Full text of CPI Detailed Report : December 1954

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Issued

January

21,

1955

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABCR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D. C.
GONSUMER PRICE INDEX - DECEMBER 195k
Consumer prices in urban areas declined 0.3 percent on the average in December,
according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most of the decrease was due to latter food prices, although prices were Also lower for transportation,
apparel, reading and recreation, personal care, and the "other goods and servicesw category. Fuel, residential rent, and medical care costs were higher.
The Consumer Price Index for December 195U was llii.3 (19U7-U9 • 100), 0.5 percent
lower than a year ago, and 1.0 percent below the record high level of October 1953*
FOOD

Retail food prices declined 0.6 percent between mid-November and mid-December
195U, the fifth consecutive monthly decrease. Since July, average food prices
have dropped 3*7 percent, with monthly decreases ranging from 0.5 percent to 1.3 percent.

Major influences contributing to the food decline were substantially lower
prices for eggs, pork chops, chickens, lettuce, and oranges. Egg prices were d<am
seasonally (about 8 percent) as reductions were reported in h3 of the U6 cities in the
index. At an average price of 53*6 cents a dozen, eggs in December were 23 percent l<*rer
than in December 1953? and were selling at the lowest prices for any December since 19Ul»
Usually egg prices reach their lowest level in early springy rising to a peak in October
or November, but with production at a record rate, prices this year have not exhibited
their usual seasonal movement. Prices of pork chops declined 5 percent between November
and December, but ham prices rose slightly. At the end of the year pork prices were about
8 percent below December 1953* Prices of frying chickens declined 3f percent during the
month, as supplies continued at record levels. Other meats for which lower prices prevailed in December were frankfurters, chuck roast, and leg of lamb.
Oranges averaged 8 percent lower in price than in November and canned orange
juice prices declined lj percent, reflecting higher than average production. Bananas declined 3^ percent during the month, but apple prices were 3 percent higher than in November. Lettuce prices dropped 17 percent, as lower prices were reported in IpL of the U6
cities, with reductions ranging up to U6 percent. Prices of green beans also were 13 percent lover than in November. These declines were nearly counterbalanced by higher prices
for tomatoes (up 17 percent), cabbage (up 19 percent), and sweetpotatoes (up 8* percent).
Tea prices rose for the ninth consecutive month to a level about 9 percent above December 1953* Coffee prices edged up (0.2 percent), with increases reported in 2h cities.
HOUSING

After three months at the same level, the housing costs index rose 0.2 percent
between November and December as a result of higher prices for fuel oil and coa
and continued increases in residential rents. Higher rates for gas and other public
utilities were reported in several cities, prices of housefurnishings averaged unchanged
from November. Some decreases in electrical appliances and furniture were reported in a
number of cities. Household operation costs declined 0.1 percent, primarily because of
decreases in laundry soap and detergent prices.
OTHER COMMODITIES
AND SERVICES

The transportation index declined 0.2 percent, primarily because of
substantial decreases in used car prices, following introduction of the
1955 model automobiles. New car prices were higher than in November,
as more 1955 models were on the market.

The apparel price decline in December is due principally to the end-of-season
sale prices for women's and girls1 coats and women's wool suits reported in practically
all cities.




2
Prices were lower for television sets and radios, and movie admissions declined
with the return to regular prices after showings of special features in a number of cities.
Medical care costs continued their slow advance as higher fees were reported in
December by physicians and dentists. Hospitals in 7 cities quoted higher ward and room
rates because of higher expenses. The personal care and f?other goods and services1' groups
each declined slightly.
YEAR-EM)
SUMMARY

During 195U the Consumer Price Index moved within the very narrow range between
11U.3 and 115*2. The greatest month-to-month change in the average of all goods
and services prices was 0.3 percent. From Il5»2 in January, the index moved
downward slowly for 3 months to llU*6. It turned up in May and by July had regained its
January level. Since July the price index has edged down steadily, except for a 0.1 percent rise in November. Beginning in September, the index has been lower each month than
for the corresponding month of the previous year.

Most of the change during the year was due to decreasing food prices. The total
food index was down 1.7 percent and food at home was down 2.2 percent. All subgroups of
food at home, except cereals and bakery products, reflected lower prices than a year ago.
The December 19%h prices of meats, poultry, and fish averaged more than 5 percent below
December 1953* primarily because of larger 195U production of pork and poultry. Dairy
products were down 3*2 percent, reflecting chiefly the reduction in Government support
prices. During most of the first eight months of the year, prices of other groups of
foods rose, largely hecause of higher coffee prices, but declined slightly in the last
four months oJT the year as coffee prices fell and egg prices went down, prices of restaurant meals advanced during the year.
The advance of 0.7 percent in the overall prices of housing in 195k resulted
largely from steadily increasing residential rents, which rose l.U percent. This compares
with a $.7 percent increase during 1953* indicating that rents are levelling off for the
first time since mid-19U7 when Federal rent controls were first relaxed. During this
period, in which Federal, State, and local controls gradually were lifted, rents advanced
37*8 percent. In 195U> rent decreases began to appear more frequently, particularly in
smaller cities, and more recently in a few large cities. The average costs of gas and
electricity, solid fuels and fuel oil, and household operation also were higher than in
December 195>3« Housefurnishings prices dropped 2.5 percent during the year as retailers
generally reduced prices of electrical appliances to meet competition from discount* houses,
and reductions in Federal excise taxes largely were passed on to consumers.
Apparel prices moved generally downward in 195U* The net decrease over the year
was 0.9 percent. Women's and girls1 apparel prices were dcwn 1.5 percent from December
1953 and men's and boys 1 , 1.0 percent, but footwear and other apparel prices were slightly
higher than a year ago.
Transportation costs declined 1,2 percent from December 1953 to December 195U*
as used car prices decreased steadily, and prices of tires also were lower* New car
prices rose slightly.
The nodical care
of services, rose in eveiy
2.2 percent higher than in
average from last year, as
balanced by reduced excise

index, which reflects the general continued increases in prices
month in 195U except June, to the end of the year, when it was
December 1953• Personal care costs were unchanged on the
higher prices for barber and beauty shop services were countertaxes on cosmetics.

The decline of 2.1 percent for reading and recreation resulted from lower prices
for television sets, radios, toys, and sporting goods. "Other goods and services" prices
fell 0.3 percent during the year.




TABLE 1.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — U.S. CITY AVERAGE ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS
Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Dates

December
1954

November
19524

This Month

Last Month

October
1954

December
1953

3

June
1950

Group
2 Months Ago

Last Year

Pre-Korea

Year
1939
Pretforld War II

INDEXES (1947-49 = 1 0 0 )
ALL ITEMS

ll4«3

nil. 6

114.5

114.9

101.3

59.4

FOOD 1/

110.1*

111.1

111.8

112.3

100.5

47.1

112.0

103-5
106.6
109.6
113.7

110.9
122.7
103.9
106.7
111.1
115.7

111.7
120.9
107.8
110.3
109.2
113.5

100.5
102.7
106.1
92.3
102.5
94.1

47.1
57.2
41.6
49.8
46.3
48k4

119.7

U9.5

119.5

118.9

104.9

76.1

109.1
125.5
io$.li
117.7

129.2
108.7
124.2
105.4
117.3

129.0
108.5
123.8
105.6
117.6

127.6
107.2
125.3
108.1
117.0

104.3

104.6

104.6

105.3

96.5

106.4
99.6
116.7
91.1

107.6

98.1

125.0
125.9
113.4
106.9
120.1

128.9
123.6
113.6
108.9
120.3

Food at home
Cereals and bakery products • •
Meats, poultry and fish • • • •
Dairy products

Rent

109.2
123.3
102.2
106.8
108.U

. . . . . . a . . . . . . .

Solid fuels and fuel oil

. . «,

APPAREL

Footwear

•

• . . • • • • • « « •

TRANSPORTATION
MEDICAL CARE
PERSONAL CARE
READING AND RECREATION
4
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES jJ . . . .

106.5
99.0
116.9
91.1
127.3
126.3
113.6
106.6
119.9

110.1
123.1

106.5
99.5

117.0

91.2

127.6
"126.1
113.8

106.8

120.0

100.5

116.1
90.9

108.7

102.7
107.6
97.4
99.6

86.6
104.9
56.4
53.4

68.1
52.5
4/

93.3

X/

88.4
109.9
105.4
99.2
102.5
103.7

y
68.9
72.6
59.6
63.0
70.6

June
1950

Year
1939

102.1

y,

PERCENT CHANGE TO DECEMBER 195U FROM:
October
1954

December
1953

- 0.3

- 0.2

- 0.5

12.3

92.4

- 0.6

- 1.3

- 1.7

9.9

134.4

- 0.8
0.2
- 1.3
0.2
- 1.1
- 1.5

- 1.5
0.5

- 1.6
0.1
- 2.4
- 3.2

- 2.2
2.0
- 5.2
- 3.2
- 0.7
- 1.3

8.7
20.1
- 3.7
15.7
5.8
19.0

131.8
115.6
145.7
114.5
134.1
131.4

0.2

0.2

0.7

14.1

57.3

0.2
0.4
1.0
0
- 0.1

0.3

1.4

19.0

- 0.2
0.1

- 2.5
0.6

8.2
18.2

122.5
97.4
72.1

- 0.3

- 0.3

- 0.9

8.1

98.7

0
- 0.5

0.1
- 0.6
0.2

- 1.0

8.6
6.1
14.5
3.1

V

November
1954

- 0.1
- 0.1

PERSONAL CARE
READING AND RECREATION
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES jJ
1/
2/
3/
4/

- 0.2
0.2
- 0.2
- 0.2

- 0.1

0.6

1.4

0

1.8
0.3

0.2
- 0.3
- 0.2

1.8

0.2

- 1.5
0.7
0.2
- 1.2
2.2
0
- 2.1
- 0.3

6.2

16.6

15.8
19.8
14.5
4.o

15.6

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




49.4
4.0

V
y
84.8
74.0
90.6
69.2
69.8

TABIC 2. CONSUMER HIICE INDEX — ALL ITEMS INDEXES PGR SELECTED DATES
U.S. C U T AVERAGE AND 20 LARGE CITIES

(1935-39=100)

( i 9 t 7 . % 9 a . l O O )
City
December
192*

November
195U

December
1953

June
1950

Year
1939

December
195U
1/

U.S. CITY AVERAGE

11U.3

llii.6

114.9

101.8

59.*

191.1

117.0
116.2
115.3
112.2
115.6

117.6
116.9
115.0
112.7
115.9

ll6.li
116.1I
115.8
113.0
115.0

102.8
102.8
101.3
100.9
101.6

58.6
59.0
60.%
60.1
59.2

199.3
196.1
192.7
185.7
192.ii

CITIES H^ICED MONTHLY:

Detroit
New York
Philadelphia

December
195U

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

September
1951*

115.7
lliu8
113.3
115.1*
115.7

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

Washington, D. C.

116.3
115.2
llii. 3
115.7
116.2

November
1951i

. . . . . . . .

CITIES PRICED IN JANUARY, APRIL,
JULY, OCTOBER 2/

Decentoer
1953

August
1951i

117.1
lllu5
11U.6
116.9
116.9
November
1953

June
1950
101.3
101.6
101.2
101.1
100.9

Decenfcer
195li
196.2
197.3
190.8
192.6
197.7

58.3
57.9
58.ii
59.3
58.6

w

May
1950

115.3
116.7
112.3
115.7
113.5

115.3
116.5
112.k
116.2
llli.l

115.5
117.3
U3.it
li6.ll
llii.3

100. h
103.5
100.2
102.0
101.6

October

July
1951i

October
1953

April
1950

113.5
115.7
116.9
11U.3
115.2

113.8
115.6
117.3
115.U
115.5

113.8
115.7
116.6
llli.7
116.1

101.2
101.U
102.1
99.9
101.5

November
1951i
59.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
60.ii

196.5
197.6
186.6
197.7
I86.ii
October
1951i

3/

61.0
61.7
60.7
58.1
58.3

182.7
186.3
193.6
19li.3
199.5

l/ These are the same Indexes shown In column 1, converted to a base of 1935-39 = 100.
2/ Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items priced monthly; other commodities and services priced quarterly.
3/ June 19$0; formerly priced March, June, September, December.
2/ May 1950; foimerly priced February, May, August, November.

TABLE 3. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — PERCENT CHANGES FROM NOVEMBER 1951* TO DECEMBER 1954
U.S. City Average and Five Cities Priced Monthly
All Items and Commodity Groups

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




• .
••
• •
..

Food

All
Items

City

.
•
•
.

•
•
•
•

•
•
•
•

•
•
•
•

Housing

Apparel

Transportation

Medical
Care

Reading
and
Personal
Recreation
Care

Other
Goods &
Services

- 0.3

- 0.6

0.2

- 0.3

- 0.2

0.2

- 0.2

- 0.2

- 0.1

- 0.5
- 0.6
0.3
- O.ii
- 0.3

.
-

0.2
0
0.9
0.1
0

- O.U
0
0
- 0.7
- 0.6

- 0.7
- 2.1
0.1
- 0.5
- 0.6

0
0
0
0
0.9

- 0.2
0.1
0
- 0.1
0

- 0.3
- 1.6

0
- 0.1
0
- 0.2
0

1.3
0.8
0.2
0.8
0.7

-

O.k

- 0.3
- 0.1

5

TABUS
CONSUMER FRICE INDEX — ALL ITKMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS
December 19Sh Indexes and Percent Changes, September 195U to December 19 5U
U.S. City Average and 10 Cities Priced In December 195U

U.S.
Los
CincinBaltic m
AVERAGE Atlanta more
Chicago nati
Detroit Angeles

Group

New
York

Phila- St.
delphia Louis

San
Francisco

December 195k Indexes (19U7-U9 - 100)

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

Rent
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings
••••
Household operation • • • • • • • • • •

Men's and boys'

Other apparel . . . . .

• .

. . . . . . . .

READING AND RECREATION
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES

m . 3

115.7

llli.8

117.0

113.3

116.2

115.3

112.2

115.6

115.1;

115.7

110.1*

110.0

111.1;

108.2

112.0

113.0

110.7

110.1

112.6

112.3

111.8

109.2
123.3
102.2
106.8
108 .U
112.0

108.3
117.0
10U.9
108.3
110.1
105.1

110.0
122.3
10U.U
109.1
105.5
112.6

106.7
116.7
97.5
105.5
107.2
116.6

111.1
121;.7
101; . 3
111.3
105.9
117.1;

111.7
119.8
102.2
106.5
119.3
113.1

108.6
127.5
102.0
103.3
107.0
110.5

109.0
127.3
103.1;
107.0
103.6
112.9

111.3
120.7
10U.5
112.5
110.2
112.1;

110.1
118.8
102.3
98.2
115.7
120.6

110.7
130.3
105.9
10U.7
110.1;
110.3

119.7

12U.0

115.1

128.5

117.6

122.1;

125.1

116.1

111;. 5

119.9

117.8

129.1*
109.1
125.5
105.U
117.7

113.3
119.5
109.3
128.6

100.0
127.2
99.1
112.6

106.2
12U.6
108.1;
121.1

131.6
119.5
127.2
101.0
120.1

109.0
119.3
109.0
110.3

113.6

102.3
123.1;
109.3
11U.7

135.5
103.8
138.7
101.3
119.8

130.8
130.1

106.7
108.1

108.2
129.8
105.0
119.1

10U.3

110.3

102.5

106.2

103.2

102.ii

10U.7

103.7

105.8

103.7

101.9

106.5
99.0
116.9
91.1

112.1
105.1
123.2
92.0

1D1.1i
98.9
117.0
9U.U

111.3
98.0
120.1
93.6

10U.0
98.1
122.2
87.1

108.3
91;.6
113.0
87.3

108.1;

118.5
83.U

105.9
98.0
115.9
9U.1

10U.8
10U.6
111.2
92.9

107.8
95.7
118.9
95.8

105.3
96.3
u$.l»
87.2

127.3
126.3
113.6
106.6
119.9

125.7
121.6
115.5
106.3
•118.0

138.9 133.1
133. U 126.1
107.5 115.2
117.1 110.7
123.0 118.2

123.5
126.3
109.0
99.3
116.3

122.7
127.6
119.1
108.6
121;.7

126.1;
122.9
117.1
96.9
111;.3

130.8
121; . 6
108.3
10U.2
121.0

137.9
133.7
117.6
113.0
123.9

130.6
139.9
113.6
93.U
113.6

11*1.3
123.7
111.7
107.6
115.5

- 0.1

- o.U

-

0.5

- 0.3

- o.U

1.1

-

-

1.5

-

2.3

- 2.7

- 2.0

1.2
1.6
- 3.U
3.3
1.9
- U.7

-

1.9
o.5
- U.8
o.5
- 0.8
- 2.0

- 2.0
1.7
- 3.8
0.9
- 3.U
- 2.9

.

2.6
0
- 3.8
3.9
- 6.5
- U.2

- 3.U
0
. U.o
- 3.3
- 2.2
- 5.2

-

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.2

0.3

.

3.7

0
5.2
- 0.1
0.8

1/1.3
0
l.U
- l.U
0.7

1/1.U
~ 0

Percent Change —

September 195U to December 195U

0

ALL ITEMS
FOOD

.

Food at home
• • • • • • • •
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry and fish . •
Dairy products •
Fruits and vegetables . . .
Other foods at home • • • •
HOUSING
Rent
. . . * . . * . . . . .
Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil • •
Housefurnishings
• • • • • •
Household operation
APPAREL

1.8
*

2 # 9

98.5

- 2.5

- 1.8

- 2.0

-

l.U

2.2
0.6
1*.2
0.9
1.9
3.1;

3.6
0.1
- 6.2
0.2
- 7.1;
- 2.5

- 2.9
0.3
- U.o
0.2
- 5.7
- 3.3

- 2.3
0.1
- lwl
1.8
- 2.2
- U.o

- 2.1;
3.0
- U.O
3.5
- 5.U
- U.6

0.2

- 0.1

0.6

0.5

0.5

- 0.2

0.5
1.1
2.5
0.6
0.3

1.8
1.5
- 0.3
- 0.6

0.1;
5.0
0
l.U

1/2.3
- 0 . 1 ~ 3.7
3.3
1.3
- 0.1 - 0.5
0
0.3

0.8
0.3
0
0.1

- 0.9
0

0
5.5
- 0.9
0.2

0

-

0

_

-

«»

-

-

0.9

- 0.5

- 0.1

- 0.7

-

0.5

- 0.2

- 1.2

0.2
- 0.9
0.1
- 0.3

- 0.2
- 0.5
0.2
- 0.2

- 0.2
- 2.U
0.3
- 0.7

0
- 0.2
0.6
0

0
- 1.2
0.2
- 0.7

- 0.1
- 1.7
0.3
- 0.5

- 0.9
- 1.6
0.2
0.1

0
- 1.0
0
- 0.3

- 0.6
- 0.2
0.7
0.8

0
- 1.6
o.5
- 0.2

TRANSPORTATION
MEDICAL CARE
PERSONAL CARE
READING AND RECREATION
. . . .
OTBER GOODS AND SERVICES . . .

0.7
0.5
0.1
0.1
0.2

U.8
0.1;
0
- 2.1
- 0.1

2.7
0
0.1
- 0.7
- 0.1

0
2.8
0.1
0.1
0

- 2.9
1.2
- 0.3
1.0
- l.U

U.o
0.6
0
- o.5
0

2.7
0
- 0.3
- 2.2
- 0.2

0.8
o.U
1.1
0.5
0.6 ii 0.3 - 0.3 ;1 - 0.6 I
- -J.2
o.3 ;I-




-

o.U
- 0.1

- 0.7

0.1
0
0.3
0.2

Change from June I9^h to December

2.5
o.5
2.9
0.7
0.5
- 6.1

- 0.6

Men's and boys'
Women'8 and girls'
Footwear
. . .
Other apparel . . . . . . . .

1/

105.2
108.9

U.U
2.8
0.2
.1
0.2

0.8
0.2
- 0.1

;- 0 . 3

6

TABLE 5. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — FOOD AND ITS SUBGROUPS
December 1954 Indexes and Percent Changes, November 1954 to December 1954
U. S. City Average and 20 Large Cities
(191+7-49 — 100)
Total Food

Total

Cereals &

Meats, Poultry

Dairy

Fruits &

Other

Food at Home

Bakery Products

& Fish

Products

Vegetables

Foods at Home

City

Percent

Percent
Change

Index

U.S. CITY AVERAGE . . 110.4

- 0.6

109.2

-

0.8

110.0
Atlanta .
Baltimore
111.4
Boston
. « • • • • • 108.5
Chicago
108.2
Cincinnati
112.0
Cleveland
108.9
Detroit •
113.0
Houston
109.8
Kansas City
107.1
Los Angeles • • • . • !110.7

- 0.5

108.3
110.0

-

0.6

Minneapolis • • • • • > 109.9
110.1
New York
Philadelphia . . . • 112.6
Pittsburgh
110.8
Portland, Ore. . . . 109.T
St. Louis
112.3
San Francisco . • • . 111.8
108.1
Scranton
110.8
Seattle
Washington, D.C. • • >109.7

-

Index

- 0.9
-

0.4
1.3
0.9
0.7

- 0.8

- 0.5
- 0.7

- 0.2

0.8
0.8
0.7
0.9
0.1
1.1
0.7
1.5
0.2
- 0.4

Change

106.8
106.7

-

107.7

-

111.7

108.8
105.7
108.6

109.1
109.0
111.3
110.0
108.8
110.1
110.7
107.8
110.5
108.1

Food and Unit
CEREALS AND BAKERY PRODUCTS:
Flour, wheat
5 lb.
Biscuit mix
20 oz.
Corn meal
lb.
Rice
lb.
Rolled oats
20 oz.
Corn flakes
12 oz.
Bread, white
lb.
Soda crackers
lb.
Vanilla cookies
7 oz.
MEATS, POULTRY AND FISH:
lb.
Round steak
lb.
Chuck roast
lb.
Rib roast
lb.
Hamburger
lb.
Veal cutlets
lb.
Pork chops, center cut
lb.
Bacon, sliced
lb.
Ham, whole
lb.
Lamb, leg
lb.
Frankfurters
12 oz.
Luncheon meat, canned
lb.
Frying chickens, dressed
lb.
Frying chickens, ready-to-cook
lb.
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen
lb.
Haddock, fillet, frozen
16 oz.
Salmon, pink, canned
7 oz.
Tuna fish, canned
DAIRY PRODUCTS:
qt.
Milk, fresh, (grocery)
qt.
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
pt.
Ice cream
lb.
Butter
lb.
Cheese, American process
14
Milk, evaporated
i oz. can
FRUITS AND VEGETABIES:
Frozen
Strawberries
10 oz.
6 oz.
Orange juice concentrate
1G oz.
Peas, green
10 oz.
Beans, green
Fresh
lb.
Apples
lb.
Bananas
doz.
Oranges, size 200
lb.
Lemons




•

111.1

TABLE 6.

* Priced only in season

Index

Percent

-

•

•
•

•

-

-

Index

Change

123.3
117.0

1.0
0.5
1.7
1.1
0.8
0.8
0.5
1.0
0.4

122.3
119.1
116.7
124.7
120.5

1.1
1.4
1.0
1.0
0.1
1.3
0.9
1.7
0.3
0.6

125.4
127o3
120.7
124.6
124.4

119.8
118c 2
120.3

127.5

118.8
130.3
118.6
127.4

120.8

Percent

Index

Change

0.2

102.2

0.4
- 0.1
0
0.2
0.2
0.2
1.8
0
0.3
0.3

104.9
104.4
99.2
97.5
104.3
99.9
102.2
98.7
97.9
102.0

0.2
0
- 0.1
0.2
- 0.1
0.2
0
- 0.1
0.4
0.1

97.8
103.4
104.5
98.7
103.7
102.3
105.9
102.3
102.7
98.2

- 1.3
- 1.6
-

1.3
1.2
1.9
1.8
0.6
0.9
1.1
1.9
1.1

- 0.6
•
-

1.6
0.8
1.0
1.6
1.3

- 0.8

- 1.4
- 0.8
- 0.5

Percent

Index

Change

0.2

108.4

108.3
109.1
111.4

0.3
0.3
1.3
- 0.1
o.l

110.1

111.3
103.5
106.5
108.7
108.5

103.3
102.9
107.0
112.5
110.0
102.5
98.2
104.7
108.3
105.9
110.8

Percent

Index

Change

Change

106.8

105.5

Percent

105.5

106.2

107.2
105.9
103.9
119.3
113.0
103.9
107.0

0.2
0.2
- 0.2
0.2
0

114.3
103.6
110.2
105.5
109.1
115.7
110.4
102.0
115.0
105.1

0.5
- 0.2
0.2
0
0.1
- 1.7

0.3
0.1
0
- 0.4

- 1.1

112.0

- 1.5

- 1.1
- 0,9
1.1
- 3.3

105.1
112.6
103.7
116.6
117.4
116.1
113.1
112.3
105.6
110.5

-

0.7
2.0
2„Q
2.2
1-7
1.3
2.0
0.1
0.9
0.8

117.5
112.9
112.4
120.9
110.4
120.6
110.3
109.8
109.9
111.9

-

3.5
2.5
2.6
1.9
0.2
1.6
1.8
2.1
0.6
2.2

- 0.7
- 2.6
- 2.0

- l.l
- 1.7
0.5
- 1.0
- 1.6

- 0.8

- 2.0
1.6
- 2.0
- 1.1
- 5-7
3.0
1.5

-

RETAIL FOOD PRICES FOR DECEMBER 1954 AND NOVEMBER 195*
U.S. City Average

December
195*
(Cents)
54.0
27.4
12.6
17.6
18.6
22.0
17.6
27.2
23.8
92.3
52.7
72.1
40.0
107.9
77.2
71.3
64.1
68.9
5*.l
48.7
39.9
49.6
*3.7
48.3
53.8
38.3
22.3
23.4
29.2
72.2
56.8
13.7

November
195*
(Cents)
53.8
27.4
12.6
17.6
18.5
22.0
17.5
27.2
23.8
92.4
53.0
71.8
4o.o

108.4
81.2

71.4
63.7
69.9
54.4
48.8
41.4
51.5
43.4
48.9
53.3
38.*
22.2
23.3
29.4
71.*
56.8
13-7

30.7
18.5
19.4
24.2

30.6
18.4
19.3
24.0

13.5
16.8
48.2
18.5

13.1
17.*
52.5
18.8

December
195*

Food and Unit
Fresh (continued)
Grapefruit *
Peaches *
Strawberries *
Grapes, seedless *
Watermelons *
Potatoes
Sweetpotatoes
Onions
Carrots
Lettuce
Celery
Cabbage
Tomatoes
Beans, green
Canned
Orange juice
Peaches
Pineapple
Fruit cocktail
Corn, cream style
Peas, green
Tomatoes
Baby foods
Dried
Prunes
Navy beans
OTHER FOODS AT HOME:
Vegetable soup
Beans with pork
Gherkins, sweet
Catsup, tomato
Coffee
Tea
Cola drink
carton
Shortening, hydrogenated
Margarine, colored
Lard
Salad dressing
Peanut butter
Sugar
Corn syrup
Grape jelly
Chocolate bar
Eggs, Grade A, large
Gelatin, flavored

(Cents)

November
195*
(Cents)

each
lb.
pt.

23.1

lb.
lb.
15 lb.
lb.
lb.
lb.
head
lb.
lb.
lb.
lb.
4 6 oz. can
# 2 ft can
#2 ft can
#2 ft can

#303
#303
#303

can
can

can
4 ft-5 oz.
lb.
lb.

11

oz. can

16 oz. can

7 ftoz.
14 in.
lb.

* lb.
of 6, 6 oz.
lb.
lb.
lb.
pt.
lb
5 lb.
24 oz.
12 o z .
1 oz.

<\oz.
3-4 oz.

78.1
12.4
7.7
14.2
14.4
13.5
7.8
29.1
21.8

78.2
11.4
7.6
13.9
17.3
13.5
6.5
24.9
25.1

35.2
32.9
38.7
41.0
17.5
21.4
14.8
9.7

35.7
32.7
38.7
41.0
17.7
21.5
14.7
9.7

32.1
18.2

31.9
17.9

1*.3
14.5
29.2
22.3
105.3
36.1
32.2
35.*
29.3
24.5
35.6
50.4
52.3
23.7
25.9
5.3
53.6

14.3
14.5
29.5
22.2
105.1
35.*
32.4
35.*
29.1
25.3
35.8
49.7
52.3
23.7
25.9
5.2
58.1
8.5

8.5

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

7

The Consumer Price Index measures the average change in prices of goods and
services customarily purchased "by city wage-earner and clerical-worker families. Index
numbers are presented on the base 19^7-^-9 = 100, and show the average increase or decrease in prices from the 19^7-^9 average. For the convenience of users, indexes are
also calculated on the base 1935-39 = 100*
About 300 items are priced for the index to estimate the average change in
prices of a fixed quantity of goods and services from one period to the next. Among
these are all the important items that wage and clerical workers buy, and they are
selected so that their average price change will be representative of the price changes
on all items. Prices are collected in k6 cities which are representative of all cities
in the United States.
Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items are priced evex*y month in eacn
city. Prices of most other goods and services are obtained every month in the 5 largest
cities, every 3 months in 16 other large cities and in 9 medium-sized cities, and every
b months in l6 small cities. In each city, prices are reported by representative retail
storey and service establishments patronized by wage and clerical worker families.
Indexes are calculated for all cities combined (the U.S. city average) and
for each of the 20 largest cities. No separate index numbers are calculated for the
following 26 medium-sized and small cities which are included in the U.S. average:
Anna, Illinois
Camden, Arkansas
Canton, Ohio
Charleston, W. Virginia
Evansville, Indiana
Garrett, Indiana
Glendale, Arizona
Grand Forks, N. Dakota
Grand Island, Nebraska

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

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

In the calculation, price changes on individual items are weighted by their
importance in wage-earner and clerical-worker family spending. City data are combined
by weighting with 1950 population data to arrive at the U.S. city average.
Comparison of city indexes shows only that prices in one city changed more or
less than in another. City indexes do not measure differences in price level between
cities.
A detailed description of the index containing lists of items priced, their
weights, cities included, and an explanation of the index calculation, its uses and
limitations, is available in Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletin No. Il*f0 - "The Consumer
Price Index - A Layman's Guide," for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, United
States Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. Price 20 cents.
A more technical description of the Consumer Price Index is available upon
request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, Washington 25, D. Cm
Historical series of iildex numbers for the U.S. city average and 20 individual
large cities are available upon request. These series include index numbers for All Items,
Food, Apparel, and Rent for periods from 1913 to date; and for other groups of goods and
services from 19^7 to date.