Full text of CPI Detailed Report : January 1973

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the consumer price index
for January 1973

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Peter J. Brennan, Secretary

CONTENTS

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Ben Burdetsky, Deputy Commissioner
Price movements
OFFICE OF PRICES
AND LIVING CONDITIONS
Joel Popkin, Assistant Commissioner

Charts 1—4. Consumer price indexes for all items and major
components, and rates of change over 1-, 3-, 6-, and
12-month spans
Table 1.

Table 2.

Table 3.

a monthly report
on consumer price movements
including statistical tables
and technical notes.




Table 4.

Table 5.

Table 5a.

Table 6.

Table 7.

Table 8.

Page
1

4

CPI—United States city average for wage earners and
clerical workers, by commodity and service groups,
and expenditure classes

8

CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wage
earners and clerical workers, by commodity and service
groups, and expenditure classes

9

CPI—United States city average for urban wage
earners and clerical workers for selected groups,
seasonally adjusted

10

CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wage
earners and clerical workers, major groups, percent
change from December 1972 to January 1973

10

CPI—United States and selected areas for urban
wage earners and clerical workers, commodity groups,
January 1973, index and percent changes from
October 1972

11

CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wage
earners and clerical workers, commodity groups, 1972
annual average indexes and percent changes, 1971-72....

12

CPI—United States and selected areas for urban
wage earners and clerical workers, food and its
subgroups, January 1973, and percent changes from
December 1972

13

CPI—United States city average for urban wage
earners and clerical workers, food items, and percent
changes from selected dates

14

CPI—United States city average for urban wage
earners and clerical workers, for selected items and
groups, January 1973, and percent changes from
selected dates

16

Price Movements
January 1973
The Consumer Price Index rose 0.3 percent in January,
to 127.7 percent of its 1967 base. The rise was due to a
substantial increase in food prices, the effects of which
were moderated by declines in prices of nonfood commodities, particularly apparel and used cars. The January
index was 3.7 percent higher than it was a year
ago.
After seasonal adjustment, the January increase was
0.5 percent. Food prices, including restaurant meals and
snacks, rose an average of 1.9 percent and prices of nonfood commodities were unchanged after seasonal adjustment. The services index increased 0.2 percent.
In the 6-month period ending in January, the CPI rose
at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.1 percent. The
rate of advance was the same in the first 3 months (JulyOctober) and the last 3 months (October-January) of
the period. The food index accelerated in the OctoberJanuary period to a 12.7-percent annual rate from 5.3
percent in the preceding 3 months; the nonfood commodities index, however, decelerated to a 1.3-percent
rate in the last 3 months from 2.7 percent in the first 3
months. The services index rose at a 3.3-percent annual
rate in both periods.

The rate of increase in the CPI during Phase II of the
Economic Stabilization Program was about the same as
in the 8 months of 1971 before the start of Phase I
as a slowdown in the rate of increase in nonfood commodities and services, which account for more than
three-quarters of the CPI market basket, offset an acceleration in the rate of increase in foods. All of the grocery store food prices as well as some of the other prices
for the January CPI were obtained while Phase II of the
Economic Stabilization Program was still in effect.
Monthly changes in detail

Food. Prices of food purchased in grocery stores—the
major part of the total food index—rose 2.5 percent
before seasonal adjustment; they usually increase slightly
in January. Prices rose for most food items; increases
were particularly sharp for meats, poultry, eggs, fresh
fruits and vegetables, and milk. Equally large price increases have been recorded for these items individually
at various times during the past few years. However, in
combination the rise was the largest seasonally adjusted
1-month increase since a separate food-at-home index was

Table A. Percent changes in CPI and components, selected periods
Changes in all items
at seasonally adjusted
compound annual rates

Changes from preceding month
Month

Unad- Seasonally
justed adjusted

January 1972
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September . .
October
November . . .
December . . .
January 1973




Commodities
less food

Food

All items

Unad- Seasonally
justed adjusted

Unad- Seasonally
justed adjusted

0.1
.5
.2
.2
.3
.2
.4
.2
.4
.3
.2
.3

0.3
.6
0
.2
.3
.1
.4
.2
.5
.3
.3
.2

0
1.6
.2
0
-.1
.6
1.0
.3
.2
.1
.4
.5

-0.1
1.8
0
-.1

1.1
0

-0.3
.1
.3
.3
.6
.2
0
.1
.7
.4
.2
.1

.3

.5

2.1

1.9

-.5

-.1
.2
.6
.5
.6
.2

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

Services
Unadjusted

From
3 mos.
ago

From
6 mos.
ago

From
12 mos.
ago

3.2
4.8
3.6
3.1
2.1
2.2
3.3
2.9
4.6
4.1
4.2
3.2

2.9
3.4
3.1
3.2
3.5
2.9
3.2
2.5
3.4
3.7
3.6
3.9

3.4
3.7
3.5
3.4
3.2
2.9
3.0
2.9
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.4

4.1

4.1

3.7

Table B. Comparative seasonally adjusted annual rates of change in the CPI and its major components before and
during the Economic Stabilization Program

Items

All items
Food
Commodities less food . . . .
Services

1971 before
Phase I
(December 1970
to August 1971)

3.8
5.0
2.9
4.5

3 months
Phase I
(August 1971 to
November 1971)

1.9
1.7
0
3.1

first published in January 1952. The index of food away
from home—restaurant meals and snacks—increased 0.4
percent.
The January rise in retail food prices followed sharp
increases in wholesale prices for consumer foods in
December. Higher food prices reflect a combination of
factors such as declines in production, rising feed costs,
and strong demand. The declines in meat and poultry
production and rising feed costs were both due in part to
adverse weather conditions in late 1972 which restricted
livestock and live poultry marketings and delayed harvests of feed grains. Smaller egg supply was mostly due
to cutbacks in flock size.
Weather was an important factor in the January increase in fresh fruit and vegetable prices. Fresh orange
supplies were reduced by the early December freeze in
California. Vegetable supplies were smaller because of
reduced acreage planting of some items and unusually
cold and rainy weather in winter producing areas during
much of December. Increases in retail prices of cereal
and bakery products reflected higher wholesale prices
for flour, wheat, and rice resulting from strong export
demand.
Nonfood commodities. The index of nonfood commodities declined 0.5 percent before seasonal adjustment. Prices of apparel commodities declined especially
women's clothing prices which fell much more than
they usually do in January. On a seasonally adjusted
basis, prices of women's apparel declined 0.8 percent.
Prices of winter coats, sweaters, and skirts fell more than
they usually do and prices of some of the year-round
items such as street dresses which normally are not
affected by end of season sales registered declines.
Tire prices, which decreased almost steadily in 1972,
declined sharply in January. Prices moved down as they
usually do in January for used cars, textile housefurnishings, furniture, and houses.
The effects of these declines were partially offset by
price increases for fuel oil, gasoline, home repair and
maintenance goods, and new cars. New car prices continued to rise contraseasonally reflecting the early
December increase for 1973 model cars.




14 months
Phase II
(November 1971
to January 1973)

3.7
6.3
2.3
3.5

17 months
Phase I and II
(August 1971
to January 1973)

3.4
5.5
1.9
3.5

Latest 6
months (July
1972 to
January 1973)

4.1
9.0
2.0
3.3

Services. The services index increased 0.2 percent. Increases in charges for household services, particularly rent,
electricity, gas, laundry flatwork, and mortgage interest
rates contributed to the rise in the index as did large increases in auto repair and hospital room charges. Increases in all of these services except rent were larger
than in recent months. Physicians' fees and charges for
most apparel services, men's haircuts, and beauty shop
services also increased in January but not as much as in
December.
The effects of the preceding increases were offset
partly by declines in auto registration fees, auto and property insurance, telephone charges, and local transit fares.
The primary reason for the large decline in auto insurance charges was the introduction of no-fault insurance in New Jersey and Connecticut. In addition, physical damage and liability rates were lower in some cities.
The decline in residential telephone services was the result of a 1-percent decrease in the federal excise tax
which more than offset rate increases in some cities.
Diffusion of individual price changes

Approximately 120,000 individual prices were collected directly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in
January for use in the index. Approximately 80 percent
of these quotations represent monthly comparisons. As
can be seen from table C, 69 percent of these monthly
comparisons were unchanged, 10 percent decreased, and
21 percent increased between December and January.
The proportion of food and service prices increasing was
substantially larger than in December. The number of
nonfood commodity and service prices declining also was
larger. Therisein the number of service prices showing declines reflected, in large part, the decrease in the Federal excise tax on telephone service. The January index
also includes 23,000 price comparisons to January from
periods prior to December of which 18,000 cover the
quarterly span from October to January. About 12 percent of these increased. In addition, about 5,000 rental
units were surveyed in January and 18 percent of these
reported rent increases from July.

Table C. Percent distribution of monthly price comparisons
December

1971

1972

1 Q"71

Item

October
to
November

November
to
December

to
January
1972

January
to
February

February
to
March

March
to
April

April
to
May

May
to
June

All items 2
Increases
Decreases . . . .
No change

100
11
9
80

100
16
7
77

100
14
11
75

100
22
8
70

100
15
10
75

100
14
12
74

100
13
12
75

100
15
11
74

Food at home
Increases
Decreases
No change

100
13
10
77

100
17
8
75

100
15
11
74

100
24
9
67

100
16
12
72

100
15
13
72

100
14
13
73

100
17
12
71

Commodities less
food
Increases
....
Decreases
No change
...

100
7
6
87

100
6
5

100
7
10
83

100
8
7
85

100
10
5
85

100
7
7
86

100
8
6
86

100
6
7
87

100
2
1

100
6
1

100
8
3

100
3
1

100
6
4

100
7
5

100
5
3

97

93

100
12
5
83

89

96

90

88

92

Services
Increases
....
Decreases
No change

89

December

1972—Continued
June
to
July

July
to
August

August
to
September

September
to
October

October
to
November

November
to
December

to
January
1973

All items 2
Increases
Decreases
No change

100
18
10
72

100
16
11
73

100
15
10
75

100
15
11
74

100
14
11
75

100
14
9
77

100
21
10
69

Food at home
Increases
Decreases
No change

100
20
11
69

100
18
13
69

100
16
12
72

100
17
12
71

100
16
12
72

100
17
10
73

100
23
8
69

Commodities less
food . . . .
...
Increases
Decreases
No change

100
8
7
85

100
8
6
86

100
11
5
84

100
6
6
88

100
6
5

100
6
4

89

90

100
7
8
85

100
4
3

100
3
3

100
4
2

100
4
5

100
4
2

100
3
3

93

94

94

91

94

94

100
9
27
64

Regulations of the Economic Stabilization Program permit certain types of increases, but it is not possible to determine
whether allowable increases accounted for all increases shown in the table.
2
Based on approximately 98,000 individual quotations.




CHRRT 1. RLL ITEMS
SEMILOG
135
130
125
120
115
110
105
100

INDEX RND ITS RATE OF CHflNGE
( 1967 = 100 )

1964-73
JflN
127.7

CPI flLL ITEMS INDEX
(NOT SERSONRLLY RDJUSTED)
I

95
PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN
[SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTED)

90
85

flRITH.

JflN SCfiLE0.7
0.6
—
0.5
—
0.5
—
0.4
—
0.3
—
0.2
0.1
—
—
0.0

j/v

-0.1

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

RRJTH.
SCRLE
8

JflN
4.1

RRITH.
SCRLE
8

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
IflNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTED)
JflN
4.1

RRITH.
SCRLE0

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN 1/
JflN
3.7

i > i i I 11 I i 11 H I i i I . i I i 11 11 I i i I i i I i 11 11 I i i I 11 I i . 1 11 I 11 11 > I 11 1 11 1 11 I 11 1 • 11 i i I i i I i i I i i I 11 I i i I i i 1 i i 1 11 I i i I i i I M | i i I i i I 11 1 1 1

1964

1965

1966

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




1967

1968

1969

1970

1971

1972

1973

CHflRT

2.

COMMODITIES

LESS

FOOD

INDEX

flND

ITS

RRTES

OF

CHRNGE

1964-73

i 1967 = 100 )

SEMILOG

140
135
130
125
120
115
110
105
100
95
90

JflN
120.7

CPI COMMODITIES LESS FOOD INDEX
.(SEflSONflLLY fiOJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN
(SEflSONflLLY ADJUSTED)

flRITH.
SCflLE

JflN
0.0

—
—
—
—
_
—
—
—
—
—

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1

oo
.

-0.1
-0.2
-0.3

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTEO)

flRITH.
SCRLE

JflN
1 .3

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
fflNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY
flDJUSTEl)

RRITH.
SCflLE

JflN
2.0

4
2
0

flRITH.
SCflLE

6

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN \J
JflN
2.4

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

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




5

1969

1970

1971

1972

1973

CHART 3. TOTflL FOOD INDEX flND ITS RATES OF CHANGE
I

SEMILOG
140
135

1967

_

1964-73

100

130
125

CPI TOTflL FOOD INDEX
(SEflSONRLLY
flDJUSTED)

120
115
110
105
100

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN
(SEflSONflLLY
flDJUSTED)

95
90

0.8
0.6
0
0.2
0.0
-0.2
-0.4
-0.6

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

RRITH.
SCflLE
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
-2
-4

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

flRITh
SCflLE

CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

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




6

1969

1970

1971

1972

1973

CHflRT 4. SERVICES INDEX flND ITS RATES OF CHANGE
( 1967 - 100 )

1964-73

SEMILOG
140
135

CPI SERVICES INDEX
(NOT SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED

130
125
120
115
110
105
100
95

flRITH.
SCflLE

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH .SPflN
(NOT SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTE

90

flRITH.
SCflLE
12

—f

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

1

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(flNNURL RflTE. NOT SEflSONflLLY flDvlUSTED)

10
8
6

JAN
3.3

4
2
0
PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH
(flNNUflL R f l T E . NOT SEflSONflLLY

flRITH.
SCflLE
10

SPflN

JAN
3.3

flRITH.
SCRLE
-CRL"

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH

JAN
3.2

1 •, i . , i , , l . . i . , i •• i , , 1 •. i .• I . . i .

1964

1965

1966

. i . . i . , l . , i , . i . , i, •I . , i , . i . , i. , 1 . , i . . i.

1967

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




1968

1969

1970

1971

1972

1973

-1

1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
-0.1

Table 1. Consumer Price Index-United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, by commodity and service groups, and
expenditure classes
Relative
.importance
Group

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 1
Apparel commodities
Men1 s 1 boys'
and
Women s and girls*
Footwear
Nondurables less food and apparel —
Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Fuel oil and coal
Other nondurables
Durables commodities
Household durables —
New cars
Used cars
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 T. V. )

Unadjusted indexes
1967=100 unless
otherwise noted
January
December
1973
1972

Unadjusted
Seasonally adjusted
percent change to
percent change from
January 1973 from—
January
>ecember to
1972
January
1972
November | December
Commodity and service groups

37.448
5.059
32.389
15.486
5.473
5.575
5.855

127. 3
148.0
122.9
126. 0
124. 1
115.8
131.2
118. 3
127. 3
120.2
133. 7
121. 1
121.7
125. 5
124.8
126.4
127. 3
119.5
111.2
134.2
120. 5
119.4
118.8
120. 3
116.2
110.6
115.0
127.6
135.4
121.0
138.0
141.9
136.4
140. 5
127.7

127.7
148. 5
123.4
128.6
127.2
116. 3
136. 1
119. 1
130.5
123. 8
134.2
120.5
120. 9
123. 1
123.5
122.2
126. 6
119. 7
111.7
134.2
120.7
120.7
118.7
119.9
116. 1
111. 1
112.8
127.2
135.7
121.5
138.3
142.3
136.0
141.0
128. 1

77.508
45. 907
7. 388
31. 873
9.829
5. 522
4.502
1.621

127.6
123.8
125.2
134.6
145.8
127.6
147.4
105.8

127.4
124.7
122.5
134.9
145.4
128.2
147.9
105.7

33.859
21.830
5. 059
16.355
4. 708
2.434
7. 321
10. 370
13. 134
11.665
1.469
19.768
6.447
2.573
5.656
5.093

127.3
126.0
131.2
136.8
121. 0
142.6
121.9
122.5
122. 3
125. 0
121.3
118.9
144.5
127.5
134.4
121.5
124. 0
126.5

127.7
128.6
131.4
136.9
121. 5
142.6
122.8
124. 1
122.2
123.0
121.0
118. 5
144.3
127. 8
134.9
121.8
124. 1
126.7

3.7
6.9
3.2
3.4
3.4
3.5
3. 7
4. 3
2. 3

1.8
1.8
.6
2.8
3.4
3. 1
2.2
2.6

0.3
2. 1
.2
.1
.4
0
.7
1. 3
-. 1
-1.6
-.2
-. 3
-. 1
.2
.4
.2
.1
.2

78.170
93.553
96.298
15.519
2. 060

124. 8
126.9
126.4
123.8
134.9

125.3
127. 3
126.8
127.2
141.6

3.6
3.7
3.7
8.0
8.4

.4
.3
.3
2.7
5.0

$0,786
.676

$0,783
.673

62.552
22. 492
17.494
2.243
6.016
2.685
2.999
3. 552
4.998
40.059
23.415
8. 960
2.799
3.982
1.572
14.455
2. 902
2. 103
2.459
.655
6. 335
16.644
4.772
2. 060
2.056
7. 756

3.7

4. 0
6.9
7.6
2. 3
12.8
2. 3
7.9
6. 5
4.4

0. 3

3.2
3.4
3. 1
3.9
. 3
3.8
3. 1

2. 1
2. 5
4
3! 7
7
2! 5
3. 0
4
-. 5
_# 7
-1. 9
-1. 0
-3. , 3
_t 5
2
4
3. 1
2
1. 1
- 1
3
_# 1
5
-1. 9
-, 3
2
4
2
3
_% 3
4
3

2.7
4.6
2.2
3. 1
2.2
3. 1
4. 5
-. 1

2
7
-2. 2
2
_# 3
5
3
_m 1

2.4
2.4
2. 3
3.0
1.7
3.2
2. 5
3.6
0
1.9
1.7
2. 1
2.2
2. 1
-1. 0
7. 1
1.8

1.1
1. 5
.5
1. 3
.5
.8
.9
.4
.3
.2
.7
.1
.4
.3
. 1*
.8
0
-. 1
.2
-.6
. 7*
-.2

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

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

.
.
.
.

2
3*
3
1

1. 9
2. 3
3
3! 3
7
1. 7
2. 6
4
0
0
_# 3
2
8
1
3
3
0*
2*
4
1
mt 2
0'
1. 0
1. 9*
-. 2
2*
4*
2*
#6
1, 0
3
2

I;

0
1. 0
-. 3
_; 2*
2
4
5

Expenditure classes
All items
Food _
Housing 2
Shelter
Rent
Home owner ship 3 .
Fuel and utilities
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 producted farm foods 5
CPI - selected beef cuts 6
Purchasing power of consumer dollar:
1967 -$ 1. 00
1957-59-$ 1.00

100.000
22.492

1
2
3
4
5

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

0.2
0
. 3*
.6
.4*
.6
.2
.2
.2

.3
.4
.1
.2*
.2
.2

-.2
-.2
-. 1

0.5
1.9
.2*
.2
.4*
.3
. 8
1.3
.2
-.2
-.5
-.5
-.7

. 1*
. 1
.4

.2*
.3
.3

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

.6
.5
.4
2.7*
5.0*

0
0
.4
.4
. 3
.5*
.3*

Also includes infants' wear, sewing materials, and jewelry not shown separately.
Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance and repairs.
Also includes residential telephone, fuel oil, coal, water, and sewerage service not shown separately.
Calculated from the CPI food at home component by excluding fish, nonalcoholic beverages, bananas, chocolate candy bars, chocolate syrup, and
about 6
half of the index weight for sugar.
Calculated from the CPI beef and veal component by excluding veal cutlets and beef liver.
• Not seasonally adjusted.
NOTE: Index applies to month as a whole, not to any specific date.




8

Table 2. Consumer P r i c e Index-United States city average for urban wage e a r n e r s and c l e r i c a l w o r k e r s , by commodity and service groups, and
expenditure c l a s s e s

Group

October November
1972
1972

All items
Commodities
Food at home - - Cereals and bakery products
M e a t s , poultry, and fish .
Dairy products
F r u i t s and vegetables ——
Other foods at home
Food away from home
Commodities less food-

Seasonally adjusted annual rate
percent changes for
3 months ending in
6 months ending in
July
July
April
January
October January
January
1972
1972
197 3
1972
1973
1973
1972 |
Commodity and service groups

Seasonally adjusted indexes
(1967=100)

_.

Nondurables less food
Apparel commodities ' •
Men 1 s and boys'
Women's and girls*
Footwear
Nondurables l e s s food and apparel Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products (not seasonally

122.2
124. 9
122. 8
114. 5
131.0
117. 0
129. 7
117. 1
132. 5
120. 3
120.7
123.8
122. 9
124.2
126.2
119. 1
110.5

ecen
mber
1972

C

122. 7
126. 3
124.6
115. 1
132.7
117.6
130.7
118.2
133. 0

122. 8
126. 3
124.6
116. 0
132.8
118.2
129. 5
118.8
133.7

123. 6
128.7
127.5
116. 3
137.2
119.0
131.7
121.9
134.2

120.4

120.7
121. 3
124.5
124.2
124.7
127.0
119.4
111.4

120.7
121. 3
124. 1
124.4
123.7
126.9
119.7
111.7

121. 1
124. 1
123.7
124. 3
126.7
119.4
111.4

3. 1
3. 4
7.2
7.3
4. 3
14.9
5.6
-4. 8
6.4
4.7
2.4
2.4
3.3
3.4
4.3
3.6
2.4
-5.8

a d i u s t e d ) _«.—_____—__.._-_-___-__—___—___.
Alcoholic b e v e r a g e s (not s e a s o n a l l y
adjusted)
F u e l oil and c o a l
Other nondurables

134.3

134.3

134.2

134.2

119.9
115.8
108.8
115.2
127.4

120.5
119.4
118.8
120. 1
116. 3
108.9
115.0
127.2

120.7
119.9
118.9

Durables commodities .
Household d u r a b l e s .
New c a r s
U s e d c a r s (not s e a s o n a l l y adjusted)—
Other durables

120.4
119.3
118.6
119.8
116.0
108. 1
116.0
127. 2

134.6
120. 3

134.9
120.5

135.4
121.0

119.9
116.3
110.0
112.8
126.9
135.7
121.5

2.7
2. 1
2.8
2. 1
1.4
1.8
4. 2
1.9
2.8
3. 1

137.2
140.6
137. 0
140. 3
126.9

137.6
141.0
137. 1
140.7
127.4

138. 0
141.8
136.9
140.9
127. 8

138. 3
142.6
135.5
141.3
128. 1

126.8
123. 0
123.4

127. 1
123.6
123.7

127.5
123.7
124.0

127.5
124.9
123.6

133.8
145. 1
127. 1
145.8

134.2
145.3
127.7
146.3

134.6
145.7
127.6
147.4

134.9
145.4
128. 1
148.2

S e r v i c e s (not s e a s o n a l l y adjusted)
Rent (not s e a s o n a l l y adjusted)

Services l e s s rent (not seasonally
adjusted) .
Household services l e s s rent
Transportation s e r v i c e s
Medical care services
Other s e r v i c e s
Special indexes;
All items l e s s food
Nondurable commodities
Apparel commodities l e s s footwear
Services l e s s medical care s e r v i c e s (not
seasonally adjusted)
Insurance and finance __________________________________
Utilities and public transportation
Housekeeping and home maintenance service

3.2
3.6

4. 3
9.0
10.3
3.5
13.6
4.0
14. 1
9. 1
4.5
2.0
2.7
3. 1
5.4
2. 5
2.7
2.6
6.8

2.6
3.0
-2. 1
8.9
-4.0
9.6
1.7
3.7

5. 3
4. 7
0. 7
7. 3
1.0
22.4
1.4
3. 7

1.7
-0.3
-1.6
-2.6
3.9
2.4
7.4

2.7
3.4
5. 3
5.7
6.7
3.2
3. 1
9.2

4. 7
12.7
16.2
6.4
20.3
7.0
6.3
17.4
5.2
1. 3
2.0
1.0
5.0
-1.6
Z.I
2. 0
4.4

0.9

-0. 3

5.9

1.0
-1.0
2. 1

2.4
0. 3
2.4

1.3
5. 5
1.0

1.9
0. 5
2.4

3.6
2. 3
2.2
14. 5
4.0

3. 1
2.9

1.8
2.9
1. 7
0.8
1.9
-4. 1
0.2
-0.6
3.3
3.9

4. 0

7.9

120. 3
118. 3
118.6

3. 3

4.9
5. 1
1. 1
11.8
0.7
2. 1
4. 1
4.2
2.7
2.0
1. 5
0.8
0.8
3.8
2.4
0.6

5.2
3.2
2.5
25.9
6.2

1.7
2. 1
-11.9

9.2
0. 3

0.0
1.7
4.5
-8. 1
-1.6

3.4
2.7

3.3
3.7

3.3
4. 1

-0.6
2.7
2.6

3.3
5.3
4. 2
3. 3
2.3

3.3
3. 2
2. 1
6.5
3.5

3.2
5.8
-4.3
2.9
3.8

3.0
3.4
1.8
3.0
2.4

3.3
4.5
-1.2
4.7
3. 7

2.6
4.8
3. 3

3. 2
2.3
-1.3

2.9
5.0
6. 1

2. 2
6.3
0.6

3.5
1.0

2.6
5.7
3.3

2. 5
-0.6

3.4
7.2
3.2
4. 5

3.0
1.4
4.2
3. 1

3. 3
0.8
3.2
6.7

2.9
3. 3
2.6
4. 1

3.2
1. 1
3.7
4.9

2.8
2.7
3.7
2.6
3.4
2. 3
3.0

12.7
3. 1
3.3
4. 1
3.4
5.4
8. 5 ,
2. 3

3. 5
3.8
2.9
3.9
3. 1
3.2
1.8

9.0
3.0
3.0
3.9
3.0
4.4
5.4
2.7

2. 7
1.5

1.9
3.7

Expenditure c l a s s e s

130.8
135.9
120.5
141.7
121.5
122. 1
122. 1

126.3
131.2
136.7
121.0
142.5
121.7
122.4
122.4

128.7
131.4
137.0
121.5
142.9
122.7
124. 0
122.6

2.9
1.8
3. 1
1.2
3.8
2.4
2. 0

3.3
2.6
4.1
5.8
2.7
6.8
2.4
4. 1
1.7

121. 0
118.6
145. 1

123.8
121.4
119. 1
145.3

124. 1
121.2
118.9
145.2

123.9
120.6
118.3
144.2

0.7
-0.'7
-3. 3

-0.3
4.5
4.9
1.7

3.4
4.2
6.9

-1. 3
-1. 0
-2.5

2.5
2. 1
-0.8

3.5
1.0
1.5
2. 1

127.2
134. 3
120.8
124.0
125.9

127.4
134.6
121.0
124.0
125.9

127.5
134.8
121.5
124.0
126.2

127.8
135.2
121.9
124. 0
126.6

3.9
1.8
2.7
3.3
7.0

2.6
3. 1
3.4
2.3
1.0

2.9
5.9
2.7
3.3
0.3

1.9
2.7
3.7
0.0
2.2

3.2
2.5
3. 1
2.8
3.9

2.4
4.3
3.2
1.6
1.3

124.2
126. 1
125.7

124.7
126.6
126. 1

124.8
126.8
126.4

125.6
127.4
126.9

2.7
3.6
3.6

3.3
3.3
3.3

4.3
3.6
3.9

4.6
4.2
3.9

3.0
3.4
3.5

4.4
3.9
3.9

16.3

7.6

8.4

-7.9

20.3

11.7

5.3

3. 1
Housing (not seasonally adjusted) .
Shelter 2
Rent (not seasonally adjusted)
Home owner s h i p 3
Fuel and utilities *
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation .
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Private
Health and recreation (not seasonally
adjusted)
Medical care
.,
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services .
Special indexes:
All items l e s s shelter
All items l e s s medical care
All items l e s s mortgage interest costs
CPI — domestically produced farm foods (not
seasonally adjusted)
CPI — selected beef cuts (not seasonally
asjusted)
1
2
3
4

124.9
130.4
135. 9
120.3
141.7
121. 1
121. 5
121.9
123. 3

126.3

122.5

123. 1

123.8

127.2

7.3

7.9

135.2

135.6

134.9

141.6

13.2

10.2

Also includes infants' wear, sewing materials, and jewelry not shown separately.
Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance and repairs.
Also includes residential telephone, fuel oil, coal, water, and sewerage service not shown separately.

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




4. 1

9

Table 3. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas for urban
percent changes from selected dates
Pricing
schedule 2

Area1

age earners and clerical workers, all items most recent index and

Indexes
1967=100

1957-59=100

Percent change from:

Other
bases
January
1972

January 1973
U. S. City average

_

r-

.. , .__._ ____ —n

Los Angeles-Long Beach __..„—————..-..-—--——
N. Y.—Northeastern N. J.
. „•- - - - . - , .
Philadelphia

127.7

148.5

3.7

0.9

0. 3

M
M
M
M
M

126.4
128. 5
124.8
133.7
129. 0

143.6
147.7
146.7
159. 1
150.7

3.5
3. 5
4.0
4.0
3.4

.8
1.0
.7
.4
.2

.2
.2

January
1972

January 1973
Boston _ . . _ _ _ . _ . . . . _.____-,-,...___-._.__„___—___
Houston _ _______.___._....,...-,..„.,-._-.-..,.,.._..u . ,_....
Minneapolis—St. Paul
Pittsburgh

1
1

129.7
127.2
127.8
127.2

155.4
145.5
148. 1
146.3

Buffalo T . „ , . -,_ „. -.-,
r ...
Cleveland .....,.. r ._...._.—._.-.......... ._„._-.——.—.
P a l l a s ., . .,
-.
...,,,
rSan Diego —.—._—.—.-., _. J ...». n ,^ .„» T»..„.___—..___..
»

>

„•.,- ...,-, ,,-,„» •.,. .^ ,.

2
2
2
2
2
2
2

128.6
127.9
125.7
125. 0
126.8
121. 2
129.7

3

141.4

3

135. 9

4

141.2

133.3

.
— — .-.

..

n

.. . r .
,....._..,„. .—......-,-..

Honolulu ———__.._.-..,-.........., . .,..........._.,..._-,.
Kansas City , r...,,
St.

Tionis

„,

••.••

, . . r ., , , n-• - - -

San Franris^o—Oakland .^.^^

,,.,

.

3
3
3
3
3
3
3

127.7
128.0
126. 5
124.4
125.5
123.7
126.3

August
1972
1.4
1.3
.2
.3
1.4
1. 1

4.5
2.8
2.7
3. 4
5.0
3. 1

142.4
151. 1

4.4

146.9
148.6
143.6

1.6

December
1971

December 197 2
Atlanta
Baltimore

0.6
.6
.5
.6

November
1971

144.4

5

September
1972

3.4
2. 3
3.8
2.7
3.4
2. 3

134.1

148.9
144. 5
150.2

.3
0

October
1972

3.9
3.2
3.2
3.2

November 197 2

Washington

December
1972

M

_

Chicago

October
1972

0.6
.2
.2
1. 1
0
. l
.6

3.9

1
Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA except for New York and Chicago
where the more extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used. Area definitions are those established for the I960 Census and do not include
revisions made since I960.
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.
2 ~ February, May, August, and November.
3 — March, June, September, and December.
3
November 1963=100.
4
February 1965=100.
5
December 1963 = 100.

NOTE: The Consumer Price Index cannot be used for measuring differences in living costs among areas; it indicates price change within areas.
Estimates of differences in living costs among areas are found in the family budgets.

Table 4. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas 1 for urban wage earners and clerical workers, major groups percent changes
from December 1972 to January 1973
Group
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

U.S. city
average
0.3
2. 1
.2
-1.6
-.2
.2
.4
.2
. 1
.2

0.2
1.9
.2
-2.2
-.6
.1

n
0
-. 1

See footnote 1, table 3.
Not available.




Los Angeles—
Long Beach

Chicago

10

0.2
2.5
-. 3
-2.9
0
.2
. 3
(2)
!

New York—
Northeastern
New Jersey

Philadelphia

0.3
2.4
0
-1. 7
-.9
.4
.3

0.0

0. 1

1.9
.1
-4.6
-. 1
.3
.3

.1
.5

1.7
-.3

-2.5
-.4

.1
.1
-.2
.2

Table 5. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas 1 for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
commodity groups, January 1973, and percent changes from October 1972
Group

U.S.
city
average

Los
AngelesLong
Beach

Chicago

MinneNorthapolis—
eastern
St. Paul New Jersey

Philadelphia

Pittsburgh

Indexes (1967= 100)
2

129. 7

128.5

124. 8

127.8

128.6
127.2

128. 0
126.8

129. 0
128.4

128.5
127.7

130. 7
126.7

125.7
126. 1

130.6
129.2

133.4
130.6

129. 0
126.6

127.3
125.7

116.3
136. 1
119. 1
130.5
123.8
134.2

117.4
134.9
119. 5
130.3
122.9
132. 1

118.6
137.2
119.6
129.8
125.5
131.5

120.4
139.6
115.2
122.2
125.0
132. 0

112. 2
137.3
122. 2
126. 8
123.6
144.4

113. 1
138.8
116. 1
127.6
122.6
124. 6

127.4
139.8
121. 0
126.9
125.7
136. 7

117. 3
137.8
123. 0
137.8
125.5
142. 3

118.6
133.8
120.7
129.9
121.3
139. 6

114. 1
132.0
116.7
133.0
124.6
136.9

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

131.4
136.9
121.5
142.6
122.8
120.7
124. 1

136.4
146.3
133. 1
152. 3
118. 3
118.8
120. 5

125.8
130.5
116. 1
136.9
116.5
114. 7
117.7

135.0
144. 6
(3)
149.2
118. 7
117.6
121.2

130.4
135.7
111.4
144. 1
120. 5

129. 0
132.2
119.8
135.9

131. 3
136.5
121.9
138.9
125.5
116.5
126.8

132.0
141. 0
126.9
144.7
119.4
114. 1
124.9

131. 1
139.4
118.2
145.5
120. 1

122.2

127.6

117.5

116. 1

125. 7

123.2

120.6

Apparel and upkeep
Men1 s 1and boys'
Women s and girls'
Footwear

123.0
123.5
122.2
126. 6.

124.9
122.5
123.9
133. 1

120.6
117.6
122. 9
120.8

117.3
119.4
110.4
124.3

125.7
117. 7
135.8
123.7

118.8
119.4
117.3
119.7
126.5

119.9

139.7
147. 1
(3)
158. 5
128.2
123. 1
129.2
127.6

121.7
119. 8
122.2
127. 1

119.5
121.4
114. 0
123.2

119.4
120. 1
114. 1
125. 1

123. 1
120.9
123.9
128.3

Transportation Private
Public

121.0
118. 5
144.3

120. 7
117. 9
138.2

124. 7
119. 1
160.5

118. 2
115.7
148.5

114. 1
111.3
159.7

120.2
120.4
117.3

118.7
118. 1
128.7

133.9
126.2
163.3

125. 9
122.9
143.5

121.9
119.5
138. 1

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

127.8
134.9
121. 8
124. 1
126.7

129. 5
137.0
123. 3
130.5
124.0

128. 7
134.5
(3)
124.4
130.0

130.8
143.7
125.5
126. 3
121.9

130. 2
138.4
125.2
123. 1
129.2

122. 2
131. 1
(3)
115.0
120.2

128.6
129.3
124.5
128.4
129.6

132.9
143.4
(3)
127.9
133.8

131.8
144. 8
121.2
127.2
128. 0

127.9
131.7
119.5
126.2
129.4

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

4
5

125. 1

127. 6
133.8

124.9

Quarterly percent changes from October 1972 to January 1973
0.9

Food at home •
Cereals and bakery
products
Meats, poultry, and fish Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables Other foods at home —
Food away from home
Housing
Shelter
Rent
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and
operation
___«_-_
Apparel and upkeep Men1 s 1and boys'
Women s and girls'
Footwear

0.6

3.0
3.6

1.6
1.8

3.0
3.6

3.8
4.2

2.5
2.9

1.5
3.7
1. 7
4.8
4.9
1. 1

2.0
.5
1.0
1.6
4.6

3.0
3.2
1. 7
5.4
5.4
.5

2.9
4.3
2.6
4.8
5.9
1.7

2.0
4.3
2.9
-.8
4. 1
1.2

.9
1. 1
1.4
.9
.9
.5
2.0

1.0
(3)
1. 1
1.7
3.2
2.5

.7
1.0
.6
1.8
2.2
2.6
.3
-1.0
-.2
-2.9

. 1

1.3
2.0
1.4
2.2
-. 1
1.5

6

.7
.2
.3
.2
3.6

3.2
4. 1
1.4
6.0
.5
5.3
4.6
. 6

6

.3
.5
.3
.4

1.0

6.4

3.6
4. 1

2.6
3.2

2. 7
3.2

2.9
3.3

4.2
4.0
2.8
5.3
4. 3
1.3

-.2
3.3
2.6
3.5
5.2
1. 1

3.5
2.8
.9
3.6
5.4
1.2

2.5
1.8
.6
5.9
6.2
1. 1

-1. 7
6
.6
-2.3
.8

.1
.4
.3
.5
-.9

-1.0
-1.5
.2
-1.8
.6
1.2
1.2

1.6
.8

-1. 1

-3.0
-4.0
-4. 7
-2.9

-2.5
-.6
-6. 1
.3

.2

-. 2

.9

-2.3
.2
-6.0
1.6

)
.1
2.5
2.2
4.0

-1. 7
-.9
-3.9

-3.2
-1.6
-6.8
-1.4

-2.5
-.4
-4.8
-2.5

-1.4
-1. 1
-3.3
1.5

-1. 1
-1.8
-1.7
0

-10.3
-2.5

.9
.9
1. 1

.1
.1
.1

Transportation Private
Public

-. 2
-.2
. 1

.1
.2

-. 3
-.4
. 1

1.2
1.3
0

.4
.3

-.6

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

.5
.7
.8
.1
-.2

.4
.9
1. 1
-.2
.1

.3
1.2
(3)
0
-.6

.5
.3
1.8
.3
.1

.5
1. 1
-.3
.2
.3

.7
.6
(3)
.7
.3

1
2
3
4

-.6
.3

.6
1. 5
-.2
.7

-5.0
-2.9

.3
1.6
(3)
-.9
.5

.4
.4
.5

-.2
-.3
0

.4
.3
.7
.6
.1

.5
1.0
-.2
.4
. 1

See footnote 1, table 3.
Revised indexes: April 1971, 121.6; July 1971, 122.7; October 1971, 124.3; 1971 annual average 122.7; January 1972, 124.8; July 1972, 127.0.
Not available.
Revised indexes: April 1971, 118. 2; July 1971, 120. 3; October 1971, 1971 annual average, 119. 4; January 1972, 119. 1; April 1972, 118. 5; July
1972, 5119. 1; October 1972, 120.6.
Revised indexes: April 1971, 114.9; July 1971, 117.4; October 1971, 116.6; 1971 annual average 116.4; January 1972, 116.1; April 1972,115 3July 1972, 116. 1; October 1972, 117.7.
6
Change from November 1972.




11

Table 5a. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas l for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
commodity groups, 1972 annual average indexes and percent changes, 1971-72
Minneapolis
St. Paul
Indexes (1967= 100)

Group

Pittsburgh

127. 1
152. 3

125.2
143. 3

125. 5
145.5

125.3
144. 1

123.7
122.2
114.4
130.5
117.0
125. 1
115. 3
128.9

125. 0
121.0
111.0
127.5
118. 1
125.7
116.5
138.9

124.4
122.4
122.2
130.2
116.7
120.9
118.8
133.4

122.8
121. 0
113.7
125.5
117.4
126.5
117. 1
134.0

133. 3
141.9
129.2
147. 6
117. 3
117. 1
120.8
125.8

128. 7
134.5
110.9
142.8
116.2

129.7
137.5
117.0
143.4
119.7

120.3
124.4

130.9
136.8
121. 1
139. 5
122.9
115. 1
123.7
118.9

Apparel and upkeep Men1 s and boys'
Women1 s and girls'
Footwear

124.3
120.9
125. 6
128.4

125. 7
116.6
135.7
125. 9

119. 5
120. 1
117.9
125.2

123.6
120. 3
127.5
125.0

Transportation Private
Public

119. 5
116.4
137.8

114. 8
112. 1
157.5

116.4
115.8
126.4

121.2
118. 7
138. 1

Health and recreation •
Medical care
Personal care 3
Reading and recreation —
Other goods and services

128.0
134. 7
121.6
129. 1
123.4

128.2
135.3
123.4
122. 1
127.9

126.5
126. 0
121.0
128. 1
127.8

126.0
128.7
116.8
124. 1
129.5

All items
All items (1957-59= 100)
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products —
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products •
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home —
Food away from home —
Housing
Homeownership —
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation

124. 1
119.7

Percent changes 1971-72
3.6

3.6

3. 1

Food at home •
Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products •
Fruits and vegetables Other foods at home —
Food away from home

4.4
4.6
1.6
8.6
1.7
5. 0
1.4
3.7

5.2
5. 1
-.6
10.5
3. 1
6.3
1.5
5.2

4.4
4.7
1. 0
10.6
1.7
4.9
1.8
3.3

3.3
3.3
-.3
9. 1
-1.5
3.4
.2
3.2

Housing
Shelter
Rent
Homeownership —
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coalGas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation

5. 1
6.3
5.3
6.9
4.7
1.9
4.2
2. 3

3.3
3.2
1.0
3.9
3.3

3.3
4.3
2. 5
4.9
2.6

2. 3
3.4

3.6
3.4
2. 1
3.6
6.7
-.3
4.4
2. 1

Apparel and upkeep
Men' s and boys'
Women1 s and girls'
Footwear

2. 1
.2
2.7
4.4

3.0
3. 1
3.7
2. 2

1.2
-.3
1.2
2.3

3.3
1.6
5.3
4.2

Transportation •
Private
Public

. 1
0
-. 1

1.5
1.2
4.8

.7
1.6

1.0
.7
2.8

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

3. 2
3.3
1.0
3.0
3.9

4. 1
4.0
5.0
2.5
5.4

3.6
1.8
2.6
3. 1
6.8

3.4
5.0
1.7
5.8
.5

See footnote 1, table 3.
1972 Annual average indexes for Chicago, Los Angeles—Long Beach, and Philadelphia are 113.2; and 118.5 and 124.4 respectively.
1972 Annual average indexes for Detroit and Philadelphia are 121. 3 and 120.4 respectively.




12

2. 6
1. 1

Table 6. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
food and its subgroups, January 1973, and percent changes from December 1972
Food at home
Total
food

Cereals
and
bakery
products

U. S. city average

128.6

127.2

116.3

136. 1

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

129.9
129. 7
128. 0
128. 1
129.0
128.6
128.2
128. 2
128.5
126.6
130.7
127.9
125. 7
125. 7
130.6
133.4
129.0
127.3
127. 1
129.8
127.8
127. 1
132.0

128.6
128.6
126.8
127. 1
128.4
128.3
127.9
125.6
127. 7
124.2
126.7
126.6
126. 1
124.5
129.2
130.6
126.6
125.7
125.4
128.6
127.8
126.4
128.7

118.7
115. 1
117.4
116.9
118.6
116.5
113. 7
114.3
120.4
108.6
112.2
118.4
113. 1
118.8
127.4
117.3
118.6
114. 1
119.9
113.6
112.6
113.3
120.2

135. 7
136.6
134.9
133.6
137.2
134. 7
136.2
136. 7
139.6
129.7
137.3
133. 3
138.8
134. 0
139.8
137.8
133.8
132.0
131.4
145.5
137.4
137.2
133.9

Meats,
poultry,
and fish

Fruits
and
vegetables

Other
foods

119. 1

130.5

123.8

122. 7
121. 0
119.5
117.6
119.6
122.9
122.7
113. 1
115.2
120.5
122.2
127.3
116. 1
115. 6
121. 0
123.0
120. 7
116.7
121.4
115.6
117. 1
118.0
114.4

136. 1
132.2
130.3
135. 1
129.8
131.5
129.9
128.0
122. 2
131.7
126.8
122.2
127.6
125.2
126.9
137.8
129.9
133. 0
130.2
126. 7
130.9
126.3
137.9

124.7
126.6
122.9
123.9
125.5
126.3
125.7
122. 1
125. 0
122.9
123.6
124.8
122.6
120.3
125. 7
125.5
121.3
124. 6
119. 1

Dairy
products

Food
away
from
home

Indexes (1967= 100)

123. 7

127.0

125. 7
128.5

134. 2
133.7
134. 1
132. 1
133.9
131. 5
129.7
130.3
137.4
132.0
133.5
144.4
132. 1
124.6
(2)
136.7
142.3
139.6
136.9
135. 1
(2)
127.9
129.3
140.2

Percent changes December 1972 to January 1973
U. S. city average
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas
Detroit
Honolulu
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles—Long Beach •
Milwaukee
Minneapolis-St. Paul —
N. Y.-Northeastern N. J •
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
San Diego San Francisco—Oakland
Seattle
Washington
1
2

2. 1
2. 2
1.6
1.5
2.2
1.9
1.3
1.7
2.2
2.5
-.2
1.9
1.6
2.4
2.2
2.2
1.9
1.7
1.8
1. 7
3.3
3. 1
3.0
2.4

2.8
2. 0
1.8
2.6
2.4
1.6
2.0
2.5
2. 7
-. 2
2.3
2.0
3.3
2.8
2.5
2.4
2. 1
2. 0
2.0
4.7
4. 1
3.8
3.3

0.7

2.5

4.8
3.3
1.9
3.4
3.2
2.9
2.6
4.3
4.2
1.2
3.9
2.8
6.3
3.3
3.2
2.9
2.7
1.6
3.2
8.0
6.4
6.7
6.2

.9

.8
-. 5
-.3
.7
2.4
-.5
1.4
.5
-.3
2.7
3.7
-.2

.7
1.4
-.6
.4
-.2
.4
.3

See footnote 1, table 3.
Not available.




13

1.0
.4
.3
.3

1. 1
.5
.2
2.2
.4
-.2
2.4
0
.1
.3
.5
.8
.5
.3
.5
.3
.2
.6

3.0

1. 1
3.4
3.9
2.5
.3
2.5
1. 0
1.7
-5.6
-1. 2
2.2
2.2
3.2
1.8
3.9
2.2
3.7
2.4
3.9
5. 1
3.2
2. 1

3.8
2.7
2.5
2.6
2.9
2.4
3. 1
2.2
3.0
3. 1
3. 1
3. 1
3.8
3.9
2. 7
2.6
3.0
3.3
2.8
5.6
4.2
4.4
2.9

.2
. 1
. 1
.2
.1
.2
.1
.7
.9
0
.2
.2
. 1
(*)
1. 0
.6
.6
.1
.2
(2)
.2
.6
.2

Table 7. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
food items, January 1973 indexes and percent changes from selected dates
Percent change to January 1973 fron
Item and group

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 cakes
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 —
Pork sausage •
Ham, whole —
Picnics
Bacon
Other meats
Lamb chops
Frankfurters
Ham, canned
Bologna sausage
Salami sausage —
Liverwurst
Poultry
Frying chicken Chicken breasts
Turkey
Fish
Shrimp, frozen
Fish, fresh or frozen Tuna fish, canned Sardines, canned —
Dairy products •
Milk, fresh, grocery —
Milk, fresh, delivered
Milk, fresh, skim
Milk, evaporated
Ice cream
Cheese, American process
Butter

January 1973
Seasonally
Unadjusted
adjusted
128.6
134.2
134.3
133. 6
127.2
116.3
105.4
136.5
99.3
113.4
114.3
122. 1
111.4
120.5
122.9
136. 1
137.7
142.9
141.9
136.5
139. 6
139.6
146. 0
142.0
143. 4135.8
168.3
135.0
138.4
138.7
138.0
131.2
132.7
130.5
130.4
131.4
130. 7
126.9
135.0
132.4
126.0
116. 1
116.6
116.8
113.3
149. 2,
140.3
167.9
135.7
152.8
119. 1
117.9
122.7
124.2
122.4
107.2
128. 3
105.7

See footnotes at end of table.




14

128. 7
134.2
134.4
133.3
127.5
116.3
105.5
136.8
99. 1
113.4
114.0
122. 0
111. 7
120.5
122.4
137.2
139.0
143.9
142.6
138.3
141.3
139.6
146.0
144.2
144.7
137.2
169.8
137. 1
141. 7
141.4
140.8
126.9
133.9
134.0
130.8
132.5
131.9
125.9
135.7
132.7
126. 5
117.5
118.4
118. 2
113. 1
148.9
140.0
167.9
135.3
151.9
119.0
117.7
122.5
124.2
122.5
106.8
128.4
105.3

January 1972
Unadjusted
6.9
4.4
4.7
2.8

7.6
2.3

4.6
3.3

-3. 1
2.8
2.8
2.7
2.0
.8
3. 3
12.8
13.7
9.3
8.5
6.2
6.5
9.0
8.0
8.4
9.6

18.3
12. 1
23.6
24.2
24.8

22. 2

19.3
17. 1
29.2

11.6
5.3
13.3
16.4
12.5
13.3
10.3

7. 1
8.5
5.8
2.0
10.8
14.0
16.0
5.5
7.5
2.3
1.9
3.3
3. 1
1. 2
.5
4.9

-. 1

December 1972
Seasonally
adjusted

usted
2. 1
.4
.3
.7
2.5
.4
2.2
.3
.2
1.9
0
.6
.5
.3
-.2
3.7
3.9
4.5
6.5
4.8
4.4
5.4
6.6
5.5
3.5
1.3
2.0

5. 1
7.9
7.9
.9
4.5
4.6
3.8
.9

-. 1
1. 3
1.5
.5
.4
1.5
5.4
6.8
2.6
1.4
.4
-.4
1.6
0

1.9
.4
.4
.5
2.3
.3
1.7

.1

.2
1.8
-.4
.7
.4
.5

-1. 1
3.3
3.6
3.5
4.5
3.6

3. 1

3.3
5.9
5.4
3.7
1.7
1.7

5. 1
7.8
7.9
1.7
2.4

5. 1
3.8
.8
.2
1.8
.4
.7
.5
1.5

4. 1
5.2
3.0
0

.1
-1.0
1.3
-.6

.1
.7
.8
.8
.6
.6
.9
.5
.3

.1
.7
.7
.8
.7
.3
.8
.4
0

Table 7. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
food items, January 1973 indexes and percent changes from selected dates—Continued
Percent change to January 1972 frorr
Item and group

Food—Continued
Food at home—Continued
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
Processed fruits and vegetables Fruit cocktail, canned
Pears, canned
Pineapple-grapefruit juice, drink
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, can and bag
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
1

January 1973
Seasonally
Unadjusted
adjusted

130.5
135.5
123.5
118. 0
97.5
129.7
132. 1
126.4

0)
(!)

(M

7.9

2.5
3.8
2.5
.6
.2
8.3
.6
-3. 1
1
C)

11.0
9.7

10.5
5.3
4.9
1.0

4. 3

(x)

C)
(!)
11.9

131.4
140.8
148.3
121.5
142.4
141.3
148.7
164.4
123. 1
125. 1
121.2
117.6
136.5
119.3
128.4
107.8
119.7
141.2
119.0
123.8
151. 6

128.4
138. 9
145.0
109. 7
144.4
141.2
149. 1
156.7
122.9
124. 7
121.0
117.6
137.2
118.5
128.4
107.8
119.9
140.6
119. 0
121.9
137. 1

116.3
110.3
119.0
121.7
116.7
126.8
130.9
111.2
123.9
124.3
125. 0
109.7
129.6
128.7
115.7
116.7
104.2
122.3
112.4
112.3
109.9
130. 1
114. 7

115.8
110.4
118. 9
121.8
116.9
126.7
131.2
111. 1
124.0
124.4
125. 0
109.8
129.7
129. 1
115.8
116.6
104.2
122.2
112.7
112.4
109.7
129.7
115.2

15

Unadjusted

(J)

141. 9
151.5
159. 1

December 1972
Seasonally
adjusted

Unadjusted

(l)
(l)

145.3
142.0
148. 1

Priced only in season.




131.7
137. 3
133.5
130.2
101. 2
138. 1
133.2
145.5

January 1972

26.0
40. 1
-9.6
-3.4
-15. 1
.5
6.6

23.9
6.9

14.3
3.3
3.0
3.7
2.5
.5
1.6
8.5
-.7
4.2
5.5
1.0
6.5

40.4
-.9

.1
-4.0
1.3
2.7
4.4

.1
-1.9
2.9
5.2
.2
3.4
1.5
.6
1.9
1.9

-2. 1
3.6
.8
3.5

-1. 1
6.6
.5

4.6
4.2
3.2
4.3

1. 7
1.8
2.5
-3.4
-2.5
15.4
1.7
-2. 1

li!
3.2
4. 3
3.4
1

-2.6

9.0

10. 5
-4. 7
17.6
2.6
12.4
.6
1.5
.6

1. 1
.3
0
.8
.6
.3
.1
.2
3.0
18.4
-.3
.6
-.2
.2
.2
.5
0
.1
.6
1.0
.6
-. 1
.4
.5
0
.1
-.6
.1
-.4
.4
.1
.2
-. 3

5.2
3.2
11. 7
15.5
4.2
31.2
.6
1.7
.3
1.2
.3
0
.5
1. 1
.5
-. 1
.1
2.6

16. 1
-.5
.6
-.7
.3
.3
.5
.8
-.4
.6
.9
.7
-.2
.2
.5
0
-. 1
-.7
.2
-.4
.1
.1
.1
0

Table 8. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
indexes for selected items and groups, January 1973, and percent changes from selected dates
(1967= 100)
Item and group

Other
index
bases

3.2
3.4
3.4
3.5
-.4
6.9
1.7
5.0
5.4
1. 1
2.8
4.8
6.3
5.0
4.3
4.6
4.6
3. 7
1.7
1.5
4.3
3.8
4. 7

0.2
.1
.4
0
.3
. 1
-.4
.3
.5
.8
.2
.3
.2
.6
.3
. 1
.3
.7
1. 1
1. 1
1.3
.9
1.6

115.0
141.7
122.3
117.3
115.4
119. 0
113.2
113.9
124. 6
107.4
114. 1
122. 1
105.8
121.2
101.6
105.2
98.7
118.2
105.2
(5)
120.2
106. 6
101.4
119. 1
118. 1
109.9
110.8
103.8

114.6
141. 7
122.2
116.9
113. 1
113. 6
114. 1
110.2
125.0
102. 1
113. 1
121.8
105.7
120.5
101.8
104.4
98.5
117.7
105. 3
(5)
120.0
106.6
101.2
119.6
119.0
109.9
111.0
103.7

3.6
3.9
2.3
1.7
2. 1
3.2
3.4
4.9
5. 1
-4.6
0
1.7
1. 1
1.0
1. 7
1.0
-. 7
.9
1.5
(5)
1.7
.3
-. 7
3.5
1.2
.3
.7
-.3

-.3
0
-. 1
-.3
-2.0
-4.5
.8
-3. 2
.3
-4.9
-.9
-.2

108. 1
111. 1
114. 6
(5)
108. 7
111.8

-. 1
-. 1

-.3
. 1

(V

?)
-.6

126.6
129.8
126.4

126.9
130.7
126.8

5.7
7. 1
3.9

5

5

. 1

-. 1

-.6
.2
-.8
-.2
-.4
. 1
(5)
-.2
0
-.2
.4
.8
0
.2
-. 1

.7

S

.2
.7

r)
-.6

111.5
134.4
125.6

16

111.4
135.6
125.2

.4
5.4
.6

141.6
139.3
146.6
140.9
125.8
143. 6

See footnotes at end of table.




131.4
136.9
121.5
142.6
117.9
150.8
124.5
144.7
127.9
119. 0
119. 1
151.9
164. 1
159.6
139. 1
150.5
157.9
122.8
120.7
118.3
124. 1
126.2
122. 1

108.4
111.0
114.8
(5)
109.4
111.0

Dec. 71
Mar. 70
Dec. 71

January
1973

131.2
136.8
121. 0
142.6
117.5
150.6
125. 0
144.2
127.3
118. 1
118.9
151. 5
163.7
158.6
138.7
150.4
157.4
121.9
119.4
117.0
122. 5
125. 1
120.2

Housing
Rent residential
Homeownership 2
Mortgage interest rates ———
Property taxes
Property insurance premiums
Maintenance and repairs —
Maintenance and repair commodities 3
Exterior house paint
Interior house paint
Maintenance and repair services
Repainting living and dining rooms
Re shingling 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 operation4
Housefurnishings
Textil e s
Sheets
Curtains, tailored —
Bedspreads —
Drapery fabric •
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, manmade fibers —
Vinyl sheet goods
Vinyl asbestos tile
Appliances (excluding radio and T. V.)
Washing machines, electric, automatic •
Vacuum cleaners, canister type Refrigerators or 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 service, general housework
Babysitter services
Postal charges •
Laundry, flatwork, finished service
Licensed day care services, preschool child Washing machine repairs

Percent change to January 1973
from:
January
December
1972
1972

December
1972

141.9
139.2
146.6
142. 1
125.8
144. 1

4. 0
4.3
0
4.2
5.4
4.3

.9
-.3

.9

Table 8. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
indexes for selected items and groups, January 1973, and percent changes from selected dates—Continued
(1967=100)
Item and group

Other
index
bases

January
1973

Percent change to January 1973
from:
January
December
1972
1972

125.0
125.5
125.2
124.8

128.8
129.4
(5)
115.3
115. 7
142.4
115.8
116. 1
110.7
118.6
116.2
117.7

6.3
2. 3

-1.5

(5)
2. 0
0
6.3
1.5
1.4
-1.7
.3
1. 7
1.2

. 1
-2.5
.1
0
.6

123. 1
119.6
130.6
121. 1
122.2

6.3
1.3
3. 3
1.0
1.7

-3. 1
-1.6
.7
.3
-3. 3

121. 7
123.7
115.9
140. 1
(5)
124.2
130.9
110. 6
118.4
116.7
121.5
94.6
114.7
110.5
146.0

4. 7
6.4

-9.5
-9.2
-6.8
-4.8

114.6
119. 1
125.3
140. 9
109.8
127. 0

110. 1
104.7
120.6
137. 1
109.9
122. 8

-6.0
4. 5
10.7
4.6
-1.6
-1.0

116.9
118.7
117.3
127.3

116.3
118.7
117.3
126.6

-1.6
2.9
3.2

-. 5
0
0
-.5

127.5
127. 1

126. 7
127.4

5.8
5.2

-.6
.2

128.4
123.6
128.3
126.9

125.5
123.0
128. 0
127.2

1.0
1.9
2.3
2.6

-2.3
-.5
-. 2
.2

130.0
124.9
130.2

129.5
124.9
130.8

5.8
3.2
1. 7

-.4
0
.5

118.8
115.7
125.0
135.5
118.9

17

-1.6
-1.9
-2.2
-1. 0

134.5
136.2
124.4
147. 2
(5)
124. 7
133.4
110.5
118.8
118.2
123. 7
95.0
114.8
110.8
148.3

See footnotes at end of table.

2.3
2.3
2.2
3.0

127. 1
121.6
129. 7
120. 7
126.4

Panties, acetate or nylon tricot
Girdles, manmade blend
Brassieres, nylon lace
Hose, or pantyhose, nylon seamless
Anklets or knee-length socks, various fibers
Gloves, fabric, nylon or cotton
Handbags, rayon faille or plastic
Girls' :
Raincoats, vinyl, cotton or polyester blends —
Skirts, wool, wool blends or acrylic
Dresses, cotton, manmade fibers or blends —
Slacks, cotton or chiefly cotton
Slips, polyester blends
Handbags, plastic
Miscellaneous apparel:
Diapers, cotton gauze or disposable
Yard goods, polyester blend Wrist watches, men' s and women' s
Footwear
Men1 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' , strap or pump
Apparel services:
Drycleaning, men1 s suits and women1 s dresses
Automatic laundry service
Laundry, men' s shirts •
Tailoring charges, hem adjustment
Shoe repairs, women1 s heel lift

123. 0
123. 1
122. 5
123.5

130. 8
134.3
(5)
114. 3
116.4
142. 0
115.2
116. 0
113.5
118.5
116.2
117. 0

Apparel and upkeep
Apparel commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
Men' s and boys'
Men' s:
Topcoats, wool or all-weather coats, polyester
blends
Suits, year round weight
Suits, tropical w-eight
Jackets, lightweight
Slacks, wool or wool blends
Slacks, cotton or manmade blends
Trousers, work, cotton or polyester/cotton •
Shirts, work, cotton, or polyester/cotton —
Shirts, business, polyester/cotton
T-shirts, chiefly cotton Socks, cotton or manmade fibers
Handkerchiefs, cotton or polyester/cotton Boys' :
Coats, all purpose, cotton or cotton blends •
Sport coats, wool or wool blends
Dungarees, cotton or cotton blends
Undershorts, cotton
Women1 s and girls'
Women' s:
Coats, heavyweight, wool or wool blends •
Carcoats, heavyweight, cotton
Sweaters, wool or acrylic Skirts, wool, wool blend or manmade fibers Skirts, cotton or polyester/cotton
Blouses, cotton or manmade fibers
Dresses, street, chiefly manmade fiber
Slips, nylon
••




December
1972

119.0
115.8
125.3
135.9
119. 1

1.5
1.8
4.0
3.2
4.7

-4.8
3.8
(5)
5.6
1.0
-. 5
1.5
.5
-.7
-2.9

-1.0
.3
5. 1

2.9

-3.6
(5)
.9
-.6
.3
.5

(5)
-.4
-1.9
. 1
-.3
-1.3
-1.8
-.4
-. 1
-.3
-1.6
-3.9

-12. 1
-3.8
-2.7
. 1
-3.3

.2
. 1
.2
.3
.2

Table 8. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
indexes for selected items and groups, January 1973, and percent changes from selected dates—Continued
(1967= 100)
Item and group

Other
index

Indexes
December
1972

January
1973

from:
January
1972

December
1972

Transportation
Private 7
Automobiles, new
Automobiles, used
Gasoline, regular and premium
Motor oil, premium
Tires, new, tubeless
Auto repairs and maintenance 8 Auto insurance rates
Auto registration Parking fees, private and municipal
Public
Local transit fares
Taxicab fares
Railroad fares, coach
Airplane fares, chiefly coach
Bus fares, intercity

121.3
118.9
110.6
115. 0
110.2
124.7
114.8
136.8
139.6
127.7
149.4
144.5
150.8
135.6
122. 2
132. 1
144. 0

121.0
118.5
111. 1
112. 8
110.7
125. 1
113. 1
138.4
138.4
123.0
149.7
144.3
150.6
135.6
122.2
132. 1
144.0

1.8
1.8
-1. 0
7. 1
3. 7
2.3
-4. 1
4. 0
-1.7
-3.2
8.4

Health and recreation •
Medical care
Drugs and prescriptions
Over-the-counter items •
Multiple vitamin concentrates •
Aspirin compounds
Liquid tonics
Cold tablets or capsules
Adhesive bandages, packages •
Cough syrup
Prescriptions
Anti-infectives
Sedatives and hypnotics
Ataractics
Antispasmodics
Cough preparations
Cardiovasculars and antihypertensives •
Analgesics, internal
Anti-obesity
Hormones
Professional services:
Physicians' fees
General physician, office visits
General physician, house visits
Obstetrical cases
Pediatric care, office visits •
Psychiatrist, office visits —
Herniorrhaphy, adult
Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy Dentists' fees
Fillings, adult, amalgam, one surface •
Extractions, adult
Dentures, full upper
Other professional services:
Examination, prescription, and dispensing of
eyeglasses
Routine laboratory tests, urinalysis
Hospital service charges
Semiprivate ro
Operating room charges
—
X-ray, diagnostic series, upper G. I
Laboratory tests, urinalysis
Anti-infectives, tetracyline, HCL
Tranquilizers, chlordiazepoxide, HCL and
meprobate Electrocardiogram
Intravenous solution, saline
Physical therapy, whirlpool bath Oxygen, inhalation therapy
Personal care
Toilet goods
Toothpaste, standard dentifrice
Toilet soap, hard milled
Hand lotions, liquid
Shaving cream, aerosol
Face powder, pressed
Deodorants, aerosol
Cleansing tissues
Home permanent
Personal care services Men' s haricuts
Beauty shop services
Women1 s haircuts
Shampoo and wave sets, plain Permanent waves, cold

127.5
134.4
105.6
111. 7
94.9
117. 0
100.9
114.2
125.2
114.2
100.5
72.6
127.9
103.5
108.0
117. 0
112. 1
132.0
110. 1
92.6

127.8
134. 9
105.7
111. 7
94.5
117.6
101.2
114.3
125.2
113.9
100. 6
72.6
127.8
103.8
107.8
117.6
112. 1
133.4
110.7
92.6

2.8
3.4
.2
1.3
3. 1
.4
1.3
1. 1
2.0
-.9
-8.0
2.5
1.2
-. 1
-. 1
. 1
5.0
2.3
-1.5

135.4
136.6
138.8
134.6
137.8
131. 7
129.6
130. 5
133. 7
135.5
133.3
130.2

135.7
137. 0
139.3
134. 7
138.0
131.8
129. 7
130.6
134.3
136.6
133.2
130. 7

2.6
2.8
3.3
2.0
2.0
3.0
2.3
1.5
2.9
3.6
2. 1
2.0

.4
.8
-. 1
.4

126.3
121.3
103. 2
176. 3
173. 1
130. 1
102.7
99.4

126.5
121.4
103. 6
177. 6
173.5
130.7
102. 7
99.7

2.8
2.3
3.6
4. 7
6.1
2.3
2. 7
-.3

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

101.9
104.0
102.8
102.8
102.4
121.5
117.9
109. 5
123.3
127.3
107.6
139.3
104.6
122.2
109.8
125.2
127. 2
123.9
126.4
127.4
113.6

102. 0
104.0
103.0
102.9
101.9
121.8
118. 1
109.4
123.3
127.3
108.3
140.6
104.4
122. 2
109.9
125.6
127.5
124.3
126.8
128. 0
113.8

2.0
4.0
3.0
2.9
1.9
3. 1
2.6
-.5
3.0
5.0
1. 1
15.2
-.5
-1.8
-1.3
3.5
2.9
4. 1
5.5
4.3
2. 1

. 1
0
.2
. 1
-.5
.2
.2
-. 1
0
0
.7
.9
-.2
0
. 1
.3
.2
.3
.3
.5
.2

Jan. 72

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

72
72
72
72
72

See footnotes at end of table.




18

.6
.3
2. 1
-4.7
1.9
5.8

-.6

-0.2
-.3
.5
-1.9
.5
.3
-1.5
1.2
-.9
-3.7
.2
-. 1
-. 1
0
0
0
0
.2
.4
. 1
0
-.4
.5
.3
. 1
0
-.3
. 1
0
-. 1
.3
-.2
.5
0
1. 1
.5
0
.2
.3
.4

Table 8. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
indexes for selected items and groups, January 1973, and percent changes from selected dates—Continued
(1967= 100)
Item and group

Other
index
bases

Reading and recreation 9
Recreational goods
TV sets, portable and console
TV replacement tubes
Radios, portable and table model
Tape recorders, portable
Phonograph records, stereophonic —
Movie cameras, super 8, zoom lens •
Film, 35mm, color
Golf balls, liquid center or solid core 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 Children1 s
Drive-in movie admissions, adult
Bowling fees, evening
Golf green fees
TV repair, color picture tube replacement
Film developing, color
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
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 accounts
Legal services, short form will
——

Indexes
December
1972

January
1973

.Percent change to January 1 9 / i
from:
January
December
1972
1972

124.0
107. 9
99.0
133.4
99.2
94.5
108.0
88.2
108. 1
105. 1
126.0
108. 1
114.2
116.7
114.4
110.7
129.3
142. 1
140.8
145. 9
146.6
122.0
98.7
116. 1

98. 7
116.2

. 1
-1.7

133.4
134. 1
125.0
126.5
134.2
135.9
136.2
111.3
120.5
114.4
109. 0
128.3
132.6

133.6
134. 1
125.2
126.7
134.2
136. 0
136.2
111.2
120.7
114.6
109. 1
128.5
132.8

2.2
7.4
3.0
2.6
3. 1
3.3
3.0
1.4
1.9
1.0
1.6
2.6
2.7

122.7
106.5
153. 0

1

108. 1
88.3
108. 1
105.3
126.4
107.8
114.2
117.5
114. 0
110.8
129.7
142.7
141.2
146.9
148. 2
122. 2

2.2
.4
-1. 1
5.5
. 7
-.5
.8
0
-. 5
. 2
.5
-2.7
.7
3.3
1.2
1.0
2.2
2.7
2.5
3.3
3.6
3.6

123.0
106.5
155. 5

124. 1
107.8
98.8
133.4

99. 1
92.9

2.9
-2.9
9.7

0. 1
-. 1
-.2
0
-. 1
-1.7
. 1
. 1
0
. 2
. 3
-.3
0
. 7
-.3
. 1
.3
.4
. 3
. 7
1. 1
.2
0
. 1
. 1
0
. 2
. 2
0
. 1
0
-. 1
.2
.2
. 1
. 2
.2
. 2
0
1.6

Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Also includes home purchase costs not shown separately.
Also includes pine shelving, furance filters, packaged dry cement mix, and shrubbery not shown separately.
4
Also includes Venetian blinds, nails, carpet sweepers, air deodorizers, steel wool scouring pads, envelopes, reupholstering, and moving
expenses.
5
Priced only in season.
6
Also includes men1 s sport shirts, women1 s and girls' lightweight coats, women' s slacks, cocktail dresses, bathing suits, girls' shorts,
earrings, and zippers not shown separately.
' Also includes recapped tires and drivers' license fees not shown separately.
8
Includes price for water pump replacement, motor tune-up, automatic transmission repair, exhaust system repair, front-end alignment,
and chassis lubrication.
9
Also includes outboard motors, nondurable toys, college tuition fees, paperback books, and college textbooks, not shown separately.
2

3




19

Brief Explanation of the CPI
personal visits of the Bureau's trained representatives.
Mail questionnaires are used to obtain local transit fares,
public utility rates, newspaper prices, fuel prices, and
certain other items.
In calculating the index, price changes for the various
items in each location are averaged together with weights
which represent their importance in the spending of all
wage earners and clerical workers. Local data are then
combined to obtain a U.S. city average. Separate indexes
are also published for 23 areas.
The index measures price changes from a designated
reference date—1967—which equals 100.0. An increase
of 22 percent, for example, is shown as 122.0. This
change can also be expressed in dollars as follows: The
price of a base period "market basket" of goods and
services bought by urban wage earners and clerical
workers has risen from $10 in 1967 to $12.20.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures average
changes in prices of goods and services usually bought
by urban wage earners and clerical workers. It is based
on prices of about 400 items which were selected to represent the movement of prices of all goods and services
purchased by wage earners and clerical workers. Prices
for these items are obtained in urban portions of 39
major statistical areas and 17 smaller cities, which were
chosen to represent all urban places in the United States.
They are collected from about 18,000 establishmentsgrocery and department stores, hospitals, filling stations,
and other types of stores and service establishments.
Prices of foods, fuels, and a few other items are
obtained every month in all 56 locations. Prices of most
other commodities and services are collected every month
in the five largest areas and every 3 months in other
areas. Prices of most goods and services are obtained by

A Note on Seasonally Adjusted and Unadjusted Data
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




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 also are 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.

20

Reliability of Percent Changes in the CPI
are about 95 out of 100 that the percent change in the
CPI as computed differs from the corresponding "complete coverage" change by less than twice the standard error.
Because the CPI is rounded to one decimal place,
some ambiguity may arise in interpreting small index
changes. As the table indicates, for example, a monthto-month change of 0.1 percent in the all-items CPI
is significant. Because of rounding, however, a change
of this size in the published index might result from a
much smaller change in the unrounded value. Hence,
any particular change of 0.1 percent may or may not
be significant. On the other hand, a published change of
0.2 percent is almost always significant, regardless of
the time period to which it relates.
This replaces the table of average errors based on
1971 data which was included in the CPI report through
December 1972.

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
Average standard errors of percent changes in the
CPI based on 1971 data

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

Standard error
Quarterly
change

Annual
change

.03
.07

.05
.10

.08
.12

.08
.05
.19
.09
.06
.11

.15
.08
.31
.16
.10
.19

.30
.16
.26
.20
.17
.34

.06

.10

.16

.08

.14

.32

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.

annual percent changes in the CPI for all items and
for nine commodity groupings based on 1971 averages.
The figures may be interpreted as follows: The chances

A Note About Calculating Index Changes
Percent changes expressed as annual rates 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 12month period.
Movements of the indexes from 1 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 following example illustrates the computation of index point and
percent changes:




CPI
less previous index
index point difference =

123.8
123.2
0.6

Index point difference divided by the index for
the previous period:
1 2 3 . 8 - 123.2

123.2

x 100 = 0.5

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.

21

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
REGIONAL OFFICES

PUERTO RICO

Region I
1603 JFK Federal Building
Government Center
Boston, Mass. 02203
Phone: 223-6762 (Area Code 617)

Region V
8th Floor, 300 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, III. 60606
Phone: 353-1880 (Area Code 312)

Region II
1515 Broadway
New York, N.Y. 10036
Phone: 971-5405 (Area Code 212)

Region VI
1100 Commerce St., Rm. 6B7
Dallas, Tex. 75202
Phone: 749-3516 (Area Code 214)

Region HI
P.O. Box 13309
Philadelphia, Pa. 19101
Phone: 526-1154 (Area Code 215)

Region VII and VIII
Federal Office Building
911 Walnut St., 15th floor
Kansas City, Mo. 64106
Phone: 374-2481 (Area Code 816)

Region IV
Suite 540
1371 Peachtree St. NE.
Atlanta, Ga. 30309
Phone: 526-5418 (Area Code 404)

Region IX and X
450 Golden Gate Ave.
Box 36017
San Francisco, Calif. 94102
Phone: 556-4678 (Area Code 415)




Regions VII and VIII are serviced by Kansas City.
Regions IX and X are serviced by San Francisco.