Full text of CPI Detailed Report : February 1962

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Released March 27, 1962
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D. C.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR FEBRUARY 1962
1

M t # : The Consumer Price Index is now computed with the
1957-59 average equal to 100, The February index was 128.6
on the former base of 1947-49*100.

The Consumer Price Index rose by 0.3 percent in February, to a new
high of 104.8 (1957-59-100), the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics
reported today. A 'contraseasonal rise in food prices was the most important cause.
Higher prices for household textiles, sporting goods, and apparel also contributed to
the advance. Consumer prices in February averaged 0.9 percent higher than a year ago,
with services continuing to account for the major share of the increase*
FOOD

The rise of 0.6 percent in average food prices in February was due
mainly to greater than seasonal advances for fresh fruits and
vegetables and for poultry, as well as contraseasonal Increases for beef products and
eggs. Fresh milk prices were off seasonally.
As a result of the February increase, the food index, at 103.1
(1957-59-100) was nearly back to the record level of 103.4 reached in July 1961, but
was up by only 0.2 percent over February 1961. Average prices for foods purchased for
home consumption were down slightly from February 1961, while prices for restaurant
meals were higher.
Prices of fresh vegetables increased by more than 4 percent in
February, representing on the average, their largest advance in one month since 1951.
Sharply higher prices for some vegetables, particularly onions and lettuce, reflected
the reduced winter crop, a result of the freeze in December and January in major
producing areas. There were also seasonal price reductions for tomatoes and green beans.
Fresh fruit prices averaged more than 3 percent higher over the
month. Advances in citrus prices largely reflected crop losses due to the December
and January freezes. Compared with a year earlier, February prices of fresh fruits were
up by an average of 1.1 percent due largely to increases for oranges and bananas.
Fresh vegetables increased by only 0.1 percent over the year, with lower prices for
white potatoes almost out-weighing higher prices for most other vegetables*
Prices of meats, poultry, and fish averaged 0.8 percent higher in
February, due chiefly to higher chicken prices attributable to a cut back in poultry
production. A rise in beef and veal prices marked a continuation of the contraseasonal
trend begun last September. However, average prices for beef and veal products were
still 1 percent below the level of February 1961.
Declines in average prices for milk reflected competitive pressures
stemming from continuing surplus milk production, with price decreases in some cities
being ordered by State milk commissions.
HOUSING
Higher prices for housefurnishings and household operation accounted
for nearly all of the 0.2 percent gain in housing costs between January and February.
Costs of home ownership were down slightly* Retail prices of housefurnishings rose for
the first time since October 1961, with Increases reported for both nondurable and
durable household goods. Higher prices for textile furnishings marked a return to
"regular" levels following traditional January "white sales." Further small gains for
rents were generally attributed to higher maintenance costs and increased property taxes.




2

APPAREL AND
OTHER GROUPS

The index for apparel rose by 0.2 percent between
January and February
1
aa price increa8ea for some items of women a apparel and for men's
and boys' clothing more than offset declines in prices for footwear
and other apparel. The rise in prices for women's and girls' apparel reflected chiefly
seasonal influences. Resumption of regular prices for men's and boys' wool suits,
following seasonal reductions in January and increases for men's undershirts, nylon hose,
and boys' shirts, were the principal factors in the advance in prices of men's and boys'
clothing.
An increase of 0.4 percent in the medical care index was due mainly
to higher fees for professional services.
The reading and recreation index rose by 0.6 percent as higher prices
for newspapers, sporting goods, and movie admissions were more than sufficient to overcome continuing competitive decreases for television receivers.
Prices for transportation were stable in February, on the average,
as lower prices for new and used cars offset increases for gasoline, auto insurance, and
registration. Reductions in prices of new cars resulted primarily from larger concessions
by dealers. While demand for new cars was reportedly good, new car inventories were
slightly more than 1 million cars.

COST-OF-LIVING
ADJUSTMENTS

On the basis of the national index, about 77,000 workers, mainly
employees of aircraft missile firms, are scheduled to receive 1 cent
an hour increases in wage rates. Cost-of-living adjustment allowances
for another 12,000 workers, employed chiefly in metalworking establishments, will remain
unchanged.




Notice: The following January 1962 indexes on the 1947-49
base were revised as shown:
Cereals and bakery products—
—-Fruits and vegetables
House furnishings—
—
Apparel
*
Footwear
—•*
Transportation-—
—
Public
Commodities less food
Services——
Services leaa r e n t — — — — — — — —
Trasportation services
— — - — —
Other goods and s e r v i c e s — — — — — —

141.4
124.3
102.7
109.1
142.7
149.4
213.6
115.9
154.4'
156.6
191.3
133.6

3
TABLE 1: C o m user Price Index—United States city average
Major group, subgroup, and special group Indexes,
and percent changes froa selected dates
(1957-59-100 unless otherwise specified)
Indexes
(1957-59-100)

Indexes

Percent change to
February 1962 froa--

1947-49-100

1939-100

Group
February
1962
All iteas

January
1962

January
1962

November
1961

February
1961

February
1962

February
1962

0.9

128.6

216.4

.2
.2
1.9
- .8
0
0
- .8
2.5

121.7
118.4
5/142.0
111.0
119.0
5/127.2
107.6
O/)

258.4
251.4
248.2
266.9
238.9
274.8
222.4
o/>

.8
1.1
- .1
.3
- .3
1.3

133.4
144.6
125.8
141.8
5/103.4
140.1

175.2
167.0
119.9
251.3
193.6
204.9

-

.2
.4
- 1.2
1.1
- 1.1

5/109.3
111.7
98.3
5/142.5
91.9

208.3
220.1
180.4
283.3
226.4

104.8

104.5

0.3

0.2

103.1
101.9
107.1
100.6
105.1
102.9
97.4
109.5

102.5
101.2
106.6
99.8
105.6
100.6
97.2
109.2

.6
.7
.5
.8
- .5
2.3
.2
.3

1.2
1.4
.8
2.1
- .4
4.6
- .5
.5

104.6
105.2
107.9
104.0
99.3
106.9

104.4
105.1
107.8
103.9
98.7
106.5

.2
.1
.1
.1
.6
.4

.4
.3
.1
1.9
0
.5

Appare 1
—
Men's and b o y s ' - —
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Other apparel—

102.0
102.8
99.0
108.8
99.8

101.8
102.4
98.6
108.9
100.0

.2
.4
.4
.1
.2

- 1.6
- .5
- 3.3
.2
- 1.2

TransportatIon
Private
Public

106.0
104.7
114.8

106.0
104.8
V114.7

0
.1
.1

- .7
- 1.1
1.1

2.1
1.8
3.9

5/149.4
136.4
5/213.8

212.7
208.3
262.8

113.0

112.6

.4

.5

2.4

163.3

225.0

Food
Food at hoae
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy p r o d u c t s —
Fruits and vegetables-Other foods at home
Food away froa home
Bousing 2/~
Rant--"
Gas and electricitySolid and petroleum fuels
HousefurnishingsHousehold operation

—

—

Medical care
Personal care

—

-

-

105.8

105.6

.2

1.0

1.3

135.5

227.5

Reading and recreation

109.1

108.5

.6

.9

2.9

126.3

200.6

Other goods and services

105.0

104.9

.1

0

.9

5/133.8

189.6

Special groups:
All Iteas lass food

105.5

105.3

.2

.1

1.2

132.3

191.8

All itaas less shelter

104.8

104.4

.4

.3

1.0

126.2

227.8

Commodities
Nondurable*
—
Food
Nondurables leas foodApparel——-—
Apparal less footwear
Nondurables lass food and apparal
Durables
Hew cars
Used cars
Durables leaa cara

102.7
103.1
103.1
103.3
101.9
100.5
104.1
100.8
102.4
107.7
99.0

102.3
102.6
102.5
102.9
101.6
100.2
103.6
100.8
103.3
108.1
98.7

.4
.5
.6
.4
.3
.3
.5
0
.9
.4
.3

.1
.4
1.2
.5
1.5
2.0
.3
.8
1.4
4.2
.1

.4
.2
.2
.3
- .2
- .6
.6
1.3
- .2
10.3
0

118.6
121.0
121.7
121.0
109.2
103.4
130.9
111.7
137.6
<!/>
102.1

230.0
235.5
258.4
206.0
209.6
(1/)
198.6
194.9
241.4
(l/>
178.2

Coaaodltles less food

102.2

102.0

.2

.7

.5

5/116.1-""

195.3

Services
Rent
Services lass rantHousehold operation services, gas,
and electricity
Transportation services
Medical care services
Other services V

108.9
105.2
109.5

108.7
105.1
109.3

.2
.1
.2

.6
.3
.6

1.8
1.1
1.8

5/154.6' 144.6
5/156.9

192.2
167.0
213.6

108.1
111.2
115.5
107.9

107.9
110.7
115.1
107.9

.2
.5
.3
0

.5
1.0
.9
.5

1.1
2.4
3.1
1.6

141.8
5/192.2
~ 172.3
139.3

163.0
239.8
244.4
238.8

$0,954

$0,957

.8

$0,778

$0,462

Purchasing power of the consuaer dollar
(Reference period-$1.00)

—

—

-

-

.3

-

-

-

.2

-

1/ Rot available.
2/ Includes hoosa purchase, Interact, taxes, Insurance, and upkeep, not shown separately.
3/ Includes house purchase, interest, taxes, Insurance, and upkeep services; shoe repairs, television repairs, barber
and beauty shop sarvlces, and aovles.
4/ Revised.
5/ Revised 1/62 indexes see list page




4

TABU 2s

Conmm*r Prioe I n d e x — A l l iteaa indexes anS percent a b u | M , m I m M
U.S. o i t j average and 20 large c i t i a a

M m

(1957-59-100 unless otherwise specified)

Indexes
(1957-59-100)

Percent chance to
February 1962 f r o m —

Ind<IMS
1947-4M0C 1*39-166

February
1962

November
1961

February
1961

November
1961

February
1961

February
1962

February
1962

104.8

104.6

103.9

0.2

0.9

128.6

216.4

104.4
102.0
105.9

103.8
101.5
iUj . o
105.2

103.5
102.5
1U3.4
104.7
lW .L

131.6
3/125.8
131.8
4/127.6
128.9

224.7
213.1
218.2
212.3
217.8

February
1962

November
1961

February
1961

Cleveland
Houston
Scranton
Seattle
Washington, D. C.

103.1
104.5
105.5
105.9
104.0

103.1
103.9
104.6
105.7
104.2

103.3
101.5
103.5
104.1
103.4

-

C i t i a a priood i n January, April
July, October
2/

January
1962

October
1961

January
1961

October
1961

106.2
105.2
104.3
105.2
103.8

105.4
104.6
104.4
105.0
104.6

104.4
103.2
103.3
104.9
104.0

-

City

C i t i a a prioad aonthly 1/

C i t i a a prioad i n February, May
August, November
2/

Kansas City
Minneapolis
Pittsburgh
Portland, Oregon

—

C i t i o a prioad i n March, June,
September, December
2/
Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati
St. Louis
San Francisco

j/
2/
3/
4/
5/

December
1961

September December
1961
1960

103.4
104.4
102.6
104.4
106.5

--

103.6
104.4
103.0
104.1
106.3

103.2
104.2
102.7
103.1
105.5

.6
.5
.1
.7
.1

-

November
1961

-

February
1961

0
.6
.9
.2
.2

-

.8
.6
.1
.2
.8

-

.2
0
.4
.3
.2

.2
3.0
1.9
1.7
.6

January
1961
1.7
1.9
1.0
.3
- .2

September
1961
-

.9
.5
.3
1.1
.8

February
1962

February
1962

128.1
128.7
125.9
133.1
125.2

216.4
216.3
215.1
224.9
207.2

January
1962

January
1962

131.6
130.1
5/129.0
129.6
128.6

215.7
210.9
212.7
223.1
220.6

December
1960

December
1961

December
1961

.2
.2
- .1
1.3
.9

128.0
129.6
124.9
129.6
135.2

219.5
223.6
213.7
218.4
230.5

R>nt> priotd UaoBthly*
Poods, f u e l s , and a few other iteaa prioad monthly) rents aad other oowodltiaa and eervxoea prioed q u a r t e r l y .
Revised index 1/62-124.7.
Revised index 1/62-127.2.
Revised index 1/62-129.0.

TABIC 31

City
tfaited Stataa c i t y average—
Detroit
Loa Angaloa •
few Y o r k —
Philadelphia




Con w a r Price Index—Feroent ohangea from January 1962 to February 1962
U.S. c i t y average and f i v e c i t i e s prioad Monthly
A l l itena and o r m i l i t y groups

Personal
oare

Pood

0.3

0.6

0.2

0.2

0

0.4

0.2

.5
.9
0
.3
.5

1.3
.3
0
.7
1.0

.1
0
.2
.5
.4

0
.7
0
.4
.3

0.5
5.6
- .5
- .2
0

0
.4
.1
.5
0

.1
.2
.4
.1
0

Hollaing

Apparal

-

Transportation

Ifcdioal
oare

All
itaaa

leading
and
raoraation

Otfaar
goods ft
sarvioss

0.6

0.1

.7

.1
.2
0
.1
0

T A B U At Consumer

Index—All item* and eniurtlty groups

5

February 1962 indexes and percent changes, November 1961 to February 1962

U.S. oity average and 10 oitias prioed in
U.S.
Chicago
City
ATWI|«

Cleve- Detroit Houston
land

Los
New
Angeles York

Phila- Scranton Seattle
delphia

Indexes (1957-59-100)
All itaas

104 .8

104 .4

103 .1

102 .0

104 .5

105 .7

105 .9

105 .0

105 .5

105 .9

104 .0

rood

103.1
101 .9
107 .1
100 .6
105 .1
102 .9
97 .4

105 .2
104 .9
113 .1
102 .7
109 .9
105 .1
99 .4

100 .1
98 .9
103 .7
100 .3
99 .8
98 .3
94 .3

100 .8
99 .9
105 .0
98 .3
108 .5
96 .0
96 .4

102 .9
101 .0
102 .9
99 .6
103 .1
105 .6
97 .0

105 .2
103 .4
113 .3
98 .7
107 .2
112 .4
92 .8

104 .5
102 .3
108 .2
100 .9
106 .7
101 .8
96 .9

102 .5
101 .2
104 .4
100 .2
103.4
101 .6
98 .7

102 .3
101 .2
108,.3
99 .2
102,.3
101,.4
97 .9

105 .1
103 .1
107,.0
101 .4
106,.6
108 .2
96.9

101 .3
100 .3
108,.6
98 .1
103 .6
96 .6
98,.7

104 .6
105 .2
107 9
104 .0
99 .3
106 9

103 .3

100 .8
101 .5
107.4
108,.8
96,.5
105,.7

97 .7
95 .0
105 .2
101 .3
97 .2
103 .2

102 .3
99,.5
116,.0

105 .0
115,.5

102,.6
105,.6

100,.4
103,.2

107 .7
110 .5
105,.9
105 .5
103,.3
108,.8

105 .2

106 .2
104 .7
100 .7
104 .5

102 .7
107 .8
100 .1
113 .0

103,.9
104,.9
105..2
99,.0
95,.5
109,.4

104,.6
106,.4
100,.1
98,.6
97,.7
103,.8

102 .6
107,.3
104,.8
105,.0
98,.9
111,.0

102
102
99
108
99

0
8
0
8
8

100 .5
101 .0
96 .9
108 .8
98 .3

102,.2
102,.1
98..9
110,.9
101.,9

104 .4
103 .2
104,.3
107,.8
101,.5

103,.1
104,.0
101..7
107..2
101..0

102,.5
103.4
100,.4
108,.6
98,.9

102,.1
104,.3
97,.7
111.0
99,.6

103,.0
103 .1
101,.0
109,.5
100,.8

103..7
105,.1
101..6
107..8
102,.2

104..8
103..5
103,.3
112,.3
102,.8

104..7
102,.6
104,.3
110,.0
103 .8

106 0
104 7
2/114 8

105 3
104 .9
107 9

106.,5
105.,1
114..8

104,.4
102,.4
114,.4

108.,8
107,,5
117..4

109,.3
105,.5
135..6

104..5
105..9
100..8

108,.5
106..9
114.4

105,.6
106.,4
100..4

108,.6
107,.2
120,.5

105 .1
104,.3
110,.0

113.,0
105.,8
109.,1
105.,0

116..8
107..3
100,.8
101,.8

118..3
105.,7
107..9
106..4

113..0
107..6
107..0
102.,4

106.,3
111.,7
110..2
107.,2

110..4
103,.0
102..6
106,,1

113.4
104..5
110..2
103.4

116,.1
107..7
102..9
104..2

112..3
114..0
125.,2
107.,4

109,.3
105.,7
103..9
110..5

116,.9
108,.2
109,.9
101..6

- 0..2

Food at hose — — — — — — — —
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish —
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables — Otter foods at bom ———

lousing
—
Bant
Oas snd electricity

—

Solid and petroleum fuels-

lousafornishings
Household operation
Apparel — — — — —
Men's and boys' —1
Womb's and girls
Footwear
Other apparel — —
Transportation
PrivatePublic -

—

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

—
—

—

Percent change from November 1961 to February 1962

Cereals and bakery products —
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products — — ™ — —
Fruits aad vegetables — — — —
Other foods at bom
lousing •
Bant «
Oas aad electricity
Solid end petroleum

—

—

0.,2

0.,6

0

0..5

0.,6

1.,2
1.,4
,8
2.,1
- .,4
4.,6
,5

2..5
2..9
5..8
2..4
.2
8.,7
.4

0..8
,9
,6
2.,2
- 1.,5
3.,8
,7

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

1.,5
1.,6
- 1.,0
2.,4
5.,2
2.,2
,2

.3
1/- !,1
,.7
0
- i.,1
0

,1
0
8

- •

,4
,3
,1
1.,9
0
,5

—

f u e l s - —

leasefurnlsMlngs — — — — — —
leasehold operation
— —

aad boys' —
Yemen's aad girls' —
vear — — —
Other apparel —

—

- 1.,6
,5
- 3.,3

Private
Public

—

_ .1
- .,5
3.,4
- .,3
—

0

_
_

,4
0
0
2.,1
.,1
,4

- 1.,2

- .5
1.2
- •6

,7
- 1.,1
1. 1

,3
,4
0

- 1.,0
- 1.2
0

5
1.,0
9
0

1.,4
,2
,3
0

2
1. 1
7
0

- •

1/ Change from December 1961 to February 1962.
2/ Revised index 1/62=114.7.




- -

- 2.,4
- ,,3
- 5.,5
,1
,9

-

,2

Transportation

Medical e m
Arsenal care
Heeding aad recreation
Other goals aa* services

—

- .
- .

-

-

- -

A

- 1.,0

-

,3
,6
,4
,6
,1

1,,4
1,,6
0

0
,1

2.,0

,1

- •

- 0..1
,9

1.,2
0

.5
,2
5],7
- 1.,1

_

,2

—

0

—

—

0
1.,1

-

1.,6
«,5

_ 3
- .2
- .9

- 2.,0

- •3

- •,6

9

_

3

_

,5
,8
,6

0.,7

0..1

0.,9

0..2

1.,6
1.,7

.9
,9
.5
3..2
- 1.,7
2,.9
,9

1..4
1..6
3.4
1..0
,2
6. ,2
- 1.,2

1.,1
1.,3
.4
1..5
,3
5..3
.1

,5

- .,2
-

4.,1
,4
2.,7
,5

,8
1/ ! 5
- 1.,1
3.,4
,1
1. 6

- 2.,4

- 3.,2
,,6
- 6.,2

-

,6
0
0
.,1
.2
2.,7

,2
.8
0
0
- 1.,7
,1

- 1..0
.8
.2
1..7
- .8
,1

1
,4
1

- 2.,1

1

- •5

,3
- 1.,3
1.,3
,6
,1

_

_

-

_

_

_ ,4
- .5

- .9

_

_ 1
l!,0
- .,8

2. 2

1

0
,7
,5
,8

-

,2
- 2.,1

- 1.,4
- 1.,7
0

3
4! 6
2. 5
1

—

,8
0

4

5
0

,9
- 1.,8
2. 1
1

2

2
0

.2
,8
1..4
.2
.4
.9

- .

- .5
- 4 .5
- ,4
- 2. 6

- .3
0

- .

,2

,2

0

3.8
1
1.0
8

_

,6
0

2.,6

-

,8
9
0

.

-

,8
- 1.,0
0

6

1.,6

1.2
0

.5
0

- .4

,2

6
TABLE 5: Consumer Price Index — Food and its subgroups
February 1962 indexes and percent changes, January 1962 to February 1962
U.S. city average and 20 large cities
(1947-49-100)
Total
Cereals and
Meats, poultry,
Dairy
Fruits and
food at hoaio
and fish
products
vegetables
bakery products
Percent Index
Portent
Percent Index
Parcent
change
change
change

City

102.9

2.3

97.4

0.2

1.3
0.1
1.4
3.1
.8
2.9
1.7
2.5
1.5

101.4
98.1
97.1
99.4
95.7
94.3
96.4
97.0
97.0
92.8

.2

99.8
108.5
103.1
108.4
107.2

100.7
99.3
103.1
105.1
97.5
98.3
96.0
105.6
100.7
112.4

102.4
106.7
103.4
100.4
104.9
105.5
106.6
102.3
106.6
103.6

102.1
101.8
101.6
100.6
108.2
101.1
115.2
101.4
108.2
96.6

3.0

U.S. city average --•

103.1

0.6

101.9

0.7

107.1

0.5

100.6

0.8

105.1

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

102.2
102.8
103.3
105.2
101.0
100.1
100.8
102.9
102.5
105.2

.4
.3

101.6
100.7
101.5
104.9
100.0
98.9
99.9

.5
.3
.4

.7
.3
.8
5.3
3.6
.2
.2
.2
.1
.3

101.0
100.7
102.7
102.7
101.1
100.3
98.3
99.6
99.4
98.7

.9

1.6

103.4
107.0
107.5
113.1
107.2
103.7
105.0
102.9
107.5
113.3

103.2
101.3
98.8
109.9

104.3
108.2
104.4
110.0
95.9
104.0
105.9
108.3
107.0
108.6

.7
.3
.3
0
- 3.1
.3
- .4
.8
.3
- .1

100.3
100.9
100.2
102.7
100.8
99.7
101.2
99.2
101.4
98.1

—-

—

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

102.0
104.5
102.5
102.3
102.4
102.2
105.5
102.3
105.1
101.3

.2

1.3
.7
.9
.3

.8
.6

101.0
101.5
103.4

.6

.9
.7
1.0
.6

100.5
102.3
101.2
102.0
100.5
100.9
104.2
101.2
103.1
100.3

1.2
.6
1.2
.8
0

0

.1
.1

.9

.1

1.1

.1

TABLE 6:
Food and unit
Cereals and bakery products:
Flour, wheat
5 ih.
Biscuit mix
40
Macaroni
15 ex.
Corn meal
15.
Rolled oats
13 »i.
Corn flakes
12
Rice, short grain
lb.
Rice, long grain
lb.
Bread, white
i>_..
Soda crackers
ib.
Sandwich cookies —
16 oz.
Meats, poultry, and fish:
Round steak
lb.
Sirloin steak
lb.
Chuck roast
lb.
Rib roast
lb.
Hamburger
lb.
Veal cutlets
lb„
Pork chops, center cut
la.
Pork roast
lb.
Bacon, sliced
lb.
Ham, whole
lb.
Lamb, leg
lo.
Frankfurters
lo.
Luncheon meat, canned
12 «x.
Frying chickens, ready-to-cook - lb.
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen
lb.
Haddock, fillet, frozen
ib.
Salmon, pink, canned
^-16 «z.
Tuna fish, canned
6 ta 6i ox.
Dairy products:
Milk, fresh, (grocery)
t.
q
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
Ice cream
£
Butter
lb.
Cheese, American process
£ ib.
Milk, evaporated
14^-ax. caa
Fruits and vegetables:
Frozen:
Strawberries
10 ax.
Orange juice concentrate — 6 «x.
Lemonade concentrate
6 ax.
Peas, green
ID ax.
Beans, green
— 9 (t<
Potatoes, french fried — — 9 as.
Fresh:
Apples
Ik.
Bananas
—
--lb.
Oranges, size 200 —das.
Lemons
—
— — ib.

*

Priced only in season.




.9
.9
.3
.9
.1

.1

1.0

.1

1.4

.1

1.0
.5
.3
.9

1.1

.1
1.0
2.4
.5
1.5

1.1

1.4
.8
.1
0
1.1
.5
1.7
.7

Other
Poods at boas

100.6

0.5

2.0

1.0

4.2
2.8
4.7
.4
4.3
.4
6.3
1.0

.1

.4
1.1
.2
.3
.7
.5

.6
1.8
1.1

96.1
96.9
98.7
98.5
94.5
97.5
96.1
97.9
96.9
98.7

.6
.2

.1
1.7
0

.2
.6

1.0

.1

Consumer Price Index — Average retail prices of selected foods
U.S. city average
February
1962
Cents

January
1962
Cents

56.6
47.4
24.7
13.6
22.8
27.0
18.9
21.2
21.1
31.0
51.9

56.2
47.6
24.5
13.5
22.6
26.9
18.9
21.1
21.1
30.8
51.6

106.1

61.1
81.5
51.3
147.5
87.9
62.5
67.9
61.8
69.4
62.7
51.1
42.6
49.3
55.5
77.1
34.2

105.4
107.0
60.4
82.9
51.5
145.0
87.4
62.2
67.7
62.2
69.7
62.6
51.4
40.4
48.7
54.7
76.9
33.9

24.7
26.4
86.3
76.1
36.3
15.8

24.9
26.5
86.3
76.2
36.3
15.8

27.1
22.9
14.0
20.7
22.8
19.2

27.0
24.1
13.9
20.7
22.8
19.2

14.3
16.2
77.5
19.4

13.7
15.9
74.5
19.6

ioe.3

Food and unit

February
A m

Fresh--Continued
Grapefruit
aaob
Peaches *
lb.
Strawberries *
pt.
Grapes, seedless *
lb.
Watermelons * —
lb.
Potatoes
-10 lb.
Sweet potatoes
lb.
Corn *---doz. ears
Onions
lb.
Car rot 8
ib.
Lettuce
h«ad
Celery
ib.
Cabbage
lb.
Tomatoes
lb.
Beans, green
lb.
Canned:
Orange juice
46-ax. ©am
Pineapple juice
46 ax. a s a
Peaches
^
Pineapple
- #2 « u
Fruit cocktail
*303 •»a
Corn, cream style
jQ03 caa
Peas, green
*303 eaa
Tomatoes
*303 o*a
Tomato juice
46 ax. eaa
Baby foods
*$> t« 5 ax.
Dried:
Prunes
ib.
Beans
is.
Other foods at home:
Tomato soup
lo£ t« 11-az. eaa
Beans,with pork
16-ax. eaa
Pickles, sliced
15
Catsup, tomato
14 ax.
Potato chips
4 #z.
Coffee
lb. o.a
Coffee
ib. bag
Coffee, instant
6 oz,
Tea bags
pk?. if 16
Cola drink, carton
36 ax.
Shortening, hydrogenated --3 ib.
Margarine, colored
ib.
Lard
ib.
Salad dressing
Peanut butter
ib.
Sugar
5 lb.
Corn syrup
24 ax.
Grape jelly
12 ( z .
Chocolate bar
1 #x.
Eggs, Grade A , large
dax.
Gelatin, flavored
3 ta 4 ax.

January
m i

Cents

Cents

12.4

11.9

*

*

*

*
*

*

*

56.3
15.4
*

55.8
15.2

•

14.9
15.2
18.8
15.3
11.4
30.8
28.8

10.9
14.3
15.7
15.2
9.2
34.7
29.4

45.8
32.6
32.7
38.7
26.1
20.1
22.4
15.9
32.4
10.6

46.7
32.3
32.7
38.7
26.2
20.2
22.3
15.8
32.5
10.5

41.7
17.3

41.7
17.3

12.4
14.9
26.6
22.9
27.9
71.0
57.4
91.6
24.6
30.7
90.5
28.9
20.1
38.4
56.7
58.5
27.2
29.5
4.5
57.2
9.8

12.3
14.8
26.6
23.0
28.0
71.2
57.4
91.6
24.5
30.9
91.2
28.7
20.2
38.3
56.6
58.1
27.2
29.5
4.5
57.0
9.8
LABOR - D. C.

TABLE A: Consumer Price Index--All items and commodity groups
1961 annual average indexes and percent changes, 1960 to 1961
5 cities priced in February 1962
(1957-59=100)
Cleveland
Houston
Scran iton
Seattle
Washington. D. '
Percent
Percent
Percent
Percent
Percent
Index
Index
Index
Index
Index
change
change
change
chanee
change

Group

103.2

0.9

102.6

0.5

104.1

1.6

104.9

1.5

103.7

1.5

Food
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products-Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products---------Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at h o m e - — - - -

100.9
99.9
103.5
99.1
101.3
102.9
95.7

.1
.2
1.6
- .2
.1
- 1.4
- .2

101.3
100.0
103.6
97.9
102.0
103.6
96.0

1.3
1.0
1.4
.3
- .2
2.1
1.3

101.3
100.3
103.6
98.6
101.0
102.8
97.6

1.3
1.3
1.8
0.8
1.0
2.2
1.1

104.5
102.8
105.8
101.5
106.9
106.7
96.6

2.0
1.5
1.9
1.0
4.3
0.7
.2

101.6
100.9
106.6
98.1
103.5
100.4
99.3

0.9
.6
3.5
.1
.6
- 1.6
.7

Housing
Rent
Gas and electricitySolid and petroleum fuels
Housefurnishings
Household operation

101.1
101.7
107.4
105.0
97.0
105.0

-

.1
.4
.1
1.4
- 1.0
0

101.5
99.3
113.7

-

.3
.4
.4

100.2
104.0

-

.6
.6

102.9
104.2
105.2
96.8
96.3
106.4

1.0
1.3
1.9
.6
- .9
1.8

104.0
105.1
100.1
98.6
98.7
102.8

1.2
1.2
0
- .1
- 1.2
2,4

103.0
105.7
106.4
101.8
99.6
108.5

1.6
1.7
- .7
6.3
- .2
4.6

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

102.1
102.2
99.8
107.7
102.2

.9
1.1
.1
2.7
.7

101.4
103.0
99.7
105.0
99.7

.4
.8
.5
.1
.1

104.2
104.2
103.2
107.5
102.5

1.0
1.6
.8
.3
.4

104.0
103.9
102.9
107.9
102.2

.9
1.6
1.4
- .8
- .6

102.6
102.9
101.0
106.2
102.6

1.2
1.7
1.0
.8
.5

Transportat ion
Private
Public

106.0
105.5
109.2

2.2
1.5
6.0

104.1
103.0
111.3

.4
.1
2.8

104.3
105.0
100.4

.5
.7
.3

106.4
105.7
112.8

3.0
2.6
8.3

104.6
103.6
110.0

1.0
1.1
1.7

Medical care
Personal care-Reading and recreationOther goods and services

118.0
105.3
106.7
106.4

7.0
1.7
1.5
.5

105.9
105.9
105.3
106.7

1.3
1.1
2.4
- .1

107.2
111.6
122.0
104.5

2.5
1.5
7.9
.9

108.5
105.7
101.3
109.4

.4
.7
.5
4.2

113.9
107.4
109.1
101.5

3.5
1.1
3.7
.5

All items




---

-

-

-

>ON

7
Brief Explanation of the CPI
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures average changes in prices of goods and
service^ usually 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 pripes 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 h6 cities which were chosen to represent all urban places in the
United States; 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
k6 cities* Prices of most other commodities and services are collected every month in
the 5 largest cities and every 3 months in other cities* Mail questionnaires are used
to obtain local transit fares, public utility rates, newspaper prices, fuel prices, and
certain other items which change in price infrequently. Prices of most other goods and
services are obtained by personal visits of the Bureau's trained representatives.
In calculating the index, price changes for 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 1957-59 • 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
Evans ville, Indiana
Garrett, Indiana
Glendale, Arizona
Grand Forks, N. Dakota
Grand Island, Nebraska

Huntington, W* Virginia
Laconla, New Hampshire
Lodi, California
Lynchburg, Virginia
Madill, Oklahoma
Madison, Wisconsin
Middlesboro, Kentucky
Mlddletown, Connecticut
Newark, Ohio

Pulaski, Virginia
Ravenna, Ohio
Rawlins, Wyoming
San Jose, California
Sandpoint, Idaho
Shawnee, Oklahoma
Shenandoah, Iowa
Toungstown, Ohio

Comparisons of city indexes show only that prices in one city changed more 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 and historical tables of index numbers for the
United States city average and for 20 large cities are available on request to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington or any of its regional offices (addresses below).
The historical tables for the U.S* 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 1935 to
date*
BLS Regional Offices
Atlanta
1371 Peachtree
Street, N. E .
Zone 9




New York
Chicago
San FSrancisco
Boston
3*tl Ninth Ave. 105 West Adams St. 630 Sansome St. 18 Oliver St.
Zone 1
Zone 3
Zone 11
Zone 10
LABOR - D. C.