Full text of CPI Detailed Report : February 1958

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Released March 21, 1958
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABCR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D . C.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FCR FEBRUARY 1958
Consumer prices in United States cities rose 0*2 percent between
January and February 1958, according to the U*S* Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor
Statistics* On the average, prices were higher for food, housing, medical care, and
personal care, but transportation and apparel prices were slightly lower* The Consumer
Price Index for February was 122.5 (1947-49=100), 3.2 percent higher than a year earlier*
FOCD

The increase of 0*4 percent in prices of food between January and
February was caused mainly by higher prices for meats, poultry,
and fresh produce* The February food price index, at 118*7 percent of the 1947-49
average, was 4*5 percent above a year ago*
Prices of meats, poultry, and fish increased an average of 1*6
percent, with nearly all items affected* Chicken prices were 3*5 percent higher, bacon
2*1 percent, chuck roast 3*4 percent, and hamburger 2*4 percent* There were also
substantial increases for frankfurters and most types of fish* Ham and pork chops
experienced small increases (0*2 and 0*7 percent, respectively) and rib roast prices
dropped slightly*
Fruit and vegetable prices rose 2*1 percent on the average, as
fresh vegetables increased 3*0 percent and fresh fruits 2*3 percent in mixed movements*
Most fresh vegetables were substantially higher, with tomatoes, celery, and cabbage up
5*1, 6,1, and 9*1 percent, respectively* However, carrot prices dropped 8*5 percent and
lettuce was down 4*5 percent* Among fresh fruits, increases of 3*6 percent for oranges
and 3*1 percent for apples were partially offset by decreases for grapefruit and lemons*
Frozen fruits and vegetables were up 2*5 percent, due mainly to a 4*9 percent increase
in prices of orange juice* Canned fruits and vegetables registered a price advance of
0*5 percent, with orange juice and tomatoes up 1*6 and 1*5 percent, respectively*

Egg prices were down 7*1 percent in a continuing seasonal decline*
Dairy products declined 0*1 percent, with fresh milk prices down in a few cities and
evaporated milk prices slightly higher* Prices of restaurant meals increased 0*2 percent*
HOUSING

The housing index advanced 0*2 percent as most of its component
subgroups were higher* Rents were up 0*1 percent, although
decreases were reported in several cities* Housefurnishings prices rose 0*7 percent as
household textiles returned to regular prices following January sales, and prices of
some furniture and floor coverings advanced* Costs of home repairs and maintenance rose
0*4 percent, largely because of higher prices for water heaters and sink faucets* The
increase of 0*2 percent in the index for household operation resulted from further
advances in prices of laundry and dry cleaning services and higher telephone rates in
some cities* Gas bills were higher in February, with rate increases in two cities9 but
prices of fuel oil declined*
OTHER CGHMCDITIES
AND SERVICES

There was a'decline of 0*1 percent in transportation prices*
Gasoline prices dropped 2*7 percent as a result of price wars in
several cities* Automobile insurance rates rose substantially,
transit fares increased in three cities, and railroad fares advanced in the Northeast*
Apparel prices declined 0*1 percent while medical care and
personal care were up 0*1 and 0*2 percent, respectively*




2

TABLE 1: Consumer Price Index—United States city average, all items and special groups
Indexes and percent changes for selected dates

G r w p

All itemsAll items less foodAll items less shelterAll conmoditiesAll commodities less foodDurables
Non-durables
—
All services
—
All services less rent-

Feb.
1958
122.5

124.8
120.2
115.5
113.2
110.3
116.7
141.0
142.3

Tnrjft^Aa (-|QA7-Z.9=100)
June
Jan.
Dec.
Feb.
-1258. 1957
m
1957
122.3
124.7

120.0
115.4
113.5
110.5
117.0
140.5
141.7

121.6
124.5

119.2

114.7
113.6
110.3
117.3
140.0
141.1

118.7
121.5
116.4
112.3
111.4
108.3
115.0
135.7
136.5

101.8
103.0
100.7
100.3
99.4
102.4
99.0
107.9
107.0

Year
1939
59.4
69.1
55.4
51.6
59.4
57.3
58.7
80.4
73.5

Percent change to February 1958 from—
Jan.
1958

0.2

All itemsAll items less foodAll items less shelterAll commodities
All commodities less foodDurable sNon-durablesAll services —
All services less rent-

.1
.2

.1

.3

.2

.3
.4
.4

Dec.
1957

Feb.
1957

June
1959

0.7

3.2
2.7
3.3

21.2

106.2
80.6

15.2

123.8

.2
.8

.7
.4
0

.5
.7
.9

2.8
1.6
1.8

1.5
3.9
4.2

20.3

19.4

13.9
7.7
17.9
30.7
33.0

Year
j m

117.0

90.6

92.5

98.8

75.4
93.6

(1947-49=$1.00)*

Purchasing power of the consumer dollar

Feb.
1958

Jan.
1958

Dec.
1957

Feb.
1957

June
1950

Year
1939

10.82

#0.82

$0.82

$0.84

$0.98

$1.68

* To calculate purchasing power of the consumer dollar on any other base, divide
the index for the desired base date by the index for the comparison date.




TABLS 2: Consumer Price Index — United States city arerage, all items and commodity groups
Indexes and percent changes for selected dates

3

Indexes (19*7-*9«100)
February
1958

Group

All items
Food 1/
Food at home
—
Cereals and bakery products -Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
— — — —
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home — —
Rent
Solid fuels and fuel oil

Men's and boys' —
— — —
Women's and girls' — — — — — — Other apparel
Transportation
Public
Private

—

Medical care
Reading and recreation —
Other goods and services jJ

January
1958

December
1957

February
1957

June
1950

Tear
1939

Last
year

Pre-Korea

Pre-World
War II

101.8

59.*

100.5

vr.i

This
month

Last
month

2 months
ago

'122.5

122.3

121.6

118.7

118.7
117.2
132.6
112.0
114.5
124.4
111.3

118.2
116.7
132.5
110.2
114.6
121.9
113.1

116.1
114.3
131.8
106.0
114.6
113.9
114.9

113.6
112.0
129.1
101.4
111,1
116.5
113.0

127.3
137.0
115.9
137.2
104.9
129.9

127.1
136.8
115.7
138.4
104.2
129.7

127.0
136.7
114.3
138.3
104.9
129.6

124.5
134.2
112.4
139.3
105.0
125.6

10*. 9
108.7
102.7
107.6
97.*
99.6

76.1
86.6
101*. 9
56.*
53.*
68.*

106.8
109.0
98.6
129.5
92.0

106.9
109.0
98.8
129.3
91.9

107.6
109.5
100.1
129.1
92.3

106.1
108.6
98.2
127.2
91.7

96.5
98.1
93.3
102.1
88.*

52.5
50.8
54.5
50.3
40.6

138.5
185.4
127.9

138.7
182.4
128.4

138.9
182.4
128.6

134.4
175.8
124.5

109.9
117.9
106.6

70.2
81.3
65.5

141.9
128.0
116.6
127.0

141.7
127.8
116.6
127.0

140.8
127.0
114.6
126.8

135.5
122.6
110.0
124.0

105. h
99.2
102.5
103.7

72.6
59.6
63.0
70.6

Percent change to
January
1958

100.5
102.7
106.1
92.3
102.5
9*.l

57.2

kl.6

*9.8
*6.3

February 1958 from:

—

0.2

0.7

3.2

20.3

Year
193?
106.2

Food
Food at home
— — . — — — —
Cereals and bakery products

.4
.4
.1
1.6
- .1
2.1
- 1.6
.2

2.2
2.5
.6
5.7
- .1
9.2
- 3.1
.3

4.5
4.6
2.7
10.5
3.1
6.8
- 1.5
3.4

18.1
16.6
29.1
5.6
24.1
21.4
18.3

152.0
148.8
131.8
1<69.2
129.9
168.7
130.0

.2
.1
.2
.9
.7
.2

.2
.2
1.4
- .8
0
.2

2.2
2.1
3.1
- 1.5
- .1
3.4

21.4
26.0
12.9
27.5
7.7
30.4

67.3
58.2
10.5
143.3
96.4
89.9

.1
0
.2
.2
.1

- .7
- .5
- 1.5
.3
- .3

.7
.4
.4
1.8
.3

10.7
11.1
5.7
26.8
4.1

103.4
114.6
80.9
157.5
126.6

-

All items

Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Food away from hone — —

das and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil

——..
-

Apparel
— — — — — — — .
Ken's and boys' —-—.............—..........

-

Public
Private
Medical care

—

—

—

—

Reading and recreation
Other goods and services 3 /

—

—

—

December
1957

June
1950

(V)

W)

.1
1.6
- .4

.3
1.6
- .5

3.1
5.5
2.7

26.0
57.3
20.0

97.3
128.0
95.3

.1
.2
0
0

.8
.8
1.7

4.7
4.4
6.0
2.4

34.6
29.0
13.8
22.5

95.5
114.8
85.1
79.9

.2

l/ Includes restaurant meals not shown separately.
2/ Includes home purchase and other home-owner costs not shown separately*
11
Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services (such as
legal services, banking fees, burial services, etc.).
*/ Mot available.




February
1957

4

TABLE 3*

Consumer Price Index — All items indexes for selected dates
U.S. city average and 20 large cities
(1947-49=100)

February
1958

City
United States city average
Cities priced monthly

•

June
1950

Year
1939

122.5

122.3

118.7

101.8

59.4

126.2
123.7
124*1
120.3
122.3

126.1
123.7
123.7
120.0
122.2

121.5
121.0
120.3
115.9
119.7

102.8
102.8
101.3
100.9
101.6

58.6
59.0
60.4
60.1
59.2

May
1950

Year
1939

Cleveland
Houston
Scranton
Seattle
Washington, D.C.

120.4
120.5
115.5
122.2
117.5

100.4
103.5
100.2
102.0
101.6

59.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
60.4

January
1957

April
1950

Year
1939

— —

119.0
119.8
119.4
118.8
120.1

101.2
101.4
102.1
99.9
101.5

61.0
61.7
60.7
58.1
58.3

June
1950

Year
1939

101.3
101.6
101.2
101.1
100.9

58.3
57.9
58.4
59.3
58.6

124.5
122.3
119.1
125.0
120.3

—

— —

October
1957
122.0
121.8
122.2
121.1
121.9

123.4
122.4
123.2
122.6
123.3

—

December
1957

Cities priced in March, June,
September, December 7j
— — — - — —

September
1957

y

December
1956

122.2
121.7
120.9
122.1
123.5

122.4
122.1
120.8
122.5
124.8

— — — —

February
1957

123.3
122.4
117.8
123.9
119.4

January
1958

Cities priced in January, April,
July, October 2/
Kansas City
Minneapolis
Pittsburgh
Portland, Oregon

November
1957

February
1958

Cities priced in February, May,
August, November 2/

j/
2/
2/
U

February
1957

y

ChicagoDetroit
Los A n g e l e s — — —
New York

Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati—
St. L o u i s —
San F r a n c i s c o — —

January
1958

U

119.5
119.5
117.5
119.1
121.6

Rents priced bimonthly.
Foods, fuels, and a few other itens priced monthly; rents and other commodities and services priced quarterly.
June 1950.
May 1950.

TABLE 4* Consumer Price Index — Percent changes from January 1958
to February 1958
U.S. city average and five cities priced monthly
All items and comodity groups

City
United States city a v e r a g e —
Chicago—
Detroit
Los Angeles
New York
Philadelphia




All
items

Food

Housing

0.2

0.4

0.2

.1
0
*3
.2
.1

.6
•4
.3
.4
.4

.5
.5
.1
.5
0

-

Apparel

Transportation

- 0.1

- 0.1

-

- 1.1
- 2.4
1.4
- .4
- .6

.2
.2
.6
0
.1

Reading
and
recreation

Other
goods &.
services

Medical
care

Personal
care

0.1

0.2

0

0

0
.3
0
.1
0

0
0
.3
.2
.2

- 0.6
•2
0
0
0

0
0
0.1
- .2
0

-

-

TABIZ 5i Consumer Price Index — All items and commodity croups
February 1958 indexes and percent changes, November 1957 to February 1958
U.S. city average and 10 cities priced in February 1958
0.8.
City
Average Chicago

Group

Nev
lark

CleveLos
land
tetroit Houston Angeles

Washingto
PhilaD. C.
delphia Serantos Seattle

Indexes (19*7-*9«100)
122.5

126.2

124.5

123.7

122.3

124.1

120.3

122.3

119.1

125.0

120.3

118.7
117.2
132.6
112.0
114.5
124.4
111.3

116.2
113.9
124.9
105.0
112.5
123.2
116.3

116.0
114.2
129.6
107.1
110.7
118.4
113.8

120.2
118.2
125.8
108.7
113.3
135.5
112.5

116.3
114.7
126.7
109.2
112.7
121.4
110.4

121.4
118.2
139.8
112.8
110.1
125.4
112.4

119.1
117.5
137.2
112.6
116.6
121.2
110.6

121.7
119.4
133.7
113.7
119.9
125.3
111.0

116.6
116.6
135.0
113.0
113.7
117.9
109.2

118.9
118.3
141.6
111.4
118.5
126.0
108.3

120.0
118.1
131.6
111.3
119.5
123.9
111.7

Rent
— — — — — — — —
Gas and electricity
— - —
Solid fuels and fuel oil
—
Housefurnishings — —
Household operation

127.3
137.0
115.9
137.2
104.9
129.9

136.9

129.3
147.8
117.0
130.1
109.8
119.3

130.4
139.0
115.9

133.9
132.1

—

—

101.5
141.5

102.0
122.6

124.3
125.7
113.5
143.9
105.2
130.4

121.9

114.7
139.9
103,8
133.4

130.7
159.9
115.4
139.0
103.2
118.0

103.4
142.0
111.0
129.9

123.3
128.8
117.7
146.8
103.3
115.9

129.5
144.6
86.6
138.1
105.9
137.5

119.5
126.7
124.5
142.0
100.3
127.2

Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'

106.8
109.Q
98.6
129.5
92.0

109.3
115.9
97.7
131.5
95.8

108.9
113.6
99.8
127.5
95.0

102.7
109.0
91.6
124.0
85.0

111.4
106.8
107.4
136.4
91.0

108.8
113.5
100.2
129.5
85.4

106.7
108.6
97.8
132.1
96.1

103.9
107.1
95.0
127.0
91.9

108.9
109.9
101.8
134.2
91.5

108.5
112.2
100.3
130.6
87.3

103.4
107.7
96.0
122.4
88.6

Transportation — — — — — — — —
Public — — — — — — — — —
Private

138.5
185.4
127.9

149.4
195.6
131.0

135.2
172.3
126.8

131.5
155.6
126.7

126.9
188.0
118.8

132.9
154.8
129.0

139.0
190.2
119.5

141.4
188.1
120.9

134.9
191.3
120.9

140.7
180.1
129.2

137.9
158.4
131.6

Medical care
Personal care

141.9
128.0
116.6
127.0

150.3
128.9
125.0
121.3

152.4
129.1
126.5
127.3

150.8
133.5
113.8
135.8

132.2
134.7
115.8
128.1

134.0
132.5
106.4
123.9

130.0
120.9
119.6
126.2

142.8
132.4
120.0
128.6

125.9
128.3
136.6
119.4

146.0
132.4
120.3
136.2

136.9
123.8
121.4
136.5

All items
food
Food at hone
—
—
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, fend fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at hone — —

— — —
— — —

—
—

Other goods and services

—
—
—

—
—
—

—
—
—

—

—

Percent change fran Bovember 1957
All items
Food

Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
~
Fruits and vegetables — —
Otter foods at b o w
—
lousing
Sent
— — — — — —
Gas and electricity
—
—
Solid fuels and fuel oil
lousefurnlshUngs
— — — —
Household operation
—
—

—
—
—
—

0.5

1.0

0.2

- 0.1

1.0

1.4

0.2

1.1

0.9

0.8

2.3
2.7
.8
7.1
0
8.6
- 3.7

1.8
2.0
.3
6.4
- .2
6.1
- 4.3

2.0
2.3
•4
6.6
.5
7.0
- 3.8

2.6
2.8
.5
7.4
1.3
7.6
4.0

3.3
4.1
4.7
10.4
.3
6.7
- 2.6

2.2
2.6
- .2
5.5
.2
9.2
- 2.3

2.7
3.3
1.0
6.6
- .7
12.6
- 3.8

2.3
2.4
.6
5.9
0

3.9
4.6
2.8
9.8
.3
13.4
- 3.4

2.1
2.6
.5
6.7
0
7.8
- 2.7

2.7
3.4
1.5
7.5
.2
12.9
- 4.5

.4

1.0
.4
0
2.0

1.1
.6
0
.5
- .5
0

.5
.9
0
- 4.4
2.5
.1

-

.8
.5
1.5
- .5
- .5
.1

-

—
—

Apparel
Men's and boys'
—
—
—
—
Women's and girls'
Footwear
— — - — — — — —
Other apparel
—
—
—
—

- 1.0
- .4
- 2.2
.4
- .6

Transportation
—
Public
- - —
Private

- 1.1
1.4
- 1.4

—
—

—
-

—
—

—
—

Medical care
Personal care - — — — — — —
Reading and recreation
— —
Other goods and services

*

—
—
—
—
—
—

1.1
1.0
1.9

.2

—

.1
0
1.2
.2
- 1.4
- .3
- 3.0
- .2
- .8

.2
.7
.1

2.4
.8
- 1.8

-

.2

Change from December 1957 to February 1958.




to February 1958

0.7

.4
.5
1.4
- .6
.4
.4

—
—

—

-

-

- .6
.9

-

.1
.1
.5
.4
.1

- 2.2
.8
- 2.8
1.1
1.2
4.6
.1

-

.5
.8*
4.3
1.2
.7
.2

-

1.0
.8

-

.1
- 1.5
1.2
- .9
0

-

4.4
1.1
5.5

- 8.7
0
-10.1

.2
.8
.2
0

2.3
1.0
2.1
0

-

_
-

1.6
•4*
2.3
- 1.0
.3
1.7

-

.2
.5
.2
.6
.2

- .5
- .1
- 1.2
.9
- .3

- 4.0
- .1
- 7.9
0
- 2.9

-

-

.5
.6
.7
.2
.4

.2
.3
.6
.7
0

-

.1
0
.1

-

.9
.6
- 1.4

- 2.4
.4
- 3.2

- 4.9
.4
- 5.7

-

.4
0
.5

- 2.6
1.1
- 3.4

2.1
1.8
1.8
.2

.2
1.8
2.7
.1

1.4
.2
.9
0

.3
.9
1.1
.1

1.7
1.1
1.9
.1

2.9
1.1
8.2
0

—

1.1

—

—

1.4
1.1
2.6
.2
.9

-

•A

.1
.1
.3

- 1.6
- .2

-

-

7.2

- 3.0
.2
—

0
2.7
.5
.5

-

.2
.1
.3
.3
.1

TABIC 61 C o n c u r Price Index — rood and its subgroups
February 1958 indexes and percent changes, January 1953 to February 1958
U.S. city average and 20 large cities
[[19^7-^9.100]
Total
food at hone

Total food
City

Percent
change

Index

U.S. city average

—

Atlanta —
Baltimore
— Boston
— — —
Chicago
Cincinnati
— —
Cleveland
—
Detroit —
Houston — — . — —
Kansas City
—
Los Angeles

—
—
—
—
—
—

Minneapolis
lew Tork
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Portland, Oreg.
—
8t. Louis
San Francisco ------Scranton - - — — - — —
Seattle
— —
Washington, D.C.

Index

0.4

117.2

0.4

132.6

0.1

.4
.5
.6
.6
.2
.3
.4
0
.6
.3

116.0
116.3
116.0
113.9
118.6
114.2
118.2
114.7
112.7
118.2

.6
.6
.7
.5
.3
.4
.4

126.5
128.3
130.9
124.9
132.2
129.6
125.8
126.7
127.8
139.8

.5
.5
.2
.5
.1
0
0
.2
.3
.1

117.7
119.1
121.7
120.4
118.2
119.4
121.3
116.6
118.9
120.0

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

116.6
117.5
119.4
119.3
117.0
115.6
119.6
116.6
118.3
118.1

-

.1

.5
.3
.3

—
—

—
—

—

—

—
— —

-

-

—

—

—

—

—

ib.
ib.
ib.

oz.
ib.
ib.
lb.
oz.
oz.
qt.
qt.
pt.
ib.

Cheese, American process — — — — ib.
Milk, evaporated — — —
144-oz. can
Fruits and vegetables:
Frozen:
Strawberries — — —
10 oz.
Orange juice concentrate,
8 oz.
Peas, green — — — — — —
10 oz.
Beans, green — — — — —
9 oz.
Fresh:
Apples
ib.
Bananas — — — — — —
ib.
Oranges, size 200 —
—
doz.
Lemons —

—

—

—

—

—

Grapefruit *
* Priced only in season.
2 / Not available.




134.5
137.2
133.7
130.9
135.1
125.6
141.0
135.0
141.6
131.6

-

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

Dairy
products

Index

Percent
change

112.0

•1.6

114.2
111.3
111.3
105.0
113.1107.1
108.7
109.2
109.8
112.8

1.2
2.2
2.2
2.2
1.0
1.2
1.5
1.8
1.7
1.3
2.3
1.7
1.3
1.3
1.2
.9
1.2
2.4
1.6
.8

107.7
116.6
119.9
117.2
117.1
103.1
116.5
113.7
118.5
119.5

107.3
112.6
113.7
111.2
113.5
108.2
116.1
113.0
111.4
111.3

January
1958

Fruits and
vegetables

Other
foods at hone

Percent
change

Index

114.5

- 0.1

124.4

2.1

111.3

- 1.6

114.3
117.3
117.9
112.5
117.5
110.7
113.3
112.7
111.7
110.1

-

.1
.1
0
.4
.3
.1
.2
.3
.1
.1

128.4
120.7
118.7
123.2
125.5
118.4
135.5
121.4
116.1
125.4

3.9
1.1
.3
1.5
2.3
2.7
1.5
- .2
2.7
2.5

104.9
111.0
106.9
116.3
114.4
113.8
112.5
110.4
104.7
112.4

- 1.9
- .9
.3
- 1.1
- 1.7
- 2.1
- 1.1
- 2.2
- 1.0
- 1.8

0
.1
.1
.1
.1
.2
.3
0
0
0

129.4
121.2
125.3
124.8
116.7
130.3
126.1
117.9
126.0
123.9

2.2

117.6
110.6
111.0
121.3
111.9
118.6
109.7
109.2
108.3
111.7

-

Index

-

-

Percent
change

1.0

.6
2.8
.9
3.4
2.3
.4
2.6
2.0

Index

Percent
change

1.5
.8
.4
1.3
3.1
1.7
2.5
.9
2.9
1.5

February
1958

Food and unit
Fre s h — C ontinued
Peaches • —
—
—
—
—
ib.
Strawberries • — — — — —
t.
P
Grapes, seedless * — — — - —
ib.
Watermelons * —
«
—
—
ib.
Potatoes — — — — —
10 ib.
Sweetpotatoes
--ib.
Onions — — — — — —
ib.

ib.
ib.

Luncheon meat, canned — — — — 12
Frying chickens, ready-to*cook —
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen - — Haddock, fillet, frozen — — —
Salmon, pink, canned — — — — — is
Tuna fish, canned — — — — 0 to 64
Dairy products;
Milk, fresh, (grocery) — —
—
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
Ice cream — — — — — — — —
—

-

.8
.6
.4
.6
.4
.4
.2
.7
.3
.3

5 ib.
20 oz.

Baa, whole — — — — — — — —
I a m b , leg — — — — — — — —
Frankfurters —
—
—
—
—

—

.1

.8
.4

-

Meats, poultry,
and fish

Consumer Price Index -- Average retail prices of selected foods
U.S. city average

Rolled oats — — — — — —
ie oz.
Corn flakes — — — — —
12 oz.
Bread, white — — — — — — — — — ib.
Soda crackers — — — — — —
ib.
Vanilla cookies — — — — —
7 oz.
Meats, poultry, and fish:
Round steak — — — — — —
ib.
Chuck roast —
—
—
—
—
ib.
Rib roast
—
ib.
Hamburger — — — — — — —
ib.
Veal cutlets - — — — — - —
ib.
Pork chops, center cut — — — — — ib.
Bacon, sliced — — — — —
ib.

Butter -

-

February
1958

Cereals and bakery products;
Flour, wheat — — — — — — — —
Biscuit six — — — — — — —
—
—

Percent
change

118.7

Food and unit

—

Index

116.7
119.4
117.8
116.2
120.0
116.0
120.2
116.3
114.5
121.4

TABIZ 7t

Corn M a i —
Rice — — —

Percent
change

Cereals and
bakery products

Carrots —

101.0
80.2
49.0
129.3
77.2
66.5
78.0
61.0
47.4
48.3
44.4
53.0
63.0
32.7

58.2

15.0
26.3
23.7

—

—

—

—

ib.

head
lb.

—
—

ib.
ib.

Fruit cocktail — — — — —

#303 can

Corn, cream style —

#303 can

—

Peas, green — — — — — —
Tomatoes —

Baby foods — — — — —
Dried;
Prunes — — — — — —
Beans —

—

—

—

—

—

#303 can
#303 can

44 to 5 oz.

24.2
25.8
29.6
74.9

58.2
15.0

25.8
22.6

19.6
22.4

13.5
17.2
65.5

13.1
16.9

lb.

18.8

63.2

«»oh

11.7

19.3
12.3

Tomato SOUp

•

-

—

—

—

—

—

—

26.1

17.5

21.2

15.8

10.0

ib.
ib.

16.8

to ll-oz. can

12.5
15.0
27.1

—
—

34.9
34.2
34.3

—

lb. oan

bag
—

11.4
41.1
(1/)

—

Coffee
Tea bags —

16.2
15.6

—

Beans with pork — — — —
16-oz. can
Pickles, sweet — — — — —
74 oz.
Catsup, tomato — — — — —
14 oz.
Coffee —

61.3
15.5
9.0
15.7

—

Other foods at home:

19.6

22.5

—

—

&eans, green
lb.
Canned:
Orange Juice — — — — — 48-oz. can
Peaches - - - - - - - - — — —
#24 can
Pineapple — — — — — —
#2 can

88.6

25.7
29.7
74.9

—

Cabbage — — — — — —
Tomatoes —
—
—
—
—

61.1

24.2

—

—

Lettuce —
Celery

Cents

P

k g . of ie

Cola drink, carton — — — — —
36 oz.
Shortening, hydrogenated — — 3 ib.
Margarine, colored — — — — —
ib.
Lard — — — — — — — — — — — —

ib.

Salad dressing — — — — —
t.
p
Peanut butter — — — — — —
ib.
Sugar
5 ib.
Corn syrup — — — — —
24 oz.
Grape jelly
— — — — — — 1 2 0 z.
Chocolate bar —
— — —
1 Q z.
Eggs, Grade A , large
— doz.
Gelatin, flavored — — —
3 to 4 oz.

33.0

22.1

95.2
77.9

24.0

27.3
94.8
29.7
22.3
37.8
54.0
55.6
25.3

27.6
4.5

56.8
8.9

Labor D.C. - BLS58-0332

TABLE A: Consumer Price Index — All items and conmodity groups
1957 annual average indexes and percent changes. 1956 to 1957
5 cities priced in February 1958
Cleveland
Percent
Index
change

Group

Houston
Percent
change

Index

Scranton
*fercent
change

Index

Seattle
Vlashington. D.li
Percent
Percent
change Index
change

Index

Indexes (19fc7-*9»100)
All items

122.1

3.5

121.5

3v1

116.9

3.5

123.1

113*4
111.4
125.2
101.5
106.7
115.3
116.5

3.2
3.1
3.6
7.1
2.0
1.3
- .2

113.1
111.1
121.2
100.6
111.1
119.6
111.7

4.0
3.6
2.6
9.0
2.0
2.5
.4

112.7
112.3
127.3
105.1
111.0
114.0
110.5

3.3
3.5
3.4
9.4
3.8
- 1.5
.1

117.1
116.1
138.9
105.9
117.7
120.9
111.6

127.9
157.0
115.3
134.1
102.0
116.4

2.8
4.2
3.4
3.9
1.0
.9

129.3
138.7
116.2

2.4
.1
8.7

101.4
136.2

.4
4.8

121.1
127.3
118.5
142.5
103.6
114.3

3.1
1.5
- 1.1
8.2
4.2
3.3

108.0
112.7
99.1
126.2
94.5

1.6
2.6
.8
2.4
.9

109.9
107.3
103.9
137.1
91.2

1.9
.8
3.0
2.3
.4

108.5
110.5
101.0
132.8
91.6

—

134.2
170.9
125.8

6.9
2.1
7.9

135.0
171.8
129.5

6.7
5.0
7.0

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

149.5
126.2
120.6
126.0

3.7
2.3
3.2
2.5

129.4
132.2
113.8
126.6

1.3
2.2
.2
2.9

Food
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
—
Housing
—
Rent
Gas and electricity —
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings
Household operation
Apparel
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'

— —

Other apparel
Transportation
Public
Private




—

—

—

I

—

—

-

118.3

3.0

3.4
3.3
3.8
8.8
3.9
- 1.1
.2

116.9
114.6
129.4
104.6
116.9
116.5
113.9

3.8
3.5
5.5
9.9
2.4
- 1.9
.4

128.4
141.9
86.6
143.2
103.4
134.8

4.4
2.1
- 2.0
7.0
2.0
10.4

118.9
125.6
121.6
145.8
99.9
126.2

1.7
1.0
- 1.2
4.6
.3
.9

1.2
1.6
.4
3.8
.4

108.5
111.7
101.0
129.5
87.2

1.3
1.5
1.2
1.8
.7

103.9
107.8
96.9
122.9
88.6

.5
1.2
.3
1.5
- 2.9

135.7
190.6
121.8

4.5
.4
5.2

138.0
180.1
126.5

7.6
1.5
8.4

137.7
156.6
131.6

5.0
1.4
5.6

125.4
125.9
132.4
118.3

2.3
2.0
9.6
1.2

140.9
129.8
115.1
133.6

3.5
5.8
3.4
4.1

131.5
120.5
110.5
135.0

4.8
2.5
3.3
3.1

4.2

7

Brief Explanation of the CPI

The Consumer Price Index (CFI) measures the average changes in prices of goods
and services typically bought by city families of wage earners and clerical workers* It
is based on prices of about 300 items which were selected so that their price changes
would represent the movement of prices of all goods and services purchased by wage and
clerical families; they include all of the important items in family spending* Prices
for these items are obtained in 46 cities which were chosen to represent all urban places
in the United Stjates; they are collected from grocery and department stores, hospitals,
filling stations, and other types of stores and service establishments which wage-earner
and clerical-worker families patronize*
Prices of foods, fuels, and a few other items are obtained every month in all
46 cities* Prices of most other commodities and services are collected every month in
the 5 largest cities and every 3 1months in other cities* Almost all prices are obtained
by personal visits of the Bureau s trained representatives*
In calculating the index, price changes fo^ the various items in each city are
averaged together with weights which represent their importance in family spending* City
data are then combined in the total index with weights based on the 1950 populations of
cities they represent* Index numbers are computed on the base 1947-49 = 100*
The national index (the United States city average) includes prices from the
20 large cities for which separate indexes are published in this report, as well as
from the following 26 medium-sized and small cities:
Anna, Illinois
Camden, Arkansas
Canton, Ohio
Charleston, W . Virginia
Evansville, Indiana
Garrett, Indiana
Glendale, Arizona
Grand Forks, N. Dakota
Grand Island, Nebraska

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

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

Comparisons of city indexes show only that prices in one city changed m>re or
less than in another* The city indexes cannot be used to measure differences in price
levels or in living costs between cities*
A description of the index is contained in BLS Bulletin 1140, "The Consumer
Price Indexs A Layman's Guide," which may be purchased for 20 cents at any Bureau of
Labor Statistics regional office (addresses below) or from the Superintendent of Documents, U* S # Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D* C* A more technical
description of the index
appears in BLS Bulletin 1168, "Techniques of Preparing Major BLS
M
Statistical Series* Reprints of chapter 9> pertaining to the CPI, are available on
request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington or at any of its regional offices*
Historical series of index numbers for the United States city average and for
20 large cities are available upon request* These series include index numbers for All
Items, Food, Apparel, and Rent for periods from 1913 to date; and for other groups of
goods and services from 1947 to date*
BLS Regional Offices
Atlanta
50 Seventh St*, NB
Zone 23




New lork
341 Vinth Ave*
Zone 1

Chicago
105 Vest Adams St*
Zone 3

San Francisco
630 Sansome St*
Zone 11

LABOR - D . C.

Boston
18 Oliver St*
Zone 10