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CP! Detailed Report
August 1976
Consumer Price Index
U.S. City Average
and Selected Areas
U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
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CPI Detailed Report
For August 1976
Consumer Price Index: U.S. City Average and Selected Areas
Contents
U.S. D E P A R T M E N T O F LABOR
W. J. Usery, Jr., Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Julius Shiskin, Commissioner
OFFICE OF PRICES AND LIVING CONDITIONS
W. John Layng, Assistant Commissioner
The CPI Detailed Report is a monthly
report on consumer price movements
including statistical tables and
technical notes.
This publication may be ordered from
the Superintendent of Documents,
U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402.
Subscription price per year:
$9.00, domestic
$11.00, foreign
$.75, single copy
Material in this publication is in the public
domain and may be reproduced without
permission of the Federal Government.
Please credit the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Library of Congress
Catalog number 74-647019
October 1976
Page
Price movements
1
Chart 1. All items index and rates of changes, 1967-76
3
Chart 2. Commodities less food index and rates of change,
1967-76
4
Chart 3. Total food index and rates of change, 1967-76
5
Chart 4. Services index and rates of change, 1967-76
6
Table 1. CPI—U.S. city average, by commodity and service
group and expenditure class
7
Table 2. CPI—seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by commodity
and service group and expenditure class
8
Table 3. CPI—food items, U.S. city average
9
Table 4. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city
average
11
Table 5. CPI—selected areas, all items index
15
Table
6. CPI—areas
priced
by expenditure
class,
percent
change from
July monthly,
1976 to August
1976
15
Table 7. CPI—selected areas, by expenditure class
16
Table 8. CPI—food groups, selected areas
18
Table 9. CPI—gasoline indexes, U.S. city average and selected areas
19
Table 10. CPI—gasoline average prices, U.S. city average and
selected areas
19
Price Movements
August 1976
The Consumer Price Index rose 0.5 percent in August
before seasonal adjustment to 171.9 percent of its 1967
base. The August CPI was up 5.6 percent from a year
ago.
rise rapidly. Meat and poultry prices, on the other hand,
continued to move down. The declines for beef and pork—
3.6 percent and 4.0 percent respectively—were larger than
in July. In addition, indexes for eggs and fats and oils—
which had been rising in recent months—declined in
August after seasonal adjustment.
The index for commodities other than food rose 0.6
percent in August after seasonal adjustment, about the
same as in the previous 3 months and about twice as much
as in the early months of 1976. The apparel commodities
index which rose 1.1 percent in August after a 0.6 percent
rise in July, caused about one-third of the rise in the nonfood commodities index. Approximately 30 percent of the
rise in this index was due to continued rapid increases in
the indexes for gasoline and motor oil and fuel oil and
coal. Prices of used cars continued to rise. The new car
index increased 0.4 percent in August after remaining
nearly unchanged in June and July. The index for house-
Seasonally adjusted changes
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI rose 0.5 percent
in August, the same as in June and July. The August increase resulted from higher prices for a wide variety of
goods and services, notably fruits and vegetables, apparel,
and gasoline. These increases were partially offset by
lower prices for meats.
The food index increased 0.3 percent in August after
seasonal adjustment for the third month of comparatively
small increases. Prices of fresh fruits and vegetables advanced sharply in August after declining the preceding 3
months; prices for dairy products and coffee continued to
Table A. Percent changes in CPI and components, selected periods
Changes in all items
Changes from preceding month
Month
All items
Unadjusted
1975:
August
September
October
November
December
1976:
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
Commodities
less food
Food
Seasonally Unadadjusted justed
Seasonally Unadadjusted justed
Compound
annual rate
Services
Seasonally Unadadjusted justed
Seasonally
adjusted
From
3 months
ago
Seasonally
adjusted
From
12 months
ago
Unadjusted
0.3
.5
.6
.6
.4
0.4
.4
.6
.6
.5
-0.3
-.2
.7
.4
.5
-0.2
.3
.9
.6
.6
0.5
.5
.5
.3
.1
0.6
.3
.3
.3
.4
0.5
1.0
.6
1.1
.6
0.4
.8
.6
1.0
.6
8.5
7.4
5.8
6.8
7.3
8.6
7.8
7.6
.2
.2
.2
.4
.6
.5
.6
.5
.4
.1
.2
.4
.6
.5
.5
.5
.1
-.4
-.7
.3
.4
.5
.7
.2
-.2
-1.0
-.8
.6
1.0
.2
.1
.3
-.3
.3
.4
.6
.8
.6
.4
.6
.2
.3
.3
.3
.6
.5
.6
.6
1.0
.7
.6
.3
.4
.6
.7
.6
1.1
.7
.7
.5
.4
.6
.6
.6
6.5
4.4
2.9
2.9
4.9
6,1
6.3
6.0
6.8
6.3
6.1
6.1
6.2
5.9
5.4
5.6
1
7.3
7.0
hold durables declined slightly in August, following moderate increases in recent months; appliance prices were unchanged while prices for furniture and floor coverings
declined. Prices for alcoholic beverages also declined in
August.
The services index rose 0.6 percent in August after
seasonal adjustment, the same as in June and July. The
rent index increased 0.3 percent, while household services
other than rent rose 0.6 percent. Increases of 0.6 percent
for medical care services and 0.5 percent for transportation
services were about half as large as in July because of a
slower rise in charges for hospital services and auto insurance and a slight decline in public transportation
charges. Among other service components, the index for
personal care services rose sharply in August primarily
because of higher charges for beauty shop services.
the principal reason for the rise in butter prices, as well as
for other processed dairy products such as cheese, ice cream,
and canned evaporated milk. The rise in fluid milk prices
stemmed from various factors such as decreased production
of butterfat, higher price supports, and increased competition for supplies by processors of cheese, butter, and
other products.
Among other foods purchased in grocery stores, coffee
prices rose 5.3 percent, continuing the rapid advances of the
preceding 4 months. Sugar prices increased 1.0 percent in
August, reflecting earlier increases in wholesale prices. Egg
prices rose 7.1 percent before seasonal adjustment.
The index for food away from home—restaurant meals
and snacks—increased 0.5 percent in August, compared
with 0.7 percent in July.
Monthly changes in detail (not seasonally adjusted)
Commodities other than food. The index for commodities
other than food increased 0.6 percent in August before
seasonal adjustment. Over two-fifths of this rise stemmed
from a 1.2 percent increase in apparel prices, primarily
reflecting the introduction of fall and winter items. A
rapid rise in manufacturers' prices for clothing and footwear this year has put upward pressure on prices at the
retail level. Over the past year, from August 1975 to August
1976, apparel prices have increased 6.2 percent and footwear prices 8.9 percent at the manufacturers' level. At the
retail level, apparel prices have risen 3.3 percent and footwear 4.9 percent from August 1975 to August 1976.
There were also large increases for tires and used cars—
1.4 percent and 1.2 percent respectively. Gasoline prices
rose 0.7 percent and fuel oil prices 0.6 percent instead of
declining as is usual in August. Prices for other commodities
such as toilet goods, housekeeping supplies, and drugs and
prescriptions continued to increase. The new car index,
which usually declines in August, was unchanged. Prices for
furniture and floor coverings declined reflecting in part
summer clearance sales.
Food. The index for food purchased in grocery stores
increased 0.1 percent in August before seasonal adjustment.
Price increases for fresh fruits, eggs, dairy products, coffee,
and sugar were offset by lower prices for meats, poultry,
fresh vegetables, and cereal and bakery products.
Beef prices declined 2.2 percent, pork 1.3 percent, and
poultry 2.3 percent instead of moving up as is usual in
August. Beef prices declined—as they have almost steadily
since mid-1975—due to large cattle marketings and beef
production. Beef output in the first 7 months of this year
was up 11 percent from the first 7 months of last year. In
contrast, pork production in the first half of this year was
down 5 percent from a year earlier, but competitive
pressures from the large beef and poultry supplies held
down prices. Since mid-year, hog slaughter and pork
production have increased substantially, resulting in the
recent declines in pork prices at the processors' level and
in the August decline at the retail level.
Fresh vegetable prices declined 1.8 percent, much
smaller than is usual for August, and fresh fruit prices rose
4.6 percent instead of moving down seasonally. The increase in lettuce prices was particularly sharp as a labor
dispute in California and production gaps in other areas led
to short supplies. Prices for apples, bananas, oranges, and
grapes also increased sharply.
Services. The services index rose 0.6 percent in August
before seasonal adjustment. Among major services categories, medical care services rose 0.8 percent, a smaller
increase than in July but still substantial as hospital service
charges and dentists' fees both rose 0.9 percent and
physicians' fees increased 0.6 percent. Charges for household services other than rent rose 0.7 percent in August as
property insurance rates, mortgage interest costs, telephone,
and water and sewerage rates rose sharply. Increases for
natural gas and electricity, however, were smaller than in
recent months. The rent index rose 0.4 percent for the
sixth consecutive month. The rise of 0.5 percent for
transportation services stemmed from increases for autorelated services—0.7 percent for both auto repairs and
auto insurance and 1.0 percent for parking fees; charges
for public transportation increased 0.1 percent. Among
other services, there were large increases in charges for
laundering men's shirts and beauty shop services.
Prices for most cereal and bakery products declined in
August. Increased promotional activity and lower ingredient
costs contributed to the decline for bakery products. Flour
prices moved down in response to lower wheat prices. Rice
prices continued to decline due to a large buildup of supplies
which resulted from a record world and U.S. rice harvest
during the past year.
Among dairy products, butter prices continued to advance rapidly—increasing 5.9 percent in August after a 3.9
percent rise in July. A part of these recent increases was
attributed to stockpiling by some producers and bulk
buyers to avoid a repetition of severe shortages which
occurred last fall. Higher costs for fluid milk, however, are
2
Chart2.Commodi t i e slessfoodindex and rates of change, 1967-76
(1967=100)
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1/
computed from t h e u n a d j u s t e d s e r i e s *
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF L A B O R
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
3
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
Chart 2. Commodities less food index and rates of change, 1967-76
(1967=100)
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1/ Computed from the unadjusted s e r i e s .
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
4
1973
1974
1975
1976
Chart2.Commoditieslessfood index and rates of change, 1967-76
(1967=100)
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1/
Computed from the unadjusted s e r i e s .
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
5
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
Chart 4. Services index and rates of change, 1967-76
(1967-100)
ARITH.
SCALE
1.1
1.0
0.9
0-8
0.7
0.6
0.S
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
-0.1
ARITH.
SCALE
10
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1/
Computed from the unadjusted s e r i e s .
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
6
1973
1974
1975
1976
Table 1. CPI—U.S. city average, by commodity and service group and expenditure class
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967-100)
Relative
importance
Group or class
1975
Unadjusted
percent change to
A u g u s t 1976 f r o m —
Unadjusted indexes
July
1976
August
1976
August
1975
July
1976
Seasonally adjusted
percent change from—
May to
June
June to
July
July to
August
0.5
C o m m o d i t y and s e r v i c e groups
All items (1957-59=100)
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
Food away from home
Commodities less food
Nondurables less food
Apparel commodities1
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Other apparel commodities
Nondurables less food and apparel
Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Fuel oil and coal
Other nondurables
Durable commodities
Household durables
New automobiles
Used automobiles
Other durables
Services
Rent
Services less rent
Household services less rent
Transportation services
Medical care services
Other services.
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 service
Appliances (including radio and TV)
All items
Food
Housing
Shelter1
Rent
Homeownership2
Fuel and utilities3
Gas and electricity .
Household furnishings and operation
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Private
Public
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
Special indexes:
All items less shelter
All items less medical care
All items less mortgage interest costs
CPI—domestically produced farm foods4
CPI-selected beef cuts5
Purchasing power of consumer dollar:
1967=$ 1.00
1957-59=$ 1.00
100.000
5.6
0.5
0.5
0.5
-
-
-
63.355
24.675
19.524
2.702
6.641
2.876
3.103
4.202
5.150
38.681
22.872
7.861
2.475
3.426
1.377
. 584
15,011
3.498
1.880
2.244
1.045
6.343
15.809
4.495
1.910
2.046
7.358
36.645
4.497
32.147
16.030
5.012
5.642
5.463
171.1
199.0
166.0
182.1
180.9
180.9
184.0
168.0
177.3
188.6
186.9
157.1
158.1
144.4
145.6
140.2
149. 6
152.7
166.3
179.1
160.4
147.5
248.1
160.4
155.8
146..5
134.4
177.5
162.3
180.7
145.0
187.2
198.7
174.7
197.9
161.2
171.9
200.0
166.6
182.4
181.0
180.3
181.5
169.0
178.3
192.1
187.8
158.0
159.1
146.2
147.5
142.2
151.0
153.7
166.8
180.3
160.5
147.6
249.3
160.9
156.4
146.3
134.4
179.6
163.2
181.8
145.6
188.4
200.1
175.5
199.4
162.0
3.9
2.4
1.1
-1.3
-4.3
9.5
.2
7.0
7. 1
4.8
4.0
3.6
4.5
2.5
4.9
2.7
4.2
1.6
4.0
3.4
5.8
5.9
6.0
3.8
6.0
15.1
4.7
8.6
5.5
9.1
7.8
15.5
9.7
6.3
.4
.2
. 1
-.3
-1.4
.6
.6
1.9
.5
.6
.6
1.2
1.3
1.4
.9
.7
.3
.7
. 1
.1
.5
.3
.4
-.1
0
1.2
.6
.6
.4
.6
.7
.5
.8
.5
.4
.2
.2
1.3
-.1
1.0
-2.8
1.4
.5
.5
.5
.3
-.2
.6
.4
.3
.7
2.1
-.4
. 1
1.5
.3
.3
. 1
-.1
.7
*.5
.6
.4
.6
.7
.4
.5
.5
.4
. 1
0
.2
-1.6
1.1
. 1
1.4
.6
.6
.6
.6
.6
.5
.5
. 1
.7
1.5
-.1
.5
1.3
.4
.6
.3
. 1
1.1
*.7
.6
.5
.6
.5
.9
1.1
.6
.5
.3
.3
.3
-1.4
.9
3.0
.5
.4
.6
.8
1.1
.9
1.5
.6
.7
.6
1.5
. 1
-.3
1.8
.4
.5
-. 1
.4
1.4
*. 6
.6
.3
.5
.6
.5
.6
.6
75.325
47.547
6.485
31.002
9.808
5.484
4.649
1.417
167.9
169.7
143.4
178.0
196.8
172.3
211.1
123.5
168.9
170.4
145.2
179.0
198.1
173.3
212.1
123.6
6.7
3.1
3.3
8.4
9.6
10.2
8.9
4.1
.6
.4
1.3
.6
.7
.6
.5
. 1
*. 6
*.5
.2
*. 6
.3
1.1
*. 8
. 1
*.5
*.4
.6
*.6
.8
.6
*. 7
.2
*. 6
* .4
1.2
*. 6
.5
100.000
24.675
33.998
21.370
4.497
16.484
5.205
2. 722
7.422
9.217
13.053
11,729
1.324
18.681
6.413
2. 505
5. 148
4* 616
171.1
182.1
177.5
179.5
145.0
192.2
182.5
189.6
168.9
146.5
167.6
166.8
174.4
163.7
185.5
160.5
151.2
153.6
171.9
182.4
178.4
180.6
145.6
193.4
183.7
190.3
169.1
148.1
168.5
167.8
174.6
164.4
186.8
161.6
151.4
153.8
0. 5
.2
*. 5
*. 5
.4
*. 6
1.3
1.6
.3
.3
.9
1.0
0
*. 4
6
*. 6
.4
. 1
0.5
.1
*. 6
*.7
.5
*. 8
.9
1.4
.4
.6
.9
.9
.6
*. 6
-1.0
*. 4
.2
0
0. 5
.3
*. 5
*
. L6
.3
*.6
.9
.5
.1
.9
.8
1.0
-.1
*. 4
*.7
*. 7
.5
. 1
78.630
93.587
95.610
17.148
2.056
169.0
170.3
169.0
176.8
168.1
169.7
171.1
169.8
176.5
164.1
5.5
5.4
5.7
-.6
-11.0
.4
.5
.5
-.2
-2.4
*. 6
•. 6
*.6
* .4
• -. 5
*.5
*.5
*. 5
*. 5
*. 3
* .4
* .5
*. 5
* -. 2
* -2.4
$0,584
.503
$0,582
. 500
-5.2
-.3
-
-
-
-
-
E x p e n d i t u r e classes
0. 5
5.6
.2
2.4
6.4
.5
5.8
.6
.4
5.5
5.8
.6
.7
8. 8
.4
11.2
6.5
. 1
4.1
1.1
9.7
.5
.6
9.4
. 1
12.6
.4
6.3
.7
9.3
.7
6.7
. 1
4.6
. 1
3.8
* '. \5
0
-
-
beverages, bananas, chocolate candy bars, chocolate syrup, and about half of the index
Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance and weight for sugar.
s Calculated from the CPI beef and veal component by excluding veal cutlets and
repairs.
3 Also includes residential telephone, fuel oil, coal, water, a n d s e w e r a g e services not beef liver.
* Not seasonally adjusted.
shown separately.
4 . Calculated from the CPI food at home component by excluding fish, nonalcoholic
NOTE: Index applies to month as a whole, not to any specific date.
1
2
7
Table 2. CPI—seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by commodity and service group and expenditure class
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)
Seasonally adjusted annual rate
percent change for
Seasonally adjusted indexes
Group and class
May
1976
June
1976
August
1976
July
1976
3 months ending in
Novembei* F e b r u a r y
1975
1976
May
1976
6 months ending in
August
1976
February
1976
August
1976
C o m m o d i t y and s e r v i c e groups
All items
Commodities
Food
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
Food away from home
Commodities less food
Nondurables less food
Apparel commodities
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Other apparel commodities
Nondurables less food and apparel . . .
Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Fuel oil and coal
Other nondurables
Durable commodities
Household durables
New automobiles
Used automobiles
Other durables J
Services
Rent
Services less rent
Household services less rent
Transportation services
Medical care services
Other services
Special indexes:
All items less food \
Nondurable commodities!
Apparel commodities less footwear
Services less medical care services1
Insurance and finance
Utilities and public transportation
Housekeeping and home maintenance service.1.
Appliances (including radio and TV) 1
164.3
180.6
179.5
179.9
184.1
166.7
172.9
186.9
185.0
155.3
156.6
144. 6
146.3
140.6
149.0
151.7
163.7
170.5
160.6
146.9
244. 2
159.4
153.6
145.7
134.8
168.5
160.4
178.8
143.8
185.1
196.9
172.5
194.8
159.7
164.9
181.0
179.8
182.2
184.0
168.4
168.0
189.6
186.0
156.0
157.4
145.0
146.0
141.5
149.6
152.2
164.8
174.0
160.0
147.1
247.8
159.8
154.1
145.8
134.6
169.7
161.2
179.9
144.4
186.3
198.3
173.2
195.8
160.5
165.6
181.2
179.8
182.5
181.1
170.2
168.2
192.3
187.1
156.9
158.4
145.8
146.9
142.2
150.4
152.4
165.9
176.6
159.8
147.9
251.1
160.4
155.0
146.2
134.7
171.5
162.3
181.0
145.1
187.5
199.3
174.7
197.9
161.4
166.4
181.8
180.3
183.0
178.5
171.7
173.3
193.3
187.8
157.9
159.6
147.4
148.2
144.4
151.3
153.5
166.9
179.2
159.9
147.5
255.7
161. 1
155.7
146.0
135.3
173.9
163.2
182.0
145.6
188.5
200.5
175.5
199.0
162.3
6.8
5.4
7.2
7.1
-7.7
14.0
14.5
3.3
4.7
7.7
4.0
3.7
.3
4.6
-4.5
4.2
-.3
5.6
7.2
2.9
1.7
10.8
6.2
4.1
5.5
9.1
-2.9
4.7
10.2
5.9
10. 6
8.4
29.4
6.5
5.9
4.4
1.2
-2.6
-5.6
-4.3
-19.0
11.3
-.2
2.4
8.8
3.5
2.3
3.4
6.3
1.4
3.1
3.8
1.7
-12.3
12.4
2.8
-8.6
8.0
5.8
5.7
10.5
11.1
2.8
10.4
5.5
11.3
9.6
18.2
13.9
6.9
4.9
4.0
2.7
2.0
.4
2.9
0
-3.0
6.9
5.8
4.8
2.3
2.8
1.9
2.6
6.4
2.4
2.0
-7.0
2.8
7.4
2.7
5.2
8.2
2.8
3.0
43.0
4.4
6.5
5.2
6.8
5.7
8.8
9.6
5.4
6.0
5.2
2.7
1.8
7.1
-11.6
12.5
.9
14.4
6.2
6.9
7.9
8.0
5.3
11.3
6.3
4.8
8.1
22.0
-1.7
1.6
20.2
4.3
5.6
.8
1.5
13.4
7.2
7.4
5.1
7.6
7.5
7.1
8.9
6.7
5.6
3.3
2.2
.6
-6.1
-3.9
12.9
1.5
3.6
8.3
3.8
3.0
1.8
5.4
- 1.6
3.6
1.7
3.7
-3.0
7.5
2.3
.7
7.1
5.0
5.6
9.8
3.9
3.8
10.3
5.7
10.9
9.0
23.6
10.2
6.4
5. 5
4.6
2.7
1.9
3.7
-4.6
6.1
-1.0
10.6
6.0
5.8
5.1
5.4
3.6
6.8
6.4
3.6
5.0
6.6
.5
4. 5
11.1
4.8
6.9
1.8
2.3
27.3
5.8
6.9
5.1
7.2
6.6
8.0
9.2
6.1
166.0
167.0
169.0
144.1
176.9
196.5
171.6
209.7
123.5
167.9
169.7
145.0
178.0
198.0
172.6
211.1
123.7
168.9
170.4
146.7
179.0
198.9
173.8
212.1
123.7
8.3
4.7
-.8
12.4
12.2
19.6
8.0
5.1
4.8
.2
3.1
9.2
14.0
3.7
11.3
4.7
6.5
2.4
2.8
4.7
6.4
8.4
8.5
5.4
7.2
5.3
8.3
7.5
6.3
9.8
7.9
1.0
6.5
2.4
1.1
10.8
13.1
11.3
9.7
4.9
6.8
3.9
5.5
6.1
6.3
9.1
8.2
3.1
4.9
2.7
4.2
3.0
5.2
2.1
7 .5
9.9
4.2
4.2
8.0
8.0
9*0
6.1
8.8
4.9
3.5
4.6
6.0
2.7
6.5
7.7
5.1
8.3
13.3
15.1
3.4
7.3
11.0
.12.4
2.3
5.8
9.5
7.0
4.3
.8
5.6
2.2
7.4
6.3
5.7
6.4
7.2
9.9
9.3
2.2
9.9
8.6
20. 1
6.7
9.5
7.5
5.3
5.1
5.5
2.7
5.4
5.3
5.1
5.2
10.4
12.4
3.8
5.7
9.5
10.2
5.6
6.0
9.1
5.9
3.9
2.7
5.4
4.6
5.4
-3.8
-2.1
6.4
6.6
6.6
3.0
-10.0
5.2
5.1
5.3
-.8
-15. 5
5.9
5.6
6.0
-.5
-6.2
rl68.2
143.8
175.8
195.9
169.8
208.1
123.4
E x p e n d i t u r e classes
All items
Food
Housing
Shelter2
Rent
Homeownership3
Fuel and utilities 4
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation . . . .
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Private
Public
Health and recreation 1
Medical care.!
Personal care 1
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
Special indexes:
180.6
175.6
177.3
143. 8
189.6
179.3
184.8
167.7
146.5
163.2
162.0
173.6
162.1
182.6
158.9
150.1
153.2
181.0
176.5
178.2
144.4
190.7
181.7
r187.7
168.2
146.9
164.6
163.7
173.6
162.8
183.7
159.8
150.7
153.4
181.2
177.5
179.5
145.1
192.2
183.4
190.4
168.9
147.8
166.1
165.1
174.7
163.7
185.5
160.5
151.0
153.4
181.8
178.4
180.6
145.6
193.4
185.0
191.4
169.1
149.1
167.5
166.8
174.6
164.4
186.8
161.6
151.7
153.5
6.8
7.2
8.9
8.2
5.9
9.0
12.3
13.4
6.2
.6
12.9
9.8
4.3.0
5.0
5.7
5.9
5.3
3.0
4.4
-2.6
6.0
4.4
5.5
3.9
2.3
6.5
12.5
4.0
7.0
7.4
.9
8.4
13.3
9.2
5.3
7.2
All items less shelter!
All items less medical care \
All items less motrgage interest costs1.
CPI—domestically produced farm foods 5 . . .
CPI—selected beef cuts 6
167.1
168.4
167.1
175.2
168.5
168. 1
169.4
168.1
175.9
167.6
169.0
170.3
169.0
176.8
168.1
169.7
171.1
169.8
176.5
164.1
6.6
7.1
6.6
.5
-15.3
3.7
3.2
4.0
-2.0
-15.7
Not seasonally adjusted.
Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance and
repairs.
4 Also includes residential telephone, fuel oil, coal, water, and sewerage services not
shown separately.
s Calculated from the CPI food at home component by excludsnq fish, nonalcoholic
1
2
3
8
ii
beverages, bananas, chocolate candy bars, chocolate syrup, and about half of the index
weight for sugar.
6 Calculated from the CPI beef and veal component by excluding veal cutlets and
beef liver.
r=revised.
NOTE: Index applies to month as a whole, not any specific date.
Table 3. CPI—food items, U.S. city average
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)
P e r c e n t change to A u g u s t 1976
from—
Index
Unadjusted
Food
Food away from home
Restaurant meals
Snacks
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products .
Flour
Cracker meal
Com 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
Sausage
Ham, whole
Picnics
Bacon
Other meats
Lamb c h o p s . . . . . . .
Frankfurters
Ham, canned
Bologna sausage
Salami sausage
Liverwusrt
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, skim
Milk, evaporated
Ice cream
Cheese, American process
Butter
Fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits
Apples
Bananas
Oranges
Orange juice, fresh . .
Grapefruit
Grapes
Strawberries
Watermelon
Fresh vegetables
Potatoes
Onions
Asparagus
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Peppers, green
Spinach
Tomatoes
See footnotes at end of table. 11
182.
187.
186.
193.
4
8
7
1
181. 0
180. 3
155. 1
223.4
165. 0
198. 5
162. 8
178.2
187. 9
183. 1
196.6
181. 5
180. 1
163.3
159. 4
164. 3
177. 5
154. 0
186. 7
161. 7
162. 1
126. 8
187. 7
206. 0
189. 7
205. 5
232. 8
199.3
188. 6
222. 7
181.0
194. 1
167.5
204. 2
178. 7
171. 0
169. 1
158, 2
160.4
164.3
142. 1
229. 3
223. 3
256. 3
188. 4
248.4
169. 0
159. 3
174. 7
204. 6
157. 6
197. 9
161. 7
178. 3
176.6
177. 1
178. 6
153. 1
162. 8
156.5
183. 1
246.2
(2)
172. 5
176. 5
201.2
171. 8
(2)
135. 8
165.3
177. 6
131. 6
206. 8
140. 8
202. 2
131. 5
J u l y 1976
A u g u s t 1975
A u g u s t 1976
Item and group
Seasonally
adjusted
181. 8
187. 8
(')
192.9
180. 3
183. 0
160. 1
225.2
166. 7
207.2
(')
179. 8
n
185. 3
200. 6
178. 5
176. 7
158. 7
154.2
156. 3
169.9
149. 7
181.4
154. 6
158.6
127. 3
185. 7
201. 0
182. 9
197.4
226. 2
201. 5
184. 0
216.4
179. 0
191. 0
163. 6
208.4
176. 4
169. 1
166. 8
153. 0
153. 6
158. 3
142. 2
( }
(
!>
(')
189. 5
250.4
171. 7
162. 6
177. 5
(')
159. 5
201. 5
164. 5
173. 3
166. 6
163. 5
153. 0
150. 4
154. 8
(')
149. 3
248.9
(2)
204. 6
171. 9
170. 1
158.6
(2)
141. 0
158.3
175. 1
161. 7
(1)
168. 2
199.6
154. 5
Unadjusted
2. 4
7. 1
7. 2
6. 6
1. 1
-1. 3
-1.4
-5. 1
-. 8
-9.0
.6
2. 4
1. 6
-3. 5
. 7
-4. 3
-5. 4
-10. 5
-13.4
-13. 0
-10. 4
-14. 3
-11. 7
-15. 9
-5. 6
-13. 1
-3. 2
-3. 9
-5.9
-4. 9
-2. 5
-6.2
-5. 4
-5. 6
3. 7
8. 3
-5. 4
15. 8
-. 1
3. 4
5
-9.2
-11. 4
-4. 0
-2. 8
11. 8
20. 3
16. 3
9.4
3. 2
9. 5
6. 5
5. 8
12. 5
5. 1
13. 0
30. 9
. 2
-1. 9
-1. 1
-15.4
3. 2
-. 7
5. 9
-11. 5
25. 4
(2)
8. 6
-2. 5
-17. 9
-38. 5
(2)
-1. 8
1. 5
9.0
10. 7
43. 2
4. 8
7.2
-3. 5
Unadjusted
0. 2
. 5
. 5
. 5
. 1
-. 3
-. 1
-.2
0
-. 4
-. 1
-. 1
-1.8
-. 9
.1
- 1.4
-1. 5
-4. 2
-. 5
-.4
-1.0
-1. 3
-1. 5
-1.2
2
-1. 3
-4. 1
-.6
5
-1. 2
-. 8
1
-1. 2
. 1
.2
-2. 3
-3. 0
-1.6
. 7
.6
-1. 0
2. 0
1. 1
. 4
.6
. 1
-.3
0
. 8
. 4
5.9
.6
. 9
4.6
7.4
-. 7
5.4
. 8
5. 7
9.4
(2)
-2. 8
-1. 8
-9.4
1.5
(2)
-. 5
-2. 8
Seasonally
adjusted
0. 3
. 4
O
.
.
.
.
4
3
3
3
.6
. 7
. 7
(>)
3
(l)
4
. 9
-1.4
-1. 9
-3. 6
-7. 0
-4. 3
-4. 3
-7. 0
-3. 6
-9.3
-1. 7
9
6
-4. 0
-1. 4
-2. 6
-4. 9
-3. 8
-8. 7
-5. 1
-2.4
-.6
-3. 8
-2. 0
-3. 1
-1. 5
-2. 0
-2.9
-3. 2
-2. 3
-2. 3
(*)
(j)
2. 0
. 4
.9
. 7
.2
(!)
1. 1
1. 2
4. 6
3. 0
5. 6
6.2
9.4
3. 3
. 9
o
-6.5
33. 1
(2)
10. 7
7. 0
-5. 0
3.9
(2)
6. 5
-2. 5
8. 2
9. 7
(')
31. 6
4. 2
-1. 7
Table 3. CPI—food items, U.S. city average—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)
P e r c e n t change to August 1976
from—
Index
Item and group
Unadjusted
Food—Continued
Food at home—Continued
Fruits and vegetables—Continued
Processed fruits and vegetables
Fruit cocktail, canned
Pears, canned
Pineapple-grapefruit drink, canned
Orange juice concentrate, frozen
Lemonade concentrate, frozen
Beets, canned
Peas, green canned
Tomatoes, canned
Dried beans
Broccoli, frozen
Other food at home
Eggs
Fats and oils
Margarine
Salad dressing, Italian
Salad or cooking oil
Sugar and sweets
Sugar
Grape jelly
Chocolate bar
Syrup, chocolate flavored
Nonalcoholic beverages
Coffee
Coffee, instant
Tea
Carbonated drink, cola flavored
Carbonated drink, fruit flavored
Prepared and partially prepared foods
Bean soup, canned
Chicken soup, canned
Spaghetti, canned
Mashed potatoes, instant
Potatoes, french fried, frozen
Baby foods
Sweet pickle relish
Pretzels
1
Not available.
Seasonally
adjusted
185. 2
178. 8
157. 8
175. 7
(')
180. 3
180. 7
177. 9
157. 0
175. 5
155. 9
177. 8
183. 4
159. 0
176. 9
266. 9
158. 7
192. 1
175. 7
169. 2
181. 5
151. 0
175. 8
218. 0
207. 8
218. 8
230. 5
213. 1
223. 2
262. 4
238. 1
150. 1
193. 9
199. 2
169. 6
209. 5
136. 6
164. 1
158. 3
181. 4
170. 8
176. 1
159. 8
(')
160. 1
o
O
193.
180.
172.
186.
153.
179.
3
8
1
7
0
2
(')
O
(')
I1)
219. 9
o
238. 1
149. 8
O
()
(1)
137.
163.
157.
180.
1
9
8
1
(')
178. 8
159. 5
2
10
J u l y 1976
August 1975
August 1976
Priced only in season.
Unadjusted
3. 4
3
-3. 7
3
1. 8
-4. 2
-2. 3
-1. 7
3
31. 4
3. 7
7. 0
16. 3
-10. 6
"13. 1
-2. 1
-14. 2
-7. 6
18. 9
-6. 7
-4. 3
8
2 7. 5
5 8. 0
37. 3
3
-1. 6
6
4. 8
18. 1
1. 1
6
l !, 5
8., 9
5.. 8
2., 9
- 1 .. 5
Unadjusted
1
7
3
5
1
1
5
5
3
-2. 2
.3
1.9
7. 1
3
7
-.2
-. 2
0
1. 0
4
-. 1
1
3.2
5. 3
3. 8
.2
-. 1
.4
.4
. 1
.4
0
. 1
1. 0
.9
.7
-.6
.
.
.
-2.
.
.
1.
Seasonally
adjusted
.
.
-.
-.
3
4
3
3
(*)
-. 3
(')
1. 7
0( >
(')
. 5
-. 6
-1. 2
-1. 1
. 1
-1. 1
(1)
(!}
(
(')
. 7
)
()
4. 3
0
0
0
(')
. 5
-. 2
0
.3
O
. 6
-. 7
Table 4. CPI —nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)
Item and group
Housing
Shelter 1
Rent, residential
Homeownership 2
Mortgage interest rates
Property taxes
Property insurance premium
Maintenance and repairs
Maintenance and repair commodities 3
Exterior house paint
Interior house paint
Maintenance and repair services
Repainting living and dining
rooms
Reshingling house roof
Residing house
Replacing sink
Repairing furnace
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Fuel oil, No. 2
Gas and electricity
Gas
Electricity
Other utilities:
Residential telephone services
Residential water and sewerage
services
Household furnishings and operation 4
Housefurnishings
Textiles
Sheets, full, flat
Curtains, tailored
Bedspreads
Drapery fabrics
Pillows, bed
Slipcovers and throws, ready-made . .
Furniture and bedding
Bedroom furniture, chest and
dresser
Sofas, upholstered
Cocktail tables
Dining room chairs
Recliners, upholstered
Sofas, dual purpose
Bedding, mattress and box springs . . .
Aluminum folding chairs
Cribs
Floor coverings
Broadloom carpeting
Vinyl sheet goods
Vinyl floor tile
Appliances (excluding radio and T V ) . . ,
Washing machines, electric
Vacuum cleaners
Refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers,
electric
Ranges, free standing, gas or
electric
Clothes dryers, electric
Air conditioners, demountable
Room heaters, electric, portable . . .
Garbage disposal units
Other housefurnishings:
Dinnerware, fine china
Flatware, stainless steel
Table lamps, with shade
Lawn mowers, power, rotary type .
Electric drills, hand-held
Housekeeping supplies:
Laundry soaps and detergents
Paper napkins
Toilet tissue
Housekeeping services:
Domestic services, general
housework
Baby sitter services
Postal charges
Laundry, flatwork, finished service . . .
Licensed day care services, preschool
child
Washing machine repairs
See footnotes at end of table.
Other
index
base
Mar. 70
Dec. 71
Mar. 70
Dec. 71
June 70
11
Percent change to
Indexes
A u g u s t 1976 f r o m —
August
1975
July
1976
July
1976
August
1976
177. 5
179. 5
145. 0
192. 2
140. 1
167. 0
145. 5
200. 6
169.4
161.4
152. 5
214. 1
178.
180.
145.
193.
140.
167.
147.
201.
169.
163.
153.
215.
4
6
6
4
3
5
7
5
7
6
6
3
6.4
5. 8
5. 5
5. 8
-. 1
5.4
11. 3
6.9
4. 8
6.2
3.6
7. 7
0. 5
.6
. 4
. 6
. 1
. 3
1. 5
. 4
.2
i. 4
. 7
. 6
226. 0
234. 5
201.9
210.4
208. 3
182. 5
248. 1
244. 3
189. 6
199.7
180. 2
228.
235.
202.
211.
209.
183.
249.
245.
190.
200.
180.
0
9
6
7
3
7
3
8
3
7
6
7.6
7. 3
7.9
7.9
7.4
8.8
5. 8
6. 3
11. 2
15. 7
6. 7
.9
. 6
. 3
. 6
. 5
. 7
. 5
. 6
. 4
. 5
. 2
129. 3
130. 9
3.8
1.2
187.5
168.9
150. 9
146. 8
145. 2
143. 9
149. 9
179. 3
123. 3
138. 0
152. 9
190.
169.
150.
146.
143.
144.
146.
181.
125.
138.
152.
5
1
8
8
0
9
5
8
5
1
0
11.9
6.5
4. 3
5.9
3. 1
8.9
3. 8
8. 0
8. 5
3. 2
2. 8
1.6
. 1
-. 1
0
- 1. 5
. 7
-2. 3
1.4
1.8
. 1
-.6
133. 6
142. 9
130. 8
135. 9
112. 2
139. 3
134. 7
178. 2
155. 2
137. 4
125. 3
165. 1
165. 6
135. 6
141. 7
120. 7
133.5
141. 8
130. 0
136. 0
111. 6
139. 7
135. 3
169. 3
154. 7
137. 2
125. 0
165.6
165. 4
136. 0
141. 8
121. 6
4. 4
2. 0
5. 4
5. 0
. 8
2. 3
3. 3
-3.6
3.9
5.2
4. 8
7. 5
4.4
5. 8
7. 3
3.7
-.
-.
-.
.
134. 5
135. 8
5.4
1. 0
139. 3
149. 7
130. 1
(*)
134.7
139. 2
149.9
6.7
8. 7
-. 1
. 1
192.4
181. 5
147. 9
166. 1
128. 2
193.
181.
147.
163.
126.
0
4
6
9
9
8.9
4.4
1. 0
7. 0
1. 8
175. 9
218. 3
231. 6
176. 7
221. 2
233.4
8.4
7. 1
9.8
. 5
1. 3
. 8
210.6
216. 8
225. 6
204. 3
211.2
217. 2
225. 6
205. 9
7. 2
' 12. 5
28. 7
9.2
. 3
.2
162. 9
200. 2
163. 7
201. 2
5. 9
6.9
12
<V
135. 0
{*)
1
8
6
1
5
. 3
. 4
-5. 0
-. 3
-. 1
-. 2
. 3
-. 1
. 3
. 1
. 7
-v
4. 3
2
. 2
.
-.
-.
-1.
-1.
0
3
1
2
3
o
. 8
.5
. 5
Table 4. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers. 1967=100)
Item and group
Apparel and upkeep 6
Apparel commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
Men's and boys'
Men's:
Topcoats and all-weather coats . . .
Suits, year round weight
Sport jackets
Jackets, lightweight
Slacks, heavyweight
Slacks, lightweight
Trousers, work
Shirts, work
Shirts, business or dress
T-shirts
Socks
Handkerchiefs
Boys':
Coats, heavyweight
Sport coats, wool or wool blends .
Dungarees
Undershorts
Women's and girls'
Women's:
Coats, heavyweight
Carcoats, heavyweight
Sweaters
Skirts, winter weight
Skirts, summer weight
Blouses
Dresses, street, year round weight .
Slips
Panties
Girdles
Brassieres
Hose or panty hose, nylon
Anklets or knee-length socks . . . .
Gloves, fabric
Handbags
Girls':
Raincoats
Skirts, fall and winter
Dresses
Slacks, fall and winter.
Slips
Handbags
Other apparel commodities
Diapers
Yard goods
Wrist watches, men's and women's . . .
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'
Apparel services:
Drycleaning
Automatic laundry service
Laundry, men's shirts
Tailoring charges
Shoe repairs
July
1976
June 74
146. 5
144.4
143.4
145. 6
148.
146.
145.
147.
1
2
2
5
4. 1
3.6
3. 3
4. 5
149. 1
136. 7
92.4
137. 1
119. 1
143. 6
162. 5
160.9
132. 3
159. 3
133. 6
160. 3
151. 2
137.4
96.8
138. 3
120.9
145. 6
162.6
161.6
135. 1
159.7
135. 1
162. 3
6.0
-.4
(5)
191. 6
158. 6
140. 2
(5)
193. 3
156.5
142. 2
(5)
11. 0
138. 1
137. 6
145.6
124. 6
151.5
133. 1
151. 7
93. 1
134.9
129.4
170. 0
12
154. 6
163.6
138. 1
(5)
143.9
143. 0
148. 7
124. 3
151.8
134. 1
152. 0
93. 2
133. 8
128. 6
167. 9
.2
2. 7
2. 1
2.6
7. 7
6.9
5. 7
3.8
5. 0
6.3
4. 3
2. 5
4.0
10. 0
Q
(5)
-2.0
3. 2
4. 1
5.9
8.0
3.9
5. 2
. 3
3.4
. 5
-. 7
151. 6
129. 1
168.7
133. 6
137. 2
152. 7
189.8
159. 1
139.7
149. 6
139. 8
171. 9
137. 7
141. 5
153. 7
191. 3
160. 2
141.4
151. 0
i A
(5)
8.7
7. 3
4. 1
7.6
-. 3
2. 7
4.9
.4
3. 1
4.9
156.9
171. 8
157.8
172. 5
7. 1
8. 7
139. 3
134.5
150. 3
147.2
144.
134.
152.
148.
5
7
1
4
5. 3
2.4
4. 2
5.5
153. 1
149. 5
159. 0
155. 2
148. 1
158. 5
7.4
-.9
3.4
160.
143.
165.
163.
149.
7
2
0
1
4
161. 5
143. 2
167. 7
163.4
149.9
6.7
5.9
9. 1
6.7
5.6
167.6
166.8
134.4
177. 5
180. 6
159. 8
130.5
189.9
189.4
132. 8
183. 2
168.5
167.8
134. 4
179. 6
181. 8
160. 2
132. 3
191. 2
190. 7
132. 8
185. 0
9.7
9.4
6.0
15. 1
1.6
2.4
5. 3
7.4
31. 2
1. 5
6.6
(5
See footnotes at end of table.
August
1975
August
1976
O
0
O5
()
Transportation
Private 8
Automobiles, new
Automobiles, used
Gasoline, regular, premium, and unleaded . .
Motor oil
Tires
Auto repairs (mechanical) and maintenance 9
Auto insurance premiums
Auto registration fees
Parking fees, private and municipal
Percent change to
A u g u s t 1976 f r o m —
Indexes
Other
index
l
Table 4. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)
Item and group
.
Transportation—Continued
Public
Local transit fares
Taxicab fares
Railroad fares, coach
Airplane fares, chiefly coach .
Bus fares, intercity
Health and recreation
Medical care * 0
Drugs and prescriptions
Over-the-counter items
Multiple vitamin concentrates
Aspirin compounds
Liquid tonics
Adhesive bandages, packages
Cold tablets or capsules
Cough syrup
Prescriptions
Anti-infectives
Sedative and hypnotics
Ataractics
Antispasmodics
Cough preparations
Cardiovasculars and antihypertensives
Analgesics, internal
Hormones
Professional services:
Physicians' fees
General physician, office visits
General physician, house visits
Obstetrical cases
Pediatric care, office visits
Psychiatrist, office visits
Herniorrhapy, adult
Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
Dentists' fees
Fillings, adult, amalgam, one surface
Extractions, adult
Dentures, full upper
Other professional services:
Examination, prescription, and dispensing
of eyeglasses
Routine laboratory tests
Hospital service charges
Semiprivate rooms
Operating room charges
X-ray, diagnostic series, upper Gl
Laboratory tests
Anti-infectives
Tranquilizers
Electrocardiogram
Intravenous solution
Physical therapy
Oxygen, inhalation therapy
Personal care
Toilet goods
Toothpaste, standard dentifrice
Toilet soap, hard-milled
Hand lotions
Shaving cream.
Face powder
Deodorants
Cleansing tissues
Home permanent wave kits
Personal cara services
Men's haircuts
Beauty shop services
Women's haircuts
Shampoo and wave sets, plain
Permanent waves, cold
Reading and recreation 1 1
Recreational goods
TV sets, portable and console
TV replacement tubes
Radios, portable and table models
Tape recorders, portable
Phonograph records, stereophonic
Movie cameras, 8mm
Film, 35mm, color
Golf balls
Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Jan. 72
See footnotes at end of table.
Percent change to
Indexes
Other
index
13
A u g u s t 1976 f r o m —
July
1976
July
1976
August
1976
August
1975
174.4
173.4
176.8
168.8
173.4
192. 6
174.6
173.5
177.7
168.8
173.4
192.6
12.6
16.6
5.7
10.8
7.2
0
0. 1
. 1
.5
0
0
0
163. 7
185.5
126.4
139.2
105. 6
138.6
121. 1
184. 3
131. 3
145. 8
115.7
73. 2
164. 3
113. 9
136.5
183. 7
121. 8
121. 2
111. 0
164.4
186.8
126.9
139.9
106.6
139. 5
121. 2
185. 1
131. 5
147. 2
116.0
73. 1
165.0
114. 6
137.4
184.6
121.4
121. 1
111. 1
6.3
9.3
6.0
6*5
3.6
4.6
3.9
10. 1
5.2
9.0
5.5
2.2
6.1
8.5
8.2
11. 3
2. 7
.8
6.6
.4
. 7
.4
. 5
.9
. 6
. 1
.4
. 2
1. 0
. 3
-. 1
. 4
. 6
. 7
. 5
3
-. 1
. 1
189.4
194. 5
190.9
193. 8
194. 7
163.5
170. 3
180. 2
172.0
177. 2
171. 1
162.4
190. 6
196.2
191.5
194.9
195. 3
164.2
171. 9
180. 2
173.5
178.7
173.0
163.3
11. 5
12. 0
11. 7
15.2
12. 3
6.5
12. 1
7.8
6. 1
6.0
6.85.4
.6
.9
. 3
.6
. 3
.4
.9
159. 5
162.0
149. 7
270. 8
277.4
175. 9
140. 6
125. 1
128.9
137.4
144. 6
148.0
129.8
160.5
158. 6
136.6
192.7
162. 7
135. 6
168. 7
120. 0
217. 4
129. 4
162.4
163. 3
161. 9
186. 0
162. 9
135. 5
151. 2
127. 6
102. 7
166.7
105. 7
96. 1
122. 8
95. 8
126. 9
103. 8
159,8
163.4
151.0
273. 8
280.5
178.5
140.7
123.5
129. 8
137.8
146. 0
151.9
131.2
161. 6
159. 3
137. 0
192.2
164.9
137.4
170.8
121. 0
215. 4
129.9
164. 0
164.4
163.9
191. 0
163.8
136.5
151.4
127. 8
102. 6
166. 7
105. 3
96. 2
123. 6
95.4
126.9
103.5
5.9
6.4
12.4
13.6
15.4
13. 1
9. 1
10.9
7.2
8.9
13. 7
9.5
7.3
6.7
5.6
4.6
-1.9
6.7
9.9
12.4
2.5
6.6
7.9
8.0
6.6
9.0
15.9
7. 1
5.0
4.6
3. 1
.9
5.4
1. 1
1. 1
.7
1.2
6.8
-.9
0
.9
. 8
1. 1
. 6
.2
.9
.9
1. 1
1. 1
1.5
. 1
-1. 3
.7
. 3
1. 0
2.6
1. 1
. 7
. 4
. 3
-i 3
1.4
1. 3
1. 2
. 8
-.9
.4
1. 0
. 7
1. 2
2. 7
. 6
. 7
. 1
. 2
1
0
-.4
. 1
. 7
4
0
3
Table 4. CPI —nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)
Item and group
July
1976
Health and recreation—Continued
Reading and recreation—Continued
Recreational goods—Continued
Basketballs, rubber or vinyl cover
Fishing rods, fresh-water spincasting
Tricycles
Dog food, canned or boxed
Recreational services
Indoor movie admissions
Adult
Children's
Drive-in movie admissions
Golf green fees
TV repair
Film developing
Reading and education:
Newspapers, street sale and delivery
Magazines, single copy and subscription
Piano lessons, beginner
Other goods and services
Tobacco products
Cigarettes, nonfilter tip, regular size
Cigarettes, filter tip, king size
Cigars, domestic, regular size
Alcoholic beverages
Beer, at home
Whiskey, spirit blended and straight bourbon
Wine, dessert and table
Beer, away from home
Financial and miscellaneous personal expenses:
Funeral services, adult
Bank service charges, checking account
Legal services, short form will
Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Also includes home purchase costs not shown separately.
3 Also includes pine shelving, furnace filter, packaged dry cement mix, and shrubbery
not shown separately.
4 Also includes window shades, nails, carpet sweepers, air deodorizers, steel wool
scouring pads, envelopes, reupholstering, and moving expenses.
5 Priced only in season.
6 Also includes men's sport shirts, women's and girls' lightweight coats, women's
slacks, bathing suits, girls' shorts, earrings, and zippers not shown separately.
1
2
14
Percent change to
A u g u s t 1976 f r o m —
Indexes
Other
index
base
August
1976
August
1975
148. 1
123. 8
130. 1
145. 6
151. 0
169. 7
156. 0
179. 4
173. 1
197. 1
180.4
145. 3
167. 2
106. 3
124. 1
148. 3
123. 9
131. 0
146.4
151. 5
169.9
156.5
179. 6
173. 6
196. 7
182. 7
145. 5
167. 4
106. 6
124. 0
2. 3
1. 8
3. 2
1.4
8. 1
.8
4.9
4. 1
3.6
5.4
5. 2
6.0
8.9
1. 2
2. 2
182. 3
188.0
145. 2
153.6
160. 4
162. 5
163. 2
129.9
147. 5
144. 6
116. 2
157. 7
166.3
182. 5
188. 0
145. 7
153. 8
160. 5
162. 7
163. 2
130. 1
147. 6
144. 2
116.2
157. 9
167. 1
4. 0
10. 3
4.4
3.8
4. 0
4. 0
3.9
4.4
3.4
2.6
1. 2
1.9
5.6
149.9
127. 2
201.2
150. 4
128. 9
201. 0
4. 2
6.4
6. 5
July
1976
0.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
1
1
7
5
3
1
3
1
3
2
1. 3
. 1
. 1
.3
1
0
0
0
. 1
.
.
.
.
3
1
1
1
.2
. 1
3
. 1
.5
.3
1. 3
-. 1
Not available.
Also includes storage batteries and drivers' license fees not shown separately.
Includes prices for water pump replacement, motor tune-up, automatic transmission repair, front-end alignment, and chassis lubrication; does not include prices for
auto body repairs. In the CPI this component represents consumers' direct, out-ofpocket expenses for automobile repairs and maintenance.
1 0 Also includes health insurance not shown separately.
11 Also includes outboard motors, nondurable toys, college tuition fees, paperback
books, and college textbooks, not shown separately.
7
8
9
Table 5. CPI—selected areas, all items index
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers)
Indexes
Pricing
schedule 2
Area 1
1957-59=100
1967=100
Percent change from:
Other
bases
August
1975
August 1976
Detroit
....
N.Y.-Northeastern N J
171.9
200.0
5.6
1.6
0.5
M
M
M
M
M
166.7
169.7
169.7
177.6
173.1
189.4
195.0
199.6
211.3
202.1
4.8
5.2
6^9
6. 0
4.5
1.8
1.4
2.0
U5
1.2
.6
•3
!s
.5
.2
1
1
1
1
July
1975
210.0
202.9
198.9
193.8
175.3
177.4
171.6
168.5
172.0
170.6
169.0
169.1
172.1
165.7
173.0
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Washington
August
1975
3189.1
192.6
3 182.
190.9
7
4 180.9
194.7
201.6
June 1976
168.5
173.7
169.9
162.3
165.9
165.2
166.9
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Baltimore
Cincinnati
Honolulu
Kansas City
St. Louis
San Francisco-Oakland
1 Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) except for New York and Chicago which have more
extensive Standard Consolidated Areas. Area definitions were established for the 1960
Census and exclude revisions made since 1960.
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.
3
4
s
April
1976
1.6
1.9
1.7
1.1
7. 5
6.9
6.0
4.2
August 1976
Cleveland
Dallas
Milwaukee
San Diego
July
1976
M
July 1976
Boston
Houston
Minneapolis—St Paul. . . .
Pittsburgh
May
1976
193.8
20.1.7
192.8
5.2
5.0
5.2
6.2
5.9
5.3
5.9
1.7
2.2
1.7
1.9
1.7
1.9
1.8
June
1975
March
1976
1.1
1.9
1.7
# 7
1.5
1.5
.8
4. 7
5. 5
5.8
5.2
5. 5
5.4
5.2
5 174.9
196.9
193.0
198.6
May
1976
2 - February, May, August, and November.
3 - March, June, September, and December.
November 1963=100.
February 1965=100.
December 1963=100.
NOTE: Price changes within areas are found in the Consumer Price Index; differences
in living costs among areas are found in family budgets.
Table 6. CPI—areas 1 priced monthly, by expenditure class, percent change from J u l y 1976 t o A u g u s t 1976
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)
U.S.
city
average
Expenditure class
Chicago
i
Detroit
Los AngelesLong Beach
New YorkNortheastern
New Jersey
Philadelphia
All items
0.5
0.6
0.3
0.5
0.5
0.2
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care.
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
.2
.5
1.1
.5
.4
.7
.7
. 1
. 1
.3
.6
1.8
.9
.2
.5
(2)
0
-.1
-.4
.8
1.1
.3
.2
.3
2
()
-.3
-.2
0
.6
2.0
.8
.2
.9
2
()
-.4
0
1
.2
3.5
.4
.6
.7
2
()
.3
1
.1
.1
.9
.4
.1
.1
2
()
-.1
. 1
1
See footnote 1, table 5.
2
15
Not available.
Table 7. CPI-selected areas, by expenditure class
(consumer price index Tor uroan wage earners anu
U.S.
city
average
Expenditure class
Chicago
Detroit
Los AngelesLong Beach
j
New Y o r k Northeastern
New Jersey
Philadelphia
Indexes, A u g u s t 1976
Shelter
Rent, residential
Household furnishings and operation
171. 9
166.7
169. 7
169.7
177. 6
173. 1
182. 4
181. 0
180. 3
181. 5
169. 0
178. 3
192. 1
187. 8
182.4
181. 7
180. 7
183. 3
163. 2
187. 7
190. 5
185. 2
176. 2
173. 5
184. 5
174. 0
163. 0
160. 0
184. 5
188. 6
174.9
173. 9
178.4
176. 3
157.2
166.4
185.5
177. 6
186. 6
186. 9
183. 3
180. 9
172. 0
195. 4
204. 2
186. 0
186.8
184. 0
181. 7
185. 9
170. 3
179.9
197. 4
198.9
178. 4
180. 6
145. 6
193. 4
183. 7
249. 3
190. 3
169. 1
163.5
163.9
(2)
175.4
166.3
240. 2
174. 7
160.6
173.
177,
142.
184.
185.
247.
201.
154.
8
6
2
5
1
4
0
6
177. 8
184. 7
(2)
197. 2
161.5
186.6
161. 7
182. 8
181. 9
163. 5
195. 1
205. 3
257. 4
228. 4
171. 8
179. 3
188. 7
(2)
197. 2
175. 3
238. 5
181. 7
164. 5
1
5
2
0
139. 0
130. 0
136.8
142. 5
141.
153.
126.
144.
7
1
7
3
140. 2
136. 6
133. 5
145. 6
147.
139.
143.
148.
0
8
5
5
138. 9
144. 6
121. 1
151.8
168. 5
167. 8
174. 6
170.5
171.0
167.5
162. 1
161. 4
169. 4
172.5
174. 1
142.7
186. 4
175. 6
227. 6
168.2
170.9
152.6
4
8
6
4
8
165.3
191.3
(2)
151.6
157. 0
174. 7
212. 9
(2)
151. 0
157. 0
161.5
190. 0
(2)
140.6
152.6
171. 5
202.,4
168.,6
155.,9
159., 3
169.3
204.2
(2)
151. 8
156. 7
148.
147.
142.
151.
164.
186.
161.
151.
153.
Health and recreation
Other goods and services
1
!
-
P e r c e n t changes, M a y 1976 to August 1976
1.,6
1. 8
1.,4
2.0
1,, 5
1.2
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
1., 3
1,, 2
, 3
.2
Fruits and vegetables
Other food at home
Food away from home
1,, 1
4,, 3
1,.6
2. 2
2.4
-.6
1. 2
3.0
6. 1
3.8
1. 5
,4
,1
,6
- l !.6
-1.. 0
.9
1, . 7
1.. 6
1.5
1. 2
.3
-1.5
1. 0
4.7
3.6
2. 2
1., 2
1., 5
-1., 7
, 7
.8
2. 1
4,. 7
.4
. 7
.5
-2. 4
.5
1. 2
-2. 6
4.5
1.6
1,. 6
1.9
1,.3
2,. 0
1.9
1.3
2.3
.7
1.6
1. 7
(2)
2. 1
2. 0
1.9
2.9
.9
2,. 1
1,. 9
3
.9
2,. 0
3,. 7
1,. 7
4,. 1
1. 3
1.5
1.9
(2)
2.0
4
-.6
1.3
.9
1. 1
.7
.8
2. 1
1. 4
3. 6
- . 2
.7
.5
2
()
.4
2. 1
1.6
3. 4
1
.9
. 1
1. 1
.9
1. 5
-2. 7
4.6
.6
.7
1. 8
.6
-1. 2
.9
3.5
7
.7
2. 8
-1.8
6. 8
.6
-. 1
-1.4
1
.8
3. 1
3. 3
1. 3
3. 1
3. 6
2. 5
2. 6
1. 0
5. 2
4.8
18.5
2. 0
2. 6
.4
2.6
3. 0
, 4
1.0
22. 4
( )
1
.4
1. 3
3. 2
!)
- . 7
- . 2
1.3
2.4
(2)
.6
1
2. 1
2. 7
3. 8
1. 8
.8
2. 1
4. 0
(2)
. 4
.9
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
l ,.
!
o
i
I ,4
2. 3
I .7
.7
.6
See footnotes at end of table.
16
-
|
3
Table 7. CPI—selected areas, by expenditure class—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers)
Expenditure class
Buffalo
Cleveland
Milwaukee
Dallas
San
Diego
Seattle
Indexes, A u g u s t 1976
172. 0
170.6
169. 0
169. 1
172. 1
165. 7
173. 0
180. 3
179. 2
187. 8
180. 8
168. 3
170. 5
186. 3
186. 8
186.4
186.5
188.4
185.4
171.6
174.2
206. 6
186.5
178.
174.
170.
175.
160.
169.
185.
192.
2
3
5
1
8
8
5
6
182. 4
181. 1
180. 9
183. 2
175. 4
179.9
183. 7
187. 3
180. 9
172. 7
172. 4
179. 3
160. 2
162. 8
179. 0
201. 4
176.
176.
177.
185.
165.
155.
186.
179.
8
0
0
6
5
5
7
3
189.9
185.9
182. 8
179. 2
159.5
193. 5
209.4
200. 3
181. 1
170. 1
150. 1
173. 8
233. 9
248. 6
245. 5
172. 8
167.4
165.8
131.5
171. 8
183.8
188.7
162.6
171. 5
175. 0
130. 1
195. 1
168. 9
190. 4
164. 9
167. 0
163.4
144. 8
169. 2
187. 0
257. 9
198. 4
163.0
186.
204.
159.
223.
153.
0
7
5
4
7
171. 6
153. 7
175.
182.
142.
194.
167.
235.
132.
162.
1
5
3
3
2
7
6
5
174.4
175. 7
150. 1
190.5
173. 1
254. 7
180.9
171. 6
Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
161.
201.
144.
149.
2
0
1
5
148.8
149.3
147.2
143. 3
145.
148.
132.
148.
163.
160.
167.
162.
145.
150.
138.
139.
147.
143.
141.
150.
3
0
2
7
150. 1
150.6
139. 5
154.8
Transportation
Private
Public
164. 1
164. 2
160. 3
163.8
171. 6
113. 3
173. 4
173. 9
166. 4
167. 2
164. 9
194. 1
166. 6
168. 4
135. 1
149. 6
154. 6
121. 0
165.7
165.9
165.6
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
158.
170.
165.
148.
151.
175.3
202. 1
177. 5
155.3
165. 1
164.
179.
165.
155.
148.
161.6
185.4
163. 3
153. 1
148. 8
157.
181.
152.
144.
147.
156.
175.
162.
147.
144.
All items
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Fruits and vegetables
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
2
1
6
1
9
8
9
8
0
2
2
9
5
9
2
7
9
2
-
3
1
1
8
8
0
9
4
7
0
5>'
1
6
2
169.2
199.4
156. 3
146.7
172. 3
Percent changes , M a y 1976 to A u g u s t 1976
2.2
1. 7
1.9
1. 7
1.9
1.8
1.
1.
1.
2.
1.
7
8
7
0
8
1
3. 0
1. 0
.5
.4
-1.5
.6
-2.0
-4.8
6.3
1.4
1. 3
1. 2
-2. 2
1
l !, 1
3
5,, 5
1.,4
1.9
1. 5
-. 8
1.4
2. 4
-. 2
3.8
3. 7
9
7
5
7
9
1. 8
3. 6
1. 3
1. 7
8
6
-1. 2
7
9
5. 6
4. 7
3.0
2.4
-. 3
2.4
-.4
1. 8
5.7
4.5
2. 6
2. 3
1.,4
2. 5
4. 5
1. 2
4., 3
1., 3
3.7
3. 2
1.5
3.5
10. 3
5.5
.9
1., 7
2., 2
1,,5
2,,4
1.. 0
1. 8
2. 2
1., 3
2. 4
1
1,,7
1,, 0
1.6
1. 7
1.0
1.9
2. 2
1. 1
3. 3
.7
3., 0
4. 5
2., 0
5,, 1
1. 8
2.,3
0
0
1.5
1. 5
1.8
1. 3
3. 0
3. 5
1. 7
.5
- 1 ., 0
9
- s i, 7
4., 5
1.4
.2
3.3
0
,3
- I ,, o
0
.9
.4
. 1
.4
.7
6
I !, 1
, 0
,4
Transportation
Private
Public
2. 6
2.,8
, 8
3.5
3.7
1. 1
2,.9
3,, 1
. 3
4.8
5. 2
.6
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
1., 1
2., 1
1. 8
,4
9
1. 3
1.4
4.0
1.0
. 1
1,.9
3,,9
, 7
.8
.6
1. 3
2.4
1
2.0
. 2
All items
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Food away from home
Housing
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
See footnote 1, table 5.
Not available.
1. 7
Change from June 1976.
17
0
,9
7
3
2
5
3
7
-.4
.5
3., 3
3,, 4
1., 3
3., 5
3., 5
3., 1
2.3
2.5
1.8
1.,4
3,, 0
1,, 1
,6
.2
,8
l !, 2
,9
6
,5
1.5
2.4
.5
.3
2. 7
,
,
- 3 .,
2.,
Table 8. CPI—food groups, selected areas
Food at home
Area
Total
food
Total
Cereals
and
bakery
products
Meats,
poultry,
and fish
Dairy
products
Fruits
and
vegetables
Other
foods
ot
home
Food
away
from
home
Indexes, August 1976
U.S. city average
182.4
181.0
180.3
181.5
169.0
178.3
192.1
187.8
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo
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
186.2
186.7
185.1
180.3
182.4
187.3
186.4
178.2
176.2
181.8
189.6
180.8
174.9
182.4
189.0
186.6
186.8
182.7
182.9
180.9
174.7
176.8
189.9
186.1
185.4
183.3
179.2
181.7
190.0
186.5
174.3
173.5
177.7
184.2
179.5
173.9
181.1
184.8
186.9
184.0
180.1
. 182.8
172.7
176.8
176.0
185.9
188.1
175.1
184.5
187.8
180.7
191.3
188.4
170.5
184.5
173.8
177.2
177.5
178.4
180.9
191.3
183.3
181.7
181.5
192.3
172.4
177.1
177.0
182.8
183.8
187.4
182.7
180.8
183.3
191.3
185.4
175.1
174.0
181.9
189.2
179.8
176.3
183.2
184.9
180.9
185.9
184.5
180.0
179.3
181.2
185.6
179.2
182.0
170.2
166.1
168.3
163.2
172.4
171.6
160.8
163.0
182.6
180.7
173.5
157.2
175.4
185.9
172.0
170.3
158.2
171.4
160.2
161.1
165.5
159.5
187.3
186.0
186.0
170.5
187.7
186.8
174.2
169.8
160.0
171.4
180.1
170.4
166.4
179.9
175.3
195.4
179.9
177.5
184.4
162.8
166.9
155.5
193.5
190.0
198.7
195.4
186.3
190.5
204.1
206.6
185.5
184.5
176.7
186.6
190.9
185.5
183.7
187.7
204.2
197.4
191.1
188.7
179.0
189.6
186.7
209.4
186.3
191.2
191.4
186.8
185.2
177.2
186.5
192.6
188.6
193.4
208.5
185.1
177.6
187.3
207.2
186.0
198.9
198.1
183.4
201.4
167.3
179.3
200.3
P e r c e n t changes, July 1976 to August 1976
U.S. city average
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo
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
1
See footnote 1, table 5.
0.2
0.1
-0.3
-1.4
0.6
0.6
1.9
0.5
.2
.4
.1
.1
.3
.6
-1.0
.2
-.4
-.1
.1
.3
0
.6
.7
-.1
.1
.7
.7
.8
0
.7
1.3
.3
.4
.1
.1
.3
.6
-1.3
.1
-.6
-.2
-.3
.1
-.2
-.1
.7
-.2
.1
.7
.8
.6
-.1
.3
1.3
.5
-.7
.8
-.5
-.8
.9
-1.3
-.4
.3
-.4
-.7
0
0
-1.5
.8
-1.3
-1.8
1
-.5
1.4
.2
-.6
-2.5
-1.3
-.8
-1.7
-1.1
-1.4
-1.2
-1.2
-1.7
-2.3
-1.3
-2.2
-1.2
-1.5
-.3
-.6
-1.3
-1.0
-1.1
-.9
-1.0
-1.7
-.9
1.6
.6
.3
1.1
1.6
1.3
.5
-2.8
-.3
-.4
.2
.4
-.9
.5
1.1
1.2
.1
.9
.4
.2
.3
.9
-.5
-.4
1.8
.8
1.2
.5
3.2
2.6
-8.2
.6
-.5
.6
1.2
1.0
.6
-1.8
.7
0
-.9
.2
3.4
2.3
-.3
.2
2.8
1.1
2.8
.8
.7
1.0
1.5
4.2
2.3
1.4
1.1
1.5
1.8
.8
1.3
1.6
2.3
3.5
5.0
2.6
1.4
2.2
3.1
2.4
-.1
.4
.1
.4
.4
.5
1.1
.6
.6
. 1
1.0
.9
.4
2 3. 7
.7
0
.3
.6
.2
2 1.3
.1
2.3
1.3
2
18
Change from May 1976.
Table 9. CPI—gasoline indexes, U.S. city average and selected areas
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, January 1976=100)
Leaded regular gasoline
Percent change
to August 197C
from—
Index
Area 1
July
1976
Premium gasoline
Unleaded regular gasoline
August
1976
July
1976
Percent change
to August 197C
from—
Index
July
1976
August
1976
July
1976
Percent change
to August 1976
from—
Index
July
1976
August
1976
July
1976
0.8
U.S. city average
102. 5
103. 1
0. 6
103.0
103.8
0.8
102.3
103. 1
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo
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
103.3
102.0
101. 6
102. 5
102.7
102.9
101.2
103.7
101.9
101.3
104.4
105.3
103. 1
104.7
103.8
100.6
101.7
103.6
104.8
102.0
101. 5
102.7
101.8
104.0
102.6
102. 0
103. 1
103.4
103. 1
101.7
104.2
102.5
102.0
104.9
104.6
103. 5
104.9
103.5
101.7
101.7
103.7
104.6
102.4
102.7
103.7
102.3
.7
.6
.4
.6
.7
.2
.5
. 5
.6
.7
.5
-.7
.4
. 2
3
105. 7
102.4
103.4
102. 0
103. 1
103. 9
103.0
104. 1
103.4
100.8
104.5
105.9
103. 1
105.8
105. 1
102. 5
102.8
103.9
104.5
102. 7
101.4
102. 1
103.8
106. 1
103.0
104.4
102. 5
104.0
103.9
103.2
104.7
103.7
101.5
105.5
105.4
104. 1
106.2
105. 1
103.8
103.2
104.8
104.6
103.4
102.5
103.3
104.8
.4
.6
1.0
. 5
.9
0
.2
.6
.3
.7
1.0
5
1.0
.4
0
1.3
.4
.9
. 1
.7
104. 1
101.8
101.8
101.4
102.7
102.8
101.7
103.9
101.4
100.4
103.6
105.2
102.6
103.0
103. 1
101.3
101.9
103.7
104.0
102.2
100.6
102.4
102. 5
104.6
102.4
lpl.8
102.2
103.5
102.6
101.9
104.5
102.4
101. 1
104. 3
104.6
103.2
103.9
103.4
102. 1
102.5
104.2
103.9
102.7
101.8
103.2
103.3
1. 1
.1
0
-.2
.4
1.2
1.0
.5
1 Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) except for New York and Chicago where the more
1. 1
1.2
1.0
0
.5
.6
.8
.8
-.2
.2
.6
1.0
.7
. 7
-.6
.6
.9
.3
.8
.6
. 5
1
1.5
1.2
.8
.8
extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used. Area definitions are those established
for the 1960 Census and do not include revisions made since 1960.
Table 10. CPI—gasoline average prices, U.S. city average and selected areas
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers)
Leaded regular gasoline
Average price per gallon
Area 1
June
1976
U.S. city average
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo
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
Augus t
1976
July
1976
$ 0 . 592
$ 0 . 599
.591
. 607
,587
• 597
. 607
. 579
. 587
. 553
.586
.684
.545
. 571
. 596
. 564
.589
. 594
.589
.595
. 586
.607
.609
.581
.602
.596
.610
.595
.609
.616
.592
.592
. 558
.591
.694
. 550
.583
.602
. 570
.597
.601
. 593
.602
. 594
.615
.623
.589
.612
$0,603
!
!
June
1976
July
1976
August
1976
$0,616
$0,623
$ 0 . 628
. 631
.629
.613
.617
.643
.603
. 606
. 579
.620
.692
.565
.589
.624
.591
.615
.625
.625
.624
.601
.636
.631
.595
. 640
.635
.628
.622
.629
.651
.615
.612
.578
.625
.701
. 570
.603
.630
.598
.621
.630
.629
.625
.609
.645
.641
.606
.651
.638
.632
.628
.632
.657
.615
.614
.582
.626
.706
.576
. 600
.636
.601
.621
.638
.631
.630
.609
.650
.648
.613
.657
.600
. 613
.597
.612
.620
.593
.595
. 560
.594
.699
.553
.579
.604
.571
.595
.608
.593
.602
. 593
.617
.630
.595
.615
1 Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) except for New York and Chicago where the more
Premium gasoline
Unleaded regular gasoline
June
1976
$0,637
.646
.655
.630
.635
.652
.627
.631
.597
.635
.720
.591
.616
.637
.604
.650
t 651
.648
.644
.630
.656
.652
.623
.661
July
1976
August
1976
$0,644
$ 0 . 649
.652
.656
.640
.650
.659
.640
.639
.601
.641
.730
. 597
.630
.643
.611
.653
.657
.653
.648
.639
.664
.663
.633
.672
.656
.660
.640
.655
.665
.639
.640
.605
. 647
.735
.601
.626
.647
.616
.655
.662
.657
.651
.638
.667
.671
.638
.677
extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used. Area definitions are those established
for the 1960 Census and do not include revisions made since 1960.
19
Brief Explanation of the CPI
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures average
changes in prices of goods and services usually bought
by urban wage earners and clerical workers. It is based
on prices of about 4 0 0 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
major statistical areas and 17 smaller cities, which were
chosen to represent all urban places in the United States.
They are collected from about 18,000 establishments—
grocery and department stores, hospitals, filling stations,
and other types of stores and service establishments.
personal visits of the Bureau's trained representatives.
Mail questionnaires are used to obtain local transit fares,
public utility rates, newspaper prices, fuel prices, and
certain other items.
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. Local data are then
combined to obtain a U.S. city average. Separate indexes
are also published for 23 areas.
The index measures price changes from a designated
reference d a t e — 1 9 6 7 — w h i c h equals 100.0. An increase
of 22 percent, for example, is shown as 122.0. This
change can also be expressed in dollars as follows: The
price of a base period "market basket" of goods and
services bought by urban wage earners and clerical workers
has risen from $10 in 1967 to $12.20.
Prices of food, 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 five largest areas and every 3 months in other
areas. Prices of most goods and services are obtained by
A Note About Calculating Index Changes
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 example in the
accompanying box illustrates the computation of index
point and percent changes.
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.
Percent changes for 3-month and 6*month periods
are expressed as annual rates and 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. BLS does not
data for 1 month.
Index
publish annual rates based
Point
Change
CPI
Less previous index
123.8
123.2
Equals index pcwnt change:
Percent
on
0.6
Change
Index point difference,
Divided by the previous index,
Equals,
Results multiplied by one hundred
Equals percent change:
0.6
123.2
0.005
0.005x100
0.5
A Note on Seasonally Adjusted and Unadjusted Data
Because price data are used for different purposes by
different groups, the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes
seasonally adjusted as well as unadjusted changes each
month.
For analyzing general price trends in the economy,
seasonally adjusted changes are usually preferred, since
they eliminate the effect of changes that normally occur
at the same time and in about the same magnitude every
year—such as price movements resulting from changing
*U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1976 241-010/1 1-3
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 pension plans, for example, tie compensation changes
to the Consumer Price Index unadjusted for seasonal
variation.
20
Reliability of Percent Changes in the CPI
A system of "replicated" samples introduced into the
index structure in the 1964 revision permits an estimate of
sampling error for the CPI. 1 The table below shows
standard errors for monthly, quarterly, and annual percent
Average standard errors of percent changes in the
CPI based on 1975 data
Standard error
Component
All items
Food at home
Food away f r o m home . .
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation . .
Other goods and
services
Monthly
change
Quarterly
change
Annual
change
.04
.10
.11
.08
.16
.07
.13
.14
.11
.06
.17
.22
.12
.22
.11
.17
.22
.16
.13
.38
.36
.26
.28
.13
.36
.46
.37
.08
.11
.22
changes in the CPI for all items and for nine commodity
groupings based on 1974 averages. The figures may be
interpreted as follows: The changes 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 month-to-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 for a 1-month period
is almost always significant.
This replaces the table of average errors based on 1974
data which was included in the CPI report through
December 1975.
1
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.
U. S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington, D.C. 20212
Official Business
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