Full text of CPI Detailed Report : December 1972
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the consumer price index
for December 1972
CONTENTS
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Peter J. Brennan, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Ben Burdetsky, Deputy Commissioner
OFFICE OF PRICES
AND LIVING CONDITIONS
Joel Popkin, Assistant Commissioner
a monthly report
on consumer price movements
including statistical tables
and technical notes.
Price movements
Charts 1—4. Consumer price indexes for all items and major components, and
rates of change over 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month spans
Table 1.
CPI—United States city average for urban wage earners and
clerical workers, by commodity and service groups, and
expenditure classes
Table 1-A.
CPI—United States city average for urban wage earners and
clerical workers, 1972 annual average index
Table 2.
CPI—United States city average for urban wage earners and
clerical workers, by commodity and service groups, and
expenditure classes
Table 3.
CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wage and
clerical workers, all items most recent index and percent changes
from selected dates
Table 4.
CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wage earners
and clerical workers, major groups percent changes from November
1972 to December 1972
Table 5.
CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wage earners
and clerical workers, commodity groups, December 1972 index
and percent changes from September 1972
Table 5-A.
CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wage earners
and clerical workers, commodity groups, 1972 annual average
indexes and percent changes, 1971-72
Table 6.
CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wage earners and
clerical workers, food and its subgroups, December 1972, and
percent changes from November 1972
Table 7.
CPI—United States city average for urban wage earners and
clerical workers, food items, December 1972 indexes and percent
changes from selected dates
Table 7-A.
CPI—United States city average for urban wage earners and
clerical workers, food items 1972 annual average indexes and
percent changes from 1971 to 1972
Table 8.
CPI—United States city average for urban wage earners and
clerical workers, indexes for selected items and groups, December
1972 and percent changes from selected dates
Table 8-A.
CPI—United States city average for urban wage earners and
clerical workers, 1972 annual average indexes for selected items and
groups and percent changes from previous year
Table 9.
CPI—United States average and areas grouped by size of population for urban wage earners and clerical workers, all items and
major groups December 1972 and percent changes from selected
dates
Table 9-A.
CPI—United States average and areas grouped by size of population for urban wage earners and clerical workers, all items and
major groups year 1972 and percent changes from selected d a t e s . . . .
1
7
11
12
13
14
14
15
17
19
20
22
24
28
32
33
Price Movements
December 1972
The Consumer Price Index rose 0.3 percent in December, to 127.3 percent of its 1967 base. Most of the
rise was due to higher prices for eggs, fresh vegetables,
and household services, the effects of which were moderated by lower prices for meats, fresh fruits, and used cars.
After seasonal adjustment, the December increase was
0.2 percent. Food prices were unchanged after seasonal
adjustment, following increases of 1.1 percent in November and 0.2 percent in October. Prices of nonfood commodities rose 0.2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis
in December. They declined 0.1 percent in October and
increased 0.1 percent in November. Charges for consumer
services rose 0.4 percent in December, more than the 0.2
percent rise in November and the same as in October.
In the 3 months ending in September, the pace quickened to a rate of 4.6 percent as prices of food began to
rise sharply again and those of nonfood commodities
advanced at a faster rate than they had in the second
quarter. Increases in the food and nonfood components
slowed in the final 3 months of the year with the result
that the CPI rose at a slower rate, 3.2 percent from September to December.
Price behavior in 1972 was marked by the existence
of Phase II of the Economic Stabilization Program put
into effect by the President on August 15,1971. Phase I
of that program consisted of a freeze of virtually all wages
and prices that lasted until November 13,1971. Phase II,
which ensued immediately, consisted of a varied program
Table A. Percent changes in CPI components, selected periods
Changes in all items
at seasonally adjusted
compound annual rates
Changes from preceding month
Month
and year
Commodities
less food
All items
Food
Unad- Seasonally
justed
adjusted
Unad- Seasonally
justed
adjusted
December 1971
0.4
0.3
1.1
0.6
January 1 9 7 2 . .
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
.1
.5
.2
.2
.3
.2
.4
.2
.4
.3
.2
.3
.3
.6
0
1.6
.2
0
-.1
.6
1.0
.3
.2
.1
.4
.5
-.1
1.8
0
-.1
-.1
.2
.6
.5
.6
.2
1.1
0
0
.2
.3
.1
.4
.2
.5
.3
.3
.2
-.3
.1
.3
.3
.6
.2
D
.1
.7
.4
.2
.1
From
3mos.
ago
From
6 mos.
ago
From
12 mos.
ago
Seasonally
adjusted
Unadjusted
0.2
0.3
2.6
2.8
3.4
.2
.3
.2
.2
.5
.6
.2
.2
.2
.2
.3
.3
.2
.2
.4
.2
.4
3.2
4.8
3.6
3.1
2.1
2.2
3.3
2.9
4.6
4.1
4.2
3.2
2.9
3.4
3.1
3.2
3.5
2.9
3.2
2.5
3.4
3.7
3.6
3.9
3.4
3.7
3.5
3.4
3.2
2.9
3.0
2.9
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.4
0
.3
.3
.4
-.1
.1
.2
of regulation ranging from the exemption of prices of
certain raw commodities, particularly farm products,
to the impostion of absolute control of the rate of price
increase in areas such as medical care. Other regulations
governed the extent to which cost increases could be
passed through as price increases and the extent to which
profit margins could rise.
In the 12-months ending in December 1972, the Consumer Price Index rose 3.4 percent. The pattern of movement in the CPI was varied throughout the year. In the
3 months ending in March, the CPI rose at an annual rate
of 3.6 percent. In spring 1972, as food prices fell and
price rises for services decelerated, the pace of increase
slowed to 2.2 percent in the 3 months ending in June.
Unadjusted
Services
1
From the start of the Economic Stabilization Program
in August 1971 through December 1972, the CPI rose at
a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.2 percent. The rate
of advance during Phase II through December 1972 was
3.4 percent, just 0.4 percentage points less than the 3.8
percent annual rate in the first 8 months of 1971. The
comparisons made between the first 8 months of 1971
and periods preceding and following them are affected by
the sharp decline in mortgage interest rates in the spring
of 1971. If the change in the CPI in the first 8 months of
1971 is recalculated to exclude mortgage interest costs1
and the effect the elimination of the excise tax on autos
had on the August CPI, the rate of advance is higher, 4.8
percent rather than 3.8 percent; and if mortgage interest
costs are excluded from the CPI during Phase II, the rate
of advance was 3.6 percent, a slowdown of 1.2 percentage
points. During Phase II, price rises for nonfood commodities and services decelerated from the first 8 months
of 1971 before the freeze. Food prices, however, rose at
the same pace as they had in the first 8 months of 1971.
Food
Food price increases were of concern virtually throughout 1972. The index for food purchased in grocery
stores—the major part of the CPI for food—increased
5.0 percent between December 1971 and December
1972. Typically, the index displayed considerable volatility during the year. In the 3 months ending in March,
it rose at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 7.3 percent;
but the index actually declined at a 1.3 percent rate in
the 3 months ending in June. The index moved up in the
quarter ending in September—at a 7.9 percent annual
rate—because of sharp increases in meat and fresh fruits
and vegetable prices. The rise in the index slowed slightly
in the last 3 months of 1972—to a 6.3 percent rate—as
a result of deceleration in the fruit and vegetable component, while all other major food components accelerated.
As is usual, the pattern of movement in the CPI food
component mirrored rises in food prices in WPI, but retail food prices rose less than wholesale, a relationship
that usually prevails, especially when wholesale price
rises exceed 2 percent. In 1972, wholesale prices for consumer foods rose 8.0 percent. As the following tabulation
shows, price increases during 1972 in all major groups of
food were larger at wholesale than at retail:
12-months ending
December 1972
Total food
Food at home
Cereal and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fresh fruits and vegetables . . . .
Eggs
Food away from home
CPI
WPI
4.7
5.0
1.8
10.3
1.9
1.9
15.8
4.2
8.0
7.6
13.2
4.8
6.6
25.8
Retail meat prices rose 11.3 percent in the year ending
in December 1972, accounting for about 60 percent of
the rise in the food at home index in CPI. Pork prices
rose 19.8 percent mostly due to declines in hog slaughter
and pork production. Rising demand, triggered by higher
income, was an important factor in the increase of 6.9
percent in beef prices. In addition, poor weather conditions affected livestock marketings and therefore prices
of meats during 1972, especially in the first and fourth
quarters. In November, rain and snow held back marketings, and in December sellers continued to hold inventories in anticipation of even higher prices. The unusually cold weather forced livestock owners to feed
Table B. Comparative seasonally adjusted annual rates of change in the CPI and its major components before
and during the Economic Stabilization Program
Latest
1971 before
Phase I & II
Phase II
Phase I
6
months
Phase
I
(August 1 9 7 1 (November 1 9 7 1 (August 1 9 7 1 Items
(June 1972(December 1970- November 1971)
December 1972)
December 1972)
December1972)
August1971)
All items
3.8
1.9
3.4
3.2
3.9
Food
5.0
1.7
5.0
4.4
6.1
Commodities less
food
2.9
0
2.5
2.0
2.5
Services
4.5
3.1
3.6
3.5
3.5
The mortgage interest cost component of the CPI measures
not only changes in mortgage interest rates but also changes in the
size of mortgages, which are related to changes in house prices.
heavily while rain, sleet, snow, and ice at various times in
the late fall brought the harvesting of grains and oilseeds
(used in manufacturing animal feeds) to a standstill. In
addition to increased domestic requirements for animal
feeds, export demand was strong, and wholesale prices of
animal feeds climbed almost 39 percent in the fourth
quarter of 1972. All of these factors contributed to a
substantial rise in wholesale prices for livestock and meats
in December.
Poultry prices in grocery stores rose 2.5 percent for
the year ending in December 1972, after declining in the
preceding 2 years. Poultry production increased 6 percent, but greater demand for poultry as a substitute for
higher-priced red meat resulted in a decline of 33 percent
in cold storage holdings of broilers and fryers.
Egg prices advanced sharply in 1972—the first December-to-December increase in 3 years. Production was
down 6 percent as many producers reduced their flock
size. Smaller output combined with increased demand
resulted in a 17 percent decline in cold storage holdings
during the year.
The increase in retail prices for cereal and bakery products was considerably smaller than at wholesale. Flour
prices at wholesale started to move up in late summer
after wheat prices advanced sharply following large purchases by the U.S.S.R. Higher prices for flour pushed up
bread prices. These increases at wholesale were beginning
to be reflected at retail late in 1972.
Prices of dairy products rose 1.9 percent during
1972—the smallest increase since 1967. Butter prices
were unchanged over the year from December 1971 to
December 1972, and increases for fresh milk and canned
evaporated milk were moderate. Strong demand, however, caused a large increase in cheese prices.
In December 1972, average prices of fresh fruits and
vegetables in grocery stores were 1.9 percent higher than
the December 1971 level in sharp contrast to the increase
of 17.2 percent in the 12 months ending in December
1971. Prices of most fresh vegetables including lettuce,
tomatoes, celery, cabbage, and green peppers, were considerably lower in December 1972 than in December
1971. However, prices for potatoes, carrots, and onions
were much higher. Fresh vegetable prices rose sharply
during the summer and early fall because of smaller supplies resulting from unusual weather conditions and reduced plantings. In the last 3 months of 1972, larger production from winter producing areas resulted in price
declines for vegetables. In contrast, prices of most fresh
fruits, except oranges, were considerably higher in December 1972 than they were a year earlier. Apples were in
tight supply throughout the year; bananas were imported
at a slower rate; and the late maturing grapefruit crop in
Florida kept prices up in the fourth quarter.
Among other foods purchased in grocery stores, coffee
prices rose 3.9 percent in 1972. At wholesale, green
coffee prices increased considerably more—19.5 percent—mostly in response to the freeze damage to Brazilian coffee crop in July.
Prices of food away from home—restaurant meals
and snacks—increased at a steady pace throughout the
year, for an increase of 4.2 percent for the year ending in
December 1972. The large increase in wholesale prices of
meats, poultry, and fish, which represent about 45 percent of the cost of food purchased by eating places, was
a major source of upward pressure on restaurant prices.
Commodities less food
Prices of nonfood commodities in the CPI are affected
directly by changes in wholesale prices of these goods. In
1972, the increase in nonfood commodities in the CPI
was 2.5 percent, compared with 2.2 percent in the WPI.
When prices of used cars and houses, which are not in the
wholesale measure, are excluded, the increase in the CPI
component is 2.1 percent.
Historically, retail prices of nonfood commodities have
risen somewhat faster than manufacturer's prices of consumer nonfood commodities—about one-half percent a
year on average from 1956 through 1971. Even if used
cars and houses are excluded from the CPI component,
retail prices still have risen faster than wholesale prices
for these commodities in all but 3 years from 1956 to
1971. In 1964, both series rose by the same small amount.
In the other 2 years—1960 and 1965—the WPI for consumer finished goods, excluding food, rose faster primarily because new car prices dropped more at retail
than at wholesale. In 1965, this difference was attributable to the reduction in auto excise taxes which are included in the CPI, to the extent that they are passed
through to consumers, but not in the WPI. The relationship during 1972 was then another exception from the
typical pattern, and there is some evidence that Phase II
profit margin regulation was an important factor. (See
"Prices in 1972: An Analysis of Changes During Phase II",
by Joel Fopkin, Monthly Labor Review, February 1973.)
In 1972, retail prices of nondurables rose 2.4 percent,
somewhat less than prices of similar goods in the WPI.
This was the first year since both series became available
in 1956 in which retail prices for these commodities rose
less than manufacturers' prices when the latter were
rising. In 3 of the 4 years from 1968 to 1971, the difference exceeded 1 percentage point. Price increases
for gasoline and footwear were considerably smaller at
retail than wholesale for the year ending December 1972.
Prices for apparel and tobacco products rose more at retail than wholesale.
Gasoline prices at retail rose 2.7 percent in 1972;
much of the increase occurred in the 3 months ending in
September. They rose slightly in the 3 months ending in
December. Prices declined in the first half of 1972. Although competitive pressures held down price rises at retail, wholesale prices at refineries rose at a strong pace
throughout the year because of the imbalance in demand
and supply. The rise in footwear prices, which was 9.9
percent at wholesale and 3.4 percent at retail, was fueled
by the sharp advance in prices of hides. In 1972, however,
the advance in retail footwear prices was particularly low,
in view of the substantial increase in hide prices.
Apparel prices at retail increased 2.5 percent in the
12 months ending in December 1972. In the final 3
months, prices rose at a 4.6 percent annual rate—the
sharpest pace in 2 years, as retail sales in apparel stores
started to strengthen. The increase for tobacco products—3.9 percent at retail—was considerably larger
than at wholesale. Higher cigarette taxes accounted for a
large portion of the price increase at retail.
Retail prices for durable goods increased 2.6 percent
in the 12 months ending in December 1972, compared
with 1.0 percent at wholesale. This faster rise is mainly
attributable to the advance in prices of houses and used
cars, both exempted from regulation during Phases I and
II. In 1972, strength in demand for new cars spilled over,
as it usually does, to used cars, resulting in higher prices.
The rise in used car prices started in the spring of 1972,
after a period during which prices fell. The earlier decline
was probably due to the elimination of the 7-percent
excise tax on new cars, which made them cheaper relative
to used cars, so a downward adjustment of used car prices
had to occur.
New car prices at retail increased 0.2 percent for the
12 months ending in December 1972, while wholesale
prices decreased by 0.2 percent. Changes in new car prices
were small due to the fact that approved price increases
for 1973 models before December were less than the
value BLS placed on the quality changes. In early December, the Price Commission approved increases which were
reflected fully at the wholesale level, but not at retail
where many cars sold during December were ordered for
dealer inventories before the increases.
Retail prices for furniture increased 1.7 percent, the
smallest December to December rise since the mid-1960's
and less than the increase at wholesale. Prices of floor
coverings at retail showed no change between December
1971 and December 1972, while wholesale prices moved
up moderately. Appliance prices increased slightly and by
about the same amount at retail and wholesale. Retail
prices of other housefurnishings such as dinnerware and
flatware—both imported and domestic—increased significantly during 1972. Prices of home repair and im-
provement goods also rose sharply, reflecting advances in
lumber prices.
Services
Just as the relationship between prices of nonfood
commodities at wholesale and retail was atypical in 1972,
the relationship between retail prices for nonfood commodities and services departed from the usual pattern.
The index for services increased 3.6 percent in 1972, the
smallest rise since 1965. The increase in the services
index, excluding mortgage interest costs, was also 3.6
percent. Over periods of time, as long as a year, service
prices excluding mortgage interest costs usually rise 1.5
to 2.5 percentage points faster than prices of nonfood
commodities. Since the index for commodities less food
rose 2.5 percent in 1972, the difference was 1.1 percentage points. The only other deviation from the historical
pattern occurred in 1967—in part, a year of economic
slowdown—when the difference was also 1.1 percentage
points. The slowdown in service prices cannot be attributed entirely to Phase II controls. Although the rate of
increase was reduced sharply in certain sectors like medical care and rent, where direct controls were put into
effect, equally sharp deceleration occurred in other parts
of the service sector which consist of many small firms,
exempt from most, if not all forms of regulation. Among
the major components in the services index, the sharpest
deceleration occurred in transportation services—from
an increase of 5.2 percent in 1971 to 1.7 percent in
1972. A significant factor in this slowdown was the decline in auto insurance charges. After rising sharply from
1968 through the first half of 1971, auto insurance
charges declined almost steadily from mid-1971 through
December 1972 as a result of improved underwriting experience by insurance writers, no fault insurance laws,
open rating laws, and closer regulations of the insurance
industry by State legislatures and insurance departments.
Charges for auto registration and repairs and taxicab and
airplane fares rose much less in 1972 than in 1971. Local
transit fares, which rose moderately in 1971, increased
somewhat more in 1972 but still much less than in the
1968-70 period. The rise in parking fees, however, accelerated in 1972.
Medical care services rose 3.8 percent in 1972, down
from 5.3 percent in 1971. Increases in physicians' and
dentists' fees were about half as large as in 1971 and not
much different from the 2.5 percent limitation (exclusive
of cost-pass-through) placed on them by the Price Commission. Hospital charges for semiprivate rooms, which
increased more than 9 percent in 1971, rose 5.0 percent
in 1972, well within the 6-percent limit placed on them
by the Price Commission.
In the household services component, the index for
rent rose 3.5 percent in 1972, less than the rise in 1971
before the freeze. Rent increases were limited to 2.5 percent plus pass-through of selected costs. The increase in
household services component excluding rent was slightly
larger than it was in 1971, primarily because the decline
in mortgage interest rates in 1972 was smaller than in
1971. The rapid upward trend in property taxes continued in 1972. On the other hand, charges for home
maintenance and repairs and utilities increased much less
in 1972 than they had in 1971.
The rise in the other services component of the CPI
decelerated significantly in 1971 and slowed further in
1972. In many of these services areas—such as personal
care, apparels, and recreational services—there is a prevalence of small firms with 60 employees or fewer, which
were generally exempt from regulation. The demand for
many of these services is highly responsive to economic
changes. With the rapid rise in business activity in 1972
and rising personal income, consumer spending for drycleaning, shoe repairs, shirt laundry, barber and beauty
shop services, piano lessons, and many recreational services started to strengthen. By late 1972, charges for these
services were moving up at a more rapid rate than they
had been earlier in the year or in 1971.
Diffusion of individual price changes
Approximately 120,000 individual prices were collected directly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in December for use in the index. Approximately 80 percent
of these quotations represent monthly comparisons. As
can be seen from table C, 77 percent of these monthly
comparisons remained unchanged, 9 percent decreased,
and 14 percent increased between November and December. The December index also includes 24,000 price comparisons to December from periods before November, of
which 19,000 cover the quarterly span from September
to December. About 11 percent of these increases compared with about 14 percent in last month's index. In
addition, about 5,000 rental units were surveyed in December, and 18 percent of these reported rent increases
from June.
Table C. Percent distribution of monthly price comparisions1
December
1971
Food at home
Increases.
Decreases
No change
......
Commodities less
food
Increases
Decreases
No change
Services
Increaese
Decreases
No change
November
to
December
100
11
10
79
100
11
9
80
100
16
7
77
100
12
11
77
100
13
10
77
100
7
7
86
100
1
8
91
1971
to
January
1972
1972
March
to
April
April
to
May
January
to
February
February
to
March
100
14
11
75
100
22
8
70
100
15
10
75
100
14
12
74
100
100
17
8
75
100
15
11
74
100
24
9
67
100
16
12
72
100
15
13
72
100
14
13
100
7
6
87
100
6
5
89
100
7
10
83
100
8
7
85
100
10
5
85
100
7
7
86
100
8
6
86
100
2
1
97
100
6
100
12
100
8
5
83
100
6
4
90
100
7
1
93
100
3
1
96
13
12
75
73
00
00 CJl
All items 2
Increases
Decreases
No change
October
to
November
CO CO
Item
September
to
October
May
to
June
June
to
July
July
to
August
August
to
September
September
to
October
October
to
November
November
to
December
All items 2
Increases
Decreases
No change
100
15
11
74
100
18
10
72
100
16
11
73
100
15
10
75
100
15
11
74
100
14
11
75
100
14
9
77
Increases
Decreases
No change
100
17
12
71
100
20
11
69
100
18
13
69
100
16
12
72
100
17
12
71
100
16
12
72
100
17
10
73
100
100
8
7
85
100
8
6
100
11
5
84
100
100
6
6
100
6
5
88
89
100
4
3
93
100
3
3
100
4
2
94
100
4
5
91
100
4
2
CO CO O
1972—Continued
94
94
Services
Increases
Decreases
6
7
87
100
5
3
92
86
94
6
4
O
Commodities less
food
Increases
Decreases
No change
Regulations of the Economic Stabilization Program permit certain types of increases, but it is not possible to determine whether
allowable increases accounted for all increases shown in the table.
Based on approximately 98,000 individual quotations.
CHflRT 1. RLL ITEMS INDEX flND ITS RflTE OF CHANGE
( 1967 = 100 )
SEMILOS
135
130
125
120
115
110
105
100
95
1963-72
DEC
127.3
CPI flLL ITEMS INDEX
(NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED)
90
PERCENT CHANGE OVER 1-MONTH SPAN
(SEASONALLY ADJUSTED)
85
flRITH.
SCflLE
0.7
— 0.6
— 0.5
— 0.4
— 0.3
— 0.2
— 0.1
— 0.0
— -0.1
JY
PERCENT CHANGE OVER 3-MONTH SPAN
(ANNUAL RATE, SEASONALLY AOJUSTED)
flRITH.
CflLE
5CP
DEC
3.2
flRITH
SCflLE
PERCENT CHANGE OVER 6-MONTH SPAN
[ANNUAL RATE, SEASONALLY ADJUSTED)
flRITH.
SCflLE
PERCENT CHANGE OVER 12-MONTH SPAN 1/
6
4
2
0
itltltllnltllttlttllllllllllnlllllllllllllllllllnllllllllllllllllt.ltlll.lllUlLltllllllllilllllll.llllnltllnll.
1963
1964
1965
1966
1/
Computed from the unadjusted s e r i e s .
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
CHART 2 . C O M M O D I T I E S LESS FOOD I N D E X AND I T S RATES OF CHANGE
1963-72
C 1967 = 100 )
SEMILOS
135
130
125
120
115
110
105
100
95
90
85
DEC
120.7
CPI COMMODITIES LESS FOOD INDEX
(SEASONALLY AOJUSTED)
PERCENT CHANGE OVER 1-MONTH SPAN
(SEASONALLY ADJUSTED!
RRITH.
SCflLE
— 0.7
— 0.6
— 0.5
— 0.4
_ 0.3
— 0.2
— 0.1
— 0.0
— -0.1
_ -0.2
_ -0.3
PERCENT CHANGE OVER 3-MONTH SPAN
(ANNUAL RATE, SEASONALLY ADJUSTED)
DEC
1 .0
ma-
PERCENT CHANGE OVER 6-MONTH SPAN
(ANNUAL RATE, SEASONALLY ADJUSTED)
6
flRITHSCflLE
PERCENT CHANGE OVER 12-MONTH SPAN
DEC
2.5
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1/ Computed from the unadjusted series.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
8
1969
1970
1971
1972
CHflRT
3.
TOTfiL
FOOD INDEX
AND I T S
RflTES
OF CHANGE
1953-72
i 1967 = 100 )
SEMILOG
140
135
130
125
120
115
110
105
100
95
90
CPI TOTflL FOOD INDEX
(SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTEO)
CENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN
(SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTEO)
PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTEO)
flRITH.
SCALE
12
10
8
6
2
0
-2
-4
PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)
flRITH.
SCflLE
8
PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN 1/
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I I I II I H I I > I 1 I I ! I I I I 1 I I I I I 1 H I I I t I I I I I I t I I I I I 1 I I I I I I I I I 1 I I I 1 I I t I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1
1963
1964
1965
1966
1/
Computed from the unadjusted s e r i e s .
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
CHflRT 4 . SERVICES
SEMILOG
135
130
125
120
1 IS
110
105
100
95
INDEX flND I T S RflTES OF CHANGE
t 1967 = 100 )
1963-72
135.4
CPI SERVICES INDEX
[NOT SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)
90
SCfl
PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN
(NOT SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)
85
1.1
1 .0
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
-0.1
DEC
0.4
SCfl
PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
IflNNUflL RflTE. NOT SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)
12
10
8
DEC
3.9
6
4
2
0
SCfl
PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. NOT SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)
10
8
DEC
3.5
6
4
2
0
SCfl
PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
10
1969
1970
1971
1972
Table 1. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
by commodity and service groups, and expenditure classes
Group
Relative
importance
December
Unadjusted indexes
1967= 100 unless
otherwise noted
November
December
1972
1972
Unadjusted
percent change to
December 1972 fromDecember
November
1971
1972
Seasonally adjusted
percent change from
September
to
October
October
to
November
November
to
December
Commodity and service groups
All items
All items (1957-59= 100) Commodities
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 *
Men1 s and boys'
Women' s and girls'
Footwear
Nondurables less food and apparel Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Fuel oil and coal
Other nondurables
Durables commodities
Household durables
New cars
Used cars
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 T. V.) •
62.59
22. 19
17.23
2.28
5.64
2.72
3.03
3.56
4.96
40.40
126.9
147.6
122. 7
125.4
123.4
115.0
131.5
117.7
126.5
118. 1
133.3
121.0
127. 3
148.0
3.4
122.9
126.0
124. 1
115.8
131.2
118.3
127.3
120. 2
133. 7
121. 1
121.7
125.5
124.8
126.4
127.3
119.5
111.2
134.2
120.5
119.4
118.8
3.4
4.7
5. 0
1.8
10.3
1.9
2.3
3. 1
4.2
16. 77
4.83
2. 12
1.98
7.84
37.41
5. 05
32. 36
15. 36
5. 57
5.55
5.88
121.7
125.6
124.8
126.5
127. 1
119.4
111. 1
134.3
120.4
119.3
118. 6
120. 3
116.0
110. 2
116.0
127.5
120.3
116.2
110. 6
115.0
127.5
134.9
120. 5
137.6
141. 3
136. 3
140. 1
127.4
77.81
45. 82
7.46
31. 86
9.85
5.51
4.46
0.3
2.5
135.4
121. 0
138.0
141.9
136.4
140. 5
127.7
2.4
2.7
2.6
2.6
3.4
2.3
2.6
3.9
1.8
1. 1
2. 1
2.6
2.2
.2
7.3
2.4
3.6
3. 5
3.5
4. 3
1.7
3.8
3.0
0
-. 1
0
-. 1
.2
.1
.1
-. 1
.1
.1
.2
0
.2
.4
-.9
.1
.4
.4
.3
.4
.1
.3
.2
127.4
123.5
125.3
134. 2
145.3
127.3
127.6
123.8
125.2
134.6
145.8
127.6
3.0
3.6
2.5
3. 5
3.3
3.9
. 2
.2
146.3
105.9
147.4
105. 8
4.4
0
22. 19
33.84
21. 72
5.05
16.25
4. 71
2.43
7.41
10.45
13.27
11.80
1.47
19.87
6.46
2.58
5. 71
5. 12
126.9
125.4
130.8
136.2
120.5
142. 0
121. 7
122.2
122. 1
125. 0
121.4
119.0
144. 1
127.4
134. 1
121. 0
124. 1
126.4
127.3
126.0
127.5
134.4
121. 5
124.0
126.5
77.28
93.54
96.25
15.28
2. 01
124.6
126.6
126. 1
123. 1
135. 6
124.8
126.9
126.4
123.8
134.9
$0. 788
.678
$0,786
.676
23. 63
9. 03
2.82
4.02
1. 57
14.60
2.92
2.09
2.50
.67
6.42
.2
.1
0
1.3
.2
.7
.1
.1
1.1
1.5
.5
1.3
.5
.8
.9
.4
-. 1
.1
.6
.4
.7
.4
-. 1
-. 7
*. 1
*. 1
-. 1
.3
-.4
.1
-3.9
*1.4
-.2
*.4
*. 3
*.4
.4
-. 1
1. 3
.2
.1
.3
.2
.7
.1
.4
.3
.8
*0
*. 1
-. 1
.2
-.6
*. 7
-.2
0
0
.8
.1
.5
-.9
.5
.5
.2
.3
.4
.3
.2
0
0
*-. 1
*. 1
.1
.2
.3
. 3
.7
*-.9
0
*.2
*. 2
*.3
.3
.1
.3
.4
*.4
*.4
*. 3
.6
-. 1
.1
.3
.1
.2
.7
*.3
.2
.4
.2
.5
.2
*.3
.1
.5
.3
.1
.2
*.3
.3
-. 1
0.3
0.3
0.2
0
*.3
.6
*.4
.6
.2
.2
.2
Expenditure cla
All items
Housing 2
Shelter
Rent
Homeownership 3
Fuel and utilities* —
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operationApparel and upkeep
Transportation
Private
Health and recreation Medical care
Personal care —
Reading and recreation Other goods and services Special indexes:
All items less shelter
All items less medical care
All items less mortgage interest costs CPI—domestically produced farm foods 5
CPI-selected beef cuts 6
Purchasing
ir chasing power of consumer dollar:
67=$ 1. 00
1957-59=$ 1. 00 -
131.2
136.8
121.0
142.6
121.9
122.5
122.3
125.0
121.3
118.9
144. 5
1
0.3
.5
.3
.4
.4
.4
. 2
.2
.2
.2
1. 1
*. 2
. 2
*. 3
.2
. 2
.2
. 2
*. 3
0
2.9
3.3
3. 1
2.4
2.8
-. 1
-. 1
.3
. 1
.2
.4
-. 1
.1
-.9
.6
*.3
1. 1
.2
.2
.1
3.2
3.4
3.4
5.0
5.8
.2
.2
.2
.6
-. 5
.3
.2
.2
*-. 1
*-1.0
3.4
4.7
3.5
4.0
3.5
4. 1
3.7
3. 6
2.3
2.6
2.4
2. 2
3.4
.3
.4
.1
*.2
.2
.2
0
0
.4
.4
. 3
*. 5
*.3
.2
-.2
-.2
-. 1
*. 1
.1
.4
.1
.2
.2
*.6
*-.5
Also includes infants' wear, sewing materials, and jewelry not shown separately.
Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance and repairs.
Also includes residential telephone, fuel oil, coal, water, and sewerage service not shown separately.
5
Calculated from the CPI food at home component by excluding fish, nonalcoholic 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.
* Not seasonally adjusted.
NOTE: Index applies to month as a whole, not to any specific date.
2
3
4
11
Table 1-A. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
1972 annual average index
(unadjusted, unless otherwise indicated)
Group
(1967= 100)
1971
average
1972
average
125.3
145. 7
1971
average
All items
All items (1957-59= 100)
Commoditie s
•
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 l
Men1 s and boys'
Women1 s and girls'
Footwear
Nondurables less food and apparel
Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Fuel oil and coal
Other nondurables
Durables commodities
Household durables
New cars
Used cars
Other durables
S e r vi c e s
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 T. V.)
121. 3
141. 0
117.4
118.4
116.4
113.9
116.9
115. 3
119. 1
115. 9
126. 1
116.8
117. 0
120. 1
120.3
120. 1
121.5
115.2
107. 3
126.4
116.9
117.5
114.9
116.5
112. 9
112.0
110. 2
122. 1
128.4
115.2
130. 8
132.6
133. 0
133.3
122.5
All items
121.3
118.4
124.3
128.8
115. 2
133.7
115.0
114. 7
118. 1
125.3
123.5
119.8
118.6
116.6
137.7
122. 2
128.4
116.8
119.3
120.9
122.3
126. 1
132.5
119.8
122.8
125.5
3. 2
3.2
2.6
2.9
3.8
119.3
120.9
120.3
122.9
124.9
124.4
121.3
135.3
3.0
3.3
3.4
122. 1
117. 7
119.9
127.7
138.9
120. 0
137. 1
105. 5
120.9
123. 5
121.6
114. 7
128.0
117. 1
125.0
116. 7
131. 1
119.4
119. 8
122. 7
121.9
123.0
124.9
118.2
108.8
133.3
119.6
118.5
117. 8
3.0
4.3
4.5
.7
9.5
1.6
5.0
.7
4.0
2.2
2.4
2. 2
1.3
2.4
2.8
2.6
1.4
5.5
2.3
.9
2.5
118.9
115. 0
111.0
110. 5
126.4
133.3
119.2
135.9
139.2
136.0
138. 2
125.8
2. 1
1.9
-.9
.3
3.5
125.8
121.7
122.3
132.6
143.8
125.8
144. 3
105.8
3.0
3.4
2.0
3.8
3.5
4.8
5.3
.3
3.8
3.5
3.9
5.0
2.3
3.7
2. 7
Expenditure c l a s s e s
Food —
Housing 2
Shelter
Rent
Homeowner ship 3
Fuel and utilities 4 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 foods 5
CPI-selected beef cuts 6
Purchasing power of consumer dollar:
1967=$ 1. 00 — - -•—
1957-59=$ 1. 00
PI
$0,824
. 709
1
129. 2
134.5
119.2
140. 1
120. 1
120. 5
121.0
119.9
117.5
143.4
4. 3
3.9
4.4
3.5
4.8
4.4
5. 1
2.5
2. 1
1. 1
$0,799
.687
Also includes infants' wear, sewing materials, and jewery not shown separately.
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.
5
Calculated from the CPI food at home component by excluding fish, nonalcoholic beverages, bananas, c:hocolate 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.
7
Not available.
2
3
12
Table 2. Consumer P r i c e Index—United States city average for urban wage e a r n e r s and c l e r i c a l w o r k e r s ,
by commodity and s e r v i c e groups, and expenditure c l a s s e s
Group
Septembi
1972
Commodities
Food at home C e r e a l s and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
F r u i t s and vegetables •
Other foods at home —
Food away from home —
Commodities l e s s food •
Nondurables l e s s food • 1
Apparel commodities
Men1 s and boys' —
Women' s and g i r l s '
Footwear
Nondurables l e s s food and apparel
Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products (not seasonally
adjusted)
••
,,..,•-....
Alcoholic beverages (not seasonally
adjusted)
Fuel oil and coal
Other nondurables
——
Durables commodities —
Household durables —
New c a r s
Used c a r s (not seasonally adjusted) Other durables
Services (not seasonally adjusted) Rent (not seasonally adjusted) •
Services l e s s rent (not seasonally
adjusted)
Household s e r v i c e s l e s s 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
(not seasonally adjusted)
Insurance and finance Utilities and public transportation
~———
Housekeeping and home maintenance service -
Seasonally adjusted annual r a t e
percent changes for
3 months
6 months
ending in
ending in
Seasonally adjusted indexes
(1967= 100)
1972
1972
Commodity and s e r v i c e groups
122. 1
124. 7
122.7
114.5
129.3
116.8
128.8
117. 0
132.4
122. 2
124. 9
122.8
114.5
131.0
117.0
129. 7
117. 1
132.5
122. 7
126. 3
124.6
115. 1
132.7
117.6
130. 7
118.2
133.0
122. 8
126.3
124.6
116.0
132.8
118.2
129. 5
118.8
133.7
120.4
120.4
120.7
120.6
123. 1
122.4
123. 3
125.7
119. 2
111.3
120.3
120. 7
123. 8
122.9
124.2
126.2
119. 1
110. 5
121. 1
124. 1
123.7
124. 3
126.7
119.4
111.4
121.3
124.5
124.2
124. 7
127. 0
119.4
111.4
3. 6
3.8
7. 2
7.3
2.8
23.4
5.3
-15. 3
5. 7
4.4
2.4
2.4
2.7
-1.0
5.4
2.0
2.4
-5.8
134.2
134. 3
134.3
134. 2
10.6
120.2
118.4
118.3
120.3
118. 3
118.6
120.4
115.7
113.2
113.6
127. 6
119.9
115.8
108. 8
115.2
127.4
134. 1
119.9
134. 6
120. 3
120.4
119. 3
118.6
119.8
116.0
108. 1
116.0
127. 2
134. 9
120. 5
120.5
119.4
118.8
120. 1
116.3
108. 9
115.0
127. 2
135.4
121. 0
1.7
.3
1. 7
2. 8
1. 1
1.9
-11.8
2.6
4.4
3.8
136.7
140. 0
137. 1
138.5
126.6
137.2
140.6
137.0
140.3
126.9
137.6
141.0
137. 1
140. 7
127.4
138. 0
141. 8
136.9
140.9
127. 8
126.7
122.7
122.6
126.8
123. 0
123.4
127. 1
123.6
123.7
127. 5
123. 7
124.0
133.4
144.8
126.6
145.2
133.8
145. 1
127. 1
145.8
134.2
145. 3
127.7
146. 3
134.6
145.6
127. 6
147.4
1972
2. 2
5.4
0
1.3
-.8
2.5
2.0
4.4
0
4. 1
2.7
1.4
1.0
2.7
1.6
3.6
1.7
0.4
7. 0
7.9
-0.3
10.9
-0.3
21.4
.7
4. 3
4. 1
3.7
2.6
3.0
2. 3
3.6
4.5
17. 5
2. 3
5.2
6.3
5.3
11.3
4.9
2. 2
6.3
4.0
3.5
2.9
1. 1
9.7
1.6
6. 1
2.8
4. 3
6. 1
7. 1
2.5
11. 1
2.2
11.4
4.2
4.2
1.0
2.6
2.5
2.3
4.6
6.0
4. 6
4.2
.7
.4
1.9
1.8
.8
1.8
2.8
2. 1
3. 1
3.0
3.6
4.5
3.5
3.9
2.6
8.6
1.0
3.4
1.7
1.2
. 3
2.6
-1.2
2.9
1.9
6.4
9.2
3.4
2.4
1.9
1.5
2.4
2.5
-5.6
5.4
1.4
3.9
3.7
3. 7
3.6
3.5
3.4
3.9
5.2
3.6
4.8
1.6
3.3
1.9
3.4
3.9
1.8
4.4
4.0
2.9
2. 7
1.7
3.0
4.5
3.5
2.2
3.2
6.2
3.6
3.9
4.6
4. 1
3.4
2.5
3.2
4.6
2.9
5.2
3. 1
3.3
3.7
2.9
3.0
4.0
2. 7
2.9
3.5
3.5
4. 1
3.3
4. 1
4.5
3.9
1. 8
3.4
3.8
3.4
3.9
2.9
3. 1
2.7
-2.6
-2.6
2.5
1.5
.5
2.4
3.2
4.0
4.4
1. 7
3. 0
-.6
2.2
6.2
3.4
1.0
1.3
3.6
2.8
3.6
2.8
5.3
2.2
3.8
2.5
2.0
.3
4.3
4.6
4.6
3.3
2.9
3.2
2.7
3. 1
3.0
3.8
3.7
3.9
.7
.3
3.5
3.7
3. 1
2.8
3.6
35.0
4.2
5.9
2.8
4.0
5.8
4.2
3. 1
3.4
3.0
4. 0
5. 1
0
2.7
2. 3
3.3
4.4
3.3
3.9
1.6
3.0
2.6
4.2
1.8
4.2
2.6
4.8
3.0
3.2
.7
.3
3.5
5.7
2.3
3.7
3. 2
5.3
3.4
3.4
4.6
3.9
4.9
3. 1
3.6
2.8
3.2
.3
1.4
3. 1
3. 1
-1.0
2. 1
-14.4
5.0
-. 6
7. 1
3.8
2.5
3.3
4.6
Expenditure classes
Housing (not seasonally adjusted)
Shelter 2
Rent (not seasonally adjusted)
Homeowner ship 3 ———
Fuel and utilities*
Gas
electricity • • — •
vjcts and
ana electricity
" —
Household furnishings and operation
Apparel and upkeep
p
Transportation
Private
Public
Health and recreation (not seasonally
adjusted) •
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 foods
(not seasonally adjusted) •
CPI-selected beef cuts (not seasonally adjusted) —
124.7
130. 1
135.6
119.9
141.4
120.8
121.2
121.6
3.6
2.2
4.6
3.5
3.7
3.8
3.6
5.9
4.5
1.3
3.5
4.6
3.4
3.5
4.2
126.3
130.8
135.9
120. 5
141. 7
121.5
122. 1
122. 1
126.3
131.2
136.7
121.0
142.4
121. 7
122.4
122.4
122.9
122.0
119. 7
144.3
124.9
130.4
135.9
120.3
141. 7
121. 1
121.5
121.9
123. 3
121.0
118.6
145. 1
123.8
121.4
119. 1
145. 3
124. 1
121.2
118.9
145.2
.7
-1. 0
2.3
126.8
132. 8
120.5
123.7
125.8
127. 2
134.3
120.8
124. 0
125. 9
127.4
134. 6
121.0
124.0
125.9
127. 5
134.8
121.5
124. 0
126. 2
3.6
1.9
2.7
2.7
6.7
123.8
125.9
125.4
124. 2
126. 1
125. 7
124. 7
126.6
126. 1
124. 8
126.8
126.4
3.3
3.6
3.6
122. 6
136.5
122. 5
135.2
123. 1
135.6
123.8
134.9
1
4. 7
3. 1
3.4
2.4
13
2.7
2.7
2. 7
1.3
3.3
2.4
9.4
2. 1
11. 1
2.6
6.3
3. 6
2.2
1.5
3.7
4.5
3.0
3.9
2. 0
2.6
2.3
Also includes infants' wear, sewing materials, and jewelry not shown separately.
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.
NOTE: Index applies to month as a whole, not to any specific date.
2
3
3. 1
5. 0
United States and selected
Table 3. Consumer Price Index—United
s e l e e areas for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
ercent changes from selected dates
all items most recent index and percent
Pricing
schedule 2
1967= 100
Percent change from:
Other
bases
1957-59= 100
December
1971
December 1972
U. S. city average
Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles—Long Beach
N. Y.-Northeastern N. J. Philadelphia
M
M
M
M
M
127.3
148.0
126. 1
128. 3
124.4
133.7
128.9
143.3
147.4
146.4
159. 1
150.6
October 1972
Boston
Houston
Minneapolis—St. Paul
Pittsburgh
128. 9
126. 4
127. 2
126. 5
128.6
127.9
125.7
125. 0
126.8
121. 2
129.7
127. 7
128.0
126.5
124.4
125.5
123.7
126.3
.6
.8
.5
.6
.4
October
1971
July
1972
3.5
3. 3
3. 1
2.9
3
3
141. 2
4
135.9
133. 3
142.4
151. 1
146.9
148.6
143.6
1.4
1.3
.2
.3
1.4
1. 1
1.6
December
1971
5
September
1972
3.4
2.3
3.8
2.7
3.4
2.3
3.9
134. 1
148.9
144.5
150. 2
.3
.7
. 1
.3
-. 1
August
1972
4.5
2.8
2.7
3.4
5.0
3. 1
4.4
141. 4
144.4
November
1972
1.4
1. 0
1.4
November
1971
December 1972
Baltimore —
Cincinnati —
Honolulu
Kansas City
St. Louis
San Francisco—Oakland
3. 1
3.7
3.7
4.5
3. 1
154.4
144. 6
147.4
145. 5
November 1972
Buffalo
Cleveland Dallas
Milwaukee San Diego —
Seattle
Washington
September
1972
0.6
.2
.2
1. 1
0
. 1
.6
1
Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) except for New York and
Chicago where the more extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used. Area definitions are those established for the I960 Census and do not
include revisions made since I960.
2
Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all cities; most other goods and services priced as indicated:
M - Every month.
1 - January, April, July, and October.
2 - February, May, August, and November.
3 - March, June, September, and December.
3
November 1963= 100.
4
February 1965= 100.
5
December 1963= 100.
NOTE: The Consumer Price Index cannot be used for measuring differences in living costs among areas; it indicates price change within
areas. Estimates of differences in living costs among areas are found in the family budgets.
Table 4. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas * for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
major groups percent changes from November 1972 to December 1972
Group
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep —
Transportation
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation —
Other goods and services
U.S. city
average
.5
.3
0
-. 1
. 1
.2
.4
-. 1
. 1
0.3
0.7
.5
.7
-. 1
0
. 1
0
(2)
.2
-.4
.6
1.2
-.5
1. 1
0
-. 1
See footnote 1, table 2.
Not available.
Los AngelesLong Beach
Chicago
14
2
New YorkNortheastern
New Jersey
Philadelphia
-0. 1
.3
-. 1
.2
.4
(2)
-. 1
.3
.2
.7
-.2
. 1
0
.6
-.6
-.2
.2
. 1
()
-.8
.2
.1
-. 1
Table 5. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas l for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
commodity groups, December 1972 index and percent changes from September 1972
Los
AngelesLong
Beach
(Monthly indexes 1967= 100)
New YorkNortheastern
New Jersey
U.S.
cityaverage
Chicago
127. 3
126. 1
128.3
124.4
133.7
128.9
126. 0
124. 1
115.8
131.2
118.3
127.3
120.2
133. 7
126. 6
125.4
117. 7
132.9
118.3
126.6
122.0
131.4
125.4
124.3
117.6
134.0
114.7
120.2
121.4
130.8
122.8
122. 1
113.4
130.6
116.0
124.9
118. 1
124.5
130.9
127.6
117.5
133.9
122.0
132.6
122.3
141.4
126.8
124.0
117.8
130.3
120. 1
127. 1
117.8
138.7
Housing
Shelter
Rent
Homeowner ship —
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
131.2
136.8
121. 0
142.6
121.9
119.4
122.5
122.3
125.5
129.9
(2)
136.8
115.8
114.4
116. 0
118.0
135.4
145.2
121.8
149.9
3
117. 8
113.9
4
120.0
116.6
129. 0
131.9
(2)
135.7
127.9
133.8
119.7
139.5
147. 1
131. 0
159.4
125.2
120.4
123.8
128. 1
132.4
141.8
(2)
145.9
119. 1
113.8
124.6
123.3
Apparel and upkeep
Men1 s and boys'
Women' s and girls'
Footwear
125. 0
124.8
126.4
127.3
123.3
119. 2
128.4
121. 3
120.8
121.4
116.9
127. 1
121.5
118.4
124.3
126.0
125.3
124. 1
125.9
126. 3
122.5
123.7
118.7
129.4
Transportation •
Private
Public
121.3
118.9
144.5
125.5
120.0
160.5
118.2
115.7
148.5
121.3
121.5
117.3
134. 1
126.4
163.3
126.4
123.5
143.5
Health and recreation Medical care
Personal care Reading and recreation —
Other goods and services
127.5
134.4
121.5
124.0
126.5
128.6
133.6
123. 6
124.4
130. 1
130.5
143.3
(2)
126.0
122. 0
121. 7
130.7
117.2
114. 1
120.3
132.5
143.0
(2)
127.8
133. 1
131.7
144.7
(2)
127.5
127.8
Group
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other food at home —
Food away from home —
Philadelphia
Quarterly percent changes, September 1972 to December 1972
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products Fruits and vegetables •
Other food at home —
Food away from home —
1.0
1. 1
1.0
.2
1.2
1.3
2. 2
.9
1.4
1.5
2.4
.4
1.5
2.2
3.0
1. 1
1.5
1.6
.4
.6
2.0
2.8
3. 1
.6
.5
(2)
.6
.1
.4
.1
.1
-.2
.5
-.4
.9
0
1.5
.3
Housing
Shelter
Rent
Homeownership Fuel and utilities —
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
1.2
1.2
1.5
.6
Apparel and upkeep Men1 s and boys'
Women' s and girls'
Footwear
1.5
1.9
2.0
1.3
.6
.2
.6
1.5
.6
2.4
-1.6
.7
Transportation
Private
Public
. 2
.3
.3
.1
.1
.1
1.5
1.8
0.0
Health and recreation Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services -
.4
1. 1
.7
.2
-.5
.9
1.0
.8
.2
.2
See footnotes at end of table.
15
2
( )
.4
.5
.9
.9
1.2
-.2
.5
2.7
1.5
.2
.1
(2)
0
2.4
2. 1
.1
.3
.4
.4
.3
-. 1
1.8
-1.8
2.2
.5
1.5
1.6
3.0
.2
1.5
1.8
4. 1
.9
1.4
1.9
1.3
1.8
.2
0
.1
.4
-.4
-1. 1
(2)
-1.5
1. 1
1.7
1.6
.4
5
.2
1.4
-.4
-.6
-1.2
.1
. 7
.7
.3
.3
.3
.1
0
1.7
-.3
.3
.3
1.9
0
-.9
-.2
.6
. 7
.5
.6
.9
( )
2
1. 0
0
Table 5. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas ' for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
commodity groups, December 1972 index and percent changes from September 1972—Continued
Kansas
City
Group
San
FranciscoOakland
St.
Louis
(Quarterly indexes 1967= 100)
127.7
128.0
126.5
124.4
125.5
126.3
123.7
127. 1
125. 1
117.9
129.5
121.5
135.0
120. 1
133.4
127.7
126. 1
115. 1
132.2
120.5
130.8
123.3
134.0
127.0
126.3
117. 1
130.9
122.3
131. 1
123.4
129.5
126.8
124.4
109. 1
128. 1
120.7
139.5
119.2
133.5
125.9
124. 1
117.8
129.7
127.3
119.6
121.0
131.8
123.9
122.8
112.8
129. 1
116.9
124.6
121.9
127.7
125.0
122.9
120.6
127.3
120.8
127.2
115.9
134.8
Housing
Shelter
Rent
Homeownership Fuel and utilities —
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
134. 3
139.6
118.0
146. 1
127. 3
125.8
130.3
110.4
139.5
123. 6
126.0
132.0
129. 3
133.8
110.8
127.2
132.7
111.5
141.0
118.4
132.2
137.2
130.5
140.6
123.8
123. 2
126. 3
132.5
140.4
113.9
151.5
119. 0
115.5
121.0
123.6
121. 0
115. 3
106.2
114. 7
117.3
118.4
119. 1
120.3
123.2
125.0
109.4
129.4
119.9
6
123.4
121.4
121.3
Apparel and upkeep
Men' s and boys'
Women1 s and girls'
Footwear
121.2
128.7
117.8
116. 3
124. 1
126.7
117.4
135. 1
125. 1
124.5
123.9
134.4
120. 7
114.5
123.8
115. 5
129. 0
124.3
135.3
130.6
124. 1
124.2
126. 1
124. 1
120.5
114.8
122.6
129. 1
Transportation Private
Public
115.5
118.3
79.2
117.9
117.3
121. 6
126.0
118.9
181. 2
123. 1
125.0
113. 0
120. 5
119.2
141.3
122.2
121.5
133.6
Health and recreation Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation —
Other goods and services •
129.8
141.3
125.4
125.6
119.9
130.3
145.6
122. 1
126.9
123.5
128.2
138. 1
129.8
119.6
126.0
122.2
129.9
121. 1
121.6
114.8
125.8
131.8
121.2
118.5
129.9
122.9
129.4
119.2
119.3
119.3
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish* —
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables •
Other food at home —
Food away from home —
7
8
9
10
122.6
120. 5
145.3
124.8
126.7
125.7
120.0
126.9
Quarterly percent changes, September 1972 to December 1972
0. 2
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other food at home
Food away from home
Housing
Shelter
Rent
Homeownership —
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
Apparel and upkeep
Men1 s and boys'
Women' s and girls'
Footwear
Transportation
Private
Public
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care Reading and recreation
Other goods and services -
6
7
8
9
10
See footnote 1, table 2.
Not available.
Revised index: November 1972, 117.8.
Revised index: November 1972, 120. 0.
Change from October 1972.
Revised index: September 1972, 122. 9
Revised index: June 1972, 119. 2; September
Revised index: June 1972, 117. 6; September
Revised index: June 1972, 119.9; September
Revised index: June 1972, 117. 7; September
0.0
0. 1
.7
.6
.2
-.2
2.8
. 1
1.5
1.0
1.0
1. 2
1.5
1. 1
-2.2
3. 0
1. 1
1.0
1.0
-.3
0
3.2
1.0
2.2
.6
2.4
2.7
2.9
.4
1.3
9.6
1.4
1.4
.6
.3
. 3
. 2
2.2
-.3
-.9
.4
-.3
-1. 1
.4
-1.7
1.7
1.3
1. 7
.6
2.4
0
-.5
-1.2
.5
-1.6
1.6
.4
.4
.3
.4
.3
. 1
.5
2.4
.2
.7
.4
.5
.6
0
2.2
-1.3
-.9
.8
.9
.7
.6
.7
1.4
-. 1
-1.4
1.4
.5
2.8
. 4
-.2
-1.2
-. 7
.3
. 6
.2
.6
1.5
-.2
.4
. 3
.3
. 1
-.9
-1.2
1.3
0
0
0
-. 1
-. 1
.5
.6
.9
2.5
. 2
0
1972, 120.2.
1972, 118.9.
1972, 121.7.
1972, 119.6.
16
.6
1.5
. 7
.6
.4
0
.9
-.6
2.3
.9
-.7
. 1
-1.8
-1.4
.2
.3
.6
1.7
-.3
.3
-.2
1.0
1. 1
.4
-. 1
.7
3.7
1.6
.6
0
.2
-.9
.6
1.0
.9
.5
.6
. 3
.7
2.7
1.3
-.9
-2. 1
.4
-2.7
1.0
.4
1.4
.6
-.3
-1. 1
-.6
.9
. 1
. 1
. 1
.9
1.0
2. 7
.5
0
.4
.4
1.7
Table 5-A. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas l for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
commodity groups, 1972 annual average indexes and percent changes, 1971-72
Group
U.S.
city
average
Los
AngelesLong
Beach
Chicago
New YorkNortheastern
New Jersey
Philadelphia
Indexes (1967= 100)
All items (1957-59= 100)
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 —
125.3
145.7
123.5
121. 6
114.7
128. 0
117. 1
125. 0
116.7
131. 1
124.3
141.2
123.9
122.6
115.8
129. 7
116.8
124. 7
117.3
129.0
126.2
145.0
122.9
121.6
115.8
131.2
114.7
118.4
116. 1
128.6
131.4
143.8
128.6
125.5
116.9
131.4
120.4
131.6
118.5
138.6
122.3
156.4
120.4
119.5
111.7
127. 8
115.0
121. 1
114.8
122.7
127.0
148. 3
124.4
121.5
115. 1
127.2
119.4
124.6
115.0
136.4
Housing
Shelter
Rent
Homeownership —
Fuel and utilities —
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
129.2
134.5
119.2
140. 1
120. 1
118.5
120.5
121.0
124. 3
128.6
136.4
142.9
127.2
154.8
124.2
120.4
122.2
126.7
127.
130.
1
1
130.6
139.7
135.5
115.4
113. 7
115.8
116.9
133. 3
143. 1
120.2
147.7
115.5
113.9
117.0
115. 1
133.7
123.9
1
0
143.7
117.5
112.3
122.5
121.9
Apparel and upkeep
Men1 s and boys'
Women1 s and girls'
Footwear
122.3
121.9
123.0
124.9
119.7
116.9
122.6
118. 2
118.3
117.3
115.5
124.8
123.0
121.9
123. 1
124.3
120.0
117.0
123. 1
123.4
120.0
122.0
115.4
126. 1
Transportation Private
Public
119.9
117.5
143.4
124.2
118.4
160.8
116.5
113.9
148.5
133.0
125.2
162.8
117.6
117.6
116.2
125. 1
122. 1
142.6
Health and recreation Medical care
Personal care Reading and recreation —
Other goods and services
126. 1
132.5
119.8
122.8
125.5
127.3
131.5
120.8
123.5
130.5
128.7
141.4
130.9
140.2
130.0
142. 1
124. 1
121.5
127.2
131. 1
120.4
128.7
115.2
113.7
119.2
130.
118.
126. 1
126.2
Percent changes 1971-72
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products •
Fruits and vegetables •
Other foods at home —
Food away from home —
4.3
4.5
.7
9.5
1.6
5.0
.7
4.0
2.9
3.7
3.2
4.6
4.9
4.8
4.7
1. 1
10.2
1. 1
3.0
1.5
4.3
4.8
5. 1
1.0
10.8
1.4
5.3
1.8
4.0
4.5
4.3
1.7
7.8
1.9
5.6
-.3
5.0
3.6
3. 1
-2.2
8.3
.8
4.4
-1.5
5. 1
3.6
3.5
3.8
4.7
4.0
5.8
6.0
7.0
6.6
7.4
6.4
6*2
2.9
1. 1
9.0
3. 1
-1.2
10.6
2.2
5.2
.6
3.2
3.3
3.7
2.8
Housing
Shelter
Rent
Homeownership —
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
3.9
4.4
3.5
4.8
4.4
.9
5. 1
2.5
4.2
3.6
.4
6.0
2. 1
3.9
4.2
3. 3
4.5
4.2
.2
4.9
2.2
Apparel and upkeep
Men' s and boys'
Women' s and girls'
Footwear
2. 1
1.3
2.4
2,8
2.0
-.5
3.3
1.5
2.4
0
3.9
3.5
1.7
.3
1.7
3.4
2. 1
-.7
4.4
3.2
1.7
1.9
. 1
2.3
2.3
2.7
3. 1
.6
10.9
1.6
1.5
2.3
4.3
5.4
2.4
2.4
2.3
2.2
2.6
3.9
3.2
2.4
3.4
3.0
5.8
2.4
1.5
-1.0
-1.3
0
Transportation
Private
Public
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care — —
Reading and recreation —
Other goods and services -
3.2
3.2
2.6
2.9
3.8
3.5
2.4
3.0
3.7
4.8
See footnotes at end of table.
17
3.5
3.2
4.8
3.8
-2.2
6.1
0.7
0.7
-1.2
3.2
Table 5-A. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas ' for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
commodity groups, 1972 annual average indexes and percent changes, 1971-72—Continued
Kansas
City
Group
St.
Louis
San
FranciscoOakland
Indexes (1967= 100)
All items
All items (1957-59= 100)
125.5
144.3
126.3
146.6
124.7
141.5
122.8
132.3
124.0
147. 2
122.3
142.8
124.3
147.9
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 ——
124.4
122.2
117.2
126.0
118.6
132.0
116.9
131.4
124.7
122.8
114.2
127.4
119.2
128.7
118.9
132. 1
124.5
123.5
116.4
127. 1
119.9
129.7
119.3
128. 1
123.2
120.5
106. 1
124.7
118. 3
130.6
117. 3
130.8
123. 6
121. 7
116.9
126.8
126. 2
118.4
116.8
129.7
122.5
120.3
120.0
123.4
119.8
125.5
112. 1
132.5
121.4
120.2
112.4
126.8
115.6
121. 1
117. 1
125. 7
Housing
Shelter
Rent
Homeowner ship
Fuel and utilities Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity •
Household furnishings and operation
131.8
136.8
117.0
142.8
125.2
124.5
129. 1
109.6
138. 1
121.7
124.3
129. 6
127.7
130.9
110. 1
126. 1
131.8
110.7
140.0
115.7
118.5
114.2
104.9
114.5
115.6
117. 6
122.4
124. 7
108.6
129.2
118.0
120.8
120.8
120.3
130.5
135.4
129.2
138.5
121.3
123.0
124.4
130.9
138.5
112.6
149. 3
117.4
115.0
118. 0
122.7
Apparel and upkeep
Men1 s and boys'
Women1 s and girls'
Footwear
118.7
123.7
114.6
116.8
123.8
128.0
117.9
131.4
122.9
123. 6
119.9
131.6
120.5
113.9
124.3
115.3
127.5
124.8
131.9
130.3
120. 3
115.8
122.6
127.0
121.7
121.7
123. 1
122.3
Transportation
Private
Public
113.9
116.2
83.8
116.7
115.9
121.4
123.8
117.7
169.9
123.0
124.8
112.9
118.4
117. 1
139.5
120. 1
117.9
145.3
120.4
119.6
133.9
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation —
Other goods and services
128.3
139.6
124. 1
123.5
119.4
128.4
142.5
121. 1
125.8
121.3
126.8
136.5
125.7
119.2
124.9
121.2
127.5
120.4
121.8
113.9
124.6
129. 1
121.3
117.8
129.5
123. 7
125.8
123.5
118.4
126.8
121.0
127. 1
116. 1
117.5
118.8
118.2
119.0
Percent changes 1971-72
2.9
3.3
3. 1
5. 3
5.7
3.7
11.0
2.5
6.4
1. 7
4.2
3. 1
3.0
-1.8
6.3
1.6
5.4
-.3
3.4
5.2
5.6
3.0
10.5
2.4
6.9
.7
3.7
4.3
4.8
1. 1
7. 1
3.7
4.2
4.3
3. 1
4.2
4.8
1.0
10. 1
3.2
4.8
1.3
2.4
3.8
4.0
.3
9.0
1.8
3.4
1.0
2.8
4.6
5. 1
2.6
9.6
2.3
3.6
2. 3
3. 1
Housing
Shelter
Rent
Homeowner ship
Fuel and utilities —
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
3.8
4.0
2.8
4.3
4.8
3.2
3.4
2.2
3.8
4.4
0
4.9
2. 1
2.7
2.9
1.4
3.4
4.0
3.3
3.6
3.0
4. 1
2.7
3.6
4.4
1.6
5.4
2.5
4.3
4.5
3.0
5.2
6.7
5.2
1.5
.7
2.3
2.0
1.8
2.4
2. 1
.9
2.5
4.0
3.2
5.0
2.2
Apparel and upkeep
Men1 8 and boys'
Women1 s and girls'
Footwear
2.3
3. 3
.3
-.2
-1.3
3.5
.7
2.2
2.5
2.2
2.3
.2
2.5
-1.0
4.8
3.4
1. 0
.2
0
3.9
2. 3
1.9
2.3
2.3
-1. 1
2.4
-39.8
-.7
-1.0
1. 3
3.2
1. 3
13. 3
2.0
1.8
3. 2
0
.4
-6.4
3. 1
2.6
2.7
3.3
3.8
3.0
4.9
2.3
2.4
2. 1
3.6
3.6
4.7
1.6
4.7
2. 5
2.2
2.6
4.0
.6
3.2
3.8
3. 1
2.8
3.3
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish ——
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables •
Other foods at home —
Food away from home —
Transportation
Private
Public
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care Reading and recreation —
Other goods and services
5.5
3.2
See footnote 1, table 2.
18
3.0
2.6
2.0
2. 2
.5
1.6
1.9
1.9
2.6
.2
2.5
3. 2
1.9
3. 0
1. 2
Table 6. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
food and its subgroups, December 1972, and percent changes from November 1972
Food at home
Cereals
and
bakery
products
Total
food
Meats,
poultry,
and fish
Dairy
products
Fruits
and
vegetables
Other
foods
at home
Food
away
from
home
(Indexes 1967= 100)
U. S. city average
126.0
124. 1
115.8
131.2
118.3
127.3
120.2
133.7
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
127. 1
127.7
126. 1
125.4
126.6
127.0
126. 1
125.5
125.4
126.8
128.3
125.9
122.8
123.0
127. 8
130.9
126.8
125. 1
125.0
125.6
123.9
123.4
128.9
125. 1
126. 1
124.5
123.9
125.4
126.3
125.4
122.5
124. 3
124.4
123.8
124. 1
122. 1
121. 1
126. 1
127.6
124.0
123.2
122.9
122.8
122.8
121.8
124.6
117.9
115. 1
116.5
115.8
117.7
117. 1
114.0
113.5
117. 6
109. 1
110.6
117.8
113.4
115.7
122.8
117.5
117. 8
112.5
120.6
113.2
112.8
112.8
119.8
129.5
132.2
132.4
129.2
132.9
130.9
132.8
131. 1
134.0
128. 1
132.2
129.7
130.6
129.7
135.4
133.9
130. 3
129.9
127.3
134.7
129. 1
128.6
126. 1
121.5
120.5
119.2
117.3
118.3
122.3
122.4
110.7
114. 7
120.7
119.3
127. 3
116.0
115.2
120.4
122. 0
120. 1
116.4
120.8
115.2
116.9
117.3
113.5
135. 0
130.8
126.0
130.0
126.6
131. 1
126.7
126.7
120.2
139.5
128.3
119.6
124.9
121.3
124.6
132.6
127. 1
128.3
127.2
121.9
124.6
122.4
135. 1
120. 1
123.3
119.9
120.8
122.0
123.4
121.9
119.5
121.4
119.2
119.9
121. 0
118. 1
115.8
122.4
122. 3
117.8
120.6
115.9
117. 1
121.9
120.4
124.9
133.4
134.0
132.0
133.6
131.4
129.5
130.2
136.5
130.8
133.5
144. 1
131.8
124.5
(2)
135.4
141.4
138.7
136.7
134.8
(2)
127.7
128.5
139.9
Percent changes November 1972 to December 1972
U. S. city average
0.5
0.6
Atlanta
Baltimore
Bo ston
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
.0
.6
.2
.5
.5
.6
.4
.5
.6
1.6
.4
.6
.4
.3
1. 0
.2
.6
1.0
.6
.2
.6
.7
-.2
-. 1
.6
.2
.6
.6
.6
.4
.6
.6
1.8
.5
.6
.5
.4
1.2
.2
.6
1. 1
.5
.2
.7
1.0
-.2
1
2
.3
1.5
.5
1. 1
1.6
.7
2. 2
.4
.5
3.0
.2
.5
.8
.5
.3
-. 3
1.5
1. 2
.2
.4
.5
. 1
.9
See footnote 1, table 2.
Not available.
19
-0.2
0.5
0.6
1.8
-1.4
.2
-. 7
-.9
-.2
.4
-. 3
-.5
-.6
.3
.6
.5
-. 3
-.6
.7
. 1
.2
.9
-.3
-.4
.2
.3
-.9
.2
.6
.5
.5
-. 1
1.0
.2
.5
.3
.9
-.3
.6
.2
-. 3
1.9
1.4
-. 1
. 1
. 1
-. 1
-. 1
. 1
.2
-.5
-.4
-.9
2.4
.6
-.5
-2.5
.7
1.9
4.9
-.4
-.7
.6
.9
1.9
-1.4
.0
.7
.9
-.5
1.2
2.4
-2.4
1.5
1.9
2.3
1.0
2.3
2.2
3.0
2.4
2.2
1.4
1.6
1.7
1. 7
1.9
1.2
1.5
2. 1
2.0
2. 1
2.3
2.4
2.0
1.6
.3
.2
.5
.7
.8
(2)
.2
.0
Table 7. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
food items, December 1972 indexes and percent changes from selected dates
(1967= 100)
Percent change to December 1972 fron
Item and group
Unadjusted
Food away from home
Restaurant meals Snacks
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Flour
Cracker meal
Corn flakes
Rice
Bread, white
~
Bread, whole wheat
Cookies
Layer cakes
Cinnamon rolls
Meats, poultry, and fish
Meats
Beef and veal
Steak, round
Steak, sirloin
Steak, porterhouse
Rump roast •» - •• -'
Rib roast
Chuck roast —
Hamburger
Beef liver
Veal cutlets •
Pork
Chops
Loin roast —
Pork sausage
Ham, whole —
Picnics
Bacon
Other meats
Lamb chops Frankfurters
Ham, canned
Bologna sausage
Salami sausage —
Liverwurst
Poultry
Frying chicken
Chicken breasts
Turkey
Fish
Shrimp, frozen
Fish, fresh or frozen
Tuna fish, canned ——
Sardines, canned
Dairy products
Milk, fresh, grocery •—
Milk, fresh, delivered
Milk, fresh, skim
Milk, evaporated
Ice cream
Cheese, American process
Butter
126. 0
133. 7
133.9
132. 7
124. 1
115.8
103. 1
136. 1
99. 1
111.3
114. 3
121.4
110. 9
120. 1
123. 1
131.2
132.5
136.8
133.3
130.2
133.7
132.4
136.9
134.6
138.5
134. 1
165.0
128.4
128.3
128.6
136.8
125. 6
126.9
125. 7
129.3
131.5
129. 0
125.0
134.3
131.9
124. 1
110. 2
109.2
113. 8
111.7
148.6
140.8
165.2
135.7
152.6
118.3
117.0
121.7
123.4
121.7
106.2
127. 6
105.4
See footnotes at end of table.
December 1971
December 1972
20
beasonally
adjusted
126.
133.
133.
132.
124.
116.
103.
136.
98.
3
7
8
7
6
0
7
6
9
4
5
2
2
9
7
8
2
0
4
5
0
1
9
8
6
111.
114.
121.
111.
119.
123.
132.
134.
139.
136.
133.
137.
135.
137.
136.
139.
134. 9
167. 0
130. 5
131. 5
131. 0
138. 5
123. 9
127. 4
129. 1
129. 7
132. 3
129. 6
125. 4
134. 7
132. 0
124. 6
112. 9
112. 6
114. 8
113. 1
148. 7
141. 4
165. 7
136. 1
151. 8
118. 2
116.9
121. 5
123. 3
122. 1
105. 9
127. 9
105.
Unadjusted
4.7
4.2
4.6
2.4
5.0
1.8
2.6
3.2
-3.8
1.2
2.6
2.4
1.5
-.6
3.9
10.3
11.3
6.9
5.5
3.7
4.9
6.4
3.9
4.4
7.3
17.0
11.5
19.8
15.4
17.2
22.8
18.6
14.0
29.2
10.9
5. 7
12.0
16.0
11.8
12.4
8.8
2.5
2.8
3.6
.3
11.6
16.9
15.8
5.4
8.3
1.9
1.6
2.7
2. 7
.9
-.9
4.5
0
November 1972
usted
0.5
.3
.3
.2
.6
.7
1.6
.4
-.6
1.4
1.0
.4
.7
0
.8
-.2
-.3
-. 7
-.7
1.5
1.3
-.4
.4
0
-.4
-.6
1.6
-.2
1.3
1.4
-.4
4.4
-.5
-.2
.3
-.6
-.5
2.4
.5
-.3
.6
0
.3
-.5
-.8
.4
-.6
.9
.7
.6
.5
.6
.4
.6
.4
-.5
.9
-. 1
Seasonally
adjusted
0.0
.5
.5
.3
0
.8
2. 1
.5
-. 7
1.3
1.2
.6
.3
-.3
1.2
. 1
.3
0
.7
-.6
-.4
.7
.1
.3
-.2
-.3
-1. 1
.5
-.4
-.5
1.3
2.4
-.8
1.3
.5
-.4
0
2.7
.6
-.3
.6
.6
.7
-.9
1.3
.2
-.8
.6
.4
.3
.5
.8
.3
.5
.8
-.7
.9
0
Table 7. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
food items, December 1972 indexes and percent changes from selected dates—Continued
Percent change to December 1972 from—
Item and group
Unadjusted
Fruits and vegetables •
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits
Apples • —<
1
Bananas —
•"
Oranges Orange juice, fresh
Grapefruit
Grapes Strawberries
Watermelon
Fresh vegetables •
Potatoes
Onions
Asparagus
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Peppers, green
Spinach
Tomatoes •
Processed fruits and vegetables
Fruit cocktail, canned
Pears, canned
Pineapple-grapefruit juice drink 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, can and bag ——
Coffee, instant
Tea
Carbonated drink, cola flavored
Carbonated
flavored
vjax kiuiiciirCU. drink,
u i lilts., fruit
ix uj.i u
avuicu
••-»*!..
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
j. u i i x a k u c o
•"
•
™
™
Pretzels
w—————•
127. 3
130.6
120.5
117.3
97.3
119.8
131.3
130.5
Seasonally
adjusted
129. 5
134.9
130. 3
134.8
103.8
119. 7
131.0
148.6
Unadjusted
2.3
1.9
7.4
14.9
5.5
-6.7
.6
8.2
(M
138.9
136.3
143.5
(M
126.0
144. 5
136.0
110. 0
149. 5
120.2
145. 0
146.2
122.4
123.3
120.5
116.3
136. 1
119.3
127.4
107. 2
119.4
141.0
118.8
120.2
128.0
116.7
109.6
119.2
121.4
116.5
126.2
130.9
111. 1
123. 1
123. 1
124.3
109.8
129. 1
128. 0
115. 7
116.6
104.8
122.2
112.8
111. 9
109.8
129.9
115.0
Priced only in season.
December 1971
December 1972
21
ft
137.5
145.2
153.8
(!)
127.0
140. 7
137.8
106. 3
129.3
122.3
143. 1
119.4
122.2
122.6
120.6
116.2
136.8
118. 5
127.7
106. 6
119.3
140. 7
118.9
118.8
118. 1
116.4
109. 7
119.7
121.4
116.6
126. 1
130.2
111.5
123.3
123.3
124. 1
110. 0
129.5
128.4
115.8
116.7
104.9
122.0
113. 1
112. 3
109.6
129. 6
115.2
November 1972
Unadjusted
0.6
.8
-1.7
3.9
-2.7
-7.2
.5
-4. 7
!
()
-1.7
21.3
36.0
(!)
-20.4
7. 7
-15.7
-12. 1
-13.6
-18.9
3.6
-13.5
3.0
2.6
3.4
1. 7
.4
2. 1
8.9
-1.3
3.7
5.9
.8
3. 1
15.8
-1.2
-3.5
1. 1
2.6
3.8
-.3
-1.4
2.2
3.9
-.6
3.6
1.6
. 1
2. 1
1.7
-.9
4.0
1.6
2.4
-1.2
7.2
.4
2.8
,8
1.8
7., 4
1.,6
12., 1
7. 9
-1. 0
2. 7
- 1 . .7
2
2
_. 2
3
_ 2
0
1. 1
- # .5
8
4
4
I! 8
12. 7
_^ 3
_# 1
_# 2
2
Seasonally
adjusted
-0.9
-1.2
.5
. 3
. 3
-1.3
.8
-2.0
(')
C)1
I)
-3.8
-. 1
1. 7
(')
-7. 0
-. 7
1.4
-7.8
2.8
-13.8
-.8
-23. 1
. 1
-. 2
-. 1
. 2
. 1
-.8
1.3
-.6
.5
. 1
.2
.5
3.4
-.9
-. 1
-. 1
.2
6
3
1
2
2
2
.3
.4
.5
.4
6
3
_, 2
2
3
1
1
2
4
4
2
0
. 1
.3
-.2
0
. 2
.5
.4
.2
.9
-.2
Table 7-A. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
food items 1972 annual average indexes and percent changes from 1971 to 1972
(1967= 100)
Item and group
Irn—
Indexes
(1967= 100)
.verage
Food away from home
Restaurant meals —
Snacks
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Flour
Cracker meal
Corn flakes —
Rice
Bread, white
Bread, whole whe
Cookies
Layer cakes
Cinnamon rolls —
Meats, poultry, and fish
Meats
Beef and veal
Steak, round
Steak, sirloin
Steak, porterhouse
Rump roast
Rib roast
Chuck roast
Hamburger
Beef liver
Veal cutlets
Pork
Chops
Loin roast —
Pork sausage
Ham, whole —
Picnics
Bacon
Other meats
Lamb chops
Frankfurters
Ham, canned
Bologna sausage
Salami sausage —
Liverwurst
Poultry
Frying chicken
Chicken breasts
Turkey
Fish
Shrimp, frozen •
Fish, fresh or frozen
Tuna fish, canned
Sardine 8, canned
Dairy products
Milk, fresh, grocery —Milk, fresh, delivered
Milk, fresh, skim
Milk, evaporated
Ice cream
Cheese, American process
Butter
1972
•verage
123.5
131. 1
131. 1
131.2
121.6
114.7
100.4
135.3
100.6
109.9
113. 0
120. 1
110. 2
120.0
120.7
128.0
129.2
136.6
134. 2
132. 1
134.7
133.0
138. 1
136. 2
137.4
129.4
161.6
121.6
123.7
123.3
128.4
114.9
123.9
116.9
124.0
129.3
124.7
115.2
129. 1
126.0
119.6
110.4
109.6
113. 1
111.8
141.9
134.9
152.3
133.0
147. 3
117. 1
116.3
120.3
121.9
120.0
106.5
124.7
105.3
118.4
126. 1
125.8
127.5
116.4
113.9
101.0
129.8
107.3
109.4
112.3
117.5
108.7
120. 1
118.2
116.9
116.7
124.9
123.5
122. 8
124. 1
122.4
126.2
124.4
126.2
113. 7
141. 7
105.0
107.4
106.6
111.4
103.9
108.0
96.6
115.6
121.5
115. 1
107. 2
118.8
116.3
114. 3
109.0
108.5
109.5
111. 1
130.2
117.6
140.2
128.4
134. 7
115.3
114. 6
117.6
119.7
118.6
106.2
121.0
105.8
22
Percent change to 1972 fron
1971 average
4.3
4.0
4.2
2.9
4.5
.7
-.6
4.2
-6.2
.5
.6
2.2
1.4
-. 1
2. 1
9.5
10.7
9.4
8.7
7.6
8.5
8.7
9.4
9.5
8.9
13.8
14.0
15.8
15.2
15.7
15.3
10.6
14.7
21.0
7.3
6.4
8.3
7.5
8.7
8.3
4.6
1.3
1.0
3.3
.6
9.0
14.7
8.6
3.6
9.4
1.6
1.5
2.3
1.8
1.2
.3
3. 1
-.5
Table 7-A. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
food items 1972 annual average indexes and percent changes from 1971 to 1972—Continued
(1967= 100)
Item and group
Fruits and vegetables Fresh fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits
Appl e s
Bananas
Oranges Orange juice, fresh •
Grapefruit
Grapes
Strawberries
Watermelon
•
Fresh vegetables
Potatoes
Onions
Asparagus
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Peppers, green
Spinach
Processed fruits and vegetables Fruit cocktail, canned
Pears, canned
Pineapple-grapefruit juice
drink
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, can and bag
—
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
Indexe s
(1967= 100)
Percent change to 1972 fron
1971 average
1971
average
1972
average
119. 1
121. 0
117. 5
114.2
95.5
125.5
124.3
135.7
143.8
114. 1
141.7
123.9
117.3
104.4
131. 0
122. 2
129.9
118.5
120. 1
124. 1
142.9
129. 2
131.8
116.2
117. 9
116.7
125.0
128. 0
123.9
121. 6
101. 6
125.4
130. 8
144.8
163.0
112.5
130.0
131.5
126.6
128.8
141.8
129. 3
135.5
143.4
122. 1
124.7
136. 9
139.6
132.7
120. 5
121.7
118.3
113.6
115. 3
1.5
127.2
136.0
6.9
113.9
115. 1
106.6
115.6
122.8
117. 7
115.9
108.4
117.4
122.0
107.7
116.6
137.9
118.5
116.7
107.7
3. 1
6.0
1.0
.9
12.3
.7
.7
116.0
109.3
120. 1
119.3
112.5
119.3
130.9
113.2
121.6
121.8
124.7
107.6
117.6
110. 0
121.4
120.9
115.0
124.8
130. 7
111.8
121.3
119.4
124. 1
108.7
1.4
.6
1. 1
1.3
2.2
4.6
-.2
-1.2
-.2
-2.0
-.5
1. 0
5.0
5.8
5.4
6.5
6.4
-. 1
5.2
6.7
13.4
-1.4
-8.3
6. 1
7.9
23.4
8.2
5.8
4.3
21.0
1.7
.5
-4.2
8.0
.7
3.7
3.2
1.4
-.6
125.9
128.3
126.4
128.0
112.7
114. 1
106.4
117.3
110.8
114.7
116. 1
105. 3
119.6
112. 1
1.8
1.8
-1.0
2.0
1.2
110. 1
110.9
117.4
113. 1
110.9
110. 6
125.5
115.0
.7
-.3
6.9
1.7
23
Table 8. Consumer P r i c e Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
indexes for selected i t e m s and groups, December 1972 and percent changes from selected dates
(1967= 100)
Item and group
Other
index
base
Housing
Rent, residential
Homeowner ship 2
Mortgage interest rates
Property taxes
Property insurance premiums
Maintenance and repairs
Maintenance and repair c o m m o d i t i e s 3
Exterior house paint — • "••• > ——
Interior house paint
Maintenance and repair s e r v i c e s
Repainting living and dining rooms
Reshingling house roof
Residing house
Replacing sink
Repairing furnance
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal —^Fuel oil, No. 2 Gas and electricity
Gas
*
Electricity Other utilities:
Residential telephone
Residential water and sewerage s e r v i c e s Household furnishings and operation 4 —— —
Housefurnishings •—-• • <
•
——
Textiles
=
—
Sheets
Curtains
>—
Bedspreads
Drapery fabric
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, m a t t r e s s and box springs
Aluminum folding chairs
—
Cribs
.
—Floor coverings
Broadloom carpeting, manrnade fibers
Vinyl sheet goods
•' ' —
••- •
Vinyl asbestos tile
Appliances (excluding radio and T. V.) •
Washing machines, electric, automatic •
Vacuum cleaners, canister type
Refrigerators or 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 t y p e Electric drills, hand-held
Housekeeping supplies:
Laundry soaps and detergents
=—
Paper napkins •••••• •-•
•
-..,,..,.. ,-,
Toilet t i s s u e
Housekeeping s e r v i c e s :
Domestic s e r v i c e s , general housework
Baby sitter s e r v i c e s
•
-•—*-Postal charges —•
'••''•
<
Laundry, flatwork, finished service - —
Licensed day care services, preschool
child
Washing machine repairs
Dec. 71
Mar. 70
Dec. 71
See footnotes at end of table.
24
ercent change to December 1972
from:
November
1971
1972
1972
1972
130.8
136.2
120. 5
142.0
117.5
149.6
123.7
142.9
126. 7
117.7
117.9
149.8
162.8
157.3
137.6
148.2
153.9
121.7
119.3
117.0
122.2
124.6
120.0
131.2
136.8
121. 0
142.6
117. 5
150.6
125.0
144.2
127.3
118. 1
118.9
151.5
163.7
158.6
138.7
150.4
157.4
121. 9
119.4
117.0
122.5
125. 1
120. 2
3.5
4.0
3.5
4. 1
-.9
9.4
2. 1
4.9
5.4
1. 1
3.0
4.8
6.3
4.6
4. 1
4. 7
4.8
3.7
114.9
141.6
122. 1
117. 1
115. 1
118. 0
112.9
113.5
123.9
108. 3
113.8
121.9
105.7
121.2
101.7
104.9
98.3
118. 0
105.2
115.0
141. 7
122.3
117.3
115.4
119.0
113.2
113.9
124.6
107.4
114. 1
122. 1
105.8
121.2
101.6
105. 2
98.7
118. 2
105.2
5.0
3.9
2. 3
1.7
2. 0
2. 1
2.4
4.7
4.6
-2.5
.8
1.7
1. 1
1.4
1.6
1.6
-1. 3
1. 1
. 1
. 1
.2
. 2
. 3
.8
.3
.4
.6
-.8
.3
. 2
. 1
0
-. 1
. 3
.4
. 2
0
119.0
106.6
101.4
119.5
118. 1
109.9
110. 7
103.7
120.2
106.6
101.4
119. 1
118. 1
109.9
110.8
103.8
1. 2
0
-.7
2.2
.6
.4
.7
.2
1. 0
0
0
-.3
0
0
. 1
. 1
108. 3
111.0
115.2
108.4
111. 0
114.8
. 1
-. 3
1.6
. 1
0
-.3
109. 1
111. 1
109.4
111. 0
.5
.5
.3
-. 1
126.7
129.4
126.3
126.6
129.8
126.4
6.0
6.6
3.8
-. 1
.3
. 1
111.4
133. 5
125.7
111. 5
134.4
125.6
. 6
4.5
1.5
. 1
.7
-. 1
141.5
138.5
146.6
140.4
141.6
139. 3
146.6
140.9
4.0
4.9
0
3.4
. 1
.6
125.6
142.7
125.8
143.6
5.4
3.9
.2
.6
1. 1
.5
3.6
3.8
3.6
0.3
.4
.4
.4
0
. 7
1. 1
.9
.5
.3
.8
1. 1
.6
1.5
2. 3
.2
. 1
0
.2
.4
.2
Table 8. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
indexes for selected items and groups, December 1972 and percent changes from selected dates—Continued
Item and group
Other
index
base
Apparel and upkeep
Apparel commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
^— —
Men1 s and boys' — ,
...-,
Men' s:
Topcoats, wool or all-weather coats,
polyester blends
Suits, year round weight
Suits, tropical weight —— - • ••
—
• >•—
Jackets, lightweight
Slacks, wool or wool blends
Slacks, cotton or manmade blends
Trousers, work, cotton or polyester/ cotton Shirts, work, cotton or polyester/cotton
Shirts, business, polyester /cotton —
T-shirts, chiefly cotton
Socks, cotton or manmade fibers
Handkerchiefs, cotton or polyester/cotton Boys' :
Coats, all purpose, cotton or cotton blends
Sport coats, wool or wool blends
Dungarees, cotton or cotton blends
—
Under shorts, cotton
—
-•—•
Women' s and girls'
—
—• -•'
- Women' s:
Coats, heavy weight, wool or wool blends —
Car coats, heavyweight, cotton ~
Sweaters, wool or acrylic
Skirts, wool, wool blend or manmade
fibers
Skirts, cotton or polyester/cotton
• •
Blouses, cotton or manmade fibers
Dresses, street, chiefly manmade fibers
Slips, nylon
=
Panties, acetate or nylon tricot
• • Girdles, manmade blend —•- •—•
•
Brassieres, nylon lace
Hose or panty hose, nylon seamless
Anklets, or knee-length socks, various
fibers
Gloves, fabric, nylon or cotton
Handbags, rayon faille or plastic
Girls' :
Raincoats, vinyl, cotton, or polyester
blends
<
Skirts, wool, wool blends or acrylic —
Dresses, cotton, manmade fibers or
blends
Slacks, cotton or chiefly cotton —
Slips, polyester blends
Miscellaneous apparel:
Diapers, cotton gauze or disposable
Yard goods, cotton
Wrist watches, mens and womens
Footwear
Men1 s:
Shoes, street
Shoes, work, high
Women' s:
Shoes, street, pump —
Shoes, evening, pump •
Shoes, casual
Houseslippers, scuff Children' s:
Shoes, oxford
Sneakers, boys' , oxford type
•
Dress shoes, girls' , strap or pump
Apparel services:
Drycleaning, men' s suits and women4 s dresses
Automatic laundry service ———
Laundry, men1 s shirts
Tailoring charges, hem adjustment
Shoe repairs, women1 s heel lift
See footnotes at end of table.
25
Indexes
from:
December
1971
November
November
1972
December
1972
125. 0
125.6
125.3
124. 8
125.0
125.5
125.2
124.8
2.6
2.7
2.5
2.6
132.4
133.5
130.8
134.3
5.3
2. 1
114.0
116. 1
143.2
115.3
115.8
112.8
118.2
115.6
117. 1
114.3
116.4
142.0
115.2
116.0
113.5
118.5
116.2
117.0
0
-.3
5.4
1. 1
1.3
-.8
.3
.3
.8
.3
.3
-.8
-. 1
.2
.6
.3
.5
-. 1
128.0
122.7
128.9
120.5
126.5
127. 1
121.6
129.7
120.7
126.4
7.4
.2
3. 1
.9
2.6
-.7
-.9
.6
.2
-. 1
136. 1
137.0
129.5
134.5
136.2
124.4
6.7
6.0
. 7
-1.2
-.6
-3.9
146.2
147.2
3.6
.7
125.6
132.2
110.6
118.8
118.2
123.8
95.3
124.7
133.4
110.5
118.8
118. 2
123.7
95.0
2.5
2.5
-.6
2.2
. 1
. 2
-3,4
-.7
.9
-. 1
0
0
-. 1
-.3
114. 2
110.8
147. 7
114.8
110.8
148.3
-1.4
.9
7.3
.5
0
.4
115.2
119.5
114.6
119. 1
-3.9
9.7
-.5
-.3
124.2
140. 1
110. 1
125.3
140.9
109.8
14.6
7.0
-1.9
.9
.6
-.3
116.9
119. 3
117. 1
127. 1
116.9
118.7
117.3
127.3
3.2
-2.6
3. 1
3.4
0
-.5
.2
.2
126.8
126.0
127.5
127. 1
5.4
5.4
128.8
123. 6
128.0
126.7
128.4
123.6
128.3
126.9
2.6
2. 1
2.0
2.8
-.3
0
.2
.2
129. 3
125.2
130.5
130.0
124.9
130.2
4.8
3.8
1.4
.5
-.2
-.2
118.4
115.7
123.9
135.5
118.5
118.8
115. 7
125.0
135.5
118.9
1.5
1.6
3.8
3. 0
4. 5
1972
0.0
-. 1
-. 1
0
-1.2
.6
.6
.9
.3
0
.9
0
.3
Table 8. Consumer P r i c e Index—United States city average fo: urban wage e a r n e r s and clerical workers,
indexes for selected items and groups, December 1972 and per ent changes from selected dates—Continued
Item and group
Other
index
base
Indexes
from:
December
1971
November
1972
December
1972
Transportation Private 7
Automobile
Automobiles, used
Gasoline, regular and premium
Motor oil, premium
Tires, new, tubeless
Auto r e p a i r s and maintenance 8
Auto insurance rates
Auto registration
Parking fees, private and municipal
Public
Local transit fares
Taxicab fares
Railroad fares, coach
Airplane fares, chiefly coach
Bus fares, intercity
112.4
119. 0
110. 2
116. 0
110. 1
124. 5
114.6
136.6
139.8
127. 7
148.8
144. 1
150. 8
1.33. 7
122.0
131. 9
142. 1
121.3
118. 9
110.6
115. 0
110.2
124. 7
114.8
136. 8
139.6
127. 7
149.4
144.5
150. 8
135. 6
122.2
132. 1
144. 0
2.4
2.2
.2
7. 3
2. 7
2.3
-3.0
3. 7
-1.3
3.2
8.7
3.4
4.4
2. 1
-4.7
1.9
5.8
-0. 1
-. 1
.4
-.9
. 1
. 2
. 2
. 1
-. 1
0
.4
.3
0
1. 4
.2
.2
1.3
Health and recreation —
Medical care
Drugs and prescriptions
Over-the-counter items
Multiple vitamin concentrates
Aspirin compounds
Liquid tonics
Cold tablets or capsules
Adhesive bandages, packages
Cough syrup •
Prescriptions
Anti-infective s
Sedatives and hypnotics
Ataractics
Anti-spas mo dies
Cough preparations
Cardiovasculars and antihypertensives
Analgesics, internal
Anti-obesity
Hormones
Professional services:
Physicians' fees
General physician, office visits
General physician, house visits
Obste
Pediatric care, office visits
Psychiatrist, office visits
Herniorrhaphy, adult
Tonsillectomy and adenonidectomy
Dentists 1 fees
Filling, adult, amalgam, one surface
Extractions, adult
Dentures, full upper
Other professional services:
Examination, prescription, and dispensing of
eyeglasses
Routine laboratory tests, urinalysis
Hospital service charges
Semiprivate rooms
Operating room charges
X-ray, diagnostic series, upper G. I —
Laboratory t e s t s , urinalysis
Anti-infectives, tetracyline, HCL —
Tranquilizer, chlordiazepoxid, HCL and i leprobate
Electrocardiogram
Intravenous solution, saline
Physical therapy, whirlpool bath
Oxygen, inhalation therapy — — .—
Personal care
Toilet goods
Toothpaste, standard dentifric
Toilet soap, hard milled
Hand lotions, liquid
Shaving cream, aerosol —
Face powder, pressed
Deodorants, aerosol
Cleansing tissues
Home permanent wave kits
Personal care services Men1 s haircuts
Beauty shop services
Women1 s haircut Shampoo and wave sets, plain
Permanent waves, cold
127.4
134. 1
105. 6
111. 7
95. 3
117. 1
101. 1
114. 3
125.0
113. 7
100.5
72. 7
127.8
103.5
108. 0
132. 0
112. 1
109.9
117.2
92. 7
125.7
134.4
105. 6
111. 7
94.9
117. 0
100. 9
114. 2
125.2
114.2
100. 5
72.6
127.9
103. 5
108.0
132. 0
112. 1
110. 1
117. 0
92.6
2.9
3. 3
0
1.4
-. 2
2.6
. 1
1.2
.9'
2. 6
-1. 2
-8.2
2.5
.9
0
3.8
0
1. 7
-.3
-2. 3
0
0
-.4
-. 1
-. 2
-. 1
. 2
.4
0
-. 1
. 1
0
0
0
0
. 2
-.2
-. 1
134. 8
135. 7
138.0
134. 6
137.8
130. 8
129.2
130.4
133. 5
135.2
133.3
130.2
135.4
136.6
138.8
134. 6
137. 8
131. 7
129. 6
130. 5
133.7
135. 5
133.3
130.2
2.4
2.5
3. 1
2.3
1.8
3.5
2.5
1.4
2.8
3. 2
2.9
2. 0
126.3
121.3
103. 0
176. 0
172.9
130. 1
102. 2
99. 1
101.8
103.5
102.4
102. 7
101.9
121.0
117. 7
109. 7
123.3
127. 5
107.4
139.0
103.8
121. 7
109. 7
124.4
126.6
122.9
124. 6
126.7
113. 1
126. 3
121. 3
103.2
176. 3
173. 1
130. 1
102. 7
99.4
101. 9
104. 0
102.8
102.8
102.4
121.5
117.9
109.5
123. 3
127.3
107. 6
139.3
104. 6
122. 2
109. 8
125.2
127. 2
123.9
126.4
127.4
113.6
2.8
2.3
(9)
5. 0
6.5
2.5
(9)
(9
(9)
(9)
(9)
(9)
(9)
3. 1
2. 7
. 2
3. 0
5.7
.3
14.2
-1.2
. 3
-1.6
3. 3
2.7
3.9
5.4
3.9
2. 1
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
72
72
72
72
72
72
72
See footnotes at end of table.
26
November
1972
. 1
. 2
.4
. 7
.6
0
0
.
.
.
.
.
7
3
1
1
2
0
0
0
0
. 2
.2
. 1
0
. 5
.3
. 1
.5
.4
. 1
.5
.4
.2
-. 2
0
-.2
.2
. 2
.8
.4
. 1
.6
.5
.8
1.4
.6
. 4
Table 8. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
indexes for selected items and groups, December 1972 and percent changes from selected dates—Continued
(1967= 100)
Other
index
base
Item and group
Reading and recreation
Recreational goods
TV
_ . sets,, ,portabl and console
TV replacement tubes
Radios, portable and table ] lodel
Tape recorders, portable
Phonograph records, stereophonic —
Movie cameras, super 8, zoom lens
Film, 35mm, color
Golf balls, liquid center or solid core
Basketballs, rubber or vinyl cover
Fishing rods, fresh-water spincasting
Bowling balls
Bicycle, boys'
Tricycles
Dog food, canned or boxed
Recreational
5 admissions
Adult Childre
Drive-in movie adm
Bowling fees, evening
Golf green fees —
TV repair, color picture tube ^placemen
Film developing, color
Reading and education:
Newspapers,
street sale
and delivery
delivery
iNewspapers, street
sdie ana
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
Whiskey, spirit blended and straight bourbon
Wine, dessert and table
Beer
r>eer away
away from
irom home
nome -—————————.. ...
Financial and miscellaneous personal expenses:
Funeral services, adult
Bank service charges, checking accounts
Legal services, short form will
1972
1972
124. 1
108. 2
99. 3
107.4
88.6
108. 1
105. 5
126. 0
108.0
114.2
117. 6
114.9
111.4
129.4
141. 9
140. 6
145. 6
147. 9
122. 1
(5)
98.5
116. 1
124. 0
107. 9
99. 0
133.4
99.2
94. 5
108. 0
88.2
108. 1
105. 1
126. 0
108. 1
114. 2
116. 7
114.4
110. 7
129.3
142. 1
140.8
145. 9
146. 6
122.0
(5)
98. 7
116. 1
133.2
134. 1
125.2
126.4
134.3
136.0
136. 3
111. 1
120.4
114. 1
108.8
128. 3
132.7
133.4
134. 1
125.0
126. 5
134.2
135.0
136.2
111.3
120. 5
114.4
109.0
128. 3
132. 6
2. 1
7.4
2.9
2.8
3.9
4. 1
3.9
1.6
1.8
.5
1.9
2.6
3.0
-.2
.1
-. 1
-. 1
-. 1
.2
.1
.3
.2
0
-. 1
122. 3
106.9
152. 6
122.7
106.5
153. 0
2.9
-2. 7
8.2
. 3
-.4
. 3
133. 2
99. 2
94. 3
—
••• —
Percent change to December 1972
from:
December
November
1971
1972
2.4
.6
-1.3
7. 0
-.6
-. 1
.2
-2. 3
1. 1
3. 0
2.0
.5
2. 3
3.0
2.5
4.9
2.9
0
-.8
-.4
-.6
-. 1
.1
.1
.2
-.9
-. 1
5
1
Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Also includes home purchase costs not shown separately.
Also includes pine shelving, furance filters, packaged dry cement mix, and shrubbery not shown separately.
4
Also incudes Venetian blinds, nails, carpet sweepers, air deodorizers, steel wool scouring pads, envelopes,
expenses.
5
Priced only is season.
6
Also includes men' s sport shirts, women' s and girls' lightweight coats, women1 s slacks, cocktail dresses,
earrnings, and zippers not shown separately.
7
Also includes recapped tires and drivers1 license fees not shown separately.
8
Includes prices for water pump replacement, motor tune-up, automatic transmission repair, exhaust system
and chassis lubrication.
9
Not available.
10
Also includes outboard motors, nondurable toys, college tuition fees, paperback books, and college textbooks,
2
3
27
reupholstering,
bathing suits,
repair,
and moving
girls'
shorts,
front end alignment,
not shown separately.
Table 8-A. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
1972 annual average indexes for selected items and groups and percent changes from previous year
(1967= 100)
Item and group
Other
index
bases
Percent change from
1971 to 1972
Housing
Rent, residential
Home owner ship 2
Mortgage interest rates
Property taxes
Property insurance premiums
Maintenance and repairs
Maintenance and repair commodities
Exterior house paint
Interior house paint
Maintenance and repair services
Repainting living and dining rooms
Re shingling 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 operation4
Housefurnishings •
Textiles
Curtains, tailored
Bedspreads
Drapery fabric
Pillows, bed
Slipcovers and throws, ready made
Furniture and bedding
Bedroom furniture, chest and dresser
Sofas, upholstered
Cocktail tables
Dining room chairs
Re diners, upholstered
Sofas, dual purpose
Bedding, mattress and box springs •
Aluminum folding charis
Cribs
Floor coverings
Broadloom carpeting, manmade fibers Vinyl sheet goods
Vinyl asbestos tile
Appliances (excluding radio and T. V.)
Washing machines, electric, automatic •
Vacuum cleaners, canister type
Refrigerators or refrigerator-freezers,
electric
Ranges, free standing, gas or electric
Clothes dryer, 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 housew >rk
Baby sitter services
Postal charges
Laundry, flatwork, finished service
Licensed day care services, preschool
child
Washing machine repairs
Dec. 71
Mar. 70
Dec. 71
See footnotes at end of table.
28
124.3
128.8
115.2
133.7
120.4
131. 1
119.9
133.7
119.0
115.9
114.5
140.0
148. 3
144.8
130.6
140.6
144.3
115.0
117.5
116. 1
114.7
116.2
113.2
129.2
134.5
119.2
140. 1
117.5
145.7
123.2
140.7
124. 1
117.7
117. 1
147.9
159.4
155.5
135.7
146.4
153.3
120. 1
118.5
116.6
120.5
122.3
118.9
3.9
4.4
3.5
4.8
-2.4
11. 1
2.8
5.2
4.3
1.6
2.3
5.6
7.5
7.4
3.9
4. 1
6.2
4.4
.9
.4
5. 1
5.2
5.0
107.5
133.4
118. 1
114.3
111. 6
113.9
110. 0
107.8
118.4
107.6
111.8
119. 1
103.6
117. 5
(5)
103.0
(5)
116.4
103.4
115.8
117.9
106.3
102.3
114.7
116.6
109. 1
109.4
103.8
113.5
138.5
121. 0
116.2
113.6
115. 1
112. 1
110.5
122.6
107.2
114.0
121. 1
105. 1
120.4
100.7
104. 3
98.5
117. 1
104.7
124. 7
118.6
106.5
101.5
118.0
118.0
109.7
110. 5
103.8
5.6
3.8
2.5
1.7
1.8
1. 1
1.9
2.5
3.5
-.4
2.0
1.7
1.4
2.5
108. 1
111. 0
112.4
110. 2
108. 1
110. 1
108. 1
110.9
114.2
110. 7
108.7
111.0
0
-. 1
1.6
.5
.6
117. 8
120.4
121. 0
116.4
106.7
124. 1
124.8
123.8
119.3
106.5
5.3
3. 7
2.3
2.5
-. 2
109.8
126.7
123.6
111.2
131. 1
124.9
1.3
3.5
1. 1
133.8
130.0
138. 1
133.3
139. 1
136.3
146.6
138.7
4.0
4.8
6.2
4. 1
118.2
135.3
122.5
140.7
3.6
4.0
5
.6
1.3
7.7
.6
.2
-.8
2.9
1.2
.5
1.0
0
Table 8-A. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
1972 annual average indexes for selected items and groups and percent changes from previous year—Continued
(1967= 100)
Other
index
bases
Item and group
Percent change from
1971 to 1972
Apparel and upkeep6
Apparel commodities
Apparel1 commodities less footwear
Men s and boys' —
Men' s:
Topcoats, wool or all-weather coats,
polyester blends •
Suits, year round weight
Suits, tropical weight
Jackets, lightweight Slacks, wool or wool blends
Slacks, cotton or manmade blends ——
Trousers, work, cotton or polyester/
cotton
Shirts, work, cotton or polyester/
cotton
Shirts, business, polyester/cotton
T-shirts, chiefly cotton Socks, cotton or manmade fibers
Handkerchiefs, cotton or polyester/
cotton -
- - •
•
Boys' :
Coats, all purpose, cotton or cotton
blends
Sport coats, wool or wool blends
Dungarees, cotton or cotton blends ————
Under shorts, cotton
Women' s and girls'
Women' s:
Coats, heavyweight, wool or wool blends —
Carcoats, heavyweight, cotton
Sweaters, wool or acrylic
Skirts, wool, wool blend or manmade
fibers
Skirts, cotton or polyester/cotton —
Blouses, cotton or manmade fibers
Dresses, street, chiefly manmade
fibers
Slips, nylon
•— , . ,. .
Panties, acetate or nylon tricot
Girdles, manmade blend
———.
Brassieres, nylon lace
Hose or pany hose, nylon seamless
Anklets or knee-length socks,
various fibers —-•—
Gloves, fabric, nylon or cotton
Handbags, rayon faille or plastic
Raincoats, vinyl, cotton or polyester
blend •
Skirts, wool, wool blends or acrylic Dresses, cotton, manmade fibers or
blends
Slacks, cotton or chiefly cotton —
Slips, polyester blends
Handbags, plastic
Miscellaneous apparel:
Diapers, cotton gauze or disposable
Yard goods, polyester blends
Wrist watches, men' s and women' s
Footwear
Men' s:
Shoes, street, oxford Shoes, work, high
Women' s:
Shoes, street Shoes, evening, pump
Shoes, casual
Houseslippers, scuff Children' s:
Shoes, oxford
Sneakers, boys' , oxford type
Dress shoes, girls' , strap or pump
Apparel services:
Drycleaning, men1 s suits and women' s dresses
Automatic laundry service
Laundry, men' s shirts
Tailoring charges, hem adjustment
Shoe repairs, women1 s heel lift
See footnotes at end of table.
29
119.8
120. 1
119.9
120.3
122.3
122. 7
122. 3
121.9
2. 1
2.2
2.0
1.3
122.3
129.0
129.2
112.5
116.8
132.3
125.8
130.3
134.0
114.2
115.7
137.6
2.9
1.0
3.7
1.5
-.9
4.0
113.0
114.8
113. 3
112. 7
119.0
115.5
115.2
112.6
117.9
115.8
114.9
116.4
118.3
122.0
122.5
119.5
120. 1
118.3
121. 1
127.5
120.4
123. 0
1.4
-. 7
4. 1
122.9
127.2
120.8
130. 1
131.4
126.3
5.9
3.3
4.6
131.7
114.0
121.9
139.4
117. 1
123. 1
5.8
2. 7
1.0
127.6
110. 7
115.2
116.2
120.9
98.9
130. 1
110.9
117.7
117.6
122.4
96.2
2.0
.2
2.2
1. 2
1.2
-2.7
115.8
109. 6
132.4
114.8
110.6
143.7
-.9
.9
8.5
116.5
106.8
116.3
113.5
-.2
6.3
107.4
131.3
110.4
129.0
119.9
137.5
110.8
125.7
11.6
4. 7
.4
-2.6
112.0
122. 1
113.0
121.5
115.0
119.2
115.6
124.9
2.7
-2.4
2.3
2.8
119.6
118. 7
123.6
122.9
3.3
3.5
123.4
120. 2
124. 1
121.9
126.3
122. 2
125. 6
125.2
2.4
1. 7
1.2
2. 7
122.3
118. &
125. 8
126.8
123.5
129.8
3.7
4.0
3.2
116.6
113.8
119. 1
128.5
112.0
117. 7
114.9
122. 0
133.2
116.0
.9
1.0
2.4
3.7
3.6
1.7
-. 1
-.9
.3
Table 8-A. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
1972 annual average indexes for selected items and groups and percent changes from previous year—Continued
Item and group
Other
index
bases
Percent change from
1971 to 1972
1971
Transportation
Private 7
Automobiles, new
Automobiles, used
Gasoline, regular and premium
Motor oil, premium
Tires, new, tubeless
Auto repairs and maintenance 8 Auto insurance rates
Auto registration Parking fees, private and municipalPublic
Local transit fares
Taxicab fares
Railroad fares, coach
Airplane fares, chiefly coach •
Bus fares, intercity
118.6
116.6
112.0
110.2
106.3
120.0
116.3
129.2
141. 1
123.2
135.3
137.7
143.4
126.5
126.8
126.9
132.7
119.9
117.5
111.0
110.5
107. 6
123.6
115.9
135. 1
140.5
127.4
144.5
143.4
150. 1
133.5
124.5
130.3
140. 1
1. 1
.8
-.9
.3
1.2
3.0
-.3
4.6
-.4
3.4
6.8
4. 1
4. 7
5.5
-1.8
2.7
5.6
Health and recreation 9
Medical care
Drugs and prescriptions
Over-the-counter items Multiple vitamin concentrates •
Aspirin compounds
Liquid tonics
Cold tablets or capsules
Adhesive bandages, packages •
Cough syrup
Prescriptions
Anti-infectives
Sedatives and hypnotics
Ataractics
Anti- spasmodic s
Cough preparations
Cardiovasculars and antihyertensives
Amalgesics, internal
Anti-obesity
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
Filling, adult, amalgam, one surface
Extraction, adult
Dentures, full upper
Other professional services:
Examination, prescription, and
dispensing of eyeglasses
122. 2
128.4
105.4
110.2
96.6
114. 1
101. 3
111.3
122.6
112.4
101. 3
80.2
122.9
101.7
107. 1
126.0
111. 1
107.8
114.9
94.9
126. 1
132.5
105.6
111.3
95.2
116.4
101. 2
113.8
124.2
113.4
100.9
75.0
126.6
103. 1
107.9
130.4
111.8
109.5
117.4
93.2
3.2
3.2
.2
1.0
-1.4
2.0
-. 1
2.2
1.3
.9
-.4
-6.5
3.0
1.4
.7
3.5
.6
1.6
2.2
-1.8
129.8
131.4
131.0
129.0
132.0
124.8
123.4
125.2
127.0
128.0
126.9
124.9
133.8
134.8
136.7
133.8
136. 2
129.2
128. 2
129.9
132.3
133.8
132.3
129.3
3. 1
2.6
4.4
3.7
3.2
3.5
3.9
3.8
4.2
4.5
4.2
3.5
120.3
116. 1
(5)
163. 1
156. 1
124. 9
124.9
120.4
102. 0
173.9
168.6
129. 1
101.9
99.9
3.8
3.7
(5)
6,6
8.0
3.4
Routine laboratory tests, urinalysis
Hospital service charges
Semiprivate room rates -
Operating room charges
.,
——
X-ray, diagnostic series, upper G.I
Laboratory tests, urinalysis
Anti-infective, tetracyline, HCL
Tranquilizer, chlordiazepoxide, HCL and
meprobate
Electrocardiogram
Intravenous solution, saline
Physical therapy, whirlpool bath
Oxygen, inhalation therapy
Personal care
Toilet goods
Toothpaste, standard dentifrice —
Toilet soap, hard milled
Hand lotions, liquid
Shaving cream, aerosol
Face powder, pressed
Deodorants, aerosol
— — -•
Cleansing tissues
Home permanent wave kits Personal care services
Men' s haircuts
Beauty shop services
Women1 s haircut Shampoo and wave set, plain
Permanent waves, cold
Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
72
72
72
72
72
116.8
113.8
107.7
114. 1
119.5
106.6
123.5
105.6
123. 3
110.9
120.0
122.6
118.2
119. 1
121.4
110.2
See footnotes at end of table.
ft
8ft
(5)
30
101.2
102.7
101.9
101.7
101.7
119.8
116.9
109.8
121.9
125.6
107.3
131.6
105.0
124. 1
110.0
122.9
125.3
121.3
122. 1
125. 0
112.5
ft
ft
2.6
2.7
1.9
6.8
5. 1
.7
6.6
-.6
.6
-.8
2.4
2.2
2.6
2.5
3.0
2. 1
Table 8-A. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
1972 annual average indexes for selected items and groups and percent changes from previous year—Continued
(1967= 100)
Item and group
Other
index
bases
Reading and recreation •
Recreational goods
TV sets, portable and console
TV replacement tubes
Radios, portable and table model
Tape recorders, portable
Phonograph records, stereophonic
Movie cameras, super 8, zoom lem
Film, 35mm, color
Golf balls, liquid center or solid core
Basketballs, rubber or vinyl cover
Fishing rods, fresh-water spincasting Bowling balls
Bicycles, boys'
Tricycles Dog food, canned or boxed
Recreational services
Indoor movie admissions
Adult
Drive-in movie admissions, adult
Bowling fees, evening
Golf green fees
TV repair, color picutre tube replacement
Film developing, color
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
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 accounts
Legal services, short form will
Also
Also
Also
Also
1972
119.3
106.6
100. 1
122.5
98.5
94.2
103.5
89.4
108.3
104.5
124. 1
110. 1
111.4
112.6
111.2
109.0
125.2
137.6
137.4
138.0
140. 1
116.3
127. 5
98.0
116.7
122.8
107.9
99.5
130.9
98.9
94.3
107. 3
88.4
108.2
105. 1
126. 1
108.0
113.8
116.2
113.9
110.5
128.3
141.5
140.4
144.5
145.9
119.3
130.5
98.3
117. 0
2.9
1.2
-.6
6.9
.4
. 1
3.7
-1. 1
129.6
125. 1
121.0
120.9
126.4
127.9
128. 1
107. 1
116.9
112.9
132.3
131.4
123.0
125.5
133.3
134.8
135.4
110.8
119. 6
113.9
2. 1
5.0
1.7
3.8
5.5
5.4
5. 7
3.5
2.3
106.4
122.3
126.4
108.6
127. 0
130.9
2. 1
3.8
3.6
117.2
110. 6
135.5
121.2
107.5
148.6
3.4
-2.8
9.7
includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
includes home purchase costs not shown separately.
includes pine shelving, furance filters, packaged dry cement mix, and shrubbery not shown separately.
includes Venetian blinds, nails, carpet sweepers, air deodorizers, steel wool, scouring pads, envelopes,
expen
Percent change frorr
1971 to 1972
1971
-. 1
.6
1.6
-1.9
2.2
3.2
2.4
1.4
2.5
2.8
2.2
4. 7
4. 1
2.6
2.4
.3
.3
.9
reupholstering, and moving
Not available.
Also includes men' s sport shirts, women1 s and girls' lightweight coats, women' s slacks, cocktail dresses, bathing suits, girls' shorts,
earrings and zippers not shown separately.
Also includes recapped tires and drivers' license fees not shown separately.
8
Includes prices for water pump replacement, motor tune-up, automatic transmission repair exhaust system repair, front end alignment, and
chassis lubrication.
9
Also includes outboard motors, nondurable toys, college tuition fees, paperback books, and college textbooks not shown separately.
31
Table 9. Consumer Price Index—United States average and areas grouped by size of population ' for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
all items and major groups December 1972 and percent changes from selected dates
Relative i
nportance
December
1971
December
1971
Inde
(1967= 100)
September
1972
100.00
22.28
33.97
10.49
13. 32
19.94
123. 1
120.3
126.8
121. 8
r 118. 5
123.9
126.
124.
r 130.
123.
121.
126.
Class A-l (3. 5 million or more) :
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep Transportation Health and recreation
32. 74
7.53
10.87
3.52
4. 30
6.52
Class A-2 ( 1. 4 million to 3. 5) :
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation •
Area and group
United States:
All items Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation •
December
1972
December
1971
September
1972
2
8
2
1
0
8
127. 3
126.0
131. 2
125.0
121. 3
127.5
3.4
4. 7
3. 5
2. 6
2.4
2. 9
124. 8
122.0
r 128. 3
120.9
123. 3
125.4
128. 9
126.9
132.8
123.8
126. 7
129. 1
129. 6
128.0
133. 8
123. 8
127. 3
129. 7
3.8
4.9
4.3
2. 4
3.2
3.4
. 5
. 9
11.88
2. 66
4.05
1. 25
1.56
2.36
r 123.5
120. 2
r 126.8
123. 3
120. 3
124. 3
126.4
124. 7
129.8
123. 5
122.2
127. 2
127.6
125. 8
131.2
125.4
122.5
128. 1
3. 3
4. 7
3.5
1. 7
1.8
3. 1
.9
.9
1. 1
1.5
. 2
.7
Class B (250, 000 to 1. 4 million) :
All items
Food
H ou s in g
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
25.85
5.46
9.00
2.65
3.55
5. 19
122.7
119. 5
127.2
122. 0
116. 3
123.8
125.5
123. 9
129.7
122. 8
118.6
126. 5
126. 7
125. 3
130.8
126.4
118. 8
127. 3
3. 3
4.9
2.8
3.6
2. 1
2.8
1.0
1. 1
.8
2.9
.2
.6
Class C (50, 000 to 250, 000) :
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep —
Transportation
Health and recreation -
12.50
2.77
4. 23
1. 32
1.68
2. 50
121.8
119.0
r 125. 2
122. 1
115.6
123. 7
124. 6
123.6
r 128. 6
123. 1
117. 0
125. 7
125. 7
124.6
129. 6
126.2
117. 2
126. 6
3.2
4. 7
3.5
3.4
1.4
2. 3
2.5
. 2
. 7
Class D(2, 500 to 50, 000) :
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
17. 03
3.86
5.82
1.75
2.23
3. 37
121. 0
119.0
124. 2
121. 7
115. 0
121. 7
123.5
122. 9
127.2
121. 3
117.0
123. 8
124.7
124. 5
128.2
123.8
117. 3
124.4
3. 1
4.6
3. 2
1.7
2. 0
2. 2
1. 0
1.3
.8
2. 1
.3
.5
1.5
.2
. 5
.5
Based upon I960 Census of Population.
2
These relative importance data include the 0. 38 percent ^ iight for personal financing charges, other than mortgage interest and auto financing
charges, which is imputed from priced items.
r - revised
32
Table 9-A. Consumer Price Index—United States average and areas grouped by size of population 1 for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
all items and major groups year 1972 and percent changes from selected dates
Indexe s
(1967= 100)
Area and group
year
1971
United States:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep —
Transportation
Health and recreation •
Class A - l (3. 5 million or nore) :
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
Class A-2 ( 1 . 4 million to 3. 5 million) :
All items
Hou
Apparel and upkeep Transportation
Health and recreation -
125.3
123. 5
129. 2
122. 3
119. 9
126. 1
3. 3
4.3
3.9
2. 1
1. 1
3. 2
r 122. 9
120. 2
125.6
119. 0
123. 3
123. 8
127. 5
125.6
131.4
121. 3
125. 5
128.2
3.7
4. 5
4.6
1.9
1.8
3.6
121. 7
118.5
r 124. 1
120. 9
119.8
122.8
125. 5
123.2
128.9
123. 3
121. 1
126.4
3. 1
4.0
3.9
2.0
1. 1
2.9
120. 8
117. 5
124.5
120. 0
116.0
121. 9
124. 7
122.7
128. 9
123. 0
117.4
125.9
3.2
4.4
3.5
2.5
1.2
3. 3
1
1
9
3
0
6
123.9
122.3
127.7
123. 0
116.4
125. 2
3. 2
4.4
3.9
2.2
.3
3.0
119. 5
117. 3
122.4
119. 6
115.2
120. 1
122.9
122.0
126. 5
121.8
116. 1
123.3
2.8
4.0
3.3
1.8
120.
117.
r 122.
120.
116.
121.
Class D (2, 500 to 50, 000) :
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation —
Based upon I960 Census of Population.
2
These relative importance data include the 0. 38 percent weight for personal financing charges, other than
charges, which is imputed from priced items.
r - revised
Percent change to
year 1972 from—
year
1971
121. 3
118.4
124. 3
119. 8
118. 6
122. 2
Class B (250, 000 to 1. 4 million) :
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep Transportation
Health and r e c r e a t e
Class C (50, 000 to 250, 000) :
All items
Food
Housing —
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation -
year
1972
33
aortgage interest and auto financing
Reliability of Percent Changes in the CPI
are about 95 out of 100 that the percent change in the
CPI as computed differs from the corresponding "complete coverage" change by less than twice the standard error.
Because the CPI is rounded to one decimal place,
some ambiguity may arise in interpreting small index
changes. As the table indicates, for example, a monthto-month change of 0.1 percent in the all-items CPI
is significant. Because of rounding, however, a change
of this size in the published index might result from a
much smaller change in the unrounded value. Hence,
any particular change of 0.1 percent may or may not
be significant. On the other hand, a published change of
0.2 percent is almost always significant, regardless of
the time period to which it relates.
This replaces the table of average errors based on
1970 data which was included in the CPI report through
December 1971.
A system of "replicated" samples introduced into
the index structure in the 1964 revision permits an estimate of sampling error for the CPI. ! The table below
shows standard errors for monthly, quarterly, and
Average standard errors of percent changes in the
CPI based on 1971 data
Component
All items
Food at home
Food away from
home
Housing
Apparel and upkeep. . .
Transportation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and
recreation
Other goods and
services
Monthly
change
Standard error
Quarterly
change
Annual
change
.04
.07
.06
.10
.09
.15
.08
.06
.17
.11
.09
.14
.14
.10
.27
.17
.14
.19
.33
.19
.33
.20
.28
.34
.09
.12
.20
.11
.17
.23
The method of deriving these estimates is described in a
paper by Marvin Wilkerson, "Measurement of Sampling Error
in the Consumer Price Index," Journal of the American Statistical Association, September 1967.
annual percent changes in the CPI for all items and
for nine commodity groupings based on 1971 averages.
The figures may be interpreted as follows: The chances
A Note About Calculating Index Changes
Percent changes expressed as annual rates are computed according to the standard formula for compound
growth rates. These data indicate what the percent change
would be if the current rate were maintained for a 12month period.
Movements of the indexes from 1 month to another
are usually expressed as percent changes rather than
changes in index points because index point changes are
affected by the level of the index in relation to its base
period while percent changes are not. The following example illustrates the computation of index point and
percent changes:
CPI
less previous index
index point difference =
123.8
123.2
0.6
Index point difference divided by the index for
the previous period:
1 2 3 . 8 - 123.2
123.2
x 100 = 0.5
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.
34
Brief Explanation of the CPI
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 date—1967—which 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.
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 400 items which were selected to represent the movement of prices of all goods and services
purchased by wage earners and clerical workers. Prices
for these items are obtained in urban portions of 39
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 establishmentsgrocery and department stores, hospitals, filling stations,
and other types of stores and service establishments.
Prices of foods, fuels, and a few other items are
obtained every month in all 56 locations. Prices of most
other commodities and services are collected every month
in the five largest areas and every 3 months in other
areas. Prices of most goods and services are obtained by
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
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 also are 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.
35
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
REGIONAL OFFICES
PUERTO RICO
Region I
1603 JFK Federal Building
Government Center
Boston, Mass. 02203
Phone: 223-6762 (Area Code 617)
Region V
8th Floor, 300 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, III. 60606
Phone: 353-1880 (Area Code 312)
Region II
1515 Broadway
New York, N.Y. 10036
Phone: 971-5405 (Area Code 212)
Region VI
1100 Commerce St., Rm. 6B7
Dallas, Tex. 75202
Phone: 749-3516 (Area Code 214)
Region IN
P.O. Box 13309
Philadelphia, Pa. 19101
Phone: 597-1154
Region VII and VIII
Federal Office Building
911 Walnut St., 15th floor
Kansas City, Mo. 64106
Phone: 374-2481 (Area Code 816)
Region IV
Suite 540
1371 Peachtree St. NE.
Atlanta, Ga. 30309
Phone: 526-5418 (Area Code 404)
Region IX and X
450 Golden Gate Ave.
Box 36017
San Francisco, Calif. 94102
Phone: 556-4678 (Area Code 415)
Regions VII and VIM are serviced by Kansas City.
Regions IX and X are serviced by San Francisco.
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