Full text of CPI Detailed Report : April 1958

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Released May 22, 1958
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF IABCR
Bureau of labor Statistics
Washington 25, D* C*
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR APRIL 1958
Consumer prices in United States cities rose 0*2 percent between
March and April 1958, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor
Statistics* A seasonal advance in food prices, particularly fresh produce, was largely
responsible for the increase, .although housing, medical care, and personal care were also
higher* Transportation and apparel prices declined*
The April Consumer Price Index was 123*5 (1947-49=100), 3*5 percent higher than in April 1957*
FOCD

The increase of 0*7 percent in prices of food between March and
April was the result of substantial price increases in the fruits
and vegetables and seats, poultry, and fish groups, which more than offset decreases in
the "other foods at home" and dairy products groups* The April food price index at 121*6
percent of the 1947-49 average was 6*9 percent above a year ago*

The increase of 4*5 percent in prices of fruits fluid vegetables
represented the joint effect of seasonal Influences plus a continuation of the effects of
prior adverse growing conditions* Fresh fruit prices were u p 9*4 percent over the month,
with advances of 14*4* 9«4# and 10*4 percent for oranges, apples, and grapefruit,
respectively, while banana prices dropped 6*2 percent* Fresh vegetable prices rose 2*9
percent on the average as potato prices advanced 12*6 percent, tomatoes 10*2 percent,
onions 24*1 percent,fluodcelery 20*7 percent* Green beans returned to the market at
prices substantially lower than when they were last available* Carrots and lettuce
declined 11*0 and 3*7 percent, respectively* Increases in prices of canned tomatoes and
canned and frosen orange juice more than offset modest decreases for canned peaches and
peas.
Prices of meats, poultry, and fish advanced 1*3 percent on the
average with higher prices for most meats only partially offset by a 4«1 percent decrease
for chicken* Bacon rose 3*2 percent in price, hamburger 5*6 percent, chuck roast 2*7
percent, round steak 2*6 percent, and frankfurters, rib roast, and pork chops about 2
percent each* Fish prices were u p 0*4 percent on the average*
Egg prices dropped 6*7 percent to a national average price of
59 cents per dozen* Coffee prices were down 0*8 percent* Prices of dairy products
declined 1*4 percent with fresh milk down about 2*0 percent seasonally and butter down
1*4 percent* Cereal and bakery product prices were unchanged on the average* Prices of
restaurant meals rose 0*2 percent*
HOUSING

The housing index advanced 0*2 percent, as most of its component
subgroups rose* Rent, gas and electricity, and housefurnishings
were up 0*1 percent each, while household operation costs rose 0*2 percent* Homeownership costs also were higher, due largely to the* increase in interest rates on
TA-insured mortgages* The decline of 1*8 percent in prices of solid fuels and fuel oil
resulted from seasonal reductions of 4*3 percent for euithracite and 2*4 percent for fuel
oil*
OTHER COMMODITIES
AND SERVICES

The rise of 0*3 percent in costs of medical care reflected higher
rates for professional services, hospital room rates, and
prescriptions* Group hospitalization premiums showed no change*
The personal care index was up 0*2 percent, largely because of higher prices for
toiletries, particularly face cream*




2
The transportation index declined 0.3 percent as gasoline prices
dropped 1.1 percent to their lowest level in 16 months. Dealers' prices of- new cars fell
0.7 percent, and tires 0.9 percent. Used Oar prices rose 0.9 percent and there were
8mall advances for auto insurance and local transit fares.
Apparel prices declined 0.1 percent as reductions due to clearance sales for women's coats, suits, and rayon dresses more than offset higher prices
for nan's slacks and suits and men's and women's shoes.
The reading and recreation index showed no change. Lower prices
for television and radio sets were offset toy increased rates for TV repairs and
newspapers.
TABIE 11

Consumer Price Index—United States city average, all items and special groups
Indexes and percent changes for selected dates

Q m p

All i t e m s - — —
All items less food
All items less s h e l t e r All commoditiesAll commodities less foodDurables—
Non-durablesAll s e r v i c e s All services less rent-

Apr.
195?
123.5
125.0

121.2
116.6

112.8
109.6
116.6

142.1

143.5

ereg (1947-49=1 99)
2.as

Mar.
1959
123.3

125.0
121.0
116.4
113.1

109.6
116.9
141.7
143.1

Feb.
1953,

122.5

124.8
120.2
115.5

113.2

119.

122,

116,
112,
112,

110.3
116.7

108,

142.3

137,

141.0

June
1959

Apr.
1957

115,

136.

101.8
103.0
100.7
100.3
99.4
102.4
99.0
107.9
107.0

Percent change to April 1958 from

All itemsAll items less foodAll items less s h e l t e r — —
All aoimnoditiesAll commodities less foodDurables
Non-durablesAll s e r v i c e s All services less rent-

Mar.
1958

Feb.
1958

Apr.
1957

June
1950

Year
19?9

0.2
0
.2
.2
- .3
0
- .3
.3
.3

0.8
.2
.8
1.0
- .4
- .6
- .1
.8
.8

3.5
2.2
3.7
3.4
.6
.7
.7
4.0
4.3

21.3
21.4
20.4
16.3
13.5
7.0
17.8
31.7
34.1

107.9
80.9
118.8
126.0
89.9
91.3
98.6
76.7
95.2

(1947-49=41.00)*

Purchasing power of the consumer d o l l a r -

Apr.
1958

Mar.
1958

Feb.
1958

Apr.
1957

June
1950

Year
1939

$0.81

•0.81

10.82

$0.84

$0.98

$1.68

* To calculate purchasing power of the consumer dollar on any other base, divide
the index for the desired base date by the index for the comparison date.




TABUS 2s

Consumer Price Index — United States city average, all items and c o u o d i t y groups
Indexes and percent changes for selected dates

3

Indexes (1947-49.100)
Group

A l l items

April
1958

March
1958

This
month

Last
month

2 months
ago

February
1958

April
1957

June
1950

Year
1939

Last
year

Pre-Korea

Pre-World
War II

123.5

123.3

122.5

119.3

101.8

59.4

Food 1/
Food at home
Cereal* and bakery products —
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables —
Other foods at home
— —

121.6
120.5
132.7
115.9
112.5
136.6
112.4

120.8
119.6
132.7
114.4
114.1
130.7
113.8

118.7
117.2
132.6
112.0
114.5
124.4
111.3

113.8
112.1
130.1
102.0
110.5
118.7
111.0

100.5
100.5
102.7
106.1
92.3
102.5
94.1

47.1
47.1
57.2
41.6
49.8
46.3
48.4

Housing 2/
Rent
Qas and electricity —
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings — —

127.7
137.3
116.0
134.2
104.0
130.9

127.5
137.1
115.9
136.7
103.9
130.7

127.3
137.0
115.9
137.2
104.9
129.9

125.2
134.5
112.4
138.1
105.1
126.4

104.9
108.7
102.7
107.6
97A
99.6

76.1
86.6
104.9
56.4
53.4
68.4

106.7
109.1
98.2
129.8
91.9

106.8
108.9
98.8
129.5
91.9

106.8
109.0
98.6
129.5
92.0

106.5
108.8
98.7
127.3
92.0

96.5
98.1
93.3
102.1
88.4

52.5
50.3
54.5
50.3
40.6

138.3
186.1
127.6

138.7
185.9
128.0

138.5
185.4
127.9

135.5
176.8
125.5

109.9
117.9
106.6

70.2
81.3
65.5

142.7
128.5
117.0
127.2

142.3
128.3
117.0
127.2

141.9
128.0
116.6
127.0

136.9
123.3
111.8
124.2

105.4
99.2
102.5
103.7

72.6
59.6
63.0
70.6

Men's and boys'
—
Women's and girls' —
Footwear - —
Other apparel

—

— — — — —

Public
Private
Medical care
Personal care
— — —
Reading and recreation - —
Other goods and services

—

!

Percent change to
March
1958
All items
Food
—
—
Food at home
—-—
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish —
Dairy products — — —
Other foods at home
Food away from home

Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishing8
Apparel
Men'a and boys' — — —
Women's and girls' —
Footwear —
Other apparel

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

— — —

April
1957

Year
1939

0.8

3.5

21.3

107.9

.7
.8
0
1.3
- 1.4
4.5
- 1.2
.2

2.4
2.8
.1
3.5
- 1.7
9.8
1.0
.6

6.9
7.5
2.0
13.6
1.8
15.1
1.3
3.3

21.0
19.9
29.2
9.2
21.9
33.3
19.4
U/)

158.2
155.8
132.0
178.6
125.9
195.0
132.2
U/)

.2
.1
.1
- 1.8
.1
.2

.3
.2
.1
- 2.2
- .9
.8

2.0
2.1
3.2
- 2.8
- 1.0
3.6

21.7
26.3
13.0
24.7
6.8
31.4

67.8
58.5
10.6
137.9
94.8
91.4

-

-

.1
.1
.4
.2
.1

.2
.3
- .5
2.0
- .1

10.6
11.2
5.3
27.1
4.0

103.2
114.8
80.2
158.1
126.4

.1
.4
.2

2.1
5.3
1.7

25.8
57.8
19.7

97.0
128.9
94.8

.6
.4
.3
.2

4.2
4.2
4.7
2.4

35.4
29.5
14.1
22.7

96.6
115.6
85.7
80.2

-

.1
.2
.6
.2
0
.3
.1
.3
.3
.2
0
0

-

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




froia:
June
1950

0.2

-

—

Transportation - — — — — —
Public
Private

——-

February
1958

April 1958

T A M i 3*

C o r o n e r Price Index — H I items indexes for selected dates
U.S. city average and 20 large cities
(1947-49=100)

City

April
1958

March
1958

April
1957

June
1950

tear
1939

United States city average

123.5

123.3

119.3

101.8

59.4

127.0
124*4
125.6
121.2
122.9

126.8
124.2
125.0
121.2
123.1

122.0
121.4
120.6
116.9
119.7

102.8
102.8
101.3
100.9
101.6

58.6
59.0
60.4
60.1
59.2

April
1958

January
1958

April
1957

April
1950

Year
1939

124.5
123.7
124.1
123.8
125.0

123.4
122.4
123.2
122.6
123.3

120.2
120.4
119.8
118.8
121.6

101.2
101.4
y 102.1
99.9
101.5

Cities priced monthly

j/

ChicagoDetroit
Los Angeles
New York
Philadelphia

-

~
—

Cities priced in January, April,
July, October 2/
Boston-

— — - ---•

•

-

Pittsburgh

March
1958

Cities priced in March, June,
September, December £ /
Atlanta-- — —
Baltimore—
Cincinnati—
St. Louis
San Francisco

—

—

—
•
- • • — —

„•,.,.-,., ..

••

-

Cleveland
—
Houston—-—-—
— •
•Scranton———
• ••
—
Seattle
Washington, D . C.-- • •••" • • • • -

1/
2/
y
U

124.9
124.1
122.3
124.5
126.7
February
1958

Cities priced in February, May,
August, November
••
. • —,
•
—•• • -•
—
••••

March
1957

December
1957

120.6
119.9
118.1
120.2
122.3

122.4
122.1
120.8
122.5
124.8

124.5
122.3
119.1
125.0
120.3

123.3
122.4
117.8
123.9
119.4

Year
1939

June
1950
U

February
1957

November
1957

61.0
61.7
60.7
58.1
58.3

101.3
101.6
101.2
101.1
100.9

58.3
57.9
58.4
59.3
58.6
Year
1939

May
1950

120.4
120.5
115.5
122.2
117.5

59.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
60.4

100.4
103.5
100.2
102.0
101.6

Rents priced bimonthly.
Foods, fuels,
a few other items priced monthly; rents and other commodities and services priced quarterly*
June 1950.
May 1950

TABLE 4s Consumer Price Index — Percent changes from March 1958
to April 1958
U.S. city average and five cities priced monthly
All items and comxlity groups

City

All
items

United States city averageChicagoDetroitLos AngelesNew YorkFhiladelphiay

0.2

0.7

.2

•4
.7
1.5

.2
-

Food

.5
0

.2

.1
0

Based on revised index for March, 120.2.




Housing

0.2
.1
0
.2
.2
.5

Apparel

Transportation

Medical

0.1

0.3

0.3

.4
.3

.1
.6

.1

.2
.9
.6

.7
.4

.2

.1

2.0
0
.2

Personal
care

Reading
and
recreation

0.2
.2
0
•4
•2
.3

1/

0.8
.3
5.6
.3
.5

TABUS 5: Consumer Price Index — All items and conmodity groups
April 1958 indexes and percent changes, January 1958 to April 1958
U.S. city average and 10 cities priced in April 1958
U.S.
City
Average Boston

Group

Chicago Detroit

Kansas
City

Los
tagelas

Minneapolis

New
York

Phila- Pittsdelphia burgh

Portland;
Gtegon

Indexes ( 1 9 V M 9 .100)
All items

124.5

123.5

127.0

124.4

123.7

125.6

124.1

121.2

122.9

123.8

125.0

120.0
119.1
134.3
109.3
104.7
141.9
119.5

122.1
120.5
137.7
116.6
114.0
132.0
111.8

123.4
121.4
133.8
116.5
115.6
135.4
111.9

122.7
121.7
130.7
114.1
114.5
136.2
121.8

121.2
120.4
135.3
117.0
117.0
' 128.2
113.5

124.2
126.2
113.5
137.1
104.1
130.6

121.2
103.4
140.3
109.1
132.0

126.6
129.9
130.2
131.1
107.6
137.0

128.9
135.8
102.0
139.9
108.0
128.0

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

121.6
120.5
132.7
115.9
112.5
136.6
112.4

120.4
119.0
131.0
114.2
113.9
133.5
107.9

118.4
116.5
124.4
108.3
111.1
132.0
117.6

123.1
121.6
125.6
113.1
110.2
148.6
114.3

115.5
114.1
127.6
112.3
98.7
129.0
106.4

125.2
122.3
141.3
116.4
108.5
142.2
112.8

Housing —
Rent — — — — — — —

127.7
137.3
116.0
134.2
104.0
130.9

131.9
141.5
112.0
132.0
103.0
127.2

137.1

125.7
141.1
120.4
120.1
103.2
135.9

135.0

114.7
136.0
102.4
135.1

128.9
147.8
116.9
130.1
109.5
121.4

100.7
121.4

127.2
151.8
127.6
129.8
97.9
132.8

106.7
109.1
98.2
129.8
91.9

105.3
104.2
99.5
124.0
103.5

108.9
116.3
96.0
133.7
95.4

103.3
109.5
92.1
124.7
85.1

104.7
108.4
96.7
124.5
87.9

108.1
113.4
98.7
129.8
84.7

108.1
109.7
102.0
125.6
93.7

105.8
108.5
96.1
131.9
95.7

103.7
107.1
94.2
128.7
92.0

105.3
105.5
97.7
126.2
100.2

111.7
114.2
102.4
135.7
98.5

138.3
186.1
127.6

149.5
168.1
143.2

148.2
195.6
129.7

130.8
155.6
126.0

142.0
251.4
126.8

133.9
162.1
129.2

123.2
166.8
117.6

139.3
190.2
119.8

144.9
188.1
124.8

148.8
218.7
124.9

136.9
196.8
130.0

142.7
128.5
117.0
127.2

154.8
129.4
112.3
125.0

150.5
129.2
126.1
122.0

151.0
133.7
113.5
135.9

153.0
128.2
131.1
125.9

136.7
133.1
103.6
124.0

174.4
136.4
124.7
131.2

130.1
121.5
118.1
126.3

143.5
134.5
119.6
128.7

147.4
124.7
108.3
127.4

140.4
132.1
124.3
127.5

Solid fuels and fuel oil
Household operation
Apparel - — —
Men's 1 and boys'
Women 8 and girls'

Transportation
Public
Private

—

—-——
—

—

— — — — — —

—

—

—

—

—

Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

—

—

132.3
—

—

I
Percent change from
All items
Food
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home —

—

0.7

0.6

1.1

1.5

0.7

1.0

0.6

1.0

1.4

2.9
3.3
.2
5.2
- 1.8
12.1
- .6

2.8
3.3

2.5
2.8
- .9
5.5
- 1.7
8.7
0

2.8
3.3
- .2
5.6
- 2.9
11.3
.4

1.5
2.1
.2
4.0
-11.6
14.2
.6

3.5
3.9
.9
4.6
- 1.5
16.3
- 1.5

2.7
2.9
.1
4.2
- 2.8
12.1

3.0
3.2
.2
5.3
- 2.1
10.0
.3

1.8
2.1
- .1
3.8
- 3.5
8.7
.4

2.4
2.6
.2
3.4
- 2.2
12.2
- .9

1.9
2.5
- .3
4.3
- .2
10.8
- 1.7

.7

J/1.5
.7

.7

.4

0
J/1.9
3.3

- .4
- 1.0

.4
* .4
0
- 5.9
- .8
.2

-

- 2.8
- .2
1.3

.2
» 0
4.3
.4
.6
1.8

0
- 1.5
- .9
1.5

1.1
.5
.5
0
.5
1.0

1.3
.2
0
- 6.3
1.4
.3

- .5
.3
- 2.3
2.1
- .5

.4
.3
0
1.1
.7

1.1
1.9
.7
.6
.7

0
.6
.6
.2
0

- .2
- 1.7
.2
- .4

.3
.8
.9
.7

- .6
- 1.2
.2
- .3

- 1.9
.7
- 2.6

- 3.0
1.1
- 3.7

-

.1

4.9
- 3.4
12.8
1.2
.3
.6
- .2
- 5.0
- .8
1.4

Apparel
— — — —
1
Men s and boys' — — — — — —
Women's and girls'

-

1/ .3
0
.5

.2
.1

.6
.4
0

-

0

-

.3
2.0
- .6

1.7
•4
2.1

.7
.5
.3
.2

.3
.3
.9
0

-

—

.1

.1

.2
.3
.6

-

.1

.2

.1

—

-

.1

-

0
0
.5

.1

2.2
- 1.1
- .7
3.3

-

.1

.6
0
.3

.6
—

-

2.1
4.7
1.7

- 1.4
0
- 1.7

-

.2
.6
.5

1.9
.4
2.3

2.0
.8
- 2.6
.2

1.6
.4
1.4
- .2

.2
.7
- 1.3

.5
1.4
- .3

.9
17.5
- 2.0

.1
.1
.1

.1

—

* Change from February 1958 to April 1958.
Percent changes are based on the following revised indexes for January 19581
1/ Kansas Cityi housing, 123.9; houseftimishings, 101.3.
2/ Bostons apparel, 105.0; footwear, 124.3.




April 1958

0.9

.5
.4
.3
- 3.0
- .2
.9

Reading and recreation

to

1.0

Housing — — — — — — — — — —
Rent
— — — — — — — — — —
Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
lousefurnishlngs
— — — — —
Household operation

Public
Private

January 1958

-

-

.1

.1

-

-

-

-

.4
.3
.7
0
1.7

.4
.7
.8

2.6
11.2
1.4

.1
0
.6
.2

.3
.3
.7
.3

TABIC 61 Consumer Price Index — Food and Its subgroups
April 1958 indexes and percent changes, torch 1953 to April 1958
U.S. city average and 20 large cities
C19VM9-100]
Total
food at home

Total food
City

Percent
change

Index

U.S. city average

—

Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
— —
Chicago
— — — —
Cincinnati — — — —
Cleveland
Detroit —
•ouston
—
Kansas City
Los Angeles
Minneapolis
Sew Tork
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Portland, Oreg.
8 t . Louis
flan Francisco
flcranton
—
—
Seattle
Washington, D.C.

—

Percent
chaise

Index

0.8

132.7

0.7

120.5

119.4

.1

119.2
120.0
119.0
116.5

.8
.3
.4
.6
.3
.7
1.0

-

.5
1.5
.8

120.0
122.1

.1

0

123.4
122.7

.2

1.7

121.2
122.1

.2
1.0

— 124.1
— 119.7
122.5
123.2

122.0

117.0
121.6
116.8
114.1
122.3

120.1

.2

122.0

126.3
128.4
131.0
124.4
132.5
130.1
125.6
126.6
127.6
141.3

.6
0
.1
.1
1.9
.3
1.2
.7
2.3
.3

134.3
137.7
133.8
130.7
135.3
125.5
141.0
135.3
142.0
132.1

122.6

Meats, poultry,
and fish

Dairy
products

Fruits and
vegetables

Percent
change

Index

Percent
change

Index

Percent
change

Index

0

115.9

1.3

112.5

- 1.4

119.3
115.2
114.2
108.3
117.2
110.9
113.1
110.7
112.3
116.4

1.6
2.2
.9
.6
1.4
1.3
2.0
.5

113.9
117.3
113.9
111.1
116.0
107.7
110.2
112.6
98.7
108.5

-

109.3
116.6
116.5
114.1
117.0
113.2
120.4
116.8
116.7
115.5

1.4

-

-

-

-

-

0.4

0
.2
0
.4
0
.1
.2
.1
.6
.2

0

.2

.2
.1
0
0
.5
.1
.6

1.1
1.0
1.0

.7
.6
1.2

1.6
1.2

1.7
2.5
.4

104.7
114.0
115.6
114.5
117.0
101.6
113.9
110.8
118.5
118.0

-

-

.3
.1

2.3
.3
1.4
2.7
1.3
.2

-11.6
- 1.5
- .9
- 1.0
- 3.5
- 2.5
-

.2

-

.2

- 1.4
- 2.6
- 2.6
- 1.6

Other
foods iat home

Percent
change

Index

Percent,
change

136.6

4.5

112.4

- 1.2

137.7
132.0
133.5
132.0
136.7
127.3
148.6
131.7
129.0
142.2

1.2
3.7
5.0
3.9
4.0
3.6
4.1
5.6
6.2
7.7

105.7
113.2
107.9
117.6
116.3
115.9
114.3
110.5
106.4
112.8

-

141.9
132.0
135.4
136.2
128.2
140.3
139.9
133.4
140.1
136.2

4.1
1.6
4.7
5.3
6.7
2.6
7.5
5.7
8.3
4.0

119.5
111.8
111.9
121.8
113.5
119.5
110.8
110.7
109.4
114.3

- 1.8
-

2.4
1.1
1.6
1.8
1.8
.8
1.3
.3
.8
.9
2.1

- 1.5
- 2.5
1.3
- 1.9
- .5
- 2.0
0
- 1.0

Consumer Price Index — Average retail prices of selected foods
U.S. city average

Food and unit
Cereals and bakery products;
Flour., vheat
— — — —
5 it>.
Biscuit nix — — — — — — — —
20 oz.
Corn meal — — — — — — — — —
ib.
Rice — — — — — — — — — —
ib.
Rolled oats — — — — — —
is oz.
Corn flakes —
—
—
—
—
12 oz.
Bread, white —
—
—
—
—
ib.
Soda crackers — — — — — — — — — ib.
Vanilla cookies — — — — — - —
7 oz.
Meats, poultry, and fish:
Round steak — — — — — — — —
ib.
Chuck roast — — — — — —
ib.
Rib roast — — — — —
ib.
Hamburger — — — — — — — — — —
ib.
Veal cutlets — — — — — —
ib.
Pork chops, center cut — — — — — ib.
Bacon, sliced — — — — — —
ib.
Earn, whole — — — — — —
ib.
Lamb, leg — — — — — —
ib.
Frankfurters — — — — — —
ib.
Luncheon meat, canned — —
12 oz.
Frying chickens, ready-to*cook — ib.
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen - — — lb.
Haddock, fillet, frozen — — —
lb.
Salmon, pink, canned — — — — 16 oz.
Tuna fish, canned — — — — e to 6& oz.
Dairy products;
Milk, fresh, (grocery) — —
qt.
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
qt.
Ice cream —
—
—
—
—
—
pt.
Butter — — — — — — —
ib.
Cheese, American process —
—
ib.
Milk, evaporated — — —
i4i-oz. can
Fruits and vegetables:
Frozen:
Strawberries — — — — —
10 oz.
Orange juice concentrate — - 6 oz.
Peas, green — — — — — —
10 oz.
Beans, green — — — — —
: oz.
Fresh:
Apples — — — — — — — — — —
ib.
Bananas — — — — — — — — —
ib.
Oranges, size 200 — — — — —
doz.
Lemons — — — — — — —
ib.
Grapefruit *
each
* Priced only in season.
1 / Not available.

.4
.5
.7
•4
.8
1.1
- .4
1.8

.1
1.0

119.1
120.5
121.4
121.7
120.4
118.9
123.1

.6
1.8
TABUS 7i




Index

121.6
122.5
120.4
118.4
123.3
118.5
123.1
118.2
115.5
125.2

Cereals and
bakery products

April
1958

March
1958

Cents
55.6
26.8

Fre s h — C ontinued
Peaches * — — — — — — —
Strawberries * — — — — — Grapes, seedless * — — —
Watermelons *
—
—

12.8

18.1
20.3
25.4
19.1
29.2
24.5

105.8
65.7

82.6

53.1
131.8
91.2
79.5

68.6
78.1

64.0
48.2
48.1
45.5
56.5
63.1
32.9

23.6

24.9
29.7
73.9

58.2
15.1

26.5
25.9
19.4

23.2
15.3
15.9
77.8
18.8
13.1

April
1958

Food and unit

Potatoes — — — —

103.1
64.1

81.0
50.3

131.2
89.5
77.1
68.4

77.5
62.7
47.6
49.9
44.7
55.9
63.1
32.8

24.0
25.6
29.6
74.9
58.3
15.1

26.6
24.7
19.5

23.0

14.0
16.9

68.0
19.0
11.9

. — —

Cents

ib.
t.
P
ib.
ib.

73.2
16.5

JO IB.

Sweetpot&toes
ib.
Onions
ib.
Carrots
—
— ib.
Lettuce —
—
—
—
—
head
Celery — — — — — — — —
ib.
Cabbage — — — — — — —
ib.
Tomatoes — —
lb.
Beans, green — — — — —
ib.
Canned:
Orange juice — — — — — 46-oz. can
Peaches — — —
—
can
Pineapple — — — — — —
#2 can
Fruit cocktail — — —
#303 can
Corn, cream style —
—
#303 can
Peas, green — — — — —
#303 can
Tomatoes —
#303 can
Baby foods — — — — —
to 5 oz.
Dried:
Prunes — — — — — — — —
ib.
Beans — — — — — —
.
lb
Other foods at home:
Tomato soup —
to li-oz. can
Beans with pork — — — — —
ia-oz. can
Pickles, sweet —
—
74 oz.
Catsup, tomato — — — — —
14 oz.
Coffee —
—
—
—
—
lb. oan
Coffee
bag
Tea bags — — — — —
k . of 16
P g
Cola drink, carton — — — — —
36 oz.
Shortening, hydrogenated —
3 ib.
Margarine, colored —
—
ib.
Salad dressing —
—
—
—
t.
p
Peanut butter — — — — —
ib.
Sugar — —
— — - 5 lb.
Corn syrup — — — — — —
24 oz.
Grape Jelly — — — —
12 oz.
Chocolate bar — — — — —
1 0 z.
Eggs, Grade A , large — — —
doz.
Gelatin, flavored — —
3 to 4 oz.

March
1958

11.0

15.1

20.2
15.8
12.0

41.3
0/)
35.9
34.0
34.5

26.1

17.5

21.0

35.1
34.3
34.5

26.1

17.5

21.2

10.0

16.6
10.0

33.2
17.9

33.0
17.3

12.5
15.1
27.1
21.9
92.3
77.2

12.5
15.1
27.2
21.3
93.4
77.9

27.4
95.3

27.3
95.2

22.4
37.7
54.3
55.7
25.7
27.7
4.9
59.0
8.9

22.4
37.8
54.3
55.5
25.5
27.7
4.5

17.6

24.0
29.8

24.0

29.8

63.2
8.9

Labor D.C. - BLSb8-0332

7

Brief Explanation of the CPI

The Consumer Price Index (CFI) measures the average changes in prices of goods
and services typically bought by city families of wage earners and clerical workers * It
is based on prices of about 300 items which were selected so that their price changes
would represent the movement of prices of all goods and services purchased by wage and
clerical families; they include all of the important items in family spending. * Prices
for these items are obtained in 46 cities which were chosen to represent all urban places
in the United States; they are collected from grocery and department stores, hospitals,
filling stations, and other types of stores and service establishments which wage-earner
and clerical-worker families patronize.
Prices of foods, fuels, and a few other items are obtained every month in all
46 cities. Prices of most other commodities and services are collected every month in
the 5 largest cities and every 3f months in other cities. Almost all prices are obtained
by personal visits of the Bureau s trained representatives •
In calculating the index, price changes for the various items in each city are
averaged together with weights which represent their importance in family spending. City
data are then combined in the total index with weights based on the 1950 populations of
cities they represent. Index numbers are computed on the base 1947-49 = 100.
The national index (the United States city average) includes prices from the
20 large cities for which separate indexes are published in this report, as well as
from the following 26 medium-sized and small cities:
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
Lynchburg, 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

Comparisons of city indexes show only that prices in one city changed sore or
less than in another. The city indexes cannot be used to measure differences in price
levels or in living costs between cities.
H

A description of the index is contained in BLS Bulletin 1140, The Consumer
Price Index: A Layman's Guide," which may be purchased for 20 cents at any Bureau of
Labor Statistics regional office (addresses below) or from the Superintendent of Documents, U . S . Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D . C . A more technical
description of the index appears in BLS Bulletin 1168, "Techniques of Preparing Major BLS
Statistical S e r i e s R e p r i n t s of chapter 9> pertaining to the CPI, are available on
request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington or at any of its regional offices.
Historical series of index numbers for the United States city average and for
20 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 1947 to date.
BLS Regional Offices
Atlanta
50 Seventh
St., NE
2
- 3




New York
341 Ninth Ave.
Zone 1

Chicago
105 West Adams S t .
Zone 3

San Francisco
630 Sansome S t .
Zone 11

LABOR - D . C.

Boston
18 Oliver S t .
Zone 10