Full text of CPI Detailed Report : December 1975
The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.
CPI Detailed Report
For December 1975
Consumer Price Index U.S. and City Averages
Contents
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
W. J. Usery, Jr., Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Julius Shiskin, Commissioner
OFFICE OF PRICES AND LIVING CONDITIONS
W. John I ayng, Assistant Commissioner
The CPI Detailed Report is a monthly
report on consumer price movements
including statistical tables and
technical notes.
This publication may be ordered from
the Superintendent of Documents,
U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402.
Subscription price per year:
$11.55, domestic
$14.45, foreign
$1, single copy
Library of Congress
Catalog number 74-647019
March 1976
Price movements
Chart 1. All items index and its rate of change, 1966-75
Chart 2. Commodities less food index and its rates of change,
1966-75
Chart 3. Total food index and its rates of change, 1966-75
Chart 4. Services index and its rates of change, 1966-75
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, 1975 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 city average for urban wage earners and
clerical workers, food items, December 1975 indexes and percent
changes from selected dates
Table 3-A. CPI—United States city average for urban wage earners
and clerical workers, food items, annual average 1975 indexes,
and percent changes from 1974 to 1975
Table 4. CPI—United States city average for urban wage earners
and clerical workers, indexes for selected items and groups,
December 1975, and percent changes from selected dates
Table 4-A. CPI—United States city average for urban wage earners
and clerical workers, 1975 annual average indexes for selected
items and groups, and percent changes from previous year
Table 5. CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wage
earners and clerical workers, all items most recent index,
and percent changes from selected dates
Table 6. CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wage
earners and clerical workers, major groups, percent change
from November 1975 to December 1975
Table 7. CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wage
earners and clerical workers, commodity groups, December 1975
index, and percent changes from September 1975
Table 7-A. CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wage
earners and clerical woFkers, commodity groups, 1975 annual
average indexes and percent changes, 1974-75
Table 8. CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wage
earners and clerical workers, food and its subgroups, December
1975 indexes, and percent changes from November 1975
Table 9. CPI—Regular and premium gasoline indexes, selected
areas and U.S. city average for urban wage earners and
clerical workers
Table 10. CPI—Regular and premium gasoline prices, selected
areas and U.S. city averages for urban wage earners and
clerical workers
Table 11. CPI—Population size groups, 5 classes and U.S. city
average for urban wage earners and clerical workers
Table 12. CPI—Regional groups, 4 areas and U.S. city average
for urban wage earners and clerical workers
Table 11-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 1975 and percent changes from selected
dates
Table 12-A. CPI—United States average and areas grouped be region
for urban wage earners and clerical workers, all items and major
groups, year 1975 and percent changes from selected dates
Page
1
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
24
28
28
29
31
33
34
34
35
35
36
36
Price Movements
December 1975
Analysis of 1975 change
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4 percent in
December, before seasonal adjustment, to 166.3 (1967=
100). Higher prices for some food items and a wide variety
of consumer services were responsible for most of the rise.
These increases were partially offset by price declines for a
few items, notably pork and used cars.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI rose 0.5 percent
in December, compared with increases of 0.7 percent in
each of the two preceding months. The rise in the food
index moderated, after seasonal adjustment, to 0.3 percent
in December from 0.6 percent in November and 1.3 percent
in October. In December, the index for nonfood commodities increased 0.3 percent for the fourth consecutive
month. The increase in the services index of 0.6 percent in
December was less than the 1.1-percent rise in November
(table A).
For the 12 months ending in December 1975, the CPI
rose 7.0 percent compared with an increase of 12.2 percent
in 1974 and 8.8 percent in 1973. At the start of 1975, the
rise in the CPI slowed noticeably—from an 11.0-percent
rate in the final 3 months of 1974 to a 6.0-percent rate in
the first 3 months of 1975. In succeeding quarters, the CPI
rose at a relatively steady rate—7.1, 7.3, and 7.6 percent
respectively. The composition of the increases differed,
however, in each quarter (table B). In the first quarter,
declines in food prices and relatively stable fuel prices
were accompanied by relatively large increases in prices of
other commodities and services. In the second quarter,
food and fuel prices rose sharply, while the rate of increase
for other commodities and services decelerated noticeably.
Table A. Percent changes in CPI and components, selected periods
Changes in all items
Changes from preceding month
Compound
annual rate
Month
Services
From
3 months
ago
Seasonally
adjusted
Unadjusted
Seasonally
adjusted
Commodities
less food
Food
All items
Seasonally Unadadjusted
justed
From
12 months
ago
Unadjusted
Seasonally
adjusted
Unadjusted
1974:
December.
0.7
0.8
1.1
0.9
0.4
0.6
0.9
11.0
12.2
1975:
January...
February .
March . . .
April
...
May
June
July
August . .
September
October . .
November
December
.5
.7
.4
.5
.4
.8
1.1
.3
.5
.6
.6
,4
.6
.5
.3
.6
.4
.8
1.2
.2
.5
.7
.7
.5
.7
.4
-.2
-.1
.4
1.5
2.4
-.3
-.2
.7
.4
.5
.9
-.3
-.6
.4
.5
0
.7
.8
.8
.6
.5
.7
.5
.5
.5
.3
.1
.5
.8
.5
.8
.2
.5
.9
.5
.3
.3
.3
.3
.7
.8
.4
.6
.2
.7
.5
.5
9.8
8.2
6.0
5.8
5.0
7.1
9.5
8.7
7.3
5.2
7.5
7.6
11.7
11.1
10.3
Not seasonally adjusted; data contain little or no seasonal
movements.
1.5
1.7
0
.1
1.3
.6
.3
1.0
.6
1.1
.6
Unadjusted
10.2
9.5
9.3
9.7
8.6
7.8
7.6
7.3
7.0
Table B. Changes in Wholesale and Consumer Price Indexes, 1973-75
3 months ending—
(Compound annual rates, seasonally adjusted except services)
December December
1973 to 1974 to
jcemb December
December
eemb
1974
1975
Index
1974
March
June
1975
September
December
March
June
September
December
Consumer Price Index
13.4
11.7
15.6
14.2
11.0
14.3
8.8
10.9
6.0
-.2
7.4
8.0
7.1
10.0
9.5
10.9
5.4
13.7
10.7
6.7
8.9
11.5
14.9
9.9
12.1
5.7
8.5
12.7
16.4
All commodities
Farm products and processed
foods and feeds
Crude food and feeds1 . .
Intermediate materials for
food manufacturing . . .
Consumer foods
20.9
4.2
24.8
11.0
11.0
1.3
-.3
3.9
12.6
3.1
58.5
13.0
-26.5
5.5
Industrial commodities . . . .
Crude materials except
foods
Intermediate materials
except foods
Producer finished goods .
Consumer finished goods
except foods
25.6
All items
Food
Commodities less food
Services
....
All items less food and energy
items
Commodities less food and
energy items
5.9
6.3
7.3
7.5
7.5
8.5
7.6
8.8
3.8
9.8
9.4
4.2
6.6
6.8
10.9
9.4
4.2
5.3
4.1
34.9
14.2
-6.3
7.2
11.1
5.6
-29.6
-52.8
60.5
96.7
18.8
4.1
-27.6
-39.3
17.0
49.4
26.8
51.5
-7.9
-15.2
60.0
16.2
19.2
-13.7
74.1
33.7
90.4
20.7
-50.8
-12.9
-35.2
23.7
16.6
15.0
-21.8
0
6.0
31.3
33.2
28.4
11.1
4.2
2.6
7.3
10.1
23.0
4.5
85.1
9.8
29.4
-12.1
-10.3
14.9
13.6
1.9
28.5
22.6
5.4
8.2
32.5
13.9
40.0
26.1
32.9
29.6
11.0
21.2
3.7
11.8
.7
5.1
6.5
5.8
11.1
10.1
20.5
6.7
27.0
24.2
19.5
11.8
3.8
4.1
10.7
8.5
22.4
5.1
21.0
30.3
26.5
12.4
4.6
.5
4.0
11.4
12.2
12.2
13.2
11.3
7.0
6.5
6.2
8.1
13.7
17.0
15.7
11.3
Wholesale Price Index
Industrial commodities
except fuels
Does not include plant and animal fibers, which are included
in farm products index.
In the third quarter, food and fuel prices slowed slightly
while other commodities and services accelerated slightly.
In the fourth quarter, the rate of price increases for commodities other than food moderated somewhat but price
rises for consumer food and services accelerated slightly.
Movements in the food component in 1975 were influenced primarily by a sharp upturn in beef prices in the
second quarter, in prices of dairy products after midyear,
and in pork and vegetable prices during midyear. Until the
final quarter, increases were moderated by price declines
for processed foods which resulted from large supplies of
grains and sugar. The rise in fuel prices after the first
quarter was due to strong demand, the effect of import
Does not include manufactured animal feeds, which are ineluded in processed foods and feeds index.
fees, and Federal Energy Administration regulations. The
behavior of prices for commodities other than foods and
fuels can be traced to the effects of the continuing slowdown in the economy until late spring, a sharp upturn in
the economy in the third quarter, and continued but slower
recovery in the fourth quarter.
At yearend, the services sector became a major source of
higher consumer prices. The rise in service charges accelerated after midyear due to a number of factors: An upturn in mortgage interest rates and a faster rise in some
cyclically sensitive services; large increases for items such as
auto insurance and New York City transit fares; and continued increases in the cost of medical care. Efforts by
Table C. Changes in food prices, 1973-75
Commodity
Consumer foods
Beef and veal
Pork
Poultry
Cereal and bakery
products
Dairy products
Index
3 months ending—
(Compound annual rates, seasonally adjusted except as indicated)
December December
1973 to 1974 to
December December
1974
1975
1974
1975
March
June
September
December
March
June
September
December
7.5
15.0
-9.1
-5.0
70.6
108.7
42.1
-7.6
8.8
0
17.7
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
12.2
13.0
-3.4
-8.7
-1.8
8.3
6.2
11.2
6.5
5.5
9.1
30.9
31.4
26.8
8.8
7.4
17.0
16.2
10.2
-6.1
-16.7
-12.8
-1.9
-19.1
5.4
-13.7
-21.5
-44.2
-41.8
-63.5
-29.1
-37.2
11.7
33.7
11.9
89.8
61.3
229.7
26.2
73.1
14.3
20.7
-9.3
-29.5
18.7
30.1
46.7
70.4
-0.2
-12.9
-31.6
-19.2
18.1
-24.2
-46.8
10.0
23.7
93.8
295.8
75.7
46.2
29.7
111.8
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
22.4
13.6
7.2
3.1
.3
-4.0
6.6
16.8
27.1
34.1
18.3
22.9
20.7
-13.8
8.5
-13.0
13.4
9.2
14.3
0
-.3
1.4
-5.6
-15.5
-3.3
14.9
-7.3
-4.9
3.4
28.9
32.0
7.6
2.2
6.1
10.3
27.8
1.1
-5.3
21.1
24.8
CPI
WPI
3.9
-4.6
8.4
16.2
23.1
74.8
39.1
-29.3
-29.0
-4.8
-2.2
-26.8
-2.5
-25.6
15.4
101.8
14.0
42.6
7.5
-14.7
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
21.4
23.4
-5.5
-5.0
101.6
182.7
4.6
-.9
2.2
6.2
48.1
27.3
16.1
1.4
-4.3
82.2
-46.9
-44.3
66.7
206.9
139.9
11.3
59.2
25.0
55.4
80.5
142.9
4.1
14.7
-1.8
3.1
-26.2
8.4
-15.7
-69.1
-6.3
-1.6
18.8
-13.7
-40.4
-75.0
-.5
-3.5
0
15.6
4.8
6.7
-1.6
24.5
17.5
-18.8
-50.8
-6.9
-3.5
6.7
-28.3
.2
27.6
Fresh fruits and
vegetables
Processed fruits and
vegetables
Eggs
Sugar and sweets
19.1
-50.4
Not seasonally adjusted in the WPI.
State and local governments to raise revenues through
special charges and higher taxes also contributed to the rise
in service prices.
The CPI directly reflects taxes, including State and local
sales and excise taxes, on items which comprise the "market
basket." Changes in such taxes influence the index in much
the same way as changes in prices. In 1975, sales taxes,
which are the biggest source of revenue in many States,
were raised or newly imposed in many localities to help
ease severe financial problems. To generate additional
revenue, many States raised excise taxes on commodities
such as gasoline, cigarettes, and alcoholic beverages.
Price indexes for all three major components of the
CPI—food, commodities other than food, and services—
rose less in 1975 than in 1974 (table B).
Food. The food component of the CPI increased 6.5 percent
in the 12 months ending in December 1975, less than the
12.2-percent rise in 1974 and the 20.1-percent rise in 1973.
Increases were about the same as for the consumer food
index in the WPI which rose 5.5 percent in 1975 compared
with increases of 13.0 percent in 1974 and 22.5 percent in
1973. Much of the rise in food prices in 1975 was due to
9.2
18.8
2.8
202.0
257.4
30.9
In the WPI, this title is sugar and confectionery.
higher prices for meats, dairy products, and fresh vegetables
(table C).
After declining in 1974, beef prices rose in 1975,
primarily in the second quarter. Prices were influenced by
changes in the demand and supply situation for grass-fed
cattle as supplies of grain-fed cattle remained limited
throughout the year. Fed-cattle marketings in 1975 were
the smallest since 1966; price rises for fed cattle, however,
were moderated by increased slaughter of cows, grass-fed
steers, and heifers. For the year ending in December 1975,
cattle prices increased 19.3 percent, after declining 11 percent in 1974 (chart A).
Small supplies and generally good demand caused pork
prices to rise almost continuously in 1975. Hog slaughter
declined sharply due to reduced pig crops in the fall of
1974 and again in the spring of 1975 (chart B). Hog prices,
which rose only slightly in 1974, increased 21.4 percent in
1975. Hog and pork prices declined in late 1975 primarily
because of competition from increased beef and poultry
production. Poultry prices also rose in 1975, with most of
the increase occurring in the second and third quarters.
Prices for dairy products—which declined in the first half
of 1975—rose rapidly after midyear in response to sharply
higher prices for milk at the farm level. Reduced output of
Chart A. Changes in beef prices, by stage of processing. Seasonally
adjusted percent change over 3—month span, 1965—75
RETfllL PRICES OF BEEF
WHOLESflLE PRICES OF BEEF
40
30
20
10
0
-10
-20
WHOLESflLE PRICES OF CflTTLE
-30
i l i
1965
i
l
i
1966
1967
1968
i l l
i
l
1969
1970
i
i
1971
l
i
1972
1973
1974
1975
Table D. Changes in prices of consumer goods other than food, 1973-75
Index
Commodity
Commodities less food. . .
Nondurables less food .
Apparel less
footwear
Footwear
Gasoline
Heating fuel .
...
Durables
New cars
Furniture
Appliances, including radio and TV •
3 months ending—
(Compound annual rates, seasonally adjusted)
December December
1973 to 1974 to
December December
1974
1975
1974
September
March
June
15.7
27.0
21.6
37.7
13.7
24.2
14.5
29.9
15.6
19.5
11.8
20.7
December
8.8
11.8
7.1
9.7
7.4
3.8
4.1
2.8
4.1
5.8
5.4
7.5
10.7
6.2
13.3
3.8
8.5
4.8
9.5
-1.1
-.6
-3.5
-.8
3.1
22.0
23.4
12.3
12.5
6.0
1.2
1.3
1.5
7.4
-.5
5.0
.6
2.0
8.7
17.9
71.5
15.7
35.4
8.2
5.0
7.1
4.9
4.4
3.1
2.9
7.8
3.4
3.2
2.3
5.2
17.0
24.7
3.0
8.3
12.3
14.1
4.7
11.4
3.1
3.1
5.2
2.8
3.7
6.2
13.6
23.9
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
8.6
9.4
7.2
9.3
20.2
44.8
32.4
74.8
12.7
14.8
11.5
12.9
10.7
13.8
1.5
1.0
2.5
3.9
10.5
23.0
8.7
12.1
7.6
5.1
7.3
6.0
5.5
3.5
10.0
11.2
7.4
8.1
97.1
134.5
72.1
317.2
7.0
12.1
4.8
7.1
10.0
8.7
9.4
13.7
7.3
11.7
19.6
65.3
37.9
56.5
13.4
14.3
15.4
10.5
12.1
16.3
11.7
9.2
10.9
15.5
-5.7
28.9
17.6
41.6
18.1
15.6
16.7
14.2
11.7
14.6
3.5
3.7
3.4
2.5
-5.1
-15.7
10.6
1.9
12.4
17.4
10.6
20.2
8.9
15.4
1.0
2.7
-8.1
-17.1
13.3
6.1
8.6
4.0
5.7
.6
CPI
WPI
9.0
12.7
4.9
4.3
4.6
7.2
6.5
10.0
13.6
13.0
11.6
21.6
7.5
5.0
milk, hogs, grain-fed cattle, and poultry in 1975 was due to
the continuing effects of the small corn crop in 1974 and
rising feed costs relative to prices farmers were receiving in
1974 and early 1975 for their commodities. Corn prices
rose 43.8 percent in 1974. In 1975, they declined 28
percent.
The increase in retail food prices in 1975 also reflected
higher prices for some other raw agricultural products such
as coffee and fresh vegetables. Coffee prices rose substantially
after mid-1975 following frost damage to Brazilian crops.
Since harvesting of the 1975-76 crop was nearly complete
when the frost occurred, production was unaffected; the
rise in prices in 1975 was primarily in anticipation of reduced crops for the 1976-77 season. Smaller plantings resulted in higher prices in 1975 for vegetables such as
potatoes, onions, green peppers, and cucumbers. Dried bean
prices rose sharply in late 1975 due to weather damage to
crops. (Dried beans are included in the fresh and dried
vegetables component in the Wholesale Price Index (WPI)
and processed fruits and vegetables in the CPI.)
Food prices rose less in 1975 than in 1974 because of
declines in flour, sugar, and fats and oil products—major
ingredients used in processed foods—and smaller increases
in nonfood costs such as packaging materials, boxes, and
December
June
6.2
6.7
5.2
7.6
13.2
20.5
September
March
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
Includes items not shown separately.
CPI includes motor oil.
1975
. si
5.5
.8
5.9
CPI includes coal.
cans. A dramatic turnaround occurred in raw sugar prices,
which declined 70 percent in 1975, erasing about threefourths of their substantial 1974 advance. The decline reflected the improved crop in 1975 as well as large inventories resulting from reduced world demand. Wholesale
prices of vegetable oil end-products, which rose more than
40 percent in 1974, declined over 25 percent in 1975, and
flour prices were down 14 percent in 1975. The decline in
prices of fats and oil products reflected increased supplies
of soybeans and availability of lower priced foreign oils,
particularly palm oil. The decline in flour prices resulted
from lower prices for wheat.
Prices for wheat and other grains such as hay and oilseeds, as well as corn, declined in 1975. Wheat prices
dropped 26 percent in 1975, following a decline of 10.8
percent in 1974. Grain prices declined during most of the
year except in the third quarter when they rose sharply
following news that the USSR was having crop shortages
and was making large purchases of grain. After initial sales
in late June and July, grain sales to Russia were suspended
until late October when the United States and the Soviet
Union signed a long-term grain purchase agreement. Grain
prices declined sharply in the fourth quarter as record corn
and wheat crops were harvested.
Chart B. Changes in pork prices, by stage of processing. Seasonally
adjusted percent change over 3—month span, 1965—75
RETPIL PRICES OF PORK
WHOIESPLE PRICES or PORK
40
3(7
to
10
Q
-10
-20
WtfOLESPLE PRICES OF HOGS
-3C7
196S
1366
1967
196B
1969
1970
1971
197C
1973
1974
197S
Table E. Changes in prices of consumer services, 1973-75
Service
3 months ending—
(Compound annual rates, seasonally adjusted except as indicated)
December December
1973 to 1974 to
December December
1974
1975
1974
March
Services
Rent1
Household services less rent
Mortgage interest rates1
Housekeeping and home
maintenance services . .
Gas and electricity . . . .
Medical care
Transportation 2
Auto repairs and
maintenance
Public transportation
Other services
Personal care services . .
Recreational services . .
9.5
5.8
11.3
5.4
15.0
10.5
8.1
5.2
8.2
-3.1
18.2
19.6
13.3
5.7
6.0
14.2
10.3
11.8
18.8
27.1
14.5
3.8
9.2
9.2
8.7
9.3
11.9
5.4
5.0
3.5
12.6
.5
7.3
6.4
14.5
-2.4
9.7
2.6
4.9
Not seasonally adjusted.
Responding to lower prices at the wholesale level, retail
prices for sugar, fats and oil products such as margarine and
salad oil, and flour declined in 1975. In addition, prices for
processed foods such as cereal and bakery products, processed fruits and vegetables, and carbonated drinks declined
almost steadily after the first quarter of 1975.
Consumer goods other than food
In the 12 months ending in December 1975, nonfood
commodities in the CPI rose 6.2 percent, half as much as in
1974. Almost a fifth of the rise in 1975—as in 1974—was
due to higher prices for fuel products—gasoline, motor
oil, fuel oil, and coal. Prices for fuel products rose 10.1
percent in 1975, compared with 22.8 percent in 1974.
Retail prices of other consumer goods also increased considerably less in 1975 than in 1974 (table D). Excluding
food and fuels, commodity prices increased 5.7 percent in
1975, compared with 12.1 percent in 1974. In the WPI,
prices for consumer finished goods other than food rose
6.7 percent in 1975, down from 20.5 percent in 1974;
excluding fuels, the increase was 4.8 percent in 1975, compared with 15.1 percent in 1974.
Fuel products. Much of the rise in prices of fuel products in
1975 occurred in the second and third quarters. The increases reflected the effects of the $1 per barrel import
fee on crude oil which was first imposed in late February
and was doubled on June 1. In addition, strong demand
for gasoline in late spring and in summer permitted refiners and dealers to pass through earlier cost increases
June
1975
September
December
8.0
5.5
9.8
-15.9
6.3
4.2
8.2
-6.8
8.5
4.5
4.9
.6
11.9
3.4
17.5
8.8
5.8
5.9
13.9
10.7
18.5
8.2
8.0
7.2
18.5
5.4
4.0
2.4
4.1
1.6
6.0
49.4
6.2
4.6
3.0
8.5
— 7
5.3
6.7
3.2
14.2
5.0
17.0
24.5
10.9
23.0
17.1
14.6
5.6
20.7
19.9
10.7
17.2
7.6
11.4
6.6
6.5
17.7
14.5
5.3
11.1
4.7
23.3
2.5
10.0
10.3
7.0
11.3
6.9
9.2
9.8
9.0
17.6
1.6
7.5
4.7
6.2
9.9
10.3
14.3
13.5
13.1
14.2
December
June
10.7
4.7
15.1
8.6
5.9
September
March
9.8
6.5
9.8
Includes items not shown separately.
which they were allowed to accumulate under the rules of
the Federal Energy Administration. During the fourth
quarter, gasoline prices eased as demand dropped off and
supplies were ample. Prices of fuel oil declined in the first
quarter, turned up in the second quarter, and moved up at
a rapid rate after midyear.
Several developments during the fourth quarter are
noteworthy because of the potential they have for influencing prices of crude oil and refined petroleum products
in the coming months. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announced a 10-percent increase
effective October 1 on the posted price of Saudi Arabian
light crude, the benchmark in most cases for other petroleum
prices. A number of oil-producing countries subsequently
raised their prices. After the rise in foreign oil prices,
petroleum refiners posted higher prices for uncontrolled
domestic crude oil in most areas.
For the controlled portion of domestic crude oil, the
law authorizing controls and other measures such as ceiling
prices, entitlements, and allocations, which had been in
effect since May 15, 1973, expired on August 31, 1975.
Controls were extended until a new energy bill was enacted
in late December. The new energy measure immediately
removed the existing import fee of $2 a barrel on crude
oil and called for an immediate temporary rollback of domestic crude oil prices. Initially prices of all domestic oil will
be brought under a composite lid of $7.66 a barrel, down
from the average price for controlled and uncontrolled oil of
$8.75 in late December. After the inital rollback, the composite price lid could rise as much as 10 percent a year. Oil
prices are to be decontrolled gradually over a period of 40
months. The impact on retail prices remained uncertain as
the latest increase on foreign oil was just starting to be reflected in refiners' prices. Refiners also had accumulated
cost increases which could be passed through to consumers.
Commodities less food and fuels. The rate of price increase
for commodities other than food and fuels decelerated
from a peak of 16.4 percent in the third quarter of 1974 to
10.9 percent in the fourth quarter, and to 9.4 percent in
the first quarter of 1975. The rate dropped sharply in the
second quarter to 4.2 percent, and continued at about that
level in the third and fourth quarters of 1975.
Most of the slowdown at the retail level—and the
manufacturing level—in late 1974 was due to easing in
prices of various apparel items. Prices of some durable
goods showed a slight slowdown at the retail level in the
fourth quarter of 1974 due to declining demand. However,
manufacturers' prices for most durables and for nondurables such as housekeeping supplies, toilet goods, and
drugs continued to rise at a rapid rate reflecting increases
in raw materials prices and unit labor costs.
In early 1975, therefore, increases in manufacturers'
prices still were exerting upward pressure on retail prices.
Retailers, on the other hand, were under increasing pressure
to reduce their disproportionately high level of inventories
since retail sales, which had begun to decline in the fall of
1974, continued to weaken. As the inventory adjustment
proceeded, orders were cut back, and rebates, discounts, and
clearance sales became more frequent. By the second
quarter, price rises for all types of commodities slowed
noticeably at both the retail and wholesale levels. Continued
inventory liquidation and smaller increases in materials and
unit labor costs moderated the rise in manufacturers'
prices.
Encouraged by slower price rises and by tax reductions,
consumer demand began to strengthen in late spring and
improved substantially during the summer. In response,
retailers and manufacturers began to restock. Consumer
goods production, therefore, rose sharply and price rises
for industrial materials started to accelerate. Increases in
materials costs were being reflected in manufacturers' prices
of consumer goods such as apparel, footwear, tires, paints,
and floor coverings. The effect of higher material costs,
however, was moderated by declines in unit labor costs.
The rise in output far outpaced the rise in employment
and work hours, as manufacturers sought to improve profit
margins through increased productivity. At the retail
level, apparel and footwear prices turned up in the third
quarter as new fall and winter items came on the market.
Clearance sales became less frequent and rebates and discounts were withdrawn on many items. Used car prices
rose sharply from strong demand and small supplies.
The economic recovery continued in the fourth quarter
but at a slower pace than in the third quarter. Early in the
final quarter, consumer spending subsided from the high
summer levels and other indicators of economic activity
showed mixed trends. By late fourth quarter, retail sales
strengthened again, inventory buildup continued cautiously,
and the reduced tax-withholding rates, which were to expire at the end of the year, were continued for 6 months
under a new tax bill enacted in late December. Price increases for consumer goods at the manufacturers' level
continued to accelerate in the fourth quarter. At the retail
level, prices for apparel increased at a slightly slower pace
than in the third quarter and used car prices declined with
the end of the usual buying season. Prices of other items
such as footwear, textile housefurnishings, toilet goods,
tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, home repair commodities, and tires moved up at a somewhat faster rate reflecting earlier increases in manufacturers' prices and improved demand.
The rise in the auto index in the WPI and the CPI in the
fourth quarter (adjusted for quality change) reflected price
increases for 1976 models. Auto sales had dropped sharply
in late 1974 partly as a result of the large price increases for
1975 models. Spurred by rebates and increased concessions,
auto sales began to improve in early 1975. Improved demand and production cutbacks reduced stocks of 1975
models to relatively low levels by late summer. Sales in the
fourth quarter were up sharply from the depressed levels of
a year earlier, but domestic producers continued to exercise
caution in scheduling production. As a result, producers
were in a much better inventory position in late 1975 than
they had been in 1974. Domestic new car stocks represented an inventory of 62 days' sales of new cars in late
December compared with 97 days in December 1974.
Changes in materials costs have an important impact on
manufacturers' prices for nonfood commodities. Prices of
industrial commodities at the intermediate stage of processing—just below the finished goods level—increased 5.4
percent for the 12 months ending in December 1975, compared with 28.5 percent in 1974. Price increases decelerated
from a 40-percent rate in the second quarter of 1974 to an
0.7-percent rate in the second quarter of 1975. The rate of
increase accelerated in the third quarter to 6.5-percent and
to 11.1-percent in the fourth quarter of 1975. Prices for
textile and leather products—which declined in 1974 and
early 1975—turned up in the second quarter, and accelerated in the second half to reflect higher prices for raw
materials and improved consumer demand for apparel
commodities. Lumber prices, which also declined in 1974
and early 1975, rose sharply in the second quarter, moderated in the third, and accelerated again in the fourth
quarter. In chemical, rubber, and paper groups, price rises
slowed in late 1974 and early 1975 and declined in the
second quarter as inventory liquidation continued. With
improved business outlook after midyear, new orders and
production rose in many sectors, and prices for these
products started to move up. In the metals group, however,
prices for primary nonferrous metals trended down during
the year to reflect weak demand in domestic and world
markets. Prices for steel mill products, which were rela-
bined with fewer fuel adjustments helped to slow rate increases in 1975. Similarly, natural gas prices rose at an
average annual rate of 2.0 percent from 1960 through
1972, and at a rate of 14.4 percent during the last 3 years.
In 1975, gas prices rose at an annual rate above 20.0 percent during the first two quarters of the year, but decelerated in the final two quarters as fewer fuel adjustments
were noted.
The CPI for rent increased 5.2 percent in 1975, about
the same as in each of the previous 2 years. Landlords
faced rising costs for utilities, maintenance and repairs,
property taxes, and assorted operating costs. Demand for
rental units remained strong because construction of new
units was slow and high interest rates forced many prospective home buyers to rent. Rent increases were limited
in some large metropolitan areas by rent control ordinances.
The rate of advance in the transportation services index
was the largest since 1970 because public transportation,
auto repair, and insurance costs rose substantially. Local
transit fares were an important factor in the rise in public
transportation costs. The 1975 increase reflected the
September 1 hike in the basic fare from 35 cents to 50
cents for the New York City transit authority. During the
year, many cities, including Washington, Boston, Milwaukee,
and San Diego, raised transit fares. Fares had declined in
1973 and 1974 because subsidies, financed by higher taxes,
were granted transit systems in several areas. Fares were
increased in 1975 to pay higher fuel bills, to replace and repair equipment, and to cover higher labor costs. Airline
fares, which were increased on November 15, were 7.4 percent higher at yearend than in 1974. Charges for auto repairs rose 9.3 percent as demand for these services remained strong and labor and material costs continued to
rise. After remaining relatively stable in 1974, auto insurance rates rose 17.9 percent in 1975.
Prices of medical care services rose 10.3 percent in
1975 compared with 13.3 percent in 1974, the year wage
and price controls on physicians' fees and hospital service
charges were terminated. In 1975, charges for medical care
services rose substantially early in the year, moderated in
the second quarter, and accelerated again in the third
quarter. A slower rise in the fourth quarter resulted
mostly from the annual adjustment of retained earnings of
health insurance companies. Premiums for health insurance
are represented in the index by prices of services for which
benefits are paid and by a measure of changes in the ratio of
profits and overhead costs to benefits. Higher charges for
operating rooms, semiprivate rooms, and other hospital
services reflected the pass-through of higher hospital operating costs. The upward trend was about the same in 1975 as
in 1974 for physicians' fees, but was slower for dentists'
fees. Among physicians' services priced, tonsillectomy
and obstetrical cases and charges for home and office
visits rose sharply during the year.
Among other services—such as laundry and drycleaning, beauty and barber shop services, and recreational
services, many of which are cyclically sensitive—increases
tively stable in the first three quarters, increased sharply
in October. Later in the fourth quarter, steel prices edged
down because of weakness in construction and capital
goods sectors. In addition, there had been considerable
hedge-buying earlier in the year.
Services. Charges for consumer services rose 8.1 percent
in the 12 months ending in December 1975, compared
with 11.3 percent in 1974. Among major services components in the CPI, increases in 1975 were smaller than
in 1974 for household services less rent, medical care
services, and other services such as apparel, personal care,
and recreational services. The increase in rent was about
the same as in 1974, while the increase in transportation
services was considerably larger than the moderate rise
recorded in 1974 (table E).
The index for household services less rent rose 8.2
percent in 1975, compared with 15.0 percent in 1974.
Part of the slowdown resulted from a decline in mortgage
interest rates. Conventional, VA, and FHA rates fell
almost 6.0 percent during the first 6 months of the year.
During this period, the supply of lendable funds increased
as savings inflows improved over mid-1974 levels and lending institutions built up some liquidity. Demand for available funds during this period was slack despite various
government support programs, such as tax rebates, implemented to stimulate new home purchases. The resulting demand-supply imbalance helped rates fall to their
lowest levels since July 1974. However, by midsummer there
were signs that the downward trend would end. Concern
over financing of the anticipated large Federal deficit,
higher interest paid by saving institutions on certificates of
deposit, savings outflows, and general economic uncertainties contributed to the rise in mortgage interest rates
and caution taken by lending institutions. At yearend,
mortgage interest rates were increasing at an annual rate of
11.9 percent, but the rates were still 3.1 percent lower than
in December 1974.
Among other household services, increases in charges
for housekeeping and home maintenance services decelerated during the first two quarters of 1975 to reflect the
effects of the economic slowdown. A slow rise in charges
for home maintenance services also resulted from smaller
price increases in materials such as paints, shingles, and
house siding. The demand for home repair was steady
through most of 1975. In the second half of the year, price
increases for both home repair and housekeeping services
accelerated slightly in the third quarter and sharply in the
fourth quarter. The latter rise was partly due to increases
in charges for parcel post. The rise in property taxes also
accelerated noticeably in the fourth quarter.
Charges for gas and electricity rose sharply in 1975
despite continued consumer resistance to further increases.
Electricity prices had increased at an average annual rate of
1.5 percent from 1960 through 1972. However, in the
1973-75 period, electricity rates increased 7.3, 22.1, and
8.1 percent annually. Increasing consumer resistance com-
9
slowed rapidly in the first two quarters of 1975, but
accelerated sharply in the third quarter. Increases in the
fourth quarter were about the same as in the third. For
the year ending in December 1975, charges for these
services rose 5.5 percent, compared with 9.2 percent in
1974.
10
Chart 1. All items index and its rate of change, 1966-75
(1967=100)
165
CPI FILL ITEMS INDEX
(NOT SERSONRLLY RDJUSTED)
150
135
120
105
38IJH.
90
3CRLE
1.4
1.2
1.0
0-8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
-0.2
PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN
(SERSONRLLY RDJUSTED)
PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(RNNUflL RflTE. SERSONRLLY RDJUSTE
flRIT
ITH.
'CflL
DEC
PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPRN
(RNNUflL RflTE. SERSONRLLY RDJUSTED
Ult
PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN
,!,,!,,I,
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1/ Computed from the•unadjusted series.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
11
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
Chart 2. Commodities less food index and its rates of change, 1966-75
SEMI165
(1967=100)
L0S
150
CPI COMMODITIES LESS FOOD INDEX
(SERSONRLLY RDJUSTED)
135
DEC.
152.6
120
105
90
PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN
(SERSONRLLY RDJUSTED)
DEC
0.3
HIE1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
-0.2
-0.4
-0.6
PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(RNNUflL RflTE, SERSONRLLY RDJUSTED)
6
4
2
0
-2
PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPRN
(RNNURL RRTE. SERSONRLLY RDJUSTED)
DEC
6.2
PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN 1/
n l n l n l i i
1966
1 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 1
1967
n l i i l i i t i i
1968
u l i i i i i l t i
1969
i i l i i l n l i i
1970
1/ Computed from t h e unadjusted s e r i e s .
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
12
I I I I I I M I M
1971
I I I I I I I I I I I
I I I M I I I I I I
1972
1973
I I I I I I I . I I I
1974
i i i i t l n
1975
Chart 3. Total food index and its rates of change, 1966-75
(1967=100)
CPI TOTflL FOOD INDEX
(SERSONRLLY RDJUSTED)
PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPRN
CSERSONRLLY flDJUSTED)
PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPR
(RNNURL RRTE. SERSONRLLY RDJUSTE
PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPRN
(RNNURL RfiTE. SERSONRLLY flDJUSTED
PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPRN
I III II III
1966
II III
Mill
1967
II III
II III
1968
III II I II I It
1969
Mill
I II 111
1970
1/
Computed from the unadjusted series.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
13
Mill
III
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
Chart 4. Services index and its rates of change, 1966-75
(1967=100)
SEMIL0G
165
CPI SERVICES INDEX
(NOT SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)
150
135
120
105
PERCENT CHflNGE. 0VERt 1-MONTH SPflN
(NOT SERSONflLLY'RDJUSTED)
90
PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(RNNUflL RflTE. NOT /6ERS0NRLLY flDJUSTED)
2
10
8
6
4
2
0
PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
(flNNURL RflTE. NOT £feflSONRLLY flDJUSTED)
88*21"
PERCENT CHflNGE
III Illlll
1966
Illll
tllll
1967
Mill
Illll
1968
llhlll
1969
2-MONTH SPflN
Mill
Mill
1970
1/ Computed from the unadjusted series.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
14
Illll
Illll
1971
Mill
Illll
1972
lltllllllil
1973
Illll
Illll
1974
Illllllll
1975
Table 1. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
by commodity and service groups, and expenditure classes
Relative
Unadjusted indexes
Unadjusted
1967=100 unless
percent change to
importance
1974
Seasonally adjusted
percent change f r o m —
otherwise noted
Group
November
1975
December
1975
December
1974
November
1975
September tc> October to
October
November
November to
December
Commodity and service groups
63.762
24.785
19.657
2. 882
6. 140
2.887
3. I l l
4.637
5. 128
38.977
23.255
8.273
2.617
3.611
1.438
14.982
3.388
1.936
2. 315
1.028
6.316
15.722
4.575
1.905
2.026
7.217
36.238
4.568
31.670
15.856
4.796
5.473
5. 545
165.6
192.6
162.2
179. 8
180.0
181.9
191.4
162.8
168.7
183.0
179.2
152.6
155.1
144.4
144. 8
142.6
146.3
161.5
175.9
154.8
143.5
246.5
154.5
149.2
142.9
131.3
153.7
157.6
172.0
139.9
177.7
190.7
161.7
184.2
155.2
166.3
193.4
162.7
180.7
180.9
182.2
189.2
165.5
172.1
185.9
180.0
152. 8
155.4
143.9
144.2
142.1
145.7
162.2
175.2
156.8
143.7
248.7
155.4
149.3
143.0
134.0
149.6
158.1
173.1
140.6
179.0
192.0
163.2
185.8
155.7
75.215
48. 040
6.835
30.765
9.634
5.246
4.691
1.445
161.5
167.1
144. 1
170.0
188.4
164. 1
198.5
120.9
162.1
167.6
143.6
171.1
190.1
165.5
199.0
120.8
100.000
All items
-
All items (1957-59=100)
Commodities
Food
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
Food away from home
Commodities less food
Nondurables less food
Apparel commodities '
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Nondurables less food and apparel
Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Fuel oil and coal
Other nondurables
Durable commodities
Household durables
New automobiles
Used automobiles
Other durables
Services
Rent
Services less rent
Household services less rent
Transportation services
Medical care services
Other services
7.0
-
0.4
-
0.7
-
6. 3
.3
.6
6.5
6.2
.5
.5
.2
1.5
-.4
.3
15.7
6.6
6.7
-3. 1
7.4
6.2
5.2
1.6
1.2
1.5
2.5
7.2
10.5
3.9
1. 3
-1.1
2. 3
1.7
2.0
1.6
.4
2.0
.5
3. 8
.1
.9
.6
7.6
5. 1
7. 3
.1
.1
2.1
8.1
9.0
-2.7
.3
8. 1
5.2
8.6
8.2
11. 8
10.3
5. 4
.3
.5
.3
.3
.4
0
.2
.4
.6
.9
*-. 1
*.6
1.8
.6
.5
-.1
-.3
.2
0
1. 1
3.2
1.2
.5
.3
.3
.3
.6
.3
0
.4
.4
.3
0
.4
.4
*. 3
*. 1
-.6
*1.3
*. 1
.6
.5
1.5
.7
.2
.6
.9
2. 1
-1. 1
.4
.2
0
,3
.3
*. 6
*. 7
.3
.4
.5
.2
.1
.6
.5
.7
.7
.9
.9
.4
.6
.5
.4
.4
1.7
.3
.7
8.7
7.5
0.5
-
.6
.6
.7
.3
.1
.1
.2
-.3
-.4
-.4
-.4
.4
-.4
1.3
0.7
-
*1. 1
*.4
1.0
1.2
3.0
-.2
.5
.6
.4
.6
1.2
.5
*.6
*.5
.7
.7
.7
.8
.4
Special indexes:
All items less food
Nondurable commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
Services less medical care services
Insurance and finance
Utilities and public transportation
Housekeeping and home maintenance service
Appliances (including radio and TV)
.4
7. 1
5.9
1.5
7. 7
8.9
11.8
6.0
4.9
.3
-.3
.6
.9
.9
.3
-.1
.5
.8
.7
.5
.4
. 1
*. 5
*1. 3
.6
.4
.3
.3
*. 6
.9
.4
.4
*. 5
2.5
.9
.7
*.6
*-. 1
0.5
.3
.9
Expenditure classes
All items
Food
Housing
Shelter 2
Rent
Homeownership3
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
100.000
24.785
165.6
179. 8
166,3
180.7
7.0
0.4
0.7
0.7
6.5
.5
1.3
.6
.3
33.766
21.293
4.568
16.335
5.008
2.548
7.465
9.633
12.715
11.450
1.266
18.723
6.241
2.519
5.222
4.742
171.3
174.1
139.9
186.8
174.4
176. 8
161.6
145.5
157.4
156.1
168.9
156.5
173.3
153.6
147.0
148.9
172.2
175.0
140.6
187.8
176. 1
179.0
162.0
145.2
157.6
7.7
7.3
5.2
7.9
.5
.4
.8
.9
.5
.5
*. 7
*. 4
*. 5
.4
.8
.5
.5
1.0
6.4
.5
.5
.5
.5
1.0
1.2
.2
.4
.7
.6
.4
2.3
-.2
78.707
93.759
95.615
17.214
1.976
Special indexes:
All items less shelter
All items less medical care
All items less mortgage interest costs
CPI — domestically produced farm foods
s
CPI - selected beef cuts 6
11.2
14.2
1. 1
.9
.4
.3
.3
9.8
9.6
.1
.1
-. 1
170. 1
157.5
174.7
154.6
147.5
149. 8
11.9
.7
-.2
1.1
1.0
.2
6.8
9.9
6.4
5.5
4.1
.6
.6
1.0
.4
.5
.5
.1
-. 1
.6
.3
.3
163.4
165.2
163.3
177. 8
176.8
164. 1
165. 8
164.0
178.8
175.9
6.9
.4
.4
.4
.6
-.5
.7
.6
.7
.5
.7
.5
$0. 604
.519
$0.601
.517
156.2
6. 8
7.0
6.6
11.3
.8
.7
.3
.6
-.1
*. 5
*1.1
|
*.3
*-1.9
.1
.3
.4
-.2
.8
.8
.7
.4
.6
.6
.5
.6
*.6
*-.5
Purchasing power of consumer dollar:
1967=81.00
1957-59=81.00
-
-6. 7
-
-.5
-
-
chocolate candy bars, chocolate syru , and about half of the index weight for sugar,
MISO mciuues imams wear, sewing materials, and jewelry not shown separately.
Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
6
Calculated from the CPI beef
Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance and repairs.
*
Not seasonally adjusted.
nd veal component by excluding veal cutlets and beef I
Also includes residential telephone, fuel oil, coal, water, and sewerage service not shown separately.
NOTE:
Calculated from the food at home component by excluding fish, nonalcoholic beverages, bananas,
-
15
Index applies to month as a whole, not to any specific date.
-
Table 1-A. Consumer Price Index-United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
1975 Annual Average index
Indexes
(1967=100)
1975
Average
1974
Average
All items
All items (1957 59=100).
Commodities
Food
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
Food away from home
Commodities less food
Nondurables less food
Apparel commodities '
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Nondurables less food and apparel. .
Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Fuel oil and coal
Other nondurables
Durable commodities
Household durables
New automobiles
Used automobiles
Other durables
Services
Rent
Services less rent
Household services less rent
Transportation services
Medical care services
Other services
All items less food
Nondurable commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
Services less medical care services
Insurance and finance
Utilities and public transportation
Housekeeping and home maintenance service
Appliances (including radio and TV)
All items
Food
Housing
Shelter
3
Rent
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities 5.
4
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operatic
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
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 6
CPI - selected beef cuts 7
Percent change to 1975 from—
1974
Average
147.7
171.8
145.5
161.7
162.4
166.1
163.9
151.9
165.8
162.8
159.4
136.6
140.9
136. 1
136.4
134.9
138. 1
143.8
158.9
143.8
131.8
214.6
133.7
130.6
128.9
117.5
122.6
138.0
2
152. 1
2
130.6
156.0
166.0
141.9
159.1
2
141.6
161.2
187.5
158.4
175.4
175.8
184.8
178.0
156.6
171.0
184.8
174.3
149. 1
151.7
141.2
142.2
138.1
144.2
157.9
169.7
153.9
142. 1
235.3
151.2
145.5
140.3
127. 6
146.4
154.2
166.6
137.3
171.9
184.7
152.7
179. 1
152.1
2
143.7
151.0
135.7
151.0
164.2
141.6
175.4
109.7
157. 1
163.2
140.6
164.7
180.4
157. 1
193.7
118.4
147.7
161.7
150.6
2
154.4
2
130. 6
163.2
150,2
145.8
140.5
136.2
137.7
136.6
148.0
140.3
150. 5
137.3
133.8
137.2
161.2
175.4
166.3
169.7
137.3
181.7
167.8
169.6
158.1
142.3
150.6
149.8
158.6
153.5
168.6
150.7
144.4
147.4
9.4
9.7
7.2
9.4
12.0
9.8
7.9
7.4
146. 1
147.7
146.1
161.9
166.6
159. 1
160.9
159. 1
173.6
170.3
8.9
8.9
8.9
7.2
2.2
8.9
8.5
8.3
11.3
8.6
3. 1
3. 1
13.5
9.3
9.2
7.7
3.7
4.3
2.4
4.4
9.8
6.8
7.0
7.8
9.6
13. 1
11.4
8.8
8.6
19.4
11.7
9.5
5. 1
10.2
11.3
7.6
12.6
7.4
9.3
8. 1
3.6
9. 1
9.9
10.9
10.4
7.9
9. 1
8.5
10.8
9.9
5. 1
11.3
11.7
16.3
12.5
4. 5
Purchasing power of consumer dollar:
1967=31.00
1957-59= SI. 00
$0,678
.583
1
Also includes infants' wear, sewing materials, and jewelry not shown separately.
2
1974 annual average revised from previously published.
3
Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance and repairs.
4
5
$0,621
. 533
Calculated from the food at home component by excluding fish, nonalcoholic beverages,
bananas, chocolate candy bars, chocolate syrup, and about half of the index weight for sugar.
7
Calculated from the CPI beef and veal component by excluding veal cutlets and beef liver.
NOTE:
Also includes residential telephone, fuel oil, coal, water, and sewerage service not shown
sparately.
16
Index applies to month as a whole, not to any specific date.
Table 2. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
by commodity and service groups, and expenditure classes
Seasonally adjusted annu
Seasonally adjusted indexes
percent change fot
(1967=100)
Septem- Octobe]
ber 1975 1975
Novem- i Dec
ber 1975 ber 1975 II
June
1975
Sept.
1975
Dec.
1975
June
1975
Dec.
1975
5. 8
4.7
3.8
3.9
6.8
8.2
8. 8
-3.2
16.0
15.6
12.7
2. 7
7.4
Commodity and si
|
All items
Commodities
Food
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fru its and vegetables
Other foods at home
Food away from home
Commodities less food
Nondurables less food
Apparel commodities'
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Nondurables less food and apparel
Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products (not seasonally adjusted) . .
Alcoholic beverages (not seasonally adjusted) .
Fuel oil and coal
Other nondurables
Durable commodities
Household durables
New automobiles
Used automobiles (not seasonally adjusted) .
Other durables
Services (not seasonally adjusted)
Rent (not seasonally adjusted)
Services less rent (not seasonally adjusted)
Household services less rent
Transportation services
Medical care services
Other services
All items less food
Nondurable commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
Services less medical care services (not seasonally adjusted)
I nsurance and finance
Utilities and public transportation
Housekeeping and home maintenance service
Appliances (including radio and TV) (not seasonally adjusted) .
160.5
177. 6
178.0
182.1
188.2
157.1
172.0
181.0
176.3
151.2
153O 3
141.6
142.7
138. 8
144.5
160.2
176, 1
154.4
142.5
240.1
152.7
148. 1
141.3
129.5
152.9
156.7
169.1
138.4
174.4
186.8
156.6
182.8
153.5
161.5
179.9
180.6
181.4
192.5
160.2
172. 8
181,2
177.5
151.7
154. 1
141.9
142.7
139.1
145. 1
161. 1
177.7
154. 3
143.3
244.5
153.6
148.3
142.0
129.4
152.5
157.0
170. 1
139.3
175.5
187.6
157.5
185.0
154,2
162.2
180.9
181.5
182. 1
193.3
163.0
173.9
182. 3
178. 7
152. 1
154. 6
142.4
143.5
139.5
145.7
161. 8
178.2
154. 8
143.5
246.0
154.3
148.6
142.8
130.5
150. 8
157.4
172.0
139.9
177. 3
189.9
162.2
184.6
154.9
162.9
181.4
182,4
182.6
193, 3
164,8
179*5
184.4
179.6
152.6
155.1
142. 8
143.5
140.0
145,7
162,5
177.1
156. 8
143.7
249.7
155.4
149.2
143. 1
133.3
150. 8
157.8
173. 1
140.6
178.6
191.2
163.4
186.0
155.5
159. 3
165.1
141.2
166,9
181,5
162.8
195. 3
119.6
160.1
166.4
141.3
167. 8
182.5
163.3
197.1
120.2
161.2
167. 3
141. 8
170.0
187.1
164.8
198.5
120.9
161.9
167. 8
142.2
171. 1
188. 8
165.5
199,2
120. 8
6.0
4.2
-.2
-4.1
14. 3
-19.9
-.3
-3.5
-2. 1
11.2
7.4
4. 1
7.6
7. 4
7.6
10.0
12. 3
-5.6
66.6
-3. 3
7.5
7.3
-7. 3
20. 8
10.3
7.0
-2.2
7. 1
7,5
6.2
4. 1
4.0
6.3
2.0
7,0
17.9
2. 1
1. 1
15.7
4.9
8.2
4. 1
7.1
24.0
4,7
5.5
7.6
5.9
-14.6
3.5
5.9
5. 8
-. 3
-1.7
.3
-.8
8. 3
1.0
22.0
-.6
. 3
-3.7
6.0
8.6
-8.1
12.1
13.3
7.9
8.6
4. 1
19.5
8.0
5.5
10.1
9.8
5.3
14.5
7,5
8.5
1. 8
-1. 1
6.7
8.1
9.8
6.5
6.0
1. 3
2.0
12. 3
5.8
6.0
3.5
1.3
11.8
9.9
6.3
4.2
6.3
8.2
5. 8
8.5
4.5
7.9
4.9
18.5
10.7
6.2
5. 8
7.8
-.6
5. 8
7.7
12.1
3,4
3.5
7.6
7.3
5.0
8. 1
3.4
18.9
5.9
5.9
6. 1
8. 8
10. 3
1. 1
11.3
21. 1
18.6
7. 7
7.7
3.8
4.8
3.4
2.3
3,5
3.4
5.9
2.3
6.4
3.4
17.0
7.3
3.0
5.2
12.3
-5.4
2.8
9.8
6.5
10,0
9.8
18.5
7.2
5. 3
6.7
6.7
2.9
10.5
17. 1
6.8
8.2
4. 1
15.5
-1.8
1. 1
-8.5
7. 3
6.6
4.9
-.4
-.7
-1.7
2. 3
7.9
11.0
3.6
5.3
1.6
9.6
5.7
4.9
7.9
5.6
5.5
3.7
3. 1
4.9
2. 7
6.4
9.8
4.2
2. 3
16.3
6.1
14.6
5.6
4.6
9.6
8.3
3.8
7.1
4.8
8.2
9.0
5.6
11.6
4.9
9.1
5.5
9.0
7. 3
18.5
8.9
5.8
7. 1
4.7
-.9
6.3
7.9
11.0
5.0
4.7
7.2
7.0
3.9
9.2
10.0
12.7
7. 1
5.0
6.6
7.5
Expenditure classes
All items . . .
Food
Housing
Shelter
2
Rent (not seasonally adjusted)
Homeownership *
Fuel and utilities
4
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
Apparel and upkeep
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) 5 . .
CPI - selected beef cuts (not seasonally adjusted) 6
177.6
168.7
171,3
138. 4
183.5
171.6
175.2
159. 8
142.9
156.0
154.7
169.7
155.2
172.0
152. 1
145.7
147.7
179.9
169.6
172.0
139.3
184.2
173.0
176.0
160.6
143.3
155.9
154.6
169.3
156. 1
173. 7
152.7
146.5
148.4
180.9
171.0
173.6
139.9
186. 1
174. 9
177.5
161. 3
143. 8
157.6
156. 1
169.7
156.3
173.5
153.6
146.9
148.8
181,4
171,9
174.5
140.6
186.9
176.1
178.6
162.0
144.0
158. 1
156.8
169,4
157.5
174.9
154. 6
147.5
149.7
161.4
163.0
161.4
176.4
178. 3
162.6
163.9
162.5
177.2
180.2
163.4
165.0
163.3
177. 8
176.8
164.4
165. 8
164.2
178.8
175.9
Also includes infants' wear, sewing materials, and jewelry not shown separately.
9.8
1.4
4.2
4.5
1.6
11.0
13.7
10.6
7.6
8.6
4.2
5.8
5.9
1.7
-15.2
7. 1
10.0
7.0
6.9
4.2
8.6
13.5
17.5
5.0
7.6
7.5
5. 1
3.8
4.5
3. 1
10.9
13.9
5.2
10.3
4.0
4. 3
8. 8
3.0
4.0
1,6
7, 1
6,8
6. 8
10.9
8.2
9.0
6.5
5.7
5.5
7.8
7.7
6.5
7.6
10.9
8.0
5.6
3. 1
8.9
4.8
10.7
11.4
17.6
7.4
.7
3.9
20. 8
18.4
49.4
5.9
10.1
5.4
5.4
5.5
5.5
-.7
6.9
7.4
2.8
12.9
11.8
21.8
6. 1
6.9
6.7
5.0
5.5
7.6
11.2
6.7
5.8
5. 1
6.0
8.5
8.6
7.4
8.1
8.3
1.4
7.6
5.7
6.3
6.4
6.2
8. 1
7.2
7.6
6.9
-2,0
4.6
9.7
4.7
7. 1
7. 1
5.6
-5.3
26.5
chocolate candy bars, chocolate syrup, and about half of the index weight for sugar.
6
Calculated from the CPl beef and veal component by excluding veal cutlets and beef li
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.
Calculated from the food at home component by excluding fish, nonalcoholic beverages, bananas,
6.0
-.2
10.9
11.0
5.5
12.8
9.4
17.7
NOTE: Index applie
17
a whole, not to any specific date.
5. 3
10. 9
10.9
5.4
6. 1
5.2
3. 1
Table 3. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, food items, December
1975 indexes and percent changes from selected dates
Dec.
_1974_
adjusted
:
ood away from home
Restaurant meals
Snacks
:
ood at home
Cereals and bakery products
Flour
Cracker meal
Corn flakes
Rice
Bread, white
Bread, whole wheat
Cookies
Layer cake
Cinnamon rolls
Meats, poultry, and fish
Meats
Beef and veal
Steak, round
Steak, sirloin
Steak, porterhouse
Rump roast
Rib roast
Chuck roast
Hamburger
Veal cutlets
Pork
Chops
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, skim
Milk, evaporated
Icecream
Cheese, American process
Butter
Fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits
Apples
Bananas
1
80.7
180.0
178.8
185.8
180.9
182.2
161. 1
224.7
165.9
211.7
161.7
179.2
183.4
189.3
198.5
189.2
189.8
174.7
177.2
175.5
188.9
171.3
202.8
184.5
164.3
141.0
191.7
219.6
197.7
217.6
248.4
221.6
210.6
233.5
181.2
180.2
174.5
209.9
180.5
169. 1
172.8
168.5
172.8
168.6
148.7
214. 1
205.1
228.3
177.5
243.6
165.5
157.8
173.0
193.2
156. 1
194.8
151.0
172. 1
162. 1
144.9
129.7
145.6
6.5
181.4
7.4
179.6
7. 1
178.4
9.0
185.6
6.2
182.4
.3
182.6
160.3
-5.8
226.3
5.8
166.2
1.2
214.3
-4.3
161.5
-3. 1
178.8
3.3
184. 1
1.4
189.1
2.9
197.7
3.4
193.3
15.7
194. 1 17.4
180.8
9. 1
185.5
13.6
183.6
17.0
196.2
21.4
178.4
10. 7
208.2
20.2
191.6
11.8
169.0
2.6
143.7
-7. 1
194.8
-1.9
222.7
31.4
204.0
25.3
224.8
32.7
253.2
36.7
214.7
32.5
213.2
32.2
236.6
182. 1 33.3
14.7
182.6
12.6
176.8
12. 1
209. 1 32.3
181.4
10.9
169.8
8.0
173.1
11.9
173.7
8.8
179.6
8.0
172.6
12.2
148.4
9.6
213.5
9.9
204.3
26.
1
228.5
5.3
178.4
1.3
241.7
8.9
164.8
6.6
157.3
2.4
172.8
3.2
193.8
6.3
155.0
5.6
194.6
16.0
148.6
29.7
179.5
6.7
173.7
8.4
156.3
1.3
144.4
156.2 -11.
32.6
0.5
.4
.4
.4
.5
.2
-.8
-.4
0
-.6
-.4
.6
2.6
.6
.3
0.3
.5
.6
.5
.5
.3
-2.0
.2
.4
-. 7
-.7
.7
Food—Continued
Food at home—Continued
Fruits and vegetables—Continued
Fresh fruits and vegetables—Continued
Fresh fruits—Continued
Oranges
Orange juice, fresh
Grapefruit
Grapes
Strawberries
Watermelon
Fresh vegetables
2.8
.9
.9
0
0
Potatoes
Onions
Asparagus
-1. 1
-1.4
-.3
-.5
2. 3
.2
-.5
1. 1
-.5
1.4
1.3
1.8
.4
1.2
-.4
-1.5
1.9
.5
1.5
.7
-3.5 -2.2
1.3
-3.5
.3
-2.1
-.6
-3. 5
.5 - 2 . 9
-1.0
-1. 1
-7.0
-5.4
.3
.8
.2
.6
.7
.8
2. 1
1..5
.2
.4
.4
1. 3
.3
.3
-.3
-1.5
-.4
-1.6
.5
-.4
.3
-2.2
1.2
1. 1
1.5
1.9
.7
.4
1.5
1.7
.7
.7
1. 1
1.7
.5
1.2
.3
.8
2.4
2.3
1.2
.8
1.4
6.0
5.8
2.0
3.2
2.5
4.6
-.6
2.3
1. 1 - 1 . 3
-1.8
1.5
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Peppers, green
Spinach
Tomatoes
Processed fruits and vegetables
Fruit cocktail, canned
Pears, canned
Pineapple-grapefruit drink,
canned
Orange juice concentrate, frozen
Lemonade concentrate, frozen
Beets, canned
Peas, green, canned
Tomatoes, canned
Dried beans
Broccoli, frozen
Other food at home
Eggs
Fats and oils
Margarine
Salad dressing, Italian
Salad or cooking oil
Sugar and sweets
Sugar
Grape jelly
Chocolate bar
Syrup, chocolate flavored
Nonalcoholic beverages
Coffee
Coffee, instant
Tea
V:
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
Priced only in season.
18
155.4 156.8
148.5 148.2
138. 1 156.8
n
(l)
n
4.2
3.0
-.8
O
13
13.7
174.3
158.0
190.4
185.8
160.0
179. 6
307.7
155.5
185.9
176.4
185.9
205.6
152.3
200.3
225.7
218.5
226.2
241. 8
215. 1
190. 1
196. 1
196.3
149.4
194.2
200. 1
187. 1
210.8
180.5
17. 1
34. 1
(')
(l)
155.7
1.3
151.4
198.3 - 1 1 . 7
32.7
216.6
61.3
156.7
-.3
172.0
20.5
193.0
11. 1
163.0
.7
187.4
4.6
175.9
-.8
161.2
-1.5
174.6
7.2
158.3
8. 1
188.9
12.7
186. 7
.9
159.8
2.6
179.8
5.9
310.2
8.4
155.8
3.5
184.4
-3. 1
165.2
2.2
184.4 -12.6
204.8 -18.5
151.5
3.8
198.5 -16.4
226.8 -19. 1
220.5 -58.0
227.6
11.4
241.3
10.4
214.7
3.3
190.7
10. 1
197.7
16. 3
197.5
14.0
149. 1 12.6
194.6
.6
200.7
.6
165.2
194. 1
133.3
164.2
154.8
174. 6
161. 1
178. 1
160. 1
165.2
195. 1
133.4
164.5
155. 1
174.9
161.6
177.0
160.7
176. 1
190.6
167. 3
147.9
154.3
194.9
194.5
160.3
159.8
191.5
173.4
187.0
176. 1
161.7
2.7
4.2
-1.6
1.5
-1.0
2.6
3.5
8.3
2.9
-2.0
-.3
-1.6
4.4
-.3
2.7
O
n
n
4.6
-2. 1
-1.1
.3
1.6
-5.8
61.9
-5.7
14.0
.6
24.3
1.5
-.1
-.4
.9
1.4
.1
.1
.1
.8
6.7
.5
1.6
10.2
-.6
-1.3
-.7
-. 1
-1.0
-3.3
-1.0
.1
-.2
1. 1
1.7
1.8
.1
-.2
.6
1.4
7.4
.2
.5
-.2
2.2
-. 1
.7
-.2
()
5.6
-1.7
-.7
(')
-1.2
-5.0
-6.2
49.0
-1. 1
12.3
-.6
13.8
1.5
.3
.1
1.5
2.0
-.7
.5
.3
1.2
5.0
.5
1.2
3.4
-.4
-. 1
-.9
.9
-.3
-1.4
-1.0
-.5
-1.2
2. 1
-.3
.1
1. 1
1.4
8.0
.5
.9
-. 1
2.5
-.1
.1
-. 1
Table 3-A. Consumer Price Index —United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, food items, 1975
annual average indexes, and percent changes from 1974 to 1975
Indexes
(1967=100)
ood
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 cake
Cinnamon rolls
Meats, poultry, and fish
Meats
Beef and veal
Steak, round
Steak, sirloin
Steak, porterhouse . .
Rump roast
Rib roast
Chuck roast
Hamburger
Beef liver
Veal cutlets
Pork
Chops
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, skim
Milk, evaporated
Cheese, American process .
Butter
Fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits
Apples
Bananas
1
1974
Average
1975
Average
1974
Average
161.7
159.4
159.7
158.2
162.4
166. 1
172.7
189. 1
134.5
237. 7
158.4
162. 7
145.8
158.3
163.7
163.9
164.1
168.5
164.0
155.5
158.0
160.5
168.9
171.7
176.0
162.7
198.8
161,0
155.4
163. 1
177.0
154.8
161.3
160.5
159.2
156.3
160.0
156.7
165. 1
159.4
157.7
146.9
148.2
144.5
143.2
187. 7
169.4
215.8
168.1
197.5
151.9
152.5
164.4
172.2
133.3
167.9
114. 1
165.8
162.6
150.8
162.4
119.2
175.4
174.3
173.2
179.7
175.8
184.8
165.4
231. 1
166.5
217.0
165.8
176.5
186. 1
191.9
198.0
178.0
177.9
170.0
171.6
169.4
177.4
167.7
189.5
176.0
162.5
144.4
190.7
196.9
183.5
195.9
218.1
184.9
181. 1
215.6
168.5
172.0
165.6
8.5
9.3
8.5
13.6
8.3
11.3
-4.2
22.2
23.8
-8.7
4. 7
8.5
27.6
21.2
21.0
177.9
171.2
160.5
163. 1
162.4
167.0
160.7
142.8
203.3
180.2
220.9
175.3
235.3
156.6
152.7
167.7
183.9
151.6
175.8
124.2
171.0
166.1
161. 1
162.5
149.4
Indexes
(1967=100)
Percent change
to 1975 from
Average
148.4
139.3
147.
1
1
190.5
1
136.7
1
186.9
172.3
229.5
152.5
1
169.0
146. 7
146.6
145.7
136.7
154.9
152.0
173.5
155.4
170.6
156.9
144.5
137. 8
142.0
141.3
163.4
131.5
149.5
372.8
136.3
162.8
160.8
179.4
204.9
130.3
202.0
195.2
267.8
171.5
189.8
161.9
155.6
160.5
157. 7
121. 1
163.0
163.9
154.2
147.0
162.6
192.4
147.9
198.3
170.4
184.4
179.9
183.8
153.9
168.9
162.8
170.9
151.9
161.4
184.5
163.9
178.3
177.2
164.4
171.7
153.2
187. 8
187.5
161. 7
176.3
235.9
153.5
184.8
157.8
198.6
224.6
155.2
216.8
246.2
308.8
230.5
238.9
215.3
178.9
172.9
178.0
145.6
200.5
203.8
144.3
165.3
129.0
143.4
139.4
150.3
138.0
146.5
142.2
163.0
183. 1
134.5
163. 1
155.9
168.6
161.2
172.7
163.5
1974
Average
Food—Continued
Food at home—Continued
Fruits and vegetables—Continued
Fresh fruits and vegetables—Continued
Fresh fruits—Continued
Oranges
Orange juice, fresh
Grapefruit
Grapes
Strawberries
Watermelon
Fresh vegetables
Potatoes
Onions
Asparagus
8.6
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Cucumbers
8.4
.9
4.6
8.9
12.3
4.5
12.2
2.5
7.7
-11.2
-4. 1
22.3
18. 1
20. 1
23.2
19.4
12.3
34.3
5.8
10.0
3.5
13.5
3. 7
0. 7
3.4
10.6
12. 7
11.2
-0.3
8.3
6.4
2.4
4.3
19. 1
3. 1
0. 1
2.0
6.8
13.7
4. 7
8.9
3. 1
2.2
6.8
0. 1
25.3
Lettuce
Peppers, green
Spinach
Tomatoes
Processed fruits and vegetables
Fruit cocktail, canned
Pears, canned
Pineapple-grapefruit drink,
canned
Orange juice concentrate, frozen
Lemonade concentrate, frozen
Beets, canned
Peas, green, canned
Tomatoes, canned
Dried beans
Broccoli, frozen
Other food at home
Eggs
Fats and oils:
Margarine
Salad dressing, Italian
Salad or cooking oil
Sugar and sweets
Sugar
Grape jelly
Chocolate bar
Syrup, chocolate flavored
Nonalcoholic beverages
Coffee
Coffee, instant
Tea
Carbonated drink, cola flavored
Carbonated drink, fruit flavored
Prepared and partially prepared
foods
Bean soup,canned
Chicken soup, canned
Spaghetti, canned
Mashed potatoes, instant
Potatoes, trench fried, frozen
Baby foods
Sweet pickle relish
Pretzels
Revised.
1975
1974
Average
Percent change
to 1975 from
19
3.9
5.5
10.5
1.0
8.2
6. 1
-1. 1
-19.7
18.0
8.8
4.9
15.2
11.7
25.0
-1.9
6.2
6.3
5.5
4.5
12.9
13.8
24.6
7.9
32.9
14. 7
23.0
17.9
-36.7
12.6
13.5
-1.9
10. 7
9.6
19.1
7.3
26. 1
15.3
34.4
25.9
33.0
15.0
7.7
12.9
20.2
23.0
24.3
13.0
10.8
4.3
13.7
11.8
12.2
16.8
17.9
15.0
Table 4. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, indexes for selected
items and groups, December 1975, and percent changes from selected dates
Percent change to
Other
index
bate
n
November
1975
171.3
174.1
139.9
186.8
143.9
163.5
135.1
191.9
163.0
158.6
149.3
204.3
December
1975
December 1975 from:
December
November
1974
1975
172.2
175.0
140.6
187.8
144.4
165.2
135.2
192.3
163.5
159.6
149.2
204.7
7. 7
7.3
5.2
7.9
-3. 1
6.7
8.2
5.5
4.3
4.9
4.3
5.9
0.5
.5
.5
.5
.3
1.0
. 1
.2
.3
.6
-. 1
.2
216.7
224.9
191.8
201.8
197.4
174.4
246.5
242.6
176.8
183.2
170.9
128.6
217.9
225.3
191. 1
203.0
198.0
176.1
248.7
245.0
179.0
187.2
171.4
7.4
5.6
3.2
7.2
8.3
11.2
8.7
9.4
14.2
20.2
8.8
.6
.2
-.4
.6
.3
1.0
.9
1.0
1.2
2.2
.3
128.9
5.6
.2
176.0
161.6
147.4
144.1
156.9
136.7
145.6
169.6
122.3
132.6
149.9
177.2
162.0
147.5
144.3
156.1
136.5
146.2
169.9
123.8
132.9
150.0
11.5
6.4
5.4
2.5
7.2
2.6
-.6
2.8
2.7
.2
5.5
.7
.2
.1
.1
-.5
-. 1
.4
.2
1.2
.2
.1
130.2
140.5
127.0
133.6
111.6
138.8
130.9
130.2
140.4
129.5
133.9
110.5
137.4
131.5
2.4
2.6
6.0
5.0
.9
3.5
4.2
0
-. 1
2.0
.2
-1.0
-1.0
. 5
151.2
131.8
120.5
156.5
159.6
131.5
136.7
118.7
151.5
132.4
121.2
157.1
159.5
131.6
136.0
118.6
3.6
3.7
2.8
7.5
3.2
6.5
7. 7
5.2
Refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers,
electric
Ranges, free standing, gas or
132.0
132.1
6.2
. l
electric
Clothes dryers, electric
133.6
141.5
134.9
142.3
8.4
8.3
1.0
.6
127.4
130.7
178.9
181.1
147.9
155.0
126.6
127.4
130.5
178. 1
180.9
147.3
(6)
126.9
4.9
4.7
0
-.2
10.9
13.8
2.6
(b)
6. 1
-.4
164.9
213.1
214.4
166.1
213.3
215.8
7.9
9.2
12.7
200.3
199.3
175.1
191.3
158.8
191.5
200.7
199.2
175. 1
193.9
159.0
192.1
5.4
11.5
-. 1
7.8
Housing
Shelter '
Rent, residential
Homeownership 2
Mortgage interest rates
Property taxes
Property insurance premiums
Maintenance and repairs
Maintenance and repair commodities
,
3
i
. ..
Exterior house paint
,
Interior house paint
,
Maintenance and repair services
Repainting living and dining
rooms
Reshingling house roof
Residing house
Replacing sink
Repairing furnace
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
,
1
,
,
;
Fuel oil. No. 2
Gas and electricity
Gas
Electricity
Other utilities:
Residential telephone services
Residential water and sewerage
services
Household furnishings and operation 4
Housefurnishings
Textiles
Sheets, full, flat
Curtains, tailored
Bedspreads
Drapery fabrics
Pillows, bed
Slipcovers and throws, ready-made
Furniture and bedding
Bedroom furniture, chest and
dresser
Sofas, upholstered
Cocktail tables
Mar. 70
Dining room chairs
Recliners, upholstered
Dec. 71
Mar. 70
Dec. 71
Sofas, dual purpose
Bedding, mattress and box springs
June 70
Aluminum folding chairs
Cribs
Floor coverings
Broadloom carpeting
Vinyl sheet goods
Vinyl floor tile
Appliances (excluding radio and T V )
Washing machines, electric
Vacuum cleaners
Air conditioners, demountable
Room heaters, electric, portable
Garbage disposal units
Other housefurnishings:
Dinnerware, fine china
Flatware, stainless steel
Table lamps, with shade
Lawn mowers, power, rotary type
Electric drills, hand-held
Housekeeping supplies:
Laundry soaps and detergents
Paper napkins
Toilet tissue
Housekeeping services:
Domestic services, general
housework
Baby sitter services
Postal charges
Laundry, flatwork, finished service
Licensed day care services, preschool
child
Washing machine repairs
See footnotes at end of table.
20
i
!
i
j
6.9
6.5
.2
.5
.6
.4
-. 1
. 1
-.5
-. 1
-. 1
-.4
(6)
.2
.7
. 1
. 7
.2
-. 1
0
1.4
. 1
.3
Table 4. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, indexes for selected
items and groups, December 1975, and percent changes from selected dates—Continued
Item and group
Other
index
Apparel and upkeep
Apparel commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
Men's and boys'
Men's:
Topcoats and all-weather coats . .
Suits, year round weight
Sport jackets
Jackets, lightweight
Slacks, heavyweight
Slacks, lightweight
Trousers, work
Shirts, work
Shirts, business or dress
T-shirts
Socks
Handkerchiefs
Boys':
Coats, heavyweight
Sport coats, wool or wool blends .
Dungarees
Undershorts
Women's and girls'
Women'-;:
Coats, heavyweight
Carcoats, heavyweight
Sweaters
Skirts, winter weight
Skirts, summer weight
Blouses
Dresses, street, year round weight .
Slips
Panties
Girdles
Brassieres
Hose or panty hose, nylon
Anklets or knee-length socks
Gloves, fabric
Handbags
Girls':
Raincoats
Skirts, fall and winter
Slacks, fall and winter
Slips
Handbags
Miscellaneous apparel:
Diapers
Yard goods
Wrist watches, men's and women's .
Footwear
Men's:
Shoes, street
Shoes, work, high
Women's:
Shoes, street, pump
Shoes, evening, pump
Shoes, casual
Houseslippers, scuff
Children's:
Shoes, oxford
Sneakers, boys', oxford type
Dress shoes, girls'
Apparel services:
Drycleaning
Automatic laundry service
Laundry, men's shirts
Tailoring charges,
Shoe repairs
Transportation
Private
Automobiles, new
Automobiles, used
Gasoline, regular and prem
Motor oil
Auto repairs (mechanical) and maintenance . .
Auto insurance premiums
Auto registration fees
Parking fees, private and municipal
21
Percent change to
December 1975 from:
Novembe r
1975
December
1975
December
1974
145.5
144.4
144.1
144.8
145.2
143.9
143.6
144.2
2.3
1.6
1.5
1.2
-0.2
-.3
-.3
-.4
147.4
141.9
105.8
135.9
120.4
145.5
151.1
151.9
129.0
153.4
131.3
155.5
145.4
140.0
103.9
136. 1
120.2
143.9
152. 1
151.9
129.5
153.7
132. 1
155.7
-.5
1.4
1.0
4.2
1.4
-.8
1.6
1. 1
.3
2.4
4.5
5.1
-1.4
-1.3
-1.8
.1
-.2
-1. 1
.7
0
.4
.2
.6
.1
121.7
124.7
177.7
151.5
142.6
121.0
125.3
177.3
150.9
142. 1
-3.2
1.3
3.6
-.6
1.5
-.6
.5
-.2
-.4
-.4
155.6
157.5
144.0
171.7
149.0
137.7
147.8
117. 1
142.4
129.6
144.8
92.5
132.5
128.2
173.4
150. &
156.4
145. 1
169.9
(5)
138.8
147.5
119.5
142.9
129.8
144.9
92.5
133.4
127.2
171.6
1.4
2.4
.4
2.0
(5)
1. 1
1.4
1.4
4.0
3.0
4.0
1.2
2. 1
1.8
1.2
-3.2
-.7
.8
-1.0
(5)
.8
-.2
2.0
.4
.2
.1
0
.7
-.8
-1.0
135.2
163.6
132.1
170.4
129.8
141.6
132.4
162.6
132.3
170.4
129.9
142.6
1.5
22.3
-3.6
-5.0
4.7
-5.2
-2. 1
-.6
.2
0
.1
.7
180.9
157.5
138.5
146.3
181.6
158.5
138.5
145.7
3.9
-3.9
5.3
2.5
.4
.6
0
-.4
149.0
161.4
148.2
161/8
1.1
3.3
-.5
.2
141.6
134.3
148.5
141.1
140.7
134. 1
147.8
141.3
2.7
1.6
2. 1
2.5
-.6
-. 1
-.5
.1
145.6
151. 1
155.9
145.2
149.9
154.6
2.7
2.6
5.2
-.3
-.8
154.4
138.7
156.0
153.9
143.9
155.0
138.9
157.9
154.2
144. 7
7.6
8.9
5.5
2.7
5.7
157.4
156. 1
131.3
153.7
177.3
157.2
128.2
181.2
161. 1
130.8
176.3
157. 6
156.2
134.0
149.6
176.6
157.5
128.8
182.5
163.2
130. 8
177.4
9.8
9.6
November
1975
7.3
8. 1
11.0
3.4
2.8
9.3
17.9
1.5
7.3
-.8
.4
. 1
1.2
.2
.6
. 1
. 1
2. 1
-2.7
-.4
.2
.5
.7
1. 3
0
.6
Table 4. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, indexes for selected
items and groups, December 1975, and percent changes from selected dates—Continued
Other
I
ransportation—Continued
Public
Local transit fares
Taxicab fares
Railroad fares, coach
Airplane fares, chiefly coach
Bus fares, intercity
Health and recreation'
Medical care
Drugs and prescriptions
Over-the-counter items
Multiple vitamin concentrates
Aspirin compounds
Liquid tonics
Adhesive bandages, packages
Cold tablets or capsules
Cough syrup
Prescriptions
Anti-infectives
Sedatives and hypnotics
Ataractics
Antispasmodics
Cough preparations
Cardiovasculars and antihypertensives
Analgesics, internal
Anti-obesities
Physicians' fees
General physician, office visits
General physician, house visits
Obstetrical cases
Pediatric care, office visits
Psychiatrist, office visits
Herniorrhaphy, adult
Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
Dentists' fees
Fillings, adult, amalgam, one surface
Extractions, adult
Dentures, full upper
Other professional services:
Examination, prescription, and dispensing
of eyeglasses
Routine laboratory tests
Hospital service charges
Semiprivate rooms
Operating room charges
X-ray, diagnostic series, upper Gl
Laboratory tests
Anti-infectives
Tranquilizers
Electrocardiogram
Intravenous solution
Physical therapy
Oxygen, inhalation therapy
Personal care
Toilet goods
Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Toothpaste, standard dentifrice
Toilet soap, hard-milled
Hand lotions
Shaving cream
Face powder
Deodorants
Cleansing tissues
Home permanent wave kits
Personal care services
Men's haircuts
Beauty shop services
Women's haircuts
Shampoo and wave sets, plain
Permanent waves, cold
Reading and recreation
Recreational goods
TV sets, portable and console
TV replacement tubes
Radios, portable and table models
Tape recorders, portable
Phonograph records, stereophonic
Movie cameras, 8mm
Film, 35mm, color
Golf balls
See footnotes at end of table.
22
December 1975 from:
December
November
1974
1975
November
1975
December
1975
168.9
170.3
169. 1
151.4
162.1
192.6
170. 1
170.3
171.3
157.9
165.6
192.6
11.9
15.3
156.5
173.3
121.4
133.5
104.3
135.9
118.5
170.9
125.8
138.4
111.3
71.7
157.1
107.2
130.2
169.6
118.9
120.6
157.5
174.7
122.0
134.0
104. 1
136.0
119.0
171. 1
126.8
139.8
111.9
71.8
157.9
108.6
130.3
170.5
119. 1
120.8
6.8
9.9
7.4
9.1
5.3
7.7
6.7
*
Hormones
Professional services:
Percent change to
Indexes
index
base
*
105.8
106.7
176. 1
181.0
176.9
174.6
179.3
158.7
157.3
168.8
165.8
170.6
165.1
156.6
178.3
183.4
180.9
178.9
180.7
158.8
158.9
169.6
166.5
171.3
165.8
157.4
152.9
153.7
137.6
247.1
249.4
161.6
132.0
113.7
123.5
127.7
132.0
140.0
125.5
153.6
152.8
135.6
195.6
157.1
128.7
155.4
115.8
203.2
123.7
154.3
156.3
152.9
169.0
154.9
132.2
147.0
124.8
103.0
159.2
104.3
95.3
123.9
93.8
119.1
104.2
153.5
153.8
138.9
249. 1
251.8
163.5
132.7
115.7
125.2
129.6
133.9
140.4
126. 1
154.6
154.0
135.3
196.4
159.2
129.7
156.5
117.7
206. 1
123.6
155.1
156.8
154.0
170.9
155.9
132.6
147.5
124.8
102.8
161.7
104.0
94.9
123.5
94. 1
119.2
104.2
4.4
6. 1
7.4
7.9
16.2
5.8
9.6
5.7
3.2
6.4
2.9
12.0
0.7
0
1.3
4.3
2.2
0
.6
.8
.5
.4
-.2
.1
.4
.1
.8
1.0
.5
.1
.5
1.3
.1
9.4
1.2
5.4
*
7.8
.5
.2
.2
*
.9
.11.8
12.0
12.7
13.9
11.3
1.2
1.3
2.3
2.5
.8
8.2
9.9
.1
7.8
7.6
8.7
7.4
1.0
.5
.4
.4
.4
.5
6.7
.4
6. 1
13.0
14.7
13.8
10.2
.1
11.7
9.9
10.3
12.8
9.7
13.5
11.3
8.9
6.4
7. 7
9. 1
-.2
16. 6
10.4
1.8
7.7
11.7
10.5
5.0
3.7
6.0
8.9
4.8
5.2
5.5
4.5
2.2
8. 1
.9
-.4
3.8
.5
2.8
-.9
.9
.8
1.0
1.2
.5
1.8
1.4
1.5
1.4
.3
.5
.7
.8
-.2
.4
1.3
.8
.7
1.6
1.4
-. 1
.5
.3
.7
1. 1
.6
.3
.3
0
-.2
1.6
-.3
-.'4
-.3
.3
.1
0
Table 4. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, indexes for selected
items and groups, December 1975, and percent changes from selected dates—Continued
Percent change to
Indexes
Health and recreation—Continued
Reading and recreation—Continued
Recreational goods—Continued
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
Children's
Drive-in movie admissions
Bowling fees, evening
Golf green fees
TV repair
Film developing
Reading and education:
Newspapers, street sale and delivery
Magazines, single copy and subscription
Piano lessons, beginner
Other goods and services
Tobacco products
Cigarettes, nonf ilter tip, regular size
Cigarettes, filter tip. king size
Cigars, domestic, regular size
Alcoholic beverages
Beer, at home
Whiskey, spirit blended and straight bourbon
Wine, dessert and table
Beer, away from home
Financial and miscellaneous personal expenses:
Funeral services, adult
Bank service charges, checking account
Legal services, short form will
1
Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Also includes home purchases costs not shown separately.
Also includes pine shelving, furnace filter, packaged dry cement mix, and shrubbery not shown separately.
4
Also includes window shades, nails, carpet sweepers, air deodorizers, steel wool scouring pads, envelopes, reupholstering and moving expenses.
5
Priced only in season.
6
Not available.
7
Also includes men's sport shirt, women's and girls' lightweight coats, women's slack, bathing suits, girls'
December
1975
147.1
122.5
126.7
143.3
145.0
168.2
150.7
171.9
167.4
184.5
173.7
143.2
146.5
122.5
127.6
141.9
144.6
168.3
150.9
171.9
167.2
185. 1
174.3
143.5
105.7
124.0
106.0
123.9
177.3
170.4
141.7
148.9
154.8
157.2
157.0
125.7
143.5
140.7
114.9
155.2
160.3
146.2
121.9
193.2
178. 1
177.8
142.0
149.8
156.8
159.3
159. 1
126.5
143.7
141.2
114.9
155. 3
160.4
146.6
122.6
194.0
December 1975 from:
December
November
1974
1975
4.9
6.2
3.2
3.0
11.2
-0.4
0
.7
-1.0
-.3
4.1
3.5
4.7
4.0
6.5
1.9
5.2
0
-.1
.3
.3
.2
1.9
2.7
-. 1
5.9
24.2
3.2
4. 1
3.9
4.3
3.5
3.8
3.8
3.8
1.7
3.0
4.8
5.2
12.2
7.0
.1
.1
.3
.5
4.3
.2
.6
1.3
1.3
1.3
.6
.1
.4
0
.1
.1
.3
.6
.4
shorts, earnings, and zippers not shown separately.
8
Also includes storage batteries and drivers' license fees not shown separately.
9
Includes prices for water pump replacement, motor tune-up, automatic transmission repair, front-end
alignment, and chassis lubrication; does not include prices for auto body repairs. In the CPI this component
represents consumers' direct, out-of-pocket expenses for automobile repairs and maintenance.
1
° Also includes health insurance not shown separately.
1
' Also includes outboard motors, nondurable toys, college tuition fees, packaged books, and college textbooks, not shown separately.
<*) Discontinued.
2
3
November
1975
23
Table 4-A. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1975 annual average
indexes for selected items and groups, and percent changes from previous year
Other
index
base
Housing
Shelter '
Rent, residential
Homeownership
7
Mortgage interest rates
Property taxes
Property insurance premiums
Maintenance and repairs
Maintenance and repair commodities
3
Exterior house paint
Interior house paint
Maintenance and repair services
1975
Residing house
Replacing sink
Repairing furnace
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Fuel oil. No. 2
Gas and electricity
Gas
Electricity
Other utilities:
Residential telephone services
Residential water and sewerage
services
Household furnishings and operation *
Housefurnishings
Textiles
Sheets, full, flat
Curtains, tailored
Bedspreads
Drapery fabrics
Pillows, bed
Slipcovers and throws, ready-made
Furniture and bedding
Bedroom furniture, chest and
dresser
Sofas, upholstered
Cocktail tables
Dining room chairs
Recliners, upholstered
Dec. 71
Mar. 70
Dec. 71
Sofas, dual purpose
Bedding, mattress and box springs
Aluminum folding chairs
Cribs
Floor coverings
Broadloom carpeting
Vinyl sheet goods
Vinyl floor tile
Appliances (excluding radio and T V )
Washing machines, electric
Vacuum cleaners
Refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers,
electric
Ranges, free standing, gas or
electric
Clothes dryers, electric
Air conditioners, demountable
Room heaters, electric, portable
Garbage disposal units
Other housefurnishings:
Dinnerware, fine china
Flatware, stainless steel
Table lamps, with shade
Lawn mowers, power, rotary type
Electric drills, hand-held
Housekeeping supplies:
Laundry soaps and detergents
Paper napkins
Toilet tissue
Housekeeping services:
Domestic services, general
housework
Baby sitter services
Postal charges
Laundry, flatwork, finished service
Licensed day care services, preschool
child
Washing machine repairs
See footnotes at end of table.
24
10.8
150.6
154.4
130.6
163.2
140.2
151.2
124.2
171.6
151.6
137.4
132.3
180.2
166.8
169.7
137.3
181.7
142. 1
158.8
131.4
187.6
160.9
155.6
147. 1
199.0
189.9
196.0
170.9
176. 1
175.9
150.2
214.6
213.0
145.8
143.9
147.5
210.2
218.7
187.9
195.9
192.3
167.8
235.3
230.6
169.6
172.5
167.0
121.4
125.3
3.2
154.8
140.5
130.8
131.5
135.6
126.8
134.6
153.2
112.3
125.6
136. 1
169.9
158.1
144.4
141.4
147.6
134.0
145.2
168.0
119.4
133.2
147.0
9.8
12.5
10.4
7.5
8.8
5.7
7.9
9.7
6.3
6.1
8.0
121.0
131.2
115.8
120.9
106.4
128.9
118.6
135.7
137.0
118.9
111.6
133.1
138.3
115.6
117. 1
107.6
128. 1
138.9
124.5
130.2
110.4
136.4
130. 1
172.6
148.5
129.8
119.1
152.0
157.2
128.1
131.9
116.7
5.9
5.9
7.5
7.7
3.8
114.6
128.7
12.3
115.8
121.4
113.4
115.7
117.9
130.0
136.7
123.8
124.0
128.6
12.3
12.6
9.2
7.2
9.1
148.8
147.7
135.7
134.5
113.4
174.6
173.3
145.5
151.6
123.9
17.3
17.3
7.2
12.7
9.3
133.6
166.8
158.3
161.9
206.9
208.0
21.2
24.0
31.4
175.7
165.4
170.5
170. 1
196.1
191.5
175.4
187.3
11.6
15.8
2.9
10.1
142. 1
166.4
154.2
187.0
8.5
12.4
Repainting living and dining
rooms
Reshingling house roof
From 1974
to 1975
9.9
5.1
11.3
1.4
5.0
5.8
9.3
6.1
13.2
11.2
10.4
10.7
11.6
9.9
11.2
9.3
11.7
9.6
8.3
16.3
19.9
13.2
5.8
9.7
27.2
8.4
9.2
6.7
14.2
13.7
10.8
12.6
8.5
Table 4-A. Consumer Price Index-United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1975 annual average
indexes for selected items and groups, and percent changes from previous year—Continued
Other
index
1975
base
Apparel and upkeep
Apparel commodities
Apparel co.nmoditif s U'st, foolwtar
Men's and boys
Men's
Topcoats and all weather coats
Suits, year round weight
Sport jackets
Jackets, lightweight
Slacks, heavyweight
Slacks, liqhtweight
Trousers, work
Shirts, work
Shirts, business or dross
T shirts
Socks
Handkerchiefs
Boys'
Coats, heavyweight
Sport coats, wool or wool blends
Dungarees
Undershorts
Women's and girls'
Women's:
Coats, heavyweight
Carcoats, heavyweight
Sweaters
Skirts winter weight
Skirts, summer weight
Blouses
Dresses, street, year round weight
Slips
Panties
Girdles
Brdssieres
Hose or panty hose, nylon
Anklets or knee-length socks
Gloves, fabric
Handbags
Girls'
Raincoats
Skirts, fall and wmtei
Dresses
Slacks, fall and winter
Slips
Hi
Miscellaneous apparel
Diapers
Yard goods
Wrist watches, men's and women's
Footwear
Men's:
Shoes, street
Shoes, work, high
Women's:
Shoes, street, pump
Shoes, evening, pump
Shoes, casual
Houseslippers, scuff
Children's:
Shoes, oxford
Sneakers, boys', oxford type
Dress shoes, girls'
Apparel services:
Drycleaning
Automatic laundry service
Laundry, men's shirts
Tailoring charges,
Shoe repairs
ransportation
Private 6
Automobiles, new
Automobiles, used
Gasoline, regular and premium
Motor oil
Tires
Auto repairs (mechanical) and maintenance! .
Auto insurance premiur
Auto registration fees .
Parking fees, private an( lunicipal
25
From 1974
to 1975
136. 2
136. 1
135. 7
136. 4
142. 3
141. 2
140. 6
142. 2
4.5
3.7
3.6
4.3
141. 2
135. 0
99. 9
125. 9
116. 9
142. 2
139. 2
140. 7
123. 0
141. 4
122. 2
141. 2
143. 2
139. 2
101. 4
134. 4
118. 5
143. 0
151. 0
151. 3
127. 7
153. 5
129. 1
153. 2
1.4
3. 1
1.5
6.8
1.4
.6
8.5
7.5
3.8
8.6
5.6
8.5
118. 6
124. 5
160. 2
141. 7
134. 9
115. 6
120. 6
173. 6
151. 1
138. 1
-2.5
-3.1
8.4
146. 7
149. 0
141. 7
157. 4
137. 0
134. 1
140. 8
115. 6
129. 5
123. 2
132. 9
91. 8
123. 2
121. 3
163. 8
142. 4
148. 6
139. 3
155. 2
147. 2
140. 2
144. 2
116. 9
140.0
127.7
142. 6
92.0
131. 5
127. 5
170. 4
126. 2
132. 1
131. 2
166. 1
116. 8
145. 9
129. 9
145. 8
131. 2
167. 1
127. 2
141. 2
-3.2
151. 6
154. 4
126. 7
138. 1
180. 5
160., 1
135. 6
144. 2
19.1
3.7
7.0
4.4
141. 9
149. 0
147.,6
159.,3
4.0
6.9
135. 2
128. 8
138. 7
134. 6
139.,0
132.3
145.,9
139..8
2.8
2.7
5.2
3.9
139.,4
138.,2
143.,4
144,.3
149.,2
152,.6
3.5
8.0
6.4
135..9
124..3
143..2
147..3
132,.0
150,.6
134,.3
153,.0
152,.8
140 .9
137,.7
136 .6
117,.5
122 .6
159 .9
145.5
118.4
156.8
138. 1
128.9
158.9
150.6
149.8
127.6
146.4
170.8
155.3
126.3
176 .6
145 .9
130.7
172. 1
6.6
2.4
-2.9
-.3
-1.7
-1.4
7.4
4.5
2.4
1.1
8.1
3.7
7.3
.2
6.7
5.1
4.0
2.9
10.4
0
.6
8.9
10.8
8.0
6.8
3.7
6.7
9.4
9.7
8.6
19.4
6.8
6.7
6.7
12.6
5.6
1.4
8.3
Table 4-A. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1975 annual average
indexes for selected items and groups, and percent changes from previous year—Continued
Other
index
From 1974
to 1975
1974
Transportation—Continued
Public
Local transit fares
Taxicab fares
Railroad fares, coach
Airplane fares, chiefly coach .
Bus fares, intercity
Health and recreation'
Medical care
Drugs and prescriptions
Over-the-counter items
Multiple vitamin concentrates
Aspirin compounds
Liquid tonics
Adhesive bandages, packages
Cold tablets or capsules
Cough syrup
Prescriptions
Anti-infectives
Sedatives and hypnotics
Ataractics
Antispasmodics
Cough preparations
Cardiovasculars and antihypertensives
....
Analgesics, internal
Anti-obesities
Hormones
148.0
148.0
151.8
135.2
145.9
161.0
158.6
155.5
167.6
151.5
159.0
186.0
140.3
150.5
109.6
117.5
97.3
122.0
106.4
136.9
116.4
121.3
102.9
68.7
140.7
104.9
110.9
147.5
115.4
112.7
(*)
95.2
153.5
168.6
118.8
130.1
102.4
132.6
115.9
164.6
124.6
134.0
109.3
71. 1
154.3
106.0
124.2
165.2
118.4
118.9
(*)
103.2
169.4
173.9
170.5
167.2
172.5
153.0
152.3
163.3
161.9
166.7
160.9
153.0
Professional services:
150.9
154.3
151.3
149.0
153.4
141.0
138.6
144.1
146.8
150.2
146.0
140.6
Physicians' fees
General physician, office visits
General physician, house visits
Obstetrical cases
Pediatric care, office visits
Psychiatrist, office visits
Herniorrhaphy, adult
Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
Dentists' fees
Fillings, adult, amalgam, one surface
Extractions, adult
Dentures, full upper
Other professional services:
Examination, prescription, and dispensing
of eyeglasses
Routine laboratory tests
Hospital service charges
Semiprivate rooms
Operating room charges
X-ray, diagnostic series, upper Gl
Laboratory tests
Anti-infectives
Tranquilizers
Electrocardiogram
Intravenous solution
Physical therapy
Oxygen, inhalation therapy
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Personal care
Toilet goods
Toothpaste, standard dentifrice
Toilet soap, hard-milled
Hand lotions
Shaving crea.m
Face powder
Deodorants
Cleansing tissues
Home permanent wave kits
Personal care services
Men's haircuts
Beauty shop services
Women's haircuts
Shampoo and wave sets, plain
Permanent waves, cold
Reading and recreation
Recreational goods
TV sets, portable and console
T V replacement tubes
Radios, portable and table models
Tape recorders, portable
Phonograph records, stereophonic
Movie cameras, 8mm
Film, 35mm, color
Golf balls
98.9
140.2
101.9
95.2
113.2
92. 1
112.4
104.2
See footnotes at end of table.
72
72
72
72
72
72
72
138.6
135.4
115. 1
201.5
201.3
140.6
112.6
102.4
108.5
112.3
110.2
116.3
111.2
137.3
133.3
114.7
173.2
133.0
111.5
153.5
106.3
157.3
111.2
141.5
144.5
139.4
148.6
142.7
122.9
133.8
115.0
26
1
!
149.6
151.4
132.3
236.1
239.4
156.2
128.1
111.0
118.8
125.7
128.1
136.2
123.3
150.7
150.0
130.7
196. 1
152. 1
125.0
152.5
117.2
198.8
119.3
151.4
153.9
149.7
163.8
152.5
129.2
144.4
123.2
101.6
157. 1
104.0
95.4
122.4
94.1
118.6
104.3
7.2
5.1
10.4
12.1
9.0
15.5
9.4
12.0
8.4
10.7
5.2
8.7
8.9
20.2
7.0
10.5
6.2
3.5
9.7
1.0
12.0
12.0
2.6
5.5
(*)
8.4
12.3
12.7
12.7
12.2
12.5
8.5
9.9
13.3
10.3
11.0
10.2
7.9
11.8
14.9
17.2
18.9
11.1
13.8
8.4
9.5
11.9
16.2
17. 1
10.9
9.8
12.5
13.9
13.2
14.4
12. 1
-.7
10.3
26.4
7.3
7.0
6.5
7.4
10.2
6.9
5. 1
7.9
7. 1
2.7
12..1
2.. 1
.2
8.1
2.2
5.5
.1
Table 4-A. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1975 annual average
indexes for selected items and groups, and percent changes from previous year—Continued
1974
Health and recreation—Continued
Reading and recreation—Continued
Recreational goods—Continued
Basketballs rubber or vinyl cover
Fishing rods fresh-water spincasting
.
Bowling balls
Bicycles boys'
Tricycles
. ..
Dog food, canned or boxed
.
. .
...
Indoor movie admissions
Adult
Children's
Drive-in movie admissions
Bowling fees evening
Golf green fees
TV repair
•
Film developing
Newspapers street sale and delivery
Magazines, single copy and subscription
Piano lessons, beginner
Other goods and services
Tobacco products
Cigarettes filter tip, king size
Cigars, domestic, regular size
Alcoholic beverages
Beer, at home
Wine dessert and table
Beer, away from home
Financial and miscellaneous personal expenses:
Funeral services adult
Bank service charges, checking account
Legal services, short form will
144.5
120.3
126. 1
143. 1
138.1
167.8
149. 1
170.8
166.7
182.3
173.5
139.0
152.3
105.2
122.8
155.4
138.0
133.9
137.2
143.8
145.5
145.9
119.5
131.8
126.8
110.9
147.3
145.8
174.5
164.2
139.5
147.4
153.9
156.0
156.5
124.2
142.1
140.3
114.1
154.0
157.2
135.0
105.0
175.5
143.5
119.2
187.8
F r o m 1974
to 1975
7.5
6.2
4.7
7.1
11.2
13.5
6.4
8.7
7.7
11.3
6.6
6.1
3. 1
3.3
4.3
12.3
19.0
4.2
7.4
7.0
7.2
7.3
3.9
7.8
10.6
2.9
4.5
7.8
6.3
13.5
7.0
Also includes storage batteries and drivers' license fees not shown separately.
7
Includes prices for water pump replacement, motor tune-up, automatic transmission repair, front-end
alignment, and chassis lubrication; does not include prices for auto body repairs. In the CPI this component
represents consumers' direct, out-of-pocket expenses for automobile repairs and maintenance.
8
Also includes health insurance not shown separately.
2
Also includes home purchase costs not shown separately.
Also includes pine shelving, furnace filter, packaged dry cement mix, and shrubbery not shown
separately.
3
4
Also includes window shades, nails, carpet sweepers, air deodorizers, steel wool scouring pads,
envelopes, reupholstering and moving expenses.
5
Also includes men's sport shirts, women's and girls' lightweight coats, women's slacks, bathing suits,
girls' shorts, earrings, and zippers not shown separately.
1975
134.4
113.3
120.4
133.6
124.2
147.8
140. 1
157.2
154.8
163.8
162.8
131.0
147.7
101.8
117.7
Reading and education:
Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Percent change
Indexes
Other
index
base
Item and group
9
Also includes outboard motors, nondurable toys, college tuition fees, paperback books, and college
textbooks, not shown separately.
*
27
Discontinued.
Table 5. Consumer Price Index—The United States and selected areas for urban wage earners and clerical workers, all items
most recent index and percent changes from selected dates
Percent change from:
September
imC
1
Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropolitan Statistical Are
(SMSA) except for New York and Chicago which have more extensive Standard Consolidated Areas. Are
definitions were established for the 1960 Census and exclude revisions made since 1960.
2
Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all cities; most other goods and service
priced as indicated:
M - Every month.
1 - January, April, July, and October.
2 - February, May, August, and November.
I
November
1Q7K
3 •• M;irch, June, September, and December.
November 1963-100.
February 1965-100.
December 1963=100.
NOTfc": Price char
mong areas ato foun(
Table 6. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas for urban wage earners and clerical workers, major groups,
percent change from November 1975 to December 1975
New Y o r k Northeastern
New Jersey
U.S.
city
average
Chicago
All items
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.7
0.6
0
Food
.5
.5
-.2
.1
.6
.8
.7
.3
.6
.4
.7
-.7
-.2
.5
1.0
.9
.3
-.2
0
.5
.6
.2
1.7
-.1
-. 3
.9
1.3
1.0
.5
1.0
.9
1. 5
.2
-.4
-.2
-. 1
.4
.6
18
.5
.6
.1
1.0
0
1. 1
0
.5
Expenditure class
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
See footnote 1, table 5.
28
Detroit
Los AngelesLong Beach
-1.0
Philadelphia
Table 7. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas1 for urban wage earners and clerical workers, commodity
groups, December 1975 , index and percent changes from September 1975
Los AngelesLong Beach
New Y o r k Northeastern
New Jersey
Indexes (1967=100)
All items
166.3
161.3
164.8
163.7
172.4
168.5
Food
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
180.7
180. 9
182.2
189.2
165.5
172. 1
185.9
180.0
180.9
181.4
182.7
193. 1
158.9
173.8
184.0
178.8
176.8
176.2
184.7
182.6
167.4
156.8
182.2
179.9
175.3
177.4
185. 1
186.8
188.3
189. 1
170.4
184.7
195.3
180. 1
185.0
183.4
180.7
192.5
162.7
178.3
191.3
192.0
172. 2
175.0
140.6
187.8
176. 1
248.7
179.0
162.0
158.3
159.7
2
172.2
178.3
2
188.3
155.7
178. 1
178.5
157.7
194.0
195.5
255.6
2 05.8
167.0
174.7
184.6
2
171.2
156. 5
242. 1
156.1
155.1
168.5
173.3
138. 5
180.2
17 5.5
246.8
188.8
149.2
193.7
170.0
240.7
170.6
159.6
Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
145.2
144.2
142. 1
145.7
137.8
132.9
136.2
139.7
140. 1
144. 1
130.9
149.2
138.0
130.6
135.4
142. 1
142.5
138.9
138.0
140.3
138.5
141.2
127.0
146.6
Transportation
Private
Public
157.6
156.2
170. 1
157.5
156.2
166.1
153.7
152.8
163.8
158.5
160.5
119.0
177.4
165.0
224.9
158.6
159.8
151.5
Health and recreation
157.5
174.7
154.6
147.5
149.8
165.5
152.6
158.0
176.4
195.9
174.6
150.6
(2)
143.9
148.0
146»'5
136.6
152.5
151,5
145.1
Percent changes Sept. 1975 to Dec. 1975
162.8
188.0
2
162.5
191.
1
2
150.6
155.9
147.9
153. 1
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other food at home
Food away from home
Housing
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
()
181.9
187. 1
156.8
166.3
184.3
169.2
()
191.2
162.3
_
()
()
()
All items
1.7
1.1
1.2
2. 1
1.8
1.0
Food
1.6
1. 5
.3
-.6
5.9
2.8
2.8
2.7
.2
1.5
1.4
1.8
1.7
-.8
-.3
3.5
5.1
3.0
1.9
2.0
2.2
3.0
.9
.7
-.9
-. 1
-2.4
5. 1
3.4
3.9
(2)4.7
3.4
_
4.2
1.2
2.1
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, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation . .
Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
1.6
7. 1
1.9
2.0
4.7
2.3
3.2
2.0
2.0
1.6
2.1
3.0
4.2
.3
( )
.2
2.0
6.7
.6
2
2.9
1.2
1. 1
1.2
1.0
-1.0
-1. 1
-2.2
-. 1
.8
1.6
.8
-1. 1
-.6
4.6
3.6
3.3
1.6
1.5
2.1
3
.8
2. 1
-.6
7.3
-2.6
1.4
.5
-1.2
-.6
-1.4
-1. 5
1.4
.8
.9
.5
2.5
Transportation
Private
Public
1.4
1.5
.4
.4
.4
.4
.5
.5
1.0
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
1.4
1.5
1.6
1,0
1.2
1.0
1.3
1.0
.7
.7
.9
See footnotes at end of table.
29
1.1
(2)
. 1
.5
-2. 3
1.8
3.5
.8
.1
1.4
6.7
3.0
2.8
1.2
2.
1
3
.8
1.9
3.7
4.5
2.3
1. 1
3.2
2.3
2.2
.7
.3
()
.1
1.9
5.3
.5
1.1
2
-.7
.7
.5
.5
.5
3.7
5.0
.4
1.9
2.0
.5
1.6
.9
.8
(2)
-.8
-.4
-2. 1
1.6
(2)
.4
2.4
.1
1.5
Table 7. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas1 for urban wage earners and clerical workers, commodity groups
December 197S index and percent changes from September 1975—Continued
Kansas
City
FranciscoOakland
Indexes (1967=100)
All items
166.2
168.3
164.7
159.2
163.0
164.2
160.3
Food
187.8
189.3
185.4
199.6
171.4
185.2
191. 1
182.7
182.8
182.3
176.9
192.0
159.7
174.5
190.9
184.3
181.0
184.4
188.7
192.7
170.2
176.0
188.0
168.0
182.3
179.8
182.2
185.9
172.3
173.6
177.4
189.2
183.9
185.6
182.4
191.0
181.5
171.4
193.2
178.6
175.9
180. 1
176.8
193.7
160.2
166.3
186.1
161.0
179.2
179.7
193.0
185.9
165.8
170.0
180.6
177.0
Fuel and utilities
171.0
176.8
130.3
190.7
164.3
167.7
173. 1
122.5
197.0
171.0
152.6
154.6
152.7
155.7
143.2
165.2
171.3
121.3
191.0
152.3
171.6
177. 1
148.6
191.6
158.8
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
172.8
161.7
178.2
187.7
130.8
211.7
164.2
245.3
161.9
165.6
169.1
151.5
159. 1
151.1
168.0
157.7
179.9
160.3
160.5
159.7
118.0
171.7
161.4
2 57.4
159.8
161.4
140.2
149.0
133.1
124.3
148.3
149.9
133.4
158.5
147.1
144.0
145.3
153.4
142.8
138.6
132.3
141.0
144.4
145.7
140.4
152.3
144.0
146.3
141.8
141.4
137.4
135.8
131.3
147.5
Transportation
Private
Public
148.1
152.2
94.5
150.7
153.3
132.3
148.5
154.3
104.0
149.8
154.5
123.9
154.8
155.0
149.4
157. 1
157.7
146.6
151.7
155.8
102.7
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
163.2
189.2
160.2
150.2
140.5
159.9
183.5
153.0
147.3
154.8
160.1
181.2
153.3
141.0
159.6
154.4
170.2
163.7
154.2
132.4
154.3
165.3
156.7
140.9
155.5
154.4
172.0
154.7
142.3
142.0
153.5
159.9
158. 5
144.8
151. 1
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, residential
Homeownership
Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Percent Changes Sept. 1975 to Dec. 1975
All items
0.9
0.4
0.5
1.4
1.7
1.7
0.9
Food
1.5
1.0
,1
-.2
3.6
-. 1
2.4
3.5
.9
.8
.5
-.5
4.5
-.3
2.0
1.4
1.1
1. 1
.3
.3
4.0
1.1
1.1
1.4
1. 1
-3.0
1.3
3. 1
4.3
.2
2.3
2.0
1.9
-.4
1.0
4.4
1.7
3.3
2.3
1.2
1.1
-3.0
.2
5.0
2.1
2.5
1.3
1.6
1.4
2. 1
.2
4.2
-. 1
2.3
2.7
.5
.2
.5
. 1
3.9
.2
-.4
1.4
-.8
-.3
4.6
-3.2
1.7
.1
-.2
1.4
-.6
-.3
2.5
3.3
.9
4.8
-.6
3.0
3.3
1. 1
3.9
3.5
2.4
3. 1
1.7
3.8
.9
-.5
-1.0
1.2
5.4
2.0
1.4
.6
-.4
-.3
.8
-.6
2.5
.3
.2
2.2
-.9
.7
1.7
1.2
4.0
.1
1.4
1.5
2.2
.6
.6
.4
1.0
.2
1.3
2.9
1.2
.7
1.0
1.2
-.1
-.1
.4
-.3
-.3
.0
1.0
1.0
.4
1.2
1.3
-1.1
.7
.7
.4
.7
1.8
1. 1
2.8
1. 1
3.4
1.6
2.0
.5
1.0
2.4
1.2
1.3
2.5
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, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operatii
5.6
-.6
Apparel and upkeep
Men'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
1
*
-2. 3
.1
1.4
1.3
1.9
.7
.8
1.2
.3
1. 1
2.5
1.7
.6
.2
.0
.8
1.2
.9
Change from October 1975.
See footnote 1. table 5.
Not available.
30
.9
.7
.7
.4
.3
.1
-1. 1
.3
1.2
Table 7-A. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas1 for urban wage earners and clerical workers, commodity
groups, 1975 annual average indexes, and percent changes, 1974-75
Los AngelesLong Beach
city
average
New Y o r k Northeastern
New Jersey
Indexes (1967=100)
All items
All items (1957-59=100)
Food
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, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation .
Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Transportation
Private
Public
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
161.2
187.5
157.6
179.0
160.3
184. 1
157.6
185.4
166.6
198.2
164.2
191.8
175.4
175.8
184.8
178.0
156.6
171.0
184.8
174.3
166.8
169.7
137.3
181.7
167.8
235.3
169.6
158. 1
175. 1
175.9
186. 1
180. 1
149.9
175.2
183.4
172.0
156.2
158.9
170. 1
172.5
184.7
176.6
152.2
163.8
180. 1
163.3
163.7
167.7
180.6
152.0
179.6
180.8
187.4
179.3
160. 9
183.6
191.4
176.4
172.5
173.2
153. 7
187.9
186.4
241.2
196.2
162. 7
179.6
178.4
186.0
183.0
155. 0
174.4
188.2
184. 7
171.2
180.7
171.0
150.9
222. 1
150.7
151.4
171.6
171. 1
189.8
172.2
158.8
157.4
177.9
174. 1
163.8
170. 3
135.9
177.2
161.6
226.7
171.7
145.0
189.8
166.5
225.9
170.2
156.8
142.3
142.2
138. 1
144.2
136.6
133. 1
135.3
138.9
137.9
144.5
126.5
146.9
136.4
130.5
134.3
140.6
141. 1
137.9
136.5
140.3
135.9
140.8
122.6
144.0
150.6
149.8
158.6
153.5
168.6
150.7
144.4
147.4
151.8
149.6
165.3
154. 1
169. 1
147.8
145.6
150.3
149. 1
148.0
160.8
161. 1
187.4
152.7
154.5
119.8
161.4
154.7
187.2
147.6
165. 7
141. 1
133.8
142.0
159. 1
181.0
152.7
153.0
151.2
158.6
184.3
148.6
153.8
146.6
150.4
7.6
8.3
_
145.0
149.7
_
178.6
156.8
_
_
_
Percent changes 1974-75
All items
9. 1
7.9
7.5
10.6
Food
8.5
8.3
8.4
7.9
8.8
8.7
8.3
8.7
8.4
11.3
8. 1
10.6
1. 1
4.6
3.5
4.2
2.9
2.5
13.6
12.4
11.2
-.9
8.3
9.4
14. 1
16. 1
3. 1
15.0
9.8"
13.4
14.5
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other food at home
Food away from home
8.6
3. 1
3. 1
13.5
10.8
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnish ings and operation .
Public
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
,
9.3
7.4
3.4
2.3
7.8
8.9
2.5
9.2
8.7
_
9.0
8.0
8.7
_
16.3
12.5
14.9
11.3
18.9
11. 1
11.2
11.0
13.2
11.4
9. 1
10.4
11. 0
4.5
4.3
2.4
4.4
2.9
2.7
.2
4.2
6.5
2.7
1.6
3.3
3.7
.4
3.3
3.6
1.8
2.3
4.7
2.9
2.5
-.2
3.9
9.4
9.7
7.2
7.9
9.2
7.5
7.9
3.0
11.0
11.4
10.4
8. 6
9.3
9.6
3.4
14. 1
3. 1
9.4
8.4
12. 7
6.5
10.2
12.2
10. 1
8. 1
8. 1
12.6
9.2
12.0
10. 7
15. 1
_
6.9
9.2
7.9
5. 1
1. 1
9.8
7.9
7.4
7. 7
5. 0
See footnotes at end of table.
8. 5
7.4
3.7
3.9
7.2
5.4
6.0
4.9
8.7
8.7
5. 1
11.3
11.7
9.6
Rent, residential
Private
8.7
7.8
_
9.3
9.9
Shelter
Transportation
11.3
10. 1
9.3
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
4.2
8. 1
31
6.8
4.7
_
7. 1
13.6
17.3
8.6
8.3
9.8
_
6.4
5.6
13.5
_
6.5
7.4
Table 7-A. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas1 for urban wage earners and clerical workers, commodity
groups, 1975 annual average indexes, and percent changes, 1974-75—Continued
Group
Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati
Honolulu
Kansas
City
San
FranciscoOakland
St.
Louis
Indexes (1967=100)
All items
All items (1957-59=100)
161. 7
186. 0
165. 2
191.8
160. 4
182. 1
Food
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
181. 7
184.2
187.6
185.9
166.6
182.6
191.4
173.3
178.2
178. 1
179.5
180.8
152.9
176.8
190. 3
178.2
167.0
172. 1
129. 0
185. 0
160.0
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other f o o d at home
Food away from home
Housing
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
154. 4
166.4
157. 9
187. 5
156. 1
182. 3
159.
189.
177.4
180.8
192.5
180. 7
165.8
176.7
190.0
164.6
176. 7
175.8
190. 0
174.8
166.3
168.0
179.9
178. 7
177.8
179.4
185. 1
176.8
174.4
169.8
190. 1
172.8
174.3
175. 0
195.2
173.4
158.7
172.3
179.5
171. 1
171.2
175. 7
182.5
181.5
153.6
168. 1
184. 3
155.5
162.3
165.6
120. 1
186.9
170.9
147.3
148.5
150.4
147. 3
140. 3
159.2
164.0
119. 2
181. 6
147.5
166.7
160. 1
176. 1
186.9
127.4
212. 0
162.4
229.4
164.6
160. 6
168.8
148. 7
158.4
147.0
160.4
153.8
156.2
155. 1
116. 1
166.4
159^2
247.3
158.6
157. 0
165.6
170.2
144.8
183O 1
155^4
_
174. 1
138. 7
147.4
131. 5
123.9
147.6
148.6
135. 4
156.2
143.6
142.0
138. 5
152.6
141.2
135.5
132. 9
139! 2
145.7
146.2
144. 2
152. 0
135.2
134.0
130. 0
144^4
141.7
143.7
139. 5
139.7
142.9
146.8
92.7
146.4
148.6
131.2
144. 1
149.3
104. 1
146.8
150.9
123.9
148.5
148.4
148.5
146. 0
149.7
101.9
151.8
151.9
147.6
158.7
183. 7
156.7
144.6
138.5
156.3
180.4
151.0
143. 1
150.4
156.5
176. 7
151.8
137.5
156. 1
148. 8
164. 8
156.6
149. 0
126.6
150. 5
160. 5
153.3
137.9
151. 7
150.8
155. 9
157.'5
142. 1
149.2
149. 7
164. 9
148! 3
139. 1
140.4
_
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Transportation
Private
Public
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
2
_
_
_
1
3
156.2
Percent changes 1974-75
All items
Food
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other food at home
Food away from home
,
8.9
8.4
9.6
8.9
9.5
9.8
10.2
9. 7
10. 0
8.4
7.9
11. 3
10.4
9. 4
9.5
9.6
9. 1
8.4
9.0
9.8
8.3
9.9
11.6
9. 1
9. 1
9! 4
13.2
11.2
10. 0
lo! 4
15.0
11.6
10.0
7.9
4.7
6.2
4.2
7.9
9.5
15.7
14.3
12.8
14. 1
14. 1
15.0
9.2
8.3
8.7
6.3
4. 3
12.4
12. 5
11.3
11. 1
16.6
5.2
3.6
9.9
15.2
11.5
13.3
14 0
3.0
16.8
12.8
11 0
18! 4
12.4
10. 3
1. 6
1. 1
8.7
9.9
6.3
10. 1
13.4
13.8
4. 1
17.3
10.4
2.5
7.7
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
3. 1
10.9
12.8
9.3
8.6
5.0
9.5
8.6
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
14.7
10.5
7. 2
14.3
12. 0
23. I
10.5
16.6
11.3
16.3
12.3
4.5
4.9
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Men'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
9.5
3.7
3.8
2.9
XI.
U
4.3
4.9
14.0
4.4
14.0
13.8
19.7
11.3
5.9
6.3
4.9
7.3
4.2
4.0
4. 1
3. 3
4.4
4.6
4.5
1.7
2. 5
3.7
5.4
4.5
2.0
3.9
4.7
1.9
4.8
8.8
9.2
8.3
8.9
8.7
9.5
8.8
8.5
4. 0
5. 3
1. 7
3. 0
9. 1
10. 8
12. 1
14. 1
10.9
-1. 3
8. 3
9.4
.3
13. 1
9.3
9. 1
11. 3
8.6
10.3
6.2
7. 1
7.2
5.8
10.2
7. 3
9. 1
6.8
3
See footnote 1 , table 5.
3.4
2.0
5. 1
13.3
32
December 1963=100.
9. 1
3. 2
8.6
8.8
3 7
11. 2
11.5
4 0
10.4
10.7
13. 1
10.7
14.9
10.3
7.9
7.3
8.3
6.6
7.8
7.2
8.4
8.7
9.4
Table 8. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas for urban wage earners and clerical workers, food and its
subgroups, December 1975, indexes and percent changes from November 1975
Food at home
Cereals
and
Total
food
Meats,
poultry,
and fish.
Other
Dairy
products
foods
Food
away
from
home
Indexes (1967=100)
Buffalo
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas
Detroit
Honolulu
Kansas City
Los Angeles-Long Beach.
Milwaukee
Minneapolis-St. Paul
N.Y.-Northeastern N.J . .
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
San Diego
San Francisco-Oak land . .
Seattle
Washington
180.7
180.9
182.2
189.2
165.5
172. 1
185.9
180.0
187.8
182.8
180. 5
179. 0
180.9
181. 0
184. 3
177. 1
176.8
182. 3
186.4
183.9
175. 3
178,2
186.6
185. 1
185.0
181. 0
179.2
179.5
175.9
173.5
184.3
189.3
182. 3
180.0
178.8
181.4
184.4
185. 1
175.8
176.2
179.8
184. 2
185.6
177.4
179.0
184.2
186.8
183.4
179.7
179. 7
177.6
180. 1
176. 1
183.6
185.4
176.9
185.4
186.9
182.7
188.7
193. 5
178. 1
184. 7
182. 2
183.9
182.4
181.9
186.2
195. 6
188.3
180.7
185.9
193.0
178.8
176.8
178.2
184. 1
199.6
192.0
186.4
187.3
193. 1
192. 7
191. 1
183.9
182. 6
185.9
194.9
191. 0
187. 1
185.4
192. 3
189. 1
192.5
190.6
185.9
189.8
193. 7
191.5
183.5
171.4
159. 7
160. 3
160.3
158.9
170.2
168.0
155. 1
167.4
172. 3
177.3
181.5
156.8
167. 3
181. 7
170.4
162.7
150.9
165.8
159.2
160.2
165.7
153.3
185.2
174.5
171.8
167.3
173.8
176. 0
175.3
169.4
156. 8
173.6
173. 1
171.4
166.3
172.0
169. 1
184. 7
178.3
174.2
170. 0
168.9
166.3
154.9
190.5
191. 1
190.9
187.5
184.2
184.0
188.0
189. 8
179.7
182.2
177.4
181. 3
193.2
184.3
179. 3
181. 7
195.3
191.3
184.7
180.6
178.2
186. 1
178.8
198.6
182.7
184.3
182. 0
180. 0
178.8
168.0
180. 7
182.0
179.9
189.2
194.2
178.6
169.2
(2)
197.4
180. 1
192.0
188.6
177. 0
(2)
161.0
164.9
185.7
•
!
|
Percent changes November 1975 to December 1975
U.S. city average
Baltimore
Buffalo
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas
Detroit
Honolulu
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles-Long Beach . . .
Milwaukee
Minneapolis-St. Paul
N.Y.-Northeastern N.J
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
San Diego
San Francisco-Oakland . . . .
Seattle
Washington
1
.3
. 7
. 3
1.4
.4
-.4
. 7
.2
.9
. 3
. 4
.8
. 2
.9
.6
. 5
.4
-. 5
-. 2
. 3
-. 1
. 7
.3
1.4
.4
-.5
.7
.2
1.0
. 1
.5
.8
. 2
1.2
. 7
1.2
.2
.8
.3
.5
-.6
2
'.3
0.2
-1. 1
1. 7
2.0
1.6
0.4
1. 0
.6
1.3
-. 5
-.2
-1. 1
4.4
-.4
1.4
. 7
2.3
-1. 1
-.9
1. 1
1. 3
1.7
-.8
. 2
-. 5
-.9
-2.3
-1.2
.3
-1.8
-. 7
-1. 1
-.2
-1.4
-1.9
-2.0
-2. 0
-. 7
-1.4
-.9
-.4
-1.5
-.3
-. 7
-.4
-1.5
-1.3
-1.8
-1. 7
-1.3
-2.4
-1.9
-1.6
1.8
1.6
3.6
2. 3
-. 1
2.4
1.0
2. J
.9
3.8
2.2
1.6
1.0
. 6
2.2
2.2
.5
2.4
1.8
3.2
.3
1. 3
1.8
1.6
.4
.3
. 7
.4
.4
.3
.3
.3
See footnote 1, table 5.
33
2.4
1.7
1.2
1.7
.6
-. 1
3.5
1.6
1.1
. 3
3.8
2.5
3.3
.6
2.2
1. 1
3.0
2.5
6.0
.5
2.5
2.5
1.9
1. 1
2.4
1.9
3. 0
2.3
.9
. 1
.6
1. 1
.9
. 1
1.0
()
.3
.3
. 3
1.3
(2)
. 1
. 1
Table 9. Consumer Price Index—Regular and premium gasoline indexes, selected areas and U.S. city average
for urban wage earners and clerical workers
(October 1973=100)
Premium gasoline
Regular gasoline
Index
Area1
U.S. city average 2
Atlanta . . .
.
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo
Chicago
Cincinnati .
Cleveland
Dallas
Detroit
...
,
.
Honolulu
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
.
.
.
.
Percent change
D e c e m b e r 1975
Percent change
D e c e m b e r 1975
from—
Index
November
1975
December
1975
179.2
178.3
-0.5
172.8
172. 1
-0.4
146.4
147.5
146.4
148.8
142.6
143.3
144.9
155.6
139.2
154.3
153.8
144.9
145.4
142.6
147.3
141. 6
146.9
146.2
141.6
146.9
145.6
144.6
146. 1
145.2
146.2
145.4
147.8
142.0
143.5
144. 3
154.3
138.8
152.9
152.6
144. 2
144.5
141.9
144.8
141.3
145. 9
145.5
139.7
146.6
144.5
143.3
145.9
-.8
145.8
145.0
143.6
147.3
139.9
140.9
142.4
151.0
137. 9
151.8
150.4
142.4
143.8
141.7
146. 1
143.0
145.3
142.3
140.2
145.3
142.7
141.4
144. 1
144.7
143.7
142.9
147.0
139.7
141. 1
140.7
150. 1
137. 9
150.5
150.0
141. 3
143.2
140.7
145.4
141. 8
144.8
141.9
138.6
145.2
142.3
140.3
144. 1
-.8
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
November
1975
-.9
-.7
-.7
-.4
.1
-.4
-.8
-.3
-.9
-.8
-.5
-.6
-.5
-1.7
-.2
-.7
-.5
-1.3
-.2
-.8
-.9
-. 1
November
1975
December
1975
November
1975
-.9
_5
-. 2
-. 1
1
-1. 2
-. 6
0
_. 9
-.3
- 8
-.4
-.7
-.5
-.8
-.3
-.3
-1. 1
-. 1
-.3
o
0
are used. Area definitions are those established for the 1960 Census and do not include revisions made since
1960.
2
1967=100.
Table 10. Consumer Price Index—Regular and premium gasoline prices, selected areas and U.S. city averages
for urban wage earners and clerical workers
Premium gasoline
Regular gasoline
Average price per gallon
U.S. city average
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas
Detroit
Honolulu
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles-Long Beach
Milwaukee
Minneapolis-St. Paul . . .
N.Y.-Northeastern N.J . .
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
San Diego
San Francisco—Oakland .
Seattle
Washington
October
1975
November
1975
December
1975
October
1975
November
1975
December
1975
$0,594
$0,589
$0,586
$0,636
$0,633
$0,630
.586
.610
.596
.603
.607
.593
.597
.554
.593
.698
.539
.562
.594
.560
.588
.604
.591
.590
.581
.615
.624
.583
.606
.582
.604
.592
.599
.600
.580
.590
.547
.581
.697
.534
.554
.587
.549
.582
.600
.587
.585
.576
.608
.621
.582
.604
.577
.598
.588
.595
.597
.581
.587
.543
.579
.691
.530
.551
.583
.546
.572
.599
.583
.582
.568
.607
.617
.577
.604
.634
.659
.640
.647
.648
.636
.640
.594
.640
.740
.585
.608
.636
. 607
.636
.656
.647
.634
.625
.657
.664
.624
.658
.631
.649
.637
.645
.643
.626
.634
.587
.630
.739
.580
.600
.633
.599
.635
.655
.644
.629
.621
.652
.662
.625
.657
.627
.643
.634
.644
.642
.627
.626
.584
.630
.733
.578
.595
.630
.595
.631
.650
.642
.627
.614
.652
.660
.620
.657
Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropolitan Statistical
Area (SMSA) except for New York and Chicago where the more extensive Standard Consolidated Areas
are used. Area definitions are those established for the 1960 Census and do not include revisions made since
1960.
34
Table 11. Consumer Price Index—Population size groups,1 5 classes and U.S. city average
for urban wage earners and clerical workers
Relative
December
1974
United States:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
Class A-1 (3.5 million or more):
All items
Food
Housing ..'
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
ilass A-2 (1.4 million to 3.5 millio
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
:iass B (250,000 to 1.4 million):
All items
Food
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
MassC (50,000 to 250,000):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
Class D (2,500 to 50,000):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
Percent change to
December 1975 fron
Indexes (1967=100)
importam
:cembe
1974
Septembe
1975
December
1975
December
1974
155.4
169. 7
159.9
141.9
143. 5
147.5
163.6
177.8
168.9
143. 5
155.4
155.4
166.3
180.7
172. 2
145.2
157. 6
157.5
7. 0
6.5
7. 7
2. 3
9.8
6.8
157.3
171. 6
161. 1
139. 0
147. 7
150,7
165.0
178.5
168.7
141.2
162.0
158.2
167.6
182. 1
171. 8
140.4
165. 1
160.4
6.5
6. 1
6.6
1. 0
11.8
6.4
1.6
2. 0
1.8
-.6
1.9
1.4
11. 701
2.955
3.945
1. 146
1.466
2. 189
154. 3
169. 1
15-6. 9
143. 1
143.0
146.4
162.8
177. 9
165.7
144.4
154.0
156.2
165.0
180. 5
168. 1
146.2
155.8
158.0
6.9
6.7
7. 1
2.2
9.0
7. 9
1.4
1.5
1.4
25.644
6.084
8.846
2.449
3.404
4.861
154.4
168.9
158.6
142.8
141.5
146.9
162.7
177.6
168. 1
145. 1
151.8
154.7
165.2
180. 3
170.9
147.5
153. 1
156.9
7.0
6.7
7. 8
3. 3
8.2
6.8
1.7
.9
1.4
12.531
3. 074
4.280
1.236
1.624
2.318
154.7
167.3
160. 5
145.0
141.4
145. 1
163. 1
176.7
170. 1
145. 3
153.0
152.7
166.2
179. 7
173.7
149.4
155.3
154.9
7.4
7.4
8.2
3.0
9.8
6.8
1.9
1.7
2. 1
2.8
1.5
1.4
17.223
4.326
5. 944
1.611
2. 162
3. 179
155. 1
169. 1
160.9
142.4
141.2
145.5
163.6
177. 1
171.2
143.2
152.4
153.2
166.6
179. 3
176.0
147.0
154.2
154.8
7.4
6. 0
9.4
3.2
9.2
6.4
1.8
1.2
2.8
2.7
1. 2
1.0
100.000
24.785
33.766
9.633
12.715
18.723
32.525
8.346
10.752
3. 192
4.059
6. 176
2
2
2
Based upon 1960 Census of Population.
September
Revised index.
Table 12. Consumer Price Index—Regional groups, 4 areas and U.S. city average
for urban wage earners and clerical workers
Relative
importance
December
1974
United States:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep . .
Transportation
Health and recreation .
100.000
24.785
33.766
9.633
12. 715
18.723
Northeast:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep . .
Transporation
Health and recreation
32,821
8.729
10.698
3.381
3.835
6. 177
North Central:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep . .
Transportation
Health and recreation .
Percent change to
Indexes (1967=100) '
December
1974
September
1975
December 1975 fron
December
1975
December
1974
September
1975
155.4
169.7
159.9
141.9
143.5
147. 5
163.6
177.8
168.9
143.5
155.4
155.4
166. 3
180.7
172.2
145. 2
157. 6
157.5
7.0
6.5
7. 7
2. 3
9.8
6.8
1. 7
1.6
2.0
1.2
1.4
1.4
158.9
171.4
165.4
142.5
146.5
150.6
166.3
179.2
172.2
144.7
159.9
157.4
169. 2
182. 6
175,3
145. 6
164. 7
159. 7
6. 5
6.5
6.0
2.2
12.4
6.0
1. 7
1.9
1.8
.6
3.0
1.5
27.925
6.881
9.417
2.537
3. 740
5.301
152.9
168.9
152.5
142. 1
143.3
148. 0
160.8
175.6
162.0
142. 7
153.8
156. 3
163. 3
180.0
164.5
145.0
154. 6
157.9
6.6
7. 9
2. 0
7.9
6.7
1.6
2.5
1. 5
1.6
.5
1.0
South:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep . .
Transportation
Health and recreation .
22.077
5. 315
7.631
2. 181
2.887
4.062
157.5
172.6
164.2
142. 8
142.2
148. 6
166.4
182,5
174.3
144.6
153.6
156.6
168.7
183.4
178. 0
147.3
154.8
158. 5
7. 1
6.3
8.4
3. 2
8.9
6.7
1.4
. 5
2. 1
1.9
West:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep . .
Transportation
Health and recreation .
16.346
3.733
5.883
1.449
2. 192
3.088
150.9
163.7
157.4
138. 3
140. 3
140.2
160. 2
172.5
167.7
140.2
152. 9
149.4
163.0
174.4
172.4
141.4
154.3
151. 7
8.0
6.5
9.5
2.2
10. 0
8.2
1.7
1. 1
2.8
.9
.9
1.5
2
Regional index and relative importance data exclude Anchorage, Alaska, and Honolulu, Hawaii
:h are included in the U.S. level data. Consequently, regional relative importances will not add to
U.S. totals.
1
Revised index.
35
Table 11-A. Consumer Price Index—United States average and areas grouped by size of population1 for urban wage earners and
clerical workers, all items and major groups,year 1975 and percent changes from selected dates
Area and group
Percent change to
Annual average
Indexes (1967=100)
Relative
importance
1975 from—
1974
1975
1974
147.7
161.7
150.6
136.2
137.7
140.3
161.2
17 5.4
166.8
142. 3
150.6
153.5
9. 1
8. 5
10.8
4. 5
Class A-1 (3.5 million or more):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
150.2
163. 6
153. 1
135. 0
142. 1
143. 7
162. 5
176. 4
166.8
.139.2
155.9
156.3
8.2
Class A-2 (1.4 million to 3.5 million):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
147. 0
161.4
148. 4
137. 5
137. 1
139. 7
160. 4
175. 1
163. 6
143. 8
150. 2
153.5
9. 1
8. 5
10. 2
4. 6
9. 6
Class B (250,000 to 1.4 million):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
146. 7
161. 0
149. 1
137. 6
136.0
139.9
160. 3
174. 8
165.7
144. 0
147.7
152.9
9. 3
8. 6
11. 1
4. 7
l60« 7
173.5
167.9
145.4
148.9
150.9
9e 5
8. 1
11.6
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
146. 8
160. 5
150.5
138.0
13 5.0
138.0
Class D (2,500 to 50,000):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
~\ 4 6. 7
161.8
149. 8
135.4
13 5.3
137. 5
161.3
174.4
169. 1
143.3
148. 1
151.2
United States:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
'
Class C (50,000 to 250,000):
All items
Food
9.4
9.4
7. 8
8. 9
3. 1
9.7
8.8
9.9
8.6
9.3
5.4
10. 3
9.3
10. 0
7.8
_
_
-
12. 9
5.8
9.5
10.0
Based upon 1960 Census of Populatio
Table 12-A. Consumer Price Index —United States average and areas grouped by region for urban wage earners and
clerical workers, all items and major groups, year 1975 and percent changes from selected dates
Relative '
importance
Annual average
Indexes (1967=100)'
1974
United States:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation
147. 7
161. 7
150. 6
136. 2
137. 7
140.3
161.2
17 5.4
166.8
142.3
150.6
153.5
9. 1
8. 5
10. 8
4. 5
9. 4
9.4
Northeast:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transporation
Health and recreation
151.
163.
157.
137.
140.
143.
8
9
1
5
7
7
164.0
177.0
170.3
143.0
154.6
155.8
8. 0
8. 0
8. 4
4. 0
9. 9
8. 4
North Central:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation
145.
161.
143.
136.
138.
141.
7
8
158. 5
173.3
160.0
142.2
149. 3
1 54. 1
11. 2
4. 6
8. 1
9. 3
South:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation
149.
164.
153.
137.
136.
140.
0
0
4
3
0
163.7
178.7
171.8
144. 0
149.2
154.7
12.
4.
9.
9.
West:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation
142.
156.
147.
133.
134.
133.
9
1
Regional index and relative importance data exclude Anchorage, Alaska, and Honolulu, Hawaii
which are included in the U.S. level data. Consequently, regional relative importances will not add to
36
9
0
1
0
9
1
1
5
1
2
157.7
169.9
165. 5
139.2
148.6
147. 1
8. 8
7. 1
9. 9
9. 0
0
9
7
8
10.4
8.
12.
4.
10.
10.
8
5
3
8
4
-
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 establishments—
grocery 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 About Calculating Index Changes
period. BLS does not publish annual rates based on
data for 1 month.
Movements of the indexes from one month to another
are usually expressed as percent changes rather than
changes in index points because index point changes are
affected by the level of the index in relation to its base
period while percent changes are not. The example in the
accompanying box illustrates the computation of index
point and percent changes.
Seasonally adjusted percent changes in the U.S. All
Items Index are based on seasonal adjustment factors
and seasonally adjusted indexes carried to two decimal
places. This procedure helps to eliminate rounding error
in the percent changes.
Percent changes for 3-month and 6-month periods
are expressed as annual rates and are computed according to the standard formula for compound growth rates.
These data indicate what the percent change would be
if the current rate were maintained for a 12-month
Index Point Change
CPI
Less previous index
Equals index point change:
123.8
123.2
0.6
Percent Change
Index point difference,
Divided by the previous index,
Equals,
Results multiplied by one hundred
Equals percent change:
0.6
123.2
0.005
0.005x100
0.5
A Note on Seasonally Adjusted and Unadjusted Data
climatic conditions, production cycles, model changeovers, holidays, and sales.
The unadjusted data are of primary interest to consumers concerned about the prices they actually pay.
Unadjusted data are also used extensively for escalation
purposes. Many collective bargaining contract agreements and pension plans, for example, tie compensation changes to the Consumer Price Index unadjusted
for seasonal variation.
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
37
Reliability of Percent Changes in the CPI
A system of "replicated" samples introduced into
the index structure in the 1964 revision permits an estimate of sampling error for the CPI. * The table below
shows standard errors for monthly, quarterly, and annual
percent changes in the CPI for all items and for nine
commodity groupings based on 1974 averages. The
figures may be interpreted as follows: The chances
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 for a one-month period is almost always
significant.
This replaces the table of average errors based on
1973 data which was included in the CPI report through
January 1975.
Average standard errors of percent changes in the
CPI based on 1974 data
Standard error
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
Quarterly
change
Annual
change
.05
.10
.07
.19
.12
.40
.13
.09
.21
.07
.16
.19
.23
.15
.28
.10
.21
.24
.42
.23
.33
.20
.28
.34
.16
.21
.27
.13
.18
.28
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.
38
*U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1976
211-131/9
1-3
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
REGIONAL OFFICES
Region I
1603 JFK Federal Building
Government Center
Boston, Mass. 02203
Phone: (617) 223-6761
Region II
Suite 3400
1515 Broadway
New York, N.Y. 10036
Phone: (212) 971-5405
Region V
9th Floor
Federal Office Building
230 S. Dearborn Street
Chicago, III. 60604
Phone: (312) 353-1880
Region VI
Second Floor
555 Griffin Square Building
Dallas, Tex. 75202
Phone: (214) 749-3516
Region III
3535 Market Street
P.O. Box 13309
Philadelphia, Pa. 19101
Phone: (215)596-1154
Regions VII and V I I I *
911 Walnut Street
Kansas City, Mo. 64106
Phone: (816) 374-2481
Region IV
1371 Peachtree Street, NE.
Atlanta, Ga. 30309
Phone: (404) 526-5418
Regions IX and X * *
450 Golden Gate Avenue
Box 36017
San Francisco, Calif. 94102
Phone: (415) 556-4678
* Regions VII and VIII are serviced by Kansas City
* * Regions IX and X are serviced by San Francisco
@FedFRASER