Full text of Consumer Price Index : May 1997 Consumer Price Index
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FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Patrick C. Jackman (202) 606-7000 USDL-97-200 CPI QUICKLINE: (202) 606-6994 TRANSMISSION OF MATERIAL IN FOR CURRENT AND HISTORICAL THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED INFORMATION: (202) 606-7828 UNTIL 8:30 A.M. (EDT) MEDIA CONTACT: (202) 606-5902 Tuesday, June 17, 1997 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://stats.bls.gov/cpihome.htm CONSUMER PRICE INDEX: MAY 1997 The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) declined 0.1 percent before seasonal adjustment in May to a level of 160.1 (198284=100), the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. For the 12-month period ended in May, the CPI-U increased 2.2 percent. The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) was unchanged in May, prior to seasonal adjustment. The May 1997 CPI-W level of 157.2 was 2.1 percent higher than the index in May 1996. CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U rose 0.1 percent in May, the same as in each of the preceding two months. The food index, which declined 0.2 percent in April, advanced 0.4 percent in May. Grocery store food prices rose 0.6 percent, reflecting a sharp turnaround in the index for fruits and vegetables. The energy index declined for the third consecutive month, down 2.4 percent in May. The index for petroleumbased energy fell 3.6 percent, and the index for energy services declined 1.3 percent. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U rose 0.2 percent, following an increase of 0.3 percent in April. The smaller advance in May reflects downturns in the indexes for airline fares and tobacco and smoking products and a deceleration in the index for apparel and upkeep. Table A. Percent changes in CPI for Urban Consumers (CPI-U) Seasonally adjusted UnCompound adjusted Expenditure Changes from preceding month annual rate 12-mos. Category 1996 1997 3-mos. ended ended Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May May `97 May `97 All Items .3 .3 .1 .3 .1 .1 .1 .8 2.2 Food and beverages .4 Housing .3 Apparel and upkeep .3 Transportation .3 Medical care .3 Entertainment .2 Other goods and services .4 Special Indexes: Energy 1.2 Food .4 All items less food and energy .2 .0 .2 .1 .6 .2 .3 -.2 .3 .4 -.2 .2 .0 .3 .3 .2 -.1 .2 .2 .0 .0 -.3 .1 .4 .2 -.2 .2 .9 -.4 .3 .1 .4 .1 .1 -.8 .3 .2 .8 1.3 3.1 -4.6 3.8 1.7 3.0 2.6 1.2 .0 3.0 2.1 .1 .4 .5 .5 .8 .2 5.9 4.2 1.5 .0 .8 -.3 .3 -1.7 -1.5 -2.4 .3 .0 -.2 .4 -20.5 .8 -2.7 3.0 .2 .1 2.9 2.5 .2 .2 .3 .2 For the first five months of 1997, the CPI-U advanced at a 1.4 percent seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). This compares with an increase of 3.3 percent in all of 1996. The food and energy components, which had accelerated in 1996 after acting as moderating influences throughout most of the preceding five years, were responsible for the slower rate thus far in 1997. The food index rose at a 0.6 percent SAAR thus far in 1997, following a 4.3 percent increase in 1996. The energy index, which increased 8.6 percent in 1996, declined at a 10.6 percent SAAR in the first five months of 1997. The CPI-U excluding food and energy advanced at a 2.6 percent SAAR in the first five months of 1997, the same rate as the 2.6 percent rise for all of 1996. The food and beverage index rose 0.4 percent in May. The index for grocery store food prices, which declined 0.4 percent in April, advanced 0.6 percent in May, reflecting a sharp upturn in the index for fruits and vegetables--up 1.8 percent in May after declining 3.4 percent in April. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, fruit and vegetable prices were, on average, unchanged.). The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs, which turned up in April, following declines in the first three months of 1997, rose 0.5 percent in May. The index for beef rose 1.1 percent in May after increasing 0.6 percent in April. The 0.2 percent decrease in the index for dairy products was the seventh consecutive month that this component failed to increase after registering increases totaling 8.5 percent in the preceding five-month period. The indexes for cereal and bakery products and for other food at home rose 0.3 and 0.1 percent, respectively. In the latter group, coffee prices continued to surge upwards-up 2.8 percent in May and 14.1 percent in the last three months. Declines in prices for prepared foods helped to mitigate this increase. The other two components of the food and beverage index--restaurant meals and alcoholic beverages-- increased 0.1 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively. The housing component rose 0.1 percent in May. Shelter costs increased 0.3 percent, the same as in April. In May, within shelter, renters' costs rose 0.2 percent; homeowners' costs, 0.3 percent; and maintenance and repair costs, 0.5 percent. The index for fuel and other utilities declined for the third consecutive month, down 0.6 percent in May. The index for household fuels fell 1.1 percent, reflecting declines in the indexes for natural gas, fuel oil, and electricity--down 2.9, 0.5, and 0.4 percent, respectively. Charges for natural gas have decreased 9.8 percent in the past three months after increasing 17.3 percent in the preceding 11-month period. The index for household furnishings and operation increased 0.4 percent in May; a 1.4 percent rise in the index for furniture and bedding was partially offset by declines in prices for most other housefurnishings and major appliances. The transportation component fell 0.8 percent in May, its fourth decline in five months this year. The index for gasoline declined 4.1 percent, its largest drop since a 4.6 percent decrease in March 1991. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices, which normally increase sharply at this time of year with the advent of the driving season, fell 0.2 percent.) New vehicle purchase costs also declined in May; the index for new vehicle prices fell 0.2 percent, and automobile finance charges decreased 2.5 percent. The May downturn in finance charges followed increases in each of the first four months of 1997 totaling 2.2 percent. The index for used cars declined 0.9 percent in May. Public transportation costs, which rose substantially in March and April, decelerated in May. The index for airline fares, which rose 4.5 and 1.2 percent in the two preceding months, reflecting, in part, the reimposition of the 10 percent federal tax on airline fares effective March 7, declined 1.3 percent in May. The index for apparel and upkeep, which increased 0.9 percent in April, rose 0.1 percent in May. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, apparel commodity prices fell 0.7 percent in May, largely reflecting seasonal price declines for women's and girls' clothing.) Medical care costs rose 0.3 percent in May to a level 3.0 percent above a year ago. The index for medical care commodities--prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and medical supplies--increased 0.4 percent. The index for medical care services rose 0.3 percent. Charges for professional services and hospital and related services increased 0.3 and 0.2 percent, respectively. Entertainment costs, which rose 0.1 percent in April, increased 0.2 percent in May. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, this index was unchanged as a 0.1 percent decline in entertainment commodities was offset by a 0.1 percent increase in entertainment services.) The index for other goods and services rose 0.2 percent in May, following an increase of 0.8 percent in April. The index for tobacco and smoking products, which rose 2.4 percent in April, declined 0.5 percent in May. CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers was unchanged in May. Table B. Percent changes in CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) Seasonally adjusted UnCompound adjusted Expenditure Changes from preceding month annual rate 12-mos. Category 1996 1997 3-mos. ended ended Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May May `97 May `97 All Items .3 .3 .1 .2 .1 .0 .0 .3 2.1 Food and beverages .4 .1 -.2 .2 .1 -.2 .4 1.0 3.1 Housing .3 .2 .3 .2 .1 .1 .1 1.3 2.5 Apparel and upkeep .3 .1 .4 .4 -.3 1.0 .2 3.4 1.1 Transportation .3 .6 .0 .0 -.1 -.6 -1.0 -6.4 -.4 Medical care .3 .2 .2 .2 .3 .3 .3 3.7 3.0 Entertainment .3 .3 .0 .1 .1 .1 .1 1.0 2.0 Other goods and services .4 .0 .6 .4 .5 1.0 .1 6.4 4.3 Special Indexes: Energy 1.4 1.5 .9 .3 -1.8 -1.9 -2.4 -21.9 -2.9 Food .3 .1 -.3 .3 .1 -.2 .3 .8 3.0 All items less food and energy .2 .2 .2 .2 .2 .3 .2 2.9 2.4 After seasonal adjustment, the level of the CPI-U for All Items was 160.1 in May; the seasonally adjusted CPI-W for All Items was 157.0. Beginning with January 1997 data, BLS is reporting the level of the seasonally adjusted U.S. City Average All Items CPI-U and CPI-W in this monthly news release. Effective with the release of January 1998 data in February 1998, the seasonally adjusted All Items indexes will be fully integrated into the releases, appearing in tables 2 and 5 and in the text where relevant. Like other seasonally adjusted CPI data, the All Items index levels are subject to revision for up to five years after their original release. For this reason, BLS advises against the use of these data in escalation agreements. Consumer Price Index data for June are scheduled for release on Wednesday, July 16, 1997, at 8:30 A.M. (EDT). A Note on Seasonally Adjusted and Unadjusted Data Because price data are used for different purposes by different groups, the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes seasonally adjusted as well as unadjusted changes each month. For analyzing general price trends in the economy, seasonally adjusted changes are usually preferred since they eliminate the effect of changes that normally occur at the same time and in about the same magnitude every year--such as price movements resulting from changing climatic conditions, production cycles, model changeovers, holidays, and sales. The unadjusted data are of primary interest to consumers concerned about the prices they actually pay. Unadjusted data also are used extensively for escalation purposes. Many collective bargaining contract agreements and pension plans, for example, tie compensation changes to the Consumer Price Index unadjusted for seasonal variation. Seasonal factors used in computing the seasonally adjusted indexes are derived by the X-11-ARIMA Seasonal Adjustment Method (1988). The updated seasonal data at the end of 1977 replaced data from 1967 through 1977. Subsequent annual updates have replaced 5 years of seasonal data, e.g., data from 1992 through 1996 were replaced at the end of 1996. The seasonal movement of all items and 47 other aggregations is derived by combining the seasonal movement of 60 selected components. Each year the seasonal status of every series is reevaluated based upon certain statistical criteria. If any of the 60 components change their seasonal adjustment status from seasonally adjusted to not seasonally adjusted, not seasonally adjusted data will be used for the last 5 years, but the seasonally adjusted indexes will be used before that period. Effective with the calculation of the seasonal factors for 1990, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has used an enhanced seasonal adjustment procedure called Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment for some CPI series. Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment allows for better estimates of seasonally adjusted data. Extreme values and/or sharp movements which might distort the seasonal pattern are estimated and removed from the data prior to calculation of seasonal factors. Beginning with the calculation of seasonal factors for 1996, X-12-ARIMA software was used for Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment. For the fuel oil and the motor fuels indexes, this procedure was used to offset the effects that extreme price volatility would otherwise have had on the estimates of seasonally adjusted data for those series. For some women's apparel indexes and the girls' apparel index, the procedure was used to offset the effects of changes in pricing methodology. For the tobacco and smoking products index, this procedure was used to offset the effects of increases in excise taxes and wholesale tobacco prices. For some alcoholic beverage series, Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment was used to offset the effects of excise tax increases. For the nonalcoholic beverages index, the procedure was used to offset the effects of a large increase in coffee prices due to adverse weather. For the water and sewerage maintenance index, the procedure was used to account for a data collection anomaly. A description of Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment, as well as a list of unusual events modeled and seasonal factors for these items, may be obtained by writing the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Consumer Prices and Price Indexes, Washington, DC 20212 or by calling Claire McAnaw Gallagher on (202) 606-6968. Table 1. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Relative Unadjusted indexes importance, December Apr. May 1996 1997 1997 Unadjusted percent change to May 1997 fromMay 1996 Apr. 1997 Seasonally adjusted percent change fromFeb. to Mar. to Apr. to Mar. Apr. May Expenditure category All items .................................. All items (1967=100) ....................... 100.000 - 160.2 479.7 160.1 479.6 2.2 - -0.1 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.1 - Food and beverages ....................... Food ................................... Food at home ......................... Cereals and bakery products ........ Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..... Dairy products 1/ .................. Fruits and vegetables 2/ ........... Other food at home ................. Sugar and sweets ................. Fats and oils .................... Nonalcoholic beverages ........... Other prepared food .............. Food away from home .................. Alcoholic beverages .................... 17.484 15.913 10.040 1.479 3.002 1.245 1.974 2.340 .331 .246 .724 1.039 5.873 1.571 157.1 156.6 157.5 176.9 147.7 145.7 186.4 146.9 147.9 142.4 131.9 161.1 156.2 162.3 157.1 156.6 157.5 176.9 147.7 145.4 186.4 147.1 147.9 142.0 133.4 160.4 156.3 162.8 3.0 3.0 3.2 1.9 4.6 5.7 1.2 2.9 3.1 1.4 3.2 3.1 2.8 2.8 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0 -.2 .0 .1 .0 -.3 1.1 -.4 .1 .3 .0 .0 -.2 .3 -.9 -.1 .1 .1 -.6 -.1 1.3 -.4 .3 -.1 -.2 -.2 -.4 -.4 .4 -.3 -3.4 1.0 1.1 .0 1.9 .5 .1 .1 .4 .4 .6 .3 .5 -.2 1.8 .1 -.1 -.1 1.4 -.4 .1 .3 Housing 2/ ............................... Shelter ................................ Renters' costs 3/ 4/.................. Rent, residential .................. Other renters' costs 4/ ............ Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/............... Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ......... Household insurance 3/ 4/ .......... Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ........ Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/ ................. Maintenance and repair commodities 1/ 4/ .............. Fuel and other utilities 2/ ............ Fuels ................................ Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities .................... 41.203 28.194 7.994 5.731 2.263 20.000 19.616 .383 .200 155.8 175.3 186.3 165.5 228.0 180.2 180.5 163.8 142.5 155.9 175.3 185.3 165.9 222.9 180.6 180.9 164.5 143.2 2.6 3.1 3.6 2.9 5.2 2.8 2.8 3.1 3.2 .1 .0 -.5 .2 -2.2 .2 .2 .4 .5 .0 .2 .3 .3 .3 .2 .1 -.5 .1 .2 .3 .3 .2 .4 .3 .3 .4 .1 .1 .3 .2 .4 -.3 .3 .3 .5 .5 .123 148.9 149.9 3.6 .7 .0 .3 .7 .077 7.102 3.878 133.6 128.9 115.3 134.1 129.0 115.3 2.4 1.8 1.1 .4 .1 .0 .3 -.8 -1.5 -.5 -.2 -.8 .4 -.6 -1.1 .424 102.1 100.4 .8 -1.7 -3.3 -2.1 -.4 Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)....................... Other utilities and public services 4/ ...................... Household furnishings and operation 2/ . Housefurnishings 4/ .................. Housekeeping supplies ................ Housekeeping services 4/ ............. 3.453 121.7 121.9 1.1 .2 -1.3 -.6 -1.3 3.224 5.908 3.332 1.093 1.482 160.8 125.5 111.1 143.3 151.1 161.1 125.8 111.5 143.0 151.3 2.7 1.1 .3 1.4 2.7 .2 .2 .4 -.2 .1 .1 .0 -.3 .0 .5 .2 .1 -.2 .4 .4 .1 .4 .7 -.1 .1 Apparel and upkeep ....................... Apparel commodities 4/ ................. Men's and boys' apparel .............. Women's and girls' apparel............ Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ .... Footwear ............................. Other apparel commodities 4/.......... Apparel services 1/ 4/ ................. 5.330 4.786 1.280 2.102 .186 .718 .500 .545 136.1 132.7 131.4 131.9 133.7 129.3 148.1 162.6 135.3 131.8 132.0 129.9 133.8 129.1 146.0 162.9 1.2 1.1 1.9 1.7 2.6 .6 -3.8 2.2 -.6 -.7 .5 -1.5 .1 -.2 -1.4 .2 -.3 -.4 -.2 -.6 2.0 -.4 -.3 .1 .9 1.1 1.8 .8 3.1 1.2 -.7 .1 .1 .2 .2 .6 .1 -.3 -.6 .2 Transportation ........................... Private transportation ................. New vehicles ......................... New cars ........................... Used cars ............................ Motor fuel ........................... Gasoline ........................... Maintenance and repairs .............. Other private transportation 4/....... Other private transportation commodities 4/.................. Other private transportation services 4/ .................... Public transportation .................. 17.140 15.499 4.955 3.952 1.278 3.171 1.533 4.562 144.8 141.3 145.2 142.6 154.3 106.0 105.4 161.9 177.3 144.4 141.0 144.6 142.1 153.9 105.7 105.2 162.2 177.0 .0 -.5 .8 .6 -2.3 -7.0 -7.1 3.0 2.3 -.3 -.2 -.4 -.4 -.3 -.3 -.2 .2 -.2 .1 -.2 .1 .1 1.2 -2.1 -2.1 .2 .3 -.4 -.6 .0 .0 -1.6 -2.5 -2.6 .2 .2 -.8 -.9 -.2 -.1 -.9 -4.0 -4.1 .2 .0 .589 104.7 104.7 -.2 .0 -.3 -.1 .1 3.973 1.642 194.5 189.8 194.2 188.1 2.7 4.4 -.2 -.9 .4 2.2 .2 1.2 .1 .2 Medical care ............................. Medical care commodities ............... Medical care services .................. Professional medical services ........ 7.346 1.273 6.073 3.472 233.8 215.2 238.1 214.7 234.2 215.6 238.5 215.2 3.0 2.8 3.0 3.6 .2 .2 .2 .2 .4 .5 .3 .5 .3 .2 .3 .3 .3 .4 .3 .3 Entertainment 4/ ......................... Entertainment commodities 4/ ........... Entertainment services 4/ .............. 4.352 1.957 2.395 162.2 144.1 183.3 162.2 143.9 183.5 2.1 .8 3.3 .0 -.1 .1 .2 .0 .3 .1 -.2 .3 .2 -.1 .3 Other goods and services 2/ .............. Tobacco and smoking products ........... Personal care 1/ ....................... 7.145 1.601 1.145 222.7 243.2 152.7 223.1 243.8 152.6 4.2 4.6 1.5 .2 .2 -.1 .5 .4 .2 .8 2.4 .6 .2 -.5 -.1 Toilet goods and personal care appliances 1/ .................... Personal care services 1/ ............ Personal and educational expenses 4/ ... School books and supplies ............ Personal and educational services 4/ . .588 .557 4.398 .264 4.134 144.5 162.0 256.0 235.8 257.7 144.1 162.3 256.6 235.9 258.3 -.8 4.2 4.8 5.0 4.7 -.3 .2 .2 .0 .2 .2 .3 .5 .3 .5 .6 .5 .3 .5 .3 -.3 .2 .5 .6 .5 Table 1. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) - Continued Relative Unadjusted indexes importance, December Apr. May 1996 1997 1997 Unadjusted percent change to May 1997 fromMay 1996 Apr. 1997 Seasonally adjusted percent change fromFeb. to Mar. to Apr. to Mar. Apr. May Commodity and service group All items .................................. Commodities .............................. Food and beverages ..................... Commodities less food and beverages .... Nondurables less food and beverages .. Apparel commodities 4/ ............. Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .................... Durables ............................. Services ................................. Rent of shelter 3/ ..................... Household services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/....................... Transportation services ................ Medical care services .................. Other services ......................... 100.000 42.873 17.484 25.389 15.147 4.786 160.2 142.3 157.1 133.2 135.8 132.7 160.1 142.1 157.1 132.9 135.4 131.8 2.2 1.2 3.0 -.1 -.1 1.1 -.1 -.1 .0 -.2 -.3 -.7 .1 -.2 .0 -.3 -.8 -.4 .1 -.1 -.2 .0 .1 1.1 .1 -.1 .4 -.5 -.7 .2 10.362 10.242 57.127 27.577 140.6 129.6 178.3 182.4 140.4 129.4 178.4 182.4 -.7 .1 3.1 3.1 -.1 -.2 .1 .0 -.6 .0 .2 .3 -.4 -.2 .3 .3 -1.1 .0 .2 .3 8.698 7.148 6.073 7.631 143.7 185.4 238.1 207.7 144.0 184.9 238.5 208.0 2.1 3.1 3.0 4.1 .2 -.3 .2 .1 -.3 .8 .3 .4 -.1 .4 .3 .3 -.3 .1 .3 .4 84.087 71.806 80.000 160.8 155.8 161.2 160.7 155.7 161.1 2.1 1.9 2.1 -.1 -.1 -.1 .1 .0 .1 .2 .0 .1 -.1 .0 -.1 Special indexes All items less food ........................ All items less shelter ..................... All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/...... All items less medical care ................ Commodities less food ...................... Nondurables less food ...................... Nondurables less food and apparel .......... Nondurables ................................ Services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/ ........ Services less medical care services ........ Energy ..................................... All items less energy ...................... All items less food and energy ........... Commodities less food and energy commodities ................. Energy commodities ................... Services less energy services .......... Purchasing power of the consumer dollar: 1982-84=$1.00 1/ ......................... 1967=$1.00 1/ ............................ 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ NOTE: 92.654 26.960 16.718 11.932 32.631 29.550 51.054 7.049 92.951 77.038 156.0 134.4 137.4 141.7 146.6 186.8 172.8 110.0 166.8 169.4 155.9 134.1 137.0 141.7 146.4 186.9 172.8 109.9 166.8 169.3 2.2 .1 .1 -.2 1.5 3.0 3.0 -2.7 2.6 2.5 -.1 -.2 -.3 .0 -.1 .1 .0 -.1 .0 -.1 .0 -.2 -.7 -.7 -.4 .3 .3 -1.7 .2 .2 .1 -.1 .1 -.4 -.1 .3 .2 -1.5 .2 .3 .0 -.4 -.4 -1.0 -.2 .1 .1 -2.4 .2 .2 23.364 3.596 53.674 143.5 105.8 184.1 143.3 105.3 184.1 1.1 -6.2 3.2 -.1 -.5 .0 .1 -2.2 .3 .3 -2.4 .3 .1 -3.6 .3 - $.624 .208 $.625 .209 -2.2 - .2 - -.2 - -.2 - - .2 Not seasonally adjusted. This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998. Indexes on a December 1982=100 base. This index series will no longer appear in its present form after December, 1997. See Table X for a comparable index series. Data not available. Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date. Table 2. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): Seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Seasonally adjusted indexes Feb. 1997 Mar. 1997 Apr. 1997 May 1997 Aug. 1996 Seasonally adjusted annual rate percent change for 3 months ended6 months endedNov. Feb. May Nov. May 1996 1997 1997 1996 1997 Expenditure category All items .................................... Food and beverages ......................... Food ..................................... 156.8 156.5 156.8 156.5 156.5 156.2 157.1 156.8 2.3 3.6 2.5 0.8 3.0 1.6 5.9 6.2 5.3 5.3 .5 .3 .8 .8 5.6 5.7 .6 .5 Food at home ........................... Cereals and bakery products .......... Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ....... Dairy products 1/ .................... Fruits and vegetables 2/.............. Other food at home ................... Sugar and sweets ................... Fats and oils ...................... Nonalcoholic beverages ............. Other prepared food ................ Food away from home .................... Alcoholic beverages ...................... 157.5 176.4 148.4 146.2 187.7 144.8 146.9 142.1 127.3 160.6 155.6 161.8 157.2 177.0 147.1 146.1 187.8 145.0 146.0 142.0 129.0 160.0 156.0 161.6 156.5 176.3 147.7 145.7 181.5 146.5 147.6 142.0 131.5 160.8 156.2 161.8 157.4 176.9 148.5 145.4 184.7 146.7 147.4 141.8 133.3 160.1 156.3 162.3 8.4 2.1 11.4 22.0 7.7 1.7 4.0 3.5 -.6 2.3 2.9 3.1 6.0 4.4 7.0 13.6 6.4 2.5 2.2 2.3 -4.3 7.6 4.0 3.8 -.8 .2 .0 -8.1 -2.1 2.2 4.8 .8 -.6 3.8 2.6 3.0 -.3 1.1 .3 -2.2 -6.2 5.4 1.4 -.8 20.2 -1.2 1.8 1.2 7.2 3.3 9.2 17.7 7.0 2.1 3.1 2.9 -2.5 5.0 3.5 3.4 -.5 .7 .1 -5.2 -4.2 3.8 3.1 .0 9.3 1.3 2.2 2.1 Housing 2/ ................................. Shelter .................................. Renters' costs 3/ 4/.................... Rent, residential .................... Other renters' costs 4/ .............. Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/ ................ Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ........... Household insurance 3/ 4/ ............ Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ .......... Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/ Maintenance and repair commodities 1/ 4/ ................ Fuel and other utilities 2/............... Fuels .................................. Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities ...................... Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)......................... Other utilities and public services 4/ . Household furnishings and operation 2/ ... Housefurnishings 4/ .................... Housekeeping supplies .................. Housekeeping services 4/ ............... 155.6 174.0 183.4 164.6 223.1 179.5 179.9 164.3 142.3 148.4 155.6 174.3 183.9 165.1 223.7 179.8 180.1 163.5 142.4 148.4 155.9 174.9 184.5 165.5 224.6 180.4 180.7 164.2 142.5 148.9 156.1 175.4 184.8 166.1 224.0 180.9 181.3 165.0 143.2 149.9 2.7 3.1 3.9 2.8 6.7 2.8 2.8 4.6 2.6 6.8 3.2 2.8 3.1 2.7 3.9 2.7 2.7 7.1 4.1 1.4 3.1 3.3 4.3 2.5 8.9 2.7 2.9 -.5 3.4 2.2 1.3 3.3 3.1 3.7 1.6 3.2 3.1 1.7 2.6 4.1 2.9 3.0 3.5 2.7 5.3 2.7 2.7 5.8 3.3 4.0 2.2 3.3 3.7 3.1 5.2 2.9 3.0 .6 3.0 3.1 133.9 131.6 119.4 134.3 130.5 117.6 133.6 130.2 116.7 134.1 129.4 115.4 -3.9 2.9 2.1 8.6 5.1 7.2 4.9 6.3 9.6 .6 -6.5 -12.7 2.2 4.0 4.6 2.7 -.3 -2.2 106.1 102.6 100.4 100.0 -14.5 54.7 -1.1 -21.1 15.0 -11.7 126.2 160.0 125.1 111.2 142.5 149.7 124.6 160.2 125.1 110.9 142.5 150.5 123.9 160.6 125.2 110.7 143.0 151.1 122.3 160.8 125.7 111.5 142.9 151.3 4.0 3.4 1.3 .0 .9 3.9 3.0 3.3 1.0 .0 1.4 3.3 10.5 2.0 .3 .0 2.3 -.5 -11.8 2.0 1.9 1.1 1.1 4.3 3.5 3.3 1.1 .0 1.1 3.6 -1.3 2.0 1.1 .5 1.7 1.9 Apparel and upkeep ......................... Apparel commodities 4/ ................... Men's and boys' apparel ................ Women's and girls' apparel ............. Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ...... Footwear ............................... Other apparel commodities 4/............ Apparel services 1/ 4/ ................... 132.6 128.8 128.3 126.6 127.2 126.7 147.9 162.2 132.2 128.3 128.0 125.8 129.7 126.2 147.5 162.4 133.4 129.7 130.3 126.8 133.7 127.7 146.5 162.6 133.6 129.9 130.5 127.5 133.8 127.3 145.6 162.9 -5.3 -6.1 -.6 -10.4 -15.3 .0 -6.5 2.3 4.4 4.8 3.5 6.7 5.2 1.6 2.2 1.5 2.8 2.5 -1.5 8.7 1.6 -.9 -4.2 3.3 3.1 3.5 7.0 2.9 22.4 1.9 -6.1 1.7 -.6 -.8 1.4 -2.2 -5.6 .8 -2.2 1.9 2.9 3.0 2.7 5.7 11.5 .5 -5.1 2.5 Transportation ............................. Private transportation ................... New vehicles ........................... New cars ............................. Used cars .............................. Motor fuel ............................. Gasoline ............................. Maintenance and repairs ................ Other private transportation 4/......... Other private transportation commodities 4/.................... Other private transportation services 4/ ...................... Public transportation .................... 145.3 142.7 144.4 141.9 155.8 111.8 111.3 161.2 176.1 145.4 142.4 144.6 142.0 157.7 109.5 109.0 161.5 176.7 144.8 141.6 144.6 142.0 155.1 106.8 106.2 161.9 177.0 143.6 140.3 144.3 141.8 153.7 102.5 101.8 162.2 177.0 -1.4 -2.0 2.5 3.2 -3.3 -17.6 -17.3 3.1 4.0 4.8 3.8 1.4 .3 -1.3 13.6 12.8 4.1 1.4 1.4 3.4 -.6 -.6 .5 13.1 13.6 2.3 1.8 -4.6 -6.6 -.3 -.3 -5.3 -29.3 -30.0 2.5 2.1 1.7 .9 2.0 1.7 -2.3 -3.2 -3.4 3.6 2.7 -1.7 -1.7 -.4 -.4 -2.4 -10.6 -10.8 2.4 1.9 105.1 104.8 104.7 104.8 .0 .4 .0 -1.1 .2 -.6 193.1 181.9 193.9 185.9 194.3 188.1 194.4 188.4 4.5 4.5 1.7 13.8 2.1 -13.3 2.7 15.1 3.1 9.1 2.4 -.1 Medical care ............................... Medical care commodities ................. Medical care services .................... Professional medical services .......... Entertainment 4/ ........................... Entertainment commodities 4/ ............. Entertainment services 4/ ................ 232.3 213.5 236.4 212.7 161.4 144.2 181.6 233.2 214.5 237.2 213.7 161.7 144.2 182.1 233.8 215.0 237.9 214.4 161.8 143.9 182.7 234.5 215.8 238.5 215.0 162.1 143.8 183.3 2.8 2.5 3.0 3.5 2.3 2.0 2.7 3.0 1.9 3.1 3.9 2.5 1.7 3.4 2.3 2.7 2.2 2.9 2.0 .6 3.1 3.8 4.4 3.6 4.4 1.7 -1.1 3.8 2.9 2.2 3.0 3.7 2.4 1.8 3.1 3.1 3.5 2.9 3.6 1.9 -.3 3.5 Other goods and services 2/................. Tobacco and smoking products ............. Personal care 1/ ......................... Toilet goods and personal care appliances 1/ ...................... Personal care services 1/ .............. Personal and educational expenses 4/ ..... School books and supplies .............. Personal and educational services 4/ ... 221.3 237.6 151.5 222.3 238.5 151.8 224.1 244.2 152.7 224.5 242.9 152.6 3.6 1.6 .5 3.4 5.1 1.9 3.9 2.7 .8 5.9 9.2 2.9 3.5 3.3 1.2 4.9 5.9 1.9 143.3 160.7 255.0 233.2 256.5 143.6 161.2 256.3 234.0 257.8 144.5 162.0 257.0 235.1 258.5 144.1 162.3 258.4 236.6 259.9 -.8 1.8 5.1 6.0 5.1 -.8 5.5 3.2 5.0 3.1 -3.8 5.4 5.3 3.0 5.5 2.3 4.0 5.4 6.0 5.4 -.8 3.6 4.2 5.5 4.1 -.8 4.7 5.4 4.5 5.4 Table 2. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): Seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group - Continued (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Seasonally adjusted indexes Feb. 1997 Mar. 1997 Apr. 1997 May 1997 Aug. 1996 Seasonally adjusted annual rate percent change for 3 months ended6 months endedNov. Feb. May Nov. May 1996 1997 1997 1996 1997 Commodity and service group All items .................................... Commodities ................................ Food and beverages ....................... Commodities less food and beverages ...... Nondurables less food and beverages .... Apparel commodities 4/ ............... Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel ...................... Durables ............................... Services ................................... Rent of shelter 3/ ....................... Household services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/...................... Transportation services .................. Medical care services .................... Other services ........................... 142.1 156.8 133.1 135.7 128.8 141.8 156.8 132.7 134.6 128.3 141.7 156.5 132.7 134.8 129.7 141.5 157.1 132.0 133.9 129.9 2.3 .3 5.9 -3.3 -5.8 -6.1 3.6 4.7 5.3 4.3 6.8 4.8 2.5 1.7 .5 2.1 4.2 2.5 .8 -1.7 .8 -3.3 -5.2 3.5 3.0 2.4 5.6 .5 .3 -.8 1.6 .0 .6 -.6 -.6 3.0 142.3 129.6 177.6 181.3 141.4 129.6 178.0 181.8 140.8 129.3 178.5 182.3 139.3 129.3 178.8 182.8 -6.4 .6 3.3 3.2 6.5 .6 3.2 2.7 6.1 .0 3.0 3.1 -8.2 -.9 2.7 3.4 -.1 .6 3.3 3.0 -1.3 -.5 2.9 3.2 145.7 182.7 236.4 206.9 145.2 184.1 237.2 207.8 145.0 184.9 237.9 208.4 144.6 185.0 238.5 209.3 3.4 4.1 3.0 3.8 3.4 4.9 3.1 3.4 4.8 -1.5 2.2 4.4 -3.0 5.1 3.6 4.7 3.4 4.5 3.0 3.6 .8 1.8 2.9 4.5 160.2 155.5 160.8 155.5 134.4 137.1 143.1 146.5 186.2 172.0 114.9 165.9 168.3 160.3 155.5 160.9 155.5 134.1 136.2 142.1 145.9 186.7 172.5 112.9 166.2 168.7 160.6 155.5 161.0 155.7 134.0 136.3 141.5 145.7 187.2 172.9 111.2 166.6 169.2 160.5 155.5 160.9 155.7 133.4 135.7 140.1 145.4 187.3 173.1 108.5 167.0 169.5 1.5 1.8 2.0 2.1 -2.7 -5.2 -2.8 1.1 3.6 3.4 -7.3 2.7 2.2 3.3 4.0 3.8 3.7 4.0 6.8 7.1 5.4 3.8 3.3 10.3 3.5 2.9 2.8 2.1 2.3 2.6 2.4 3.9 3.7 2.8 2.4 2.8 10.8 1.7 2.2 .8 .0 .2 .5 -2.9 -4.0 -8.1 -3.0 2.4 2.6 -20.5 2.7 2.9 2.4 2.9 2.9 2.9 .6 .6 2.0 3.2 3.7 3.4 1.1 3.1 2.6 1.8 1.0 1.3 1.6 -.3 -.1 -2.4 -.1 2.4 2.7 -6.2 2.2 2.5 142.2 111.3 142.3 108.8 142.7 106.2 142.8 102.4 -.3 -17.4 2.0 17.6 1.1 11.5 1.7 -28.3 .9 -1.5 1.4 -10.6 Special indexes All items less food .......................... All items less shelter ....................... All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/........ All items less medical care .................. Commodities less food ........................ Nondurables less food ........................ Nondurables less food and apparel ............ Nondurables .................................. Services less rent of shelter 3/ ............. Services less medical care services .......... Energy ....................................... All items less energy ........................ All items less food and energy ............. Commodities less food and energy commodities .......................... Energy commodities ..................... Services less energy services ............ 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ NOTE: 182.9 183.4 184.0 184.5 3.4 3.1 2.7 3.5 3.3 3.1 Not seasonally adjusted. This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998. Indexes on a December 1982=100 base. This index series will no longer appear in its present form after December, 1997. See Table X for a comparable index series. Data not available. Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date. Table 3. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Selected areas, all items index (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Indexes Percent change to May 1997 fromMay Mar. Apr. 1996 1997 1997 Percent change to Apr. 1997 fromApr. Feb. Mar. 1996 1997 1997 Area Pricing schedule 1/ U.S. city average ...................... M 159.6 160.0 160.2 160.1 2.2 0.1 -0.1 2.5 0.4 0.1 Northeast urban......................... Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ Size B - 500,000 to 1,200,000 3/..... Size C - 50,000 to 500,000 3/........ M M M M 166.9 167.7 164.2 165.3 167.3 168.1 164.8 165.6 167.1 167.7 165.4 165.6 166.8 167.5 164.7 165.2 2.3 2.4 2.3 2.7 -.3 -.4 -.1 -.2 -.2 -.1 -.4 -.2 2.6 2.5 3.0 2.7 .1 .0 .7 .2 -.1 -.2 .4 .0 North Central urban .................... Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ Size B - 360,000 to 1,200,000 3/..... Size C - 50,000 to 360,000 3/........ Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... M M M M 155.9 156.5 154.4 158.3 155.9 156.6 154.6 158.1 156.1 156.9 154.8 158.2 156.3 157.0 155.4 158.3 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.3 .3 .3 .5 .1 .1 .1 .4 .1 2.5 2.6 2.4 2.8 .1 .3 .3 -.1 .1 .2 .1 .1 M 152.1 152.1 152.1 152.2 2.0 .1 .1 2.1 .0 .0 South urban Size A Size B Size C Size D - M M M M 156.1 155.2 158.9 155.6 156.5 155.4 159.7 155.7 156.7 155.7 159.8 156.0 156.6 155.5 159.7 156.1 2.0 1.8 2.4 1.9 .1 .1 .0 .3 -.1 -.1 -.1 .1 2.3 2.2 2.7 1.9 .4 .3 .6 .3 .1 .2 .1 .2 M 155.5 156.0 156.1 156.0 2.0 .0 -.1 2.4 .4 .1 Feb. 1997 Mar. 1997 Apr. 1997 May 1997 Region and area size 2/ ............................ More than 1,200,000 ........ 450,000 to 1,200,000 3/..... 50,000 to 450,000 3/........ Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... West urban ............................. Size A - More than 1,250,000 ........ Size C - 50,000 to 330,000 3/........ M M M 160.1 160.1 165.4 160.8 160.9 166.3 161.1 161.2 166.5 161.1 161.1 166.5 2.2 2.2 2.5 .2 .1 .1 .0 -.1 .0 2.5 2.5 2.7 .6 .7 .7 .2 .2 .1 Size classes A 4/ ................................. B 3/ ................................. C 3/ ................................. D .................................... M M M M 144.1 159.5 159.6 156.2 144.4 160.1 159.8 156.4 144.5 160.4 160.0 156.5 144.5 160.4 160.0 156.4 2.3 2.4 2.3 1.9 .1 .2 .1 .0 .0 .0 .0 -.1 2.4 2.8 2.4 2.3 .3 .6 .3 .2 .1 .2 .1 .1 Selected local areas Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI...... Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ...... N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton, PA-NJ-DE-MD 5/ ......................... San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA 5/ .. M M M 161.1 159.2 170.1 161.0 159.8 170.7 160.9 159.9 170.2 161.1 159.5 169.9 2.7 1.3 2.1 .1 -.2 -.5 .1 -.3 -.2 2.9 1.4 2.5 -.1 .4 .1 -.1 .1 -.3 M M 165.8 157.9 166.1 159.2 166.0 159.6 166.0 159.8 2.6 3.0 -.1 .4 .0 .1 2.4 3.7 .1 1.1 -.1 .3 Baltimore, MD 6/ ....................... Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ........... Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH ............. Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL .............. St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL 7/ ..... Washington, DC-MD-VA 6/ ................ 1 1 1 1 1 1 155.5 166.7 155.6 157.9 152.1 162.1 1.0 3.0 2.5 3.5 2.7 1.9 -1.0 -.8 .1 -.4 -.1 .1 - Dallas-Fort Worth, TX .................. Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI .................. Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX ......... Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA 7/ ........ 2 2 2 2 - - 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 150.7 155.4 144.5 156.2 157.1 168.1 155.4 158.5 152.2 161.9 - 150.6 156.0 145.2 156.6 - - Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all areas; most other goods indicated: M - Every month. 1 - January, March, May, July, September, and November. 2 - February, April, June, August, October, and December. Regions defined as the four Census regions. See map in technical notes. Starting in January, 1998, a new Size Class B/C will be introduced, composed of current Size Class B and Size Class C cities. There will be no individual Size Class B or Size Indexes on a December 1986=100 base. Indexes for the cities of Philadelphia and San Francisco will no longer be published on basis starting in January, 1998. Beginning in February, 1998 they will be published on bi-monthly basis. 1.4 2.4 1.5 2.5 and services priced as Class C. a monthly a - -.1 .4 .5 .3 - 6/ 7/ NOTE: Indexes for the cities of Washington and Baltimore will no longer be published separately after December, 1997. Beginning in January, 1998 the two cities will be published as a Washington-Baltimore combined metropolitan area. Indexes for the cities of Pittsburgh and St. Louis will no longer be published on a bi-monthly basis after December, 1997. Beginning in July, 1998 they will be published semi-annually, each January and July. Data not available. Local area CPI indexes are byproducts of the national CPI program. Each local index has a smaller sample size than the national index and is, therefore, subject to substantially more sampling and other measurement error. As a result, local area indexes show greater volatility than the national index, although their long-term trends are similar. Therefore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics strongly urges users to consider adopting the national average CPI for use in their escalator clauses. Table 4. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Relative Unadjusted indexes importance, December Apr. May 1996 1997 1997 Unadjusted percent change to May 1997 fromMay 1996 Apr. 1997 Seasonally adjusted percent change fromFeb. to Mar. to Apr. to Mar. Apr. May Expenditure category All items .................................. All items (1967=100) ....................... 100.000 - 157.2 468.3 157.2 468.3 2.1 - 0.0 - 0.1 - 0.0 - 0.0 - Food and beverages ....................... Food ................................... Food at home ......................... Cereals and bakery products ........ Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..... Dairy products 1/ .................. Fruits and vegetables 2/ ........... Other food at home ................. Sugar and sweets ................. Fats and oils .................... Nonalcoholic beverages ........... Other prepared food .............. Food away from home .................. Alcoholic beverages .................... 19.436 17.749 11.387 1.688 3.535 1.387 2.086 2.691 .373 .282 .841 1.194 6.362 1.687 156.5 156.1 156.6 176.6 147.3 145.4 185.2 146.4 147.9 142.1 131.1 161.0 156.2 161.7 156.6 156.1 156.6 176.7 147.4 145.1 185.4 146.6 147.9 141.7 132.4 160.3 156.2 162.2 3.1 3.0 3.2 2.0 4.7 5.6 1.0 2.9 3.1 1.4 2.8 3.2 2.8 2.9 .1 .0 .0 .1 .1 -.2 .1 .1 .0 -.3 1.0 -.4 .0 .3 .1 .1 -.1 .4 -.8 -.1 .3 .1 -.7 .1 1.1 -.5 .3 .1 -.2 -.2 -.3 -.4 .5 -.3 -3.3 1.0 1.2 -.1 1.8 .7 .0 .0 .4 .3 .5 .4 .5 -.2 1.7 .2 -.1 -.1 1.2 -.4 .0 .4 Housing 2/ ............................... 38.747 152.4 152.6 2.5 .1 .1 .1 .1 Shelter ................................ Renters' costs 3/ 4/.................. Rent, residential .................. Other renters' costs 4/ ............ Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/............... Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ......... Household insurance 3/ 4/ .......... Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ........ Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/ ................. Maintenance and repair commodities 1/ 4/ .............. Fuel and other utilities 2/ ............ Fuels ................................ Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities .................... Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)....................... Other utilities and public services 4/ ...................... Household furnishings and operation 2/ . Housefurnishings 4/ .................. Housekeeping supplies ................ Housekeeping services 4/ ............. 25.867 8.079 6.580 1.499 17.599 17.277 .322 .189 170.1 161.8 165.2 226.9 164.3 164.6 148.5 141.0 170.3 161.6 165.6 222.9 164.6 164.9 149.1 141.7 3.0 3.3 2.9 5.1 2.8 2.8 2.1 3.1 .1 -.1 .2 -1.8 .2 .2 .4 .5 .2 .3 .2 .3 .2 .2 -.3 .1 .3 .4 .3 .7 .2 .2 .4 .1 .3 .3 .3 .2 .2 .3 .3 .5 .105 150.9 151.9 3.5 .7 .0 .4 .7 .084 7.344 3.979 128.2 128.6 114.7 128.6 128.7 114.7 2.5 1.9 1.1 .3 .1 .0 .3 -.8 -1.4 -.4 -.4 -.9 .3 -.5 -1.1 .391 101.7 100.0 .9 -1.7 -3.5 -2.2 -.4 3.588 121.2 121.5 1.3 .2 -1.2 -.8 -1.2 3.365 5.536 3.261 1.129 1.145 161.5 124.0 109.7 143.9 153.7 161.8 124.3 110.2 143.7 153.9 2.7 1.1 .4 1.7 2.5 .2 .2 .5 -.1 .1 .1 .0 -.1 .1 .3 .2 .0 -.3 .4 .5 .1 .5 .7 -.1 .1 Apparel and upkeep ....................... Apparel commodities 4/ ................. Men's and boys' apparel .............. Women's and girls' apparel............ Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ .... Footwear ............................. Other apparel commodities 4/.......... Apparel services 1/ 4/ ................. 5.348 4.838 1.286 2.053 .240 .799 .461 .510 135.5 132.3 131.1 130.7 134.9 130.3 149.3 161.7 134.7 131.5 131.7 129.0 134.9 130.1 146.8 161.9 1.1 1.1 1.9 1.5 2.6 .6 -3.1 2.0 -.6 -.6 .5 -1.3 .0 -.2 -1.7 .1 -.3 -.3 -.2 -.4 2.0 -.5 -.9 .1 1.0 1.0 1.8 .4 3.2 1.3 .4 .1 .2 .2 .0 .6 .0 -.3 -.7 .1 Transportation ........................... Private transportation ................. New vehicles ......................... New cars ........................... Used cars ............................ Motor fuel ........................... Gasoline ........................... Maintenance and repairs .............. Other private transportation 4/....... Other private transportation commodities 4/.................. 19.190 17.934 4.893 3.533 2.320 3.921 1.616 5.185 144.2 141.8 146.4 142.3 155.7 105.9 105.4 162.9 172.8 143.8 141.5 145.9 141.8 155.3 105.7 105.2 163.2 172.5 -.4 -.7 1.0 .7 -2.1 -6.9 -7.1 3.0 2.3 -.3 -.2 -.3 -.4 -.3 -.2 -.2 .2 -.2 -.1 -.1 .2 .2 1.3 -2.2 -2.2 .4 .3 -.6 -.8 .1 -.1 -1.6 -2.7 -2.7 .2 .2 -1.0 -1.0 -.3 -.1 -.9 -3.8 -4.1 .2 -.1 .742 103.7 103.8 -.2 .1 .0 -.3 .2 Other private transportation services 4/ .................... Public transportation .................. 4.442 1.256 190.3 186.8 189.9 185.2 2.6 3.7 -.2 -.9 .3 1.7 .3 1.2 -.1 -.1 Medical care ............................. Medical care commodities ............... Medical care services .................. Professional medical services ........ 6.251 1.047 5.204 2.973 233.2 212.3 237.9 216.0 233.6 212.9 238.2 216.5 3.0 2.8 3.0 3.7 .2 .3 .1 .2 .3 .3 .4 .5 .3 .2 .3 .3 .3 .5 .3 .3 Entertainment 4/ ......................... Entertainment commodities 4/ ........... Entertainment services 4/ .............. 4.015 2.036 1.979 159.7 143.0 183.6 159.7 142.8 183.8 2.0 .6 3.4 .0 -.1 .1 .1 .0 .4 .1 -.4 .5 .1 .0 .2 Other goods and services 2/ .............. Tobacco and smoking products ........... Personal care 1/ ....................... Toilet goods and personal care appliances 1/ .................... Personal care services 1/ ............ Personal and educational expenses 4/ ... School books and supplies ............ Personal and educational services 4/ . 7.012 2.117 1.107 219.8 242.7 152.6 220.2 243.4 152.6 4.3 4.4 1.5 .2 .3 .0 .5 .4 .1 1.0 2.3 .7 .1 -.5 .0 .610 .497 3.788 .232 3.556 145.4 162.1 251.8 237.4 253.3 145.0 162.4 252.5 237.5 254.0 -.7 4.2 5.1 5.3 5.1 -.3 .2 .3 .0 .3 .1 .2 .5 .3 .5 .8 .6 .3 .6 .3 -.3 .2 .6 .7 .6 Table 4. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group - Continued (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Relative Unadjusted indexes importance, December Apr. May 1996 1997 1997 Unadjusted percent change to May 1997 fromMay 1996 Apr. 1997 Seasonally adjusted percent change fromFeb. to Mar. to Apr. to Mar. Apr. May Commodity and service group All items .................................. Commodities .............................. Food and beverages ..................... Commodities less food and beverages .... Nondurables less food and beverages .. Apparel commodities 4/ ............. 100.000 47.057 19.436 27.621 16.215 4.838 157.2 142.2 156.5 133.4 135.6 132.3 157.2 142.1 156.6 133.2 135.3 131.5 2.1 1.1 3.1 -.2 -.3 1.1 .0 -.1 .1 -.1 -.2 -.6 .1 -.1 .1 -.3 -.7 -.3 .0 -.2 -.2 -.2 .0 1.0 .0 -.2 .4 -.5 -.7 .2 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .................... Durables ............................. Services ................................. Rent of shelter 3/ ..................... Household services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/....................... Transportation services ................ Medical care services .................. Other services ......................... 11.377 11.407 52.943 25.329 140.3 129.3 175.3 163.7 140.2 129.2 175.5 163.9 -.9 .0 3.0 3.0 -.1 -.1 .1 .1 -.8 .0 .2 .2 -.4 -.3 .2 .3 -1.3 .1 .2 .3 8.553 7.314 5.204 6.542 132.0 182.8 237.9 204.6 132.3 182.4 238.2 205.0 2.1 2.9 3.0 4.3 .2 -.2 .1 .2 -.4 .6 .4 .4 -.1 .4 .3 .3 -.3 -.1 .3 .4 82.251 74.133 82.401 93.749 29.308 17.901 13.064 35.651 27.613 47.738 7.901 92.099 74.350 157.3 153.8 147.6 153.6 134.6 137.1 141.4 146.4 166.4 170.0 109.6 163.9 165.9 157.3 153.8 147.6 153.6 134.4 136.9 141.4 146.2 166.5 170.1 109.5 163.9 165.9 1.9 1.8 1.9 2.1 .0 .0 -.4 1.5 3.0 3.0 -2.9 2.6 2.4 .0 .0 .0 .0 -.1 -.1 .0 -.1 .1 .1 -.1 .0 .0 .1 .0 .0 .0 -.3 -.9 -.8 -.3 .2 .2 -1.8 .2 .2 .1 -.1 .0 .1 -.1 -.1 -.4 -.1 .1 .2 -1.9 .2 .3 -.1 -.1 -.1 -.1 -.5 -.7 -1.2 -.3 .1 .2 -2.4 .2 .2 24.996 4.312 49.354 143.1 105.8 181.3 142.9 105.5 181.4 1.1 -6.2 3.1 -.1 -.3 .1 .1 -2.3 .3 .2 -2.7 .3 .0 -3.5 .2 - $.636 .214 $.636 .214 -2.0 - .0 - -.2 - -.2 - Special indexes All items less food ........................ All items less shelter ..................... All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/...... All items less medical care ................ Commodities less food ...................... Nondurables less food ...................... Nondurables less food and apparel .......... Nondurables ................................ Services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/ ........ Services less medical care services ........ Energy ..................................... All items less energy ...................... All items less food and energy ........... Commodities less food and energy commodities ................. Energy commodities ................... Services less energy services .......... Purchasing power of the consumer dollar: 1982-84=$1.00 1/ ......................... 1967=$1.00 1/ ............................ 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ NOTE: - .0 Not seasonally adjusted. This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998. Indexes on a December 1984=100 base. This index series will no longer appear in its present form after December, 1997. See Table X for a comparable index series. Data not available. Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date. Table 5. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Seasonally adjusted indexes Feb. 1997 Mar. 1997 Apr. 1997 May 1997 Aug. 1996 Seasonally adjusted annual rate percent change for 3 months ended6 months endedNov. Feb. May Nov. May 1996 1997 1997 1996 1997 Expenditure category All items .................................... - - - - 1.8 3.9 2.3 0.3 2.9 1.3 Food and beverages ......................... Food ..................................... Food at home ........................... Cereals and bakery products .......... Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ....... Dairy products 1/ .................... Fruits and vegetables 2/.............. Other food at home ................... Sugar and sweets ................... Fats and oils ...................... Nonalcoholic beverages ............. Other prepared food ................ Food away from home .................... Alcoholic beverages ...................... 156.3 155.9 156.5 176.0 147.9 146.0 186.7 144.4 146.9 141.6 126.9 160.4 155.7 160.9 156.4 156.0 156.3 176.7 146.7 145.8 187.2 144.5 145.9 141.8 128.3 159.6 156.2 161.0 156.1 155.7 155.8 176.0 147.4 145.4 181.0 145.9 147.7 141.7 130.6 160.7 156.2 161.0 156.7 156.2 156.6 176.7 148.2 145.1 184.1 146.2 147.5 141.6 132.2 160.0 156.2 161.7 5.9 6.2 7.9 2.3 11.8 21.7 6.7 2.0 3.7 3.5 -.6 2.6 3.2 3.1 5.3 5.3 6.4 4.2 6.8 14.3 6.0 2.3 2.0 2.3 -4.0 7.6 3.7 4.1 .3 .3 -1.3 .0 -.3 -8.3 -2.7 2.2 5.3 .3 -.6 3.6 2.9 2.3 1.0 .8 .3 1.6 .8 -2.4 -5.5 5.1 1.6 .0 17.8 -1.0 1.3 2.0 5.6 5.8 7.1 3.3 9.2 17.9 6.4 2.1 2.8 2.9 -2.3 5.1 3.5 3.6 .6 .5 -.5 .8 .3 -5.4 -4.1 3.7 3.5 .1 8.2 1.3 2.1 2.1 Housing 2/ ................................. Shelter .................................. Renters' costs 3/ 4/.................... Rent, residential .................... Other renters' costs 4/ .............. Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/ ................ Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ........... Household insurance 3/ 4/ ............ Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ .......... Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/ Maintenance and repair commodities 1/ 4/ ................ Fuel and other utilities 2/............... Fuels .................................. Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities ...................... 152.2 169.1 160.0 164.3 221.8 163.7 164.0 148.9 140.7 150.3 152.3 169.5 160.4 164.7 222.4 164.1 164.4 148.4 140.9 150.3 152.5 170.0 161.0 165.2 223.9 164.5 164.8 149.0 141.0 150.9 152.7 170.5 161.5 165.7 224.3 164.9 165.3 149.4 141.7 151.9 2.7 2.9 3.6 3.0 6.5 2.8 2.8 2.5 1.5 6.1 3.0 2.7 2.8 2.7 2.4 2.5 2.5 6.7 5.6 2.4 2.9 3.1 3.3 2.5 7.4 3.0 3.0 -2.4 2.3 1.1 1.3 3.4 3.8 3.5 4.6 3.0 3.2 1.3 2.9 4.3 2.8 2.8 3.2 2.9 4.5 2.6 2.6 4.6 3.5 4.3 2.1 3.2 3.6 3.0 6.0 3.0 3.1 -.5 2.6 2.7 128.3 131.2 118.7 128.7 130.2 117.0 128.2 129.7 115.9 128.6 129.0 114.6 -4.4 3.2 2.9 10.0 5.4 7.2 3.8 6.0 9.3 .9 -6.5 -13.1 2.6 4.3 5.0 2.4 -.5 -2.6 106.0 102.3 100.0 99.6 -13.1 54.2 -.8 -22.1 15.8 -12.0 Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)......................... Other utilities and public services 4/ . Household furnishings and operation 2/ ... Housefurnishings 4/ .................... Housekeeping supplies .................. Housekeeping services 4/ ............... 125.7 160.7 123.6 109.8 143.1 152.6 124.2 160.9 123.6 109.7 143.2 153.0 123.2 161.3 123.6 109.4 143.8 153.7 121.7 161.5 124.2 110.2 143.7 153.9 4.7 3.1 1.3 .4 2.0 3.8 3.3 3.8 .7 -.4 1.1 2.9 10.1 2.0 .3 .0 2.3 .0 -12.1 2.0 2.0 1.5 1.7 3.5 4.0 3.5 1.0 .0 1.6 3.4 -1.6 2.0 1.1 .7 2.0 1.7 Apparel and upkeep ......................... Apparel commodities 4/ ................... Men's and boys' apparel ................ Women's and girls' apparel ............. Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ...... Footwear ............................... Other apparel commodities 4/............ Apparel services 1/ 4/ ................... 131.8 128.5 128.1 125.9 128.1 127.7 147.7 161.3 131.4 128.1 127.8 125.4 130.7 127.0 146.3 161.5 132.7 129.4 130.1 125.9 134.9 128.6 146.9 161.7 132.9 129.6 130.1 126.7 134.9 128.2 145.8 161.9 -6.0 -6.7 -1.2 -11.0 -13.8 .9 -9.5 2.0 4.1 4.2 4.2 4.7 3.2 1.3 8.1 1.0 3.4 3.5 -1.2 10.8 1.3 -1.6 -5.0 3.3 3.4 3.5 6.4 2.6 23.0 1.6 -5.0 1.5 -1.1 -1.4 1.4 -3.5 -5.7 1.1 -1.1 1.5 3.4 3.5 2.5 6.6 11.6 .0 -5.0 2.4 Transportation ............................. Private transportation ................... New vehicles ........................... New cars ............................. Used cars .............................. Motor fuel ............................. Gasoline ............................. Maintenance and repairs ................ Other private transportation 4/......... Other private transportation commodities 4/.................... Other private transportation services 4/ ...................... Public transportation .................... 145.2 143.2 145.6 141.5 157.1 112.0 111.4 161.9 171.8 145.1 143.0 145.9 141.8 159.1 109.5 109.0 162.5 172.3 144.2 141.9 146.0 141.7 156.5 106.5 106.1 162.8 172.6 142.8 140.5 145.6 141.5 155.1 102.5 101.8 163.2 172.5 -1.9 -2.5 2.5 3.2 -3.0 -17.6 -17.4 3.3 4.1 4.6 4.0 1.7 .3 -1.5 14.9 14.1 4.1 1.4 2.5 3.4 -.5 -.6 1.0 13.1 13.2 1.5 1.4 -6.4 -7.3 .0 .0 -5.0 -29.9 -30.3 3.3 1.6 1.3 .7 2.1 1.7 -2.3 -2.7 -2.9 3.7 2.7 -2.1 -2.1 -.3 -.3 -2.0 -10.9 -11.2 2.4 1.5 104.0 104.0 103.7 103.9 .4 .0 -.8 -.4 .2 -.6 189.0 179.9 189.6 182.9 190.1 185.1 189.9 184.9 4.8 4.6 1.5 13.0 1.9 -12.1 1.9 11.6 3.2 8.7 1.9 -1.0 Medical care ............................... Medical care commodities ................. Medical care services .................... Professional medical services .......... Entertainment 4/ ........................... Entertainment commodities 4/ ............. Entertainment services 4/ ................ 231.6 211.0 236.0 213.9 159.0 143.1 181.6 232.4 211.7 236.9 215.0 159.2 143.1 182.3 233.0 212.1 237.6 215.7 159.3 142.5 183.3 233.7 213.1 238.2 216.3 159.4 142.5 183.6 2.8 2.3 3.0 3.5 2.6 1.7 3.2 3.0 2.1 3.1 4.1 2.3 1.7 3.2 2.3 2.9 2.1 2.9 1.8 .6 2.7 3.7 4.0 3.8 4.6 1.0 -1.7 4.5 2.9 2.2 3.0 3.8 2.4 1.7 3.2 3.0 3.5 2.9 3.7 1.4 -.6 3.6 Other goods and services 2/................. Tobacco and smoking products ............. Personal care 1/ ......................... Toilet goods and personal care appliances 1/ ...................... 217.7 237.2 151.4 218.7 238.2 151.6 220.8 243.7 152.6 221.1 242.4 152.6 3.1 .9 .3 3.6 4.9 2.4 4.1 2.9 .3 6.4 9.1 3.2 3.3 2.9 1.3 5.3 5.9 1.7 144.2 144.3 145.4 145.0 -1.1 -.5 -3.3 2.2 -.8 -.5 Personal care services 1/ .............. Personal and educational expenses 4/ ..... School books and supplies .............. Personal and educational services 4/ ... 160.8 250.6 234.8 252.0 161.2 251.8 235.6 253.3 162.1 252.6 236.9 254.1 162.4 254.1 238.5 255.5 1.8 5.1 6.3 5.0 5.7 3.5 5.7 3.3 5.4 6.1 2.9 6.3 4.0 5.7 6.5 5.7 3.8 4.3 6.0 4.2 4.7 5.9 4.7 6.0 Table 5. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group - Continued (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Seasonally adjusted indexes Feb. 1997 Mar. 1997 Apr. 1997 May 1997 Aug. 1996 Seasonally adjusted annual rate percent change for 3 months ended6 months endedNov. Feb. May Nov. May 1996 1997 1997 1996 1997 Commodity and service group All items .................................... Commodities ................................ Food and beverages ....................... Commodities less food and beverages ...... Nondurables less food and beverages .... Apparel commodities 4/ ............... Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel ...................... Durables ............................... Services ................................... Rent of shelter 3/ ....................... Household services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/...................... Transportation services .................. Medical care services .................... Other services ........................... Special indexes 142.2 156.3 133.5 135.7 128.5 142.0 156.4 133.1 134.7 128.1 141.7 156.1 132.8 134.7 129.4 141.4 156.7 132.1 133.7 129.6 1.8 .3 5.9 -3.6 -6.1 -6.7 3.9 4.4 5.3 4.0 7.2 4.2 2.3 2.0 .3 3.1 4.2 3.5 .3 -2.2 1.0 -4.1 -5.8 3.5 2.9 2.3 5.6 .2 .3 -1.4 1.3 -.1 .6 -.6 -.9 3.5 142.4 129.4 174.7 162.9 141.2 129.4 175.1 163.2 140.7 129.0 175.5 163.7 138.9 129.1 175.8 164.2 -7.2 .3 3.3 3.0 7.5 .6 3.1 2.5 6.7 .0 3.0 3.3 -9.5 -.9 2.5 3.2 -.1 .5 3.2 2.8 -1.7 -.5 2.8 3.2 134.0 180.6 236.0 203.7 133.4 181.6 236.9 204.6 133.2 182.4 237.6 205.3 132.8 182.3 238.2 206.1 3.1 4.4 3.0 4.1 3.4 3.8 3.1 3.2 5.2 -.7 2.1 4.9 -3.5 3.8 3.8 4.8 3.3 4.1 3.0 3.7 .8 1.6 2.9 4.8 All items less food .......................... All items less shelter ....................... All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/........ All items less medical care .................. Commodities less food ........................ Nondurables less food ........................ Nondurables less food and apparel ............ Nondurables .................................. Services less rent of shelter 3/ ............. Services less medical care services .......... Energy ....................................... All items less energy ........................ All items less food and energy ............. Commodities less food and energy commodities .......................... Energy commodities ..................... Services less energy services ............ 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ NOTE: 156.8 153.7 147.4 153.3 134.8 137.3 143.1 146.3 166.2 169.4 114.9 162.9 164.9 156.9 153.7 147.4 153.3 134.4 136.1 141.9 145.8 166.5 169.7 112.8 163.3 165.3 157.0 153.6 147.4 153.4 134.2 136.0 141.3 145.6 166.7 170.1 110.7 163.6 165.8 156.9 153.4 147.3 153.3 133.5 135.1 139.6 145.2 166.8 170.4 108.0 163.9 166.1 1.0 1.6 1.7 2.1 -3.0 -5.2 -3.4 1.1 3.5 3.4 -8.0 2.8 2.2 3.4 4.3 3.9 3.8 4.0 7.4 7.4 5.4 4.0 3.2 11.1 3.3 2.5 2.9 2.1 2.5 2.4 3.0 4.5 4.6 2.5 2.9 2.9 11.2 1.5 2.2 .3 -.8 -.3 .0 -3.8 -6.3 -9.4 -3.0 1.5 2.4 -21.9 2.5 2.9 2.2 2.9 2.8 3.0 .4 .9 1.9 3.2 3.7 3.3 1.1 3.0 2.4 1.5 .7 1.1 1.2 -.4 -1.0 -2.7 -.3 2.2 2.6 -6.8 2.0 2.6 141.9 111.7 180.3 142.1 109.1 180.9 142.4 106.2 181.5 142.4 102.5 181.9 -.3 -17.1 3.4 2.0 17.5 3.0 1.1 11.9 2.5 1.4 -29.1 3.6 .9 -1.3 3.2 1.3 -10.9 3.0 Not seasonally adjusted. This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998. Indexes on a December 1984=100 base. This index series will no longer appear in its present form after December, 1997. See Table X for a comparable index series. Data not available. Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date. Table 6. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: Selected areas, all items index (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Indexes Percent change to May 1997 fromMay Mar. Apr. 1996 1997 1997 Percent change to Apr. 1997 fromApr. Feb. Mar. 1996 1997 1997 Area Pricing schedule 1/ U.S. city average ...................... M 156.8 157.0 157.2 157.2 2.1 0.1 0.0 2.3 0.3 0.1 M M 164.2 163.9 164.5 164.2 164.4 163.9 164.1 163.8 2.2 2.2 -.2 -.2 -.2 -.1 2.6 2.4 .1 .0 -.1 -.2 Feb. 1997 Mar. 1997 Apr. 1997 May 1997 Region and area size 2/ Northeast urban......................... Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ Size B Size C - 500,000 to 1,200,000 3/..... 50,000 to 500,000 3/........ M M 161.9 166.8 162.6 167.0 163.1 167.0 162.3 166.9 2.1 2.6 -.2 -.1 -.5 -.1 2.9 2.5 .7 .1 .3 .0 North Central urban .................... Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ Size B - 360,000 to 1,200,000 3/..... Size C - 50,000 to 360,000 3/........ Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... M M M M 152.4 152.3 150.5 155.6 152.4 152.3 150.5 155.3 152.6 152.6 150.8 155.4 152.8 152.7 151.5 155.6 2.3 2.3 2.5 2.3 .3 .3 .7 .2 .1 .1 .5 .1 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.7 .1 .2 .2 -.1 .1 .2 .2 .1 M 150.3 150.1 150.0 150.2 2.0 .1 .1 2.0 -.2 -.1 South urban Size A Size B Size C Size D - ............................ More than 1,200,000 ........ 450,000 to 1,200,000 3/..... 50,000 to 450,000 3/........ Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... M M M M 154.5 153.2 155.0 155.5 154.8 153.4 155.6 155.5 155.1 153.6 155.8 155.8 155.1 153.6 155.7 156.0 2.0 1.7 2.2 1.9 .2 .1 .1 .3 .0 .0 -.1 .1 2.2 2.0 2.6 1.8 .4 .3 .5 .2 .2 .1 .1 .2 M 155.8 156.1 156.3 156.3 1.8 .1 .0 2.2 .3 .1 West urban ............................. Size A - More than 1,250,000 ........ Size C - 50,000 to 330,000 3/........ M M M 156.8 155.2 162.1 157.4 155.9 163.1 157.8 156.2 163.3 157.8 156.1 163.2 2.0 1.9 2.4 .3 .1 .1 .0 -.1 -.1 2.3 2.2 2.6 .6 .6 .7 .3 .2 .1 Size classes A 4/ ................................. B 3/ ................................. C 3/ ................................. D .................................... M M M M 143.0 156.5 158.7 155.4 143.2 157.0 158.8 155.4 143.4 157.3 159.0 155.6 143.3 157.3 159.1 155.6 2.1 2.3 2.2 1.8 .1 .2 .2 .1 -.1 .0 .1 .0 2.3 2.6 2.3 2.1 .3 .5 .2 .1 .1 .2 .1 .1 Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI...... Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ...... N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton, PA-NJ-DE-MD 5/ ......................... San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA 5/ .. M M M 155.9 153.6 166.2 155.6 154.2 166.6 155.3 154.3 166.1 155.5 154.0 166.0 2.4 1.1 2.0 -.1 -.1 -.4 .1 -.2 -.1 2.5 1.2 2.4 -.4 .5 -.1 -.2 .1 -.3 M M 164.9 155.0 165.3 156.2 165.1 156.7 165.2 156.8 2.4 2.5 -.1 .4 .1 .1 2.4 3.2 .1 1.1 -.1 .3 Baltimore, MD 6/ ....................... Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ........... Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH ............. Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL .............. St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL 7/ ..... Washington, DC-MD-VA 6/ ................ 1 1 1 1 1 1 154.3 165.6 147.8 155.6 151.2 159.7 1.0 3.0 2.6 3.0 2.6 1.9 -1.0 -.7 .2 -.4 .1 .4 - Dallas-Fort Worth, TX .................. Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI .................. 2 2 - - Selected local areas 150.8 150.3 155.9 166.8 147.5 156.2 151.1 159.1 - 150.4 151.0 - - 1.2 2.3 - -.3 .5 - Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX ......... Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA 7/ ........ 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6/ 7/ NOTE: 2 2 143.6 149.6 - 144.1 150.1 - - - - 1.3 2.5 .3 .3 Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all areas; most other goods and services priced as indicated: M - Every month. 1 - January, March, May, July, September, and November. 2 - February, April, June, August, October, and December. Regions defined as the four Census regions. See map in technical notes. Starting in January, 1998, a new Size Class B/C will be introduced, composed of current Size Class B and Size Class C cities. There will be no individual Size Class B or Size Class C. Indexes on a December 1986=100 base. Indexes for the cities of Philadelphia and San Francisco will no longer be published on a monthly basis starting in January, 1998. Beginning in February, 1998 they will be published on a bi-monthly basis. Indexes for the cities of Washington and Baltimore will no longer be published separately after December, 1997. Beginning in January, 1998 the two cities will be published as a Washington-Baltimore combined metropolitan area. Indexes for the cities of Pittsburgh and St. Louis will no longer be published on a bi-monthly basis after December, 1997. Beginning in July, 1998 they will be published semi-annually, each January and July. Data not available. Local area CPI indexes are byproducts of the national CPI program. Each local index has a smaller sample size than the national index and is, therefore, subject to substantially more sampling and other measurement error. As a result, local area indexes show greater volatility than the national index, although their long-term trends are similar. Therefore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics strongly urges users to consider adopting the national average CPI for use in their escalator clauses. -