Full text of CPI Detailed Report : December 1959

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Released January 22, i960
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D. C.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR DECEMBER 1959
Prices of consumer goods and services declined 0.1 percent
between November and December 1959; the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of
Labor Statistics announced today. Lower prices of food, apparel, and durable commodities were largely responsible for the first overall decrease in the Consumer Price
Index in ^ months. Service rates continued to climb and prices of nondurable commodities other than food and apparel also moved up.
The Consumer Price Index in December returned to its October
level, 125-5 percent of the I9krj-h9 average, but it was 1.5 percent above the level
of December 1958- Most of the increase during 1959 has occurred since May, which
terminated a year of virtual stability.
Because of this stability in the early months, the 1959 annual
average Consumer Price Index (12^.6) was only 0.9 percent above the 1958 average, the
smallest annual increase in the past k years and well below most of the post-war years.
Chiefly responsible for the 1959 advances were continued gains in service rates,
principally for medical care and transportation, and in prices of nonfood commodities,
mainly durable goods. Food prices were lower than in 1958 virtually throughout the
year.
FOOD

Food prices declined 0.1 percent between November and December
1959' with food for home use down 0.1 percent and restaurant
meal prices up 0.1 percent. Seasonally lower prices for most cuts of meat, particularly pork, and for eggs were largely responsible for the decline; prices of fruits
and vegetables were seasonally higher. The December food index, at 117*8, was 0.8
percent under a year ago and 3-2 percent below the July 1958 peak.
Prices of meats, poultry, and fish fell 1.2 percent between
November and December, mainly because continued plentiful supplies of hogs resulted
in a further drop of 3-2 percent in pork prices. Pork chop prices were down 5-5 percent and bacon 3*7 percent, but ham was up 0.9 percent. Beef and veal prices
decreased 0.5 percent as round steak and chuck roast prices were lower. Prices of
frankfurters declined 1.5 percent.
Egg prices dipped 3-9 percent as supplies continued to increase
seasonally.
A rise of 1-7 percent in prices of fruits and vegetables was
the result of a seasonal increase of 6.6 percent in fresh vegetable prices and a
smaller advance for fresh fruits. Prices of processed fruits and vegetables were
lower. Among fresh vegetables, cabbage prices were up 25 percent because of limited
storage stocks and reduced production; tomato prices rose 22 percent as adverse
weather in Florida diminished supplies; and prices of green beans, lettuce, and
potatoes also moved up. Among fresh fruits, apple prices were up 7 percent, but
bananas and oranges were seasonally lower. Frozen and canned orange juice prices
fell as supplies increased.
Prices of dairy products climbed 0.6 percent, with higher
prices for butter and canned and fresh milk.




2

Cereals and "bakery products were up 0.2 percent as prices of flour
and rolled oats registered gains of 0.9 and 2.7 percent, respectively.
TRANSPORTATION

Transportation pi-^s turned downward by 0.2 percent. Higher
dealers' concessions reduced prices of new cars 0.7 percent, tire
prices showed a further drop (0.6 percent), and prices of used cars, gasoline, and motor
oil also eased downward. Public transportation costs moved up 0.6 percent as higher
transit fares were approved in four cities.

OTHER COMMODITIES
AND SERVICES

Apparel prices declined 0.2 percent, largely because of end-ofseason sales of women's and girls7 coats and women's wool suits.
Prices of men's and boys' apparel were unchanged on the average,
but footwear prices continued to rise.
Housing costs remained at their November level. A decline of
0.2 percent in prices of housefurnishings was largely the result of price reductions for
living room, bedroom, and dining room furniture, mattresses, and some appliances; prices
of hard-surface floorcoverings, sofa beds, and kitchenware were higher. Gas and
electricity advanced 0.8 percent, as rate increases were reported in seven cities, and
there were seasonal advances in fuel oil prices. Rents were up 0.2 percent, and home
repair and maintenance costs showed a rise of 0.1 percent, largely because of higher
charges for painting and repair services.
An increase of 0.3 percent for reading and recreation was
primarily the result of higher movie admissions cnarged for special features.
Medical care was up 0.1 percent, with further scattered advances
in fees f^r professional and hospital services. Personal care rose 0.2 percent because
of higher prices-for toilet soap and a few other toiletries.




3
TABLE li Consumer Price Index—United States city average
Major group, subgroup, and special group indexes, December 1959
and percent changes from selected dates
(1947-4.9=100 unless otherwise specified)
Percent change to December 1959 from

Indexes
December
1959

Group

All items
Food
Food at home
•
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetablesOther foods at homo---"Food away from home (Jan. 1953=100)

••

125-5

125.6

117.8
115.0
134.5

117.9
115.1
134.2
107.9
116.0
123.4
106.4
117.2

106.6
116.7
125.5
105.4
117.3

Housing
Rent
Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurni shings—
Household operation-••
......•»•—— ... ... —

130. 4
140.8
122.7
137.3
104.2
135.5

Apparel
Man1 s and boys1
Women's and girls'
Footwear
•
Other a p p a r e l —

109.2
109.1

TransportationPrivate
Public
Medical care

—
•
•••

•

11

•••

•• • —

-•
— — •

•

*

Personal care

••

Reading and recreation

•

•

< •

•

• »•

Other goods and services

-

November
1959

100.3

139.7
93-1

130.4
I4O.5

121.7

135.9
104.4
135.4

109.4
109.1
100.9
139.2
93-3

149.0

—

November
1959

September
1959

December
1958

Year
1939

- 0.1

0.2

1.5

111.3

.8
1.5
.4
- 5.7
2.1
4.5
- 4.8
3.3

150.1

-

-

.1

.1
.2
- 1.2
.6
1.7
-9

.8
- 1.0
•3
- 3-4
1.0

1.1

- 2.0
.4

.1

0

•5

.8
1.0
.2
.1

•9
1.7
.2
.2

-

.2
0

.6

.4
.2

1.7
1-5
3.8
.2
.6
2.0

.6

.2

-

-

-

1.6

.2
.1
.2
1-3
.2

.6

156.2

134.3

171.1
117.8

(1/)
71.4

62.6
17.0

143.4

95.1
98.1

108.0

7.1
•9

114.8
84.0
177.7
129.3

3-0
3-2
2.8

111.8
109.9
142.6

.1

1.6
1.6

.2
-3
.6

144.2
135.1

1U8.7
137.5
197.2

196.0

153.2

153-0

.1

•7

3-8

111.0

132.9

132.7

.2

.6

3-0

123-0

120.4

120.0

•3

•7

3.0

91.1

131.7

131.6

.1

.2

3.5

86.5

87.4

137.9

1.2

Special groupat
129.5

129.5

0

.6

2.4

_ _ _

123.1

123.1

0

.2

1-3

122.2

Commoditie s
Nondurable s
Food
Nondurable a less food—
——
Apparel- • ••
Apparel less footwear —
—
Nondurables less food and a p p a r e l Durables
New cars
—
Used cars (Jan. 1953=100)
—
Durables less cars-

1.17.1
118.5
117-8
119.9
109.1
103.7
129.1
113-8
143-3
95-2
103.3

117.2
118.6
117.9
119.8
109.3

.1
.1

.1

.7
.6

126.9
130.5
150.1
104.3
109.4

Commodities less food

All items less food—
All items less s h e l t e r — —

-----

--•

Service s —
—
— — — Rent
Services less rent-—
—
—
—
Household operation services, gas,
and electricity—
Transportation services
'
Medical care services
—
Other services 2/
—
Purchasing power of the consumer dollar
(1947-49=11.00)-— —

-

-

-

-

.3

.8

-

•5
.2

.8

2.5
1-5
.4

114.1
144.3
95.3
103.4

-

.2
-3
.2
.3
.7
.1
.1

116.4

116.5

-

.1

.6

1.7

96.0

147.8
140.8
149-7

147.6

.1
.2
.1

.6
.6
.7

3.0
1.5
3.2

83.8

62.6
103.7

•3
•3
•3

.4
.6
.8

.8

2.8
3-7
4.5
2.9

57.1
128.1
125.8
129.2

.3

- 1.4

-52.7

136.7

104.0

128.9

140.5
149.5

159.2
133.6

136.3
182.2
15 8 . 8
133.7

$0,797

$0,796

182.7

-

.1
.1

-

-

6.1

- 3-2
.2

.1

.1

.1

.7
•9

-

-

.2
6.2
.1

(1/)
95 .9
98.1
151.4
(1/)

8O.3

JL/ Not available,
2/ Includes house purchase, interest, taxes, insurance, and upkeep, not shown separately.
2/ Includes house purchase, interest, taxes, insurance, and upkeep services; shoe repairs, television repairs, barber
and beauty shop services, and movies.




TAEUt 21

4

C o a m a a r P r i o e I n d e x — A l l itama i n d e x e s and p e r c e n t changes p s e l e c t e d d a t e s
O . S . c i t y average and 20 l a r g e c i t i e s

Indexes

City
llaited States oity average-

Bsroerrt change t o
c u r r e n t Month tren <

(1W-49=100)
Imt
1939

December
1959

September
1959

December
1958

125-5

125.2

123.7

59.4

129.0
124.0
128.9
124.2
126.5

129.2
124.8
127.8
123.5
125. e

127.0
123-3
126.5
121.3
123-5

58.6
59.0
60*4
60*1

September
Q-,3

December
1958

Year
1939

126.0
127.5
123.6
126.4
130.8

.124.4
125.5
122.4
125.7
127.9

58.3
57-9
58.4
59-3
58.6

November
1958

Iear
1939

September
1959

December
1958

0.2

1.5

Cities prioed monthly 1/
ChicagoDetroitLos Angelas^
Sew YorkFhiladelphi&»

December
1959

Citias ptrioed in March, June,
September, December
2/

126. 4
12, .2

Atlanta—
»•
—
Bait iaore---------—
Cincinnati
•
—
St. Louis
—
San Francisco-----

121 _
1 On h
1
jl.O

C i t i a s priced in February. May,
August} November
2/

November

Cleveland
—
Houston--Scranton-——————
Seattle—
Washington, D. C.--------—-—
Citiaa primd i n
July, October

1

January, Aprilt
2/

August
1959

59.2

12 6.4
125.4
121.5
129-2
121.7

125.8
124.8
121.2
128.9
122.0

124.5
124.2

120.7
126.0
121.5

59.2
59.5
58.5
59-2
60.4

October
1959

July
1959

October
1958

Year
1939

125.6
126.0
125.4
125.7
126.1

125.4
124.9
124.5
124.5
124.5

61.7
60.7
58.1
58.3

12b. 7
126,9
126.5
126.8
126.3

T tC - ----jCm.jiS ityMi.i u1 po1 isPittsburgh-Pcrtlu.-i J:

1.6
,6
1.9
2.4
2.4
September
1959

December
1958
1.6
1.4
1.1
•7
3-0

August
1959

November
1958
1-5
1.0
•7
2.5
.2

July
1959

October
1958
1.0
1.6
1.6
1.8
1.4

61.0

X/ Hants priced bimonthly,
g/ Food*, fuels, and a few other items priced monthly; rent a ajad other ccnraodities and services pric*d quarterly.

T A B U 31

Consumer Price Index-—-Fero&nt changes frcn November 1959 to December 1959
U.S. city average and fire cities priced monthly
A H itema and cowaodity group©

"

———-]

H I
ilrm&

City
Halted States c i t y arermge—
— — « -

Detroit--—----——
Lpa A n g e l a s — — — .
Bev I o r k « — — — » • - — • —
P h i l a d a l p h i ® - - — ~ ~




.1
. i
.1
. i
.2

r
t
food
-

0.1

-

.6
. L
.4

Housing
0
0.1
.2
.4
.2
•5

Apparel
-

0.2

1
0
.]
.1
.8
L .. , .
V

Tirana p o r t a tic-B
-

0.2
• >

•5
0
0
0

Medical
care
0.1
•3
0
0
0
•3

Personal
care

Reading
and
recreation

0.2

0.3

.L
,2
0
.1

0
. 1.
.2
.1
3.3

Other
goods &
eeririoti
0.1
.1
0
0
0
.2

TABIC 4s Consuner Price .Index—111 itema and oomofiity groups
December 1959 indexes and percent changes, September 1959 to December 1959

5

U.S. city average and 10 oitiee priced in December 1959
U.S.
City
Atlanta BaltiAverage
more

Group

Chicago Cincinnati

Detroit

New
York

Los
Angeles

PhilaSt.
delphia Louis

San
Francisc*

Indexes (19^7-^9-100)
All l t t u

125-5

126 A

127.2

129.0

123.8

124.0

128.9

124.2

126.5

126.6

131.8

Food
Cereals and bakery products —
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products — — — — — —
Fruits and vegetables
—
Other foods at host —

117.8
115.0
134.5
106.6
116.7
125.5
105-4

114.2
111.9
125.2
107.8
110.6
127.3
100.1

117.4
113.3
128.2
106.2
117.5
121.1
104.6

114.6
111.6
129.5
97A
118.8
123.1
110.1

118.2
115.1
132.1
107.2
117.8
125.7
107.3

116.3
113.2
124.6
101.0
111.9
131.4
106.1

123 .6
118.9
146 .8
110 .1
113 • 5
134.1
106.2

120.8
117.1
141.8
108.8
121.6
123.8
105.4

120.1
116.9
135.6
108.4
122.8
125.8
103.8

117.6
112.4
120.2
103.1
104.9
131.4
112.2

123.1
120.2
150.9
113.6
119.1
132.5
104.6

130.4
140.8
122.7
137.3
104.2
135.5

134.9
139.7
132.7
138.0
110A
144.6

127.5
138.1
110.1
132.6
99.6
134.7

140.2

127.2
143.6
117.3
128.0
108.4
123.4

141.7
104 .1
125.4

128.3
132.6
119.7
138.0
104.1
136.5

125.2

130.2
143.0
102.7
138.8

125.3
143-7
129.1
151.9
96.2
137.9

137.9

Rent
—
— —
Oas and electricity — — —
Solid fuels and fuel oil
—
Houaefurnishings
—
—
—
Household operation

105.9
130.8
109.1
141.8

128.8
149-5
110.9
161.5
104.3
137.3

108.6
125.9

Apparel — — — — — —
Men1 c and boys' — — — — — — —
Wonen's and girls'
Footwear
—
—
—
—
—
—
Other apparel — — — • —

109.2
109.1
100.3
139.7
93.1

115.2
117.2
105.8
1^5.3
94.0

110.9
108.0
104.7
140.5
99-0

113.4
115.7
102.5
143-2
97.8

107.1
107.4
97.9
144.0
88.5

106.9
107.9
97.5
135.4
86.5

i l l •3
112 .6
102.6
l4l • 5
86.0

107.9
108.6
97-4
i4I.3
96.8

107.5
109.4
96.9
139-5
94.0

108.5
108.4
100.9
135.8
93.6

110.3
109.2
101.6
146.2
91.6

Transportation
Private
Public

11+8.7
137.5
197.2

148.7
140.5
193.8

163.0
141.8
215.4

160.3
141.3
205.7

148.3
136.9
191.4

140.7
133.5
179.4

145-7
142 .1
164.3

149.6
131.3
191.4

156.3
136.5
193.4

163.4
140.2
237.1

169.5
156.9
184.8

- 153.2
132.9
120 A
131.7

145.8
140.3
122.3
133.9

165.4
133.9
132.2
140.3

159.7
138.1
125.6
124.4

154.5
130.1
111.5
131.0

158.0
134.7
116.8
135.8

149.4
135.1
102 •5
132.9

143-5
125.8
121.7
133.4

159.2
143.7
135.7
132.5

170.6
131.5
98.5
131.9

155.3
129.4
120.3
133.6

0.2

0.8

—

—

—

Medical care
Personal care
— — — —
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

—

—

—

—

—

—

- -

- --

- -

.

134.4
152.4
150.4
—

Percent change from September 1959 to December 1959

0.2

0.3

.8
- 1.0
.3
- 3-4
1.0
1.1
- 2.0

- 2.0
- 2.5
•3
- 4.5
- -9
- 3.6
- 1.9

- 1.2
- 1.6
.1
- 3-5
•5
.8
- 2.2

1.7
•3
5-2
7.2
•5
.6

•5
.4
.1
2.7
.8
- .1

All iteas
Food
Food at hone
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
—
—
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at hone

—
—

•5
.6
•9
1.7
.2
.2

Rent
— — — — — — — — —
Gas and electricity -----------Solid fuels and fuel oil
lousefurnishlngs
— — — — ® —

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

.2
.1
.2
1-3
.2

P r i v a t e — — — — — — — — — — —
Public
— — — — —
—

1.6
1.6
1-2

Other apyarel

Medical care —
—
Personal care
— — —
Reading and recreation
Other ge&ds and services

—
— —
—
—
— — — —
—

-

.7
.6
•7

.6
.8
•5
•7
•3
2.0
2.4
0
.8
0
•5
.1

- 0.2

-

-

-

0.2

- 1.9
- 2.2
.2
- 6.6
•3
1.6
- 2.2
.1
—

•7
1.7
"

.8
- 1.2
.2
- 3.9
5-1
- 1.4
- 2.5
-

?

.4
.1
.9
0
.2

0
.2
.6
1.1

1.1
1.3
0
4.2
.1
1.0
0

.2
.2
.2
2.9
0
.2

-

0.6

- 1-5
- 1.7
- -5
- 5.5
.4
3.5
- 2.6
-

.4
.2
- 1.7
•9
- 1.5
.2

If-

.1
.1
.5
- .5
.1
1..6
- 1,• 7
...

4., 7
1..4
0

3.3
i.O
4.5

4.4
5.1
0

.4
0
.2
.1

0
.4
0
.1

-

0.6

.1
.4
.3
- 2.9
2.0
3.9
- 3-1

- 1.6
- 1.8
- 1.2
- 3-7
2.8
- 2.3
- 3.0

-

.7
•5
- 2.0
•5
.4

•9
.1
2.7

.2
.2
0

2,.8
3.•3
0

1.7
2.2
0

1.0
1.3
0

-

.1
•3
0
.7

1.• 8

,2
1.5
.8
•3

.4
5-4
7.8
.2

-

6
1

i
l/




Change from October 1959 to December 1959-

-

.1
.9
0
2.7
.2
.1

0
1.7
.6
1.0

-

•1

-9
1.2
1.6
2.1
2.2
2.6
- 2.3

__

-7
^ .6
1-5
0
0

y

.2
.2
2.5
- 1.0
.3
1.5
- 2.4

-

1.0

.0

1..0

1..0
,7
.7
2.,0
1.

-

0.6

0.9

_
_

- .2
.3
.4 • - 1.8
.8
.1
.4
1.0
- .3

°

-

0.2

-

•7
1.1
0
.2
1.7

•3
.1
•7
.2

1.6
1..8
0

2.3
2.9

,-

.2
.2
.1
1.3
.2

o

.8
.5
.2
-I

•5
2.1
.4
L

6
TABLE 5 s

Consumer Price Index — Food and its subgroups

December 1959 indexes and percent changes, November 1959 to December 1959
U.S. city average and 20 large cities

(1947-49=100)
Total
food at home

Total food

115.0

U.S. city average

117-8

Atlanta —
Baltimore
Boston •
Chicago —
Cincinnati —
Cleveland
Detroit
Houston •
Kansas City
Los Angeles

114.2
117. 4
118.3
114.6
118.2

-

.1
.3
-9
.6

-

.2

111.6
115.1

116.3
113-5
111.4

-

•3
-5
.4
.1
0

113-4
123.6

Minneapolis
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Portland, Oreg.
St. Louis
San Francisco
Scranton
Seattle
Washington, D.C.

117.3

- 0.1

134.5

125.2

113.2
111.1
107.9
118.9

0
.4
- l.l
- .8
.4
.1
- .5
- -3
0
.1

114.0

-

111.9
113.3
114.9

110.4

117.1
116.9
117.1

120.8

120.1
119.1

117.9
112.4
120.2
112.1
118.6

121.0
117.6
123.1
113-9
121.1
118.1

-

-

115.2

TABLE 61

Percent
change

Percent
change

Percent
change

- 0.1

Cereals and
bakery products

128". 2
132.4
129-5
132.1
129.1
124.6
125-3

127.6
146.8

134.8
141.8
135-6
132.5
141.1
.1 120.2
• 5 150.9
.4 132.8
• 3 147-0
.1 131-2

.3

.2
-5
.6
•3

Consumer Price Index —

0.2
•3
.2
.2
.2
0
.2
•3
.2
•5
•5
.1
.1
1.0
.2
•7
.2
0
•5
•3
.2

Meats, poultry,
and fish
Index

Dairy
products
Percent
change

Percent
change

106.6

- 1.2

116.7

107.8
106.2
109*. 1

-

110.6

97.4
107.2

100.1
101.0
100.7
99.5
110.1
103.3

108.8
108.4
107.2
110.9
103.1
113.6
104.4

111.6

105.9

.4
.6

- 2.3
- 2.
- 1-7
- .2
- 2.0
- 1.6

- 1.5
.3

117.5
116.4

118.8
117.8
110.9
111.9
113.9

111.8

113.5

109.0
121.6
122.8
- 1.0
- 1.2 118.4
-9 121.2
- 1.3
- 1.8

•7
•3
- 1.0
- .6

-

.2

Fruits and
vegetables

104.9
119.1
113.6

118.3

121.1

Percent
change

Index

1.7

125.5

0.6

.2 - 127-3
121.1
.3
125.2
•3
•3
123.1
.4
125.7
.4
118.3
.1
131.4
.4
125-5
• 3 114.6
134.1
0

.5

129.3

123.8

.6
.6
•3
.2
2.4
.2
.2
.1
2.2

Other
foods at home

125.
124.6
121.7
131.4
132.5

116.5
129.0
122.6

1.1
.2
.4
1.7
1-5
1.8
1.4
.6
2.2
.4
1.3
3-9
.7
•5
2.7
1-5
2.6
.1
3.0
•7

Percent
change

105.4

- 0.9

100.1

-

.7

100.6
110.1
107.3
107.1
106.1
103.8

-

1.9
1.3
1.1
1.5
1-3

106.2

-

-5
.7

104.6

99-2

- 1.6

-

.1

110.4

- 1.6

103.8
115.0
109.3
112.2

- 1.2

105.4

104.6
103.4
104.8

106.8

-

.7

.9
- .2
- 1.3
- .5
- 1.1
- .9
- 1.4

Average retail prices of selected foods

U.S. city average
Food and unit
Cereals and bakery products:

December
1959
Cents

- 5 lb.
Flour, wheat
54.5
20 oz.
Biscuit mix 26.9
lb.
Corn meal
13.0
— . lb.
Rice, short grain
18.5
—
•
lb.
Rice, long grain —
20.5
18 oz.
Rolled oats
21.1
12 oz.
Corn flakes
25.7
lb.
Bread, white
19.8
lb.
Soda crackers
—
29.0
- 7 oz.
Vanilla cooxiea
24.4
Meats, poultry, and fish*
lb.
Round steak
—
106.4
Chuck roast
lb.
63.2
lb.
Rib roast —
82.3
lb.
Hamburger
53-7
140.9
lb.
Veal cutlets
Pork chops, center cut
—
lb.
79-2
58.4
Bacon, sliced —
lb.
59-6
Ham, whole
lb.
Lamb, leg
lb.
73.9
Frankfurters
lb.
61.9
Luncheon meat, canned
12 oz.
50.8
Frying chickens, ready-to-cock
lb.
40.9
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen
lb.
47.5
Haddock, fillet, frozen
— lb.
56.5
Salmon, pink, canned —
•— 16 oz.
64.3
Tuna fish, canned
— 6 to 6i oz.
32.4
Dairy products:
— qt.
Milk, fresh, (grocery)
24.7
— qt,
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
25.9
gal.
Ice cream
87.6
— lb.
Butter
78.5
Cheese, American process
— lb.
58.5
Milk, evaporated
14*- z. can
15.5
Fruits and vegetables:
Frolent
26.5
Strawberries —
—
Orange juice concentrate
25.3
Feas, green
19-8
22.6
Beans, green —
Fresh i
13.2
Apples —
>—
— lb.
16.4
— lb.
Bananas — — — —
67.1
' do Z.
Oranges, size 200
~ lb. j 19 • 7
Lemons
• each | 12.5
Grapefruit *
•

1/

Priced only in season.

Not available.




November
i m
Cents
54.0

26.9
13.0
18.5
20.8
20.5
25.7

19.8

29.0
24.4

107.0
63.5
82.6
53.9
141.8

83.8
60.7

59.1
74.4
62.8
50.8
40.8
47.5
56.4

63.8

32.3
24.5

25.3

87-7
77-2
58.3
15.2

26.5
26.4
19-9
22.4
12.3
17.1
67.8
19.6
12.7

December
1959
Cents

Food and unit
Fre sh—Continued
Peaches *
Strawberries *
Grapes, seedless * •
Watermelons * •
Potatoes
Sweet potatoesOnions
Carrots
Lettuce
Celery
—
Cabbage -Tomatoes
Beans, green •
Canned:
Orange juice •
Peaches
Pineapple
Fruit cocktail
Corn, cream style
Peas, green
Tomatoes
Baby foods
Dried:
Prunes — —
Beans
Other foods at hone:
Tomato soup
Beans with pork
Pickles, sliced —
Catsup, tomato
Coffee
Coffee —
Tea bags
Cola drirJc, carton <
Shortening, hydrogenated
Margarine, colored
Lard
Salad dressing
Peanut butter Sugar
Corn syrup
—
Grape jelly
Chocolate bar
Eggs, Grade A, large
Gelatin, flavored

November
1959
Cents

lb.
-

Pt.

ib.
lb.
10 lb.
_ lb.
lb.
lb.

a/)

—

head

62.3
12.3
8.7
15.2

61.0
u.8
8.6

19.2

18.6

lb.
lb.
lb.
lb.

15.5

46-oz. can
#2^ can

49.7
33-9
37-2

#2
. #303
. #303
. #303
, #303
4^ to 5

can
can
can
can
can
oz.

lb.
lb.

12.1

34.3
31.9

26.9

19.0
19.7
15-1

10.1

39.5
16.7
12.5
14.9
26.4
22.4
76.4
58.1
24.3
29.4
85.0
27-6

18.6
36.8

— lb.
• 0 lb.
- 24 oz.
• 12 oz.

3 to 4 oz.

55-5
57-9

26.6

28.3
5-1
53.2
9-3

Labor D.C.

14.5
15.2
9.7

28.2

30.0
51.6

34.0
37.0
27.0
19-1
19.6
15.2
10.1

39.7

16.8

12.4
14.9

26.4
22.4
76.6
58.2
24.3
29.6
85.3
27-9
18.7
37.1
55.6
57.7
26.5
28.4
5.1
55.4
9.3

6A
TABLE A:

Consumer Price Index—United States city average: Special group
indexes, 1959 annual averages and percent changes from 1958
(1947-49 s 100 unless otherwise specified)

Group
Index
All items
All items less food
All items less shelter
CommoditiesNondurables
—
Food
Nondurables less food
Apparel
Apparel less footwear
Nondurables less food and apparel
Durables
New cars
Used cars (Jan. 1953=100)
Durables less carsCommodities less food
Services
Rent
Services less rent
Household operation, gas^and electricityTransportation services
Medical care services
Other services
Purchasing power of the consumer dollar
(1947-49 z $1.00)




1959 Average
Percent change
from 1958

124.6

0.9

127.9
122.2

1.9
.8
.3
- .4
- 1.7

116.6
118.1

118.3
118.3
107.8
102.9
127.3

1.2

.8
.1

1.4
2.3
4.3
11.7

113.0

139.6
93.8
103.3
115.1
1^5.8

139.7
147.5
134.8
I8O.3

-

.1

1.5
2.4
1.5
2.6
2.6
3.6

156.3

4.8

131.7

1.6

$0.80:

6B
TABLK B: Consumer Price Index—All items and ccranodity groupe
1959 annual average indexes and percent changes, 1958 to 1959
U.S. city average and 10 cities priced in December 1959
U.S.
City
Atlanta BaltiAverage
more

Oromp

Cincin- Detroit
Los
nati
Angeles

Chicago

New
York

PhilaSt.
delphia Louis

San
Francisco

Indexes (19^7^9-100)
All itens

125.4

126.8

128.1

123.1

123.6

127.4

122.8

124.5

126.3

130.0

118.3
115.9
13^.2
110.7
114.3
125.1
106.1

U5.7
114.0
125.2
112.6
113.0
128.4
100.4

118.0
114.5
128.5
110.1
117.1
120.4
105.2

115.8
113.1
128.7
103.6
115.6
122.4
llj.7

116.8
116.0
132.9
110.5
114.1
126.3
103.6

117-5
114.8
124.8
106.3
109.9
132.5
106.5

123.5
118.9
146.1
111.5
111.7
132.5
107.6

120.3
117.4
142.2
113.1
117.8
120.6
106.1

120.9
118.0
137.5
112.2
119.1
126.6
104.6

118.7
113.9
123.6
105.5
106.2
130.7
113.1

122.6
120.4
148.0
115.8
, 117.0
131.1
IO6.5

129.2
139-7
119-9
136.6
103.9
134.3

132.5
139-2
126.7
132.8
110.5
140.6

127.6
137.2
109.6'
134.0
99-4
134.3

139.1

L24.
143.5

127-2
144.4
126.5 117.6
127.0
146.3
96.2
109.4
136.4
122.6

136.3

123.O
104.9
131.1
108.1
136.3

127.9
148.2
108.2

132.3
149-7
147-4

158.9

102.6
124.4

126.5
130.6
117-7
140.2
104.1
134.2

105.0
137.1

107.8
123.1

107.9
IOC. 4
99o

109.1
107.4
104.2
135 • 5
97-9

111.1
114.3
100.2
13 J . <L

107 • l 105.5
108.4
107.5
98.2
95-5
i •c6
1.41.3
131
89.2
55.8

109.2
111.2
100.6
i if- 0
I30.u
84.8

106.6
106.3
96.6
IOC £
135.6
96.1

106.2
108.6
95-9
13? .7
y3-2

107.2
108.2
99-9
I.5I.0
92.5

109,2
109.0
100.7
141.5
90.9

160.6
139-2

1

19 7-6

143.0
131.3
191.4

138.4
132.6
168.4

142.4
133.5
163.0

146.8
128.0
191.4

153.4
133.4
192.6

161.4
136.1
237.1

165.8
153.1
183.5

157-9
135.1
124.2
122.5

153.4
129.6
110.3
128.2

157-6
134.1
115-7
135.9

147.2
134.4
102.6
128.5

140.1
123.9
120.6
131.1

154.7
137.4
123.7
130.1

168.2
130.7
98.2
132.1

154.2
125.9
117.8
128.1

1.6

1.4

1.1

1-3

2.0

.2
.6
2.5
- 2.8
1.5
2.2
- 4.5

- -5
- 1.4
2.2
- 2.2
1.7
- 2.3
- 4.9

- 1.8
- 2.4
1.6
- 3.2
.2
- 2.5
- 6.1

2.1
3-0
1-3
6.0
2.2
- .2
- 5.6

- .4
- l.l
2.5
- 2.3
1-3
.6
- 4.7

1.0

1.5

2.0
3.1

2.3

1.2
1.4
3.8
3-5
.4
1.2

2.5

__

1.8
2.8
2.2
•7

124.6

Food
Pood at hone
— Cereali and bakery products —
Meats, poultry, and fish — - —
Dairy products
Other foods at horn — —
lousing
Rent
—
Gag and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefornishings
Household operation

—
—
— —

92.3

U3.9
116.1
105.0
l4l. 7
93 0

Transportation —
Private
Public

146.3
135.2
193.9

145.3
137.0
192.0

Medical care — — —

150.8
131.2
118.6
129-7

142.6
136.2
120.7
133.5

Men's and boya'
Vonen's and girls'

—

—

Other apparel

—

—

Other goods and services

13^.6
130.7
l4o. 1

- -

129.4
141.6
101.6
136.8

; • >•

- -

133.2
- -

- -

Percent change from 1958 to 1959
0.9

0.7

- 1-7
- 2.4
.8
- 3.8
•7
- 1.6
- 5.6

- : .9
- 3.0
•9
- 4.5
- 1.2
•7
- 5.2

All lt«M
Food
rood at k«M
Cereals and bakery products —
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Otter foods at hose
Rent

Solid fuels and fuel oil
lousefuraishlngs
lousehold operation — — — — — —
Apparel
— — — — — — —
Men's aad boys' — — — — — —
Womb's and girls'
—
—
—
Other apparel —
Transportation
Private
Public

—

— —
—

—

.8
.2
.4
4.2
•3

-

.1
0
.8
2.1
0

2.4
3.1
.2
3-6
-3
3-3
6.3

- 1.3
- 1-7
3• 7
- 4.0
3-1
- i.k
- 5.7

2.0
2.0
H-. J
3-6

1.0

3-1
2.0
1.1
1.2
5.8

-

2.6

4.1
4.2
3-1

3.5
3-7
2.0

5.9
4.5
11.9

Medical care — — — — — — —
Bnraooal care — — — — — — — — — —

4-3
2.0
1.6
2.0

4.5
4.0
.7
.7

6.7
5.4
1.5
2.3




—

-

0.9

—

Other goods aad services

—

1.4
1.2
2.2
2.8
.5
2.4

1.2
1-5
2-5
1-3
0
2.2

— - —

-

1.6

0.7
- 2.7
- 3-7
.7
- 5-3
- 2.1
- 2.2
- 6.5
• ?

6.2
2.1
.4
1.2

3.6
2. 0
.2
1.6

1.2
.9
1-7
4.0
.6

•9

4.7
4.4
.4
.8

_
-

3-0
3.3
.6
5-0
1-3
3-2
6.3

- -5
- l.o
.6
.1
•5
1.6

1.2

1.9
.5
2.7

1.0
- 1.2
1.5
4.5
0

6.8
7.5
2.7

4.0
3.1
8.2

5.2
5-7
1-3

4.6
5-8
.6

2.6
.5
1.2
, 3.6

3.9
.2
1.5
0

4.5
1.2
- 1.1
3-7

6.1

-

3.6
4.2
1.0

-

- 0.1

-

4.7
.4

.4
•3
- .7
3.0
.2

1.6
1.5
3.6

__

1•5
- 1.7
- 1.1
3.0
1.0

-

3-5

3-1
1.1

1.6

.8
.1

.9
.3
.1
5.1
.4

.4
- .2
5.5
.6

•9
4.0
- 2.6

5-4
6.3
2.3

6.8
6.4
8.3

5-2
5.9
•5

6.0
2.5
3.9
1.2

5.3
1.2
1.4
2.8

4.0
1.9
.8
3.1

-

.

'.b