.8155.6158. 0

Perce

MarchMarch

1975

6. 14. 36 . 72 . 9

10.46 . 3

5 . 83 . 85 . 51.2

12.6X6.J

6 . 44 . 86. 12 . 9

11.97. 1

6 . 04 . 47. 03 .78 . 45 .9

6 . 25 . 06.83 . 4

9. 15. 7

6 . 74 . 48 . 44 . 49 . 36. 1

it change to1976 from—

December1975

0 . 7- 1 . 1

1. 3- . 11.42 . 0

. 7-1 .4

1.0- . 11.52 . 4

1.2- . 71.5

. 54. 11.9

. 7

- . 91.5- . 1

. 81. 7

. 3-1 .2

1. 0- 1 . 1

. 71.5

1.0- . 71. 8- . 1

.92. 1

United States:All itemsFoodHousingApparel and upkeepTransportationHealth and recreation

Class A-1 (3.5 million or more):All itemsFoodHousingApparel and upkeepTransportationHealth and recreation

Class A-2 (1.4 million to 3.5 million):All itemsFoodHousingApparel and upkeepTransportationHealth and recreation

Class B (250,000 to 1.4 million):All itemsFoodHousingApparel and upkeepTransportationHealth and recreation

Class C (50,000 to 250,000):All itemsFoodHousingApparel and upkeepTransportationHealth and recreation

Class D (2,500 to 50,000):All itemsFoodHousingApparel and upkeepTransportationHealth and recreation

1 Based upon 1960 Census of Population.

Table 14. CPI -by region


Area and group

Relative 'importance

December1975

March1975

December1975

March1976

Percent change to

March 1976 fron

March1975

December1975

United States:All itemsFoodHousingApparel and upkeep . .TransportationHealth and recreation .

Northeast:All itemsFoodHousingApparel and upkeep . .TransporationHealth and recreation

North Central:All itemsFoodHousingApparel and upkeep . .TransportationHealth and recreation .

South:All itemsFoodHousingApparel and upkeep . .TransportationHealth and recreation .

West:All itemsFoodHousingApparel and upkeep . .TransportationHealth and recreation .

100.00024.67534.0029.21713.05318.681

32.6868.696

10. 6073.2284. 0316. 124

27.8746.8539.4952.4673. 7705.288

22. 1045.281

7. 732

2. 1022.9384.050

16.4993.7166.0221.3852.253

3. 123

157.8171.3163.6140.9144.8151. 1

160. 7173.5167.3141.8147.8153.6

155.2169. 3157. 1140. 3143. 7151.7

160. 1174. 6168.0142.3143.6152.6

154.4166.3162.6137.6143.0144.2

166.3180. 7172.2145.2157.6157.5

169.2182. 6175.3145.6164. 7159.7

163.3180.0164.5145.0154.6157.9

168.7183.4178. 0147. 3154.8158.5

163.0174.4172.4141.4154.3151. 7

167.5178. 7174.5145. 0159.8160. 6

170. 7181.4177. 6144. 3169.6162. 7

164.5177.8167. 1144.4155.5161. 6

169.7181.4180. 1148.4155.8161.4

164.0171.3174.4142.2155.9154.9

6. 14.36.72.9

10.46.3

6.24.66.21.8

14. 75.9

6.05.06.42.98.26.5

6.03.97.24.38.55.8

6.23.07. 33.39.07.4

0.7- 1 . 1

1.3- . 11.42. 0

.9- . 71. 3- . 93.01.9

. 7- 1 . 2

1.6- . 4

. 62.3

. 6- 1 . 1

1.2. 7.6

1.8

.6-1 .8

1.2. 6

1. 02. 1

1 Regional index and relative importance data exclude Anchorage, Alaska, and Honolulu, Hawaii,which are included in the U.S. level data. Consequently, relative importance by region will not add

27


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 food, 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 clerical workershas 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-rnonth 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 indexEquals index pcwnt 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 agreementsand pension plans, for example, tie compensation changesto the Consumer Price Index unadjusted for seasonalvariation.

28


Reliability of Percent Changes in the CPI

A system of "replicated" samples introduced into theindex structure in the 1964 revision permits an estimate ofsampling error for the CPI. l The table below showsstandard errors for monthly, quarterly, and annual percent

Average standard errors of percent changes in the

CPI based on 1975 data

Component

All itemsFood at homeFood away from home . .HousingApparel and upkeepTransportationMedical carePersonal careReading and recreation . .Other goods and

services

Standard error

Monthlychange

.04

.10

.11

.08

.16

.07

.13

.14

.11

.08

Quarterlychange

.06

.17

.22

.12

.22

.11

.17

.22

.16

.11

Annualchange

.13

.38

.36

.26

.28

.13

.36

.46

.37

.22

changes in the CPI for ail items and for nine commoditygroupings based on 1974 averages. The figures may beinterpreted as follows: The changes are about 95 out of100 that the percent change in the CPI as computed differsfrom the corresponding "complete coverage" change byless than twice the standard error.

Because the CPI is rounded to one decimal place, someambiguity may arise in interpreting small index changes.As the table indicates, for example, a month-to-monthchange of 0.1 percent in the all-items CPI is significant.Because of rounding, however, a change of this size in thepublished index might result from a much smaller change inthe unrounded value. Hence, any particular change of 0.1percent may or may not be significant. On the other hand,a published change of 0.2 percent for a 1-month periodis almost always significant.

This replaces the table of average errors based on 1974data which was included in the CPI report throughDecember 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 StatisticalAssociation, September 1967.

29 * U . S . GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1 9 7 6 2 1 1 - 1 3 1 / 1 2 1 -3


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Rev. 5/76
