Full text of CPI Detailed Report : December 1955

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Issued January 20, 1956
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D. C.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR DECEMBER 1955
AND YEAR-END SUMMARY
Consumer prices in United States cities fell 0.3 percent between
November and December 1955, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor
Statistics. Prices of transportation, food, and housing dropped 0.9> 0.3> and 0.1 percent,
respectively. Costs of medical care and personal care each rose 0.3 percent to offset in
part the decreases in other portions of urban family living expenses.
The December Consumer Price Index was Iliu7 (19U7-U9
percent higher than in December 19$h*

5
3

100), 0.3

FOOD

At 109.5, the retail food price index was 0.3 percent lower than
in November, 0.8 percent lower than a year earlier, and at its
lowest point since December 1950.

For the second consecutive month, reduced prices of fresh meats
accounted for the bulk of the decrease. Pork prices continued to drop, as weekly
marketings of hogs reached their highest point on record, showing a reduction of 5*5
percent from their November level. A 3*1 percent decrease in poultry prices was an
important factor, and all other cuts of fresh meat also fell. Other contributing factors
were a l.U percent drop in coffee prices and a slight decline in fresh milk.
Fresh fruit and vegetable prices increased 2.5 percent between
November and December, as most individual items rose, led by Ik to 17 percent increases
for lettuce, carrots, and cabbage, with smaller advances for potatoes and green beans.
Apple prices rose 5.1 percent and lemons also increased, but prices of bananas and grapefruit fell 3«1 percent and 2.7 percent, respectively. Despite the drop of more than a
cent a pound for coffee, a I percent rise in eggs brought the other-food-at-home index
*
to 113.7* an increase of 0.5 percent over the month.
Housing costs edged off slightly (0.1 percent), as a 1.1 percent
decrease in prices of housefurnishings was almost completely offset
by small increases in residential rents, coal and fuel oil prices, and household operation
costs. A major part of this decrease reflects price discounts and concessions allowed
during recent months in the purchase of refrigerators, washing machines, cook stoves,
and vacuum cleaners.
HOUSING

OTHER COMMODITIES
AND SERVICES

The decrease of 0.9 percent in the transportation index was the
most important factor in the overall index decline. Prices of
the 1956 model new cars fell 2.U percent between November and
December, and used car prices declined 3®1 percent.
Scattered increases in fees for dental care and in prices of
medicines caused the medical care index to rise, while increased prices for men's haircuts led to the advance in the personal care component. Apparel prices averaged unchanged.
YEAR-END
SUMMARY

During 1955 the index fluctuated within the range of llli*2 and 115 »0,
displaying its greatest stability since monthly pricing of all items
was initiated in 19U0. This overall stability, however, concealed
divergent trends in the two main pricing elements. In broad terms, service items increased
in cost, while commodities, especially foods, declined on the average.




2
The 1955 average was lliw5j 0.3 percent lower than the average for
195U, primarily because the index was lower during the first six months of 1955 than the
corresponding period in 195U* Beginning in September, the index was higher each month
than in the corresponding month of 195b, finishing the year 0.3 percent (0.U index points)
higher in December 1955 than in December 195U«
Food was the only major consumption group which decreased over the
year (December 195U-December 1955)* 0.3 percent. Food purchased for home consumption
declined 1.2 percent. The meats, poultry, and fish component was responsible for the
decrease in the food index, falling 7*U percent. At 9U#6 in December 1955* this was the
only index subgroup substantially below its 19ii7~U9 average. Prices of all types of
fresh meat dropped, but a decrease of more than 15 percent in prices of pork products
was largely responsible, as hog marketings were heavy throughout the year. Poultry
prices, which had fallen nearly 25 percent over the preceding two-year period, rose an
average of about 1 percent in 1955 • The other important food subgroup indexes rose
moderately, led by a 2.1 percent increase in the fruits and vegetables index. Egg prices
rose 28.3 percent, following their marked decline during 195Uj contrariwise, coffee prices
declined 12.9 percent, despite the temporary advance occasioned by the early autumn
reports of crop damage, continuing the reaction from the large 195U increases. Restaurant
meal prices were up 1.5 percent.
Housing costs edged up 1 percent over the year, as residential rents
increased 1.3 percent, household operation (heavily dominated by service elements) rose
2.5 percent, coal and fuel oil advanced 2 percent, and the gas and electricity subgroup
was up 2.2 percent. These gains were offset in part by a decline of almost 2 percent in
the housefurnishings index, reflecting reduced retail prices as a number of manufacturers
abandoned or relaxed efforts to obtain conformity with fair trade laws.
The apparel index rose 0.U percent, featured by a 2.5 percent
advance in prices of footwear, reflecting increases at the manufacturing level. The
other apparel subgroups rose slightly} even so, womenfs and girls1 apparel averaged
slightly lower than in the 19U7-19U9 base period.
Although the transportation index ended the year at exactly its
December 195U level, it proved the most volatile index group during 1955* Between March
and April the group fell 1.6 percent as both new and used car prices dropped. With the
introduction of the 1956 models, the group index rose 1 percent between September and
October and an additional 1.5 percent in the next month. Prices of the new cars rose
more than 12 percent from September to November, but dropped to their 195U year-end level
in December. Used car prices continued their 3-year decline, and at yearfs end were
about 30 percent below their January 1953 level and more than 7 percent lower than the
prices of cars of comparable ages at the end of 195U» The large changes in automobile
prices tended to obscure higher costs of public transportation, which increased nearly
every month.
The medical care and personal care groups reflected persistent
advances in price as service elements in the economy continued their efforts to catch up
with earlier increases in commodity prices.
Medical care costs rose every month during the year, for a cumulative increase of 3«1 percent, led by higher hospital costs, as fees for professional
services and prices of medicines also advanced. Advances in prices of menfs haircuts,
which occurred in more than half of the U6 cities, accounted for most of the 3#8 percent
increase in personal care costs.
The indexes for the reading and recreation group and the other
goods and services component rose 0.2 and 0.6 percent, respectively.




TABLE 1.

3

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

December
1955

November
1955

October
1955

December
195U

June
1950

Group
This Month

Last Month

2 Months Ago

Last Year

Pre-Korea

Year
1939
PreWorld War II

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

11U.7

115.0

114.9

114.3

101.3

59.4

FOOD 1/

109.5

109.8

110.8

110.1

100.5

47.1

107.9
123.9
94.6
107.7
IK.7
113.7

108.2
123.9
97.1
107.8
109.0
lljt.l

109.U
123.9
100.9
107.5
108.5
113.9

109.2
123.3
102.2
106.8
108.1
112.0

100.5
102.7
106.1
92.3
102.5
94.1

47.1
57.2
41.6
49.8
46.3
48,4

120.8

120.9

120.8

119.7

104.9

76.1

131.1
111.5
125.0
103.h
120.7

130.9
111.5
126.7
10U.5
120.5

130.8
111.2
126.3
104.4
120.1

129.4
109.1
125.5
1C5. l
i
117.7

108.7
102.7
107.6
97.4
99.6

86.6
104.9
56.4
53.4
68.4

101.7

10U.7

10U.6

104.3

96.5

52.5

106.1
99.1
119.8
91.1

106.0
99.3
119.2
91.0

1C6.0
99.5
ne.u
91.0

106.5
99.0
116.9
91.1

98.1
93.3
102.1
88.4

127.3
130.2
117.9
106.8
120.6

128.5
129.8
117.5
106.8
120.6

126.6
128.7
117.0
106.7
120.6

127.3
126.3
113.6
106.6
119.9

109.9
105.4
99.2
102.5
103.7

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

Solid fuels and fuel oil

. . . .

APPAREL

Footwear

. .

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

V

V
y,
y
68.9
72.6
59.6
63.0
70.6

PERCENT CHANGS TO DECEMBER 1955 raOMi
November
1955

October
1955

- 0.3

. . . . . .

0.2

- 0.3
Food at home

-

1.2

-

-

0.3
0
- 2.6
- 0.1
1.6
0.5

0.2
0
1.0
- 1.1
0.2

PERSONAL CARE
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES
y
2/
3/
4/

- 0.9
0.3
0.3
0
0

93.1

o.e

9.0

132.5

- 1.2
0.5
- 7.4
0.8
2.1
1.5

7.4
20.6
-10.8
16.7
8.0
20.8

129.1
116.6
127 .U
116.3
139.1
13U.9

0.9

15.2

58.7

0.2
0.3
1.3
- 1.0
0.5

1.3
2.2
2.0
- 1.9
2.5

20.6
8.6
19.0
6.2
21.2

51.4
6.3
127.0
93.6
76.5

0.1

o.U

8.5

99.U

0.1
0.4
1.2
0.1

- o.U
0.1
2.5
0

8.2
6.2
17.3
3.1

H
£
V
5'

0.6
1.2
0.8
0.1
0

0
3.1
3.3
0.2
0.6

15.8
23.5
18.9
4.2
16.3

8U.9
79.3
97.8
69.5
70.8

1.4
0
- 6.2
0.2
2.0
- 0.2
0

-

-

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




Year
1939

12.7

0
0.1
- 0.2
0.5
0.1

June
1953

0.3

- 0.1

TRANSPORTATION

December
1954

k

TABLE 2.

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

(1935-39=100)

( 1 9 ^ 7 - ^ 9 = 1 0 0 )
City
December
1955

December
195U

11U.7

U.S. CITY AVERAGE

November
1955
115.0

llli.3

118.5
116.7
116.3
112.0
llU.8

119.1
116.8
116.3
112.5
ll5.n

117.0
116.2
115.3
112.2
115.6

June
1950

Year
1939

December
1955

101.8

59.^

191.8

102.8
102.8
101.3
100.9
101.6

58.6
59.0
60.U

201.8
197.0
19U.3
185.a
191.0

1/

CITIES HtfCED MONTHLY:
Chicago
Detroit

• . . . .

New York
Philadelphia

December
1955

September
1955

December
195U

117.1
115.9
11U.2
116.1
115.9

117.2
115.5
113.7
116.5

115.6

115.7
11U.B
113.3
115.1*
115.7

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

November
1955

August
1955

Washington, D. C.

116.2
116.7
110.9
1 1 7 . It
113.7

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

•

• • • • • • •

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

116.0
115.5
111.5
116.6
113.6

October
1955

115.3
116.7
112.3
115.7
113.5

July
1955

11U.5
116.2
116.U
113.fi
116.2

1J
2/
37
?/

November
195U

October
195U
113.5
115.7
116.9
11U.3
115.2

113.fi
115.9
117.5
11U.0
lia.7

60.1

59.2

June
1950
U/ 1 0 1 . 3
101.6
101.2
101.1
100.9

December
1955
198.6
199.1
192.3
193.fi
198.1

58.3
57.9
58.U
59.3
58.6

May
1950

1D0.U

103.5

100.2

102 oO
101.6

November
195*5
59.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
60.U

198.0
197.6
18U.3
200.6
186.7

April
1950

101.2
101.li
3/ 102.1
99.9

101.5

October
1955
61.0
61.7
60.7
58.1
58.3

181.3
187.1
192.8
193.5
201.3

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

TABLE 3.

All
Items




.
. . . . . .
.

Housing

- 0.3

- 0.1

-

U.S. CITY AVERAGE

Food

- 0.3

City

Chicago
Detroit
Loe Angeles
New- York
Philadelphia

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — PERCENT CHANGES FROM NOVEMBER 1955 TO DECEMBER 1955
U.S. City Average and Five Cities Priced Monthly
All Items and Commodity Groups

- 0.2

- o.U
- 0.2

0.6
- 1.1
- 0.7

- 0.8
- 0.2
- 0.2
0.1
- 0.1

0.5
- 0.1
0

- o.U

Apparel

0
- 0.7
0.2
0.2
0.1
- 0.3

Transportation

Medical
Care

Personal
Care

- 0.9

0.3

0.3

- 1.5
0.2
- 0.7
- 1.2
- 0.9

0
0
0.6
0
0.5

0
0.2
- 0.1
0.2
6.3

Reading
and
Recreation

Other
Goods 8
c
Services

0

0

0
- 0.3
- 0.1

- o.U
o.U

- 0.1
0
0
- 0.1
0.2

5

TABLE k. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS
December 1955 Indexes and Percent Changes, September 1955 to December 1955
U.S. City Average and 10 Cities Priced in December 1955

U.S.
1
BaltiCincinLos * New
CITY
AVERAGE Atlanta more Chicagc nati )etroit Angeles| York

Group

Philadelphia

St.
Louis

San
Francisco

December 1955 Indexes (191*7-1*9 • 100)
11U.7

118.5

11U.2

116.7

116.3

112.0

11U8

116.1

115.9

108.3

110.U

107.6

110.1

111.5

112.1

108.7

110.6

110.2

112.5

106.1*
116.3
96.8
108.5
110.6
106.9/

107.8
121.3
95.7
108.9
107.9
113.2

105.6
119.5
88.8
107.1
110.9
119.7

108.7
123.6
9U.1
110.0
110.8
119.0

109.9
118.9
93.6
105.5
12l*.l*
111.8

109.0
128.0
96.0
103.0
115.6
112.6

106.9
128.6
97.1*
105.3
101.7
11U.6

109.0
123.2
96.1
112.8
109.2
113.1

107.9
119.0
91.7
100.9
118.9
121.9

111.3
130.8
101.2
105.3
118.1
112.0

120.8
•

115.8

107.9
123.9
9U.6
107.7
110.7
113.7

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

117.1

109.5

ALL ITEMS

127.3

119.C

131.2

119.8

122.5

126.7

116.6

llluO

111*. 3 116.2
121.1:
1C6.8 103.5
lll*.0 125.1

109.9
129.7
10) J. 2
3 3 9.5

122.5

117.3

101.8
126.9
105.6
117.1

138.1
103.8

133.7
136.3

102.5
125.3

103.7
110.5

131.1
111.*
128.0
103.U
120.7

119.6
123.3
106.2
131.6

99.9
127.9
96.2
13U.7

110.5
131.8
105.2
l?li.5

3 33.3
119.3
135.0
98.0
129.0

10),.7

11C. 2 1C2.U

1C8.C-

103.9

101.8

lOh.U

101.3

105.7

103.7

1014.1*

IO^.I
90.1
11°.8
91.)

111.3
iol«.5
127.5
°i.3

101.U
96.2
llf.7

112. h
99.5
12S.1
91.8

103.2
96.5
127.6
87.9

107.5
93.3
115.3
87.0

1C8.3
97.2
121.1
83.2

106.C
98.2
119.3
91*.2

103.2
10U.8
113.0
92.2

106.3
96.1
121.3
95.1*

105.1
99.6
121.5
88.7

TRANSPORTATION
MEDICAL CAKE

127.3
130.2

135.3
136.5
113.1:

125.2
137.3
126.7
108.5
12U.0

126.3
125.2
118.1
96.2
116.2

129.5
126.5
111.2
ICU.O
121.0

13li.3
136.2
12l4.il
112.3
125.2

133.6
11*0.1

106.8
12C.6

131.3
13i.9
121.9
11U.6
117.5

122.5
137.3
116.8

READING AND RECREATION
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES

1?L.L
128.6
121.C
109 08
125.0

91. h
117.2

11*0.7
125.7
110.7
105. 2
117. h

Gas and electricity .
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Hou6efurnishings . •
Household operation .

Women's and girls'

....

Other apparel

91.2

116 .U
123.3

98.S

116.3

Perccnt Change —

ii»i.e

lie.6

September 1955 to December 1955

0.I4

Food at home
Meats, poultry and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables

. . . . . . .

- 2.3
- 0.1
- 8.6
1.1
0.5
- o.l0.3

- 3.0 - 2.9
- 0.8 - 0.5
- 9.6 - e.c
0.2 - 0.1
- 2.0 - 2.8
0.6 - O.li

i.e

1.0

0.?

Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings
Household operation

'
. . . . .

0.3
2.2
- 0.2
0.8

READING AND RECREATION

1/

Change from June 1955 to December 1955.




U.3
0

0.3

-

- 0.3

0.1

0.3

APPAREL
Men's and boys' . . . . .
Women's and girls' . . .

0.2

0
0
1.2
O.li

- o.l

o.5

1.h
0.1

- 0.7

0

1.6
1.6
1.1
0.]
0

2.0
0.8
1.2
o.l*
0

o.h

- 0.9 - O.l;
0.8
2.1
-

0.2
i.h

3.6
0.5
0

- 0.3

- 3.0

0.2

-

2.3

-

O.h

-1C.2
1.0
- 0.7
- 0.1

-10.3
3.7
0.8
0.3

0.2

1.2

0.2

-

0.5

- 0.3

- 0.3

0.3

0

0.3

-

2.9

- 2.8

- 3.1

- O.l*

- 2.0 - 0.3
- 8.5 0
5.2
- 1.8

0.3
0.3
6.2
0
7.1
0.3

-

3.6
0.2
7.2
0.6
5.0
2.0

- 3.5
0.9
- 9.8
3.6
- 5.5
- 1.0

- 3.3
- 0.1
-10.9
0
- 0.5

- 0.6
0
- 5.8
0.5
6.1
- 0.3

-

0.5

1.1

- 0.2

1.2

0.8

1/ 1.5
0
l.li
- 0.7
1.5

1/ 1.2
0

- 0.2

- 0.5

1/ 0.9
0

- 0.3

- 1.2
0.2

3.0
1.0
0

- 0.5
7.5
1.5
2.7

- 0.3

- 0.2

0.1

-

0.2

- 0.2

0.3

0.5
0.3
1.7
0

0.2
- 1.5
3.7
- 0.?

0.5
- 1.0
0.7
- 0.1

0
o.li
1.6
0.1

- 0.2
- 0.7
0.6
- 0.1

0
- 0.9
1.3

0.2
- 0.3
0.7

1.7
7.5
0.8
- 0.7

3.1
3.5
o.l
- 0.7
- 0.3

2.5
0.7

2.1
0.2
0.5
- 1.0
- 0.1

3.7
0.6
6.7
O.lj
1.5

2.0
0.1
0.3
- 0.3

1.7
0.2

1.2
0

0.6

0.1
O.h

1.5
0
0.5
1*.2
0.2
0.2
0.6

0.3
1.7
- 0.6
0.2

l*.l

2.3
- 1.3
0.3

- 0.6

0.9

0

o.h

-

0.1

0.1

0.3
0

-

- o.U

0.1

0.3
-

0.1

0

0.1

- 1.1
0.1

6

TABLE 5. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — FOOD AND ITS SUBGROUPS
December 1955 Indexes and Percent Changes, November 1955 to December 1955
U. S. City Average and 20 Large Cities
(19^7-^9 = . 100)
=
Total
Food at Home
Percent
Index
Change

Total Food
City
Index

Percent
Change

U.S. CITY AVERAGE . .

109.*

- 0.3

107.9

Atlanta
•
Baltimore • • • • • •
Boston
1
Chicago • • • • • • • 1
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Detroit
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles
!

108.3
110. U

0.2
0.1

IO6.I4

108. U

- 0.7

107.6

-

Minneapolis
New York
Philadelphia
...
Pittsburgh
Portland, Ore. . .
St. Louis
San Francisco . . .
Scranton
.....
Seattle
Washington, D.C. .

110.U
107.1
111.5
107.7
105.7
112.1

0.2
0.1

- 0.3
- o.U

111.7

0

9U.6

-

2.6

107.7

0.1

110.7

1.6

113*7

0.1

96.8

107.8

-

0.3

110.6

108.9

0

1.0

121.3
122.1

106.9
113.2

0.2

105.6

0.3
0.3

119.5
123.6

-

3.3
2.8

110.9
110.8

-

0.3

119.2

2.5
1.7
l.U

107.1

-

11U.3
107.1
110.0

107.9
102.1

3.3
1.0

-

2.3
1.5
1.6

108.5

106.0

-

-

2.0

- 0.5

10U.9

116.8

-

0.2
0.2

93.6

-

2.5

-

0.2

-

3.3
2.9

1.9
1.1

120.3
128.0

91.9
87.9
96.0

105.5
109.9

10U.7
12U.U
112.0

l.U

118.9
117.6

108.3

125.14
128.6

- 0.1
- 0.1

92.0

-

108.7
105.3
109.9

o.U
0.2
0.6

-

106.3
103.7
109.0
110.8

0.3
0.2

106.9
109.0

109.3
112.1

-

o.5
o.e

- 1.2

.

105.9
111.6

0.5

109.7

-

0.6

0.6

0.7

112.5

0.1

0.6
- 0.2

-

l.U
1.0

108.3
110.7

-

0.6
1.0

107.9

- 0.9

119.0
130.8

111.3
105.1

o.5
0

110.6
107.6

0.6
0.2

-

CEREALS AND BAKERY FRGDUCTS:
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 1 /
lb.
Frying chickens, ready-to-cook
lb.
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen
lb.
Haddock, fillet, frozen
16 oz.
Salmon, pink, canned
oz.
Tuna fish, canned
DAIRY PRODUCTS:
qt.
Milk, fresh, (grocery)
qt.
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
pt.
Ice cream
lb.
Butter
lb.
Cheese, American process
Milk, evaporated
& oz. can
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES:
Frozen
Strawberries
10 oz.
6 oz.
Orange juice concentrate
1C oz.
Peas, green
10 oz.
Beans, green
Fresh
lb.
Apples
lb.
Bananas
doz.
Oranges, size 200
lb.
Lemons

0.2
0.1

O.I4

95.7
93.7
88.8

0.2
0.1

9U.1
91.6

0.1

123.2

0.3
0
o.U
-

0.1
0.1

119.0

0.2

127.8
121.6

0.3
0.1

-

97.U
96.1

- 1.6
1.9
2.1

- 2.5

1.5

0.2
0.I4
0

0.2
0.2
0.1

107.5
103.0
110.7
105.3
112.8

92.7

-

97.0

- 2.5
-

U.3
1.6

100.9

-

1.6

-

3.6

0.1
- 1.9

92.7
95.9
92.6

- 1.7

105.3
107.7

110.9
112.9

1955

(Cents)

(Cents)

5 3 .U
27.1
12.6

53 .U
27.1
12.6

17.U

17.5

19.3
22.0

19.3
22.0
17.8

17.8
27.0
23.8
87.1
U7.7

26.9
23.7
88.1
U8.6

38.8

68.7
39.0

108.9

109.0

68.2

67.2

73.2

57.5
55.7
66.2

60.9
56.9
67.2

52.U

U2.0

52.9
U2.U

U9.7

51.2

U2.5
U6.0

U2.U

22.U
23.9

11U.8

3.5

112.6

l.U

119.8

2.1

123.0

2.3
1.1
o.U

11U.6

1.3
0

105.U

0

117.3
118.9
118.1
102.2
120.1
106.3

November

1955

58.7
35.2

119.7
119.0

3.9

101.7
109.2

0.3
- 0.1
0.2
0.9
0.1

•

0.9
0.2
- 0.7
0.3
1.0
0.3
- 0.6
0.8
1.0

115.6

0.2

109.5

-

0.5

111.1
107.2

0

108.5

91.7
101.2

1.8

-

-

113.1

-

- 0.1

5.2

122. U
115.U

1.2

121.9

2.5

112.0

2.2

6.2
0.6

111.1
112.0
11U.1

o.U
2.U
o.U

1.9
-

0.1

1.7
0.5

RETAIL FOOD PRICES FOR DECEMBER 1955 AND NOVEMBER 1955
U.S. City Average

December
Food and Unit




-

125.0
1214.6

TABLE 6o

* Priced only in season.
1/ Discontinued.

Percent
Change

116.3

110.2

.
.

Index

Other
Foods at Home
Percent
Index
Change

123.9

1.1

.

Fruits A
Vegetables

0.3

-

108.7
110.6

Dairy
Products
Percent
Index
Change

0.2
0.6

-

.

Meats, Poultry
& Fish
Percent
Index
Change

-

0.1

-

Cereals &
Bakery Products
Percent
Index
Change

U5.5
58.U
35.3

28.8

22.U
23.9
28.8

71.1

71.0

57.7
13.8

57.8
13.7

30.6

30.7

18.9

18.9

21.U
23.8

21.U
23.8

12.8

12.2

16.U
53.6
19.0

16.9
53.6
18.0

December

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
Beans
OTHER FOODS AT HOME:
Vegetable soup
Beans with pork
Pickles, sweet
Catsup, tomato
Coffee
Tea bags
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

1955

each
lb.

(Cents)
10.3

November
1955

(Cents)
10.6

pt.

18.6

lb.
lb.
10 lb.
lb.

U7.8

U7.1

ll.U

10.9
8.2

lb.

8.U

lb.

17.1

1U.9

head
lb.
lb.
lb.
lb.

17.1
1U.6

35.0
1U.8
8.0
27.8

46 oz. can
#2 i can
can
#2
#303 can

35.2
35.0

35.U
3U.9

33.U
26.6

#303 can
#303 can

17.7
21.6

#303 can
4 h-5 oz.

15.3
9.7

33.3
26.6
17.6
21.6
15.2

lb.

35.0

lb.

17.1

3U.9
17.U

11 oz. can
16 oz. can
7 i oz.

1U.2

1U.1

1U.8

1U.8

27.3
23.0

27.3
22.9
93.0

14 Oz.
lb.
pkg. of 16

9.U
27.6
21.8

91.6

21.U

9.7

2U.2

2U.2

3 6 oz.
3 lb.

32.U

32. U

88.7

lb.

28.5

88.9
28.8

lb.

19.7

pt.

35.2
5b.9
52.U
23.6

lb
5 lb.
24 oz.
12 oz.
1 oz.
doz.
3-4 oz.

26.3
U.6
69.0
8.6

19.9
35.2
55.2
52.3
23.7
26.2
U.7
66.U
8.6

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 axe
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
4 months in 16 small cities. In each city, prices are reported by representative retail
stores and service establishments patronized by wage and clerical worker families.
Indexes are calculated for all cities combined (the U.S. city average) and
for each of the 20 largest cities. No separate index numbers axe calculated for the
following 26 medium-sized and small cities which axe included in the U.S. averages
Anna, Illinois
Camden, Arkansas
Canton, Ohio
Charleston, W. Virginia
Evansville, Indiana
Garrett, Indiana
Glendale, Arizona
Grand Forks, N. Dakota
Grand Island, Nebraska

Huntington, W. Virginia
Laconia, New Hampshire
Lodi, California
I<ynchburg, 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. 11^-0 - "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 upqn
request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, Washington 25, D. C.
Historical series of index numbers for the U.S. city average and 80 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.