Full text of CPI Detailed Report : December 1976

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CPI Detailed Report
For December 1976
Consumer Price Index: U.S. City Average and Selected Areas

Contents
Page

Price movements
U.S. DEPARTMENT O F LABOR
Ray Marshall, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Julius Shiskin, Commissioner
OFFICE OF PRICES AND LIVING CONDITIONS
W. John Layng, Assistant Commissioner

The CPI Detailed Report is a monthly
report on consumer price movements
including statistical tables and
technical notes.
This publication may be ordered from
the Superintendent of Documents,
U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402.
Subscription price per year:
$9.00, domestic
$11.00, foreign
$.75, single copy

Chart 1. All items index and rates of changes, 1967-76
Chart 2. Commodities less food index and rates of change,
1967-76
Chart 3. Total food index and rates of change, 1967-76
Chart 4. Services index and rates of change, 1967-76

12
13
14

Table 1. CPI—U.S. city average, by commodity and service
group and expenditure class

15

Table 1-A. CPI—U.S. 1976 annual average, by commodity and
and service group and expenditure class

16

11

Table 2. CPI—seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by commodity
and service group and expenditure class

17

Table 3. CPI—food items, U.S. city average

18

Table 3-A. CPI—food items, U.S. 1976 annual average

20

Table 4. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city
average
Table 4-A. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S.

22

1976 annual average
Table 5. CPI—selected areas, all items index

Material in this publication is in the public
domain and may be reproduced without
permission of the Federal Government.
Please credit the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

1

26
30

Table 6. CPI—areas priced monthly, by expenditure class,
percent change from November 1976 to December 1976
Table 7. CPI—selected areas, by expenditure class

30
31

Table 7-A. CPI—selected areas, 1976 annual average,
library of Congress
Catalog number 74-647019

by expenditure class
Table 8. CPI—food groups, selected areas

35

Table 9. CPI—gasoline indexes, U.S. city average and selected
areas
Table 10. CPI—gasoline average prices, U.S. city average and

36

selected areas
February 1976




33

36

Table 11. CPI—by population size

37

Table 11-A. CPI—by population size, 1976 annual average

38

Table 12. CPI—by region

39

Table 12-A. CPI—by region, 1976 annual average

40

Price Movements
December 1976
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.3 percent in
December before seasonal adjustment to 174.3 percent
of its 1967 base. The December CPI was 4.8 percent higher
than in December 1975, the smallest December-to-December
rise in 4 years.
Seasonally adjusted changes

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI increased 0.4
percent in December, compared with 0.3 percent in October
and November. Food prices, which declined in November,
rose 0.2 percent in December. Prices of other commodities
and consumer services increased about the same as in recent months, 0.5 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively.
The 0.2-percent increase in the food price index in
December was due to higher prices for beef, eggs, coffee,
poultry, fresh fruits and vegetables, and restaurant meals.
Poultry and fresh vegetable prices, which declined in

November, rose 2.7 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively.
Coffee prices advanced 6.8 percent in December, resulting
in a total rise for 1976 of 57.9 percent. Beef prices increased 2.4 percent, about the same as in November.
On the other hand, prices of some food items declined,
particularly pork, cereal and bakery products, dairy products, and sugar.
Prices of most commodities other than food rose after
seasonal adjustment in December. Apparel prices rose 0.5
percent, used cars 1.7 percent, new cars 0.6 percent, and
fuel oil and coal 1.4 percent. These increases were larger
than in November and accounted for over half of the
December rise of 0.5 percent in the nonfood commodities
index. The price index for gasoline and motor oil decreased
0.1 percent after seasonal adjustment in December, the
first decline since April. Tire prices also declined in December, following relatively large increases in each of the preceding 4 months.
More than half of the 0.4-percent increase in the consumer services index in December was due to a rise of 2.6

Table A. Percent changes in CPI and components, selected periods
Changes in all items
Changes from preceding month

Month
AM items
Unadjusted

1975:
December .
1976:
January . .
February .
March . . .
April
May
June
July
August . . .
September
October . .
November
December




Commodities
less food

Food

Seasonally Unadadjusted justed

Seasonally Unadjusted
adjusted

Services

Seasonally Unadadjusted
justed

Seasonally
adjusted

Compound
annual rate
from
3 months
ago

From
12 months
ago

Seasonally
adjusted

Unadjusted

0.4

0.5

0.5

0.6

0.1

0.4

0.6

0.6

7.3

7.0

.2
.2
.2
.4
.6
.5
.6
.5
.4
.4
.3
.3

.4
.1
.2
.4
.6
.5
.5
.5
.4
.3
.3
.4

.1
-.4
-.7
.3
.4
.5
.7
.2
-.4
0
-.3
.3

-.2
-1.0
.o
.6
1.0
.2
.1
.3
0
.3
-.2
.2

-.3
.3
.4
.6
.8
.6
.4
.6
.6
.4
.4
.2

.2
.3
.3
.3
.6
.5
.6
.6
.4
.4
.4
.5

1.0
.7
.6
.3
.4
.6
.7
.6
.8
.5
.5
.4

1.1
.7
.7
.5
.4
.6
.6
.6
.5
.5
.4
.4

6.5
4.4
2.9
2.9
4.9
6.1
6.3
6.0
5.8
5.2
4.3
4.2

6.8
6.3
6.1
6.1
6.2
5.9
5.4
5.6
5.5
5.3
5.0
4.8

percent in charges for natural gas and electricity. Charges
for other household services such as housekeeping and
home repair services rose slightly, while mortgage interest
rates declined in December for the eighth consecutive month.
The index for medical care services rose 0.6 percent in
December. The index for transportation services was unchanged, following large increases in each of the 3 preceding months.

Annual changes

notable was the slowdown in the food component, from
an increase of 6.5 percent in 1975 to 0.6 percent in 1976
(table B). The index for commodities other than food
rose 5.1 percent in 1976, compared with 6.2 percent in
1975. The services index rose 7.3 percent in 1976, less
than the 8.1-percent rise in 1975, and accounted for almost three-fifths of the December-to-December rise in the
CPI.
Food

For the 12 months ended in December 1976, the CPI
rose 4.8 percent, compared with an increase of 7.0 percent in 1975 and 12.2 percent in 1974. All three major
components of the CPI—food, other commodities, and
services—increased less in 1976 than in 1975. Particularly

Prices of food purchased in grocery stores—the major
part of the CPI food index—declined 0.9 percent in 1976,
the first December-to-December decline since 1961. Prices
of most types of food at the retail level were responsive to
changes at the primary market level. As expanded supply

Table B. Percent changes in Wholesale and Consumer Price Indexes, 1974-76

Index

December 1974
to
December 1975

December 1975
to
December 1976

7.0
6.5
6.2
8.1

3 months ending—
(Compound annual rate, seasonally adjusted except as noted)
1975

1976

March

June

September

December

4.8
.6
5.1
7.3

6.6
.5
8.0
9.3

7.0
9.7
5.3
6.8

7.4
8.0
7.5
7.4

6.7

6.2

9.4

5.1

5.7
7.7
11.6

5.3
6.9
6.8

9.4
8.5
1.4

4.2

4.7

-.3
3.9

March

June

September

December

7.3
8.3
4.3
9.3

2.9
-7.9
2.9
10.6

6.1
7.2
5.6
6.2

5.8
1.8
6.6
7.1

4.2
1.1
5.4
5.4

5.8

7.1

7.7

5.5

6.7

4.9

4.2
6.3
17.0

5.0
6.7
23.6

4.4
9.3
6.0

5.2
11.1
-83

5.7
5.5
10.2

5.6
6.9
14.6

I 12.8

-5.2

6.5

10.8

6.5

-1.8

6.6

4.7

9.0

-1.1
-3.9

-24.7
-37.4

18.3
63.8

18.3
16.8

-4.1
-2.0

-15.8
-24.9

18.0
30.7

-11.0
-24.8

7.9
15.1

-26.5
5.5

-7.2
-2.5

-46.6
-14.3

-39.4
28.7

22.3
11.2

-26.2
.9

-11.1
-20.5

-3.4
16.8

-11.7
-12.2

-2.2
11.7

6.0
4.5

6.4
13.5

3.9
-13.0

2.1
13.5

8.0
16.7

10.8
4.4

3.2
1.9

3.6
17.3

9.6
14.4

8.9
21.3

5.4
8.2

6.3
6.5

4.4
12.7

.2
4.8

5.8
6.3

12.1
9.1

3.7
6.8

3.3
3.3

9.3
5.7

9.3
10.0

6.7

4.8

3.5

4.1

10.7

9.3

.5

2.3

10.1

6.8

5.0
12.7

6.1
8.1

5.1
-2.2

.2
13.6

4.3
28.7

10.6
13.7

6.1
-12.7

3.6
3.2

6.9
24.6

8.0
21.6

Consumer Price Index
All items
Food
Commodities less food
Services . . .
All items less food and energy
items1
Commodities less food and
energy items
Services less energy items1
Energy items

|

5.0
3.8

Wholesale Price Index
All commodities
Farm products and processed
foods and feeds
Crude food and feeds2
Intermediate materials for food
manufacturing 3 4
Consumer foods
Industrial commodities
Crude materials except foods . .
Intermediate materials
except foods
Producers' finished goods
Consumer finished goods
except foods
Industrial commodities
except fuels . .
Fuel and fuel products

Energy items in the CPI include gasoline, motor oil, fuel oil,
fuel oil, coal, natural gas, and electricity.
Does not include plant and animal fibers, which are
included in farm products index.




Does not include manufactured animal feeds, which are
included in processed foods and feeds index.
Not seasonally adjusted.

outpaced demand, prices for foods at the primary market
level declined in 1976 at all stages of production—crude,
intermediate, and finished foods.
At the farm level, prices for cattle, hogs, poultry, and
milk—which advanced sharply in 1975—declined in
1976. Grain prices continued to decline in 1976, as they
did in 1975. On the other hand, coffee and cocoa bean
prices rose substantially, and egg prices rose more than in
1975. Among intermediate materials used in food manufacturing, prices declined for flour, sugar, and milk used in
processing. Reflecting these changes, retail prices for beef,
pork, poultry, cereal and bakery products, and sugar declined in 1976, while coffee prices advanced sharply.

level a year earlier. The bulk of the production was made
up of grain-fed cattle, but because of dry weather during
the summer, grass-fed cattle, including cows, were marketed
at a higher rate than had been expected. Prices turned up
sharply in the fourth quarter, as fewer grain-fed cattle
were marketed as a result of reduced feedlot placement
during the summer.
In contrast to beef, pork production declined during
the first half of 1976 as a result of reduced farrowings in
the fall of 1975. Prices for hog and pork, therefore,
generally rose during the second quarter of 1976, although
the increases were held down by competitive pressures
from large supplies of beef. After mid-year, hog and pork
prices turned down sharply as hog slaughter and pork
As usual, food prices displayed considerable volatility
production rose in response to a 16-percent increase in the
during the year, and the magnitude of change was gen- spring pig crop. The June-November pig crop was up 18
erally larger at the farm level than at the retail level, (chart
percent from the same period in 1975.
A, table C). The direction of change was influenced greatly
Poultry prices declined during most months of 1976.
by the behavior of meat prices.
Because of higher prices during 1975, poultry producers
Cattle and beef prices declined almost steadily during
stepped up production in 1976 to record levels or 14
the first three quarters of 1976, except for a brief period
percent above 1975 production through September 1976.
early in the spring when prices climbed due to a strike
Although output was down slightly during the fourth
threat by the Teamsters' Union. Beef production through
quarter, poultry prices remained under competitive presmid-August was at a record high or 11 percent above its
sure from increased pork supplies.

Table C. Percent changes in food prices, 1974-76

Commodity

Consumer foods
Beef and veal
Pork
Poultry
Cereal and bakery
products
Dairy products
Fresh fruits and
vegetables
Processed fruits and
vegetables
Eggs
Sugar and sweets

Index

December 1974
to
Decem
ber 1975

December 1975
to
December 1976

6.2
5.5
9.1
30.9

1975
March

June

0.6
-2.5
-8.0
-14.7
-20.4
-14.9

-2.1
-14.3
-33.2
-20.8
-1.4
22.0

11.3
28.7
100.8

275.9
75.2
79.0

1976

September

December

March

June

September

December

7.7
16.8
19.1
17.5
20.6
47.8
12.2
14.1

0.7
-12.2
-21.4
-13.5
-30.3
-57.9
-33.9
-41.1

1.1
11.7
22.4
66.3
-30.2
13.2

-16.0

15.6
-21.5
20.8
35.4

-11.7
-20.5
-37.4
-68.7
-31.7
-25.5
-34.3
-43.8

-6.8
-10.8
15.8
25.4

-4.4
2.3
5.2
-13.3

8.3
8.8
5.4
8.2

.9
11.9
6.8

-10.3
-8.0
-7.4
-9.5

8.2
11.2

8.6
.9

-12.6
-7.6
49.1
51.1
21.3

21.2

CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI

31.4
26.8
8.8
7.4

-14.5
-15.8

-21.2
-46.4

21.3
117.6

CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI

.3
-4.0
6.6
16.8

-1.6
-3.4
3.6
-2.3

16.0
2.0
-.8
1.9

-1.9
-6.1
0
13.1

-4.9
-1.1
11.9
28.5

CPI
WPI

8.4
16.2

5.7
-8.4

1.3
-19.9

7.7
80.9

17.4
29.0

9.0
-.4

-17.4
-30.9

-16.3
-58.8

39.3
234.3

29.5
-25.8

CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI

4.6
-.9
2.2
6.2

-3.0
4.3
9.9

-2.0
2.1

-5.3
.9

-19.0
8.2
-12.9

13.8
-7.3
-40.4
-72.8

4.6
-5.9
-4.8
12.9
2.4
-3.0

23.5
-.7
23.8
14.7

-4.0
-1.2
-11.2
-30.0
-5.7
40.8

-7.0
6.1
46.5
130.8

2.2
5.0
-A.I
-25.8
-7.8
-51.4

-3.2
7.6
17.5
27.2
-2.2
-6.1

-19.1
-50.4

11.1
-§.5
-14\4

. In the WPI, this title is sugar and confectionery.




3 months ending—
(Compound annual rate, seasonally adjusted)

-61.7

9.3

-19.4
-40.9

-5.5
-16.4

-15.1

9.3
33.2

Chart A. Changes in prices of food by stage of processing, 1972-76
(Percent change over 3-month span, annual rate, seasonally adjusted)

ARITH
SCALE
30

10

ARITH
SCALE

—10

40

20




ARITH
SCALE

CRUDE FOODSTUFFS flND FEEOSTUFFS

—20

60

40

20

—20

—40

1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

Table D. Percent changes in prices of consumer goods other than food, 1974-76

Index

Commodity

Commodities less food . .
Nondurables less
food 1
Apparel less
footwear
Footwear
Gasoline
Heating fuel

....

Durables1
New cars
Furniture
Appliances,
including radio
and TV

December 1974
to
December 1975

December 1975
to
December 1976

3 months ending—
(Compound annual rate, seasonally adjusted)
1975
March

June

September

December

March

June

September

December

CPI
WPI

6.2
6.7

5.1
4.8

8.0
3.5

5.3
4.1

7.5
10.7

4.3
9.3

2.9
.5

5.6
2.3

6.6
10.1

5.4
6.8

CPI
WPI

5.2
7.6

4.4
5.4

4.1
2.3

4.9
5.4

8.2
14.4

4.2
9.5

.8
-.9

4.7
2.6

7.3
13.3

5.1
7.2

CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI

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

3.9
5.8
5.3
8.9
2.7
5.3
6.4
4.0
6.1
3.9
4.8
5.3
3.2
6.0

-.6
.3
4.9
1.7
-3.7
-3.4
-7.5
-25.4
13.6
6.1
9.3
3.7
6.3
2.8

—3
-3.5
-.3
3.3
17.0
23.0
14.5
13.8
6.3
1.2
.3
1.8
7.4
-1.1

4.1
.9
1.4
7.6
30.0
72.7
28.8
42.4
6.2
4.4
6.1
3.7
3.9
3.6

3.2
6.8
4.2
3.8
2.7
13.1
2.1
31.6
4.4
9.2
14.4
15.7
4.7
8.7

2.3
9.8
4.5
7.1
-17.7
-26.7
-8.1
-21.5
6.9
3.4
2.4
2.6
3.8
4.1

3.4
3.5
5.8
11.4
8.2
2.7
9.4
-3.1
6.5
1.1
1.2
.6
0
4.6

8.0
5.9
6.9
13.3
15.5
40.5
18.6
28.6
5.8
5.1
6.7
6.7
1.3
7.0

1.9
4.0
4.0
4.0
8.0
16.2
7.3
19.5
5.2
6.2
8.8
11.7
7.6
8.5

CPI
WPI

4.9
4.3

3.2
1.3

7.5
6.1

4.2
4.2

4.5
2.4

3.7
4.5

5.4
2.0

4.3
3.4

2.0
0

1.3
.3

Includes items not shown separately.
CPI includes motor oil.

Large supplies of other farm products such as grains,
rice, and milk contributed to the declines in prices of
cereal and bakery products and dairy products, particularly
after mid-1976. Prices of grains moved up early in the
year due to adverse weather conditions in the Midwest
but declined after mid-year as the damage was less severe
than expected. Growing and harvesting conditions in the
summer and fall were quite favorable and production of
both wheat and corn reached record levels. In addition,
export demand for wheat was down sharply because most
world wheat-producing countries, including the Soviet
Union, had excellent harvests in 1976. Rice prices declined as
world supplies expanded at a faster rate than demand.
World rice production for the 1975-76 season was 6.4
percent higher than the previous year's record crop. The
U.S. carryover supplies at the start of the 1976-77 growing season were at the highest level in 20 years due to declines in exports. The gain in milk production resulted
from substantial increases in output per cow, a reflection
of favorable milk-feed price relationships during 1976.
Processors' prices for butter and cheese, which were at
record high levels at the end of 1975, declined during 1976
due to lower milk prices and decreased consumer demand;




1976

CPI includes coal.

prices for these products at the retail level rose considerably
less in 1976 than in 1975.
Heavy worldwide production and sluggish industrial and
consumer demand led to a 27.6-percent decline in wholesale raw sugar prices in 1976; the previous year, prices fell
70 percent after rising over 320 percent in 1974. The increased switch by manufacturers to sugar substitutes,
especially high fructose corn syrup, contributed to the
decline in sugar prices during 1976. At the retail level,
sugar prices declined 18.4 percent in 1976, compared with
a decline of 58 percent in 1975.
Coffee prices advanced rapidly throughout 1976. By the
end of the year, green coffee prices were double their level
at the end of 1975; wholesale prices of roasted coffee
were up almost 70 percent and retail prices almost 60
percent. Coffee prices began to rise around mid-1975 after a
severe frost and subsequent drought in Brazil wiped out a
large portion of that country's production capacity. The
Brazilian coffee crop is not expected to return to normal
for several years. The effect of the civil war in Angola and
the disruption of transportation in Guatemala by a major
earthquake also contributed to the accelerated price increases in 1976. Like coffee, supplies of cocoa beans were

extremely limited during 1976 because of adverse conditions in growing areas and prices rose 120 percent.

Commodities other than food
As with food, prices of other consumer goods generally
move in response to prices at the manufacturers' level.
However, the timing and magnitude of change are likely
to differ, depending on prevailing demand and supply conditions in consumer markets. In 1976, the direction of
change in the CPI for consumer goods other than food
was similar to the corresponding WPI component, particularly when used car and house prices which are not in the
WPI were excluded (table B and chart B). Omitting these
prices, the increase in the CPI was 4.4 percent in 1976,
compared with 5.3 percent in 1975. The WPI for consumer
finished goods other than food rose 4.8 percent in 1976,
compared with 6.7 percent in 1975.
The slower rise in prices of nonfood consumer goods
in the WPI and the CPI in 1976 than in 1975 was primarily
due to considerably smaller increases in gasoline prices.
Prices for fuel oil, appliances, and new cars also increased
less in 1976. On the other hand, prices for apparel, footwear, textile housefurnishings, and tires increased more in
1976 than in 1975.
Although the direction of change was the same, the
magnitude for consumer goods excluding foods, used cars,
and houses in the CPI—4.4 percent—was smaller than in
the WPI—4.8 percent. Retail prices of nonfood commodities
have usually risen somewhat faster than manufacturers'
prices whether used cars and house prices were included or
excluded. This relationship existed in all but 3 years during the period from 1956 through 1971. Increases in 1972
were about the same; since 1972, however, increases in
manufacturers' prices have been consistently larger than at
retail. From 1971 to 1974, wage and price controls may
have contributed to the divergence from the historical
pattern. The larger increase in the WPI component in 1975
was due almost entirely to the sharper increases in gasoline
and fuel oil prices in the WPI.
In 1976, gasoline prices continued to record larger increases in the WPI than in the CPI. In addition, prices of
other consumer goods such as apparel, footwear, tires,
tobacco products, and furniture increased more at the
manufacturers' level than at retail. The smaller rise in retail
prices may be due in part to the usual lag before goods
carrying higher manufacturers' prices appear in consumer
markets. Apparently, a weakness in demand prevented retailers from passing through price increases to the usual
extent. On the other hand, large increases in materials
prices in late 1975 and during most of 1976 exerted strong
upward pressure on prices of finished consumer goods at
the manufacturers' level.
In the spring of 1975, the economy started to pick up
from the 1974 recession. Prices of crude industrial materials turned up sharply in the second quarter. As the




recovery continued during the summer of 1975, retailers
and manufacturers began to replenish their inventories,
and production of materials and finished goods started to
rise again. Price rises for intermediate materials and
finished goods accelerated in the last half of the year.
As retail sales remained strong early in 1976, production increased more rapidly than growth in final demand,
resulting in a high rate of inventory accumulation. As
consumer demand weakened around mid-year, the rise in
industrial production slowed sharply. Reflecting the slowdown in the economy, prices of crude industrial materials
(other than fuels) were virtually unchanged in the third
quarter, after large increases in the first two quarters.
Price rises for intermediate materials (other -than fuels),
however, accelerated in the third quarter as a widely expressed concern to provide profits needed for capital expansion encouraged producers to pass through earlier increases in costs of materials, fuels, and labor. An upturn in
construction activity also contributed to the third quarter
acceleration. Price rises for finished goods also gained
momentum, with earlier increases in material costs contributing significantly to the advance.
The lull in economic activity continued early in the
fourth quarter. Even new automobile sales—a major
stimulus to the economy in 1975 and during much of
1976—were not as strong initially for 1977 models, particularly small cars, as the industry had expected. Prices
for crude industrial materials (other than fuels) rose
slightly in the fourth quarter, while prices at the intermediate level continued to show large increases. Among
WPI industrial commodity groups, prices rose sharply in
1976 for metals, rubber, plastic, leather, and lumber products. Increases for chemicals and fuels were somewhat
smaller than in 1975.
Gasoline and heating oil During the early months of 1976,
fuel prices declined reflecting relatively large inventories, as
well as the effect of the Energy Policy and Conservation
Act on prices of domestic crude petroleum and refined
petroleum products. This law decreased the composite
average crude petroleum price and limited price increases
for lower tier (old oil) production and upper tier (new oil)
production to prescribed monthly increases. Prices of both
lower tier and upper tier crude petroleum were frozen
from June 1 through December 31 under Federal Energy
Administration (FEA) regulations. Gasoline prices started
to rise in early spring as improved demand permitted refiners to pass along increased costs stemming from use of
a higher proportion of more expensive imported crude
petroleum. Refiners raised their prices substantially in late
spring and early summer as a sharp rise in gasoline consumption reduced refinery stocks. In the late summer, gasoline
prices declined less than usual as inventories remained
tight due to less-than-seasonal declines in demand. Additionally, refiners continued to pass on higher average costs
for crude oil resulting from increased imported crude oil

Chart B. Changes in prices of industrial goods by stage of processing, 1972-76

ARITH

(Percent change over 3-month span, annual rate, seasonally adjusted)

SCALE

-,

CPI COMMODITIES LESS FOOD

40

20

ARITH
SCALE
40
WPI CONSUMER FINISHED 6000S EXCLUDIN6 FOOD

20

ARITH
SCALE
40
WPI INTERMEDI
EDIR?E MflTE^KflLS £EXCLUDING FOOD

20

ARITH
SCALE

WPI CRUDE MflTERIRLS EXCLUDING FOOD

70

50

30

10

—10




1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

consumption and decontrolled "stripper well", crude oil
prices.
Fuel oil prices declined in the first quarter of 1976,
chiefly due to abnormally warm weather in major fuelconsuming areas, as well as the impact of the Energy Policy
and Conservation Act. Prices turned up in the second
quarter and continued to rise for the rest of the year,
partly because natural gas shortages led some users to
switch to fuel oil for home heating. Prices of refined
petroleum products such as middle distillates (heating oil)
and residual oil were decontrolled around mid-year. However, decontrol seemed to have little direct effect on these
prices through the end of 1976. The FEA has a system—
"distillate trigger"—designed to restore price controls if
home heating oil prices rise between 4.5 and 5.5 cents per
gallon, on the average, in a region.
Apparel prices at the manufacturers' level rose 5.8 percent in 1976, compared with 1.0 percent in 1975. The
largest increases occurred early in the year when prices
were raised for fall and winter items to be introduced at
the retail level later in 1976. Throughout the year, consumers preferred apparel in natural fibers such as cotton
rather than double-knits. The change occurred when
the cotton crop was down sharply and prices were climbing. Although retail prices for apparel rose sharply in the
third quarter as fall and winter clothing items carrying
higher manufacturers' prices were introduced, weaker consumer demand had led to extensive promotional sales during the fourth quarter.
The rise in footwear prices accelerated in 1976. Prices
for cattlehides moved up sharply from mid-1975 and
through mid-1976, when demand from both the domestic
footwear industry and from foreign sources was high. However, an increase in supplies of cattle hides following unusually high slaughter rates and reduced demand contributed
to lower prices for hides and leather in the final quarter of
1976, and a somewhat slower rise in footwear prices.
Manufacturers' prices for furniture increased 6.0 percent
in 1976, compared with 3.5 percent in 1975. Increases
accelerated after mid-year due in large part to higher prices
for hardwood lumber and metal products used in furniture
production, as well as the improvement in housing starts.
Retail furniture prices increased 3.2 percent in 1976, about
half the rise in 1975, as the demand for furniture was
weak during much of the year. Reflecting sluggish demand,
prices of other household durables such as appliances increased less in 1976 than in 1975 at both the manufacturers'
and retail levels.
The rise in 1976 new car indexes—5.3 percent in the
WPI and 4.8 percent in the CPI—was also somewhat smaller
than in 1975. Domestic car producers sold 22 percent more
cars in 1976 than in 1975. Auto sales in 1976 reflected a
stronger-than-expected demand for large cars and weakerthan-expected demand for small cars. In planning production schedules for 1976 model year cars, automakers
expected buyers to be concerned about fuel economy and




to be looking for smaller and more efficient cars. Instead,
consumers generally preferred big cars. Although production
schedules were subsequently revised, shortages of some
larger models developed during the spring and summer.
Since prices of large cars did not decline as usual during
the model year, the seasonally adjusted new car indexes
rose sharply in the third quarter. The rise in the indexes in
the fourth quarter reflected price increases for 1977 domestic cars and for some imported cars. The effect of
these increases was partly offset by rebates and price cuts
on some small cars. The demand for large cars carried into
the used car market. Because large, late-model used cars
were in short supply, prices rose sharply during 1976. For
the year ending in December 1976, the used car index rose
19 percent, over twice as much as in 1975.
Price rises for tobacco products, which were relatively
moderate in the first three quarters of 1976, accelerated in
the fourth quarter, partly due to higher prices for leaf
tobacco marketed in late summer. Prices of other commodities such as housekeeping supplies—particularly paper
products, toilet goods, and drugs and prescriptions, continued to rise in 1976, as they had in 1975. Higher materials costs were an important factor in these prices;
because the demand for these products is relatively inelastic, producers were able to pass through the cost
increases.
Services

Charges for all types of services—transportation, medical care, and household services—rose sharply in the first
quarter and more moderately in subsequent quarters (table
E). Nevertheless, for the year ending in December 1976,
transportation services rose 10.8 percent, almost the same
as in 1975, which was the largest since 1970. The index
for medical care services rose 10.7 percent in 1976, also
the same as in 1975. However, the 6.0 percent increase for
household services other than rent was smaller than in
1975, and rents continued to increase moderately as they
had in the previous 4 years.
Transportation services. Higher automobile insurance rates
accounted for more than 65 percent of the increase in the
transportation services index in 1976. From 1971 to 1974,
auto insurance rates rose an average of 1.2 percent while
the CPI increased at a rate of 6.9 percent. During this
period, some companies chose to forego rate increases
assuming that the energy crisis would result in less driving
and consequently fewer accidents. However, large price
increases in many sectors of the economy in 1973 and 1974
offset the decline in the number of accidents and claims.
As a result, some insurance companies were forced to be
more selective in insuring drivers. In 1975 and 1976,
insurance companies requested frequent and sizable rate
increases to recover past losses and to meet rising costs for
medical care, auto parts, and higher administrative expenses.

Table E. Percent changes in prices of consumer services, 1974-76

Service

Services
Rent
Household services less rent . . .
Mortgage interest rates2 . . . .
Housekeeping and home
maintenance services
....
Gas and electricity
Medical care
Transportation
Auto insurance rates
Public transportation
Other services
Personal care services
Recreational services

Decem- December 1974 ber 1975
to
to
Decem- December 1975 ber 1976

3 months ending—
(Compound annual rate, seasonally adjusted except as noted)
1975
March

June

December

March

June

September

December

8.1
5.2
8.2
-3.1

7.3
5.5
6.0
-4.8

9.3
5.2
10.3
-15.9

6.8
4.5
8.4
-6.8

7.4
4.8
4.9
.6

9.3
6.5
9.3
11.9

10.6
5.5
9.1
-4.6

6.2
5.1
6.3
-7.3

7.1
5.4
6.2
2.0

5.4
5.9
2.4
-9.1

6.0
14.2
10.3
11.8
17.9
11.9
5.4
5.0
3.5

8.9
12.2
10.7
10.8
22.4
4.6
6.4
8.4
5.0

5.2
15.3
14.5
6.7
2.3
3.2
7.2
4.7
6.2

6.0
16.7
9.2
5.5
11.1
5.1
3.2
4.1
1.6

7.2
15.2
10.5
16.7
10.2
45.0
5.7
4.6
3.0

5.6
9.9
7.2
18.9
54.5
2

13.9
6.4
14.0
21.1
55.0
7.5
7.9
10.4
5.7

8.2
12.1
7.5
5.0
8.8
3.5
4.9
6.7
5.9

8.5
13.6
9.3
10.3
18.6
6.9
7.2
10.5
4.5

5.1
17.3
11.9
7.2
12.0
.9
5.5
6.2
4.1

Includes items not shown separately.

In 1976, auto insurance rates increased 22.4 percent, after
a 17.9-percent rise in 1975. Among other expenses associated with the private operation of automobiles, parking
fees rose 7.7 percent in 1976, about the same as in 1975
and auto repairs and maintenance increased 6.5 percent,
less than in 1975.
In the public transportation sector, airplane fares were
raised 3 times during 1976, for an increase of 7.4 percent,
a larger rise than in 1975. Despite keen competition from
other modes of transportation, railroad fares rose 7.3 percent in 1976, slightly more than in 1975. However, the
increase of 3.2 percent in local transit fares in 1976 was
one-fifth as large as in 1975. Alternative revenue sources
such as special tax levies and State and Federal subsidies
enabled transit systems to meet operating expenses without raising fares.
Medical care services. The rise in charges for medical care
services in 1976 and 1975 has decelerated slightly since
1974 when they rose 13.3 percent. The rise in physicians'
fees and hospital service charges accelerated early in 1974
after termination of wage and price controls; increases in
1975 and 1976—although slightly smaller than in 1974—
were still substantial. Hospital service charges rose 11.4
percent in 1976, compared with 13.0 percent in 1975, and
14.2 percent in 1974. Charges for semiprivate and operating rooms have continued to rise rapidly. Physicians' fees
rose 9.7 percent in 1976, 11.8 percent in 1975, and 13.3
percent in 1974. A factor contributing to the rise in
physicians' fees has been the passing through of higher malpractice insurance fees. The annual adjustment of retained
earnings of health insurance companies also contributed




1976

September

5.6
6.7
3.2

Not seasonally adjusted.

significantly to the rise in the CPI medical care services
index in 1976. Health insurance premiums, represented in
the index by prices of services for which benefits are paid,
measure changes in the ratio of profits and overhead costs
to benefits.
Household services other than rent Price increases for
household services (less rent) were smaller than in 1975
and less than half as much as in 1974. During 1976,
mortgage interest rates fell, particularly in the first 6
months and late in the year. In the first quarter, supplies
of lendable funds were ample as the flow of new savings
received by saving and loan institutions reached a record.
Consumer demand for mortgage funds during this period
was slack and the resulting supply-demand imbalance
helped rates to fall through June. However, at mid-year, a
combination of factors, such as renewed interest in real
estate and other competing money markets and concern
about possible tighter monetary policy and a resurgence of
inflation, caused lenders to restrict loans and raise rates.
Veterans Administration and Federal Housing Administration insured loan rates also rose in the third quarter. Late
in the year, inflows of savings to lending institutions were
substantial. In addition, the slowdown in the economy
lessened the demand for available funds when corporations
and government postponed borrowing from capital markets.
As a result, the index of mortgage interest rates declined in
the fourth quarter.
Other household services, such as property taxes, electricity rates, and telephone charges, increased less than in
1975. Property taxes increased less than in 1975 despite
continued rising operating expenses for schools and various

city services. Homeowners were successful in limiting increases in property taxes. Electricity charges increased less
in 1976 than in 1975 because of stable prices through
much of the year for electricity-producing fuels, particularly coal. In addition, electricity producers continued to
face strong consumer resistance to further rate increases,
which resulted in delays and smaller rate increases than
requested.
In contrast to electricity, natural gas prices rose sharply
in 1976—17.9 percent, after increasing 20.2 percent in
1975 and 17.1 percent in 1974. Rates jumped in the second
half of the year, due in part to the Federal Power
Commission's decision to allow higher prices for some
natural gas sold in interstate commerce. Property insurance
premiums also rose significantly in 1976—10.1 percent,
following a rise of 8.2 percent in 1975, and an average
yearly increase of 2 percent from 1971 through 1974 as
companies sought increases to catch up on past expenses.
Within the housekeeping services group, postage rates for
first class and parcel post rose in the first quarter. The increase in the minimum wage in January contributed to
higher charges for domestic services, babysitters, and
laundry flatwork.




Rent. The CPI for apartment and home rentals advanced
5.5 percent as landlords continued to press for higher rents
to cover rising property taxes, fuel and utility charges, and
sharply higher maintenance and administrative expenses.
In 1976, new apartment construction continued to be
sluggish compared to the heavy construction period of the
early 1970's. In the face of a tight supply situation in
many areas, demand for available units was strong as some
renters continued to postpone buying a home until their
savings increased, interest rates fell further, and home prices
leveled off.

Other services. Prices for most other services in the CPI
accelerated slightly in 1976. Charges for these services—
which are more susceptible to discretionary spending than
most medical, transportation, and household services—rose
6.4 percent, compared with 5.4 percent in 1975. Personal
care services, such as beauty and barber shop charges,
apparel services such as drycleaning and laundry, and
recreational services increased more in 1976 than in 1975.

10

Chart 1. All items index and rates of change, 1967-76
(1967=100)
SEMILOG
130
C F 1 flLL I T E M S I N D E X
(NOT SEflSONflLLY
flDJUSTEO)

170
150
130

110

90

PERCENT CHflNSE OVER 1-MONTH
(SEflSONflLLY
flDJUSTEO)

SPflN

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(RNNUflL RRTE. SEflSONflLLY
flOJUSTEO*

8
6
4
2
0

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
(RNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY
flDJUSTED)

RRITH.
SCRLE
8

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN

1967

1968

1969

1970

1971

1/
Computed from the unadjusted s e r i e s .
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




11

1972

1/

1973

1974

1975 1976

Chart 2. Commodities less food index and rates of change, 1967-76
SEMILOG
190

(1967=100)

DEC

160.6

170

CPI COMMODITIES LESS FOOD INDEX
(SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

150
130
110

90

PERCENT CHflN6E OVER 1-MONTH SPflN
(SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

DEC
0.5

1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8

0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
-0.2
-0.4
-0.6
PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTEO)
6
4

A

2

q
-2

DEC
6-0

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

OEC
5.1

PERCENT CHflNSE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN ]_/

1967

1968

1969

1970

y
Computed from the unadjusted series.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




1971

12

1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

9SKJ-

Chart 3. Total food index and rates of change, 1967-76
(1967=100)

SEMIL06
200
CPI TOTfIL FOOD INDEX
(SEflSONflLLY FID JUSTED 1

3.2
2.8
2.4
2.0
1.6
1.2
0.8
0.4
0.0
-0.4
-0.8

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-fiONTH SPfl
(SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTEO

PERCENT CHflN6E OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTEO)

I

PERCENT CHflNSE OVER 6-fiONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTED)

3RITH.
SCflLE
16
12
8
4
0

CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH

-4

1967

1/

1968

1969

1970

1971

Computed from the unadjusted series.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




13

1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

Chart 4. Services index and rates of change, 1967-76
(1967=100)

DEC

SEMI
LOS 190

185.4

CPi SERVICES INDEX
(SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTEO)

170
150
130
110

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER^ 1-tfQNTH
'(flEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

90

flRITH.
SCflLE
12

l.G
0.9
0-8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0 1
0.0
-0.1

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-flONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTED)

10
8
6
4
2
DEC
flRITH.
6 . 2 SCflLE
10

0
PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-fiONTH SPflN
[flNNUflL RfT^- SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTEO)

6
6
4
2
0
flRITH.
SCflLE

OVER 12-MONTH SPflN

1967

19.68

1969

1970

y
Computed from the unadjusted series.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




1971

14

1972

1973

1974

1975 1976

Table 1. CPI — U.S. city average, by commodity and service group and expenditure class
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)
Relative
importance

Unadjusted indexes

Unadjusted
percent change to

Seasonally adjusted
percent change f r o m —

Group or class

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
Other apparel commodities
Nondurables less food and apparel
Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Fuel oil and coal
Other nondurables
Durable commodities
Household durables
New automobiles
Used automobiles
Other durables
Services
Rent
Services less rent
Household services less rent
Transportation services
Medical care services
Other services
Special indexes:
All items less food
Nondurable commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
Services less medical care services
Insurance and finance
Utilities and public transportation
Housekeeping and home maintenance service
Appliances (including radio and TV)

All items

Food
Housing
Shelter 1
Rent
Homeownership 2
Fuel and utilities 3
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Private
Public
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
Special indexes:
All items less shelter
All items less medical care
All items less mortgage interest costs
CPI—domestically produced farm foods 4
CPI-selected beef cuts 5
Purchasing power of consumer dollar:
1967=$1.00

1957-59=$1.00
1

December November December December November September October to November to
1975
to October November December
1975
1976
1976
1976
Commodity and service groups
0.4
0.3
0.3
4.8
0.3
174.3
173.8
100.000
202.7
202. 1
.4
.2
.2
168. 1
3.3
63.355
167. 7
.3
.2
181.7
.3
24.675
.6
181. 1
-. 2
.3
.2
.2
19.524
179.3
-.9
178.9
-.4
.3
-.3
-1. 1
2. 702
179.3
-1.6
179.9
-.6
1.
0
-1.0
6.641
.2
170.2
-10.0
172.0
-. 3
1.4
-.2
2.876
-.8
171.4
3.6
171.7
-1.4
.2
.4
.4
3. 103
175.5
2.0
174.8
-1.6
4.5
2.5
4.202
1.3
202.2
8.8
197. 3
1.4
.5
.5
5. 150
.6
190.9
6. 1
190.0
.3
.1
.2
.5
38.681
160.6
5. 1
160.3
.4
.4
.2
.4
22.872
162.3
4.4
161.9
.5
.4
-. 1
.5
149.9
4.2
.861
150. 1
.3
-.
1
-. 1
.5
150. 7
4.5
2.475
150.8
-.4
.5
-.3
146.9
3.4
.3
3.426
147.3
-.3
.5
-.2
153.4
5.3
.4
1. 377
153.7
.1
.5
.3
156.9
4.5
.5
.584
156.4
1.2
.
4
.4
169.7
4.6
.
7
169.0
15.011
.6
-. 1
179.9
2. 7
.7
180.3
-.2
3.498
1.3
.4
163. 7
4.4
1.2
162.7
.6
1.880
.4
.1
148.8
3.5
.3
148.6
.1
2. 244
.3
264.5
6.4
.2
258.0
2.5
1.4
1. 045
.2
164.5
5.9
.6
163.8
.4
.4
6.343
.5
158.4
.4
158.0
.3
.6
6. 1
15.809
.3
148.2
.5
147.8
.3
.4
3.6
4.495
.4
140.4
.1
139. 7
.5
.6
4.8
1.910
1.4
178.
0
.9
179.
0
-.6
1.7
2.046
19. 0
-. 1
165. 1
164.5
.4
*.4
*.
2
7.358
4.4
*. 2
185.8
185. 1
.4
.4
.4
36.645
7.3
.5
148.3
147.5
.5
.5
.4
4.497
5.5
.5
192.6
191.8
.4
.4
.4
32.147
7.6
.6
203.5
202.6
.4
.4
-. 1
16.030
6.0
.3
180.8
180.2
.3
0
.
8
5.012
10.8
.9
205.7
204.5
.6
1.5
5.642
10.7
.6
. 7
165.7
165.2
.3
.5
5.643
6.4
.3
.5
75.325
47.547
6.485
31. 002
9.808
5.484
4. 649
1.417

171.6
171.3
149.4
181.9
200. 7
177.0
216. 1
124.8

172.2
171.7
149.2
182.7
200.4
179.6
216.7
124. 7

100.000
24.675
33.998
21.370
4.497
16.484
5.205
2.722
7.422
9.217
13.053
11. 729
1. 324
18.681
6.413
2.505
5. 148
4.616

173.8
181. 1
180.7
182. 1
147.5
194.8
188.2
195. 5
171.7
151.9
171.4
170.6
177.6
167.3
191. 3
164.8
154. 1
155.3

174.3
181.7
181.6
182.4
148. 3
195.0
192.0
200.9
172.3
151.8
171.4
170. 7
178.0
168.0
192. 3
165.2
154.4
155.9

78.630
93.587
95.610
17. 148

171.6
172.7
171.7
173. 1
160.5

172.2
173.2
172.3
173.0
161.9

2. 056

$0,575
.495

$0,574
.493

Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance
and repairs.
3
Also includes residential telephones, fuel oil, coal, water, and sewerage services
not shown separately.
4
Calculated from the CPI food at home component by excluding fish, nonalcoholic
beverages, bananas, chocolate candy bars, chocolate syrup and about half of the index
2




6.2
2.4
3.9
6.8
5.4
8.5
8.9
3.2

.3
.2
-. 1
.4
-. 1
1.5
.3
-. 1

Expenditure classes
4.8
.3
.6
.3
5.5
.5
4.2
.2
5.5
.5
3.8
.1
9.0
2. 0
12.2
2.8
6.4
.3
4. 5
-. 1
8.8
0
9.3
.1
4.6
.2
6.7
.4
10. 1
.5
6.9
.2
4. 7
.2
.4
4. 1

5. 1
-3.2
-8.0

.3
.3
.3
-. 1
.9

-4.5

-.2

4.9
4.5

*. 5
*. 2
-. 2
*.5
-. 1
.8
*. 6
-. 1

*. 5
*.2
.2
*. 3
-.3
.5
*, 4
.2

*. 3
*.2
.5
*.4
-.3
1. 1
*, 3
.2

.3
.3
*. 3
*. 3
.5
*. 2
1.0
1.3
.4
-. 1
.6
.8
.5
*.5
*. 5
*. 7
.5
.3

.3
-.2
*. 3
*. 1
.4
*0
.2
.1
.5
.4
.4
.4
.4
*. 7
*1 3
*. 5
.5
.7

.4
.2
*. 5
*. 2
.5
*. 1
1. 7
2.6
.6
.4
.5
.6
-. 7
*.4
*. 5
*. 2
.3
.4

*.4
*. 4
*.4
*-.2
*-2.4

*.4
*.2
*. 4
*-. 7
*. 7

*. 3
*. 3
*.3
*-. 1
*.9

weight for sugar.
s
Calculated from the CPI beef and veal component by excluding veal cutlets and
beef liver.
* Not seasonally adjusted,

15

NOTE: Index applies to month as a whole, not to any specific date,

Table 1-A. CPI—U.S. 1976 annual average, by commodity and service group and expenditure class
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

.
Percent change to 1976 f r o m —

Indexes
Group or class

1975
Average

1975
Average

1976
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
Other apparel commodities
Nondurables less food and apparel . .
Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Fuel oil and coal
Other nondurables
Durable commodities
Household durables
New automobiles
Used automobiles
Other durables
Services
Rent
Services less rent
Household services less rent
Transportation services
Medical care services
Other services
Special indexes:
All items less food
Nondurable commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
Services less medical care services
Insurance and finance
Utilities and public transportation
Housekeeping and home maintenance service
Appliances (including radio and TV)

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
148.8
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

170.5
198.3
165.2
180.8
179.5
180.6
179.4
169.3
175.4
189.9
186. 1
156.6
158.3
145.8
147.2
141.9
149.9
153.0
165.7
176.6
160.5
146.8
250.8
160.2
154.3
146. 0
135.7
167.9
161.7
180.4
144.7
186.8
198.4
174.3
197. 1
161. 1

157. 1
163.2
140. 6
164.7
180.4
157. 1
193. 7
118.4

167.5
169.2
144. 9
177. 7
196.6
172.2
210.2
123.3

6. 6
3. 7
3. 1
7. 9
9. 0
9.,6
8.,5
4., 1

All items
Food
Housing
Shelter 1
Rent
Homeownership 2
Fuel and utilities 3
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation . . .
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Private
Public
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
Special indexes:
All items less shelter
All items less medical care
All items less mortgage interest costs
CPI—domestically produced farm foods 4 . . . .
CPI-selected beef cuts s
Purchasing power of consumer dollar:
1967=$1.00
1957-59=$1.00

161.2
175.4
166.8
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

170.5
180.8
177.2
179.0
144.7
191.7
182.7
188.8
168.5
147.6
165.5
164.6
174.2
163.3
184.7
160.5
151.2
153.3

5.. 8
3.. 1
6..2
5.. 5
5., 4
5,. 5
8,. 9
11,. 3
6.. 6
3., 7
9,. 9
9,. 9
9,. 8
6,. 4
9,. 5
6,. 5
4,. 7
4,. 0

159. 1
160.9
159. 1
173.6
170.3

168.3
169.7
168.4
175.4
165.5

5,. 8
5. 5
5. 8
1. 0
-2 . 8

$0,621
. 533

$0,587
.504

-5.5

Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance
and repairs.
3
Also includes residential telephones, fuel oil, coal, water, and sewerage services
not shown separately.
4
Calculated from the CPI food at home component by excluding fish, nonalcoholic
beverages, bananas, chocolate candy bars, chocolate syrup and about half of the index




3
1
1
3
t 8
8. 1
2. 6
2. 8
6. 8
5. 0
4. 4
3. 3
3. 5
2. 8
4. 0
2. 8
4. 9
4. 1
4. 3
3. 3
6. 6
6. 0
6. 0
4. 1
6. 3
14. 7
4. 9
8. 3
5. 4
7
7. 4
14. 1
10. 1
5. 9

4.
3.
2.
-2.

00*

1

2

5.8

weight for sugar.
5
Calculated from the CPI beef and veal component by excluding veal cutlets and
beef liver.
* Not seasonally adjusted.

16

NOTE: Index applies to month as a whole, not to any specific date.

Table 2. CPI—seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by commodity and service group and expenditure class
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Seasonally adjusted annual rate
percent change for

Seasonally adjusted indexes
Group and class
September October Novembe r December
1976
1976
1976
1976

March
1976

3 months ending in

6 months ending in

June
1976

June
1976

Septembe r December
1976
1976

December
1 1976

Commodity and service g roups
All items
Commodities
Food
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products .. ..
Meats poultry and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
Food away from home
Commodities less food
Nondurables less food
Apparel commodities
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Other apparel commodities
Nondurables less food and apparel . . .
Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Fuel oil and coal . .
Other nondurables1. .
Durable commodities .
Household durables .
New automobiles
Used automobiles
Other durablesi
Services
Rent
Services less rent
Household services less rent
Transportation services
Medical care services
Other services
Special indexes:
All items less food 1
Nondurable commodities1
Apparel commodities less footwear
Services less medical care services l
Insurance and finance
Utilities and public transportation
Housekeeping and home maintenance service.1.
Appliances (including radio and TV)

2.9

166. 8
181.8
180. 1
182.6
176. 3
173.2
175.7
193. 1
188.5
158.5
160. 2
147. 7
149. 7
143.6
152. 1
153.5
167. 7
180.4
160.4
147.6
258.6
161.8
156. 3
146. 3
136.8
173.5
163.9
183.0
146. 3
189. 6
201. 3
177.5
200.2
163.3

167. 3
182.3
180.7
180.8
173. 8
173.6
183.6
194. 1
188.7
159. 1
160.8
147.5
149. 1
143.2
152.3
155.3
168. 7
182.7
161. 0
148. 0
259. 1
162.6
156.8
146.9
138.7
173.3
164.2
184.0
147. 0
190. 7
201. 9
179. 1
201.7
164. 1

167. 6
181.9
180.0
179.7
173. 2
171.2
180.6
196.9
189.2
159.8
161.6
147.9
149.3
143.7
152.9
156. 1
169.8
184.0
162.9
148.5
259. 6
163.6
157.4
147. 7
138.9
174.8
164.5
184.7
147. 6
191.4
201.6
180. 6
204. 7
165.0

168.3
182. 3
180.3
177.7
173. 5
169.9
181.3
199.4
190. 3
160.6
162.2
148. 6
150. 0
144.4
153.6
156.9
170.4
183.9
163.5
148. 7
263. 2
164.3
158. 3
148. 3
139.7
177.8
165. 1
185.4
148.4
192. 1
202. 5
180.6
205.9
165. 5

-lu 2
-7.9
-11. 7
-4.4
-26.0
5.2
-9.5
-3.4
9.0
2.9
.8
2.5
7. 2
-1.4
4.5
3.2
-.2
-17. 7
8.2
5. 1

170. 0
170. 7
146.9
180.4
199.7
175.7
214. 0
124. 1

170.8
171. 0
146.6
181. 3
199.5
177. 1
215.2
124.0

171. 6
171.3
146.9
181.9
198.9
177.9
216. 1
124.3

172. 2
171.7
147. 6
182. 7
198.4
179.8
216. 7
124.5

5. 3
-2. 1
2. 3
8.9
13.4
5.7
13.9
5.4

-80 1

7. 1
6.9

5. 7
2.4
31.2
2.3
10. 6
5.5
11. 7
9. 1
21. 1
14. 0
7.9

6. 1
6.3

7.2
7.7
8.3
11.9
5.4
-11.9
18O3
5.8
5.6
4.7
4.0
0
6.8
5.8
2.7
5.3
8.2
.5
5.0
9.4
4.6
6.5

1. 7
1.2
26.9
5. 7
6.2
5. 1
6.2
6.3

5, 0
7.5
4.9

5.8
4U 7
1.8
.7
.9

-15.7
11.9
19.6
7.6
5.5
6.6
7.3
7. 7
10.5
6. 1
6.9
3.5
7.2
15.5
1. 0
1.4
18.6
5. 1

4. 2
3. 6
1. 1
.4
-10. 3
-6.2
-7.4
13.4
13. 7
3.9
5.4
5. 1
2.5
.8
2.2
4. 0
9.2
6. 6
8. 0
8.0
3. 0
7. 3

4.5
2*5
-.7
-2.5
1.8
-9. 0
5.3
-10.7

6.9

5. 0
4. 2
1.4
.6
-4.9
-11. 1
1.8
16.5
10.6
4. 7
6.0
6.2
5. 0

2. 4
7.2
11.9
5.5

7.4
4.2
2.7
3.2
3.5
2.6
5. 1
3.0
2.5
-5.6
4.3
5. 1
.2
5. 9
6. 7
3. 7
1.8
29.0
4.0
8.4
5. 3
8. 9
7. 7
12.8
10.7
6.4

5. 3
2.4
1.9
5.2
-2.6
9.7
5. 1
1.3

6. 1
1.7
2.8
6.9
8.9
7.4
11. 0
4.9

6. 3
3. 2
4.9
6.7
1.9
9.8
6.8
1.6

7. 7
4.9
.8

4. 2
1. 1
4.8
2. 0
5. 9
1.2
12 1
17. 3
6.3
3. 0
6.3
7.3
.9
6. 7
9. 7
6 0
5. 6
5.8

4 5
_. 7
5. 1
3 7
5 3
3. 1
6 2
9.2
7.8
3.9
8. 1
8.7
5. 5
6 8
10 6
6 8
4.2
5.0

5 0
1. 4
5.9
4 8
5 6
4.6
119
15.5
4.9
5. 1
9.6
9.9
3 8
6 5
9 6
6 9
5.2
3.3

5.6
5. 5
5.6
-2.5
-9.7

4.3
3.5
4.5
-4. 1
-3.6

4.9
4.4
5. 1
-3.2
-9.2

4.9
4. 5
5. 1
-3.3
-6.7

5.8
1.4

6.7
9.3
6.9
7. 1
5.4
7. 3
6.2

10.3
9.3
7.2

7.0

7.4

5.6
3.4
4.9
4.6
9. 1
8.2
4.3

4. 1
8. 0
8.2
6.7
9.9
8.5
2.0

6.3

5. 2
5. 6
8.8
10. 3
3.0
5.4
5. 9
5.4

5.6

4. 1
5.4
6.3
6.9
11.7
4.4
2.2
12. 8
5. 7
5.5

3. 5
7. 7
9.8
4.9
6.2
5. 6
6. 3
4. 3
8.7
10.6
6. 3

Expenditure classes
All items
Food
Housing1
Shelter l}.
Rent
Homeownership * \
Fuel and utilities 4
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation . . . .
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Private
Public
Health and recreation 1
Medical care}
Personal care \
Reading and recreation .
Other goods and services
Special indexes:

181.8
179.5
181. 5
146. 3
194.4
186.8
193.8
169.7
149.5
169.7
168.6
176.5
165.3
187.9
162.8
152.5
153.7

182.3
180. 1
182. 0
147.0
194.8
188. 6
196.3
170.4
149.4
170. 7
170. 0
177.4
166. 1
188.9
163. 9
153. 3
154.2

181.9
180. 7
182. 1
147. 6
194.8
189. 0
196.5
171.2
150. 0
171.4
170. 6
178. 1
167. 3
191. 3
164.8
154. 1
155.3

182.3
181. 6
182.4
148. 4
195. 0
192. 2
201. 7
172.3
150. 6
172.3
171. 6
176. 9
168. 0
192. 3
165. 2
154. 6
155.9

All items less shelter.1
All items less medical care *. .
All items less mortgage interest costs1
CPI—domestically produced farm foods x 5 ...
CPI—selected beef cuts l 6.

170.4
171.7
170.4
174.8
163.4

171. 0
172.4
171. 1
174.4
159.4

171.6
172. 7
171. 7
173. 1
160.5

172.2
173.2
172. 3
173. 0
161.9

1 Not seasonally adjusted.
2 Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
3 Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance
and repairs.
4
Also includes residential telephones, fuel oil, coal, water, and sewerage services
not shown separately.
5
Calculated from the CPI food at home component by excluding fish, nonalcoholic




17

2. 9
-7. 9
5.5
3. 0
5. 5
1.9
2. 8
6.4
13.2
3. 7
6.5
6.5
7. 5
8. 1
14. 2

6. 1

5. 8

7.2

1.8

7.0
7. 6

5. 0
6.3

4.7
4.4
5. 1
4.3
9.8
12. 1
2. 7
4.2
9.8
11.0
3. 5
5. 6
7. 0
6. 2
3.5
3.7

3.0
2.4
3.2
-8.7
-21.8

6.9
6.4
6.9
2.5
5.4

7.4

5.4

8. 0
11. 7
13.6
3.6
7.3
13. 0
12.5
6.9
6.3
9.5

beverages, bananas, chocolate candy bars, chocolate syrup and about half of the index
weight for sugar
6 Calculated'from the CPI beef and veal component by excluding veal cutlets and
beef liver.
NOTE: Index applies to month as a whole, not to any specific date.

Table 3. CPI—food items, U.S. city average
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Percent change to December 1976
from—

Index
item and group

Food
Food away from home
Restaurant meals
Snacks
Food at home
Cereals ar.d 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
Loin roast
Sausage
Ham, whole
Picnics
Bacon
Other meats
Lamb chops
Frankfurters
Ham, canned
Bologna sausage
Salami sausage
Liverwusrt
Poultry
Frying chicken
Chicken breasts
Turkey
Fish
Shrimp, frozen
Fish, fresh or frozen. . . .
Tuna fish, canned
Sardines, canned
Dairy products
Milk, fresh, grocery
Milk, fresh, skim
Milk, evaporated
Ice cream
Cheese, American process .
Butter
Fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables.
Fresh fruits
Apples
Bananas
Oranges
Orange juice, fresh . . .
Grapefruit
Grapes
Strawberries
Watermelon
Fresh vegetables
Potatoes
Onions
Asparagus
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Peppers, green
Spinach
Tomatoes

December 1976

Unadjusted

Seasona

181.7
190.9
189.8
196. 0
179.3
179.3
147.2
222.0
165. 1
187.9
162.0
179.2
191. 6
187.2
196. 0
170.2
167.4
160. 7
158.2
159.8
174. 6
157.9
187.8
161. 1
156.4
122.7
181.7
174. 7
159.7
168.4
204.4
190.4
163.4
176. 7
171. 8
181.2
157. 0
194.9
169.2
165.5
162. 2
144. 0
143.5
156.2
134. 7
237.6
231.3
267. 3
193. 6
257.3
171.4
161.8
179.4
209.4
163.6
201. 3
154.5
175. 5
171.4
165. 1
166.6
145. 1
155. 7
157. 0
147.0

182. 3
190. 3

2

( )
(2)
(2)

176. 7
168.0
155.9
(2)

188. 1
190. 7
180.6
177.8
157. 1
173.6
211.5
184.2

See footnotes at end of table.




18

ad juste

C1)

196.2
180. 3
177. 7
145.9
224.2
164.0
184. 0

n
(*)

178. 1
186. 3
193. 7
173.5
170.8
166.4
165.8
167.5
180.9
164.5
191.8
167.8
161.4
123.8
183.5
177. 0
165.0
174. 3
206.9
182. 0
164. 2
178.5
171. 6
184. 1
157.8
190. 9
168.4
164.8
161. 9
149. 8
152. 3
161.5
132. 6

(M
(M
194.2

254.5
169.9
160.7
178.3
(*)

161.2
200.3
149.4
181. 3
183.7
177.9
181. 7
155.4
157. 8

(M

164.6
(2)
(2)

( )
188.6
190.3
171. 3
(!)

198. 6
186.4
184. 7
192.4
(*)

179.9
215.8
175. 8

December 1975
Unadjusted
0.
6.
6.
5.
_,
-1.
-8.
-1.
_

-n!
0
4.
-1.
-1.
-10.
-11.
-8.
-10.
-8.
-7.
-7.
-7.
-12.
-4.
-13.
-5.
-20.
-19.
-22.
-17.
-14.
-22.
-24.
-5.

6
1
2
5
9
6
6
2
5
2
2

5
1
3
0
8
0
7
9
6
8
4
7
8
0
2
4
2
6
7
1
4
3
2
m6
-io! 0
-7. 1
-6. 3
-2. 1
-6. 1
-14. 5
-17. 0
-7. 4
-9. 4
11. 0
12. 8
17. 1
9. 1
5. 6
3. 6
2. 5
3. 7
8. 4
4. 8
3. 3
2. 3
2. 0
5. 7
13. 9
28. 5
_. 3
2
5. 7
6. 4
(2 )
(2 )
(2 )
3
-11. 9
-6. 8
(2 )
27. 2
23. 6
-7. 3
-8. 6
-2. 0
8. 6
10. 4
6. 2

November 1976
Unadjusted

0.3
.5
.5
.3
.2
-.3
-2. 1
0
.1
-1. 7
-.2
-.6
2. 0
.5

-1.4
-1.0
-1.4
.8
.7
2.4
1.4
2.9
3.2
-.9
-.8
. 7
-. 3
-4. 2
-5.2

-6.2
-4.3
3.9

-3. 1
-6.9

-1.5
-1. 1
-2. 1
-2.9

-1.4
-.3
-. 1
.4
-2. 0
.9
0

1. 3
.1
1.8
-.2
-.6
-.2
.4

1.8
.3
-1.3
.4
.4
-1. 1
5.4
-2.5
-7.5
.1
-7.3
()
1.6
2. 1
4.7

Seasonally
adjusted

0.2
.6
.6
.2
-1. 1
-2.7
.5
-. 3
-3.3
(M
-.5

(M
.6
-1.8
.2
.1
2.4
3. 1
4.5
3. 1
4.7
3.6
.2
. 7
1.9
.2
-2.0
-2.2
-3.3

-1.4
1.5
-1.8
-4. 1
-1.2
-.8
-.9
-3. 3

-1. 0
0
-. 7
2.7
3.7
1.7
i' 8
(|)

-.4
1. 7
-.8
-.9
-.8

.7
0
-2. 0
.4
1.4
1.7
0
.5
-2. 3
-4.4

i?

1.3
2.8
4. 5

(2)
32.4
7.4
4.8
29.8

32.3
1.4
9.0

-26.5
10.6
5.9
5.3

5.6
6.0
-4.3

12.8

Table 3. CPI-food items, U.S. city average-Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Percent change to December 1976
from—

Index
Item and group

December 1976
Unadjusted

Food—Continued
Food at home—Continued
Fruits and vegetables—Continued
Processed fruits and vegetables
Fruit cocktail, canned
Pears, canned
Pineapple-grapefruit drink, canned.
Orange juice concentrate, frozen . .
Lemonade concentrate, frozen . . .
Beets, canned
Peas, green canned
Tomatoes, canned
Dried beans
Broccoli, frozen
Other food at home
Eggs
Fats and oils
Margarine
Salad dressing, Italian
Salad or cooking oil
Sugar and sweets
Sugar
Grape jelly
Chocolate bar
Syrup, chocolate flavored
Nonalcoholic beverages
Coffee
Coffee, instant
Tea
Carbonated drink, cola flavored . . .
Carbonated drink, fruit flavored.. .
Prepared and partially prepared foods
Bean soup, canned
Chicken soup, canned
Spaghetti, canned
Mashed potatoes, instant
Potatoes, french fried, frozen . . . .
Baby foods
Sweet pickle relish
Pretzels

181.4
180.9
156.8
178.4
153.0
183.5
190.9
160.8
184.4
243. 8
163.9
202. 2
193.8
177.3
190.4
157. 1
185. 0
211. 1
178.4
217.8
229. 1
214.6
246.9
309. 6
259. 3
156. 0
195. 7
200.2
173. 1
209.9
143.9
166. 1
158.9
181. 0
177.5
185.9
161.5

Not available.




19

December 1975

Seasonally
adjusted

181.0
179.3
155.4
177. 0
(l)
183.0
159.5
(M
199.4
179. 6
174. 3
186.7
156. 5
181.4

(M

C)
210.8
l

()
260.9

155.8
(l)
(M

n
(M
142.9
164.8
158.6
179.9
183. 9
163.0
Priced only
in season.

Unadjusted

-3 u 0
2. 7
-3. 0
2.4
-3.2
-3.6
2.7
.5
2. 7
-20.8
5.4
8.8
9.9

-4.6
-7.4
3.2
-7.6
-6.5

-18.4
-3.7
-5.3
-. 2
29.9
57.9

32. 1
4.4
.8
0
4.8
8. 1
8. 0
1.2
2.6
3. 7
10.2
4.4
.9

November 1976
Unadjusted

0.2
1.5
.4
U4
1. 5
-.2
.6
-.2
2.3
-4. 0
1.8
2.5
8.4
.9

.5
1.3
-.6
2. 1
-.4
. 1
-.3
3.9
6.8
2. 7
.6
.1
-.2
.5
.3
1. 3
.2
-. 3
-.9
2.9
0

.6

Seasonally
adjusted

-0.2
1.6
.7
1.5

C)

. 1

n
-.2

n

1. 3
1.0
.9

1.6
.4
1.3

R
-2. 1
3. 1
-. 1

n
.8
-. 1
-.3
-.6

(M

-.9
1.2

Table 3-A. CPI—food items, U.S. 1976 annual average
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Indexes (1967=100)

Percent change to 1976 from

Item and group
1975
Average

Food
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
Loin roast
Sausage
Ham, whole
Picnics
Bacon
Other meats
Lamb c h o p s . . . . . . . .
Frankfurters
Ham, canned
Bologna sausage
Salami sausage
Liverwusrt
Poultry
Frying chicken
Chicken breasts
Turkey
Fish
Shrimp, frozen
Fish, fresh or f r o z e n . . . ,
Tuna fish, canned
Sardines, canned
Dairy products
Milk, fresh, grocery
Milk, fresh, skim
Milk, evaporated
Ice cream
Cheese, American process .
Butter
Fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables.
Fresh fruits
Apples
Bananas
Oranges
Orange juice, fresh . . .
Grapefruit
Grapes
Strawberries
Watermelon
Fresh vegetables
Potatoes
Onions
Asparagus
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Peppers, green
Spinach
Tomatoes




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
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
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
20

1976
Average

180.8
186. 1
185. 1
191.2
180. 0
180.6
154. 7
223.5
165.5
198.7
162.7
178.2
189.6
185. 1
195.9
179.4
178.2
164.5
162.9
163.5
177.9
159.2
188.4
166. 0
160.7
127.4
186.4
199.5
182.5
197. 7
226. 6
199.6
189. 0
210.4
178.4
185.9
166.9
205.2
176. 1
167. 7
168.0
155.7
157. 6
161.5
141.4
227.3
222.8
249.4
186.9
248.9
169.3
160. 7
176.8
204.8
158.6
198.6
153. 1
175. 3
170.2
160.8
155.6
151.3
153.6
154. 1
159.5
216. 0
151. 1
183.6
178. 0
200. 1
170.5
188.8
151. 6
160.2
185.5
154.9
172.9
158. 7
196.3
163.5

1975
Average

3. 1
6.8
6.9
6.4
2.4
-2. 3
-6.5
-3.3

-.6
-8.4
-1.9

1. 0
1.9
-3.5

-1. 1
.8
.2
-3.2
-5. 1
-3.5
.3
-5. 1
-.6
-5.7

-1. 1
-11.8
-2.3
1. 3
-.5
.9

3.9
8.0
4.4
-2.4

5.9

8. 1
.8
15.3
2.9
4.5
3. 0

-4. 1
-5.6
-. 5
-1. 0
11.8
23.6
12.9

6.6
5.8

8. 1
5.2
5.4
11.4
4.6
13. 0
23.3
2.5
2.5
-.2
-4.2
1.3
-.4
4.8
-1.9

12.3
2.2
-7.4
4.5
8. 5
-5.2
2.7
-1. 5
-5.2
13.9
-9.4

13.8
-1. 7
6.4
-.2

Table 3-A. CPI—food items, U.S. 1976 annual average—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)
Indexes (1967=100)

Percent change to 1976 from

Item and group
1975
Average

Food—Continued
Food at home—Continued
Fruits and vegetables—Continued
Processed fruits and vegetables
Fruit cocktail, canned
Pears, canned
Pineapple-grapefruit drink, canned.
Orange juice concentrate, frozen . .
Lemonade concentrate, frozen . . .
Beets, canned
Peas, green canned
Tomatoes, canned
Dried beans
Broccoli, frozen
Other food at home
Eggs
Fats and oils
Margarine
Salad dressing, Italian
Salad or cooking oil
Sugar and sweets
Sugar
Grape jelly
Chocolate bar
Syrup, chocolate flavored
Nonalcoholic beverages
Coffee
Coffee, instant
Tea
Carbonated drink, cola flavored . . .
Carbonated drink, fruit flavored. . .
Prepared and partially prepared foods
Bean soup, canned
Chicken soup, canned
Spaghetti, canned
Mashed potatoes, instant
Potatoes, french fried, frozen . . . .
Baby foods
Sweet pickle relish
Pretzels




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
163.0
183. 1
134.5
163. 1
155.9
168.6
161.2
172.7
163.5

21

1976
Average

183.0
177. 0
157. 3
175.0
156.9
184.4
185.9
158.4
178.3
280.7
158.3
189.9
172.4
173.7
188.3
152.5
181.4
218.2
201.3
221.0
233.5
214.5
214.0
243.6
227.3
150.7
194.2
199.3
169.4
207.8
136.7
163.8
157.4
179.8
168.5
180. 6
160.2

1975
Average

2.6
-. 1
-4.3

1.9
2.4
-1.8

-.9
-2.0
1. 1
19.0

3. 1
2.8
9.3

-12.5
-16.2
-1.7
-16.3
-11.4
-34.8
-4. 1
-2.3
-.4
19.6
40.9

27. 7
3.5

-3. 1
-2.2

3.9

13.5
1.6
.4
1.0
6.6
4.5
4.6
-2.0

Table 4. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Item and group

Housing
Shelter l
Rent, residential
Homeownership 2
Mortgage interest rates
Property taxes
Property insurance premium
Maintenance and repairs
Maintenance and repair commodities
Exterior house paint
Interior house paint
Maintenance and repair services
Repainting living and dining
rooms
Reshingling house roof
Residing house
Replacing sink
Repairing furnace
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Fuel oil, No. 2
Gas and electricity
Gas
Electricity
Other utilities:
Residential telephone services
Residential water and sewerage
services
Household furnishings and operation 4
Housefumishings
Textiles
Sheets, full, flat
Curtains, tailored
Bedspreads
Drapery fabrics
Pillows, bed
Slipcovers and throws, ready-made .
Furniture and bedding
Bedroom furniture, chest and
dresser
Sofas, upholstered
Cocktail tables
Dining room chairs
Recliners, upholstered
Sofas, dual purpose
Bedding, mattress and box springs . .
Aluminum folding chairs
Cribs
Floor coverings
Broadloom carpeting
Vinyl sheet goods
Vinyl floor tile
Appliances (excluding radio and T V ) . .
Washing machines, electric
Vacuum cleaners
Refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers,
electric
Ranges, free standing, gas or
electric
Clothes dryers, electric
Air conditioners, demountable
Room heaters, electric, portable . . .
Garbage disposal units
Other housefumishings:
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 foonotes at end of table.




Other
index
base

Mar. 70
Dec. 71
Mar. 70
Dec. 71
June 70

22

Percent change to
December 1976 from—

Indexes
November
1976

December
1976

December
1975

November
1976
0.5
.2
.5
.1
-1.3
.6
.1
.4
.8
1.0
.7
.2

180. 7
182. 1
147.5
194.8
139.2
169. 7
148.8
205. 1
171.0
166.4
154.6
220.0

181.6
182.4
148.3
195.0
137.4
170.8
148.9
206. 0
172.4
168. 1
155.7
220.5

5.5
4.2
5.5
3.8
-4.8
3.4
10. 1
7. 1
5.4
5.3
4.4
7. 7

232.8
239.8
208.0
215. 3
214. 2
188.2
258.0
254.8
195.5
212. 0
180.2

233. 0
240. 1
208.8
215.2
215.9
192. 0
264.5
261.2
200.9
220.7
182.4

6.9
6.6
9.3
6.0
9.0
9.0
6.4
6.6
12.2
17.9
6.4

131.5

131.5

2.0

195.8
171.7
152.9
152.3
157.4
146.8
153.8
182. 1
133. 8
139.0
154. 3

196.5
172.3
153.2
152.5
155.4
146.6
153.5
182.7
134.5
141.2
154.8

10.9
6.4
3.9
5. 7
-.4
7.4
5.0
7.5
8.6
6.2
3.2

136.4
142. 6
134.0
140.2
113.2
139.0
136.8

136.9
142. 6
134.4
141.2
112.8
139.3
137.8

5. 1
1.6
3.8
5.5
2. 1
1.4
4.8

157. 5
137.8
125. 3
166.6
167.3
137.7
143.2
123. 8

157.4
138.4
125.8
168.0
167.4
137. 6
143.3
123. 0

3.9
4.5
3.8
6.9
5. 0
4.6
5.4
3.7

-. 1
.4
.4
.8
.1
-. 1
.1
-.6

136.9

136.5

3.3

-.3

140.4
152. 1

141. 1
151.5

4.6
6.5

.5
-.4

133.5
136.0

134.0
135.9

5.2
4. 1

.4
-. 1

191.9
181.9
147. 1
164.7
129.0

192. 1
181.8
149.4
164.3
128.9

7.9
.5
1.4
5.8
1.6

.1
-. 1
1.6
-.2
-. 1

178. 0
224. 6
248.7

178. 9
227.2
254.2

7.7
6.5
17.8

.5
1.2
2.2

214. 7
220.9
225.6
209.2

214.8
221.5
225.6
210. 6

7. 0
11.2
28.8
8.6

0

165.9
204.8

166.3
205.5

4.6
7.0

.1
.1
.4
0
.8
2. 0
2.5
2.5
2.8
4. 1
1.2
0
.4
.3
.2
.1
-1.3
-. 1
-.2
.3
.5
1.6
.3
.4
0
.3
.7
-.4
.2
.7

.3
0
.7
.2
.3

Table 4. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Item and group

Apparel and upkeep 6
Apparel commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
Men's and boys'
Men's:
Topcoats and all-weather coats . . .
Suits, year round weight
Sport jackets
Jackets, lightweight
Slacks, heavyweight
Slacks, lightweight
Trousers, work
Shirts, work
Shirts, business or dress
T-shirts
Socks
Handkerchiefs
Boys':
Coats, heavyweight
Sport coats, wool or wool blends ,
Dungarees
Undershorts
Women's and girls'
Women's:
Coats, heavyweight
Carcoats, heavyweight
Sweaters
Skirts, winter weight
Skirts, summer weight
Blouses
Dresses, street, year round weight ,
Slips
Panties
Girdles
Brassieres
Hose or panty hose, nylon
Anklets or knee-length socks
Gloves, fabric
Handbags
Girls':
Raincoats
Skirts, fall and winter
Dresses
Slacks, fall and winter.
Slips
Handbags
Other apparel commodities
Diapers
Yard goods
Wrist watches, men's and women's
Footwear
Men's:
Shoes, street
Shoes, work, high
Women's:
Shoes, street, pump
Shoes, evening, pump
Shoes, casual
Houseslippers, scuff
Children's:
Shoes, oxford
Sneakers, boys', oxford type
Dress shoes, girls'
Apparel services:
Drycleaning
Automatic laundry service
Laundry, men's shirts
Tailoring charges
Shoe repairs

Other
index
base

June 74

Transportation
Private 7 . .'
Automobiles, new
Automobiles, used
Gasoline, regular, premium, and unleaded . . .
Motor oil
Tires
Auto repairs (mechanical) and maintenance 8
Auto insurance premiums
Auto registration fees
Parking fees, private and municipal
See footnotes at end of table.




23

Percent change to
December ]L976 fro m—

Indexes

December
1976

December
1975

151.9
150. 1
149.4
150.8

151.8
149.9
149.2
150. 7

4.5
4.2
3.9
4.5

-0.
_.
_.
-.

154.0
145.0
95.2
142.4

6.0

119.6
150.5
165. 1
162.2
138.4
161.9
137.4
165.4

154. 1
142.9
97.3
142.8
120. 7
152. 0
165.7
162.5
137.8
162.2
137.6
164.7

1
-1. 4
2. 2
# 3
m9
1. 0
4
#2
4
2
1
-. 4

126.5
129.0
196.8
158.3
147.3

123.8
128.8
197. 1
158.2
146.9

165.9
169.7
144.9
165.2

159.3
164.0
144.4
163.5

148.5
153.5
130.4
154. 1
136.4
153.6
93.2
138. 1
129.4
175.2

147.8
153.7
130.8
154.5
135.9
153.9
93.0
138.2
129.7
177.3

141. 6
163.2
140.2
174.4
139.8
145. 6
156.4
198.8
165.8
141.9
153.7

140. 3
161.9
137.0
177.3
140.2
148. 4
156.9
200.4
166.5
141. 7
153.4

160.8
176.2

November
1976

2. 1
-6.4
4.9
.4
5.6
8.9
7.0
6.4
5.5
4.2
5.8
2.3
2.8

11.2
4.8
3.4
5.8
4.9
-.5

-3.8
6.5
4.2
9.5

8. 1
4. 7
6.2
.5
3.6
2.0

3. 3
6.0
-.4
3.6
4.0
7.9

November
1976
1
1
1
1

-2. 1
_# 2
2
_# 1
-. 3
-4. 0
-3. 4
_# 3
-1. 0
(/5

5
1
m 3
3
_# 4
2
_. 2
1
2
1. 2

5.0
2.3
5.3

9
_. 8
-2. 3
1. 7
3
1*. 9
3
8
4
_# 1
-. 2

161. 0
177.2

8.6
9.5

1
6

147.8
137.9
155. 7
149.5

145.4
138.0
154.9
149.8

3.3
2.9
4.8

6. 0

6
\ 1
5
2

153.9
150.4
161.9

153.4
151. 1
162.2

5.6
.8
4.9

3
5
2

164.4
147.0
169.3
165.5
154. 7

165.2
147.4
170.0
166.3
155.5

6.6

5
3
4
5
5

171.4
170. 6
139.7
179.0
181.7
161. 7
139.5
193.8
199. 0
132.8
190. 1

171.4
170.7
140.4
178. 0
181.2
161.9
138.9
194.4
199. 7
132.8
191.0

4. 1
4.5

10.4

6. 1
7.7
7.8
7.5
8.8
9.3
4.8

19.0
2.6
2.8
7.8
6.5

22.4
1.5
7.7

0
1
5
6
_ 3
1
4
m3
4
0*
•5

Table 4. CPI —nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Other
index
base

Item and group

Transportation—Continued
Public
Local transit fares
Taxicab fares
Railroad fares, coach
Airplane fares, chiefly coach
Bus fares, intercity

°

Health and recreation
Medical care 9
Drugs and prescriptions
Over-the-counter items
Multiple vitamin concentrates
Aspirin compounds
Liquid tonics
Adhesive bandages, packages
Cold tablets or capsules
Cough syrup
Prescriptions
Anti-infectives
Sedative and hypnotics
Ataractics
Antispasmodics
Cough preparations
Cardiovasculars and antihypertensives
Analgesics, internal
Hormones
Professional services:
Physicians' fees
General physician, office visits
General physician, house visits
Obstetrical cases
Pediatric care, office visits
Psychiatrist, office visits
Hemiorrhapy, adult
Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
Dentists' fees
Fillings, adult, amalgam, one surface
Extractions, adult
Dentures, full upper
Other professional services:
Examination, prescription, and dispensing
of eyeglasses
Routine laboratory tests
Hospital service charges
Semiprivate rooms
Operating room charges
X-ray, diagnostic series, upper Gl
Laboratory tests
Anti-infectives
Tranquilizers
Electrocardiogram
Intravenous solution
Physical therapy
Oxygen, inhalation therapy
Personal care
Toilet goods
Toothpaste, standard dentifrice
Toilet soap, hard-milled
Hand lotions
Shaving cream.
Face powder
Deodorants
Cleansing tissues
Home permanent wave kits
Personal care services
Men's haircuts
Beauty shop services
Women's haircuts
Shampoo and wave sets, plain
Permanent waves, cold
Reading and recreation 10.
Recreational goods
TV sets, portable and console
TV replacement tubes
Radios, portable and table models
Tape recorders, portable
Phonograph records, stereophonic
Movie cameras, 8mm
Film, 35mm, color
Golf balls

Jan. 72

Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Jan. 72

See footnotes at end of table.




24

Percent change to
December 1976 fro m—

Ind x s
November
1976

December
1976

December
1975

177.6
175.8
181.5
169. 3
177.7
203. 6

178.0
175.8
181.6
169.4
177. 8
211.2

4,6
3.2
6.0
7.3
7.4
9.7

0.2
0
.1
.1
.1
3.7

167.3
191. 3
128.5
142. 1
106.9
141. 0
121.7
191.0
133. 6
149.4
117. 1
73.6
167.5
116. 1
140.3
185.5
122.0
120.8
112. 1

168.0
192. 3
128.9
142.5
106.9
140.7
121.6
192. 7
133.2
150.7
117.5
73.6
167.8
116.3
140. 6
186.9
122.4
121.9
112. 6

6.7
10. 1
5.7
6.3
2. 7
3.5
2.2
12.6
5.0
7.8
5. 0
2.5
6.3
7. 1
7.9
9.6
2.8

.4
.5
.3
.3

5.5

-.3
.9
.3
0
.2
.2
.2
.8
.3
.9
.4

194.9
201. 1
195.4
198.6
198.5
166.5
175.9
184.2
176.6
181.8
176.8
165.8

195.6
201.7
196.7
198.7
200. 1
166.6
176. 7
185.4
177. 9
183.3
178. 1
166.4

9.7
10. 0
8.7
11. 1
10.7
4.9
11.2
9. 3
6.8
7. 0
7.4
5. 7

.4
.3
.7
.1
.8
.1
.5
.7
.7
.8
.7
.4

161.8
163.7
153.8
279.3
287. 5
179.9
143.5
126.2
131.4
139. 1
148.2
154. 3
133.7
164.8
162.0
141.6
193.3
167.5
138.6
173.3
123.0
222.4
130.6
167.6
168.3
167.2
197.5
166.3
138.5
154. 1
128.7
103.0
167. 2
105.6
96.0
123.9
95.7
128.0
103. 9

162.4
163.9
154.8
281.5
290. 3
181.0
144. 0
126.6
131.4
140. 2
148. 8
155. 1
134. 0
165.2
162.3
140. 6
192.9
168.2
139.0
174. 1
123.5
224.2
130.4
168.2
168.6
168.0
198.5
167. 1
138.9
154.4
128.7
102.9
168. 0
105.0
96.4
124. 1
95.7
128.4
103. 8

5.8
6.6
11.4
13.0
15.3
10.7
8.5
9.4
5. 0
8.2
11. 1
10.5
6.3
6.9
5.4
3.9
-1.8
5.7
7.2
11.2
4.9
8.8
5.5
8.4
7.5
9. 1
16.1
7.2
4.8
4. 7
3. 1
.1
3.9
1. 0
1.6
.5
1. 7
7. 7
-.4

.4
.1
.7
.8
1. 0
.6
.3
.3
0
.8
.4
.5
.2
.2
.2
-. 7
-.2
.4
.3
.5
.4
.8
-.2
.4
.2
.5
.5
.5
.3
.2
0
-. 1
.5
-.6
.4
.2
0
.3
-. 1

.9

November
1976

0
-.2
-. 1

.9

Table 4. CPI — nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Item and group

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, nonfilter tip, regular size
Cigarettes, filter tip, king size
Cigars, domestic, regular size
Alcoholic beverages
Beer, at home
Whiskey, spirit blended and straight bourbon
Wine, dessert and table
Beer, away from home
Financial and miscellaneous personal expenses:
Funeral services, adult
Bank service charges, checking account
Legal services, short form will
1

Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Also includes home purchase costs not shown separately.
3
Also includes pine shelving, furnace filter, packaged dry cement mix, and shrubbery
not shown separately.
4
Also includes window shades, nails, carpet sweepers, air deodorizers, steel wool
scouring pads, envelopes, reupholstering and moving expenses.
s
Priced only in season.
6
Also includes men's sport shirts, women's and girls' lightweight coats, women's
slacks, bathing suits, girls' shorts, earrings, and zippers not shown separately.
2




25

Percent change to

Indexes

Other
index

7

December 1976 fron

November
1976

December
1976

December
1975

November
1976

146.5
125. 0
132.4
146. 7
152.9
177.9
158. 0
179.6
173. 1
197.8
183.0
151. 1
(5)
109.0
123.8

146.7
125.2
132.9
146.0
152.5
178.5
158.5
180. 7
174.0
199.7
183. 0
151.4
(5)
109.3
123. 6

0. 1
2.2
4.2
2.9
5.5
6. 1
5.0
5.1
4. 1
7.9
5.0
5.5
(5)
3. 1
-.2

0. 1
.2
.4
-.5
-. 3
.3
.3
.6
.5
1.0
0
.2

185.2
188.0
149.3
155. 3
162. 7
165. 0
165. 3
132. 6
148. 6
145.4
116.0
158.9
168. 5

185.3
194. 0
150.7
155.9
163.7
166.0
166.4
132.8
148.8
145.8
115.7
158.9
169. 0

4.0
9. 1
6. 1
4. 1
4.4
4.2
4.6
5. 0
3.5
3.3

151.5
131. 6
203. 0

152.2
131.9
203.6

3.8
7.6
4.9

. 7
2. 3
5.4

(5)
.3
-.2

.1
3.2
.9
.4
.6
.6
.7
.2
.1
.3
-.3

.5
.2
.3

Also includes storage batteries and drivers' license fees not shown separately.
Includes prices for water pump replacement, motor tune-up, automatic transmission repair, front-end alignment, and chassis lubrication; does not include prices for
auto body repairs. In the CPI this component represents consumers' direct, out-ofpocket expenses for automobile repairs and maintenance.
9
Also includes health insurance not shown separately.
1
° Also includes outboard motors, nondurable toys, college tuition fees, paperback
books, and college textbooks, not shown separately.
8

Table 4-A. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S. 1976 annual average
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Item and group

Housing
Shelter»
Rent, residential
Homeownership 2
Mortgage interest rates
Property taxes
Property insurance premium
Maintenance and repairs
Maintenance and repair commodities
Exterior house paint
Interior house paint
Maintenance and repair services . . . .
Repainting living and dining
rooms
Reshingling house roof
Residing house
Replacing sink
Repairing furnace
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Fuel oil, No. 2
Gas and electricity
Gas
Electricity
Other utilities:
Residential telephone services
Residential water and sewerage
services
Household furnishings and operation 4 . . . .
Housefurnishings
Textiles
Sheets, full, flat
Curtains, tailored
Bedspreads
Drapery fabrics
Pillows, bed
Slipcovers and throws, ready-made .
Furniture and bedding
Bedroom furniture, chest and
dresser
Sofas, upholstered
Cocktail tables
Dining room chairs
Recliners, upholstered
Sofas, dual purpose
Bedding, mattress and box springs . .
Aluminum folding chairs
Cribs
Floor coverings
Broadloom carpeting
Vinyl sheet goods
Vinyl floor tile
Appliances (excluding radio and T V ) . .
Washing machines, electric
Vacuum cleaners
Refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers,
electric
Ranges, free standing, gas or
electric
Clothes dryers, electric
Air conditioners, demountable
Room heaters, electric, portable . . .
Garbage disposal units
Other housefurnishings:
Dinnerware, fine china
Flatware, stainless steel .
Table lamps, with shade
Lawn mowers, power, rotary type .
Electric drills, hand-held
Housekeeping supplies:
Laundry soaps and detergents
Paper napkins
Toilet tissue
Housekeeping services:
Domestic services, general
housework
Baby sitter services
Postal charges
Laundry, flatwork, finished service . . .
Licensed day care services, preschool
child
Washing machine repairs
See foonotes at end of table.




Other
index
base

Indexes

Dec. 71
Mar. 70
Dec. 71
June 70

26

From 1975
to 1976

1975

1976

166.8
169. 7
137. 3
181.7
142. 1
158.8
131.4
187.6
160.9
155.6
147. 1
199.0

177.2
179.0
144. 7
191.7
140.9
167.6
144. 3
199.6
168.2
163.0
151.7
213.2

210.2
218.7
187.9
195.9
192.3
167.8
235. 3
230. 6
172.5
167.0

225. 6
233.4
200.7
210.2
207. 1
182. 7
250.8
247.2
188.8
200.9
177.6

125. 3

129. 8

3. 6

169.9
158. 1
144.4
141.4
147. 6
134. 0
145.2
168.0
119.4
133.2
147. 0

188.7
168.5
150.7
148. 3
153.4
144.3
149. 1
178.2
125.9
137.7
152.2

11. 1
6.6

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

133. 3
141.2
130.7
136.6
112. 0
139. 0
134. 3
178. 3
154. 0
136.5
124.4
164. 1
165. 0
135.3
141. 0
121. 0

4. 1

128.7

134.8

4. 7

130.0
136. 7
123. 8
124. 0
128.6

138.7
148.6
129.5
130.3
134. 3

6.7
8.7

174. 6
173. 3
145.5
151.6
123.9

190.6
181.3
148.2
163.6
128.3

9.2
4.6
1.9
7.9
3.6

161.9
206.9
208. 0

174. 9
219.9
234.4

8.0

6.3
12. 7

196. 1
191.5
175.4
187. 3

211.2
214.6
222. 3
203.9

12. 1
26.7
8.9

154.2
187.0

162.8
200.4

5.6
7. 2

169. 6

Mar. 70

Percent change
I

6.2

5. 5
5.4

5. 5
-.8
5.5

9.8
6.4

4. 5
4.8

3. 1
7. 1
7.3

6.7
6.8
7.3

7. 7
8.9
6.6
7.2

11. 3
16.5
6.3

4.4

4.9
3.9
7. 7
2. 7
6. 1
5.4
3.4
3.5

1.7

5. 0
4.9
1.4

1.9
3.2
3.3
3.7
5.2

4. 5
8. 0
5. 0
5.6
6.9
3.7

4.6
5. 1
4.4

7.7

Table 4-A. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S. 1976 annual average—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Item and group

Apparel and upkeep s
Apparel commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
Men's and boys'
Men's:
Topcoats and all-weather coats
Suits, year round weight
Sport jackets
Jackets, lightweight
Slacks, heavyweight
Slacks, lightweight
Trousers, work
Shirts, work
Shirts, business or dress
T-shirts
Socks
Handkerchiefs
Boys':
Coats, heavyweight
Sport coats, wool or wool blends . .
Dungarees
Undershorts
Women's and girls'
Women's:
Coats, heavyweight
Carcoats, heavyweight
Sweaters
Skirts, winter weight
Skirts, summer weight
Blouses
Dresses, street, year round weight . .
Slips
Panties
Girdles
Brassieres
Hose or panty hose, nylon
Anklets or knee-length socks
Gloves, fabric
Handbags
Girls':
Raincoats
Skirts, fall and winter
Dresses
Slacks, fall and winter.
Slips
Handbags
Other apparel commodities
Diapers
Yard goods
Wrist watches, men's and women's
Footwear
Men's:
Shoes, street
Shoes, work, high
Women's:
Shoes, street, pump
Shoes, evening, pump
Shoes, casual
Houseslippers, scuff
Children's:
Shoes, oxford
Sneakers, boys', oxford type
Dress shoes, girls'
Apparel services:
Drycleaning
Automatic laundry service
Laundry, men's shirts
Tailoring charges .
Shoe repairs

June 74

Transportation
Private 6
Automobiles, new
Automobiles, used
Gasoline, regular, premium, and unleaded . .
Motor oil
Tires
Auto repairs (mechanical) and maintenance 7
Auto insurance premiums
Auto registration fees
Parking fees, private and municipal
See footnotes at end of table.




Indexes

Other
index

27

' Percent change

From 1975
to 1976

1975

1976

142.3
141.2
140.6
142.2

147. 6
145.8
144.9
147.2

3.7
3.3
3. 1
3.5

143.2
139.2
101.4
134.4
118.5
143.0
151.0
151.3
127. 7
153.5
129. 1
153.2

149.4
140.8
139. 1
120. 1
145.9
161.0
159. 1
133. 1
159.2
134. 7
161.9

4.3
1. 1
-3. 7
3.5
1.4
2.0
6.6
5.2
4.2
3.7
4. 3
5. 7

97.6

115.6
120.6
173.6
151. 1
138. 1
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

118.9
126.4
190. 0
156.4
141.9

2. 9
4.8
9.4
3.5
2.8

149. 3
156. 0
139.4
157.3
146.8
142.8
149.3
125.2
150.3
133.5
150.4
92.4
135.2
129.0
170.5

4.8
5. 0
.1
1.4
-. 3
1.9
3.5
7. 1
7.4
4. 5
5.5
.4
2.8
1.2
.1

129.9
145.8
131. 2
167. 1
127.2
141.2
148.8
180.5
160. 1
135.6
144. 2

130.8
156. 3
134. 3
171.2
134.6
140. 7
153. 0
190.2
160.4
140. 2
149.9

.7
7.2
2.4
2.5
5.8
-.4
2.8
5.4
.2
3.4
4. 0

147. 6
159.3

155. 3
170. 6

5.2
7. 1

139. 0
132. 3
145.9
139. 8

143. 0
134. 8
151.5
146.8

2.9
1.9
3.8

144. 3
149.2
152. 6

151.9
149.4
159. 7

5. 3

150.6
134.3
153. 0
152.8
140.9

160.6
143.4
164. 9
161.9
149.6

6.6
6.8
7.8
6.0
6.2

150.6
149.8
127. 6
146.4
170.8
155.3
126. 3
176.6
145.9
130. 7
172. 1

165.5
164.6
135.7
167.9
177.9
159. 7
133. 0
189. 7
187.9
132. 8
183.9

9.9
9.9
6.3

5. 0

4.7

14. 7
4.2
2.8
5. 3
7.4
28.8
1.6
6.9

Table 4-A. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S. 1976 annual average—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Item and group

Transportation—Continued
Public
Local transit fares
Taxicab fares
Railroad fares, coach
Airplane fares, chiefly coach
Bus fares, intercity
Health and recreation
Medical care 8
Drugs and prescriptions
Over-the-counter items
Multiple vitamin concentrates
Aspirin compounds
Liquid tonics
Adhesive bandages, packages
Cold tablets or capsules
Cough syrup
Prescriptions
Anti-infectives
Sedative and hypnotics
Ataractics
Antispasmodics
Cough preparations
Cardiovasculars and antihypertensives
Analgesics, internal
Hormones
Professional services:
Physicians' fees
General physician, office visits
General physician, house visits
Obstetrical cases
Pediatric care, office visits
Psychiatrist, office visits
Herniorrhapy, adult
Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
Dentists' fees
Fillings, adult, amalgam, one surface
Extractions, adult
Dentures, full upper
Other professional services:
Examination, prescription, and dispensing
of eyeglasses
Routine laboratory tests
Hospital service charges
Semiprivate rooms
Operating room charges
X-ray, diagnostic series, upper Gl
Laboratory tests
Anti-infectives
Tranquilizers
Electrocardiogram
Intravenous solution
Physical therapy
Oxygen, inhalation therapy
Personal care
Toilet goods
Toothpaste, standard dentifrice
Toilet soap, hard-milled
Hand lotions
Shaving cream.
Face powder
Deodorants
Cleansing tissues
Home permanent wave kits
Personal care services
Men's haircuts
Beauty shop services
Women's haircuts.,
Shampoo and wave sets, plain
Permanent waves, cold
Reading and recreation 9
Recreational goods
TV sets, portable and console
TV replacement tubes
Radios, portable and table models
Tape recorders, portable
Phonograph records, stereophonic
Movie cameras, 8mm
Film, 35mm, color
Golf balls

Jan. 72

Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.

72
72
72
72
72
72
72

See footnotes at end of table.




Percent change

Indexes

Other
index
base

28

From 1975
to 1976

1975

1976

158.
155.
167.
151.
159.
186.

6
5
6
5
0
0

174.2
173.3
176.9
165.3
172.2
196.9

9.8
11.4
5.5
9. 1
8.3
5.9

153.
168.
118.
130.
102.
132.
115.
164.
124.
134.
109.
71.
154.
106.
124.
165.
118.
118.
103.

5
6
8
1
4
6
9
6
6
0
3
1
3
0
2
2
4
9
2

163.3
184. 7
126. 0
138.9
105. 7
139. 0
120.5
182.8
131. 1
145. 5
115.2
73.0
163.8
113.2
136. 1
181.4
121. 1
121. 0
110.5

6.4
9.5
6. 1
6.8
3.2
4.8
4. 0
11. 1
5.2
8.6
5.4 '
2.7
6.2
6.8
9.6
9.8
2. 3
1.8
7. 1

169.
173.
170.
167.
172.
153.
152.
163.
161.
166.
160.
153.

4
9
5
2
5
0
3
3
9
7
9
0

188.5
193.8
189.8
192. 1
192. 7
163.9
169.3
179.2
172.2
177.4
171.5
162. 3

11. 3
11.4
11.3
14.9
11. 7
7. 1
11.2

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

158.9
160.5
148.7
268.6
274. 8
174. 6
140. 7
123.2
129.3
136. 6
144.0
148.8
130.5
160.5
158.5
137.7
193.5
163. 3
135. 0
166.5
120.3
217. 1
128.6
162.5
163.3
162.0
186.6
162.5
135.7
151.2
127.4
102.9
166. 1
105.2

6.2
6.0
12.4
13.8
14. 8
11.8

95.9
123.7
95.5
125. 3
104. 0

9.7

6.4
6.4
6.6
6. 1

9.8

11. 0
8.8
8.7
12.4
9.3
5.8

6.5
5.7
5.4
-1. 3
7.4
8.0
9.2

2.6
9.2
7.8
7.3

6. 1
8.2
13.9
6. 6
5.0
4. 7
3.4
1. 3
5.7
1.2
.5
1. 1
1. 5
5.6
-. 3

Table 4-A. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S. 1976 annual average—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Item and group

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, nonfilter tip, regular size
Cigarettes, filter tip, king size
Cigars, domestic, regular size
Alcoholic beverages
Beer, at home
Whiskey, spirit blended and straight bourbon
Wine, dessert and table
Beer, away from home
Financial and miscellaneous personal expenses:
Funeral services, adult
Bank service charges, checking account
Legal services, short form will
1

Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Also includes home purchase 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
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.
2

3




29

Percent change

Indexes

Other
index

6

From 1975
to 1976

1975

1976

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

147.4
124.3
130.2
145.2
150.0
171.8
155.3
177.5
171.7
193.8
179.8
146.8
166.5
107. 1
123.9

2.0
3.3
3. 3
1.5
8.6
2.4
4.2
3.9
3.0
6.3
3.6
5.6
9.3
1.8

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

182. 1
185. 1
145. 6
153.3
160.5
162. 7
163.2
129.9
146.8
143.7
116.0
157.4
165.5

4.4
12.7
4.4
4.0
4.3
4. 3
4. 3
4.6
3.3
2.4
1. 7
2.2
5.3

143. 5
119.2
187.8

149.8
127. 3
199.9

4.4
6.8
6.4

.9

Also includes storage batteries and drivers' license fees not shown separately.
Includes prices for water pump replacement, motor tune-up, automatic transmission repair, front-end alignment, and chassis lubrication; does not include prices for
auto body repairs. In the CPI this component represents consumers' direct, out-ofpocket expenses for automobile repairs and maintenance.
8
Also includes health insurance not shown separately.
9
Also includes outboard motors, nondurable toys, college tuition fees, paperback
books, and college textbooks, not shown separately.
7

Table 5. CPI-selected areas, all items index
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers)
Indexes

Pricing
schedule 2

Area 1

1967=100

1957-59=100

Percent change frc>m:

Other
bases

D e c e m b e r 1976

December
1975

September N o v e m b e r
1976
1976

U S city average

M

174.3

202.7

4.8

1.0

0.3

Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles—Long Beach
N.Y —Northeastern N J . .
Philadelphia

M
M
M
M
M

169. 1
173. 1
172.8
179. 7
175.5

192.2
198.9
203.2
213.9
205. 0

4.8
5.2
5.6
4.2
4.2

1.0
1.1
1.2

.4
. 3
.4
.4
-. 1

October 1976

October
1975

July
1976

6.9
7.9

.5
2.6
1. 0
1.4

.

Boston
.
Houston
Minneapolis—St Paul
Pittsburgh

. . . . . .

1
1
1
1

210.9
208.2
201.0
196.5

176. 1
182. 0
173.4
170.9

5. 1
5.0
November
1975

N o v e m b e r 1976

Buffalo
Cleveland
Dallas.
. . . .
Milwaukee .
San Diego
.
Seattle
Washington

3

173.8
173.0
171.7
170.5
173.9
167.9
174. 7

2
2
2
2
2
2
2

195. 3
192.5
197.3
203.5

172. 0
178.4
174.5
165. 5
170.7
168.2
172.5

3
3
3
3
3
3
3

1
Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) except for New York and Chicago which have more
extensive Standard Consolidated Areas. Area definitions were established for the 1960
Census and exclude revisions made since 1960.
2
Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all cities; most other
goods and services priced as indicated:
M - Every month.
1 - January, April, July, and October.

3
4
5

197.8
207. 1
198.0

4.8
5.2
5. 7
5.6
5.5
5. 1
5. 7

191. 0

3

185.6

4

182.8

August
1976
1.0
1.4
1.6
. 8
1.0
1. 3
1. 0

December September
1975
1976

D e c e m b e r 1976

Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati
.
Honolulu
Kansas City
St. Louis
San Francisco—Oakland

.6
.6

5

178.4

202.6
196.5
205.2

3.5
6.0
6.0
3.6

.2
1. 1
1.4

4. 7
4.9
5. 1

1.2
. 7
1. 5

.9

2 - February, May, August, and November.
3 - March, June, September, and December.
November 1963=100.
February 1965=100.
December 1963=100.

NOTE: Price changes within areas are found in the Consumer Price Index; differences
in living costs among areas are found in family budgets.

Table 6. CPI—areas 1 priced monthly, by expenditure class, percent change from November 1976 to December 1976
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)
U.S.
Expenditure class

city

Chicago

Detroit

average
All items

0.3

0.4

0.3

Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care.
Reading and recreation .
Other goods and services

.3
.5
-. 1
0
.4
.5
.2
.2
.4

-. 1
1.3
-.2
-. 1
.2
.6

1. 0
.2
-. 1
.1
.2
.4
.4

See footnote 1, table 5.




Not available.

30

Los AngelesLong Beach

0.4

New Y o r k Northeastern
New Jersey
0.4

-0. 1
-. 2
.1
-.6
.1
.2

.4
.6
-. 1
.3
.1
(2)
. 3
.4

Philadelphia

.4
.1

.7
.1

Table 7. CPI-selected areas1, by expenditure class
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers)
Expenditure class

U.S.
city
average

Chicago

Detroit

Los AngelesLong Beach

New Y o r k Northeastern
New Jersey

Philadelphia

Indexes, December 1976
All items

174.3

169. 1

173. 1

172.8

179.7

175.5

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

181.7
179.3
179.3
170.2
171.4
175.5
202.2
190.9

180.5
178.7
180. 1
172.6
163.5
178.4
202.5
187. 6

177.5
174.4
191.2
163.2
171.0
157.4
200.7
191.4

176. 0
174.0
178.0
171.2
157.5
169.5
1^91.0
181.4

186.8
186.5
183.8
173. 0
174.5
194.7
214. 8
188.3

186. 0
182.0
186.5
173.2
172.4
177.8
206.4
202.7

Housing
,
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation.

181.6
182.4
148.3
195.0
192.0
264.5
200.9
172.3

167.2
167. 1

182.0
189.4
2
202.4
162.5
188.4
165. 5

185.6
183.7
165.5
196. 7
212.2
272.9
236.4
174.9

184.0
192.4
2

179.8
172.3
255.5
182. 7
164. 0

178. 1
181. 0
144. 6
188.2
195.2
265.0
211. 7
157.8

200.9
181.8
257.7
180.8
169.9

Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear

151.8
150.7
146.9
153.4

141.5
131.9
138.2
147. 1

144.4
154.6
128.7
150. 1

142. 6
140.6
134. 7
146.2

149.2
139. 3
147.5
149. 0

142. 3
146.4
126.5
151. 3

Transportation
Private
Public

171.4
170.7
178.0

175. 3
174.3
181.3

166.6
166.2
170.3

175.3
176.9
144.9

189.4
179.2
228. 6

170.5
173.4
153.3

Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

168.0
192.3
165.2
154.4
155.9

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

(2)

1.0

. 1

-.3
-.6

-5. 1
.2
2.8
4.2
1.2

1. 0

1. 1

1.2

-.4
-.8
-.9

1.3
1.3
3.9

1.4

-5.2
-1.2

-4.8

-1. 7
.1

3.8
3.9

1. 1
1.7
1.6
(2)

4.5

5. 5

5.8
3.8

1. 2

1. 1

Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys.'
Women's and girls'
Footwear

1. 1
.4

-.4
0

1. 3

-1.9

Transportation
Private
Public

1. 1

1. 7

1.2
.6

1.9
.2

Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

1.6
2.3
1.5
1.0

1.6
1.9
2.7

2. 1
3. 1

.7

1.0

1. 2
1. 1

1. 3

See footnotes at end of table.




_

174.4
169.2
165.3
178.2
217.5
196.9
194.5
207.4
2
161.9
153.5
(2)
( )
155.3
154.5
143.0
159.6
159.8
158.9
156.5
160. 1
Percent changes, September 1976 to December 1976

1.2
.5
1.4
.3
3.7

Housing
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation .

( )

31

3.7
4.0
6.6
1.2
.2
-.5
.9
-.9

1. 3
.4

6.0
3.7
1.8

1. 1
1. 1

0.6

.3
.1

-.5

-3.2

.5
1.9
3.9
1.0

1. 1

1. 1

.6
.7
.3

3. 3

.9

2. 3

3. 0

1.3
1.2

.5
.5
-.9
1.4

.6
1.5

2

(2)

5.2

.6

-1.0
.2

3

5.6
1.5
1.5

.6

.7
.1

1.6

2.0

1. 0

2. 1

2. 1

1.7
(2)

1.7

2.4

1. 0

1. 1

0.6
-.5

-1.0
.3
-5.5
-.5
.9
3.8
1.4

1. 0
.3

(2)
0
3.8
7.2

.1

1.0

.9
.9

.7

( )

(2)

154.5
157.5

.4
-.5
.8
-.3

.8
.3

2.3

172. 1
208. 1

-. 5
-1.8
-1.4
-. 1

2.0
2.2
.2

2

( )

,9

.6

.1
1.3
1.2

ft
.6

Table 7. CPI—selected areas1, by expenditure class—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers)
Expenditure class

Baltimore

Atlanta

Cincinnati

Honolulu

Kansas
City

St.
Louis

San
FranciscoOakland

Indexes, December 1976
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

172. 0
185.0
184.4
189. 7
169.7
186.2
185.0
199.5
187. 0
178.2
178. 3
131.8
191.9
187. 1

178.4

174..5

185. 0
182. 3
174.9
176. 1
170.8
177. 1
209.2
195. 5

185.9
187.0
193. 5
176.9
176.3
180.8
213.9
181.4

165.5
185. 3
181. 0
172.5
181. 7
183.5
182. 0
184. 8
197.9

170. 7
181. 0
177.9
176.8
165.5
178.6
165.3
204. 0
190.9

179. 0
177. 1
126.4
200.7
216.9

157. 7
157.4
159.3
156. 1
158.5

175.8
177.7
126. 7
197.6
178. 3

241.8
162. 0

187.2
158. 1

Housing
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation.

201.9
173.4

193. 6
205.4
140.2
232.9
178.2
262.8
176.9
176.9

Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear

148.0
158.2
142. 6
132. 0

158.0
158.9
141. 2
167.6

155.6
152.8
150. 7
165. 3

Transportation
Private
Public

158.8
163.6
96.8

163.4
164.3
156.3

Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

170.8
204.4
167.6
153.5
142. 0

168.9
199.3
158.3
152. 1
163.7

168.2
180.7
170.2
184.3
162.2
176.8
179. 1
204. 1
187.8

172.5
175. 1
176.4
170.3
174.9
160.3
169.6
201. 3
170. 3
182.9
188.8
160. 3
203.2
163.2

209.5
169.8

169.5
166.3
123. 1
178.6
178.4
274. 1
183. 3
170. 3

148. 0
146.2
135.7
146.4

154. 3
161. 1
147.2
160. 3

144.5
140.9
138.4
155. 9

147. 3
148.5
141.7
148.3

162.4
168.4
116.7

157. 3
163.4
124. 0

165.9
166.4
153.2

165.3
170.5
104.4

171.5
172.5
152. 7

171. 3
206. 3
161.8
145. 1
165.4

165.3
191.5
170. 0
161. 2
139. 0

164.4
182.2
167. 0
146.5
162. 1

164.6
176.4
167.8
151.2
160.5

164.6
188.6
162.7
148.5
148.0

185.6
173.5

Percent changes, September 1976 to December 1976
All items

0.2

1.1

1.4

0.9

1.2

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

-1.2
-1.6
0
-8.4
1.9
.1
3. 1
.4

-. 8
-1.4
-.5
-4.4
-.6
-2. 7
3.5
1.2

.2
-.3
2. 1
-5. 5
1.8
.2
4.0
2. 0

1.8
1. 7
.1
-. 1
-.2
5.4
4. 3
2. 1

-. 5
-1. 1
-1.6
-7. 1
1.2
-1. 3
5.2
1. 3

Housing
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation .

.5
-1. 1
.1
-1.3
7. 1

2. 1
2.2
2.2
2.2
2.4
6.9
1. 1
1.7

3. 1
.1
1. 8
-.4
18.8

-. 3
-. 3
.7
-.8
-. 1

1.9
1.2
1.2
1.2
5.4

1.4
.5
-. 7
1.4
-1.2
3. 7

29.4
1. 3

-. 2
-.2

8.2
1.6

4. 7
4.9
.7

-1.4
2. 0

-. 5
1. 0
-3. 1
.5

-. 3
2.5
-4. 1
1. 1

.5
-1. 3
1. 1
.3

1. 0
.7
.6
.6

Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and boys'
Footwear
Transportation
Private

Public
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
1
2

See footnote 1, table 5.
Not available.




10.8
.4

0.7

1. 5

-.2
-.6
-2.9

.6
.4
-1.4

-6.7
.8
3.0

-2.9

5.9

-1. 1
3. 0
6. 1
1. 2
2.2
2.6
3.2
2.5

.1
-.9
.8
-. 3

1.0
1.4
-.2
.9

-.9
-.7
-2. 3
. 1

.9
.9
.3

.7
.7
.2

1.2
.7
7.9

1.4
1.6
0

1.9
1.9

1. 7
1.8
.2

1.2
1.2
.3

1.5
2.8
2.3
-.4
1. 3

1.3
2.4
.7
.2
1.6

2.2
4.0
2.2
.5
1.6

1. 7
3.3
.3
1. 0

1.7
2.5

1.2
1.8
1. 3
.7
.7

1.9
2.3
1.2
.7
3.2
3

Change from October 1976.

32

.9
.8

1.4

Table 7-A. CPI—selected areas1,1976 annual average, by expenditure class
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers)
Expenditure class

U.S.
city
average

Chicago

Detroit

Los AngelesLong Beach

New Y o r k Northeastern
New Jersey

Philadelphia

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

170.5
198. 3
180.8
179.5
180.6
179.4
169.3
175.4
189.9
186. 1

165. 1
187.6
180. 1
179.2
181.4
181.9
162.0
177. 0
189.0
183.7

2

Housing
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation

177.2
179. 0
144. 7
191.7
182. 7
250.8
188.8
168.5

162.4
162.7

3

174.0
164. 1
241. 0
170.4
160.5

173.0
177.2
141.5
184.3
5
181. 5
248.6
6
195.5
154. 1

Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear

147. 6
147.2
141.9
149.9

138.2
131. 7
133.9
142.6

Transportation
Private
Public

165.5
164.6
174.2

Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

163. 3
184.7
160.5
151.2
153.3

168.0
197.5
173.5
172.7
177.9
176. 0
156.6
163.6
183. 1
175. 6

176.3
209.8
185.4
185.6
184.8
179.8
172.5
191.9
201.2
185. 0

172.4
201. 3
186.2
183.5
184.3
184. 1
170. 2
181. 6
194.9
197.5

176.8
183.3

179.5
188.6

186.7
161.4

182.2
181. 3
162.5
195. 2
204.0
258.9
224.6
171.8

197. 3
174. 7
241. 3
177.9
165. 7

142. 0
151.5
128. 1
147.2

139. 3
133.8
133. 7
144.4

144.9
139.9
139.8
146.2

139.4
145.4
122.5
150.3

167. 3
166.6
171. 6

160.2
159.5
168. 6

167.8
169. 7
131. 9

184.5
173. 3
227.2

165.4
167.6
152.5

164. 5
188.7
155.8
151. 8
156.4

173.6
209.4

160. 1
187. 0
148. 6
140.4
151.8

169.8
199.9

167. 9
200.9

155. 3
158.3

151.8
155. 6

_

168.8
194.0
175. 6
173. 3
184. 5
172.4
167.3
158.7
184.5
186.4

_

152.2
156.4

4

_

195.7
161.4
-

_

_

_

Percent changes, 1975-76
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
Housing
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation .

5.8

4.8

5.4

6.6

5.8

5.0

3. 1
2. 1
-2.3

2.9
1.9

2. 3

2.0

-2.5
1. 0
8. 1

-2.8
. 1

.1
-3. 7
-. 3

3.2
2.7

3. 7

1.3

.8

8. 1

1.0

2.6
2.8
6.8

3. 1

6.8

5.4
.8
3.7

7. 1

2.9

-. 1
1.7
7.5

-1.4
.3
7.2
4.5

5. 1
4.9

4. 1
3.6
6.9

6.2
5.5
5.4
5.5
8.9
6.6

4. 0

5.9

2.4
_
1.8

11. 3

13. 1
6. 0

4. 1
4. 1
4. 0
14.5
9. 7
13.9
6.3

8.0
9.0
_
9.6
2.9
_
3.4
6.2

5.6

5. 7

3. 0

2. 1

2. 7

4.8

2.5
-.4

1.5
2.4
4.2

2. 6
3. 3
_# i

4.4

14. 3
12. 0
21.4

8.3
9.5
.9
5.9
9.0
_
3.5
3.5

8. 7
8.5

6.6

3. 7

1. 2
-1. 1
-1. 0
2. 7

5.6

4. 7
5. 7

4.8
4.4
_

3.9
9.4

4. 0
4. 9

7. 3
14.5

Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys!
Women's and girls'
Footwear

3.5
2.8
4.0

Transportation
Private
Public

9.9
9.9
9.8

10. 2
11.4
3.8

7.4
7.8
4.9

Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

6.4
9.5
6.5

6.7

7.8

8.5

6.7

11.6

11. 7

12.9

10.4

4. 7

5.4
4.3

4.0

4. 1

_
5.0
4.5

5.3
4.9
6.9

_
4.5
2.9

See footnotes at end of table.




2.9
-.9
.6
9.8

33

1. 3
.2

2. 7
9.9
9.8

10. 1

6.8
4.5

Table 7-A. CPI—selected areas1,1976 annual average, by expenditure class—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers)
Expenditure class

Atlanta

Baltimore

Cincinnati

Honolulu

Kansas
City

St.
Louis

San
FranciscoOakland

Indexes (1967=100)
165. 1
192.9
180.5
180.2
190.8
176.5
172.9
177.4
186.9
182.3

168.0
199.9
173.9
176.0
175.3
181.8
160.0
166.6
186.8
166.5
176.9
181.9
153. 7
196. 1
161. 1

187.0
165. 1

166.8
165.2
120.4
178.0
170.6
262.9
173.3
167.7

146. 7
144.0
135.7
144.4

149.3
154. 1
146.3
157.4

141. 7
139.7
135. 1
152.9

145.4
147.2
141.0
145. 6

156. 1
162.3
108.5

153.7
159. 1
124.0

160.2
160. 6
151.4

159. 1
163.8
103.7

165.0
165. 7
150.0

167. 1
197.0
157. 1
144.2
163.3

160.4
182. 1
167.6
158.2
135.4

159.3
174. 1
161. 7
144. 0
158.0

159.7
168.9
163.5
148.3
157.0

160. 1
181.6
158.5
145. 6
145.3

5.6

169.2
194. 6
185.8
185.8
186.3
183.3
182.3
186.5
190.8
185.4

173.9
201.9
184. 3
182.8
175.3
183.6
169. 1
180.8
196.9
190. 0

170. 1
193. 1
184. 0
186.5
190.5
186.7
172.6
182. 1
198.9
174.8

Housing
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation .

175.2
178.5
131.2
192.5
171.6
182.4
169. 1

185.9
195.8
135.5
221. 1
173.4
246.8
174. 7
171.7

Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear

143.9
155.0
135.3
128.6

Transportation
Private
Public

153.9

Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

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

•

162.8
175.4
183. 0
179.5
176.4
182.9
179.8
177. 3
178.5
193. 1

197.7
180.8
179.8
179.2
177.2
178.5
169.2
192. 1
184.2

173.0
176.4
124. 0
200.8
182.7

156.4
155.7
156.8
154.9
158.8

170.3
173.8
124. 0
193.4
164.2

187.9
158. 0

187.6
156.8

154. 1
155.4
138. 6
163.4

153.0
149.7
149.8
162.4

95.7

159.0
159.7
153.6

167. 1
197.2
164.4
151.6
140.9

164.6
192.8
155.8
149.5
158.6

158.4

7

183. 0
168.5

Percent changes, 1975-76
All items

4.6

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

2.3
.9
-.7

5.3

6. 1

5. 0

5.4

5.8

3.4
2.6

3.7
3.2
-1.0
3.3
4. 1
3. 1
4.7
6.2

3.6
2. 1
-7.2
4.6
8. 1
5.5
-.8
8. 1

1.7
.2
-3.2
.2
2.4
-.4
1. 1
6.6

3.6
3. 0
-2.3
1.8
8.9
3.0

4.8
4.8
4.3
5. 2
1. 1

7. 0
6.0
4. 0
6.3
11.3

6.8
6.9

-2. 3
1.5
10.6
2.3
3.5
6. 6

-1.4
9.4

2. 1
-. 3
7. 0

4. 1
6.5

1.6
.2
-3.9
.2
4.2
-.9
1.4
7. 1

9.4
5.6

5.6
4.8
6.4
4.3
6.8
7.6
6. 1
6.9

11.3
6. 3

-.3
6.7

16.6
7.3

6.8
6.2
3. 7
6.7
7. 2
6.2
9.3
6.8

3.7
5.2
2.9
3.8

4.4
4.6
2.4
4.6

6.5
5.4
8.2
6.4

3.9
6.3

2.5
5.4
1.5
3.6

4.8
4.3
3.9
5.9

2.6
2.4
1. 1
4.2

Transportation
Private
Public

7.7
7.9
3.2

8.6

7.5
17. 1

8.3
8.7
3.8

4.7
5.4

7.9
8.2
2.0

9.0
9.4
1.8

8.7
9. 1
1.6

Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

5. 3
7.3
4.9
4.8
1.7

5.3
6.9
3.2
4.5
5.5

6.8
11.5
3.5
4.9
4.6

7.8
10.5
7.0
6.2
7. 0

5.8
8.5
5.5
4.4
4.2

5.9
8.3
3.8
4.4
5.2

6.9
10. 1
6.9
4.7
3.5

Housing
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation ,

4.9
3.7
1. 7

Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and boys'
Footwear

,

,

4. 1
7. 3

See footnote 1, table 5.
Revised index: 1975 annual average, 160.1.
Revised index: 1975 annual average, 163.3.
Revised index: 1975 annual average, 168.1.




6.7
6.7
3.2
7.8
6.9

2. 1
3.7

Revised index: 1975 annual average, 158.5.
Revised index: 1975 annual average, 166.7.
December 1963=100.

34

6. 1
7. 1
3.7
5. 1
7.9

Table 8. CPI—food groups, selected areas
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)
Food at home

Area1

Total
food

Total

Cereals
and
bakery
products

Meats,
poultry,
and fish

Dairy
products

Fruits

and
vegetables

Other
foods
at
home

Food
away
from
home

Indexes, December 1976
U.S. city average

181.7

179.3

179.3

170.2

171.4

175.5

202.2

190.9

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

185.0
185. 0
180.9
178.8
180.5
185.9
188.6
179. 3
177. 5
185.3
188.4
181.0
176.0
181.6
185. 7
186.8
186. 0
180.7
180. 7
182.5
175. 1
177.4
188.3

184.4
182. 3
177. 6
176. 3
178.7
187.0
188.3
174. 7
174.4
181.0
182.0
177.9
174. 0
179.8
179. 7
186.5
182. 0
177.0
179.2
173. 3
176.4
176. 3
182.9

189.7
174.9
181.2
176. 6
180. 1
193.5
190.7
174. 3
191.2
172.5
175.5
176.8
178. 0
178. 0
189.4
183.8
186.5
183. 3
184. 3
170.5
170. 3
174.7
184.5

169.7
176. 1
170. 1
169. 3
172. 6
176.9
174.2
162.9
163.2
181.7
176.7
165.5
171.2
171. 6
169. 1
173.0
173.2
172.8
162.2
172.4
174.9
176. 0
162. 3

186. 2
170.8
164. 7
170.5
163.5
176. 3
182. 3
167.4
171. 0
183.5
182. 1
178. 6
157.5
178. 0
179.2
174.5
172.4
160.3
176.8
161.6
160. 3
168.6
164. 2

185. 0
177. 1
175. 0
169.2
178.4
180.8
174. 6
172. 0
157.4
182.0
184. 2
165.3
169. 5
180.0
169.2
194. 7
177. 8
174. 7
179. 1
172.8
169. 6
161. 3
187.9

199.5
209.2
201. 0
196.7
202.5
213. 9
223.4
196.0
200. 7
184.8
192. 1
204. 0
191. 0
194. 7
195. 3
214. 8
206.4
194. 1
204. 1
185.8
201. 3
195.2
221. 7

187.0
195. 5
192.9
192. 8
187.6
181.4
190. 8
196.3
191.4
197.9
210. 9
190.9
181.4
(2)
212. 1
188. 3
202.7
202.5
187.8
(2)
170. 3
181.0
202. 1

Percent changes November 1976 to December 1976
U.S. city average

0. 3

Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas
Detroit
Honolulu
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles—Long Beach . . .
Milwaukee
Minneapolis-St. Paul
N.Y.-Northeastem N J
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
San Diego
San Francisco—Oakland
Seattle
Washington

-. 5
.7
-. 7
.2
-. 1
.1
.5
.9
1. 0
.7
.5
.1
.8
.1
-.4
.7
-.2
-.3
.3
1.2
.6
.1
.3

1

0.2

-.9
.2
-. 2
-.2
.4

1.2
1 0
.6
.6
.2
.8
. 1
-. 7
. 8
-. 5
-.5
.2
1.8
.6
. 1
.2

-0. 3
-.5
. 7
-.9
-3.2
.8
.8

1. 1
-. 6
1. 1
-. 1
. 1
-. 3
. 1
-. 7
.6
.5
-1. 3
-.4
-.2
1.2
-1.2
-2.2
.4

See footnote 1, table 5.




Not available.

35

-1. 0

-0.2

0.4

2.5

0.5

-3. 2
.3
-2.0
-.6
-1. 0
-. 7
-.7
-. 2
-. 5
.5
-. 3
-1. 6

-.5
. 1
-1.8
.4
. 1
-. 3
-.3

-1. 1

1.9
3. 3
.3
2. 5
2.7
2. 1
1. 3
1. 7
4.4
2 0
1. 5
3.2
1.5
2.4
1. 3
3.0
2. 3
.7
2.5
3.4
3.6

. 3
. 1
-. 1
0
.5
.9
.7
. 1
.7
1.0
.5
-. 3
.7
(2)
1. 1
.4
.8
.7
1.0

-2. 1
-.6
-2.4
-1. 7
-2.4
1. 3
.5
-.3
-2.2

1.6

1.0
-. 1
-.8
.2
.2
-.3
-4.2
.8
-.3
-.2
-. 7
-1.4
1. 1

-.9
.2

1.0
-3. 7
-2.5
1.5
3.9
-.4
.4
2.5
-1. 0
1. 0
-.6
1. 0
1. 0
.5
.1
1.6
2. 1
-. 1
1. 1
-1.6

2. 0
3.4

(2)
.4
0
.6

Table 9. CPI—gasoline indexes, U.S. city average and selected areas
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, January 1976=100)
Leaded regular gasoline

Index

Area1

U S. city average

. . .

Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas
Detroit
Honolulu
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles—Long Beach
Milwaukee
MinneaDolis—St Paul
N Y —Northeastern N J
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
San Diego
San Francisco—Oakland
Seattle
Washington

'remium gasoline

Unleaded regular gasoline

Percent change
to December
1976 f r o m -

Percent change
to December
1976 f r o m -

Index

November
1976

December
1976

November
1976

November
1976

December
1976

November
1976

103.0

102. 7

-0.3

103.9

103.5

-0.4

102.9
101.7
101. 5
102.8
103.8
102.4
101.2
104.4
101.9
102.5
104. 1
104.5
104.3
103.8
102.7
101.5
101.5
102.7
104.7
103. 1
103.8
104. 1
101.5

100.8
101. 6
101. 9
102. 2
103.3
101.8
101. 1
103.6
102.0
102.5
103.2
103.8
104.4
103.6
103.3
101. 1
100.7
102.4
104. 8
102.9
104. 3
104.2
102.0

-2.0
-. 1
.4
-. 6
-.5
-.6
-. 1
-.8
. 1
0
-.9
-. 7
. 1
-.2
.6
-.4
-.8
-.3
. 1
-.2
.5
. 1
.5

105.0
102.2
104. 2
102. 6
104.8
104. 1
103.0
105. 0
105.0
102.4
104.8
105.4
104.6
105.2
105. 1
103.9
103.5
104.2
104.4
104. 1
103. 7
103.9
104.6

104.0
102. 1
104.4
102. 2
104.8
103.3
102.4
104.2
104. 1
102. 6
104.0
105.0
104.5
105.0
105.7
103.5
102.9
103.4
105. 1
104.3
103.9
103.9
104.4

-1.0
-. 1
. 2
-.4
0
-.8
-.6
-.8
-.9
.2
-.8
-.4
-. 1
-. 2
.6
-.4
-.6
-.8
.7
.2
.2
0
-.2

1
Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) except for New York and Chicago where the more

Percent change
to December
1976 f r o m -

Index

November
1976

December
1976

November
1976

103. 3

103. 1

-0.2

103.8
101. 7
102. 7
102. 3
104.5
102.9
101.8
104.3
103.0
101.9
103. 6
104.3
103.8
103. 8
104.2
102. 1
102.4
103.5
103. 6
103.4
102. 7
103. 7
103. 1

103. 1
101. 7
102. 8
102. 2
104. 6
102.0
101.5
103. 6
103.2
102.2
103. 0
103.8
103.5
103.8
103.5
101.8
102. 6
103.3
103.9
103. 3
103. 2
103. 7
103. 1

-.7
0
_. l
. 1
_# g
-.7
.2
.3
-.6
-.5
-.3
0
-.7
-.3
. 2
-.2
.3
-. 1
.5
0
0

extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used. Area definitions are those established
for the 1960 Census and do not include revisions made since 1960.

Table 10. CPI—gasoline average prices, U.S. city average and selected areas
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers)
Leaded regular gasoline

Average price per gallon

Area 1

U S citv averaae
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo
Chicago
Cincinnati
.
Cleveland
Dallas
Detroit
Honolulu
Houston
Kansas Citv
Los Anaeles— Lona Beach
Milwaukee
Minneapolis—St Paul
N Y -Northeastern N J
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St Louis
San Diego
San Francisco—Oakland
Seattle
.
Washington

. . .

October
1976

November
1976

December
1976

October
1976

November
1976

$0,603

$0,602

$0,600

$0,629

$0,629

.597
.610
.597
. 612
.625
.591
.593
. 562
. 592
. 704
. 549
.575
.606
.566
.594
. 607
.593
.599
.595
. 623
.637
.598
.615

.594
.608
.594
. 610
. 622
.589
.592
.561
.591
.702
.549
.579
. 609
.565
.590
.607
.592
.596
.594
.622
.637
.597
.611

.582
.607
.597
.607
.619
.585
.592
.557
.591
. 702
.544
.575
.609
.564
.594
.604
.587
.595
.594
.620
.640
.598
.614

.633
.628
.629
.633
. 644
. 615
.609
.584
.631
. 712
.571
.597
.638
. 597
.624
.639
.633
. 629
.612
. 655
.655
.616
.659

1
Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) except for New York and Chicago where the more




Premium gasoline

Unleaded regular gasoline

.631
.627
.627
.633
.662
.617
.612
.583
.634
. 713
.572
. 600
.639
.595
. 621
.639
.633
.627
.608
.654
.655
.617
.656

October
1976

November
1976

December
1976

$0,626

$0. 651

$0,650

$0,648

. 625
.627
.628
.631
.662
.612
. 609
.579
.629
.714
.568
.598
.638
. 594
.625
.636
.630
.622
.612
.655
.657
.617
.655

.654
.657
.647
. 656
.673
. 638
.639
.604
.652
. 739
.596
.619
. 650
.617
.664
.664
.659
. 650
.638
.671
.678
.640
. 678

December
1976

.651
. 655
.646
. 656
. 671
. 641
.639
. 604
.651
. 741
.597
.625
.651
. 615
.660
.662
.656
.647
.636
.672
.677
.641
.676

.646
.655
.647
.655
.672
. 635
.637
. 600
.652
. 743
. 593
.622
.649
.615
.655
.660
.658
.645
. 638
.671
. 680
.641
.676

extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used. Area definitions are those established
for the 1960 Census and do not include revisions made since 1960.

36

Table 11. CPI-by population size '
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Area and group

Relative
importance
December
1975

1 ndexes

December
1976

Percent change to
December 1976 from—
December
September
1975
1976

December
1975

September
1976

100.000
24.675
33.998
9.217
13.053
18.681

166.3
180. 7
172.2
145.2
157. 6
157.5

172. 6

181.6
179.5
150.2
169.5
165.3

174.3
181. 7
181.6
151.8
171.4
168. 0

4.8
.6
4.5
8.8
6.7

1. 1
1. 1

Class A-1 (3.5 million or more):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

32.409
8.280
10.730
3. 013
4.241
6. 145

167.6
182. 1
171. 8
140.4
165. 1
160.4

173.9
182.5
178.4
146. 0
177. 6
169.7

175.4
183. 1
180.4
145.8
179.4
172. 0

4.7
.5
5.0
3.8

.9
.3

Class A-2 (1.4 million to 3.5 million):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

11. 694
2.948
3.951
1.095
1.493
2.207

165.0
180.5
168. 1
146.2
155.8
158.0

171.9
182.5
175.5
149.7
171. 3
165.6

174. 0
181. 7
179.4
151.6
173.0
168.5

Class B (250,000 to 1.4 million):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

25.645
6.073
8.909
2.365
3.444
4.854

165.2
180.3
170.9
147. 5
153. 1
156.9

171.6
181. 3
178.6
153.6
164.3
163.7

Class C (50,000 to 250,000):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

12.584
3. 085
4. 330
1. 191
1.668
2.312

166. 2
179. 7
173. 7
149. 4
155.3
154.9

Class D ( 2,500 to 50,000):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

17.292
4.289
6.078
1. 554
2.207
3. 163

166.6
179.3
176. 0
147. 0
154.2
154.8

United States:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

Based upon 1960 Census of Population.




37

5. 5

1. 0
. 1
1.2

1.6

8. 7

1. 1
-. 1
1. 0

7.2

1.4

5.5

1.2
-.4
2.2

.7
6.7
3.7

11. 0

1. 3
1. 0

6.6

1.8

173. 3
181.8
180. 3
155. 9
166.7
166.4

4.9
.8
5.5

1. 0
.3
1. 0

5. 7

1.5
1.5
1.6

171.9
180.4
181. 1
152.2
165. 3
161.8

173.5
179.5
183.3
155. 5
166.9
164. 7

4.4

.9

-. 1

-. 5
1. 2
2. 2
1. 0

173. 0
180.7
183.7
151.7
165. 3
162. 1

174. 6
180.2
185.4
154.8
167. 3
165. 2

4.8

.9

.5
5. 3
5. 3

-. 3
2. 0

8.5
6.7

1.2
1.9

8.9

6. 1

5.5

4. 1
7.5
6.3

1.8

.9

Table 11-A. CPI—by population size 1 ,1976 annual average
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers. 1967=100)
Relative
importance

Area and group

Annual average indexes

Percent change to

1976 from—

1975

1976

1975

161. 2
175. 4
166. 8
142. 3
150. 6
153. 5

170. 5
180. 8
177. 2
147. 6
165. 5
163. 3

5.8
3. 1
6.2
3. 7
9.9
6.4

Class A-1 (3.5 million or more):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

162. 5
176. 4
166. 8
139. 2
155. 9
156. 3

171. 6
181. 7
176. 2
142. 7
173. 2
167. 3

5.6
3. 0
5.6
2.5
11. 1
7. 0

Class A-2 (1.4 million to 3.5 million):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

160. 4
175. 1
163. 6
143. 8
150. 2
153. 5

169. 8
181. 1
173. 6
148. 5
167. 2
163. 6

5.9
3.4
6. 1
3. 3
11.3
6.6

160. 3
174. 8
165. 7
144. 0
147. 7
152. 9

169. 4
180. 4
176. 2
151. 1
160. 5
162. 0

5. 7
3. 2
6.3
4.9
8.7
6.0

Class C (50,000 to 250,000):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

160. 7
173. 5
167. 9
145. 4
148. 9
150. 9

169. 9
179. 2
178. 9
151. 0
161. 8
159. 9

5. 7
3.3
6.6
3.9
8.7
6.0

Class D(2,500 to 50,000):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

161. 3
174. 4
169. 1
143. 3
148. 1
151. 2

171. 0
179. 7
181. 4
150. 4
161. 4
160. 4

6.0
3.0
7.3
5.0
9.0
6. 1

United States:
All items

Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

Class B (250,000 to 1.4 million):
All items

,

Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

,

Based upon 1960 Census of Population.




38

Table 12. CPI —by region
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Area and group

Relative1
importance
December
1975

1 ndexes
December
1975

September
1976

December
1976

Percent change to
December 1976 from—
December
September
1975
1976

United States:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation

100.000
24.675
33.998
9.217
13.053
18.681

166.3
180. 7
172.2
145.2
157.6
157.5

172.6
181. 6
179.5
150.2
169.5
165.3

174.3
181. 7
181.6
151.8
171.4
168.0

4.8
.6
5.5
4.5
8.8
6.7

Northeast:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation

32.686
8.696
10.607
3.228
4.031
6. 124

169.2
182.6
175.3
145.6
164.7
159. 7

175.2
183.9
181. 1
150.9
177.7
167.6

176.7
183.9
183.6
152. 1
179.0
169.7

4.4
.7
4.7
4.5
6.3

0
1.4
.8
.7
1.3

North Central:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation

27.874
6.853
9.495
2.467
3. 770
5.288

163.3
180.0
164.4
145.0
154.6
157.9

169.8
181. 1
172.3
149.2
166.2
165.7

171.5
180.6
174.4
151.2
168.7
168. 7

5.0
.3

1.0
-.3

6. 1

1. 2

4.3

1.3
1.5
1.8

South:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation

22.104
5.281
7.732
2. 102
2.938
4. 050

168.7
183.4
178.0
147.3
154.8
158.5

175. 1
184.2
185.8
153.7
165. 1
166.0

176.6
183.6
187.3
155.4
167.4
169. 1

4.7

6.7

1.4
1.9

West:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation

16.499
3. 716
6. 022
1. 385
2.253 '
3. 123

163.0
174.4
172.4
141.4
154.3
151.7

169. 7
174.7
180.6
144.8
167. 1
159.9

171.8
176.3
182.7
146.4
168.8
162.6

5.4

1.2

1
Regional index and relative importance data exclude Anchorage, Alaska, and relative importances will not add t o U.S. totals.
Honolulu, Hawaii which are included in the U.S. level data. Consequently, regional




39

8. 7

9. 1
6.8

.1
5.2
5.5

8. 1

1. 1
6.0
3.5
9.4
7.2

1.0

.1
1.2

1. 1
1. 1
1.6

.9

.9
-.3
.8

1. 1

.9
1.2

1. 1
1.0
1.7

Table 12-A. CPI—by region, 1976 annual average
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Area and group

Relative
importance

Annual average indexes'

Percent change to

1976 f r o m -

1975

1976

United States:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation

161.2
175.4
166.8
142.3
150.6
153.5

170.5
180.8
177.2
147.6
165.5
163.3

Northeast:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation

164.0
177. 0
170.3
143. 0
154. 6
155.8

173.3
183. 1
179.7
147. 7
173.9
165.4

5.7
3.4
5.5
3.3
12.5
6.2

North Central:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation

158.5
173.3
160. 0
142.2
149. 3
154. 1

167.6
179.9
169.9
147.5
162.2
164.0

5.7
3.8
6.3
3.7
8.6
6.4

Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation

163.7
178. 7
171.8
144. 0
149.2
154.7

172.8
183. 1
183.2
151.4
161.6
164.2

5.6
2.5
6.6
5. 1
8.3
6. 1

West:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation

157.7
169.9
165.5
139.2
148.6
147. 1

167.3
173.7
177.7
143.7
162.2
157.8

6. 1
2.2
7.4
3.2
9.2
7.3

South:
All items
Food

Housing

Regional indexes exclude Anchorage, Alaska, and Honolulu, Hawaii, which are included in the U.S. totals.




40

1975

5.8
3. 1
6.2
3.7
9.9
6.4

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 ILS. 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 food, fuels, and a few other items are
obtained every month in all 56 locations. Prices of most
other commodities and services are collected every month
in the five largest areas and every 3 months in other
areas. Prices of most goods and services are obtained by

A Note About Calculating Index Changes
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 pcunt change:

123.8
123.2
0.6

Percent Change
i
S

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




41

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. l 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 changes are about 95 out of
100 that the percent change in the CPI as computed differs
from the corresponding "complete coverage" change by
less than twice the standard error.
Because the CPI is rounded to one decimal place, some
ambiguity may arise in interpreting small index changes.
As the table indicates, for example, a month-to-month
change of 0.1 percent in the all-items CPI is significant.
Because of rounding, however, a change of this size in the
published index might result from a much smaller change in
the unrounded value. Hence, any particular change of 0.1
percent may or may not be significant. On the other hand,
a published change of 0.2 percent for a 1-month period
is almost always significant.
This replaces the table of average errors based on 1974
data which was included in the CPI report through
December 1975.

Average standard errors of percent changes in the
CPI based on 1975 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

.04
.10
.11
.08
.16
.07
.13
.14
.11

.06
.17
.22
.12
.22
.11
.17
.22
.16

.13
.38
.36
.26
.28
.13
.36
.46
.37

.08

.11

.22

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.

42

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
REGIONAL OFFICES

HAWAII

f^V

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) 399-5405

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 VIII*
911 Walnut Street
Kansas City, Mo. 64106
Phone:(816)374-2481

Region IV
1371 Peachtree Street, NE.
Atlanta, Ga. 30309
Phone:(404)881-4418

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