Full text of CPI Detailed Report : April 1972

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the consumer price index
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
J. D. Hodgson, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Geoffrey H. Moore, Commissioner
OFFICE OF PRICES
AND LIVING CONDITIONS
Joel Popkin, Assistant Commissioner




a monthly report
on consumer price movements
including statistical tables
and technical notes.

The Consumer Price Index
The Consumer Price Index rose 0.2 percent in April to
124.3 percent of its 1967 base. The increase was primarily due to higher prices for men's clothing, used
cars, restaurant meals, and most household services, the
effects of which were moderated by lower prices for
food purchased in grocery stores and gasoline, and a decline in mortgage interest rates. The April index was 3.4
percent higher than it was a year ago.
After seasonal adjustment, the April increase was also
0.2 percent. Since the wage-price-rent freeze ended in
November, the CPI has risen at a seasonally adjusted
annual rate of 3.3 percent. This compares with a 4.1 percent annual rate of advance in the 6 months preceding
the freeze. In the first 8 months of the Economic Stabilization program, which includes the August—November
period when most prices were frozen, the CPI rose at an
annual rate of 2.8 percent.

Food

The April food price index, which includes both grocery store food and restaurant meals, decreased 0.1 percent after seasonal adjustment. This decline follows no
change in March and an increase of 1.8 percent in
February.

The index of food purchased in grocery stores, which
usually shows no change in April, declined 0.2 percent.
Lower prices for meats, poultry, eggs, and fresh vegetables accounted for the decrease. Beef and veal prices
which usually increase slightly in April, declined for the
first time since November. Pork prices fell substantially
for the second consecutive month. Poultry prices declined for the first time this year. These price declines

Table A. Percent changes in CPI and components, selected periods
Changes in all items
at seasonally adjusted
compound annual rates

Changes from preceding montrl

Month

Unadj.
Apr. 1971
May
June
July
Auq
Sept
Oct
Nov . . .
Dec
Jan. 1972
Feb
Mar
Apr . .

.

Seas,
adj.

Unadj.

Seas,
adj.

Unadj.

3.6
3.9
3.8
3.8
4.0
3.9
3.7
3.0
2.8

4.3
4.4
4.5
4.4
4.4
4.0
3.6
3.5
3.4

2.9
3.4
3.1
3.2

3.4
3.7
3.5
3.4

0.2
.6
.5

-.2
.1
1.1

0.2
.6
.3
.2
.3
0
0
0
.2

.5
.5
.3
.2
.3
.3

2.9
4.0
4.7
4.8
4.1
3.0
2.6
1.9
2.6

0
1.6
.2
0

-.1
1.8
0
-.1

-.3
.1

.2
.3
.2
.2

.5
.2
.2
.3

3.2
4.8
3.6
3.1

0.7
.3
.8
.5

.1

.3
.6
.2

Unadj.

From
6 mos.
ago

0.3
.7
.4
-.1
.1
.3
.5
.1
0

0.3
.5
.4
.3
.3
.1
.2
.2
.3

0

Seas,
adj.

.2
-.8

.3
.3

From
12 mos.
ago

From
3 mos.
ago

0.6
.3
.4
.2
.3
-.3
-.1
.8
.6

0.3
.5
.6
.2
.2
.1
.2
.2
.4

.5
.2
.2

Serv« ices

Commodities
less food

Food

All terns

NOTE: In accordance with longstanding policy, seasonal adjustment factors have been recalculated to reflect developments
during the preceding 12 months. For this reason, some of the seasonally adjusted figures shown above differ from those previously
reported. New factors are introduced annually in April. Those to be used through March 1973 can be found on page 20 of this
report.




reflected lower wholesale prices and increased production of 9 percent for beef, 11 percent for veal, 22 percent for pork, and 9 percent for poultry from February
to March.
Fresh vegetable prices declined contraseasonally in
April, as they did in March. Large supplies, especially of
asparagus, celery, carrots, and cabbage accounted for the
April decline. Fresh fruit prices, however, advanced
sharply due to declines in banana imports and also because strawberries were priced for the first time this
season. Processed fruits and vegetable prices increased
0.3 percent for the fifth consecutive month. Prices have
moved up since November for most items, particularly
fruit cocktail, canned beets, dried beans, and pineapplegrapefruit juice. The increase of 0.3 percent this April,
however, was considerably smaller than the advance in
April of last year. The difference was partly because
prices of frozen orange juice held steady in contrast to a
sharp advance a year ago in response to short supplies.
Prices rose for cereal and bakery products and dairy
products, but the increases were smaller than in February
or March. Bread prices were higher, but prices declined
for flour and corn flakes. The decline in corn flake
prices reflected large supplies of corn. Among dairy products, cheese prices rose sharply as wholesale prices have
advanced in response to record levels of consumer
demand. On the other hand, ice cream and butter prices
decreased as milk production continued to rise. After
rising sharply in March, egg prices declined in April due
to decreased demand following the Easter holidays and a
slight increase in production.
The index for food away from home—restaurant
meals and snacks—increased 0.5 percent in April, the
largest increase since last August and more than usual
for this time of the year. The increase was attributed
mostly to the spurt in wholesale food prices which
occurred earlier this year.

February as they usually do. Women's apparel prices
declined in April, slightly more than usual, after advancing sharply in February and March. Footwear
prices continued to increase at a faster pace than usual
for this time of the year.
A mostly seasonal upturn in used car prices contributed about 40 percent to the April increase in the
commodities index. The increase of 2.4 percent in used
car prices followed a small rise in March and an almost
steady decline from June 1971 through February of this
year. Instead of moving down seasonally, new car prices
held steady in April as concessions offered by dealers
remained at their March levels.
Prices rose in April for most housefurnishings. The
increase in textile housefurnishings reflected the end of
white sales (in quarterly cities). Prices of most durable
housefurnishings also increased, particularly lawnmowers,
which were priced for the first time this season, and
dinnerware and flatware. The increase at retail for
lawnmowers was substantially higher than the wholesale increase since August 1971. Imported Japanese
dinnerware prices continued to move higher and some
domestic prices followed the upward trend. Prices of
floor coverings continued to move up. Price increases
for furniture, however, were much smaller than in March.
Although demand for furniture was up, some articles
were being marketed at promotional prices. Many household appliances were on sale.
Among other nonfood commodities, subscription
rates for some magazines rose substantially, and prices
increased for newspapers, alcoholic beverages, mostly
for beer away from home, and toilet goods such as hand
lotion and cleansing tissues.
The rise in the index for nonfood commodities was
moderated by a decline in gasoline prices. Despite price
"restorations" in several cities, the national gasoline
market was weak and severe price wars started in a
number of cities.

Commodities less food

The index for commodities less food increased 0.3
percent, somewhat more than usual for this time of the
year. The seasonally adjusted increase of 0.2 percent was
about the same as the monthly increases since December.
The price rise in apparel commodities, which had accounted for about 40 percent of the March rise in the nonfood commodities index, was responsible for about a third
of the April rise in this index.
The index for apparel commodities rose 0.4 percent
in April—instead of the usual 0.2 percent—primarily
due to a sharper-than-usual increase in men's clothing,
particularly year-round and tropical weight suits, wool
slacks, and shirts. In March, men's clothing prices increased seasonally after declining from November to




Services
Charges for consumer services increased 0.3 percent
in April, slightly more than in February and March.
Charges for electricity rose 0.9 percent as rate increases
were registered in several cities; tax changes and increased
fuel costs also contributed to the rise. The residential
property tax index rose 0.8 percent, reflecting annual
changes for several cities. Prices increased for all services
connected with home maintenance. Higher wages caused
increases for domestic services, laundry flatwork, and
licensed day care service. The April mortgage interest
rate index fell 0.5 percent, the largest drop yet in 6
consecutive months of decline.

The index for medical care services rose 0.3 percent,
slightly less than the rise of 0.4 percent in each of the
previous 4 months. Dentists' fees advanced 0.5 percent.
Physicians' fees rose mainly as a result of increased
charges for obstetrical care. Charges for hospital services
rose 0.3 percent largely because of the increase in rates
for semiprivate rooms.
Charges for transportation services increased 0.1
percent in April, as the index for local-transit fares rose
0.5 percent. Recreational service charges also rose as
indoor movie admission prices increased 1.1 percent.
Legal fees averaged 5.2 percent higher.

Effect of items identified as exempt
from post-freeze regulations

About one-half of the 0.2 percent increase in the
April CPI was due to price changes for items identified

as exempt from regulation under Phase II to the
Economic Stabilization program. Mortgage interest rates
and prices of raw agricultural products declined, while
increases occurred in taxes and in the prices of used cars
and houses. When the effects of the price changes for
these items are removed, the increase in the April index
was 0.1 percent. This increase is less than those in the
last 2 months and the same as the increase in January.

Diffusion of individual price changes

Approximately 120,000 individual prices were collected directly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in April
for use in the index. Approximately 80 percent of these
quotations represent monthly comparisons. As can be
seen from table B, 74 percent of these monthly comparisons remained unchanged, 12 percent decreased, and

Table B. Percent distribution of monthly price comparisons1
Groups

All items 2

September
to
October

October
to
November

November
to
December

100

100

100

January
to
February

February
to
March

March
to
April

100

100

100

100

December
to
January

Increases

11

11

16

14

22

15

14

Decreases
No change

10

9

7

11

8

10

12

79

80

77

75

70

75

74

Food at home

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Increases
Decreases
No change

12
11
77

13
10
77

17
8
75

15
11
74

24
9
67

16
12
72

15
13
72

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

7
7
86

7
6
87

6
5
89

7
10
83

8
7
85

10
5
85

7
7
86

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

1
. 8
91

2
1
97

6
1

8
3
89

3
1

93

12
5
83

96

6
4
90

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

7
8
85

7
7
86

9
6
85

12
7
81

20
6
74

13
7
80

11
9
80

Commodities less food
Increases
Decreases . .
No change
Services
Increases
Decreases
No change
All items excluding raw
agricultural products
Increases
Decreases
No change

Regulations of the Economic Stabilization program permit certain types of increases but it is not possible to determine
whether allowable increases accounted for all increases shown in the above table.
2
Based on approximately 98,000 individual price quotations.




14 percent increased between March and April. The proportion of commodity prices—both food and nonfood—which remained unchanged in April was about the
same as in the previous month. However, a higher percentage of commodity prices declined and a smaller percentage increased than in the previous month. For
services, the proportion of prices remaining unchanged
declined and the proportion of services prices decreasing was considerably larger than in March.




The April index also includes more than 23,000 price
comparisons to April from periods before March. About
18,000 of these cover the quarterly span from January
to April. About 15 percent of these prices increased,
about the same as in last month's index. In addition,
about 5,000 rental units were surveyed in April, and
about 17 percent of these reported rent increases since
October. Three percent of the 5,000 reported increases
between March and April.

RLL ITEMS INDEX RNO ITS RflTE OF CHRNGE
( 1967 = 100 )
no

1963-72
flPR
124.3

CPI RLL ITEMS INDEX

125
120
115
110
105

(NOT SEflSONflLLY ROJUSTED)

toe95

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN
(SEASONALLY flOJUSTED)

90

flPR
0.2

85

0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
-0.1

jv
PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RATE, SEASONALLY ADJUSTED)

ir

PERCENT CHANGE OVER 6-MONTH SPAN
(ANNUAL RflTE. SEASONALLY ADJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN 1 /

1963

1964

1965

1966

jL/ Computed from the unadjusted series.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




1967

1968

1969

1970

1971

1972

TOTRL FOOD INOEX RNO ITS RflTE OF CHflNGE
( 1967 = 100 )
135
130
125
120
115
110
105

1963-72
RPR
122.5

CPI TOTRL FOOD INOEX
(SEASONALLY

flOJUSTED)

100

-0.1

95
PERCENT CHAN6E OVER 1-fiONTH SPAN
(SEASONALLY ADJUSTED)

90

1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
-0.2
-0.4
-0.6

85

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-hONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTEO)

RAH*

12
10
8
6
4
2
0

-2
-4

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE, SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTEO)

w
PERCENT CHflKGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN 1 /

flPR
3.9

A
\

1963

1964

1965

1966

\J Computed from the unadjusted series.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




1967

1968

1969

1970

1971

1972

COMMODITIES LESS FOOO INDEX RNO ITS RflTE OF CHflNGE 1963-72
( 1967 = 100 )
1

KB -

135
130
125
120
115
110
105
100

CPI COMMODITIES LESS FOOD INDEX
(SERSONflLLY flOJUSTED)

95
90
85 *-

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN
(SERSONflLLY flOJUSTEO)

matflPR
0.2

PERCENT CHflNSE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(RNNURL RflTE. SERSONflLLY flOJUSTEO)

r

RPR
2.4

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflUY flOJUSTEO)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN 1 /

flPR
2.3

1963

1964

1965

1966

1/ Computed from the unadjusted series.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




1967

1968

1969

1970

1971

1972

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
-0.1
-0.2
-0.3

SERVICES INOEX flNO ITS RflTE OF CHflNGE
( 1967 = 100 )

1963-72
RPR
132.4

130

I SERVICES INOEX

125
120
115
110
105
100

(NOT SEASONALLY flOJUSTEO)

95
90

Kitt;

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER l-MONTH SPflN
(NOT SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTEO)

85

I
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
-0.1

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE* NOT SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTEO)

2
10
8

flPR
2.8

6
4
2
0

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. NOT SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTEO).
flPR
3.7

fflffll:

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN

1963

1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972

1/ Computed from the unadjusted series.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




8

Table 1. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, by commodity and service groups, and
expenditure classes
Relative
importance
December

Groups

Unadjusted indexes
1967-100 unless
otherwise noted
April
March
1972
1972

Unadjusted
percent change to
from-March
April
1972
1971

Seasonally adjusted
percent change from
previous month
March February- I January April
March
| February

I

todity and i

124.3
144.6

All items
All items (1957-59=100)-

124.0
144.3

62.59

119.9

119.7

FoodFood at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products—
Fruits and vegetable
Other foods at homeFood away from home—

22.19
17.23
2.28
5.64
2.72
3.03
3.56
4.96

122.4
120.4
115.0
125.9
117.4
122.1
116.2
130.0

122.4
120.6
114.8
126.8
117.3
121.4
116.7
129.4

Commodities less food

Commodities-

0
.2
.2
.7
.1
.6
.4
.5

3.9
3.7
1.0
8.8
2.4
1.8
.3
4.2

0
- .1
.4
- .4
.4
3.1
1.9
.5

1.8
2.1
.5
4.6
.6
2.7
.2
.3

40.40

118.5

118.2

.2

.3

Nondurables less food
Apparel commodities If
••
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'—
Footwear'
Nondurables less food and apparel
Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Fuel oil and coal
Other nondurables

23.63
9.03
2.82
4.02
1.57
14.60
2.92
2.09
2.50
.67
6.42

119.1
122.1
121.9
122.3
124.1
117.4
106.3
132.7
119.3
118.6
117.4

118.9
121.6
120.3
122.5
123.5
117.3
107.3
132.5
118.9
118.7
116.9

.2
.4
1.3
- .2
.5
.1
- .9
.2
.3
- .1
.4

.27
2.3
1.3
3.0
2.5
3.0
1.5
6.8
2.7
1.1
2.6

.1
.2
.8
- .1
.4
.1
- .7
.2 *
.3 *
.3
.3

.3
.3
0
.4
.3
.3
- .4
.4 *
.2 *
.2
.2

.3
.2
0
.7
.2
.3
- .4
1.4 *
.2 *
.1
.2

Durables commodities
Household durables
New c a r s —
Used carsOther durables

16.77
4.83
2.12
1.98
7.84

117.7
114.4
111.7
106.4
125.1

117.3
114.1
111.7
103.9
125.0

.3
.3
0
2.4
.1

1.7
1.8
1.8
3.1
3.9

.1
.2
.5
2.4 *
.3

.3
.3
.3
.9*
0

.2
- .1
- .3
2.2 *
.2

37.41
5.05
32.36
15.36
5.57
55.5
5.88

132.4
118.1
135.0
138.1
135.6
137.3
125.1

132.0
117.7
134.7
137.7
135.5
136.9
124.7

.3
.3
.2
.3
.1
.3
.3

4.4
3.2
4.6
6.5
2.0
3.9
3.0

.3 *
.3 *
.2 *
.1
.1
.3
.2

.2*
.2*
.2*
- .2
- .1
.1
.1

.2 *
.3 *
.2 *
.5
- .1
.3
.3

77-81
45.82
7.46
31.86
9.85
5.51
4.46

124.9
120.7
121.8
131.7
142.7
125.4
143.0

124.5
120.6
121.3
131.3
142.6
125.1
142.4

.2
0
.2
.3 *
• .1
.2
.5

.2
.1
.2
.2*
.1
.2
.1

.2
1.1
.4
.2 *
.1
.3
.3

—

Services
Rent
Services less rent
Household services less rentTransportation services
Medical care services
Other services
Special indexes:
All items less food
Nondurable commodities
Apparel commodities less footwearServices less medical care services
Insurance and financeUtilities and public transportation
Housekeeping and home maintenance services

3.3
3.3
2.4
4.5
4.5 '
5.4
7.0
Expenditure classes

124.3

All ite

.2

Food-

22.19

122.4

122.4

Housing
Shelter _2/Rent—
Homeownership 3/—
Fuel and utilities _ 4 / — —
Gas and electricity—
Household furnishings and operation

33.84
21.72
5.05
16.25
4.71
2.43
7.41

128.2
133.0
118.1
138.5
119.9
120.2
120.5

127.9
132.7
117.7
138.2
119.6
119.7
120.1

. .1
4.7
5.1
3.2
5.8
5.1
5.5
3.0

.2 *
.3
.3 *
.3
.3
.2
.3

.2 *
.2
.2 *
.4
.2
.4
.3

.3

.2

.1
0
.6

- 1.6

10.45

121.8

121.3

TransportationPrivate
Public-

13.27
11.80
1.47

118.6
116.1
142.7

118.4
115.9
142.3

.4
- .1
4.6

Health and recreationMedical care
Personal care
—
Reading and recreationOther goods and services

19.87
6.46
2.58
5.71
5.12

•125.5
131.7
119.1
122.3
125.1

125.0
131.4
118.7
121.7
124.6

3.5
3.3
2.4
3.3
4.5

.4 *

.2 *

.2
.3
.3
.6

0
.1
.2
.3

78.28
93.54
96.25

122.1
123.9
123.5

121.8
123.6
123.2

3.0
3.4
3.4

.1
.2

.2
.1

.2 *

.2 *

Apparel and upkeep

*—•

Special indexes;
All items less shelter
All items less medical care
All items less mortgage interest costs
• Purchasing power of consumer dollar;
196 7»$1.00
1957-59-$!. 00

$0,805
.692

$0,806
.693

XI Also includes infants* wear, sewing materials, and jewelry not shown separately.
If Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
3) Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance and repairs.
kl Also includes residential telephone, fuel oil, coal, water, and sewerage service not shown separately.
* Not seasonally adjusted.
NOTE; Index applies to month as a whole, not to any specific date.




.2
.2

.2 *
.4
.3 *
.4
.5
.1
.2

.2
.3
.1
.3 *
.2
.3
.3

.5
.6
.6 *

Table 2. Consumer Price Index—The United States and selected areas for urban wage earners and clerical workers, all itei
most recent index and percent changes from selected dates

Are. 1/

Pricing
Schedule 2/

March
1972

April 1972
U.S. City Average

124.3

144.6

Chicago
Detroit Los Angeles-Long Beach
N.Y.-Northeastern N.J.
Philadelphia -

123.3
125.0
121.3
130.3
126.0

140.0
143.6
142.6
155.0
147.1

Boston
Houston
Minneapolis-St. Paul
Pittsburgh

126.2
124.8
124.2
124.7

Washington -

Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati
Honolulu
Kansas City
St. Louis
San Francisco-Oakland

124.9
125.9
123.7
122.2
122.3
119.0
124.7

123.8
124.9
123.0
122.4
122.4
120.8
122.9

January
1972

April
1971

1.0
.6
.9
1.5
1.0

2.6
4.1
3.9
4.6
2.8

April 1972

January
1972

April
1971

151.2
142.8
144.0
143.4

1.0
1.3
.3
1.2

3.7
4.4
3.2
3.1

.1
0
.1
.2
.2

November
1971

February 1972
Buffalo
Cleveland —
Dallas
Milwaukee -San Diego —
Seattle

Percent change fra

Other
bases

2/

137.2

142.1
3/ 133.7
138.0
4/ 128.5
139.8
145.3

142.3
145.0
139.6
5/ 132.0
145.3
141.1
146.2

February
1971

1.5
1.2
1.1
1.1
1.2
1.2
.4

4.4
3.6
3.3
2.7
3.5
3.8
3.1

December
1971

March
1971

.2
-.2
.9
1.1
.8
-.1
.9

2.8
2.3
2.7
4.9
2.7
2.2
3.2

U
Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) except
for New York and Chicago where the more extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used. Area definitions are those established for the 1960 Census and do not include revisions made since I960.
2)
Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all cities; most other goods and services priced as
indicated:
M - Every month.
1 - January, April, July, and October.
2 - February, May, August, and November.
3 - March, June, September, and December.
3/ November 1963=100.
4V February 1965-100.
5/ December 1963-100.
NOTE: The Consumer Price Index cannot be used for measuring differences in living costs among areas; it indicates price
change within areas. Estimates of differences in living costs among areas are found in the family budgets.




10

Table 3. Consumer Price Index—United Stat :s city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers for selected groups,
seasonally adjusted
(1967=100)
Percent change to
April 1972 from:
3 months
1 month
ago
ago

Indexes
Group

April
1972

March
1972

122.5
120.5
114.9
126.0
117.9
120.5
116.2

122.6
120.8
114.8
126.8
117.5
121.4
116.8

120.4
118.4
113.7
121.7
116.3
122.0
114.4

-0.1
-.2
.1
-.6
-.7
-.5

1.7
1.8
1.1
3.5
1.4
-1.2
1.6

Fuel and utilities 1/
Fuel oil and coal

119.7
118.5

119.4
118.2

118.6
117.9

.3
.3

.9
.5

Apparel and upkeep 2/
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'

121.9
121.7
123.0
124.0

121.5
120.7
123.1
123.5

121.0
120.7
121.7
122.9

.4

.7
.8
1.1
.9

118.7
116.0
111.6

118.6
116.0
111.1

118.6
116.2
111.1

.1
0
.5

.1
-.2
.5

119.9
118.6
120.8
119.2
122.3
117.9

119.9
118.4
120.8
119.1
122.0
117.8

118.9
117.9
119.4
118.5
121.3
117.3

0
.2
0
.1
.2
.1

.6
1.2
.6
.8
.5

Food at home
Cereal and bakery products

Fruits and vegetables

Nondurables
Nondurables less food
Apparel commodities
Durables

1/
If

1

January
1972

g

Also includes telephone, water, and sewerage service not shown separately.
Also includes infants' wear, sewing materials, jewelry, and apparel upkeep services not shown separately.

Table 4.
Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers for selected groups
seasonally adjusted

Percent change to
April 1972 from;

Group
April 1972
FoodFood at homeCereal and bakery productsMeat, poultry and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other food at home
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'Footwear
TransportationPrivate
New cars
Commodities
Commodities less food
NondurablesNondurables less foodApparel commodities
Durables




122.5
120.5
114.9
126.0
117.9
120.5
116.2
119.7
118.5
121.9
121.7
123.0
124.0
118.7
116.0
111.6
119.9
118.6
120.8
119.2
122.3
117.9

11

January 1972

January 1972
122.6
120.8
114.8
126.8
117.5
121.4
116.8
119.4
118.2
121.5
120.7
123.1
123.5
118.6
116.0
111.1
119.9
118.4
120.8
119.1
122.0
117.8

120.4
118.4
113.7
121.7
116.3
122.0
114.4
118.6
117.9
121.0
120.7
121.7
122.9
118.6
116.2
111.1
118.9
117.9
119.4
118.5
121.3
117.3

.1
-.6
.3
-.7
-.5
.3
.3
.3

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

1.7
1.8
1.1
3.5
1.4
-1.2
1.6
.9
.5
.7
.8
1.1
.9
.1
-.2
.5
.8
.6
1.2
.6
.8
.5

Table 5.

Consumer Price Index--Unlted States and selected.areas 1/ for urban wage earners and clerical workers, commodity groups

U.S.
City
Average

Group

Los
AngelesLong

Chicago

MinneapolisSt. Paul

N.Y.Northeastern
N.J.

delphia

burgh

(Indexes 1967=100)
All items

124.3

126.2

123.3

125.0

124.8

121.3

124.2

130.3

126.0

124.7

Food •
Food at home •
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruit8 and vegetables
Other foods at home
Food away from home

122.4
120.4
115.0
125.9
117.4
122.1
116.2
130.0

122.5
121.0
114.7
128.3
116.8
122.6
115.4
127.5

122.3
120.8
116.9
125.6
116.5
123.5
115.7
128.2

121.3
120.1
115.3
128.5
116.7
115.2
114.4
127.0

123.6
119.8
112.2
125.1
118.5
122.8
115.6
137.2

119.2
118.0
111.8
125.5
114.7
118.8
113.3
122.4

122.9
120.6
122.6
127.0
114.8
118.3
118.4
132.7

127.4
124.4
117.2
130.4
120.7
127.3
118.2
136.9

124.2
121.5
117.3
125.3
120.3
123.0
117.4
135.5

122.4
120.6
117.0
122.4
119.6
124.9
117.7
133.4

Housing •

128.2
133.0
118.1
138.5
119.9
118.6
120.2
120.5

132.3
140.4
128.0
146.0
116.7
117.1
120.0
125.8

123.5
127.3
(2/)
134.1
115.8
113.4
116.7
116.8

132.0
141.8
119.5
146.2

128.2
133.9
110.6
142.0
116.1

126.0
128.6
(2/)
131.8
124.9

4/ 116.7
111.9
6/ 121.5
121.5

128.7
136.4
116.3
142.1
118.4

121.1
117.8

134.6
140.3
124.3
152.2
123.6
120.4
120.8
126.5

128.2
135.7
(2/)
139.0

123.0
124.0

129.7
135.4
120.8
137.8
122.0
115.1
122.5
117.9

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

121.8
121.9
122.3
124.1

123.1
121.0
124.3
126.7

119.0
117.3
121.4
116.0

117.2
117.1
114.1
123.3

126.1
116.9
137.6
125.1

120.2
116.1
124.9
122.6

118.8
121.6
115.8
124.2

123.5
123.9
123.3
123.7

120.5
122.4
116.7
125.8

124.0
119.8
129.2
124.5

Transportation •
Private

118.6
116.1
142.7

122.7
116.6
161.3

115.3
112.5
149.0

115.6
113.1
156.4

115.7
115.7
115.3

114.2
113.6
125.5

131.8
123.9
162.4

123.9
120.7
142.4

120.6
117.9
138.3

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

125.5
131.7
119.1
122.3
125.1

126.8
130.6
(2/)
123.6
130.5

127.9
140.4
119.4
123.4
121.3

127.9
134.9
122.7
121.7
127.9

119.7
127.6
(2/)
113.1
118.5

126.0
124.8
119.5
128.4
127.5

130.0
139.0
(2/)
126.2
130.5

129.1
140.8
120.5
125.8
124.5

125.3
127.3
115.2
123.4
129.9

1.8
2.0
1.7
4.1
.2
1.3
0
1.3

1.6
1.7
1.6
3.6
.2
2.0
-.8
1.5

1.2
1.3
.8
3.0
-.1
2.3
-1.0
1.2

Kent — — — — — — —
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation

7/118.7
8/115.6
137.8

127.5
134.2
121.2
127.9
123.7

3/ 113.8
113.9
5/115.8
114.2

122.1
119.3

Percent changes January 1972 to April 1972

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

1.7
1.9
1.1
4.3
:

.9

1.0
0
1.1

2.5
3.0
2.3
3.8
1.7
4.1
2.1

2.1
2.2
1.7
3.3
.7
4.3
-.1
1.5

1.3
1.6
.2
4.0
.4
.6
-.5
.4

1.4
1.5
.7
3.3
3.0
.1
-.6
1.1

1.4
1.5
1.0
4.5
.3
-.3
-.4
1.3

2.0
2.0
1.2
5.4
0

1.1
.9
.2
1.1
.5

.6
.4
(2/)
.5
.5

-.1
-1.1
.3
-1.4
3.5
0

1.1
.9
9/1.1
.1
1.6
0
2.3
1.8

.3
-.1
(2/)
- .4
.2
0
0
1.1

1.2
1.7
.3
2.1
.4

.8

1.2
1.5

Housing •
Shelter
Rent
Homeownership •
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation

.7
.5
.9
.5
1.0
-.1
1.0

.9
.4
1.7
-.1
2.0
0
-.1
1.6

.5
.4
(2/)
.4
.5
0
.9

.5
.6
9/ .5

Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear •

1.3
1.7
1.7
1.1

.9
1.7
.9
1.3

2.3
3.0
3.4
-.6

2.4
3.4
2.7
1.7

1.9
.7
4.5

1.7
-.3
3.9
.7

1.0
2.3

3.5
4.1
5.2
2.8

3.1
.8
5.4
4.7

1.7
1.5

Transportation
Private
Public

-.3
-.3
-.5

-.6
-.6
0

-1.1
-1.2

1.3
1.4
0

1.0
1.0
0

-2.5
-2.7
.4

- .4
-.5
0

-.2
-.2
.1

.9
1.1
0

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

1.0
.9
.8
.7
1.3

1.0
.4
.4
1.4

.6
.9
.7
1.4
-.3

1.5
2.2
1.0
.5
1.7

.4
.5
(2/)
.4
.1

.7
1.7
2.2

1.4
.3
(2/)
.6
3.7

.7
.9
1.8
.2
.4

1.0
1.8
0
1.7
0

.1
0

.5
1.9

(2/)
1.9
.3

1/ See footnote 1, table 2.
2/ Not available,
November 1971=112.7; December 1971=112.7; January 1972*113.0; 1971 annual average=110.8
3/ Corrected indexes
January 1971=111.6; February 1971*112.3; March 1971=114.7; April 1971=115.1; May 1971=115.6; June 1971=116.0;
4/ Corrected Indexes
July 1971=111.0; August 1971=111.5; September 1971=111.5; October 1971=111.2; November 1971=111.2; December 1971=116.4; 1971 annual
average"113.2.
November 1971=114.4; December 1971=114.3; January 1972=114.8; 1971 annual average*111.5.
5/ Corrected indexei
January 1971=111.4; February 1971=112.1; March 1971=117.1; April 1971=117.6; May 1971=118.7;
6/ Corrected indexei
June 1971=119.5; July 19711L-112.9; August 1971=114.1; September 1971=114.1; October 1971=113.4; November 1971=113.3; December 1971=121.4;
January 1972=121.5; February 1972=121.1; March 1972=121.3.
1971 annual average"115.
January 1972=119.4; 1971 annual average*120.6.
7/ Corrected indexes
January 1972=116.3; 1971 annual average*117.8.
8/ Corrected indexei
9/ Change from February 1972.




12

Table 6. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas for urban wage earners and clerical workers, food and its
subgroups

Food at home
Area 1/

Total
food

Cereals

and
bakery
products

Meats,
poultry,
and fish

Dairy
products

Fruits

and
vegetables

Other
foods
at home

Food
away
from
home

(Indexes 1967=100)

U.S. City Average
A w X d m C f l

™ ™™•"*—•"' ™ —-•— •••• • • ii.

in"1"™

Baltimore
Boston
U U t x. £ 1 x 0

• • • « ^i.-i-n ~ •

i

i

i

i N•

Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas
Detroit
Honolulu
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles-Long Beach Milwaukee
Minneapolis-St. Paul
N.Y.-Northeastern N.J
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
San Diego
San Francisco-Oakland —
Seattle
Washington

122.4

120.4

115.0

125.9

117.4

122.1

123.7
122.7
122.5
122.5
122.3
123.2
121.7
121.4
121.3
122.8
123.6
122.5
119.2
119.1
122.9
127.4
124.2
122.4
121.0
122.0
119.7
119.1
123.8

121.3
120.5
121.0
121.2
120.8
122.0
120.9
118.1
120.1
120.4
119.8
120.6
118.0
117.8
120.6
124.4
121.5
120.6
118.7
119.3
118.4
117.2
120.2

118.3
115.8
114.7
115.5
116.9
116.7
111.0
112.9
115.3
106.0
112.2
117.3
111.8
115.8
122.6
117.2
117.3
117.0
120.7
112.4
112.2
111.0
118.0

124.1
124.0
128.3
126.1
125.6
123.7
124.3
123.7
128.5
123.7
125.1
125.1
125.5
125.1
127.0
130.4
125.3
122.4
120.5
130.5
124.3
123.5
120.6

118.5
119.6
116.8
116.2
116.5
120.2
123.1
113.3
116.7
117.8
118.5
126.7
114.7
114.5
114.8
120.7
120.3
119.6
119.9
114.5
115.0
116.1
112.8

128.1
122.9
122.6
125.9
123.5
127.4
123.9
120.0
115.2
131.0
122.8
116.1
118.8
116.2
118.3
127.3
123.0
124.9
121.6
116.9
118.1
115.3
127.6

117.5
116.4
115.4
116.7
115.7
118.8
117.5
114.6
114.4
118.5
115.6
115.5
113.3
111.9
118.4
118.2
117.4
117.7
111.2
111.6
115.3
114.6
120.3

U.S. City Average
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Detroit
Honolulu
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles-Long Beach Milwaukee
Minneapolis-St. Paul
N.Y.-Northeastern N.J
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
San Diego
San Francisco-Oakland —
Seattle
Washington




131.1
131.6
127.5
130.3
128.2
127.7
126.4
133.5
127.0
129.5
137.2
128.7
122.4
(2/)
132.7
136.9
135.5
133.4
132.0
(2/)
124.2
125.0
133.3

0.5
.9
1.0
.2
.2
.3
.3
.3
.6
.6
.3
.3
.2
.3
.3
.1
0
.1
.6
.2
.2
.1
.1
.2

.1
.2
.6
.6
.5
.8
.7
.5
.4
.3
.3
.3
.2
.2
.3
.8
.3
.3
.3
0
.2

1.9
• 1.4
1.1
• 1.4
• .

.7
- 1.8

.3
.4
.2
.7
.4

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

.6

•

1

.5
.2
•

•

.3

.5
.5
1.1
.3
1.3
.3
.3
.4
1.4

1.4
.5
2.0
1.8
2.7
1.5
1.2
.4
1.4
1.7
.3
.8

• 1.5

-.1
•

.6

• 2.2

• 1.2
• .7
• 1.0
.2
• 1.8

1/ See footnote 1, table 2.
2/ Not available.

13

.7
-.3
.2
.2
.4
.7
.2
.1
.4
.3
.1
.1
.2
.2
.1
.1
.2
.1
1.1
1.2
.3
.1
1.3

.2
• 1.0
.7
1.7
1.5
1.0
2.4
.5
1.1
2.3
.4
1.8
2.5
.5
1.7
.3
.6
1.6
1.8
2.5
1.9
.3
.6

•
•
•
•
•

.7
1.9
1.0
1.3
.2
.6
.3
. 7

• 2.1
.2
•

.4

.7
.4
.2
.2
.7
.3
1.2
.2
.7
.9
.5
.6

1.0
1.2
.6
.2
.7
.5
.4
.2
.2
.1
.3
.1
.5
(2/)
1.0
.5
.4
1.0
.1
(2/)
.3
0
.5




Table 7* Consumer Price Index--United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, food items
indexes and percent changes from selected dates

t to April 1972 from-Item or group

Total food
Food away from home
Restaurant meals
--Snacks
Food at home
Cereal8 and bakery products
Flour
Cracker meal - - - - —
Corn flakes
Rice
Bread, white
Bread, whole wheat ------Cookies
Layer cake^
*Cinnamon rolls
Meats, poultry, and fish --Meats
Beef and veal
Steak, round
Steak, sirloin
Steak, porterhouse
—
Rump roast
-Rib roast —
Chuck roast ---------Hamburger
Beef liver
Veal cutlets
Pork
Chops
Loin roast
Pork sausage
Ham, whole
Picnics
Bacon
Other meats -Lamb chops
Frankfurters
Ham, canned
Bologna sausage
Salami sausage
Liverwurst
-Poultry
•
Frying chicken
-Chicken breasts
Turkey
Fish
Shrimp, frozen --------Fish, fresh or frozen -Tuna fish, canned
Sardines, canned
Dairy products
Milk, fresh, grocery
Milk, fresh, delivered --Milk, fresh, skim
Milk, evaporated
Ice cream
Cheese, American process Butter

April 1972
Seasonally
Onadlusted
adjusted
122.4
130.0
129.9
130.6
120. A
115.0
100.4
135.4
101.4
110.0
113.3
120.5
111.2
120.1
120.8
125.9
126.9
135.9
134.0
130.9
132.2
132.7
138.2
137.6
136.6
128.5
159.1
116.7
115.9
115.8
124.6
112.7
122.8
112.3
122.0
126.7
123.1
112.6
127.8
123.8
118.3
109.4
108.3
111.6
112.9
139.8
133.9
146.2
133.3
145.4
117.4
116.9
120.0
121.9
120.8
106.8
124.2
105.7

14

122.5
130.1
130.0
120.5
114.9
100.4
101.4
110.0
113.5
110.9
126.0
127.2
136.0
133.9
132.2
138.9
135.3
136.5
158.2
118.0
117.9
117.8
115.1
113.5
122.1
122.6

109.2
107.2
139.7
146.2
133.0
117.9
117.1
120.4
121.9
107.1
124.0
105.9

March 1972
Seasonally
Unadjusted
adjusted
.0
.5
.5
.3
-.2
.2
-.4
.4
-.6
.0
.1
1.1
.5
-.2
.7
-.7
-.8
-.9
-2.5
-1.1
-1.9
-2.0
-1.4
-2.5
-.5
5.9
1.1
-1.3
-2.6
-3.1
.9
-1.4
-.8
-.3
.3
-.5
-.2
-.1
1.2
1.1
.7
-2.0
-2.4
-.8
-.7
1.1
1.5
.9
1.0
.9
.1
.0
.0
.1
.0
-.3
.6
-.1

-0.1
.3
.3
-.2
.1
-.2
-.4
.1
.2
.0
-.6
-.9
-1.1
-2.8
-1.0
-1.3
-3.7
-.7
.2
-.8
-1.4
-1.8
2.3
-.6
.2
-1.3

-2.1
-3.3
1.1
1.3
.8
.3
.1
.2
.4
-.1
.5
-.1 .

April 1971
Unadjusted
3.9
4.2
4.3
3.5
3.7
1.0
- .9
4.6
-7.9
1.0
1.1
3.3
1.4
.4
3.0
8.8
9.7
9.4
7.8
8.3
8.6
8.1
12.8
9.6
8.7
12.7
14.7
12.6
9.4
11.8
11.5
13.4
12.5
17.5
6.7
6.8
6.9
7.6
8.4
7.3
3.8
2.0
.7
2.7
7.0
8.7
16.1
5.6
3.3
10.6
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.1
4.3
1.7
3.2
-.2




Table 7. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, food itei
April 1972 indexes and percent changes from selected dates—Continued

Index
April 1972
Item or group
Unadjusted

Fruits and vegetables
Fresh Fruits and vegetables

Fresh f r u i t s — — — — — — — — — — —
Apples

Grapes, Thompson seedless 1/

Onions, yellow

Carrots
Celery, pascal
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Green peppers
Spinach
Tomatoes
Processed fruits and vegetables
Fruit cocktail
•
Pears, bartlett, canned
Pineapple-grapefruit juice dri.
Orange juice, frozen

Tomatoes, canned
Dried beans

Margarine, colored
Salad dressing, Italian style
Salad or cooking oil

Grape j e 1 ly——————————————
Chocolate bar, plain milk
Chocolate flavored syrup
Nonalcoholic Beverages
•

ea
0

*^®
arinK

Spaghetti, in tomato sauce
Potatoes, french fried, frozen
Sweet pickle relish

1/

•

Seasonally
adjusted

122.1
123.2
120.1
114.1
109.4
117.3
131.3
122.4
(1/)
119.2
(1/)
125.9
113.6
107.3
120.9
125.7
128.6
125.2
162.4
115.2
150.4
135.5
130.7
120.3
122.2
117.3
115.6
136.6
118.0
120.2
108.7
115.4
137.1
119.2
116 2
102.9
118.4
111.4
123.0
121.4
115.3
125.1
130.8
113.4
120.9
118.2
125.0
108.2
128.2
128.2
114.5
116.3
106.6
117.4
111.3
111.0
111.4
125.2
115.0

120.5
120.5
121.9
115.5
108.6
125.3

Percent change to April 1972 from—
March 1972
April 1971
Seasonally
Unadjusted
unadjusted
adjusted

0.6
.7
4.0
1.7
11.3
-3.3

1.8
-.3
4.2
.6

-0.7
-1.4

1.7
-1.2
11.3

14.2

.5
136.6

a/)
a/)

110.6

119.7
115.9
106.6
129.4
118.4
132.4
133.8
114.1

115.2
120.3
122.3

136.6
116.5
108.6
115.'5
137.4
116 2
103^2
118.0

121.5
125.4
131.3
120.8
118.2
125.0
108.4
127.9

111.0
112.0

Priced only in season.

15

10.2

2.9

-1.8
(1/)
(1/)
(1/)

-4.6
(1/)

-T.6

-3.5

-1.6

-3~. 5
-3.8

2.1

1.0

-26.1
-5.8
-10.6
-23.8
11.6

-1.3
-5.8
-12.9
-22.0

10.3
-1.9

8.3
1.8
-.2

5.0

15.8

6.9
.2
.3

-11.1

-.7
0

13.5

.3
.7
.1
.3
0
.2
.3

a/)

— 4
-4.3

-.2
.5
-.6
.2
.3
.5
.2
-.1
0
-.1
_#1
.1
0
.1
.1
.2
.5
-.9
.5
0
.6
-.2

.2
-.9
6.1
16.7
-6.2

5.0
-30.2

4.6

13

-.1
.4
.2

a7.3
/)

4.9
4.6
.5
1.9

.

-.1
.4

4.4
5.4
2.1
-.2
18.2

1.2
3
-4!l

-.1
.1
1.0
-.2
-.2
-.1
-.8

o

.1

.5
.3

2.7
2.2
3.4
2.3
2.9
6.6
.1
-.3
-.9
4.0
#7
-.3
2.4
2.1
2.0
2.3
0
.2
1.0
.5
.6
8.7
2.0

Table 8. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban ?age earners and clerical workers, indexes for selected
items and groups, April 1972 and percent changes from sleeted dates
(1967=100 unless otherwise specified)
Item and group
Housing
Shelter 1/
Rent -~
Homeowner ship costs 2/
.Mortgage interest rates
Property taxes
Property insurance rates
Maintenance and repairs
Commodities 3/
Exterior house paint
Interior house paint
Services
Repainting living and dining rooms
Reshingling house roof
Residing house
Sink replacement
Furnace repair
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Fuel oil, #2
Gas and electricity
Gas
Electricity
Other utilities:
Residential telephone services
Residential water and sewerage services <•
Household furnishings and operation kl
Housefurnishings
-Textiles =
Sheets* percale or muslin
Curtains, tailored, polyester Bedspreads, chiefly cotton
Drapery fabric, cotton or rayon/acetate —
Pillows, bed, polyester, acrylic, or kapok
Slipcover, throws, ready made chiefly cotton
Furniture and bedding
Bedroom furniture, chest and dresser
-*—
Sofas upholstered
Cocktail table
Dining room chairs
Recliner upholstered
Sofas, dual purpose
Bedding-mattress and box springs
Aluminum folding chair 6/
Cribs
Floor coverings
Broadloom, carpeting, manmade-fibers
Vinyl sheet goods
Vinyl asbestos tile
Appliances 7/
Washing machines, electric, automatic
Vacuum cleaners, canister type
Refrigerators or refrigerator-freezers electric
—
Ranges, free standing, gas or electric
Clothes dryers, electric, automatic
Air conditioners, demountable
Room heaters, electric, portable 6_/
Garbage disposal units
Other housefurnishings:
Dinnerware, earthenware
Flatware, stainless steel
Table lamps, with shade
Lawn mower8, jpower, rotary type
Electric drills, hand held
Housekeeping supplies:
Laundry soaps and detergents
Paper napkins
Toilet tissue
Housekeeping services:
Domestic service, general housework
Baby sitter service
Postal charges
Laundry, flatwork, finished service
Licensed day care service, preschool child
Washing machine repairs




Other
index
hasos

Mar. 70
D e c . 71
Mar. 70
Dec. 71

June 70

See footnotes at end of table.

16

Indexe 8
April 1972
128.2
133.0
118.1
138.5
117.1
144.7
122.6
139.2
122.4
118.5
116.4
146.5
156.5
154.3
134.5
145.5
152.4
119.9
118.6
116.5
120.2
122.3
118.2

March 1972
127.9
132.7
117.1
138.2
117.7
143.6
122.4
138.6
122.0
118.2
116.3
145.9
155.6
153.0
133.9
145.1
152.2
119.6
118.7
116.5
119.7
122.2
117.2

Percent change to April 1972
from:
March 1972
April 1971
0.2
.2
.3
.2
-.5
.8
.2
.4
.3
.3
.1
.4
.6
.8
.4
.3
.1
.3
-.1
0
.4
.1
.9

4.7
5.1
3.2
5.8

-1.2
13.2
3.2
6.2
4.3
2.6
2.2
6.9
8.2
9.9
4.4
5.5
8.0
5.1
1.1
.4
5.5
5.6
5.4

113.7
137.7
120.5
115.9
113.7
116.0
111.3
111.0
121.1
108.6
113.7
121.0
104.9
120.2
100.6
104.9
98.7
116.8
104.5
122.3
117.6
106.5
101.6
117.7
117.9
105.7
110.4
103.7
108.0
110.4
113.6
110.4
(6/)
llT.2

113.5
137.7
120.1
115.6
113.2
114.4
110.9
109.8
121.2
108.2
114.6
120.7
104.6
119.7
99.5
104.2
98.6
116.9
104.4
121.9
119.0
106.3
101.5
116.7
117.8
105.8
110.6
103.7
108.3
110.5
113.6
110.4
108.5
111.0

122.6
121.8
122.2
118.9
105.8

122.2
121.4
121.7
117.1
105.3

.3
.3
.4
1.5
.5

4.8
2.0
1.6
2.2
-.5

111.1
129.5
125.6

111.2
128.9
125.1

-.1
.5
.4

1.2
2.3
1.6

138.4
135.0
146.6
137.6
120.8
138.9

136.9
134.8
146.6
137.0
120.3
138.9

1.1
.1
0

21.2

.2
0
.3
.3

.4
1.4
.4
1.1
-.1
.4
—.8
.2
.3
.4
1.1
.7
.1
-.1
.1
.3

-1.2
.2
.1
.9
.1
-.1
-.2
0
-.3
-.1
0
0

(6/)
.2

.4
.4
0

7.1
3.8
3.0
1.7
1.8
.4
1.8
2.7
3.4
-.3
2.2
1.9
2.0
0

(V)
1.4

(5/)
.8
1.2
5.5
.4
.3
-.6
2.8
1.6
.5
1.4
.3
.1
-.2
1.3
1.4

(6/)
176

4.6
5.2
4.2
2.9

4.5

Table 8. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, indexes for selected
items and groups, April 1972 and percent changes from selected dates—Continued
(1967=100 unless otherwise specified)
Item and group

Other
Index

Apparel and upkeep 8/
Apparel commodities
*
Apparel commodities less footwear '
<Men's and boys'
Men's:
Topcoats, wool or all-weather coats,
polyester blends J/
Suits, year round weight
Suits, tropical weight J/
Jackets, lightweight
Slacks, wool or wool blends
—
Slacks, cotton or manmade blends
—
Trousers, work, cotton or polyester/cotton
Shirts, work, cotton or polyester/cotton -----Shirts, business, polyester/cotton
T-shirts, chiefly cotton
Socks, cotton or manmade fibers
Handkerchiefs, cotton or polyester/cotton
Boy's:
Coats, all purpose, cotton or cotton blend 6_/ Sport coats, wool or wool, blend _6/
—
Dungarees, cotton or cotton blend
—
Undershorts, cotton - —
Women's and girls'
Women's:
Coats, heavyweight, wool or wool blend _6/
Car coats, heavyweight, cotton _6/
Sweaters, wool or acrylic 6_/
Skirts, wool, wool blend or manmade fibers J/ Skirts, cotton or polyester/cotton 6/
Blouses, cotton or manmade fibers
Dresses, street, chiefly manmade fiber
Dresses, street, wool or wool blend j/
Slips, nylon
>
Panties, acetate or nylon tricot
Girdles, manmade blend
Brassier8, nylon lace
-—
r
Hose, or panty hose, nylon seamless
Anklets, or knee-length socks, various fibers Gloves, fabric, nylon or cotton - —
—
Handbags, rayon faille or plastic
Girls':
Raincoats, vinyl cotton, or polyester blends -Skirts, wool, wool blends, or acrylic jf
Dresses, cotton, manmade fibers or blends 6/ -Slacks, cotton or chiefly cotton g_/
Slips, polyester blends
Handbags, plastic
Footwear
Men's:
Shoes, street.
Shoes, work, high
Women's:
Shoes, street, pump
Shoes, evening, pump
Shoes, casual
Houseslippers, scuff
Children's:
Shoes, oxford
--------^—-----—--Sneakers, boys', oxford type
Dress shoes, girls*, strap or pump
Miscellaneous apparel:
Diapers, cotton gauze or disposable
Yard goods, polyester blend
Wrist watches, men's and women's
—
Apparel services:
Drycleaning, men's suits and women's dresses —
Automatic laundry service
Laundry, men's shirts —
—--—----—
Tailoring charge, hem adjustment
Shoe repair, women's heel lift




See footnotes at end of table.

17

percent change to April 1972
from:

index
121.8
122.1
121.8
121.9

121.3
121.6
121.3
120.3

0.4
.4
.4
1.3

(6/)
13T.1
136.3
115.1
117.2
137.0
114.6
114.9
113.1
117.4
116.6
115.4

119.3
127.6
130.9
115.0
115.7
137.4
114.4
114.5
112.4
117.8
116.2
116.2

(6/)

(6/)

2.7
4.1
.1
1.3
-.3
.2
.3
.6
-.3
.3
-.7

1.5
4.8
2.9
.3
3.4
1.7
1.9
.6

(6/)
(6/)
12T.1
120.5
122.3

112.3
(6/)
126.8
120.5
122.5

(6/)
(6/)
(6/)
(6/)
115.5
123.7
130.1
(6/)
110.9
116.6
118.2
121.9
96.1
115.9
110.7
142.5

(6/)
(6/)
(6/)
(6/)
(6/)
121.2
130.4
(6/)
110.5
116.5
117.4
121.6
97.5
116.1
110.3
141.5

(6/)
(6/)
121.4
(6/)
llT.l
130.6
124.1

116.8
(6/)
119.2
(6/)
112.1
128.8
123.5

-.9
1.4
.5

121.4
121.3

121.6
121.3

-.2
0

1.9
2.9

125.8
122.0
126.5
124.5

124.6
121.4
125.5
124.2

1.0
.8
.2

1.9
1.8
2.5
3.4

125.9
122.6
129.5
113.5
118.1
114.6

124.6
122.3
128.7
113.2
118.9
114.3

1.0
.2
.6

2.8
3.5
3.2

.3
-.7
.3

-3.2

117.4
114.9
120.6
132.1
114.6

117.4
114.2
120.9
132.1
114.0

0
.6
-.2
0
.5

.9
-.2
1.5
3.9
4.3

(6/)
(6/)
.2
0
-.2

(6/)
(6/)
(6/)
(6/)
(6/)
1.2
-.2

2.3
2.3
2.4
1.3

-1.2
1.6
2.1

(6/)
(6/)
4.9
.5
3.0

(6/)
(6/)
(6/)
(6/)
.4
.1
2.7

(6/)
.4

(6/)
0

.1
.7
.2

1.7
2.9
1.1

-1.4
- .2

-2.8

.4
.7

(6/)
(6/)
1.8

(6/)

.5

-.5
1.2
9.4

(6/)
(6/)
12.5
(6/)
75
.8
2.5

2.3
2.0

Table 8. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, indexes for selected
items and groups, April 1972 and percent changes from selected dates—Continued
(1967-100 unless otherwise specified)
Item and group

Other
index
bases

Transportation
Private 9/
Automobiles, new
•
Automobiles, used
Gasoline, regular and premium
Motor oil, premium
•—
Tires, new, tubeless—
Auto repairs and maintenance 10/
Auto insurance rates
•
Auto registration
—
Parking fees, private and municipalLocal transit fares—
Taxicab fares
Railroad fares, coach
~
Airplane fares, chiefly coach
Bus fares, intercity
Health and recreation—-Medical care
Drugs and prescriptions
Over-the-counter itemsMultiple vitamin concentrates-Aspirin compounds
•»•
Liquid tonics
Adhesive bandages, packages
Cold tablets or capsules
Cough syrup
Prescriptions
Anti-infectives
Sedatives and hypnotics
Ataractics—
Anti-spasmodics—
>
Cough preparations
Cardiovasculars and anti-hypertensives
Analgesics, internal
.-...
An t i - obes ity
---Hormones
Professional services:
Physicians' fees
.-»-.
-General physician, office visits
>
General physician, house visits
Obstetrical cases
Pediatric care, office visits
Psychiatrist, office visits
Herniorrhaphy, adult
Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
Dentists 1 fees
,
Fillings, adult, amalgam, one surface •
Extractions, adult
Dentures, full upper
~
Other professional services:
Examination, prescription, and dispensing of eyeglasi
Routine laboratory tests -•
Hospital service c h a r g e s — —
Semiprivate rooms
Operating room charges
X-ray, diagnostic series, upper G.I.
Laboratory test, urinalysis
>
Anti-infective, tetracyline, HCL
Tranquilizer, Chlordiazepoxide, HCL
Electrocardlogr*
Intravenous solution, saline
Physical therapy, whirlpool b a t h —
— —
Oxygen, inhalation therapy
Personal care
Toilet goods
Toothpaste, standard dentifrice
•
Toilet soap, hard milled
Hand lotions, liquid
Shaving cream, aerosol
Face powder, pressed
Deodorants, aerosol
---.
Cleansing tissues
—
—
Home permanent wave kits —
Personal care services
....
Men1 s haircuts
—
~
Beauty shop services
Women's haircuts
Shampoo and wave sets, plain
Permanent waves, cold




Jan.

72

Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.

72
72
72
72
72
72
72

See footnotes at end of table.

18

Indexes
April 1972

March 1972

Percent change to April 1972
from:
March 1972
April 1971
0.2
.2
.0
2.4
1.0
.2
.5
.2
.1
.3
.4
.3
.5
.0
.1
.0
.0
.4
.2
.0
.1
.1
.3
.0
.2
.3
.1
.2
.9
.1
.0
.0
.3
.0
.2
.7
.2

118.6
116.1
111.7
106.4
105.0
122.9
116.0
134.3
140.7
127.5
138.9
142.7
149.1
132.9
127.0
129.6
137.6
125.5
131.7
105.5
110.9
95.2
115.4
101.2
124.1
113.2
112.8
100.9
76.0
125.2
102.8
107.8
128.9
111.8
109.4
116.7
94.0

118.4
115.9
111.7
103.9
106.1
122.7
116.6
134.0
140.9
127.1
138.3
142.3
148.4
132.9
126.9
129.6
137.6
125.0
131.4
105.5
110.8
95.1
115.0
101.2
123.9
113.5
112.9
101.1
76.7
125.1
102.8
107.8
128.5
111.8
i09.2
117.5
93.8

133.2
134.2
135.6
133.9
135.6
128.5
127.8
129.6
131.6
133.0
131.5
128.8

132.9
134.0
135.5
132.8
135.5
128.5
127.4
129.2
131.0
132.3
131.0
128.3

.2
.1
.1
.8
.1
.0
.3
.3
.5
.5
.4
.4

124.5
119.7
101.5
172.7
166.6
129.0
101.5
100.9
100.6
102.8
101.5
100.8
101.6
119.1
116.3
108.8
121.0
125.1
107.5
126.2
105.6
125.4
110.9
122.0
124.4
120.4
120.7
123.9
112.5

124.0
119.4
101.2
172.2
166.0
128.6
101.4
100.0
99.9
102.5
101.4
100.7
101.5
118.7
115.8
109.5
121.1
123.8
107.2
125.1
105.6
123.4
110.5
121.7
124.2
119.9
120.5
123.5
111.8

.4
.3
.3
.3
.4
.3
.1
.9
.7
.3
.1
.1
.1
.3
.4
.6
.1
1.1
.3
.9.
.0
1.6
.4
.2
.2
.4
.2
.3
.6

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.4
.1
1.8
3.1
1.3
3.3
1.2
5.0
.8
3.0
2.6
4.6
3.8
11.6
.6
4.4
5.4
3.5
3.3
.4
.5
3.0
1.5
.5
1.2
2.5
.1
.2
5.0
2.7
1.6
1.7
3.3
1.5
1.7
3.4
1.1
3.7
2.8
5.0
5.5
4.1
4.0
4.9
5.5
4.8
5.2
4,3
4.4
5.0
4.2
(5/)
7.3
7.8
3.7
(5/)
(5/)
(5/)

(V)

(5/)
(5/)
(5/)
2.4
2.5
1.2
8.2
4.0
.8
1.9
.7
1.8
.5
2.3
2.2
2.4
1.6
2.7
2.7

Table 8. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, indexes for selected
items and groups, April 1972 and percent changes from selected dates—Continued
(1967=100 unless otherwise specified)
to April 1972

Other
index

Item and group

April 1971
Reading and recreation U V
Recreational goods
TV sets, portable and console
TV replacement tubes
Radios, portable and table mode)
Tape recorders, portable
Phonograph records, stereophonic
Movie cameras, Super 8, zoom lens
Film, 35mm, color
Golf balls, liquid center or solid core
Basketballs, rubber or vinyl cover --'
Fishing rods, fresh water spincasting
Bowling balls
Bicycles, boys1
Tricycles
'
Dog food, canned or boxed
Recreational services
Indoor movie admissions
Adult
Children's
Drive-in movie admissions, adultBowling fees, evening
Golf green fees 6/
TV repair, color picture tube replacement
Film developing, color
---Reading and education:
Newspapers, street sale and delivery
Magazines, single copy and subscription
Piano lessons, beginner

98.1
118.1

121.7
107.6
100.0
128.8
98.5
93.3
106.6
88.8
108.3
105.0
125.7
107.3
113.2
114.9
113.4
110.4
127.3
139.2
138.2
141.8
143.7
119.1
(6/)
98.3
118.2

1.1
.7
2.3
.1
.2
(6/)
.2
.1

3.3
1.4
.3
6.7
.5
1.4
5.9
.0
.2
.4
2.1
2.5
3.6
2.6
1.4
2.6
3.1
3.0
2.3
5.2
4.2
2.5
4.5
.3
3.0

131.6
133.4
122.1

130.8
124.9
122.1

.6
6.8
.0

1.8
5.6
1.1

125.1
132.7
133.9
135.0
110.7
119.3
114.1
108.6
126.4
130.1
120.6
107.4
149.3

124.6
132.5
133.7
134.8
110.6
118.9
113.9
108.5
125.9
129.1
120.6
108.2
141.9

.4
.2
.1
.1
.1
.3
.2
.1
.4
.8
.0
.7
5.2

4.5
6.8
6.4
7.4
4.5
2.7
1.2
2.5
4.8
4.0
3.8
3.6
12.0

122.1
118.5
117.4
138.1
135.6
125.1

121.8
118.2
117.3
137.7
135.5
124.7

.2
.3
.1
.3
.1
.3

3.0
2.3
3.0
6.5
2.0
3.0

122.3
107.7
99.8
129.8
98.8
93.8
106.4
88.8
108.3
104.8
126.0
107.4
113.4
114.8
112.7
110.8
127.8
140.7
139.2
145.0
143.8
119.3
129.6

—

—

Other goods and services
Tobacco products
Cigarettes, nonfilter tip, regular size
Cigarettes, filter tip, king size
Cigars, domestic, regular size
Alcoholic beverages
Beer
Whiskey, spirit blended and straight bourbon
Wine, dessert and table
Away from home
Financial and miscellaneous personal expenses:
Funeral services, adultBank service charges, checking accounts
Legal services, short form will

0.5
.1
.2
.8
.3
.5
.2
.0
.0
.2
.2
.1
.2
.1
.6
.4
.4

Other special groups:
All items less shelter
Commodities less food
Nondurables less food and apparel
Household services less rent
Transportation services
Other services
•
—

.....

1/ Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
2/ Also includes home purchase costs not shown separately.
3/ Also includes pine shelving, furnace air filters, packaged dry cement mix, and shrubbery not shown separately.
4/ Also includes Venetian blinds, nails, carpet sweepers, air deodorizers, steel wool scouring pads, envelopes,
reupholstering, and moving expenses.

5_/ Not available.
6/ Priced only in season.
TJ Also includes radios and television sets, shown separately under readin
iding and recreation.
8/ Also includes men's sport shirts, women's and girls' lightweight coats, women's slacks, cocktail dresses, bathing
suits, girls' shorts, earrings, and zippers not shown separately.
9/ Also includes recapped tires and drivers' license fees not shown separately.
10/ Includes prices for water pump replacement, motor time-up, automatic transmission repair, exhaust system repair,
front end alignment, and chassis lubrication.
11/ Also includes outboard motors, nondurable toys, college tuition fees, paperback books, and college textbooks, not
shown separately.




19

Table 9.

Consumer Price Index—seasonal adjustment factors for use with 1972 indexes (calculated from data through March 1972)

January

Groups

February

April

May

July

August

September

October

November

December

Commodity and service groups

99.98

Commodities
Food

Food at hi
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
Food away from home

100.17

100.15

100.06

99.8

99.7

99.8

100.0

100.0

100.2

100.2

100.1

99.9

100.1

100.0

100.1

99.9
99.8
100.0
99.2
100.1
99.1
101.6
100.0

99.7
99.7
100.0
99.2
99.9
98.9
100.9
99.9

99.8
99.8
100.0
100.0
99.8
100.0
99.9
99.8

99.9
99.9
100.1
99.9
99.6
101.3
100.0
99.9

99.9
100.0
99.9
99.8
99.9
102.6
98.5
99.9

100.3
100.4
99.9
100.3
100.1
103.7
98.0
99.9

100.7
100.8
100.1
100.9
100.1
104.1
98.8
100.0

100.6
100.7
100.1
101.4
100.1
101.6
100.1
100.1

100.1
100.1
100.1
101.2
100.1
97.6
100.5
100.1

100.0
100.0
100.1
100.2
100.1
96.0
100.8
100.2

99.3
99.0
99.9
99.1
100.1
96.8
99.9
100.2

99.8
99.6
99.8
98.8
100.1
98.3
101.2
100.0

99.8

99.7

99.8

99.9

100.0

100.2

99.9

99.7

99.9

100.4

100.5

100.3

Nondurables less food
Apparel commodities
Men's and boys'
•—
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Nondurables less food and apparelGasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Fuel oil and coal
Other nondurables

99.7
99.2
99.3
98.8
99.8
100.0
100.0

99.7
99.4
99.2
99.3
99.7
99.9
99.5
<_/>

99.8
99.7
99.7
99.5
100.0
99.9
100.3
(1/)

99.9
99.8
100.2
99.4
100.1
99.9
100.1

100.0
100.3
100.4
100.3
100.3
99.8
99.6

100.0
100.1
100.3
100.0
100.1
100.0
99.9

99.7
99.3
99.3
99.2
99.5
100.0
100.0

99.6
99.0
99.3
98.3
99.8
100.1
100.3

100.2
100.3
100.1
100.5
100.0
100.1
100.2

100.5
101.2
100.9
101.8
100.3
100.0
99.7

100.3
100.8
100.5
101.4
100.2
100.1
99.8

(1/)

100.7
99.8

a/)

100.4
100.0

100.1
100.1

Durable commodities
Household durables
New cars
Used cars
Other durables

100.0
99.8
101.0

99.6
100.0
100.5

99.8

99.8
100.1
100.1
100.2
99.9

99.6
100.1

88

100.5
100.9
100.7
101.4
100.2
100.2
100.6
<_/>

Commodities less food

100.6
99.9
99.7
99.8
101.0

(1/)

a/)

100.1
100.1
(1/)
99.8

a/)
a/)

100.4
100.2
99.3

(1/)

Services less rent
Household services less rent
Transportation services
Medical care services
Other services

a
100.4
99.8
100.0

Special indexes:
All items less food
Nondurable commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
Services less medical care services
Insurance and finance
Utilities and public transportation
Housekeeping and home maintenance services

All items
Food

Housing

99.9
99.8
99.1
(_/>
100.0
100.1
99.8

Home ownership
Fuel and utilities
Gas and electricity

_,

Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
Special indexes:
All items less shelter
All items less medical c a r e —
All items less mortgage interest costs-'

If

100.1
100.2
100.1
_O
99.8
100.0
100.1

a/)
100.0
100.1
99.9

100.0
100.2
99.3

99.9
100.2
98.7

_o

a/)

100.0
100.1
100.3
<_./>
99.9
99.8
100.3

99.8
100.0
100.0

Expenditure

100.0
100.0
100.1
classes

100.17 100.15

99.9

100.3

I

(1/)
100.1

<_/>
100.0

99.3

(1/)
99.7
(1/)
99.6
100.1
100.3
99.9
99.5

99.8

99.9

(1/)
99". 8
(1/)
99.9
100.1
100.3
100.2
100.3

100.3
100.2
100.1

99.9
99.9
100.0

99.8
99.9
100.8

99.9
100.1
100.4

100.2
100.3
100.0

99.8
99.9
100.1
100.1

_/
99.9
99.8
99.8
99.9

100.2
100.0
99.8
99.8

100.2
100.1
100.0
99.7

(1/)
100.2
100.1
100.1
99.5

100.1
100.0
100.1
99.7

99.8
99.9
99.9

99.8
99.8
99.8

99.9
99.9
99.9

100.1
99.9
100.0

100.1
100.0
100.0

100.2
100.1
100.2

100.1
100.2
100.2
100.0

100.0
100.2
100.4
100.0

20

(1/)

a/)
/

100.2
99.4
100.3
100.1

99.99

Series is not seasonally adjusted.




100.0
100.0
100.4

100.7

100.2

99.4

99.1

100.4
100.6
100.6

100.2
100.3
100.4

a

_o

100.2
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.2
100.1
100.1

99.8
99.9
100.2
100.0
101.2
(1/)
100.0

f,

lob. I
99.4
99.7
100.1

_/
100.0
100.0
100.4
100.0
101.9

a/)
<_./>

100.0
100.0
100.2
99.9
101.6

a/)

a/)

100.2

100.3

(I/)
100.2
99.4
99.6
100.0

a/)

88

100.2
100.1
101.0
<!/>
100.0
99.5
100.1

100.2
99.9
101.3

100.1
99.6
99.7
99.9
100.1
100.1
101.0

100.0
99.7
100.0

1O0I.1
100.0
100.0

100.0

99.3

(1/)
100.1

(_/>
100.2
(1/)
100.2
100.2
100.1
100.0

99.98

100.6

99.9
99.9
99.6
100.1

99.8
99.9
100.2

100.0

(I/)

100.06

100.1
<!/>
100.1
100.0
99.9
100.0

9 9". 9
<_/>
99.9

99.7
100.0
99.5
99.9
96.8
(1/)
99.9

100". 2
99.6
100.2
99.9

99.8

Public

f* gva_ M _ a B _ a i M H ___ a i ,__—________

99.8
100.2
100.1
100.2

99.92

Household furnishings and operation-

P OTQnnfl 1

a/>
100.2
100.3
100.0

99.6
100.0
99.9
100.0
98.0

(1/)
100.0
100.0
100.2
100.0

99.7

Apparel and upkeep

Health and recreation—
Medical care

a/)
99.9
100.2
99.7

99.9
99.8
99.6

100.2
100.5
100.2
100.0
100.0
99.9
99.8
(1/)
100.4
100.3
99.9

99.9
100.2
100.2
100.1

a/)
<_/>

99.79

99.8
100.1
100.1
99.7

Transportation

99.8
99.7
99.3

88

a/)
<!/>

99.9

(I/)

•

(1/)

99.87

99.9

Rent——————————

99.6
100.6
99.9
99.8

100.0
100.6
100.2
99.9

(I/)

a/)

a/)
a/)

99.6
100.0
100.2
100.1
98.8
99.9

100.1

Rent—

a/)
a/)

a/)
100.1

a/)

a/)

99.8

a/)
100.1

a/)

100.1
100.2
100.1
99.9
100.7
100.1
100.0
99.5

99.8
99.8
99.8

100.1
99.7
99.6
100.0
100.2
99.2
99.0
99.8

100.1
99.6
99.5
99.9
100.8
100.2
100.1
99.3

U/>
100.2
100.1
99.9
100.1

Q,/)
100.2
100.0
100.0
100.3

a/)

a/)

a/)

99.7
100.0
100.0
100.4

99.6
100.0
100.1
100.4

99.7
100.0
100.0
100.2

100.1
100.0
100.0

100.0
100.0
100.0

100.0
100.1
100.0

99.9
100.0
100.0

100.0
100.1
100.0

101.0
100.0
99.9
99.2

Table 10.

Consumer Price Index—food items, seasonal adjustment factors for use with 1972 indexes (calculated from data through March 1972)

Item or group

Total food
Food away from hoi
Restaurant meals
Snacks
Food at home
Cereals and bakery productsFlour
Cracker meal
Corn flakes
Rice
Bread, whiteBread, whole wheat
Cookies
Layer cake
Cinnamon rolls
Meats, poultry, and fish
MeatsBeef and vealSteak, round
Steak, sirloinSteak , porterhouse
Rump roast
Rib r o a s t —
Chuck roastHamburger—
Beef l i v e r —
Veal cutlets
Pork
Chops
Loin roast
Pork sausage
Ham, whole
Picnics
Bacon
Other meats
Lamb chops
Frankfurters
Ham, cannedBologna sausage
Salami sausageLive rwurst
Poultry
Frying chicken
Chicken breasts
Turkey
PigJ^
Shrimp, frozen
Fish, fresh or frozen
Tuna fish, cannedSardines , canned
Dairy products
Milk, fresh, groceryMilk, fresh, deliveredMilk, fresh, skimMilk, evaporatedIce c r e a m —
Cheese, American process
Butter

January

99.9
100.0
99.9
100.2
99.8
100.0
99.9
99.8
100.2
100.0
100.3
100.1
99.7
100.0
100.4
99.2
99.1
99.3
99.5
98.7
98.8
100.0
100.0
98.5
99.1
99.0
99.1
98.5
97.7
98.1
98.0
103.4
99.1
97.4
99.7
99.2
99.1
100.8
99.5
99.8
99.6
98.8
98.5
98.8
100.2
100.2
100.2
100.0
100.3
100.6
100.1
100.2
100.2
100.0
99.9
100.4
99.9
100.4

April

February

99.7
99.9
99.8
100.0
99.7
100.0
100.0
99.7
100.2
100.1
100.1
99.9
99.1
100.3
100.3
99.2
99.2
99.1
99.5
98.0
98.3
99.4
98.9
99.5
99.3
99.1
99.1
99.0
99.1
99.0
98.4
101.2
99.8
1
97.8
99.5
99.3
98.6
100.9
99.4
99.5
100.1
99.1
98.7
99.2
100.1
100.4
100.4
100.2
100.4
100.6
99.9
99.9
100.0
98.8
99.6
100.0
100.1
100.1

99.8
99.8
99.8
99.8
99.8
100.0
100.2
100.0
100.2
100.1
99.9
100.0
99.8
100.0
100.0
100.0
99.7
99.7
99.8
99.1
98.8
99.5
99.5
100.5
99.9
99.5
99.7
99.4
99.5
99.6
98.9
101.6
100.9
98.6
99.8
99.5
99.3
101.4
99.6
99.3
99.6
100.1
100.1
99.6
99.8
100.1
100.3
100.4
100.0
100.0
99.8
99.9
99.9
99.7
99.5
99.9
100.0
99.8

99.9
99.9
99.9
100.0
99.9
100.1
100.0
100.4
100.0
100.0
99.8
100.0
100.3
100.1
99.9
99.9
99.8
99.9
100.1
99.0
98.9
100.2
99.5
101.7
100.1
100.3
100.6
98.9
98.3
98.3
99.0
97.9
100.3
98.9
99.9
99.4
100.4
100.3
100.0
100.0
99.7
100.2
101.0
100.3
100.5
100.1
99.9
100.0
100.2
100.2
99.6
99.8
99.7
99.8
99.1
99.7
100.2
99.8

See footnotes at end of table.




21

May

99.9
99.9
99.9
100.0
100.0
99.9
100.3
100.4
99.8
100.1
99.7
99.6
100.5
100.0
100.0
99.8
99.9
100.5
101.0
100.4
100.2
101.0
100.2
100.9
100.3
100.3
100.3
98.5
97.5
98.0
98.9
98.4
99.0
99.4
99.8
99.7
99.6
100.3
100.0
99.5
99.9
99.4
99.4
99.8
98.9
100.2
100.2
100.1
100.4
100.0
99.9
99.9
99.9
100.1
99.8
99.6
100.2
99.9

July

100.3
99.9
99.9
99.8
100.4
99.9
100.3
100.2
99.8
100.1
99.6
99.4
99.7
100.0
100.0
100.3
100.2
100.6
100.6
101.5
101.1
100.7
100.4
99.8
100.5
99.9
100.6
99.8
99.6
99.3
100.4
99.1
98.9
101.3
100.1
100.7
100.4
99.2
99.9
100.0
100.1
101.1
101.6
99.9
99.9
100.1
100.0
100.1
100.2
99.9
100.1
99.9
99.9
100.1
100.5
99.8
100.3
99.9

100.7
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.8
100.1
100.1
100.0
100.2
100.0
99.9
99.9
100.7
99.9
100.0
100.9
100.9
101.0
100.6
102.5
102.6
100.2
100.9
100.2
100.7
101.2
101.1
101.7
103.1
102.1
100.8
98.5
100.5
101.9
100.1
101.5
100.1
98.6
100.5
100.3
100.3
102.1
103.1
100.3
99.6
99.9
100.5
100.1
99.7
99.4
100.1
99.8
99.9
100.0
100.7
99.8
100.3
99.9

August

Septen
ber

October

100.6
100.1
100.1
99.9
100.7
100.1
99.9
100.2
99.9
100.0
100.3
100.0
100.7
100.0
100.0
101.4
101.6
101.3
101.2
102.2
102.6
101.1
101.3
101.4
100.9
100.8
101.0
103.0
104.9
103.9
102.1
99.5
101.7
102.8
100.7
100.9
101.7
99.4
100.8
100.9
100.3
101.8
102.1
101.9
100.1
99.9
100.1
100.2
99.8
99.2
100.1
99.9
100.0
99.9
100.6
100.3
100.1
99.9

100.1
100.1
100.1
99.8
100.1
100.1
100.1
100.1
99.5
100.0
100.5
100.2
100.5
100.1
99.8
101.2
101.3
101.1
101.0
102.5
102.3
100.8
101.2
100.7
100.7
100.5
100.5
102.6
103.5
103.0
102.6
100.2
100.4
103.7
100.5
100.6
101.3
99.6
100.6
100.7
100.6
102.0
102.1
101.7
100.3
99.8
99.7
99.9
99.7
99.4
100.1
100.1
100.0
100.4
100.4
100.3
99.7
99.8

100.0
100.2
100.2
100.4
100.0
100.1
100.0
100.0
99.7
99.9
100.0
.100.3
100.1
99.7
100.2
100.2
100.4
100.1
99.9
100.2
100.5
100.2
99.7
99.8
100.0
100.3
100.0
101.2
100.9
101.3
101.6
99.4
100.5
102.1
100.3
100.1
100.5
99.9
100.2
100.2
100.5
99.5
98.9
100.6
100.9
99.8
99.6
99.8
100.0
100.0
100.1
100.3
100.2
100.2
100.2
99.9
99.8
100.2

December

99.3
100.2
100.2
100.1
99.0
99.9
99.9
99.7
100.1
99.8
100.1
100.3
99.3
99.8
99.9
95.1
99.3
99.1
99.1
98.4
98.4
99.1
99.0
98.7
99.4
99.7
99.3
99.1
98.5
99.0
100.5
99.4
99.3
98.8
99.9
99.6
100.1
100.0
99.8
99.9
99.6
98.2
97.4
98.8
100.9
99.7
99.4
99.4
99.5
100.2
100.1
100.3
100.1
100.0
100.1
100.1
99.8
100.2

99.8
100.0
100.1
100.0
99.6
99.8
99.4
99.6
100.2
99.9
99.8
100.2
99.7
100.2
99.5
98.8
98.7
98.4
97.7
97.5
97.6
98.0
99.3
98.4
99.2
99.4
98.8
98.4
97.6
98.2
98.8
101.4
99.6
97.4
99.7
99.4
99.5
99.7
99.7
99.9
99.6
97.6
97.0
99.1
98.8
99.9
99.6
99.7
99.7
100.5
100.1
100.1
100.2
100.1
99.7
100.3
99.8
100.1

Table 10.

Consumer Price Index—food items, seasonal adjustment factors for use with 1972 indexes (calculated from data through March 1972)—Continued

Item or group

January

February

Fruits and vegetable;
Fresh fruits and vegetables

99.1
98.7

98.9
98.1

Fresh frui ts
Apples
Bannanas
Oranges
Orange juice, fresh
GrapefruitGrapes
Strawberries
Watermelon

92.5
90.6
96.3
93.9
99.2
86.9

94.8
92.9
99.1
95.4
99.0
88.4

Fresh vegetablesPotatoes—
Onions
AsparagusCabbage—
Carrots—
Celery
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Peppers, g r e e n —
Spinach
Tomatoes
Processed fruits and vegetables
Fruit cocktail, canned
Pears canned
Pineapple-grapefruit juice, canned
Orange juice concentrate, frozen
Lemonade concentrate, frozen
Beets, canned
Peas, green, canned
Tomatoes, canned
Dried b e a n s —
Broccoli, frozen—

Fats and oils:
Margarine
Salad dressing, Italian
Salad or cooking oil
Sugar and sweets
Grape jelly
Chocolate bar
Syrup, chocolate flavoredNonalcholic beverages
Coffee, can and bag
Coffee, instant
Tea
Cola drinkCarbonated fruit drink
Prepared and partially prepared foodsBean soup, c a n n e d —
Chicken soup, cannedSpaghetti , canned
Mashed potatoes, instant
Potatoes, french fried, frozen
Baby foods, canned
Sweet pickle relishPretzelsMiscellaneous indexes:
Housefurnishings
Fuel oil #2-

Natural gas,
Natural gas,
heatingNatural gas,
Natural gas,

residential heating
other than residental
10 therms
25 therms

Electricity
Electricity 100 kwhrs

a/)

a/)
a/)

102.4
93.7
93.1

100.8
94.9
98.4

(I/)

April

May

100.0
100.1

101.3
102.2

102.6
104.4

103.7
106.2

104.1
106.8

96.3
96.0
100.7
95.7
99.8
87.0

98.5
98.8
100.7
93.6
99.0
89.6

100.2
102.8
101.5
95.3
99.8
92.7

107.6
111.7
100.0
97.1
99.9
105.9

110.5
119.4
102.1
99.9
100.1
112.3
125.3

a/)

an

a/)

107.8

94.6

97.6

105.2
98.0
100.7

105.4
113.1
106.1
91.4
111.2
103.0
108.8
92.4
115.2
99.0
101.8
99.8
100.1
99.6
99.8
100.2
99.8
100.0
99.4
100.3
99.8
100.1
98.0
86.3

110.4
100.8
100.0
124.5
90.8
111.6
101.6
101.2
110.0
99.8
100.2
99.6
99.5
101.1
99.7
99.7
99.7
100.6
100.0
100.9
106.6

103.1
95.8
99.6
124.7
106.1
94.6
95.8
122.5
97.9
115.9
100.2
104.7
99.8
99.6
99.8
99.7
99.3
101.1
99.9
99.6
99.9
99.7
99.9
99.9
99.9

106.2
97.1
93.6
139.2
101.0
118.0
101.5
113.5
100.0
99.7
99.8
100.0
100.0
101.3
100.1
100.1
99.9
99.8
100.0
100.0
99.7

107.7
101.9
104.5
96.0
108.1
96.6
102.9
112.2
102.4
136.4
99.3
115.3
99.9
99.5
99.8
100.1
99.8
100.9
100.0
99.7
100.1
99.8
100.1
98.5
89.9

99.9
99.9
100.1
99.7
99.7
100.0
99.2
100.3
99.9
100.1
100.0
99.8
99.9
99.7
99,9
99.9
99.9
100.1
100.1
99.8
100.0
100.3
99.8

100.4
-99.9
•99.9
99.8
99.8
100.3
99.3
100.3
99.9
100.0
99.3
99.7
100.2
99.6
100.1
100.1
100.2
100.2
100.0
100.0
99.7
100.6
99.8

100.3
100.1
100.3
99.9
100.0
99.8
99.6
100.4
100.1
100.0
100.0
99.8
100.2
99.9
100.2
100.2
100.2
100.2
100.0
100.0
99.5
100.9
100.2

100.5
100.3
100.1
100.0
99.9
100.1
99.5
100.3
100.0
99.9
100.2
99.9
100.1
100.1
100.1
100.3
100.1
100.0
100.2
99.9
99.3
100.2
100.1

100.3
100.1

99.9
100.6
100.4
100.4

100.1
100.4
100.4
100.4

100.2
100.1
100.7
100.5

100.3
100*6
100.3

100.7
100.8
100.5

100.5
100.7
100.5

100.0
100.1

100.0
100.1

100.0
100.0

a/)
102.3
101.4
102.3
110.8
98.6
100.1
99.7
104.9
110.2
100.3
100.2
100.0
99.5
100.7
100.0
100.0
99.8
100.4
100.0
101.6
110.6
100.4
99.9
100.1
99.9
99.8
100.1
99.8
100.1
99.9
99.9
100.0
99.9
99.9
99.7
99.9
100.1
100.0
100.1
99.7
99.9
100.2
100.3
99.6
99.7
100.6

(I/)

1

93.4

August

Septem
ber

October

November

101.6
102.6

97.6
96.0

96.0
93.5

96.8
94.8

98.3
96.8

110.1
120.9
102.1
104.8
100.9
123.6
101.5

103.8
109.5
102.1
107.1
100.8
121.1
87.6

98.5
86.3
105.1
110.7
100.7
114.4
86.6

94.6
84.0
96.6
106.4
100.5
90.3
99.0

92.5
87.0
93.7
100.1
100.2
87.8

a/)

a/)

90.0
92.5
95.8

94.5
93.0
93.1

a/)
104.0
116.9
107.2

96.7
109.5
108.2

89.3
96.8
99.9

a/)

a/)

100.6
100.1
100.1
100.1
100.0
100.2
100.1
100.1
100.3
100.2
100.5
100.4
100.3
100.3
99.9
100.1
100.1
99.8
100.4
99.8
99.3
99.4
100.2

110.9
106.7
115.5
84.3
98.2
92.3
101.2
102.3
99.9
100.0
99.9
99.8
100.3
98.1
100.2
99.9
100.4
99.8
100.0
98.8
90.8
100.0
100.2
100.0
100.0
100.2
100.1
100.2
99.9
100.1
100.0
100.0
100.4
100.1
100.5
99.9
99.8
100.0
99.7
100.1
100.2
99.3
98.7
100.2

90.4
109.1
102.9
77.1
98.0
79.1
99.2
85.2
99.9
100.4
100.3
99.9
100.7
98.8
100.1
100.3
100.3
99.8
100.2
100.1
100.0
99.4
99.9
100.2
100.1
100.3
99.9
100.3
99.9
100.2
100.1
100.0
100.3
100.1
100.2
100.1
100.0
99.9
99.6
100.3
100.5
100.6
99.4
100.2

85.9
97.0
90.6
70.5
91.9
73.2
98.2.
71.3
100.2
100.0
100.4
100.2
101.0
98.1
100.2
100.4
99.9
100.2
100.2
100.5
103.9
98.9
99.9
100.0
100.2
100.3
99.9
100.6
99.8
99.8
99.8
99.8
100.1
99.8
100.1
100.1
99.9
100.0
99.9
99.9
100.3
100.7
99.8
100.2

100.1
100.0
100.6
100.5

100.2
99.8
100.1
99.9

100.0
99.7
99.5
99.8

99.8
99.7
99.8
99.9

100.8
100.9
100.7

100.8
100.7
100.6

100.1
99.7
99.9

99.7
99.2
99.5

100.1
100.1

100.0
99.9

99.8
100.0

99.8
99.9

1/ Priced only in season.




July

22

92.7

a/)

89.3
96.0
90.5

a/)

December

a/)
a/)

101.0
93.9
93.3
(1/)
98.6
102.7
98.7
103.5
115.6
98.3
101.3
122.4
100.2
100.6
99.9
100.1
99.5
100.7
99.8
100.6
100.1
100.2
99.9
101.2
108.4

99.7
100.0
99.7
100.1
100.1
99.8
1006.
99.8
100.0
100.1
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.2
100.1
99.9
100.0
100.1
99.9
100.2
100.3
99.9
100.1

90.7
95.0
98.5
85.1
110.1
85.6
97.9
95.8
100.0
100.1
100.0
100.5
99.8
99.8
100.0
100.5
99.8
99.9
99.7
99.9
99.5
99.7
99.9
99.7
99.9
100.1
99.8
100.3
99.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
99.9
99.9
99.9
99.9
99.7
99.8
100.1
99.9
99.7
100.2
100.3
99.8

100.3
99.9
99.6
100.0
99.9
100.1
100.5
99.6
99.8
99.8
100.2
99.8
99.7
99.7
99.9
99.9
99.9
100.2
99.7
99.6
100.2
100.2
99.8

99.9
99.7
99.3
99.6

100.0
99.7
98.9
99.1

100.1
99.8
99.9
99.8

100.0
99.9
100.1
100.1

99.6
99.5
99.7

99.1
99.0
99.3

98.8
98.7
99.0

100.0
100.1
99.8

100.0
99.8

100.1
100.0

100.0
99.9

100.1
100.0

100.1
100.1
100.3
100.1
100.2

77.6

103.1
74.3
100.9
81.6
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.4
100.3
99.7
99.9
99.8
99.9
99.9
99.9
100.8
104.3

Brief Explanation of the CPI
The national index (the United States city average)
includes prices from the 23 SMSA's for which separate
indexes are published in this report, as well as from the
following additional locations:

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures average
changes in prices of goods and services usually bought by
urban wage earners and clerical workers, both families
and single persons living alone. It is based on prices of
about 400 items which were selected to represent the
movement of prices of all goods and services purchased
by wage earners and clerical workers. Prices for these
items are obtained in urban portions of 39 Standard
Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSA's) and 17 smaller
cities, which were chosen to represent all urban places
in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. They
are collected from grocery and department stores,
hospitals, filling stations, and other types of stores and
service establishments which wage earners and clerical
workers patronize.
Prices of foods, fuels, and a few other items are
obtained every month in all 56 locations. Prices of most
other commodities and services are collected every
month in the 5 largest SMSA's and every 3 months in
other SMSA?s and cities. Mail questionnaires are used to
obtain local transit fares, public utility rates, newspaper
prices, fuel prices, and certain other items which change
in price infrequently. Prices of most other goods and
services are obtained by personal visits of the Bureau's
trained representatives.
In calculating the index, price changes for the various
items in each location are averaged together with weights
which represent their importance in the spending of all
wage earners and clerical workers. SMSA and city data
are then combined in the total index with weights based
on the 1960 populations of SMSA's and cities they
represent. Index numbers are computed on the base
1967=100, and are also available on the base of
1957-59=100.

Alabama - Florence
Alaska - Anchorage
California - Bakersfield*
Colorado - Denver*
Connecticut - Hartford*
Florida - Orlando*
Indiana - Indianapolis*
Indiana - Logansport
Illinois - Champaign-Urbana*
Iowa - Cedar Rapids*
Kansas - Wichita*
Louisiana - Baton Rouge*
Maine - Portland*
Massachusetts - Southbridge
Michigan - Niles
Minnesota - Crookston
Mississippi - Vicksburg

New Jersey - Millville
New York - Kingston
North Carolina - Durham*
North Dakota - Devils Lake
Ohio - Dayton*
Ohio - Find lay
Oklahoma - Mangum
Oregon - Klamath Falls
Pennsylvania - Lancaster*
South Carolina - Union
Tennessee - Nashville*
Texas - Austin*
Texas - McAllen
Utah - Orem
Virginia - Martinsville
Wisconsin - Green Bay*

•Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area

Comparisons of indexes for individual SMSA's show
only that prices in one location changed more or less
than in another. The SMSA indexes cannot be used to
measure differences in price levels or in living costs
between areas.
A description of the index and historical tables of
index numbers for the United States city average and
for 23 large SMSA's are available on request to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington, D. C. 20212 or
any of its regional offices.

A Note on Seasonally Adjusted and Unadjusted Data
ing 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 are also used extensively for escalation purposes. Many collective bargaining contract
agreements and pensions plans, for example, tie compensation changes to the Consumer Price Index unadjusted for seasonal variation.

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 chang-




23

Reliability of Percent Changes in the CPI

are about 95 out of 100 that the percent change in the
CPI as computed differs from the corresponding "complete coverage" change by less than twice the standard error.
Because the CPI is rounded to one decimal place,
some ambiguity may arise in interpreting small index
changes. As the table indicates, for example, a monthto-month change of 0.1 percent in the all-items CPI
is significant. Because of rounding, however, a change
of this size in the published index might result from a
much smaller change in the unrounded value. Hence,
any particular change of 0.1 percent may or may not
be significant. On the other hand, a published change of
0.2 percent is almost always significant, regardless of
the time period to which it relates.
This replaces the table of average errors based on
1970 data which was included in the CPI report through
December 1971.

A system of "replicated" samples introduced into
the index structure in the 1964 revision permits an estimate of sampling error for the CPI. l The table below
shows standard errors for monthly, quarterly, and
Average standard errors of percent changes in the
CPI based on 1971 data

Component

All items
Food at home
Food away from
home
Housing
Apparel and upkeep. . .
Transportation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and
recreation
Other goods and
services

Monthly
change

Standard error
Quarterly
change

Annual
change

.04
.07

.06
.10

.09
.15

.08
.06
.17
.11
.09
.14

.14
.10
.27
.17
.14
.19

.33
.19
.33
.20
.28
.34

.09

.12

.20

.11

.17

.23

The method of deriving these estimates is described in a
paper by Marvin Wilkerson, "Measurement of Sampling Error
in the Consumer Price Index," Journal of the American Statistical Association, September 1967.

annual percent changes in the CPI for all items and
for nine commodity groupings based on 1971 averages.
The figures may be interpreted as follows: The chances

A Note About Calculating Index Changes
Percent changes expressed as annual rates are computed according to the standard formula for compound
growth rates. These data indicate what the percent
change would be if the current rate were maintained for
a 12-month period.
Movements of the indexes from one month to another
are usually expressed as percent changes rather than
changes in index points because index point changes are
affected by the level of the index in relation to its base
period while percent changes are not. The following example illustrates the computation of index point and
percent changes:




24

CPI
less previous index
index point differences =

123.8
123.2
0.6

Index point difference divided by the index for
the previous period:
1 2 3 . 8 - 123.2
x 100 = 0.5
123.2

Seasonally adjusted percent changes in the U.S. All
Items Index are based on seasonal adjustment factors
and seasonally adjusted indexes carried to two decimal
places. This procedure helps to eliminate rounding error
in the percent changes.

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