Full text of CPI Detailed Report : April 1954

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Issued May 21, 195^
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF IABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D. C.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX - APRIL 195^
Consumer prices in U.S. cities declined 0.2 percent between March and April,
according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. Reductions in
Federal excise taxes, which became effective April 1, resulted in average reductions in
groups of goods and services including Housefurnishings, Household Operation, Personal
Care, and Recreation. Continued increases in Rent, Medical Care, and other personal
services, and a moderate advance in average food prices, offset much of the tax reduction.
The All Items index for April was llb.6
(19^7-^9 = 100), 0.7 percent below
the October 1953 peak, but 0.8 percent higher than a year ago and 12.6 percent above the
June 1950 level. On a 1935-39 base, the index for April was 191.6.
FOOD

The total food index rose 0.3 percent over the month, to 112.Ij- (I9i4.7-.if9 = 100\
This was 0.8 percent above April of last year but 3*6 percent under the
August 1952 peak. Prices of some fresh fruits and vegetables rose sharply, with oranges
up almost 9 percent, apples up around 5 percent, and fresh strawberries considerably
higher than at the end of last season. Potato prices increased nearly U percent, onions
nearly 12 percent, and lettuce about 7 percent. Average prices of pork, lamb, poultry,
and fish were higher but beef and veal prices declined slightly. The price of coffee rose
to an average of nearly $1.1V a pound, up 8 percent for the month and over 2k percent
since last December. Butter dropped 11 percent in price during the month, reflecting
lower Government support prices, and was selling at a nation-wide average of 70^ a pound,
lowest since May 19^7. Egg prices continued*down in most cities, averaging k.l percent
lower than a month ago. Restaurant meals were slightly higher.
HOUSING

Rents continued their slow advance of recent months although isolated decreases were reported in some of the smaller cities. The total rise in rent
since last July, when Federal controls were removed from cities still under control, has
been about 3*6 percent, of which only 0.5 percent has occurred in the four months since
December 1953*
Most of the manufacturers1 excise tax reductions on refrigerators, stoves,
toasters, and other household appliances were passed on to customers, resulting in
average price reductions of about 3 percent at retail. The Housefurnishings index in
April was at its lowest level in over 3 years. Seasonally lower prices on coal and fuel
oil were reported in some cities. Charges for laundry and dry cleaning services were
higher, and prices of detergents, and laundry and toilet soap advanced, reflecting higher
costs for fats and oils. Telephone rates decreased nearly k percent as a result of reduced Federal excise taxes.




2

APPAREL

Apparel prices decreased on the average for the fifth consecutive month.
Prices of work clothing continued lower and prices of women's handbags
were reduced by tax cuts. Although price changes were small, there were reports that
consumers were being offered wider choices in cotton dresses and many other items of
clothing, with improved workmanship, quality of fabric, and styling. Prices of men's
light weight suits were higher than at the close of the previous season.
OTHER COMMODITIES
AND SERVICES

In the Transportation group, some local transit fare increases and a
sharp rise in gasoline prices following a price war were reported.
Used car prices continued to fall throughout the country, and lower
excise taxes reduced railroad fares by k percent. Scattered reports indicated that
some dealers offered liberal trade-in allowances on new car purchases.
Increased movie admissions were reported from many sections of the
country, offsetting most of the excise tax reduction. Medical fees continued to advance.
Lower prices for sporting goods and toiletries reflected tax cuts.
Face powder and face cream prices were about 8 l/2 percent lower. With dealer inventories still high, sales on television and radio sets continued in some cities.




TABLE 1. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — U.S. CITY AVERAGE ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS
Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Dates
INDEXES (19V7-1+9 = 100)

GROUP

April
195^

March
195^

This Month

Last Month

February
1954

April
1953

2 Months Ago

Last Year

June
1950
Pre-Korea

3

Year
1939
PreWorld War II

ALL ITEMS

114.6

114.8

115.0

113.7

101.8

59.4

FOOD 1/

112.4

112.1

112.6

111.5

100.5

47.1

111.8
121.1
110.5
104.6
110.0

113.6

111.4
121.2
109.5
108.0
107.8
112.3

112.0
121.3
109.7
109.0
108.0
114.0

111.1
118.0
106.8
109.0
115.0
110.4

102.7
106.1
92.3
102.5
94.1

47.1
57.2
41.6
49.8
46.3
48.4

118.5

119.0

118.9

117.0

104.9

76.1

128.2
107.6
123.9
106.1
116.9

128.0
107.6
125.8
107.2
117.5

127.9
107.5
126.2
107.2
117.3

122.1
106.5
123.6
107.8
114.3

108.7
102.7
107.6
97.4
99.6

86.6
104.9
56.4
53.4
68.4

104.1

104.3

104.7

104.6

96.5

52.5

98.1*
107.1
116.1
90. 4

99.0
107.2
116.1
90.0

99.5
107.4
116.1
90.4

99.4
107.3
114.8
92.1

93.3
98.1
102.1
88.4

y,
V
V
y

129.1
124.9
112.9
106.5

129.0
124.4
114.1
108.2
120.1

129.4
124.1
113.9
108.0
120.2

129.4

109.9
105.4
99.2
102.5
103.7

68.9
72.6
59.6
63.0
70.6

Food at home - — — — —
—
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry and fish — —
Dairy products — —
— —
Fruits and vegetables —
—
Other foods at home
— —
HOUSING 2/
Rent
Gas and electricity — — — —
Solid fuels and fuel oil
House furnishings
— —
Household operation

—-—
—

APPAREL
Women's and girls1
Men' s and boys1 - —
Footwear —
Other apparel
— —

— —
—

TRANSPORTATION
MEDICAL CARE
PERSONAL CARE
READING AND RECREATION
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 3/

120.2

120.2

112.5
107.9
117.9

100.5

PERCENT CHANGE TO APRIL 1954 FROM:
March
1954

February
1954

April
1953

June
1950

Year
1939

ALL ITEMS

- 0.2

- 0.3

0.8

12.6

92.9

FOOD 1/

0.3

- 0.2

0.8

11.8

138.6

- 0.2

- 0.2

0.6
2.6

137.4
111.7

2.0
1.2

0.7
- 4.0
1.9
- 0.4

3.5
- 4.0
- 4.3
2.9

11.2
17.9
4.1
13.3
7.3
20.7

110.0
137.6
134.7

- 0.4

- 0.3

1.3

13.0

55.7

0.2
0
- 1.5
- 1.0
- 0.5

0.1
- 1.8
- 1.0
- 0.3

5.0
1.0

0.2
- 1.6
2.3

17.9
4.8
15.1
8.9
17.4

48.0
2.6
119.7
98.7
70.9

- 0.6

- 0.5

7.9

98.3

- 1.0

5.5
9.2
13.7
2.3

Food at home

0.4
- 0.1
0.9
- 3.1

Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home — - —
HOUSING 2/
Rent
Housefurnishings
APPAREL

Footwear - — — Other apparel

—
—

TRANSPORTATION
MEDICAL CARE
PERSONAL CARE
READING AND RECREATION
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 3 /

0.2

- 0.2
- 0.6

- 1.1

- 0.1
0
0.4

- 0.3
0
0

- 1.8

- 0.2

- 0.2

0.6
- 0.9
- 1.4
0

3.9
0.4
- 1.3
2.0

0.1
0.4

- 1.1
- 1.6
0.1

- 0.2
1.1

17.5
18.5
13.8
3.9
15.9

165.6

V
V
V
1/
87.4
72.0
89.4

69.O
70.3

1/ Includes restaurant meals not shown separately.
2/ Includes home purchase and other home-owner costs not shown separately.
][/ Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services" (such as legal services banking fees, burial
services, etc.)
4/ Not available.




TABLE 2.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — ALL ITEMS INDEXES FOR SELECTED DATES
U.S. CITY AVERAGE AND 20 LARGE CITIES

( i 9 k 7 - 4 9

10

0)

(1935-39 = 100)

City
April
1954

April
1953

114.6

U.S. CITY AVERAGE

June
1950

Year
1939

April
1954 1/

113.7

101.8

59.4

191.6

114.2

102.8

CITIES PRICED MONTHLY!
Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles
New York
Philadelphia

116.5
116.7
115.7
112.5
115.1

—

CITIES PRICED IN JANUARY, APRIL
JULY, OCTOBER 2/
Boston — — — —
Kansas City
Minneapolis —
Pittsburgh
Portland, Ore.

112.9
115.5
116.3
114.5
114.8

—
—
*
—-—

CITIES PRICED IN MARCH, JUNE,
SEPTEMBER, DECEMBER 2/

117.0

Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati
St. Louis
San Francisco

114.8
114.2
116.9
116.5

CITIES PRICED IN FEBRUARY, MAY,
AUGUST, NOVEMBER 2/

February
1954

99.9
101.5

March
1953

June
1950

116.7
114.2
•112.6
114.7
115.5

101.3 4/

181.8

186.0
192.6

194.6

198.8
March
195^
198.4
197.3
192.3
195.1
199.1

58.3
57.9
58.4
59.3
58.6

101.6
101.2
101.1

100.9
May
1950

February
1954

100.4
103.5
100.2

112.2

59.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
60.4

102.0

114.6

101.6

113.0

114.1

61.0
61.7
6 0.7
58.1
58.3

115.4

116.1

116.2

101.2

102.1 2/

112.5

116.9
113.2

191.5
April
1954

101.4

111.7
114.3
115.1

February
1953

115.2

Cleveland
Houston
Scranton
Seattle
—
Washington, D. C.

59.2

April
1950

112.8

March
1954

186.2

60.1

101.6

April
1953

198.4
197.0
193.3

59.0
60.4

101.3
100.9

111.1
113.7

April
195*1

58.6

102.8

115.2
115.6

196.3
197.9

188.1

198.6
187.4

1/ These are the same indexes shown in column 1, converted to a base of 1935-39 = 100.
2/ Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items priced monthly; other commodities and services priced quarterly,
3/ June 1950; formerly priced March, June, September, December.
May 1950; formerly priced February, May, August, November.

TABLE 3.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — PERCENT CHANGES FROM MARCH 1954 TO APRIL 1954
U.S. City Average and Five Cities Priced Monthly
All Items and Commodity Groups

All
Item3

City

Food

Housing

- 0.2

0.3

- 0.4

- 0.2

- 0.2
0.2
- 0.4
0.1
0.2

- 0.3
1.2
- 0.3
1.0
0.5

- 0.2
- 0.1
- 0.8

-

Apparel

Transportation

Medical
Care

Personal
Care

Reading

&
Recreation

U.S. CITY AVERAGE
Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles New York
Philadelphia-




- 0.3

- 0.1

0.1
0.2
0.5
0.5
0.1

-

0.1

0.4

- 1.1

- 1.6

0.2
0.4
0.3
0.4
0.1

0
0.2
1.0
0.6
0

-

-

1.3
0.8
1.1
1.0
0.8

0.4
0.7
1.5
1.6
0.6

Other
Goods &
Services
0.1
-

0.1
0.1
0
0.2

0.6

5

TABLE
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — ALL ITEMS AND COtfODITT GROUPS
April 1954 Indexes and Percent Changes, January 195^ to April 195*
U.S. City Average and 10 Cities Priced in April 195*
Housing
Solid
Fuels

City

All
Items

Total
Food

Gas &
Electricity

Rent

Total

&
Fuel
Oil

House- Household
furnish- Operation
ings

TransportaApparel tion

Medical
Care

Other
ReadPering & Goods &
sonal Recre- Seration
vices
Care

April 195^ Indexes (1947-49 = 100)
U.S. CITY AVERAGE 114.6

112.4

118.5

Boston
—
Chicago
Detroit
Kansas City
Los Angeles
Minneapolis
New York
Philadelphia
—
Pittsburgh
Portland, Ore. -

109.3
110.4

117.5
124.9
122.1
118.3
123.3
119.8

112.9
116.5
116.7
115.5
115.7
116.3
112.5
115.1
114.5
114.8

116.1
109.0

113.1
112.1
111.0
114.3
113.3

128.2

108.9

106.2
138.1
133.5

115.0

113.5

122.

116.5

112.2

107.6

119.4

110.3
105.2
109.5
110.0
108.7
102.3
116.7
105.2

123.9
122.6
124.0
119.4
113.2

_
114.8
129.4
123.2
123.2
127.6

Percent Change —

0.6

- 0.3

0.2 _ 0.5
- 0.2 _ 0.9
0.8
- 0.3
0.4 _ 0.8
- 0.9 _ 1.0
- 0.3 _ 0.7
0.1
- 0.4
- 0.2
0.9
0.1 _ 0.1
- 0.5 - 0.8

- 0.1
0.5

- 0.5
Boston
Chicago
Detroit
Kansas City
Los Angeles
Minneapolis
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Portland, Ore. -

-

0.• 3

0.5

0.1

0.4 1/ 3.,2
- 0.6 1/ 1.-5

- 1.0

0.1

- 0.3
0.1
0.1 1/ 1.,2
0.5

6.3
- 0.4

2.1

0
0
- 0.1
•0
0
0

106.1
104.1
107.5
110.1
106.4
107.5
106.3
106.6
109.1
104.6
108.9

116.9

104.1

129.1

124.9

112.9

113.1
120.5
109.9
120.9
107.4
121.0
118.6
113.4
119.8

101.1
108.1
102.6

140.9
132.4
120.7
129.8
127.3
120.9
13^.1
137.2
138.6
124.6

124.4
122.8
122.5
135. ^
122.5
141.9
123.9
123.7
127.8
121.4

112.3
113.2
119.1
115.6
116.6
115.7
107.5
117.0
116.5

- 0.8

- 1.1

1.0

0.5
0.3
- 0.4
- 0.9
0

- 1.0

4.0

- 0.1

111.6

103.8
103.8
105.5

104.0
105.7
103.4
104.6

110.6

106.5

120.2

104.7
107.5
111.0
113. ^
100.5
114.1
104.1
110.1
96.8
111.3

118.5
118.8
125.0
117.5
115.2
125.1
121.3
123.4
120.5
118.7

January 1954 to April 195^

- 1.4
- 1.5
- 0.4
0
0

.

0

- 1.9
- 0.5
0
0.2

-

1.0

_ 2.2
-

1.3

0.6
1.2

-

1.6
- 0.4
- 0.4
_ 0.4
0.9
1.3

- 0.3

0.8
- 0.4

0.8

0
- 0.6
- 0.8
0
- 0.1
- 1.3

- 0.6

- 0.8
- 0.5

- 1.0

- 0.8

- 3.8
3.1
- 1.4
- 0.8
- 1.1
0.8

- 0.6

- 1.0

0

0.3
12.7
1.2
2.2
0.2
0.3
5.^

0.3

-

0.7

-

0.3
0.9
0.6
0.6

-

1.3

-

-

0.9
0.7
0.2
2.8
1.0

-

2.0 - 0.1

-

2.4

-

-

1.0
1.0

2.9
2.9
1.4
4.1
0.4
2.9
5.0

0.4
- 0.2
- 0.2
- 0.1

- 1.1

- 0.2
0.1
0.4
0

- 0.6

1/ Change from October 1953 to April 1954.

TABLE 5. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — FOOD AND ITS SUBGROUPS
April 1954 Indexes and Percent Changes, March 1951*- to April 195^
U.S. City Average and 20 Large Cities
(1947-^9 = 100)

Total Food
Percent
Index Change

City

110.5

0.9

104.6

- 3.1

110.0

2.0

113.6

1.2

0.5
0.3
0
- 0.3
- 0.4

0.6
0.4
0.2
109.8 0.1
0.4
113.2

116.1
122.0
119.2
117.2
118.4

0.1
0.3
0.1
0.2
0

117.9
113.0
106.0
105.8
115.5

1.2
0.7
0.5
0.7
0.7

108.3
107.8
104.3
104.4
103.6

-

1.1
3.7
3.9
2.5
7.0

105.8
0.3
110.2
2.5
2.2
103.2
105.6 - 0.2
1.1
105.9

107.3
112.2
107.5
120.1
119.4

1.5
1.1
1.6
0.9
1.1

- 0.1
1.2
- 0.5

109.4
115.2
111.0
108.4
111.8

1.3
- 0.6
0.6
- 0.3

llb.6
117.8
118.5
120.3
122.5

- 1.7
0
0.2
- 0.1
- 0.1

107.6
109.8
107.0
107.7
109.6

1.9
1.0
- 1.2
1.0
- 0.7

97.7
105.9
109.2
99.7
103.2

-

6.8
2.0
0.7
1.5
2.0

105.1
123.8
111.0
105.0
113.6

1.7
6.4
0.3
2.0
0.7

1.2
117.6
116.0
1.0
111.8 - 0.8
109.2
0.6
0.5
111.7

111.9
110.6
113.4
112.6
112.0

- 0.2
1.2
0.7
- 0.2
- 0.5

124.7
125.2
120.8
121.1

- 0.2
0.1
0.2
- 0.5

103.8

102.4
101.8
105.5
107.1
107.1

-

2.2
M
4.8
^.5
1.8

120.2
103.4
110.0
107.7
111.0

2.5

112.4
107.0
114.0

- 0.5
2.6
1.7
1.4
0.4

2.6
1.2
0.5
0.9

118.0 - 0.2
115.6
3.1
115.8
3.1
123.4
0.9
112.0 - 1.4

113.3
113.1
111.3
112.5
110.4

0.7
0.5
0.4
0.8

110.4
110.4
110.0
110.5
105.6

0
0.9
0.5
0.3
1.1

96.7
105.5
107.0
103.9
111.9

-

4.8
1.2
2.2
1.7
1.7

119.6
118.8
104.3

3.7
2.4
1.8
2.3
1.9

122.3
109.3
114.1
111.9
111.5

—

110.2
116.1
112.1
109.0
113.1

Minneapolis
New York
Philadelphia - —
Pittsburgh
Portland, Ore. -

112.1
111.0
114.3
113.3
112.2

St.Louis
San Francisco —
Scranton —
Seattle
Washington, D.C.

114.9
113.9
111.8

0.6
0.5

111.0

0.6

Cleveland
Detroit
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles

—




—

112.6

Other
Fruits &
Vegetables
Foodi3 at Home
Percent
Percent
Index Change Index Change

- 0.1

112.8
113.9
109.3
110.4
113.7

—

Dairy
Products
Percent
Index Change

121.1

0.3

Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Chicago
Cincinnati

111.8

Cereals &
Meats, Poultry
& Fish
Bakery Products
Percent
Percent
Index Change
Index Change

0.4

CITY AVERAGE 112.4

U.S.

Total
Food at Home
Percent
Index Change

0.6
- 0.3

- 0.3
1.0
0.5
0.1
- 0.4
0

0.4

111.9
113.1
108.1

0

0

115.6 - 0.5

116.5
127.5
119.^

122.0
118.6

0
0.1
0
- 0.2
0.2

110.4

115.6

106.1

0.3
0.8
2.5
0.9
1.5

6

Food and Unit
CEREALS AND BAKERY PRODUCTS:
Flour, wheat
Biscuit mix
Corn meal
Rice
Rolled oats
Corn flakes
Bread, white
Soda crackers
Vanilla cookies

TABLE 6. RETAIL FOOD PRICES FOR APRIL AND MARCH 1954
U.S. CITY AVERAGE

5 lb.
20 oz.
lb.
lb.
20 oz.
12 oz.
lb.
lb.
7 oz.

MEATS, POULTRY, AND FISH:
Beef and veal
Round steak
Chuck roast
Rib roast
Hamburger
Veal cutlets
Pork
Pork chops, center cut
Bacon, sliced
Ham, whole
Lamb, leg
Other meats
Frankfurters
Luncheon meat, canned
12
Poultry: Frying chickens
Dressed
Ready-to-cook
Fish
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen
Haddock, fillet, frozen
Salmon, pink, canned
16
Tuna fish, canned
7
DAIRY PRODUCTS:
Milk, fresh, (grocery)
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
Ice cream
Butter
Cheese, American process
Milk, evaporated
14 l/2 oz.
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES:
Frozen
Strawberries
Orange juice concentrate
Peas, green
Beans, green
Fresh
Apples
Bananas
Oranges, size 200
Lsmons
Grapefruit*
Peaches*
* Priced only in season.




12
6
10
10

April
1954
(Cents)
53.8
27.5
12.5
19.7
18.5
21.8
17.0
27.1
23.6

lb. 88.3
lb.
51.2
lb. 69.1
lb. 40.7
lb. 110.9

88.5

March
1954
(Cents)
53.6
27.7
12.5
19.7
18.5
21.8
17.0
27.1
23.3

88.4
51.0

69.6

40.9
112.1

lb.
lb.
lb.
lb.

88. ^
72.8
74.1

85.7
88.0
72.2
70.7

lb.
oz.

56.0
51.7

56.1
51.4

lb.
lb.

45.4
54.6

43.9
54.5

lb.
lb.
oz.
oz.
qt.
qt.
pt.
lb.
lb.
can

oz.
oz.
oz.
oz.

lb.
lb.
doz.
lb.
each
lb.

44.0

49.8

51.2
39.3
21.5

22.5
29.6

70.0
57.7
14.0

36.7

43.6
50.0
51.3
39.2
21.9
23.3
29.7
78.4
58.9
14.3

16.7

36.9
17.0
19.4
24.5

15.9

15.1
16.7
46.1

19.2
24.5

16.3

50.1
18.0

9.6

18.3

9.9
-

—

Food and Unit
Fresh ^continued;
Strawberries*
pt.
Grapes, seedless*
lb.
lb.
Watermelons*
Potatoes
15 lb.
Sweetpotatoes
lb.
Onions
lb.
lb.
Carrots
Lettuce
head
Celery
lb.
lb.
Cabbage
Tomatoes
lb.
lb.
Beans, green
Canned
Orange juice
46 oz. can
Peaches
#2 l/2 can
Pineapple
#2 l/2 can
Fruit cocktail
#2 l/2 can
Corn, cream style #3^3 can
Peas, green
#303 can
Tomatoes
#2 can
Baby foods
4 1/2-5 oz.
Dried
Primes
lb.
Navy beans
lb.
OTHER FOODS AT HOME:
Partially prepared foods
Vegetable soup
11 oz. can
Beans with pork
16 oz. can
Condiments and sauces
Gherkins, sweet
7 l/2 oz.
Catsup, tomato
14 oz.
Beverages
lb.
Coffee
Tea
1/4 115.
Cola drink carton of 6,6 oz.
Fats and oils
Shortening, hydrogenated lb.
Margarine, colored
lb.
Lard
lb.
Salad dressing
pt.
lb.
Peanut butter
Sugar and sweets
Sugar
5 lb.
Corn syrup
24 oz.
Grape jelly
12 oz.
Chocolate bar
1 oz.
Eggs, Grade A, large
doz.
Miscellaneous foods
Gelatin, flavored
3-4 oz.

April
1954
(Cents)
38.7

66.9
13.4
6.6
12.4
15.1
12.6
7.4
28.6
25.2
32.8
32.9

March
1954
(Cents)

64.5
13.1
5.9
11.8
14.1
13.6
7.4
30.6

26.6

41.1
18.4
21.3
17.2
9.8

33.4
32.9
38.7
41.1
18.6
21.3
17.3
9.8

30.0
17.3

29.8
17.3

i M

14.4

14.3
14.3

30.1
22.2

30.1
22.2

113.6
33.4
31.1

105.2
33.2
30.9

34.5
29.5

34.5
29.7
25.6
35.8
49.2

38.6

26.7

35.8
49.1
52.5
23.6
25.1
4.5
55.5

52.6
23.6

8.5

8.6

25.O
4.5
57.9

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

7

The Consumer Price Index measures the average change in prices of goods and
services customarily purchased by city wage-earner and clerical-worker families. Index
numbers are presented on the base 19^7-^9 35 100, and show the average increase or decrease in prices from the 19V7-U9 average. For the convenience of users, indexes are
also calculated on the base 1935-39 » 100.
About 3^0 items are priced for the index to estimate the average change in
prices of a fixed quantity of goods and services from one period to the next. Among
these are all the, important items that wage and clerical workers buy, and they are
selected so that their average price change will be representative of the price changes
on all items. Prices are collected in k6 cities which are representative of all cities
in the United States.
Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items are priced every month in each
city. Prices of most other goods and services are obtained every month in the 5 largest
cities, every 3 months in 16 other large cities and in 9 medium-sized cities, and every
k months in l6 small cities. In each city, prices are reported by representative retail
stores and service establishments patronized by wage and clerical worker families.
Indexes are calculated for all cities combined (the U.S. city average) and
for each of the 20 largest cities. No separate index numbers are calculated for the
following 26 medium-sized and small cities which are included in the U.S. average:
Anna, Illinois
Camden, Arkansas
Canton, Ohio
Charleston, W. Virginia
Evansville, Indiana
Garrett, Indiana
Glendale, Arizona
Grand Forks, N. Dakota
Grand Island, Nebraska

Huntington, W. Virginia
Laconia, New Hampshire
Lodi, California
I^nchburg, Virginia
Madill, Oklahoma
Madison, Wisconsin
Middlesboro, Kentucky
Middletown, Connecticut
Newark, Ohio

Pulaski, Virginia
Ravenna, Ohio
Rawlins, Wyoming
San Jose, California
Sandpoint, Idaho
Shawnee, Oklahoma
Shenandoah, Iowa
Youngstown, Ohio

In the calculation, price changes on individual items are weighted by their
importance in wage-earner and clerical-worker family spending. City data are combined
by weighting with 195° population data to arrive at the U.S. city average.
Comparison of city indexes shows only that prices in one city changed more or
less than in another. City indexes do not measure differences in price level between
cities.
A detailed description of the index containing lists of items priced, their
weights, cities included, and an explanation of the index calculation, its uses and
limitations, is available in Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletin No. 11^0 - "The Consumer
Price Index - A Laymanfs Guide," for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, United
States Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. Price 20 cents.
A more technical description of the Consumer Price Index is available upon
request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, Washington 25, D. C.
Historical series of index numbers for the U.S. city average and 20 individual
large cities are available upon request. These series include index numbers for All Items,
Food, Apparel, and Rent for periods from 1913 to date; and for other groups of goods and
services from 19^7 to date.