View original document

The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.

FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
Patrick C. Jackman (202) 606-7000
USDL-99-168
CPI QUICKLINE:
(202) 606-6994
TRANSMISSION OF
FOR CURRENT AND HISTORICAL
MATERIAL IN THIS
INFORMATION:
(202) 606-7828
RELEASE IS EMBARGOED
MEDIA CONTACT:
(202) 606-5902
UNTIL 8:30 A.M. (EDT)
INTERNET ADDRESS:
Wednesday June 16, 1999
http://stats.bls.gov/cpihome.htm
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX:

MAY 1999

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was
unchanged in May, before seasonal adjustment, remaining at a level of
166.2 (1982-84=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 2.1 percent.
The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers
(CPI-W) rose 0.1 percent in May, prior to seasonal adjustment. The May
level of 162.8 was 2.1 percent higher than the index in May 1998.
CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U was unchanged in May,
following a 0.7 percent rise in April. Energy costs declined 1.3 percent
in May, reflecting a sharp turnaround in the index for gasoline. After
advancing a record 15.0 percent in April and accounting for more than half
of the overall April CPI rise, the index for gasoline declined 2.7 percent
in May. The index for energy services fell 0.3 percent. The food index,
which increased 0.1 percent in April, rose 0.4 percent in May. The index
for food at home increased 0.6 percent, largely as a result of an upturn
in the index for dairy products and a larger increase in the index for
fruits and vegetables. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U increased 0.1
percent in May, following a 0.4 percent rise in April. The deceleration
in May reflects downturns in the indexes for apparel, for tobacco and
smoking products, and for airline fares, coupled with a smaller increase
in shelter costs.
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
1998
1999
3-mos. ended ended

All Items
Food and beverages
Housing
Apparel
Transportation
Medical care
Recreation
Education and
communication
Other goods and
services
Special Indexes
Energy
Food
All Items less
food and energy

Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr.
.2
.1
.1
.1
.2
.7
.2
.1
.4
.2 -.2
.1
.3
.1 -.1
.1
.2
.4
-.1
-.6 -1.1 -.2 -.3 1.5
-.1
-.4 -.1 -.1
.7 2.4
.2
.3
.3
.2
.2
.4
.1
.1
.4 -.1
.0
.3

May
.0
.4
.1
-.2
-.5
.2
.2

May `99
3.7
1.0
3.0
4.0
11.0
3.4
2.0

May `99
2.1
2.2
2.1
-.8
1.5
3.4
1.2

.3

-.2

.3

.1

.0

.1

-.1

.0

.3

-.3

4.2

2.0

-.1

-.6

1.0

-.2

.9

8.1

-.3
.1

-1.1
.1

-.2
.5

.0
.1

1.6
-.2

6.1 -1.3
.1
.4

28.1
1.0

1.7
2.1

.1

.3

.1

.1

.1

2.5

2.0

.4

.1

During the first five months of 1999, the CPI-U rose at a 2.6 percent
seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). This compares with an increase of
1.6 percent for all of 1998. The index for energy, which acted as a
moderating influence on overall consumer price index movements in 1998
(down 8.8 percent), turned up sharply during the first five months of
1999, increasing at a 15.4 percent annual rate. Food costs, which rose
2.3 percent in 1998, have increased at a 2.1 percent SAAR thus far in
1999. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U has advanced at a 1.8 percent
rate thus far in 1999, compared with a 2.4 percent rise for all of 1998.
The more moderate rate of advance this year is largely due to smaller
increases in the indexes for shelter and for tobacco and smoking products.
The food and beverages index rose 0.4 percent in May. The index for
food at home increased 0.6 percent in May, following a 0.1 percent rise in
April. An upturn in the index for dairy products and a larger increase in
the index for fruits and vegetables were responsible for the acceleration
in the food at home index. The index for dairy products, which fell 3.3
percent in April, rose 0.1 percent in May, reflecting increases in the
prices for milk and cheese. The index for fruits and vegetables, which
increased 1.4 percent in April, advanced 2.6 percent in May. The index
for fresh fruits rose 1.5 percent, reflecting large price increases for
citrus fruits. Fresh vegetable prices, which generally decline at this
time of year, rose slightly, resulting in a 4.9 percent increase in this
index. Prices for processed fruits and vegetables increased 1.4 percent.
The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 0.2 percent in May, as a
1.5 percent increase in the index for pork was largely offset by a 1.2

percent decrease in poultry prices; the index for beef rose 0.2 percent.
Among the other major grocery store food groups, the indexes for
nonalcoholic beverages, for cereal and bakery products, and for other food
at home rose 0.4, 0.3, and 0.1 percent, respectively. The other two
components of the food and beverages index--food away from home and
alcoholic beverages--rose 0.1 and 0.3 percent, respectively.
The housing component rose 0.1 percent in May. Shelter costs, which
increased 0.4 percent in April, advanced 0.2 percent in May. Within
shelter, the index for rent increased 0.2 percent; owners' equivalent rent
rose 0.3 percent, while the cost of lodging away from home decreased 0.2
percent. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, the cost of lodging while away
from home fell 2.4 percent in May.) The index for fuels and utilities
declined 0.2 percent in May. The index for household fuels decreased 0.3
percent, as declines in the indexes for natural gas and for electricity-down 0.4 and 0.3 percent, respectively--more than offset a 0.9 percent
increase in the index for fuel oil. (Prior to seasonal adjustment,
charges for natural gas and electricity rose 0.5 and 0.8 percent,
respectively.) The index for household furnishings and operations
decreased 0.3 percent in May.
The transportation component, which rose 2.4 percent in April,
declined 0.5 percent in May, reflecting downturns in the indexes for
gasoline and airline fares. The gasoline index, which rose 15.0 percent
in April, declined 2.7 percent in May.
(Prior to seasonal adjustment,
gasoline prices increased 0.4 percent.) Airline fares declined 2.5
percent in May, following five consecutive monthly increases, totaling
12.5 percent. The index for new and used vehicles rose 0.2 percent in
May, the same as in April. The index for new vehicles fell 0.1 percent,
while the index for used cars and trucks increased 0.9 percent in May.
The index for apparel, which rose 1.5 percent in April, declined 0.2
percent in May. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, apparel prices fell 0.7
percent, reflecting seasonal discounting on women's and girl's wear.)
Medical care costs rose 0.2 percent in May to a level 3.4 percent
above a year ago. The index for medical care commodities--prescription
drugs, nonprescription drugs, and medical supplies--increased 0.1 percent.
The index for medical care services rose 0.3 percent. Charges for
professional services and for hospital and related services increased 0.2
and 0.4 percent, respectively.
The index for recreation costs increased 0.2 percent in May. A 1.3
percent increase in the index for admissions to movies, theaters,
concerts, and sporting events more than offset small decreases in most

recreational goods.
The index for education and communication declined 0.1 percent in
May. Educational costs rose 0.5 percent, while the index for
communication declined 0.6 percent. Within the latter group, the indexes
for personal computers and peripheral equipment and for telephone services
declined 1.9 and 0.4 percent, respectively. Decreases of 2.3 percent in
both long distance telephone charges and the cost of cellular telephone
services more than offset a 1.8 percent increase in local telephone
service charges.
The index for other goods and services decreased 0.2 percent,
following a 1.0 percent increase in April. The index for tobacco and
smoking products, which rose 3.6 percent in April, declined 1.4 percent in
May. The recent movements in tobacco prices largely reflect variations in
the discounting of some major cigarette brands.
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
1998
1999
3-mos. ended ended
Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May
May '99
May '99
All Items
.2
.2
.2
.0
.1
.7
.0
3.5
2.1
Food and beverages .2
.1
.4
.1 -.2
.1
.3
.7
2.1
Housing
.3
.2
.0
.1
.3
.3
.1
2.5
2.0
Apparel
-.1
-.5 -1.1 -.4 -.4 1.4 -.1
3.8
-.5
Transportation
-.1
-.5 -.1 -.4
.6 2.6 -.4
11.7
1.4
Medical care
.2
.2
.3
.2
.3
.4
.2
3.8
3.4
Recreation
.1
.1
.4 -.2 -.1
.2
.2
1.2
.6
Education and
communication
.3
-.2
.3
.2
.0 -.1
.0
-.4
.4
Other goods and
services
-.5
5.8 2.5 -.2 -1.0 1.4 -.4
-.2
10.2
Special Indexes
Energy
-.4 -1.3 -.1 -.2 2.0 6.4 -1.4
31.4
1.9
Food
.2
.0
.5
.1 -.2
.1
.3
.7
2.1
All Items less

food and energy

.2

.4

.1

.0

.0

.4

.1

1.9

2.1

Consumer Price Index data for June are scheduled for release on Thursday,
July 15, 1999, at 8:30 A.M. (EDT).
CPI (Old Series)
For the first six months of 1999, BLS will also publish Old Series
CPI-U and Old Series CPI-W based on the former method of calculating the
elementary aggregates, that is, employing an arithmetic mean in all index
categories. These old series data are contained in tables 1 (LAS)-4
(LAS). From April to May, the Old Series CPI-U and the Old Series CPI-W
were unchanged and rose 0.1 percent, respectively; these series are not
seasonally adjusted. (The unadjusted CPI-U and CPI-W using the new method
of calculating the elementary aggregates also were unchanged and rose 0.1
percent, respectively, in May.)
__________________________________________________________________________
Consumer Price Index Formula Changed
On April 16, 1998, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced its
decision to use a new formula for calculating the basic components of the
Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) and the Consumer
Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). This
change is effective with data for January 1999.
The new formula, the geometric mean estimator, will be used in index
categories that comprise approximately 61 percent of total consumer
spending represented by the CPI-U. The remaining index categories, which
are shown in the table below, will continue to be calculated as they have
been. Based upon BLS research, it is expected that planned use of the new
formula will reduce the annual rate of increase in the CPI by
approximately 0.2 percentage point per year.
The geometric mean estimator has been introduced in both the CPI-U
and the CPI-W effective with data for January 1999, in accord with the
past practice of introducing methodological changes at the beginning of a
calendar year. BLS will continue to publish "overlap" CPI-U and CPI-W
series using the former calculation method for the first six months of
1999. These indexes will not be published regularly for months subsequent
to June 1999, but will be available upon request.

Additional information on this change was published in the April 1998
CPI Detailed Report and is available on the Internet
(http://stats.bls.gov/cpihome.htm). This information also may be obtained
by writing to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Consumer Prices
and Price Indexes, 2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E., Room 3615, Washington, D.C.
20212 or by calling (202) 606-7000.
Arithmetic Mean (Laspeyres) Formula
1.

Selected shelter services:

A) Rent of primary
residence

2.

B) Owners' equivalent
rent of primary
residence

C) Housing at school,
excluding board

Selected utilities and government charges:

A) Electricity

C) Residential water and
sewerage maintenance

E) Telephone services,
local charges

B) Utility natural gas
service

D) State and local
registration, license,
and motor vehicle
property tax

F) Cable television

3.

Selected medical care services:

A) Physicians' services

C) Eyeglasses and eye
care

E) Hospital services

B) Dental services

D) Services by other
medical professionals

F) Nursing homes and
adult daycare

__________________________________________________________________________
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-12-ARIMA Seasonal Adjustment Method.
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 1994 through 1998 were
replaced at the end of 1998. The seasonal movement of all items
and 54 other aggregations is derived by combining the seasonal
movement of 73 selected components. Each year the seasonal status
of every series is reevaluated based upon certain statistical
criteria. If any of the 73 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.
Seasonally adjusted data, including 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.
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
wholesale tobacco prices and legal fees passed on to consumers.
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. The procedure was used to account for unusual
butter fat supply reductions affecting the Fats and oils series.
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 or sending e-mail to Gallagher_C@BLS.GOV.
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)

CPI-U

Relative
importance,
December
1998

Unadjusted
Unadjusted indexes percent change to
May 1999 fromApr.
1999

May
1999

166.2
497.8

166.2
497.7

May
1998

Apr.
1999

Seasonally adjusted
percent change fromFeb. to Mar. to Apr. to
Mar.
Apr.
May

Expenditure category
All items ...................................
All items (1967=100) ........................

100.000
-

2.1
-

0.0
-

0.2
-

0.7
-

0.0
-

Food and beverages .........................
Food ......................................
Food at home .............................
Cereals and bakery products .............
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..........
Dairy and related products (1)...........
Fruits and vegetables ...................
Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage
materials ...........................
Other food at home ......................
Sugar and sweets .......................
Fats and oils ..........................
Other foods ............................
Other miscellaneous foods (1) (2)......
Food away from home (1)...................
Other food away from home (1) (2)........
Alcoholic beverages .......................

16.408
15.422
9.691
1.544
2.569
1.088
1.440

163.9
163.4
163.5
184.8
146.7
156.1
203.3

164.2
163.7
163.9
185.1
146.7
156.2
207.2

2.2
2.1
2.0
2.5
0.3
5.5
1.6

0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.0
0.1
1.9

-0.2
-0.2
-0.5
0.2
-0.2
-0.5
-2.2

0.1
0.1
0.1
0.4
0.3
-3.3
1.4

0.4
0.4
0.6
0.3
0.2
0.1
2.6

1.049
2.002
.377
.309
1.316
.320
5.730
.175
.986

134.3
153.6
151.7
149.0
169.2
105.6
164.5
104.0
168.8

134.2
153.4
153.0
147.2
168.7
105.0
164.6
104.3
169.3

1.0
2.7
2.3
4.2
2.4
3.6
2.5
3.7
2.5

-0.1
-0.1
0.9
-1.2
-0.3
-0.6
0.1
0.3
0.3

0.1
-0.2
-0.3
-0.9
0.0
-0.9
0.2
0.0
-0.1

-0.3
0.3
0.5
-0.2
0.5
0.7
0.2
0.3
0.2

0.4
0.1
0.9
-1.1
0.0
-0.6
0.1
0.3
0.3

Housing ....................................
Shelter ...................................
Rent of primary residence (3).............
Lodging away from home (2) (3)............
Owners' equivalent rent of primary
residence (3) (4).....................
Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2)..
Fuels and utilities .......................
Fuels ....................................
Fuel oil and other fuels ................
Gas (piped) and electricity (3)..........
Water and sewer and trash collection
services (2)..........................
Household furnishings and operations ......
Household operations (1) (2)..............

39.828
30.283
7.007
2.376

163.0
186.6
176.4
114.6

163.0
186.5
176.7
111.8

2.1
2.9
3.3
2.9

0.0
-0.1
0.2
-2.4

0.2
0.3
0.2
1.8

0.4
0.4
0.3
1.9

0.1
0.2
0.2
-0.2

20.529
.371
4.735
3.801
.227
3.574

191.9
100.3
125.7
110.2
87.7
117.5

192.2
100.5
126.5
111.0
87.7
118.4

2.9
0.9
-1.1
-1.9
-4.5
-1.7

0.2
0.2
0.6
0.7
0.0
0.8

0.1
0.1
0.2
0.3
1.0
0.3

0.3
0.1
0.2
0.1
2.7
-0.1

0.3
0.2
-0.2
-0.3
0.8
-0.3

.934
4.810
.908

103.6
127.2
104.0

103.7
126.7
104.1

2.4
0.1
3.1

0.1
-0.4
0.1

0.3
-0.1
0.4

0.3
0.2
0.3

0.1
-0.3
0.1

Apparel ....................................
Men's and boys' apparel ...................
Women's and girls' apparel ................
Infants' and toddlers' apparel (1).........
Footwear ..................................

4.831
1.358
1.939
.272
.876

135.2
133.5
128.7
128.2
129.2

134.2
133.8
127.3
127.6
127.4

-0.8
0.2
-1.9
0.6
-0.7

-0.7
0.2
-1.1
-0.5
-1.4

-0.3
-0.8
0.4
-0.6
0.7

1.5
1.6
1.1
2.1
1.1

-0.2
-0.2
0.3
-0.5
-1.3

Transportation .............................
Private transportation ....................
New and used motor vehicles (2)...........
New vehicles ............................
Used cars and trucks (1).................

16.999
15.653
7.843
4.983
1.914

144.3
140.1
99.7
143.3
148.3

144.2
140.2
99.7
142.9
149.6

1.5
1.3
-0.2
-0.3
-0.3

-0.1
0.1
0.0
-0.3
0.9

0.7
0.5
-0.2
-0.2
-0.6

2.4
2.6
0.2
0.1
0.6

-0.5
-0.4
0.2
-0.1
0.9

Motor fuel ...............................
Gasoline (all types) ....................
Motor vehicle parts and equipment ........
Motor vehicle maintenance and repair .....
Public transportation (1)..................

2.493
2.476
.549
1.624
1.346

100.9
100.4
100.3
170.9
201.4

101.4
100.8
100.2
171.3
198.4

7.1
7.0
-0.4
3.3
4.2

0.5
0.4
-0.1
0.2
-1.5

3.6
3.7
-0.6
0.2
3.0

15.0
15.0
0.5
0.3
1.3

-2.6
-2.7
0.1
0.2
-1.5

Medical care ...............................
Medical care commodities ..................
Medical care services .....................
Professional services (3).................
Hospital and related services (3).........

5.713
1.252
4.461
2.854
1.354

249.1
229.3
253.5
228.2
296.3

249.5
229.4
254.0
228.6
297.0

3.4
3.6
3.3
3.1
4.0

0.2
0.0
0.2
0.2
0.2

0.2
0.4
0.2
0.3
0.3

0.4
0.6
0.3
0.3
0.1

0.2
0.1
0.3
0.2
0.4

Recreation (2)..............................
Video and audio (1) (2)....................

6.120
1.748

102.0
101.0

102.2
100.9

1.2
-0.3

0.2
-0.1

0.0
-0.5

0.3
-0.1

0.2
0.2

Education and communication (2).............
Education (2)..............................
Educational books and supplies ...........
Tuition, other school fees, and childcare
Communication (1) (2)......................
Information and information processing (1)
(2)...................................
Telephone services (1) (2)...............
Information and information processing
other than telephone services (1) (5)
Personal computers and peripheral
equipment (1) (2)...................

5.478
2.694
.203
2.492
2.783

100.7
105.5
261.2
303.8
96.3

100.4
105.6
261.6
304.1
95.7

0.3
4.7
5.1
4.7
-3.7

-0.3
0.1
0.2
0.1
-0.6

0.0
0.4
0.3
0.4
-0.3

0.1
0.4
0.2
0.4
-0.3

-0.1
0.5
0.7
0.5
-0.6

2.580
2.327

95.8
100.0

95.2
99.6

-4.1
-1.5

-0.6
-0.4

-0.4
-0.2

-0.3
-0.2

-0.6
-0.4

.253

32.1

30.9

-25.5

-3.7

-2.7

-0.9

-3.7

.148

56.8

55.7

-32.6

-1.9

-3.5

-1.4

-1.9

Other goods and services ...................
Tobacco and smoking products ..............
Personal care (1)..........................
Personal care products (1)................
Personal care services (1)................
Miscellaneous personal services ..........

4.624
1.159
3.465
.742
.973
1.491

256.1
349.9
160.2
150.9
170.3
241.4

255.8
345.5
160.7
150.9
171.0
242.1

8.1
28.0
2.6
1.1
3.4
3.5

-0.1
-1.3
0.3
0.0
0.4
0.3

-0.6
-3.5
0.4
0.7
0.4
0.1

1.0
3.6
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.1

-0.2
-1.4
0.3
0.0
0.4
0.2

42.109
16.408
25.702
14.345
4.831

144.6
163.9
133.2
138.6
135.2

144.5
164.2
132.8
138.2
134.2

1.5
2.2
1.1
3.1
-0.8

-0.1
0.2
-0.3
-0.3
-0.7

-0.1
-0.2
0.0
0.3
-0.3

1.3
0.1
2.1
3.4
1.5

-0.1
0.4
-0.4
-0.5
-0.2

9.514
11.356

145.7
126.1

145.6
125.8

5.2
-1.4

-0.1
-0.2

0.7
-0.2

4.4
0.0

-0.8
0.0

Commodity and service group
Commodities .................................
Food and beverages .........................
Commodities less food and beverages ........
Nondurables less food and beverages .......
Apparel ..................................
Nondurables less food, beverages, and
apparel ..............................
Durables ..................................

Services ....................................
Rent of shelter (4).........................
Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2)....
Gas (piped) and electricity (3).............
Water and sewer and trash collection
services (2)............................
Household operations (1) (2)................
Transportation services ....................
Medical care services ......................
Other services .............................

57.891
29.912
.371
3.574

187.8
194.3
100.3
117.5

187.9
194.2
100.5
118.4

2.5
3.0
0.9
-1.7

0.1
-0.1
0.2
0.8

0.3
0.4
0.1
0.3

0.3
0.4
0.1
-0.1

0.1
0.2
0.2
-0.3

.934
.908
6.963
4.461
10.768

103.6
104.0
191.0
253.5
221.7

103.7
104.1
190.4
254.0
221.9

2.4
3.1
1.4
3.3
2.7

0.1
0.1
-0.3
0.2
0.1

0.3
0.4
0.8
0.2
0.1

0.3
0.3
0.2
0.3
0.3

0.1
0.1
-0.3
0.3
0.2

84.578
69.717
94.287
26.688
15.331
10.500
30.753
27.979
53.429
6.294
93.706
78.284

166.7
159.9
161.6
134.6
140.4
147.0
151.4
194.5
181.8
105.0
174.2
176.8

166.6
159.9
161.6
134.3
140.1
147.0
151.4
194.7
181.8
105.6
174.1
176.6

2.0
1.7
2.0
1.2
3.1
4.9
2.6
1.9
2.4
1.7
2.1
2.0

-0.1
0.0
0.0
-0.2
-0.2
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.6
-0.1
-0.1

0.2
0.1
0.2
0.1
0.4
0.7
0.2
0.3
0.3
1.6
0.1
0.1

0.8
0.9
0.7
2.0
3.2
4.0
1.3
0.3
0.3
6.1
0.4
0.4

-0.1
-0.1
0.0
-0.4
-0.4
-0.8
0.1
0.1
0.1
-1.3
0.1
0.1

23.967
2.720
54.316
-

144.9
99.9
195.0
$ .602

144.5
100.3
195.0
$ .602

0.6
6.0
2.7
-

-0.3
0.4
0.0
-

-0.3
3.5
0.3
-

0.6
14.0
0.4
-

-0.1
-2.4
0.2
-

-

$ .201

$ .201

-

-

-

-

-

Special indexes
All items less food .........................
All items less shelter ......................
All items less medical care .................
Commodities less food .......................
Nondurables less food .......................
Nondurables less food and apparel ...........
Nondurables .................................
Services less rent of shelter (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 .....
Purchasing power of the consumer dollar - old
base ....................................

1 Not seasonally adjusted.
2 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base.
3 This index series was calculated using a Laspeyres estimator. All other item stratum index series converted to a
geometric means estimator in January, 1999.
4 Indexes on a December 1982=100 base.
5 Indexes on a December 1988=100 base.
- Data not available.
NOTE: 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

Seasonally adjusted annual rate percent
change for

CPI-U

3 months ended-Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

May
1999

All items ...................................

164.7

165.0

166.2

Food and beverages .........................
Food ......................................
Food at home .............................
Cereals and bakery products .............
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..........
Dairy and related products (1)...........
Fruits and vegetables ...................
Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage
materials ...........................
Other food at home ......................
Sugar and sweets .......................
Fats and oils ..........................
Other foods ............................
Other miscellaneous foods (1) (2)......
Food away from home (1)...................
Other food away from home (1) (2)........
Alcoholic beverages .......................

163.8
163.5
163.7
183.6
146.8
162.3
202.6

163.4
163.2
162.9
183.9
146.5
161.5
198.1

133.7
153.1
151.0
150.5
167.9
105.9
163.8
103.7
168.3

Housing ....................................
Shelter ...................................
Rent of primary residence (3).............
Lodging away from home (2) (3)............
Owners' equivalent rent of primary
residence (3) (4).....................
Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2)..

6 months
ended--

Aug.
1998

Nov.
1998

Feb.
1999

May
1999

Nov.
1998

May
1999

166.2

1.5

1.7

1.2

3.7

1.6

2.5

163.6
163.3
163.0
184.6
147.0
156.1
200.9

164.2
163.9
163.9
185.1
147.3
156.2
206.2

2.3
2.3
2.3
3.1
2.5
6.6
-5.8

2.8
2.8
2.8
1.5
-1.9
15.1
1.2

2.7
2.7
2.5
2.0
-0.8
17.5
4.5

1.0
1.0
0.5
3.3
1.4
-14.2
7.3

2.5
2.5
2.5
2.3
0.3
10.8
-2.4

1.9
1.9
1.5
2.6
0.3
0.4
5.9

133.9
152.8
150.6
149.1
167.9
104.9
164.2
103.7
168.1

133.5
153.3
151.3
148.8
168.7
105.6
164.5
104.0
168.5

134.0
153.4
152.7
147.2
168.7
105.0
164.6
104.3
169.0

-1.2
7.1
3.3
26.0
4.4
8.5
2.3
6.9
2.7

2.4
4.8
1.9
18.5
2.7
5.1
2.8
4.0
2.7

1.8
-1.8
0.0
-13.6
0.5
4.3
3.0
1.6
2.9

0.9
0.8
4.6
-8.5
1.9
-3.4
2.0
2.3
1.7

0.6
6.0
2.6
22.2
3.6
6.8
2.5
5.4
2.7

1.4
-0.5
2.3
-11.1
1.2
0.4
2.5
1.9
2.3

162.1
184.9
175.6
101.4

162.5
185.4
176.0
103.2

163.1
186.2
176.5
105.2

163.3
186.6
176.9
105.0

2.0
2.9
3.5
-1.6

2.8
4.0
3.8
12.8

0.7
1.3
2.8
-12.4

3.0
3.7
3.0
15.0

2.4
3.5
3.7
5.4

1.9
2.5
2.9
0.4

191.3
100.1

191.5
100.2

192.1
100.3

192.6
100.5

3.2
-1.6

3.0
2.9

2.8
0.8

2.7
1.6

3.1
0.6

2.8
1.2

Expenditure category

Fuels and utilities .......................
Fuels ....................................
Fuel oil and other fuels ................
Gas (piped) and electricity (3)..........
Water and sewer and trash collection
services (2)..........................
Household furnishings and operations ......
Household operations (1) (2)..............

127.1
111.1
83.6
119.1

127.4
111.4
84.4
119.4

127.6
111.5
86.7
119.3

127.3
111.2
87.4
118.9

-2.8
-4.2
-8.1
-3.9

-2.2
-3.2
-12.7
-2.3

-0.3
-1.1
-13.2
-0.3

0.6
0.4
19.5
-0.7

-2.5
-3.7
-10.4
-3.1

0.2
-0.4
1.9
-0.5

103.0
126.7
103.3

103.3
126.6
103.7

103.6
126.9
104.0

103.7
126.5
104.1

2.0
1.3
4.0

2.4
0.3
3.2

2.4
-0.6
2.0

2.7
-0.6
3.1

2.2
0.8
3.6

2.6
-0.6
2.5

Apparel ....................................
Men's and boys' apparel ...................
Women's and girls' apparel ................
Infants' and toddlers' apparel (1).........
Footwear ..................................

130.6
131.1
121.7
126.4
125.5

130.2
130.1
122.2
125.6
126.4

132.1
132.2
123.5
128.2
127.8

131.9
131.9
123.9
127.6
126.1

3.4
1.5
6.5
-7.7
6.8

-2.7
-1.8
-8.7
24.1
-0.3

-7.3
-1.5
-11.0
-14.1
-10.4

4.0
2.5
7.4
3.9
1.9

0.3
-0.2
-1.4
7.1
3.2

-1.8
0.5
-2.2
-5.6
-4.4

Transportation .............................
Private transportation ....................
New and used motor vehicles (2)...........
New vehicles ............................
Used cars and trucks (1).................
Motor fuel ...............................
Gasoline (all types) ....................
Motor vehicle parts and equipment ........
Motor vehicle maintenance and repair .....
Public transportation (1)..................

140.2
136.4
99.8
143.0
148.3
86.1
85.6
100.6
170.2
193.1

141.2
137.1
99.6
142.7
147.4
89.2
88.8
100.0
170.6
198.8

144.6
140.6
99.8
142.8
148.3
102.6
102.1
100.5
171.1
201.4

143.9
140.0
100.0
142.7
149.6
99.9
99.3
100.6
171.5
198.4

-0.3
-0.9
2.4
2.5
3.0
-11.1
-11.9
1.2
3.4
3.8

-1.4
-0.6
0.8
-1.9
7.9
-8.5
-7.4
0.0
4.4
-9.6

-2.5
-3.7
-4.7
-0.8
-14.0
-10.8
-11.3
-2.4
2.1
12.7

11.0
11.0
0.8
-0.8
3.6
81.2
81.1
0.0
3.1
11.4

-0.8
-0.7
1.6
0.3
5.4
-9.8
-9.7
0.6
3.9
-3.1

4.0
3.4
-2.0
-0.8
-5.6
27.1
26.8
-1.2
2.6
12.1

Medical care ...............................
Medical care commodities ..................
Medical care services .....................
Professional services (3).................
Hospital and related services (3).........

247.5
226.6
252.1
226.4
295.0

248.1
227.5
252.6
227.0
296.0

249.0
228.8
253.3
227.7
296.3

249.6
229.0
254.0
228.2
297.6

3.9
3.7
3.8
3.7
4.7

2.8
4.0
2.6
2.9
2.2

3.5
2.3
3.9
2.7
5.6

3.4
4.3
3.0
3.2
3.6

3.3
3.8
3.2
3.3
3.5

3.5
3.3
3.5
3.0
4.6

Recreation (2)..............................
Video and audio (1) (2)....................

101.5
101.2

101.5
100.7

101.8
100.6

102.0
100.8

1.2
0.0

0.0
0.0

1.6
0.4

2.0
-1.6

0.6
0.0

1.8
-0.6

Education and communication (2).............
Education (2)..............................
Educational books and supplies ...........
Tuition, other school fees, and childcare
Communication (1) (2)......................
Information and information processing (1)
(2)...................................
Telephone services (1) (2)...............
Information and information processing
other than telephone services (1) (5)

101.1
105.8
259.4
303.3
96.9

101.1
106.2
260.3
304.4
96.6

101.2
106.6
260.7
305.6
96.3

101.1
107.1
262.4
307.2
95.7

-1.2
3.6
1.1
3.7
-5.9

2.0
4.7
11.5
3.8
-0.4

0.8
5.9
3.5
6.2
-3.6

0.0
5.0
4.7
5.2
-4.9

0.4
4.2
6.2
3.8
-3.2

0.4
5.4
4.1
5.7
-4.2

96.5
100.4

96.1
100.2

95.8
100.0

95.2
99.6

-6.3
-2.7

-0.4
2.8

-4.4
-2.7

-5.3
-3.1

-3.4
0.0

-4.9
-2.9

33.3

32.4

32.1

30.9

-32.6

-22.3

-20.8

-25.9

-27.6

-23.4

Personal computers and peripheral
equipment (1) (2)...................

59.7

57.6

56.8

55.7

-45.4

-27.5

-31.4

-24.2

-37.1

-27.9

Other goods and services ...................
Tobacco and smoking products ..............
Personal care (1)..........................
Personal care products (1)................
Personal care services (1)................
Miscellaneous personal services ..........

255.6
349.0
159.4
149.8
169.3
240.4

254.1
336.9
160.0
150.8
169.9
240.7

256.6
348.9
160.2
150.9
170.3
241.0

256.2
344.1
160.7
150.9
171.0
241.6

3.1
9.2
1.3
-2.1
2.9
4.0

3.6
8.1
2.3
0.8
2.4
3.6

26.7
140.7
3.6
2.7
4.1
4.4

0.9
-5.5
3.3
3.0
4.1
2.0

3.3
8.7
1.8
-0.7
2.7
3.8

13.1
50.8
3.4
2.8
4.1
3.2

142.5
163.8
130.1
132.7
130.6

142.4
163.4
130.1
133.1
130.2

144.3
163.6
132.8
137.6
132.1

144.1
164.2
132.3
136.9
131.9

0.8
2.3
-0.3
-0.3
3.4

0.0
2.8
-1.5
-0.9
-2.7

0.8
2.7
-0.3
1.2
-7.3

4.6
1.0
6.9
13.3
4.0

0.4
2.5
-0.9
-0.6
0.3

2.7
1.9
3.3
7.1
-1.8

138.7
126.0
186.9
192.7
100.1
119.1

139.7
125.7
187.5
193.4
100.2
119.4

145.8
125.7
188.1
194.1
100.3
119.3

144.6
125.7
188.3
194.4
100.5
118.9

-0.9
0.6
2.2
2.8
-1.6
-3.9

-0.6
-0.9
2.6
4.1
2.9
-2.3

5.4
-4.3
1.9
1.3
0.8
-0.3

18.1
-0.9
3.0
3.6
1.6
-0.7

-0.7
-0.2
2.4
3.4
0.6
-3.1

11.6
-2.7
2.5
2.4
1.2
-0.5

103.0
103.3
189.1
252.1
221.3

103.3
103.7
190.6
252.6
221.6

103.6
104.0
191.0
253.3
222.2

103.7
104.1
190.4
254.0
222.7

2.0
4.0
1.1
3.8
2.2

2.4
3.2
-1.1
2.6
3.0

2.4
2.0
2.8
3.9
3.1

2.7
3.1
2.8
3.0
2.6

2.2
3.6
0.0
3.2
2.6

2.6
2.5
2.8
3.5
2.8

164.8
158.4
159.9
131.7
134.7
140.5
148.2
193.8
180.9
98.8
173.3
175.8

165.2
158.5
160.2
131.8
135.2
141.5
148.5
194.4
181.4
100.4
173.4
176.0

166.6
159.9
161.4
134.4
139.5
147.2
150.5
194.9
182.0
106.5
174.1
176.7

166.5
159.8
161.4
133.9
138.9
146.0
150.6
195.1
182.2
105.1
174.3
176.9

1.2
1.0
1.3
0.0
0.0
-0.6
1.4
1.7
2.5
-6.8
2.1
2.1

1.5
0.8
1.5
-1.5
-0.3
0.0
0.5
1.0
2.3
-5.4
2.1
1.8

1.2
1.5
1.3
-0.3
0.6
4.7
1.9
2.1
2.0
-5.1
1.9
1.8

4.2
3.6
3.8
6.9
13.1
16.6
6.6
2.7
2.9
28.1
2.3
2.5

1.4
0.9
1.4
-0.8
-0.1
-0.3
1.0
1.4
2.4
-6.1
2.1
2.0

2.7
2.6
2.5
3.2
6.6
10.5
4.2
2.4
2.5
10.2
2.1
2.2

Commodity and service group
Commodities .................................
Food and beverages .........................
Commodities less food and beverages ........
Nondurables less food and beverages .......
Apparel ..................................
Nondurables less food, beverages, and
apparel ..............................
Durables ..................................
Services ....................................
Rent of shelter (4).........................
Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2)....
Gas (piped) and electricity (3).............
Water and sewer and trash collection
services (2)............................
Household operations (1) (2)................
Transportation services ....................
Medical care services ......................
Other services .............................
Special indexes
All items less food .........................
All items less shelter ......................
All items less medical care .................
Commodities less food .......................
Nondurables less food .......................
Nondurables less food and apparel ...........
Nondurables .................................
Services less rent of shelter (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 .............

143.8
85.8
193.8

143.3
88.8
194.4

144.1
101.2
195.1

144.0
98.8
195.4

1.4
-10.7
2.5

-0.3
-9.0
3.0

0.8
-11.3
2.1

0.6
75.8
3.3

0.6
-9.8
2.8

0.7
24.9
2.7

1 Not seasonally adjusted.
2 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base.
3 This index series was calculated using a Laspeyres estimator. All other item stratum index series converted to a
geometric means estimator in January, 1999.
4 Indexes on a December 1982=100 base.
5 Indexes on a December 1988=100 base.
NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
Table 3. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): Selected areas, all items index
(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)
All items

CPI-U

Pricing
schedule
(1)

Indexes

Percent change to
May1999 from--

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

May
1999

M

164.5

165.0

166.2

Northeast urban .............................
Size A - More than 1,500,000 .............
Size B/C 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)..........

M
M
M

171.6
172.4
103.0

171.9
172.8
103.2

Midwest urban ...............................
Size A
- More than 1,500,000 ............
Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3).........
Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than
50,000) ...............................

M
M
M

160.5
161.8
102.6

M

155.6

U.S. city average ...........................

Percent change to
Apr.1999 from--

May
1998

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

Apr.
1998

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999

166.2

2.1

0.7

0.0

2.3

1.0

0.7

172.8
173.6
103.9

172.8
173.6
103.9

2.0
2.0
2.1

0.5
0.5
0.7

0.0
0.0
0.0

1.9
2.0
1.8

0.7
0.7
0.9

0.5
0.5
0.7

161.0
162.4
103.0

162.2
163.6
103.7

162.2
163.6
103.7

1.8
1.9
1.4

0.7
0.7
0.7

0.0
0.0
0.0

2.0
2.2
1.8

1.1
1.1
1.1

0.7
0.7
0.7

155.7

156.4

156.5

2.0

0.5

0.1

2.1

0.5

0.4

Region and area size(2)

South urban .................................
Size A - More than 1,500,000 .............
Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)........
Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than
50,000) ...............................

M
M
M

160.0
158.9
103.0

160.6
159.7
103.3

161.5
160.5
103.9

161.6
160.5
104.1

1.8
1.8
1.9

0.6
0.5
0.8

0.1
0.0
0.2

1.9
1.8
1.9

0.9
1.0
0.9

0.6
0.5
0.6

M

160.9

161.5

162.6

162.1

1.8

0.4

-0.3

2.2

1.1

0.7

West urban ..................................
Size A
- More than 1,500,000 ............
Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3).........

M
M
M

166.9
167.8
103.8

167.3
168.2
104.1

169.0
170.0
105.1

168.7
169.8
104.8

2.7
2.9
2.3

0.8
1.0
0.7

-0.2
-0.1
-0.3

3.3
3.5
2.8

1.3
1.3
1.3

1.0
1.1
1.0

M
M
M

149.0
103.0
160.7

149.5
103.3
161.1

150.5
104.1
162.1

150.5
104.1
161.9

2.2
1.9
2.0

0.7
0.8
0.5

0.0
0.0
-0.1

2.4
2.1
2.3

1.0
1.1
0.9

0.7
0.8
0.6

Size classes
A (4)......................................
B/C (3)....................................
D .........................................
Selected local areas(5)
Chicago-Gary-Kenosha, IL-IN-WI ..............
Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CA .....
New York-Northern N.J.-Long Island,
NY-NJ-CT-PA .............................

M
M

166.4
164.6

167.0
165.0

167.6
166.6

168.2
166.2

1.6
2.4

0.7
0.7

0.4
-0.2

1.7
3.0

0.7
1.2

0.4
1.0

M

175.1

175.5

176.0

176.1

1.8

0.3

0.1

1.7

0.5

0.3

Boston-Brockton-Nashua, MA-NH-ME-CT .........
Cleveland-Akron, OH .........................
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX .......................
Washington-Baltimore, DC-MD-VA-WV (6)........

1
1
1
1

-

174.8
161.2
156.4
103.2

-

174.2
161.5
157.2
103.6

1.9
1.4
2.7
2.1

-0.3
0.2
0.5
0.4

-

-

-

-

Atlanta, GA .................................
Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, MI .................
Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX ..............
Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ...................
Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City,
PA-NJ-DE-MD .............................
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA ..........
Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, WA ................

2
2
2
2

161.9
161.2
146.6
161.4

-

164.0
164.1
148.3
161.7

-

-

-

-

2.0
3.1
1.4
0.9

1.3
1.8
1.2
0.2

-

2
2
2

168.6
169.4
170.6

-

171.1
172.2
172.2

-

-

-

-

2.4
4.6
3.5

1.5
1.7
0.9

-

1 Areas on pricing schedule 2 (see Table 10) will appear next month.
2 Regions defined as the four Census regions. See map in technical notes.
3 Indexes on a December 1996=100 base.
4 Indexes on a December 1986=100 base.
5 In addition, the following metropolitan areas are published semiannually and appear in Tables 34 and 39 of the
January and July issues of the CPI Detailed Report: Anchorage, AK; Cincinnati-Hamilton, OH-KY-IN; Denver-Boulder-Greeley,
CO; Honolulu, HI; Kansas City, MO-KS; Milwaukee-Racine, WI; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland-Salem,

OR-WA; St. Louis, MO-IL; San Diego, CA; Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL.
6 Indexes on a November 1996=100 base.
- Data not available.
NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
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)

CPI-W

Relative
importance,
December
1998

Unadjusted
Unadjusted indexes percent change to
May 1999 fromApr.
1999

May
1999

May
1998

Apr.
1999

Seasonally adjusted
percent change fromFeb. to Mar. to Apr. to
Mar.
Apr.
May

Expenditure category
All items ...................................
All items (1967=100) ........................

100.000
-

162.7
484.7

162.8
484.9

2.1
-

0.1
-

0.1
-

0.7
-

0.0
-

Food and beverages .........................
Food ......................................
Food at home .............................
Cereals and bakery products .............
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..........
Dairy and related products (1)...........
Fruits and vegetables ...................
Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage
materials ...........................
Other food at home ......................
Sugar and sweets .......................
Fats and oils ..........................
Other foods ............................
Other miscellaneous foods (1) (2)......
Food away from home (1)...................
Other food away from home (1) (2)........
Alcoholic beverages .......................

18.011
16.966
10.832
1.689
3.055
1.193
1.492

163.0
162.6
162.2
184.5
146.3
155.7
201.7

163.3
162.9
162.6
184.8
146.1
155.8
205.3

2.1
2.1
1.9
2.5
0.2
5.4
1.2

0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
-0.1
0.1
1.8

-0.2
-0.2
-0.4
0.2
-0.3
-0.4
-2.2

0.1
0.1
0.0
0.4
0.3
-3.6
1.1

0.3
0.3
0.4
0.3
0.1
0.1
2.5

1.184
2.220
.420
.354
1.446
.355
6.133
.216
1.045

133.2
153.0
151.7
148.6
169.0
105.2
164.4
104.1
167.8

133.1
152.6
152.8
147.0
168.5
104.7
164.5
104.2
168.5

1.1
2.6
2.3
4.2
2.4
3.2
2.4
3.6
2.7

-0.1
-0.3
0.7
-1.1
-0.3
-0.5
0.1
0.1
0.4

0.2
-0.2
-0.1
-1.1
0.0
-0.8
0.2
0.1
-0.4

-0.3
0.3
0.5
0.0
0.4
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.3

0.4
0.0
0.7
-1.0
0.0
-0.5
0.1
0.1
0.4

Housing ....................................

36.685

159.1

159.2

2.0

0.1

0.3

0.3

0.1

Shelter ...................................
Rent of primary residence (3).............
Lodging away from home (2) (3)............
Owners' equivalent rent of primary
residence (3) (4).....................
Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2)..
Fuels and utilities .......................
Fuels ....................................
Fuel oil and other fuels ................
Gas (piped) and electricity (3)..........
Water and sewer and trash collection
services (2)..........................
Household furnishings and operations ......
Household operations (1) (2)..............

27.496
8.500
1.379

180.8
176.0
114.5

180.9
176.4
112.0

3.0
3.3
3.1

0.1
0.2
-2.2

0.3
0.2
1.6

0.3
0.2
1.8

0.3
0.3
-0.2

17.296
.320
4.850
3.928
.201
3.727

174.8
100.6
125.5
109.7
88.1
116.9

175.1
100.9
126.3
110.6
88.0
117.9

2.9
1.2
-1.3
-2.0
-4.3
-1.9

0.2
0.3
0.6
0.8
-0.1
0.9

0.2
0.2
0.4
0.5
1.1
0.4

0.2
0.0
0.1
0.0
2.5
-0.1

0.3
0.3
-0.2
-0.3
0.8
-0.4

.922
4.339
.402

103.7
125.2
104.3

103.8
124.8
104.5

2.4
-0.3
3.2

0.1
-0.3
0.2

0.3
-0.2
0.3

0.3
0.2
0.2

0.0
-0.3
0.2

Apparel ....................................
Men's and boys' apparel ...................
Women's and girls' apparel ................
Infants' and toddlers' apparel (1).........
Footwear ..................................

5.199
1.474
1.948
.344
1.057

133.7
133.6
126.5
129.3
129.5

133.0
134.0
125.5
128.9
127.9

-0.5
0.7
-1.5
1.2
-0.9

-0.5
0.3
-0.8
-0.3
-1.2

-0.4
-0.5
0.0
-0.6
0.5

1.4
1.5
1.2
2.2
1.2

-0.1
-0.2
0.5
-0.3
-1.2

Transportation .............................
Private transportation ....................
New and used motor vehicles (2)...........
New vehicles ............................
Used cars and trucks (1).................
Motor fuel ...............................
Gasoline (all types) ....................
Motor vehicle parts and equipment ........
Motor vehicle maintenance and repair .....
Public transportation (1)..................

19.166
18.109
9.250
5.224
3.216
3.066
3.045
.682
1.690
1.056

142.9
140.1
99.7
144.5
149.6
100.8
100.3
99.6
172.3
196.4

143.1
140.3
99.8
144.0
150.9
101.3
100.8
99.7
172.7
193.9

1.4
1.2
-0.3
-0.3
-0.3
6.6
6.7
-0.2
3.4
3.5

0.1
0.1
0.1
-0.3
0.9
0.5
0.5
0.1
0.2
-1.3

0.6
0.6
-0.2
-0.2
-0.6
4.0
3.9
-0.5
0.2
2.6

2.6
2.6
0.2
0.1
0.6
14.5
14.7
0.1
0.2
1.2

-0.4
-0.4
0.2
-0.1
0.9
-2.6
-2.8
0.3
0.3
-1.3

Medical care ...............................
Medical care commodities ..................
Medical care services .....................
Professional services (3).................
Hospital and related services (3).........

4.672
.926
3.746
2.415
1.114

248.2
225.7
253.3
229.7
292.3

248.7
225.7
253.8
230.2
293.0

3.4
3.4
3.3
3.1
4.0

0.2
0.0
0.2
0.2
0.2

0.3
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.3

0.4
0.8
0.3
0.3
0.0

0.2
0.0
0.3
0.3
0.4

Recreation (2)..............................
Video and audio (1) (2)....................

5.925
1.951

101.4
100.8

101.5
100.6

0.6
-0.5

0.1
-0.2

-0.1
-0.5

0.2
-0.1

0.2
0.1

Education and communication (2).............
Education (2)..............................
Educational books and supplies ...........
Tuition, other school fees, and childcare

5.361
2.478
.200
2.278

100.9
105.7
263.9
298.3

100.7
105.9
264.3
298.7

0.4
5.0
5.2
4.8

-0.2
0.2
0.2
0.1

0.0
0.4
0.3
0.4

-0.1
0.4
0.2
0.3

0.0
0.6
0.6
0.6

Communication (1) (2)......................
Information and information processing (1)
(2)...................................
Telephone services (1) (2)...............
Information and information processing
other than telephone services (1) (5)
Personal computers and peripheral
equipment (1) (2)...................

2.883

97.0

96.5

-3.2

-0.5

-0.3

-0.4

-0.5

2.733
2.519

96.7
100.0

96.2
99.8

-3.5
-1.4

-0.5
-0.2

-0.3
-0.1

-0.4
-0.4

-0.5
-0.2

.213

33.0

31.8

-25.4

-3.6

-2.6

-1.5

-3.6

.120

55.9

55.1

-32.7

-1.4

-4.0

-1.8

-1.4

Other goods and services ...................
Tobacco and smoking products ..............
Personal care (1)..........................
Personal care products (1)................
Personal care services (1)................
Miscellaneous personal services ..........

4.981
1.694
3.287
.838
.975
1.253

259.5
350.5
160.4
151.7
170.6
241.7

258.8
345.9
160.8
151.6
171.4
242.3

10.2
28.1
2.6
0.7
3.4
4.0

-0.3
-1.3
0.2
-0.1
0.5
0.2

-1.0
-3.5
0.4
0.5
0.4
0.2

1.4
3.9
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.0

-0.4
-1.7
0.2
-0.1
0.5
0.3

46.764
18.011
28.753
15.564
5.199

144.7
163.0
133.6
139.1
133.7

144.6
163.3
133.4
138.8
133.0

1.8
2.1
1.5
3.9
-0.5

-0.1
0.2
-0.1
-0.2
-0.5

-0.1
-0.2
0.0
0.5
-0.4

1.4
0.1
2.2
3.7
1.4

-0.1
0.3
-0.5
-0.6
-0.1

10.365
13.189
53.236
27.175
.320
3.727

146.7
125.8
184.2
174.1
100.6
116.9

146.6
125.6
184.4
174.2
100.9
117.9

6.1
-1.3
2.3
3.0
1.2
-1.9

-0.1
-0.2
0.1
0.1
0.3
0.9

0.7
-0.3
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.4

4.9
0.0
0.2
0.3
0.0
-0.1

-1.2
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.3
-0.4

.922
.402
6.800
3.746
10.144

103.7
104.3
187.9
253.3
218.1

103.8
104.5
187.5
253.8
218.4

2.4
3.2
1.1
3.3
2.5

0.1
0.2
-0.2
0.2
0.1

0.3
0.3
0.6
0.3
0.2

0.3
0.2
0.1
0.3
0.1

0.0
0.2
-0.2
0.3
0.3

83.034
72.504
95.328
29.798
16.609
11.410

162.6
157.7
158.8
135.0
140.8
147.9

162.6
157.7
158.8
134.8
140.6
147.9

2.0
1.7
2.0
1.6
3.8
5.9

0.0
0.0
0.0
-0.1
-0.1
0.0

0.2
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.4
0.6

0.9
1.0
0.8
2.2
3.6
4.5

-0.1
-0.1
0.0
-0.4
-0.6
-0.9

Commodity and service group
Commodities .................................
Food and beverages .........................
Commodities less food and beverages ........
Nondurables less food and beverages .......
Apparel ..................................
Nondurables less food, beverages, and
apparel ..............................
Durables ..................................
Services ....................................
Rent of shelter (4).........................
Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2)....
Gas (piped) and electricity (3).............
Water and sewer and trash collection
services (2)............................
Household operations (1) (2)................
Transportation services ....................
Medical care services ......................
Other services .............................
Special indexes
All items less food .........................
All items less shelter ......................
All items less medical care .................
Commodities less food .......................
Nondurables less food .......................
Nondurables less food and apparel ...........

Nondurables .................................
Services less rent of shelter (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 .....
Purchasing power of the consumer dollar - old
base ....................................

33.575
26.061
49.490
6.994
93.006
76.040

151.4
172.7
178.4
104.5
170.7
172.9

151.4
173.0
178.6
105.2
170.7
172.8

2.9
1.6
2.2
1.9
2.0
2.1

0.0
0.2
0.1
0.7
0.0
-0.1

0.2
0.3
0.2
2.0
-0.1
0.0

1.7
0.1
0.2
6.4
0.4
0.4

-0.2
0.2
0.2
-1.4
0.1
0.1

26.531
3.267
49.509
-

144.8
100.2
191.8
$ .615

144.5
100.6
191.9
$ .614

1.0
5.9
2.7
-

-0.2
0.4
0.1
-

-0.5
3.7
0.3
-

0.6
13.9
0.3
-

-0.1
-2.5
0.2
-

-

$ .206

$ .206

-

-

-

-

-

1 Not seasonally adjusted.
2 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base.
3 This index series was calculated using a Laspeyres estimator. All other item stratum index series converted to a
geometric means estimator in January, 1999.
4 Indexes on a December 1984=100 base
5 Indexes on a December 1988=100 base.
- Data not available.
NOTE: 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): Seasonally adjusted U.S. city
average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group
(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)
Seasonally adjusted indexes

Seasonally adjusted annual rate percent
change for

CPI-W

3 months ended-Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

May
1999

161.3

161.5

162.7

162.7

6 months
ended--

Aug.
1998

Nov.
1998

Feb.
1999

May
1999

Nov.
1998

May
1999

1.5

1.8

1.5

3.5

1.6

2.5

Expenditure category
All items ...................................

Food and beverages .........................
Food ......................................
Food at home .............................
Cereals and bakery products .............
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..........
Dairy and related products (1)...........
Fruits and vegetables ...................
Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage
materials ...........................
Other food at home ......................
Sugar and sweets .......................
Fats and oils ..........................
Other foods ............................
Other miscellaneous foods (1) (2)......
Food away from home (1)...................
Other food away from home (1) (2)........
Alcoholic beverages .......................

163.1
162.7
162.6
183.3
146.5
162.2
202.1

162.8
162.4
161.9
183.6
146.1
161.5
197.7

162.9
162.5
161.9
184.3
146.6
155.7
199.9

163.4
163.0
162.6
184.8
146.8
155.8
204.9

2.3
2.3
2.0
3.4
1.9
6.4
-6.4

2.8
2.8
2.8
1.5
-1.6
15.2
2.0

2.5
2.5
2.5
1.8
-0.5
18.4
4.1

0.7
0.7
0.0
3.3
0.8
-14.9
5.7

2.5
2.5
2.4
2.5
0.1
10.7
-2.3

1.6
1.6
1.2
2.5
0.1
0.4
4.9

132.5
152.4
150.9
150.1
167.8
105.9
163.8
103.7
167.5

132.8
152.1
150.7
148.5
167.8
105.0
164.1
103.8
166.9

132.4
152.6
151.4
148.5
168.5
105.2
164.4
104.1
167.4

132.9
152.6
152.4
147.0
168.5
104.7
164.5
104.2
168.1

-1.2
7.2
3.5
25.0
4.4
8.1
2.0
6.5
2.7

2.8
4.8
1.6
18.0
2.7
5.5
3.0
4.8
2.7

1.8
-1.8
0.0
-13.2
0.5
3.9
3.0
1.2
3.7

1.2
0.5
4.0
-8.0
1.7
-4.5
1.7
1.9
1.4

0.8
6.0
2.6
21.5
3.6
6.8
2.5
5.6
2.7

1.5
-0.7
2.0
-10.6
1.1
-0.4
2.4
1.6
2.5

Housing ....................................
Shelter ...................................
Rent of primary residence (3).............
Lodging away from home (2) (3)............
Owners' equivalent rent of primary
residence (3) (4).....................
Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2)..
Fuels and utilities .......................
Fuels ....................................
Fuel oil and other fuels ................
Gas (piped) and electricity (3)..........
Water and sewer and trash collection
services (2)..........................
Household furnishings and operations ......
Household operations (1) (2)..............

158.4
179.7
175.3
101.4

158.8
180.2
175.6
103.0

159.2
180.7
176.0
104.9

159.4
181.2
176.6
104.7

1.8
2.8
3.6
-1.6

2.6
4.1
3.8
15.9

1.3
1.8
3.0
-12.4

2.5
3.4
3.0
13.7

2.2
3.4
3.7
6.8

1.9
2.6
3.0
-0.2

174.2
100.4
126.7
110.4
84.1
118.3

174.6
100.6
127.2
110.9
85.0
118.8

174.9
100.6
127.3
110.9
87.1
118.7

175.4
100.9
127.0
110.6
87.8
118.2

3.1
-1.2
-3.1
-4.2
-7.6
-4.2

3.1
3.7
-1.6
-2.8
-12.3
-2.0

2.6
0.4
-0.9
-1.4
-13.1
-1.0

2.8
2.0
1.0
0.7
18.8
-0.3

3.1
1.2
-2.3
-3.5
-10.0
-3.1

2.7
1.2
0.0
-0.4
1.6
-0.7

103.1
124.8
103.8

103.4
124.6
104.1

103.7
124.9
104.3

103.7
124.5
104.5

2.0
0.6
3.6

2.8
0.0
3.6

2.4
-1.3
2.7

2.3
-1.0
2.7

2.4
0.3
3.6

2.4
-1.1
2.7

Apparel ....................................
Men's and boys' apparel ...................
Women's and girls' apparel ................
Infants' and toddlers' apparel (1).........
Footwear ..................................

129.4
131.1
120.0
127.2
126.2

128.9
130.5
120.0
126.5
126.8

130.7
132.4
121.4
129.3
128.3

130.6
132.1
122.0
128.9
126.7

2.1
0.6
3.9
-7.3
6.4

0.0
0.0
-3.5
27.0
-0.6

-7.6
-1.2
-12.3
-15.6
-9.8

3.8
3.1
6.8
5.5
1.6

1.1
0.3
0.2
8.5
2.8

-2.1
0.9
-3.2
-5.6
-4.3

Transportation .............................
Private transportation ....................
New and used motor vehicles (2)...........
New vehicles ............................

138.7
136.0
99.7
144.1

139.6
136.8
99.5
143.8

143.2
140.4
99.7
143.9

142.6
139.9
99.9
143.7

-0.6
-0.9
2.4
2.5

-0.9
-0.3
2.0
-1.4

-3.9
-4.8
-6.2
-1.4

11.7
12.0
0.8
-1.1

-0.7
-0.6
2.2
0.6

3.6
3.2
-2.7
-1.2

Used cars and trucks (1).................
Motor fuel ...............................
Gasoline (all types) ....................
Motor vehicle parts and equipment ........
Motor vehicle maintenance and repair .....
Public transportation (1)..................

149.6
86.0
85.6
100.2
171.6
189.1

148.7
89.4
88.9
99.7
172.0
194.1

149.6
102.4
102.0
99.8
172.3
196.4

150.9
99.7
99.1
100.1
172.9
193.9

2.9
-11.8
-11.9
1.2
3.4
3.2

7.6
-8.1
-7.8
0.0
4.8
-9.6

-13.7
-11.6
-11.3
-1.6
2.4
11.1

3.5
80.6
79.6
-0.4
3.1
10.5

5.2
-10.0
-9.9
0.6
4.1
-3.4

-5.5
26.3
26.2
-1.0
2.7
10.8

Medical care ...............................
Medical care commodities ..................
Medical care services .....................
Professional services (3).................
Hospital and related services (3).........

246.4
223.0
251.5
228.0
291.2

247.2
223.6
252.3
228.5
292.2

248.1
225.4
253.0
229.2
292.3

248.7
225.3
253.8
229.8
293.6

3.9
3.9
4.0
3.5
4.8

2.8
3.3
2.6
3.1
2.3

3.0
2.2
3.2
2.9
5.8

3.8
4.2
3.7
3.2
3.3

3.4
3.6
3.3
3.3
3.5

3.4
3.2
3.5
3.0
4.6

Recreation (2)..............................
Video and audio (1) (2)....................

101.0
101.0

100.9
100.5

101.1
100.4

101.3
100.5

0.4
0.0

-0.4
0.4

1.2
-0.4

1.2
-2.0

0.0
0.2

1.2
-1.2

Education and communication (2).............
Education (2)..............................
Educational books and supplies ...........
Tuition, other school fees, and childcare
Communication (1) (2)......................
Information and information processing (1)
(2)...................................
Telephone services (1) (2)...............
Information and information processing
other than telephone services (1) (5)
Personal computers and peripheral
equipment (1) (2)...................

101.4
105.9
262.1
297.8
97.7

101.4
106.3
263.0
298.9
97.4

101.3
106.7
263.4
299.8
97.0

101.3
107.3
265.1
301.5
96.5

-1.6
3.6
0.6
3.8
-5.1

2.4
4.3
11.4
4.1
0.4

1.2
6.3
4.2
6.6
-3.2

-0.4
5.4
4.7
5.1
-4.8

0.4
3.9
5.9
3.9
-2.4

0.4
5.8
4.4
5.8
-4.0

97.4
100.5

97.1
100.4

96.7
100.0

96.2
99.8

-5.5
-2.7

0.4
2.8

-4.0
-2.7

-4.8
-2.8

-2.6
0.0

-4.4
-2.7

34.4

33.5

33.0

31.8

-30.5

-21.6

-22.0

-27.0

-26.2

-24.5

59.3

56.9

55.9

55.1

-42.9

-29.2

-32.0

-25.5

-36.4

-28.8

Other goods and services ...................
Tobacco and smoking products ..............
Personal care (1)..........................
Personal care products (1)................
Personal care services (1)................
Miscellaneous personal services ..........

258.7
349.3
159.6
150.8
169.6
240.4

256.1
337.0
160.3
151.6
170.2
240.9

259.7
350.1
160.4
151.7
170.6
241.0

258.6
344.2
160.8
151.6
171.4
241.8

3.6
9.2
1.3
-2.4
3.2
4.0

4.1
7.9
2.3
0.5
2.4
4.5

36.8
141.8
3.8
2.7
3.9
5.2

-0.2
-5.7
3.0
2.1
4.3
2.3

3.9
8.6
1.8
-0.9
2.8
4.3

16.9
51.0
3.4
2.4
4.1
3.7

142.5
163.1
130.3
132.6
129.4

142.4
162.8
130.3
133.2
128.9

144.4
162.9
133.2
138.1
130.7

144.2
163.4
132.6
137.3
130.6

0.6
2.3
-0.3
0.0
2.1

0.8
2.8
-0.6
-0.6
0.0

0.8
2.5
0.0
2.1
-7.6

4.9
0.7
7.2
14.9
3.8

0.7
2.5
-0.5
-0.3
1.1

2.8
1.6
3.6
8.4
-2.1

139.1

140.1

147.0

145.3

-0.9

-0.9

8.5

19.1

-0.9

13.6

Commodity and service group
Commodities .................................
Food and beverages .........................
Commodities less food and beverages ........
Nondurables less food and beverages .......
Apparel ..................................
Nondurables less food, beverages, and
apparel ..............................

Durables ..................................
Services ....................................
Rent of shelter (4).........................
Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2)....
Gas (piped) and electricity (3).............
Water and sewer and trash collection
services (2)............................
Household operations (1) (2)................
Transportation services ....................
Medical care services ......................
Other services .............................

125.8
183.5
173.1
100.4
118.3

125.4
184.1
173.5
100.6
118.8

125.4
184.5
174.1
100.6
118.7

125.5
184.8
174.4
100.9
118.2

0.6
1.8
2.9
-1.2
-4.2

-0.3
2.7
4.0
3.7
-2.0

-4.6
2.0
1.9
0.4
-1.0

-1.0
2.9
3.0
2.0
-0.3

0.2
2.2
3.5
1.2
-3.1

-2.8
2.4
2.5
1.2
-0.7

103.1
103.8
186.5
251.5
217.8

103.4
104.1
187.7
252.3
218.2

103.7
104.3
187.9
253.0
218.5

103.7
104.5
187.5
253.8
219.1

2.0
3.6
0.6
4.0
1.9

2.8
3.6
-0.6
2.6
3.2

2.4
2.7
2.2
3.2
2.8

2.3
2.7
2.2
3.7
2.4

2.4
3.6
0.0
3.3
2.5

2.4
2.7
2.2
3.5
2.6

160.6
156.0
157.2
131.9
134.6
140.8
148.0
172.3
177.8
97.7
170.1
172.1

160.9
156.1
157.4
131.9
135.2
141.6
148.3
172.8
178.2
99.7
170.0
172.1

162.4
157.6
158.6
134.8
140.0
148.0
150.8
173.0
178.6
106.1
170.6
172.8

162.3
157.5
158.6
134.2
139.2
146.7
150.5
173.3
179.0
104.6
170.8
172.9

1.0
0.8
1.3
-0.3
-0.6
-0.9
1.7
1.7
2.1
-7.9
2.2
2.1

1.5
0.8
1.8
-0.6
0.3
-0.3
0.8
0.9
2.5
-5.1
2.4
2.4

1.3
1.3
1.3
0.0
1.8
7.7
2.5
1.6
1.8
-6.3
2.1
1.9

4.3
3.9
3.6
7.2
14.4
17.8
6.9
2.3
2.7
31.4
1.7
1.9

1.3
0.8
1.5
-0.5
-0.1
-0.6
1.2
1.3
2.3
-6.5
2.3
2.3

2.8
2.6
2.4
3.5
7.9
12.7
4.7
2.0
2.3
11.0
1.9
1.9

143.9
85.9
191.0

143.2
89.1
191.6

144.1
101.5
192.1

144.0
99.0
192.4

1.4
-11.5
2.6

0.8
-8.5
3.0

1.4
-11.6
2.1

0.3
76.4
3.0

1.1
-10.0
2.8

0.8
24.9
2.5

Special indexes
All items less food .........................
All items less shelter ......................
All items less medical care .................
Commodities less food .......................
Nondurables less food .......................
Nondurables less food and apparel ...........
Nondurables .................................
Services less rent of shelter (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 .............

1 Not seasonally adjusted.
2 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base.
3 This index series was calculated using a Laspeyres estimator. All other item stratum index series converted to a
geometric means estimator in January, 1999.
4 Indexes on a December 1984=100 base
5 Indexes on a December 1988=100 base.
NOTE: 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 (CPI-W): Selected areas, all items index
(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)
All items

CPI-W

Pricing
schedule
(1)

Indexes

Percent change to
May1999 from--

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

May
1999

M

161.1

161.4

162.7

Northeast urban .............................
Size A - More than 1,500,000 .............
Size B/C 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)..........

M
M
M

168.3
168.1
102.6

168.5
168.3
102.8

Midwest urban ...............................
Size A
- More than 1,500,000 ............
Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3).........
Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than
50,000) ...............................

M
M
M

156.5
157.2
102.2

M

South urban .................................
Size A - More than 1,500,000 .............
Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)........
Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than
50,000) ...............................
West urban ..................................
Size A
- More than 1,500,000 ............
Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3).........

U.S. city average ...........................

Percent change to
Apr.1999 from--

May
1998

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

Apr.
1998

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999

162.8

2.1

0.9

0.1

2.3

1.0

0.8

169.5
169.3
103.5

169.7
169.4
103.5

2.0
2.0
2.0

0.7
0.7
0.7

0.1
0.1
0.0

1.9
2.0
2.0

0.7
0.7
0.9

0.6
0.6
0.7

156.9
157.5
102.6

158.2
158.8
103.5

158.3
158.9
103.4

1.7
1.9
1.3

0.9
0.9
0.8

0.1
0.1
-0.1

2.1
2.2
1.8

1.1
1.0
1.3

0.8
0.8
0.9

153.4

153.4

154.4

154.4

2.0

0.7

0.0

2.3

0.7

0.7

M
M
M

158.0
156.4
102.6

158.4
156.9
102.8

159.4
157.9
103.5

159.7
158.1
103.7

1.9
1.8
1.9

0.8
0.8
0.9

0.2
0.1
0.2

1.9
1.8
2.0

0.9
1.0
0.9

0.6
0.6
0.7

M

161.0

161.5

162.7

162.6

1.9

0.7

-0.1

2.3

1.1

0.7

M
M
M

162.7
161.9
103.6

163.2
162.3
104.0

164.9
164.2
105.0

164.7
164.0
104.7

2.7
2.9
2.4

0.9
1.0
0.7

-0.1
-0.1
-0.3

3.3
3.6
2.9

1.4
1.4
1.4

1.0
1.2
1.0

M
M
M

147.4
102.6
159.4

147.7
102.9
159.8

148.9
103.7
160.9

149.0
103.8
160.8

2.2
1.9
1.9

0.9
0.9
0.6

0.1
0.1
-0.1

2.4
2.1
2.3

1.0
1.1
0.9

0.8
0.8
0.7

Region and area size(2)

Size classes
A (4)......................................
B/C (3)....................................
D .........................................
Selected local areas(5)

Chicago-Gary-Kenosha, IL-IN-WI ..............
Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CA .....
New York-Northern N.J.-Long Island,
NY-NJ-CT-PA .............................

M
M

160.6
158.1

161.1
158.3

161.7
160.1

162.3
159.7

1.5
2.2

0.7
0.9

0.4
-0.2

1.7
2.9

0.7
1.3

0.4
1.1

M

170.6

170.8

171.3

171.5

1.7

0.4

0.1

1.7

0.4

0.3

Boston-Brockton-Nashua, MA-NH-ME-CT .........
Cleveland-Akron, OH .........................
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX .......................
Washington-Baltimore, DC-MD-VA-WV (6)........

1
1
1
1

-

172.3
152.9
155.8
102.8

-

172.6
153.7
157.0
103.4

2.2
1.7
2.7
2.1

0.2
0.5
0.8
0.6

-

-

-

-

Atlanta, GA .................................
Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, MI .................
Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX ..............
Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ...................
Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City,
PA-NJ-DE-MD .............................
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA ..........
Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, WA ................

2
2
2
2

159.1
155.8
145.0
158.8

-

160.9
158.7
146.6
159.1

-

-

-

-

2.0
3.4
1.2
1.1

1.1
1.9
1.1
0.2

-

2
2
2

167.8
165.7
166.0

-

170.6
168.8
167.8

-

-

-

-

2.5
5.0
3.6

1.7
1.9
1.1

-

1 Areas on pricing schedule 2 (see Table 10) will appear next month.
2 Regions defined as the four Census regions. See map in technical notes.
3 Indexes on a December 1996=100 base.
4 Indexes on a December 1986=100 base.
5 In addition, the following metropolitan areas are published semiannually and appear in Tables 34 and 39 of the
January and July issues of the CPI Detailed Report: Anchorage, AK; Cincinnati-Hamilton, OH-KY-IN; Denver-Boulder-Greeley,
CO; Honolulu, HI; Kansas City, MO-KS; Milwaukee-Racine, WI; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland-Salem,
OR-WA; St. Louis, MO-IL; San Diego, CA; Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL.
6 Indexes on a November 1996=100 base.
- Data not available.
NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
Table 1(LAS). Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U-XL): U.S. city average, by
expenditure category and commodity and service group using a Laspeyres Estimator
(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

CPI-U

Relative
importance,
December
1998

Unadjusted
indexes
Apr.
1999

May
1999

Unadjusted
percent change to
May 1999 fromMay
1998

Apr.
1999

Expenditure category
All items ...................................
All items (1967=100) ........................

100.000
-

166.3
498.2

166.3
498.2

2.1
-

0.0
-

Food and beverages .........................
Food ......................................
Food at home .............................
Cereals and bakery products .............
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..........
Dairy and related products ..............
Fruits and vegetables ...................
Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage
materials ...........................
Other food at home ......................
Sugar and sweets .......................
Fats and oils ..........................
Other foods ............................
Other miscellaneous foods (1).........
Food away from home ......................
Other food away from home (1)...........
Alcoholic beverages .......................

16.408
15.422
9.691
1.544
2.569
1.088
1.440

163.9
163.5
163.6
184.7
146.9
156.3
203.7

164.3
163.9
164.1
185.1
146.9
156.2
208.1

2.2
2.2
2.1
2.5
0.5
5.5
2.1

0.2
0.2
0.3
0.2
0.0
-0.1
2.2

1.049
2.002
.377
.309
1.316
.320
5.730
.175
.986

134.0
153.6
151.8
148.9
169.2
105.7
164.5
104.0
168.8

134.2
153.3
152.9
147.2
168.8
105.2
164.7
104.3
169.3

1.0
2.7
2.3
4.2
2.5
3.7
2.6
3.7
2.5

0.1
-0.2
0.7
-1.1
-0.2
-0.5
0.1
0.3
0.3

Housing ....................................
Shelter ...................................
Rent of primary residence ................
Lodging away from home (1)................
Owners' equivalent rent of primary
residence (2).........................
Tenants' and household insurance (1).....
Fuels and utilities .......................
Fuels ....................................
Fuel oil and other fuels ................
Gas (piped) and electricity .............
Household furnishings and operations ......

39.828
30.283
7.007
2.376

163.2
186.7
176.4
115.4

163.1
186.5
176.7
111.7

2.1
2.9
3.3
2.8

-0.1
-0.1
0.2
-3.2

20.529
.371
4.735
3.801
.227
3.574
4.810

191.9
100.3
125.7
110.2
87.7
117.5
127.4

192.2
100.5
126.5
111.0
87.6
118.4
127.1

2.9
0.9
-1.1
-1.9
-4.6
-1.7
0.4

0.2
0.2
0.6
0.7
-0.1
0.8
-0.2

Apparel ....................................
Men's and boys' apparel ...................
Women's and girls' apparel ................
Infants' and toddlers' apparel ............
Footwear ..................................

4.831
1.358
1.939
.272
.876

135.8
133.9
130.1
128.3
129.1

134.8
134.0
128.6
127.4
127.5

-0.4
0.4
-0.8
0.4
-0.6

-0.7
0.1
-1.2
-0.7
-1.2

Transportation .............................
Private transportation ....................
New and used motor vehicles (1)...........
New vehicles ............................
Used cars and trucks ....................
Motor fuel ...............................
Gasoline (all types) ....................
Motor vehicle parts and equipment ........
Motor vehicle maintenance and repair .....
Public transportation .....................

16.999
15.653
7.843
4.983
1.914
2.493
2.476
.549
1.624
1.346

144.3
140.1
99.8
143.3
148.4
100.9
100.3
100.3
171.0
201.3

144.4
140.3
99.8
142.9
149.6
101.3
100.8
100.5
171.4
199.9

1.7
1.4
-0.1
-0.3
-0.3
7.0
7.0
-0.1
3.3
5.0

0.1
0.1
0.0
-0.3
0.8
0.4
0.5
0.2
0.2
-0.7

Medical care ...............................
Medical care commodities ..................
Medical care services .....................
Professional services ....................
Hospital and related services ............

5.713
1.252
4.461
2.854
1.354

249.2
229.8
253.5
228.2
296.3

249.6
230.1
254.0
228.6
297.0

3.4
3.9
3.3
3.1
4.0

0.2
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.2

Recreation (1)..............................
Video and audio (1).......................

6.120
1.748

102.2
101.0

102.4
101.1

1.4
-0.1

0.2
0.1

Education and communication (1).............
Education (1)..............................
Educational books and supplies ...........
Tuition, other school fees, and childcare
Communication (1).........................
Information and information processing
(1)...................................
Telephone services (1)..................
Information and information processing
other than telephone services (3)...
Personal computers and peripheral
equipment (1)......................

5.478
2.694
.203
2.492
2.783

100.7
105.5
260.9
303.8
96.4

100.5
105.6
261.3
304.1
95.9

0.4
4.7
5.0
4.7
-3.5

-0.2
0.1
0.2
0.1
-0.5

2.580
2.327

95.9
100.1

95.4
99.7

-3.9
-1.4

-0.5
-0.4

.253

32.2

31.4

-24.3

-2.5

.148

57.0

55.9

-32.4

-1.9

4.624
1.159
3.465
.742
.973
1.491

256.2
348.5
160.4
150.9
170.6
241.8

256.1
344.8
161.0
151.2
171.3
242.5

8.2
27.7
2.8
1.3
3.6
3.6

0.0
-1.1
0.4
0.2
0.4
0.3

42.109
16.408
25.702

144.8
163.9
133.3

144.8
164.3
133.1

1.8
2.2
1.4

0.0
0.2
-0.2

Other goods and services ...................
Tobacco and smoking products ..............
Personal care .............................
Personal care products ...................
Personal care services ...................
Miscellaneous personal services ..........
Commodity and service group
Commodities .................................
Food and beverages .........................
Commodities less food and beverages ........

Nondurables less food and beverages .......
Apparel ..................................
Nondurables less food, beverages, and
apparel ..............................
Durables ..................................
Services ....................................
Rent of shelter (2).........................
Transportation services ....................
Other services .............................

14.345
4.831

138.8
135.8

138.5
134.8

3.4
-0.4

-0.2
-0.7

9.514
11.356
57.891
29.912
6.963
10.768

145.7
126.2
187.9
194.4
191.1
221.9

145.8
126.0
188.0
194.2
190.9
222.2

5.3
-1.3
2.5
3.0
1.7
2.8

0.1
-0.2
0.1
-0.1
-0.1
0.1

84.578
69.717
94.287
26.688
15.331
10.500
30.753
27.979
53.429
6.294
93.706
78.284

166.8
160.1
161.7
134.8
140.7
147.1
151.6
194.6
181.9
104.9
174.3
177.0

166.7
160.1
161.7
134.6
140.4
147.2
151.6
194.9
181.9
105.6
174.3
176.8

2.1
1.8
2.1
1.4
3.3
5.1
2.8
2.0
2.4
1.7
2.2
2.1

-0.1
0.0
0.0
-0.1
-0.2
0.1
0.0
0.2
0.0
0.7
0.0
-0.1

23.967
2.720
54.316

145.1
99.9
195.1

144.8
100.3
195.1

0.8
6.0
2.8

-0.2
0.4
0.0

-

$ .601

$ .601

-

-

-

$ .201

$ .201

-

-

Special indexes
All items less food .........................
All items less shelter ......................
All items less medical care .................
Commodities less food .......................
Nondurables less food .......................
Nondurables less food and apparel ...........
Nondurables .................................
Services less rent of shelter (2)............
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) .........................
Purchasing power of the consumer dollar
(1967=$1.00) ............................

1 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base.
2 Index is on a December 1982=100 base.
3 Indexes on a December 1988=100 base.
- Data not available.
NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
Table 2(LAS). Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W-XL): U.S.
city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group using a Laspeyres Estimator
(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

CPI-W

Relative
importance,
December
1998

Unadjusted
indexes
Apr.
1999

May
1999

Unadjusted
percent change to
May 1999 fromMay
1998

Apr.
1999

Expenditure category
All items ...................................
All items (1967=100) ........................

100.000
-

162.8
485.0

162.9
485.3

2.1
-

0.1
-

Food and beverages .........................
Food ......................................
Food at home .............................
Cereals and bakery products .............
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..........
Dairy and related products ..............
Fruits and vegetables ...................
Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage
materials ...........................
Other food at home ......................
Sugar and sweets .......................
Fats and oils ..........................
Other foods ............................
Other miscellaneous foods (1).........
Food away from home ......................
Other food away from home (1)...........
Alcoholic beverages .......................

18.011
16.966
10.832
1.689
3.055
1.193
1.492

163.1
162.7
162.3
184.4
146.5
155.9
202.0

163.4
163.0
162.7
184.8
146.4
155.8
206.2

2.2
2.1
1.9
2.5
0.4
5.4
1.7

0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
-0.1
-0.1
2.1

1.184
2.220
.420
.354
1.446
.355
6.133
.216
1.045

132.9
153.0
151.7
148.5
169.0
105.4
164.5
104.1
167.8

133.1
152.6
152.8
147.0
168.6
104.9
164.6
104.2
168.5

1.1
2.6
2.3
4.2
2.4
3.3
2.5
3.6
2.7

0.2
-0.3
0.7
-1.0
-0.2
-0.5
0.1
0.1
0.4

Housing ....................................
Shelter ...................................
Rent of primary residence ................
Lodging away from home (1)................
Owners' equivalent rent of primary
residence (2).........................
Tenants' and household insurance (1).....
Fuels and utilities .......................
Fuels ....................................
Fuel oil and other fuels ................
Gas (piped) and electricity .............
Household furnishings and operations ......

36.685
27.496
8.500
1.379

159.1
180.9
176.0
115.0

159.2
180.9
176.4
111.7

2.0
3.0
3.3
2.9

0.1
0.0
0.2
-2.9

17.296
.320
4.850
3.928
.201
3.727
4.339

174.8
100.7
125.5
109.7
88.1
116.9
125.6

175.1
100.9
126.3
110.6
88.0
117.9
125.2

2.9
1.2
-1.3
-2.0
-4.3
-1.9
0.0

0.2
0.2
0.6
0.8
-0.1
0.9
-0.3

Apparel ....................................
Men's and boys' apparel ...................
Women's and girls' apparel ................
Infants' and toddlers' apparel ............
Footwear ..................................

5.199
1.474
1.948
.344
1.057

134.2
134.0
127.8
129.5
129.4

133.5
134.2
126.7
128.8
128.0

-0.1
0.8
-0.5
1.1
-0.8

-0.5
0.1
-0.9
-0.5
-1.1

Transportation .............................
Private transportation ....................
New and used motor vehicles (1)...........
New vehicles ............................
Used cars and trucks ....................
Motor fuel ...............................
Gasoline (all types) ....................
Motor vehicle parts and equipment ........
Motor vehicle maintenance and repair .....
Public transportation .....................

19.166
18.109
9.250
5.224
3.216
3.066
3.045
.682
1.690
1.056

143.0
140.2
99.7
144.4
149.7
100.7
100.2
99.8
172.5
196.2

143.2
140.4
99.8
144.0
151.0
101.2
100.7
100.1
172.9
195.0

1.5
1.3
-0.3
-0.3
-0.2
6.5
6.6
0.2
3.5
4.1

0.1
0.1
0.1
-0.3
0.9
0.5
0.5
0.3
0.2
-0.6

Medical care ...............................
Medical care commodities ..................
Medical care services .....................
Professional services ....................
Hospital and related services ............

4.672
.926
3.746
2.415
1.114

248.3
226.1
253.3
229.7
292.3

248.8
226.3
253.8
230.2
293.0

3.4
3.7
3.3
3.1
4.0

0.2
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.2

Recreation (1)..............................
Video and audio (1).......................

5.925
1.951

101.5
100.8

101.7
100.8

0.8
-0.3

0.2
0.0

Education and communication (1).............
Education (1)..............................
Educational books and supplies ...........
Tuition, other school fees, and childcare
Communication (1).........................
Information and information processing
(1)...................................
Telephone services (1)..................
Information and information processing
other than telephone services (3)...
Personal computers and peripheral
equipment (1)......................

5.361
2.478
.200
2.278
2.883

100.9
105.7
263.5
298.3
97.1

100.8
105.8
264.0
298.7
96.7

0.5
4.9
5.1
4.8
-3.0

-0.1
0.1
0.2
0.1
-0.4

2.733
2.519

96.8
100.1

96.4
99.9

-3.3
-1.3

-0.4
-0.2

.213

33.2

32.4

-23.9

-2.4

.120

56.1

55.3

-32.5

-1.4

Other goods and services ...................
Tobacco and smoking products ..............
Personal care .............................
Personal care products ...................
Personal care services ...................

4.981
1.694
3.287
.838
.975

259.4
349.0
160.7
151.7
170.9

258.9
345.2
161.1
151.8
171.6

10.3
27.8
2.8
0.9
3.6

-0.2
-1.1
0.2
0.1
0.4

Miscellaneous personal services ..........

1.253

242.1

242.7

4.2

0.2

46.764
18.011
28.753
15.564
5.199

144.8
163.1
133.8
139.2
134.2

144.8
163.4
133.6
139.0
133.5

1.9
2.2
1.7
4.0
-0.1

0.0
0.2
-0.1
-0.1
-0.5

10.365
13.189
53.236
27.175
6.800
10.144

146.7
125.9
184.3
174.2
188.1
218.3

146.7
125.8
184.5
174.2
187.9
218.6

6.2
-1.2
2.3
3.0
1.3
2.6

0.0
-0.1
0.1
0.0
-0.1
0.1

83.034
72.504
95.328
29.798
16.609
11.410
33.575
26.061
49.490
6.994
93.006
76.040

162.7
157.8
158.9
135.1
141.0
147.9
151.5
172.8
178.5
104.5
170.9
173.0

162.8
157.9
158.9
135.0
140.8
147.9
151.6
173.1
178.7
105.2
170.9
172.9

2.1
1.8
2.1
1.7
3.9
5.9
3.1
1.7
2.3
1.9
2.2
2.1

0.1
0.1
0.0
-0.1
-0.1
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.1
0.7
0.0
-0.1

26.531
3.267
49.509

145.0
100.1
191.8

144.7
100.6
191.9

1.1
5.9
2.7

-0.2
0.5
0.1

-

$ .614

$ .614

-

-

-

$ .206

$ .206

-

-

Commodity and service group
Commodities .................................
Food and beverages .........................
Commodities less food and beverages ........
Nondurables less food and beverages .......
Apparel ..................................
Nondurables less food, beverages, and
apparel ..............................
Durables ..................................
Services ....................................
Rent of shelter (2).........................
Transportation services ....................
Other services .............................
Special indexes
All items less food .........................
All items less shelter ......................
All items less medical care .................
Commodities less food .......................
Nondurables less food .......................
Nondurables less food and apparel ...........
Nondurables .................................
Services less rent of shelter (2)............
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) .........................
Purchasing power of the consumer dollar
(1967=$1.00) ............................

1 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base.
2 Index is on a December 1984=100 base.
3 Indexes on a December 1988=100 base.
- Data not available.
NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.

Table 3(LAS). Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U-XL): Selected areas, all items index
using a Laspeyres Estimator
(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

CPI-U

Pricing
schedule
(1)

Indexes

Percent change to
May 1999 from--

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

May
1999

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

M

164.7

165.2

166.3

166.3

1.0

0.7

0.0

Northeast urban .............................
Size A - More than 1,500,000 .............
Size B/C 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)..........

M
M
M

171.7
172.6
103.0

172.1
173.1
103.3

173.0
173.8
104.0

173.0
173.8
103.9

0.8
0.7
0.9

0.5
0.4
0.6

0.0
0.0
-0.1

Midwest urban ...............................
Size A
- More than 1,500,000 ............
Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3).........
Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than
50,000) ...............................

M
M
M

160.6
161.9
102.7

161.2
162.5
103.1

162.3
163.7
103.8

162.3
163.7
103.8

1.1
1.1
1.1

0.7
0.7
0.7

0.0
0.0
0.0

M

155.7

155.8

156.5

156.6

0.6

0.5

0.1

South urban .................................
Size A - More than 1,500,000 .............
Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)........
Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than
50,000) ...............................

M
M
M

160.2
159.1
103.1

160.8
159.8
103.4

161.6
160.6
104.0

161.7
160.6
104.2

0.9
0.9
1.1

0.6
0.5
0.8

0.1
0.0
0.2

M

161.1

161.7

162.8

162.1

0.6

0.2

-0.4

West urban ..................................
Size A
- More than 1,500,000 ............
Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3).........

M
M
M

167.0
167.9
103.9

167.5
168.4
104.3

169.2
170.1
105.2

169.0
170.1
105.0

1.2
1.3
1.1

0.9
1.0
0.7

-0.1
0.0
-0.2

M
M

149.1
103.1

149.6
103.5

150.7
104.1

150.6
104.2

1.0
1.1

0.7
0.7

-0.1
0.1

U.S. city average ...........................
Region and area size(2)

Size classes
A (4)......................................
B/C (3)....................................

D .........................................

M

160.8

161.3

162.3

162.0

0.7

0.4

-0.2

Selected local areas
Chicago-Gary-Kenosha, IL-IN-WI ..............
Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CA .....
New York-Northern N.J.-Long Island,
NY-NJ-CT-PA .............................

M
M

166.4
164.7

166.9
165.2

167.6
166.6

168.2
166.4

1.1
1.0

0.8
0.7

0.4
-0.1

M

175.4

175.8

176.3

176.4

0.6

0.3

0.1

Boston-Brockton-Nashua, MA-NH-ME-CT .........
Cleveland-Akron, OH .........................
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX .......................
Washington-Baltimore, DC-MD-VA-WV (5)........

1
1
1
1

-

175.2
161.1
156.4
103.4

-

174.3
161.6
157.3
103.7

-

-0.5
0.3
0.6
0.3

-

Atlanta, GA .................................
Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, MI .................
Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX ..............
Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ...................
Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City,
PA-NJ-DE-MD .............................
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA ..........
Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, WA ................

2
2
2
2

162.1
161.3
146.8
161.4

-

163.8
164.0
148.3
161.8

-

-

-

-

2
2
2

168.7
169.5
170.8

-

171.1
172.5
172.6

-

-

-

-

1 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.
2 Regions defined as the four Census regions. See map in technical notes.
3 Indexes on a December 1996=100 base.
4 Indexes on a December 1986=100 base.
5 Indexes on a November 1996=100 base.
- Data not available.
NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
Table 4(LAS). Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W-XL): Selected
areas, all items index using a Laspeyres Estimator
(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

CPI-W

Pricing
schedule

Indexes

Percent change to
May 1999 from--

(1)

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

May
1999

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

M

161.2

161.6

162.8

162.9

1.1

0.8

0.1

Northeast urban .............................
Size A - More than 1,500,000 .............
Size B/C 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)..........

M
M
M

168.4
168.3
102.7

168.7
168.5
102.8

169.7
169.5
103.5

169.8
169.6
103.5

0.8
0.8
0.8

0.7
0.7
0.7

0.1
0.1
0.0

Midwest urban ...............................
Size A
- More than 1,500,000 ............
Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3).........
Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than
50,000) ...............................

M
M
M

156.6
157.2
102.3

157.1
157.6
102.7

158.3
158.8
103.6

158.4
159.0
103.5

1.1
1.1
1.2

0.8
0.9
0.8

0.1
0.1
-0.1

M

153.5

153.5

154.4

154.6

0.7

0.7

0.1

South urban .................................
Size A - More than 1,500,000 .............
Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)........
Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than
50,000) ...............................

M
M
M

158.1
156.5
102.7

158.5
157.0
102.9

159.5
157.9
103.6

159.8
158.1
103.8

1.1
1.0
1.1

0.8
0.7
0.9

0.2
0.1
0.2

M

161.2

161.7

162.8

162.7

0.9

0.6

-0.1

West urban ..................................
Size A
- More than 1,500,000 ............
Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3).........

M
M
M

162.8
162.0
103.7

163.3
162.4
104.1

165.0
164.2
105.1

164.9
164.2
104.8

1.3
1.4
1.1

1.0
1.1
0.7

-0.1
0.0
-0.3

M
M
M

147.5
102.7
159.5

147.8
103.0
159.9

149.0
103.8
160.9

149.1
103.9
160.9

1.1
1.2
0.9

0.9
0.9
0.6

0.1
0.1
0.0

M
M

160.6
158.1

161.1
158.5

161.7
160.1

162.4
159.9

1.1
1.1

0.8
0.9

0.4
-0.1

M

170.8

171.0

171.6

171.7

0.5

0.4

0.1

U.S. city average ...........................
Region and area size(2)

Size classes
A (4)......................................
B/C (3)....................................
D .........................................
Selected local areas
Chicago-Gary-Kenosha, IL-IN-WI ..............
Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CA .....
New York-Northern N.J.-Long Island,
NY-NJ-CT-PA .............................

Boston-Brockton-Nashua, MA-NH-ME-CT .........
Cleveland-Akron, OH .........................
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX .......................
Washington-Baltimore, DC-MD-VA-WV (5)........

1
1
1
1

-

172.7
152.9
155.9
103.0

-

172.8
153.8
157.0
103.5

-

0.1
0.6
0.7
0.5

-

Atlanta, GA .................................
Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, MI .................
Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX ..............
Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ...................
Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City,
PA-NJ-DE-MD .............................
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA ..........
Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, WA ................

2
2
2
2

159.3
155.9
145.2
158.8

-

160.9
158.6
146.6
159.2

-

-

-

-

2
2
2

167.9
165.8
166.2

-

170.5
169.0
168.1

-

-

-

-

1 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.
2 Regions defined as the four Census regions. See map in technical notes.
3 Indexes on a December 1996=100 base.
4 Indexes on a December 1986=100 base.
5 Indexes on a November 1996=100 base.
- Data not available.
NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.