Full text of CPI Detailed Report : January 1954

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Issued February 2 6 , 195^
U . S . DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 2 5 , D . C .

EXECUTIVE 3-2U20
Moffatt - E x t . 532

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
JANUARY 195^
Consumer Prices Rise 0.3 Percent Between
December 1953 and January 195^
:This report presents the Consumer Price Index for :
:January 195^ for the average of U . S . cities and
:
:for individual cities. The measure of price change:
:from January 1953 forward is based on the revised :
:index structure. Information about the index
:
: revision is given in the February 1953 Monthly
t
: labor Review or is available upon r e q u e s t .
:
1

Prices of goods and services
bought b y wage and clerical w o r k e r s families
a
rose 0.3 percent between December 1953 ^ d January 195*S according to the U . S . Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increase in January counterbalanced the
decrease which occurred in December but did not bring the index back to the level of last
October. The groups mainly responsible for the upturn w e r e Food (up 0.7 percent during
the month) and Transportation (up 1.2 percent). M e d i c a l Care and Personal Care each
advanced 0.1 percent. Prices of Apparel declined O.k percent; and Reading and Recreation
decreased 0.2 percent. Prices of Housefurnishings declined but rents again increased.
Other Goods and Services were unchanged on the average.
The A l l Items index for January was 115.2 percent of the 19^-7-^9 average,
1.1 percent higher
than a year ago and 13.2 percent above the June 1950 level. Converted
1 0 0
to a 1935-39 z
b a s e , the January index was 192.6.
FOOD

Price increases for p o r k , coffee, and some fresh vegetables were the princip a l factors contributing to a rise of 0.7 percent in the Food index between
December and January. This rise brought the U . S . Food index to 113.1 (19^7-^9 * 100) in
January 195^* Tte index was at the same level as a year a g o , b u t 12.5 percent above the
June 1950 index. Food prices averaged higher than a month ago in a l l b u t two of the k6
cities surveyed.
The M e a t s , Poultry and Fish index rose 2.2 percent over the month as pork
prices increased about
p e r c e n t . Lamb prices were up nearly
percent and beef and
v e a l , other m e a t s , and fish averaged slightly higher. Poultry prices declined about
2 percent.
Prices of fresh vegetables were up 5 percent on the average, partly as the
result of cold weather and transportation difficulties due to snow storms. Sharp increases were reported generally for lettuce and green b e a n s . Tomato prices fell in the
large Eastern cities and rose in West Coast cities. Orange prices were down in most
places. The Fruits and Vegetables index rose 1.5 percent over the m o n t h .
The Cereals and Bakery Products index increased 0.2 percent as bread prices
were raised in several cities. Coffee prices rose 3 p e r c e n t , on the average, as sharp
price advances of green coffee were partly reflected at retail levels throughout the
country b y mid-January. Egg p r i c e s , w h i c h usually decline in January were down 3J percent.




2
Decreases in milk prices in several cities brought about m o s t of the 0*5
percent decline in the Dairy Products index. The average price of restaurant meals decreased slightly over the m o n t h .
HOUSING

The decline of 0 . 1 percent in the Housing index w a s due mainly to a decrease of 0.8 percent in prices of housefurnishings. Prices of sheets and
other household textiles, washing m a c h i n e s , and refrigerators were reduced in January
sal#s. Bills for Gas and Electricity were 0 . 1 percent lower than in December. Other components of Housing were h i g h e r , as R e n t advanced 0.2 p e r c e n t , Household Operation 0.2 perc e n t , and Solid Fuels and F u e l Oil 0.3 percent.
APPAREL

The A p p a r e l index declined O.k percent between December and1 January as 1
prices were reduced in January sales for women*s
and girls c o a t s , b o y s
1
jackets, and other items. On the average women's and girls clothing decreased 0.7 percent
and men's and b o y s ' clothing 0.2 percent. Prices of footwear w e r e slightly higher.

OTHER
GROUPS

The significant rise of 1.2 percent in the Transportation index during the
m o n t h was largely due to the introduction of 195** m o d e l automobiles at
prices w h i c h were substantially higher than the end-of-season prices
charged for old m o d e l s . Automobile registration fees for the new models
were higher in
,f
some states. Gasoline prices rose in several cities, b u t "price wars were reported in
others. Prices of used cars continued to decline during the m o n t h .
The M e d i c a l Care index rose 0 . 1 percent, reflecting higher fees for
hospital services and prescriptions. The advance of 0 . 1 percent for Personal Care w a s due
to higher prices for b e a u t y shop services and cosmetics.
The Reading and Recreation index declined 0.2 percent as sale prices were
reported for television s e t s , t o y s , and sporting goods. Movie admissions were raised for
special features in some cities.




The index of Other Goods and Services w a s unchanged from a m o n t h a g o .

TABLE 1. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX l/ — U.S. AVERAGE ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS
and Percent Changes for Selected Dates
January
1954

GROUP

This Month

December
1953
Last Month

3

November
1953

January
1953

June
1950

2 Months Ago

Last Year

Pre-Korea

Year
1939
PreWorld War II

INDEXES (1947-49 « 100)
115.2

Ilk. 9

115.0

113.9

101.8

59.4

113.1

112.3

112.0

113.1

100.5

47.1

112.6
121.2
110.2
109.7
110.8
113.5

111.7
120.9
107.8
110.3
109.2
113.5

111.4
120.6
107.0
110.5
107 .4
114.8

112.9
117.7
110.9
111.6
116.7
109.7

100.5
102.7
106.1
92.3
102.5
94.1

47.1
57.2
41.6
49.8
46.3

118.8 -

118.9

118.9

116.4

104.9

127.8
107.1
125.7
107.2
117.2

127.6
107.2
125.3
108.1
117.0

127.3
107.3
125.9
IO8.3
116.9

121.1
105.9
123.3
107.7
113.4

108.7
102.7
107.6
97.4
99.6

86.6
104.9
56.4
53-*

104.9

105.3

105.5

104.6

96.5

52.5

TRANSPORTATION

130.5

128.9

130.1

129.3

109.9

MEDICAL DARE

123.7

123.6

123.3

119.4

105.4

PERSONAL CARE

113.7

113.6

113.4

112.4

99.2

READING AND RECREATION

108.7

108.9

108.9

107.8

102.5

120.3
120.2
115.9
PERCENT CHANGE TO JANUARY 1954 FROM:

103.7

ALL ITEMS
FOOD

2/

Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
HOUSING

3/

Rent
Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings
Household operation
APPAREL

4/

OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES

5/

ALL ITEMS
FOOD

2/

Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
HOUSING

3/

Rent
Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings
Household operation
APPAREL

4/

TRANSPORTATION
MEDICAL CARE
PERSONAL CARE
READING AND RECREATION

120.3

y

y
y
y
y
y
Year
1939

December
1953

November
1953

January
1953

0.3

0.2

1.1

13.2

93.9

0.7

1.0

0

12.5

140.1

0.8
0.2
2.2
- 0.5
1.5
0

1.1
0.5
3-0
- 0.7
3.2
- 1.1

- 0.3
3.0
- 0.6
- 1.7
- 5.1
3.5

12.0
18.0
3.9
18.9
8.1
20.6

139.1
111.9
164,9
120.3
139o
13'* 0 1/

- 0.1

- 0.1

2.1

13.3

56,1 1/

0.2
- 0.1
0.3
- 0.8
0.2

0.4
- 0.2
- 0.2
- 1.0
0.3

5.5
1.1
1.9
- 0.5
3.4

17.6
M
16.8
10.1
17.7

47.6
2.1
122.9
100.7
71.3 1/

- 0.4

- 0.6

0.3

8.7

99.8

0.9

18.7

89.4

1/

3.6

17.4

70.4

1/

90.8 1/

1.2
0.1

0.3
0.3

June
1950

y
y

0.1

0.3

1.2

14.6

- 0.2

- 0.2

0.8

6.0

72.5

1/

70.4 1/
16.0
0.1
0
3.8
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 5/
See General Explanation at end of tables.
2/ Includes "Food away from home".
2/ Includes "Other shelter"; estimates for rent, home purchase, and other home owner costs are reflected monthly In total
housing and all items.
4/ Indexes for subgroups of apparel not yet available.
5/ Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services" (such as legal services, banking fees, burial
services, etc.).
6/ Not available.
7/ Approximate.




4

TABLE 2.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX l/ — ALL ITEMS INDEXES FOR SELECTED DATES
U.S. Average and 20 Large Cities

(

City
January
1954
U.S. AVERAGE jj/

1 9 4 7 - U 9 - I O O )

December
1953

November
1953

(1935-39 = 100)

January
1953

June
1950

January
1954

115.2

114.9

115.0

113.9

101.8

192.6

116.7
117.0
116.8
113.0
115.3

116. 4
116. k
115.8
113.0
115.0

116.4
116.7
116.1
112.9
114.7

114.2
115.7
115.4
111.7
114.3

102.8
102.8
101.3
100.9
101.6

196.7
197.5
195.2
187.0
191.9

2/

CITIES PRICED MONTHLY:
Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles
Nev York
Philadelphia
CITIES PRICED IN JAN., APR.,
JULY, OCT. 4/
Boston
Kansas City
Minneapolis
Pittsburgh
Portland, Ore.

January
1953
112.1
114.3
114.4
112.6
114.6

112.7
115.0
116.6
114.4
115 .4

CITIES PRICED IN MAR., JUNE,
SEPT., DEC. 4/

December
1952

Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati
St. Louis
San Francisco

117.1 6/
114.4
112.5
114.9
115.6

117.1
114.5
114.6
116.9
116.9

CITIES PRICED IN FEB., MAY,
AUG., NOV. k/

November
1952

Cleveland
Houston
Scranton
Seattle
Washington, D. C.

115.5
117.3
113.4
116.4
114.3

113.6
116.0
113.1
115.6
113.8

April
1950

January
1954

101.2
101.4
102.1 5/
99.9
101.5

181.4
185.2
193.1
194.5
199.9

June
1950

December
1953

101.3 6/
101.6
101.2
101.1
100.9

198.6
196.8
193.0
195.1
199.8

May
1950

November
1953

100.4
103.5
100.2
102.0
101.6

196.8
198.6
188.5
198.9
187.7

1/ See General Explanation at end of tables.
2/ .These are the same indexes shown in columns 1, 2 or 3, converted to a base of 1935-39*100.
J / The U.S. Average is based on prices collected in 46 cities. In addition to the 20 cities listed individually, 26 cities
are included in the national average. Indexes are not calculated for these 26 cities.
4/ Foods, fuels, rents and a fev other items priced monthly; other commodities and services priced quarterly.
5J June 1950; formerly priced March, June, September, December.
6/ November 1952 and May 1950; formerly priced February, May, August, November.

TABLE 3. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX l/ -- PERCENT CHANGES FROM DECEMBER 1953 TO JANUARY 1954
U.S. Average ana Fivft Cities Priced Monthly
All Items and Commodity Groups

All
Items

Food
2/

U.S AVERAGE
Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles
New York
Philadelphia

Housing

Apparel

y

2/

Medical
Care

Personal
Care

Recreation

Other
Goods &
Services
5/
0

Reading

&

0.3

0.7

- 0.1

- 0.4

1.2

0.1

0.1

- 0.2

0.3
0.5
0.9
0
0.3

0.8
0.7
0.7
0
0.5

0.1
0.2
- 0.1
- 0.2
0.2

-

0.7
2.4
4.6
1.4
0.6

0.1
0.1
- 0.1
0.2
0.2

0.1
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.1

- 0.1
- 0.6
0.7
- 0.4
- 0.3

0.3
0.2
0.4
0.7
0.7

See footnotes on table !L and General ExplanatjLon at end of tables.




Transportation

- 0.3
0.1
0.6
0
0

TABLE 4. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 1/ ~ ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS
January 1954 Indexes and Percent Changes, October 1953 to January 1954
U.S. Average and 10 Cities Priced in January

City

All
Items

Total
Food

Total

Housing
Solid
Gas &
Fuels
Elec&
triFuel
city
Oil

Rent

i/

Housefurnishings

Household
Operation

TransApparel portation

5

Medical
Care

Personal
Care

Reading &
Recreation

Other
Goods
& Services
5/

y

January 1954 Indexes (191*7-1*9 : 100)
U.S. AVERAGE

115.2

113.1

118.8

127.8

107.1

125.7

107.2

117.2

104.9

130.5

123.7

113.7

108.7

120.3

Boston
Chicago
Detroit
Kansas City
Los Angeles
Minneapolis
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Portland

112.7
116. T
117.0
115.0
116.8
116.6
113.0
115.3
114.4
115.4

109.9
lll.H
115.2
109.9
111*. 2
112.9
110.9
115.3
113 A
113.1

117.6
121*. 3
121.6
119.0
121*.6
119.7
115.3
113.4
116.1*
118.8

120.2

108.8
99.9
110.7
103.0
109.5
110.0
108.8
102.3
116.7
105.2

121*. 5
121*. 5
119 A
113.2

106.1*
108.9
109.4
107.7
109.2
106.7
107.0
109.5
105.6
107.5

112.2
121.0
109.0
120.9
108.1
115.4
119.6
113.4
119.9
113.1

100.6
107.8
103.0
104.7
103.8
106.1
104.8
106.2
104.4
105.4

135.5
133.7
125.5
125.9
129.1
121.9
135.6
136.1
139.4
125.8

124.5
122.8
122.1
120.1
121.1
138.8
123.6
123.3
121.2
121.0

112.6
114.2
119.8
116.3
118.1
116.7
108.3
117.2
113.3
111.7

107.3
108.6
112.1
116.8
103.5
115.7
108.5
110.5
99.7
117.1

118.0
119.0
125.2
117.6
116.5
125.3
121.2
122.9
120.5
119.4

- 0.6

- 0.2

0.7

0.4

0.1

0.5

-

- 0.9
0.2
- 1.0
- 3.6
l.l
0.5
1.0
0.2
- 1.0
- 0.6

0.2
0.3
0.5
0.4
0.1
0.7
1.6
2.4
0.3
0

0.3
0.4
0.5
0.3
0.2
- 0.3
0.8
0.9
0.5
0

2.5
2.1
0.5
0.1
0.3
0.9
1.3
- 0.7
2.7
0.1

0.3
1.8
0.5
- 0.5
1.7
0.5
0.1
0.5
0.8
- 0.3

136.5
115.5
128.5

114.8
131.9
123.8
123.2
127.3

Percent Change —
U.S. AVERAGE

- 0.2

- 0.1*

Boston
Chicago
Detroit
Kansas City
Los Angeles
Minneapolis
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Portland

-

-

1.0
0.3
0.2
0.6
0.1*
0
- 0.3
0
- 0.3
- 0.6

-

1.5
1.2
0.8
1.1
0.1*
0.1*
1.2
0.1*
1.1*
0.1*

0.1
- 0.1
0.3
0.6
0.1*
0.1*
0.3
- 0.1
0
0.2
- 0.8

6/

0.8

0.1

1.9

2.8
0
1.0
- 1.0
0
0
0
0
1.9
0

5/ 11.2
D/ 1.0
5/

1.0

October 1953 to January 1954
0

- 1.0
0.5
0.2
0
0
0.1*
- 0.1*
1.1
0

- 0.8
-

2.2
0.9
1.7
0.3
0.5
1.0
0.6
0.9
1.0
3.4

0.5
2.2
0.2
2.0
- 0.2
0
- 1.7
0.3
- 0.4
1.3
1.1

2.9
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.3
0.5
l.o
0.3
0.1
1.3

-

1/ through
, see footnotes on table 1 and General Explanation at end of tables.
Z/ Change from July 1953 to January 1954.

TABLE 5. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 1/ — FOOD AND ITS SUBGROUPS
January 1954 Indexes and Percent Changes, December 1953 to January 1954
U.S. Average and 20 Large Cities

(191*7-1*9 - ioo)

Dairy
Products
Percent
Index Change

Fruits &
Vegetables
Percent
Index Change

Other
Foods at Home
Percent
Index Change

2.2

109.7 - 0.5

110.8

1-5

113.5

117.4
112.9
106.7
105.5
115.1

1.8
2.7
2.5
2.0
2.9

109.9 - 0.3
0.1
112.2
111.2 - 0.1
0.1
108.9
111.9 - 0.4

110.7
107.5
101.5
107.9
110.6

- 0.2
- 0.6
- 1.0
0.8
0.3

0
107.5
111.4 0.1
104.9 0.8
118.4 -0.3
119.2 -0.2

1.2
- 0.3
1.3
0.2
0.2

107.1
109.3
108.0
107.0
111.4

1.8
1.7
2.1
1.9
2.3

0.2
108.2
0
109.7
110.4 - 0.2
0
108.2
105.6 - 2.9

105.6
118.4
113.7
105.1
113.9

1.8
2.1
0.1
0.6
6.0

115.5 0.2
113.9 0.2
113.9 -0.2
109.7 -0.2
112.9 -1.5

124.5
125.5
121.2
119.2
116.8

1.8
0.2
0
0
- 0.2

103.4
108.7
113.7
105.5
114.3

3.0
0.6
3.1
1.9
3.2

106.7
108.8
111.3
112.6
109.1

- 0.1
- 0.8
- 2.5
0.2
- 0.2

119.4
104.5
112.8
109.8
111.6

1.3
- 0.2
- 0.4
- 0.4
5.1

118.9 -0.3
112.2 0.7
112.8 0.9
122.4 -0.4
113.3 -1.5

116.9
127.5
119.3
121.8
118.0

0.9
0.2
0
- 0.2
2.3

112.6
108.0
110.3
108.2
107.6

3.5
0.2
2.5
2.8
2.5

103.9
110.0
112.6
106.2
114.1

-

120.1
118.2
104.0
116.6
106.8

1.4
1.4
- 3-1

122.8 0.2
111.8 -1.5
111.8 0.4
109.5 -1.2
0
110.2

Total Food £/
Percent
Tndex Change

Total
Food at Home
Percent
Index Change

Meats, Poultry
Cereals it
& Fish
Bakery Products
Percent
Percent
Change
Index
Change Index

U.S.AVERAGE

113.1

0.7

112.6

0.8

121.2

0.2

110.2

Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Chicago
Cincinnati

113.2
113.6
109.9
111.4
115.8

0.4
0.6
0.5
0.8
0.9

112.7
113.0
108.6
110.4
115.5

0.4
0.8
0.7
0.7
1.0

115.1
120.8
119.1
117.2
121.1

0
- 0.2
0
0
0.6

Cleveland
Detroit
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles

111.3
115.2
113.1
109.9
114.2

0.9
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.7

110.7
114.4
112.5
109.7
113.0

1.1
0.9
0.7
0.6
0.8

118.4
118.0
118.4
120.5
122.6

Minneapolis
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Portland

112.9
110.9
115.3
113.4
113.1

1.0
0
0.5
0.4
1.0

112.6
110.8
114.6
113.0
113.1

1.3
0.2
0.6
0.4
1.3

St Louis
San Francisco
Scranton
Seattle
Washington,D.C.

116.2
114.1
112.2
111.9
111.6

1.0
0.1
0.4
0.8
0.8

115.4
113.7
111.9
111.7
111.1

1.1
- 0.1
0.4
0.9
1.0

City

See footnotes on table 1 and General Explanation at end of tables.




2.7
0.3
0.1
0.7
0.3

- o.l

0

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GENERAL EXPLANATION

The Consumer Price Index (revised January 1953) measures the average change in
prices of goods and services purchased "by city wage-earner and clerical-worker families.
The goods and services included in the index "market basket" are those required to maiiitain the level of living characteristic of such families in 1 9 5 2 . The quantities and
qualities of the items in the "market basket" remain the same between consecutive pricing
p e r i o d s , so that the index measures the effect of price change only on the cost of living
of these families.
The indexes are presented on a base of 19U7-U9"100, The index numbers thus show
the average increase or decrease in prices from the 19U7-U9 average. (For convenience
of users, these indexes are also shown o n the base 1 9 3 5 - 1 0 0 . Note that they are
calculated using the new samples, items and w e i g h t s ) . The city indexes do not indicate
whether it costs more to live in one city than in another. Comparisons of city indexes
show only whether prices have risen more or less in one city than another since the base
period.
The Bureau has been compiling the Consumer Price Index for nearly U0 y e a r s . A t
four different times it has been necessary to bring the "market basket" of goods and services up to date and to modernize the samples and methods of calculation. The indexes in
this report are revised as of January 1953* The "market basket" is based on extensive
surveys of postwar expenditure patterns of city families, and reflects changes that have
occurred since prewar in the amounts, kinds and qualities of things people b u y , as w e l l as
new things that were not p a r t of our pattern of living a few years a g o .
About 300 items are priced to estimate the average change in prices of all items
in the "market basket." Among these items are a l l the inportant goods and services that
wage and clerical workers b u y . Prices are collected at regular intervals, and the successive prices are compared to determine price changes. The items priced are described
by detailed specifications to insure that as far as possible, the same quality is priced
each time, and that differences in reported prices are measures of price change o n l y .
Prices are obtained in a sample of U6 cities representative of all cities in the U . S . ,
including the 12 largest urban areas w i t h populations over 1 million, 9 other large cities,
9 medium-sized cities, and 16 small c i t i e s . In each city, prices are reported b y stores
of various kinds and b y service establishments and individuals (such as physicians and
dentists) from whom wage and clerical workers buy goods and services.
Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items are priced monthly in all c i t i e s .
Prices of most other goods and services are obtained on a regular rotating pricing cycle-monthly in the 5 largest cities, every 3 months in 2 5 large and medium-sized cities, and
every Ii. months in the 16 smallest c i t i e s . In a n y given m o n t h , goods and services other
than foods, fuels and rents are priced in 17 or 18 cities out of the 1|6. Price collection
extends over 3 or Ij. w e e k s , centered on the l5th of the m o n t h . Prices for a few items
(e.g., auto insurance, railroad fares) are computed from published sources.
F o o d . Food prices are collected monthly from chain and representative independent
food stores in all h6 cities, during the first 3 days of the week w h i c h includes the l5th
of the m o n t h . Prices for restaurant meals are based on menus collected on the regular
pricing cycle for each city as described a b o v e .
R e n t . Rents are obtained each month by mail from tenants of representative sairples
of dwellings in each of the U6 cities, and once every 2 years b y personal v i s i t , w h e n
local samples of dwellings are also reviewed. The rent index measures changes i n rent
from one period to another for the same rented dwellings, with the same facilities,
furnishings and services.
Other Shelter. Materials and services for house maintenance and repair are priced
on the regular city pricing c y c l e . Prices of houses/ fire insurance rates, mortgage
interest and taxes, which change only occasionally, are obtained annually or biennially,
and changes estimated between pricing d a t e s . Sales prices of houses are obtained from
records of mortgages insured b y the Federal Housing Administration.




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Fuels, including Gas and Electricity, Prices prevailing on the 15th of the month
are collected monthly b y mail from fuel dealers and utility corrpanies in 1±6 cities.
A l l Goods and Services other than Foods, Fuels and R e n t s . Prices are collected
i n p e r s o n , o n the city cycle described above, from samples of representative department
stores, apparel and shoe stores, housefurridshings and appliance dealers, barber shops,
beauty shops, doctors, hospitals, moving picture theaters, e t c . Prices for such items as
newspapers, street car and bus fares, and telephone service are collected b y mail* Prices
of used cars are obtained from car dealers through a trade association.
Price changes for all items in each city are combined in accordance with their
importance in the "market basket" for that city to obtain an average p r i c e change for that
c i t y . Pri.ce changes for the U6 cities are combined for the U . S . w i t h the use of 1950 population d a t a . Each city is given an iirportance or weight proportionate to the wage-earner
and clerical-worker population it represents in the i n d e x . The 12 largest cities, each
weighted b y its own population, w h e n combined have about two-fifths of the total w e i g h t in
the national i n d e x . Each of the 3 other city-size groups has about one-fifth of the total
weight; i . e . , the 9 other large cities, the 9 medium-sized cities, and the 16 small cities.
City indexes are compiled for the 20 largest of the 1*6 cities priced for the national avera g e . The remaining 26 cities i n w h i c h prices are collected are:
A n n a , Illinois
Camden, Arkansas
Canton, Ohio
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Garrett, Indiana
Glendale, Arizona
Grand Forks, N . Dakota
Grand Island, Nebraska

Huntington, W . Virginia
Laconia, New Hampshire
L o d i , California
Lynchburg, Virginia
Madill, Oklahoma
Madison, Wisconsin
Middlesboro, Kentucky
Middletown, Connecticut
Newark, Ohio

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

The present index, as described above, has been linked (spliced) to the "interim
adjusted" Consumer Price Index for 3h cities, issued through December 1 9 5 2 , to form a
continuous series back to 1913• 1/
For detailed descriptions of the Consumer Price Index, its uses and limitations,
see the following:
"The Consumer Price Index,"
A Short Description of the Index as Revised, 1 9 5 3 •
1
"The Revised Consumers Price I n d e x — A Summary of Changes1 in the
Index and
1
1
Suggestions for Transition from the •Interim Adjusted and Old Series
Indexes to the Revised Index."
Bureau of Labor
Statistics Bulletin N o . 1039: "Interim Adjustment of the
1
Consumers Price Index."
1
January 1 9 5 1 Report: "Consumers 1 Price Index and Retail Food Prices."
December 1952 Report: "Consumers Price Index and R e t a i l Food Prices."
Monthly Labor Review articles: .
The Revised Consumer
Price Index
1
Adjusted Consumers Price Index:1
Interim Adjustment o f Consumers
Selection of Cities for Consumer
1
Revision o f the Consumers Price

1

(February 1953)•
Relative Importance of Items (June 1 9 5 1 ) .
Price Index (April 1 9 5 1 ) .
Expenditure Survey-1950 (April 1 9 5 1 ) .
Index (July 1 9 5 0 ) .

1/ See December 1952 report, "Consumer$ Price Index and Retail Food Prices." Tables of
rebased "interim adjusted" indexes for the U . S . and for 20 cities are available upon
request.