Full text of CPI Detailed Report : July 1955

The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.

Issued August 23* 1955
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25* B. C*
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX - JULY 1955
Consumer prices of goods and services in United States cities rose
0*3 percent between June and July 1955* according to the U*S* Department of Laborfg
Bureau of Labor Statistics* As in June* seasonally higher food prices were mainly
responsible for the increase* although continued small increases in rates for services
were also a factor* Costs of housing* personal care* medical care, the other goods and
services category* and reading and recreation advanced during the month* Transportation
costs were lower than in June and apparel prices were unchanged on the average*
The Consumer Price Index for July 1955 was Ulu? percent of the
19U7-U9 average* 0*U percent lower than a year ago* Among the index conpcnents now at
their highest levels are residential rents* household operation, medical care* and
personal care* These categories are more strongly influenced by changes in costs of
services than other index groups*
FOOD

The food index rose 0*7 percent to 112*1* but remained 2*2 percent
lower than in July 195U* Substantial seasonal increases in prices
of fresh fruits and eggs* with lesser advances in dairy products* restaurant meals* pork
products* processed fruits and vegetables* fats and oils* and bakery products caused the
increase over the month* Lower prices were reported for fresh vegetables* poultry, some
cuts of beef* lamb, and watermelons* The family food budget cost more in 36 cities* but
slightly less in the other 10*
Prices of fresh fruits rose 9*ii percent, following their 8*7 percent
increase from May to June* Fresh peaches returned to the 1955 market at an average price
of 30*9 cents per pound compared with 18*9 cents last July* reflecting the severe damage
to this yearfs crop in the Southern states from the March freeze* Grapes also appeared
in the market at higher prices than at the end of last season* Prices of apples were up
8*9 percent* Oranges continued to increase (up 5*2 percent)* as they usually do in the
Summer* Watermelon prices declined 27*0 percent from the first of season price in June*
as lower prices were reported in U3 of the 1*6 cities* Fresh vegetable prices declined
5*1 percent* led by potatoes (down 17*U percent), reflecting abundant supplies, with all
U6 cities reporting decreases* Green beans (down 17*1 percent) and cabbage (down 13*3
percent) were both reported selling at lower prices in all but 2 or 3 cities* Lettuce
prices* down last month, rose 18*9 percent, because of crop damage caused by hot, dry
weather; costs of fresh tomatoes and celery advanced slightly*
Egg prices rose seasonally in H3 cities, averaging 6*5 percent
higher than in June* Small price increases contributing to the 1*U percent rise in the
"other food purchased for consumption at home*1 category were reported for shortening,
margarine, peanut butter, and canned pork and beans* Scattered increases in prices of
bread and milk caused the advances in the indexes of cereals and bakery products (up 0*2
percent) and dairy products (up 0*6 percent)*
The meats, poultry, and fish group declined fractionally (0*1 percent), and is now 5*5 percent below its July 195U level* Substantial decreases in July
prices of pork chops (down 3*0 percent) and to a lesser extent in poultry (down 1*1
percent) reversed their price movement from May to June* Chuck roast prices also
declined* In contrast, prices of processed pork (bacon and ham) rose almost enough to
offset these decreases*




2
HOUSING

The housing index rose 0*2 percent between June and July,
although residential rents held at their June level* Prices of
anthracite coal and fuel oil advanced during the month. Laundry service charges showed
a small increase, but sale prices for dry cleaning were reported in some cities* The
slight decline (0*2 percent) in housefumishings prices resulted principally from widespread reductions for electric refrigerators• A number of sale prices in retail stores
were also reported for vacuum cleaners, washing machines, sewing machines, and both living
room and bedroom furniture*
OTHER COMMODITIES
AMD SERVICES
dentists9

Prices for men's haircuts were reported as much as 20 percent
higher in several cities, and prices of home permanent wave refill
kits advanced in most cities priced in July* Physicians', surgeons1,
fees, and hospital rates rose in a number of cities*

The 0*1 percent increase in reading and recreation costs represents
the net effect of higher motion picture admissions for special features and lower prices
for television sets and sporting goods*
Prices of new automobiles continued downward as dealers granted
larger concessions, and used car prices also declined during the month* Reduced auto*
mobile Insurance rates were reported, but gasoline prices were higher than in June*
The apparel index was unchanged as price declines for nylon slips
and hose were counterbalanced by some increases in men's and boys' apparel and footwear*




TABIE 1.

3

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — U.S. CITY AVERAGE ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS
Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Dates

July
1955

June
1955

May
1955

July
195U

June
1950

Group
This Month

Last Month

2 Months Ago

Last Year

Pre-Korea

Year
1939
PreWorld War II

INDEXES ( 1 9 4 7 - ^ 9 = 1 0 0 )
ALL ITEMS

Food at home
Cereals and bakery products • .
Meats, poultry and fish • • • .
Dairy products

HOUSING 2 /
Rent

. . . . « « .

. . . . . . .

Solid fuels and fuel oil • • . .
Housefurnishings
. . . . . . . .

APPAREL

. . . ..

Footwear

TRANSPORTATION
MEDICAL CARE
PERSONAL CARE
..
READING AND RECREATION
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 3/ . . . .

11U.7

llluli

llii.2

115.2

101.3

59.4

112*1

111.3

111.1

11U.6

100.5

47.1

111*1
12U.2
103.7
10U.7
121.9
109.2

110.3
12U.0
103.8
loU.l
119.5
107.7

110.0
123.8
102.1
loU.o
120.2
108.U

llli.2
121.6
109.7
10U.3
120.1
117.3

100.5
102.7
106.1
92.3
102.5
94.1

47.1
57.2
41.6
49.8
46.3
48*4

119.9

119.7

119.U

119.0

104.9

76.1

130.U
110.8
123.2
103.6
119.U

130.U
110.7
122.7
103.8
119.2

130.3
110.9
122.5
103.7
119.0

128.5
107.8
121.1
105.7
117.2

108.7
102.7
107.6
97.4
99.6

86.6
104.9
56.4
53.U
68.4

103.2

103.2

103.3

IOU.O

96.5

52.5

105.7
96.9
117.5
90.5

105.6
97.2
117 . 4
90.1

105.7
97.3
117.1;
90.3

106.6
98.2
116.5
90.8

98.1
93.3
102.1
88.4

V
V

125.1
127.9
115.5
106.3
120.3

125.8
127.6
11U.7
106.2
119.9

125.5
127.5
113.9
106.5
119.9

126.7
125.2
113.3
107.0
120.3

109.9
105.4
99.2
102.5
103.7

70.6

June
1950

Year
1939

V
5/

68.9

72.6
59.6
63.0

PERCENT CHANGE TO JULY 1955 FROMt
June
1955

PERSONAL CARE
READING AND RECREATION
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 3/
1/
2/
2/
4/

July
195U

0.3

O.U

-

0.7

0.9

0.7
0.2
- 0.1
0.6
2.0
l.U

o.U

12.7

93.1

- 2.2

11.5

138.0

1.0
0.3
1.6
0.7
l.U
0.7

- 2.7
2.1
- 5.5
o.U
1.5
- 6.9

10.5
20.9
- 2.3
13.U
18.9
16.0

135.9
117.1
1U9.3
110.2
163.3
125.6

0.2

O.U

0.8

1U.3

57.6

0
0.1
O.U
- 0.2
0.2

0.1
0.1
0.6
- 0.1
0.3

1.5
2.8
1.7
- 2.0
1.9

20.0
7.9
liu5
6.U
19.9

50.6
5.6

118.U

-

0.1

-

0.8

6.9

96.6

0.1
- 0.3
0.1
o.U

0
- o.U
0.1
0.2

•

0.8
1.3
0.9
- 0.3

7.7
3.9
15.1
2.U

rv
jjy

-

- 0.1
0.3
l.U
- 0.2
0.3

-

1U.1
21.3
16.U
3.7
16.0

0

TRANSPORTATION

May
1955

0.3
0.2
0.7
0.1
0.3

-

1.0
2.2
1.9
- 0.7
0

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




9U.0
7U.6

y
w
82.0

16.2

93.8
68.7
70.U

TABUS 2.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — ALL ITEMS INDEXES FOR SEIECTED DATES
U.S. CITY AVERAGE AND 20 LARGE CITIES

(1935-39=100)

( 1 9 ^ 7 - ^ 9 * 1 0 0 )
City
July
1955

June
1955

July
195U

June
1950

Year
1939

July
1955
1/

U.S. CITY AVERAGE

.

111.7

liU.b

115.2

101.8

59.^

191.8

118.2
116.8
115.9
111.9
115*8

117. h
116.7
115.3
111.8
115.5

118.0
117.5
lllu9
113.3
116.3

102.8

58.6
59.0
60.1*
60.1
59.2

201.3
197.2
193.7
185.2
192.7

July
1955

April
1955

1951A

H3.8
115.9
117.5
llli.O
nit. 7

113 .H
115.2
117.0
113.8
lllu?

113.8
115.6
117.3
115.)4
115.5

June
1955

March
1955

June
195U

116.0
115.0
113.7
115.9
115.3

115.3
11U.9
113 .U
115.6
115.6

117.6
115.5
11U.2
117.U
116.8

CITIES PRICED MONTHLY:

Detroit

CITIES HtlCED IN JANUARY, APRIL,
JULY, OCTOBER 2/

CITIES PRICED IN MARCH, JUNE,
SEPTEMBER, DECEMBER 2/

May
1955

CITIES PRICED IN FEBRUARY, MAY,
AUGUST, NOVEMBER 2/

February
1955
11U.9
115.7
111.7
116.3
113.2

115.3
115.5
lll.U
116.8
113.5

1/
2/
3/
5/

July

102.8
101.3
100.9
101.6
April

July
1955

19*D0

101.2
101.U
3/102.1
99.9
101.5

61.0
61.7
60.7
58.1
58.3

183.2
186.6
19U.6
193.8
198.7

June
1950

June
1955

1/101.3
101.6
101.2

58.3
57.9
58.U
59.3
58.6

101.1
100.9

May
195U

May
1950

115.3
116.7
112.3
116.3
113.7

100.U
103.5
100.2
102.0
101.6

196.7
197.7
191.5
193 .U
197*0
May
1955

59.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
60.U

196.5
195.5
185.1
199.6
186. U

These are the same indexes shown in column 1, converted to a base of 1935-39 = 100.
Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items priced monthly; other commodities and services priced quarterly.
June 1950j formerly priced March, June, September, December.
May 1950j formerly priced February, May, August, November.

TABLE 3.

City

U.S. CITY AVERAGE




CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — PERCENT CHANGES FROM JUNE 1955 TO JULY 1955
U.S. City Average and Five Cities Priced Monthly
All Items and Commodity Groups

All
Items

Food

Housing

Apparel

.

0.3

0.7

0.2

0.7
0.1
0.5
0.1
0.3

1.2
o.U
0.7
0.7
1.0

0.5
- 0.2
0.1*
0
- 0.2

0
1.0
0.2
0.3
- 0.3

- o.U

Medical
Care

Personal
Care

Reading
and
Recreation

Other
Goods &
Services

- 0.3

0.2

0.7

0.1

0.3

- 0.3
- 0.2
0.1
- 0.9
- o.l

0
0.1
2.3
0.1
0

0.6
o.U
0.3
0.3
0.1

0.8
0.2
- 2.1
- O.Q
0.5

0.8
0
1.0
0
0.1

Transportation

TABIE U. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS
July 1955 Indexes and Percent Changes, April 1955 to July 1955
U. S. City Average and 10 Cities Priced in July 1955

Group

U.S.
Kansas
MinneLos
CITY
AVERAGE Boston Chicago Detroit City Angeles apolis

New
York

Phila- Pittadelphia burgh

July 1955 Indexes (19U7-U9 - 100)
11U.7
FOOD
Food at hone
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry and fish
Dairy products • • • •
Fruit8 and vegetables •
Other foods at home • •
HOUSING
Rent
Gas and electricity • • •
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings . • • •
Household operation • • .
APPAREL
Men's and boys' • •
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Other apparel • • .
TRANSPORTATION
MEDICAL CARE .
PERSONAL CARE
READING AND RECREATION •
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES

113.6

118.2

116.8

115.9

Meats, poultry and fish • • • • • • •
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables • • .
Other foods at home

Men's and boys' • • • • • • • • • • • •
Women's and girls'
. .
Footwear
• • • « • • • • • « » • • • .

TRANSPORTATION

READING AND RECREATION
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES

1/

Change from




January 1955 to July 1955*

115.8

lll;.0

11U.7

110.8

110.5

nU.U

107.7

112.2

112.1

111.6

111; . 2

112.3

111.7

109.6
119.1
101.1;
106.1;
120.7
105.8

109.0
119.3
98.1;
106.U
120.0
113.9

113.3
119.7
101.6
105.3
135.3
110.U

106.2
120.8
98.9
103.8
11U.3
101.7

109.7
127.9
103.6
103.0
11U.5
107.5

111.3
126.2
99.7
10U.2
123.1
116.7

110.6
128.9
10U.8
102.7
115.3
111.3

113.3
122.9
106.3
108.8
123.6
110.2

111.7
121;. 5
100.8
106.5
120.0
117.8

m . i
121.8
105.0
103.2
118.7
110.9

119.9

120.1;

130.2

121.8

121.8

127.0

123.2

11U.9

1U*.0

116.1

118.2

130.1*
110.8
123.2
103.6
119.lv

12U.1
1U.7
123.7
105.6
117.8

110.5
1 2 7 . If
106 ® 2
12U.0

108.1;
117.5
106.8
112.2

120.1
113.?
102.1
12U.9

116.2
105.1
12U.6

lUl.U
118.8
117.1
100.U
120.0

117.8
108.9
12U.2
103.2
119.3

102.3
llU.h
10U.9
lili .3

12U.2
U2.5
102 .U
119.6

130.8
107.6
131.6
103.3
111.7

103 a 2

101.5

105.0

102.2

102.0

103.7

103.1

100.9

103.5

101.2

105.1

105.7
96.9
117.5
90.5

103.7

lio.U 1 0 7 . 1

113.2
102.9

95.7
121.7
93.2

9U.8
113.3
87.2

106.1*
95.3
11U.7
86.6

107.6
96.9
118.6
82.8

107.6
96.7
112.8
91.3

105.7
92.5
117.0
92.6

10U.3
100.3
111.8
91.2

10U.5
93.6
111; . 9
97.2

107.7
98.1
119.9
9U.1

125.U
127.9
115.5
106.3
120.3

132.5
125.0
112.3
107.7
118.5

130.0
128.5
115.9
113.5
118.2

122.3
132.6
126.8
108.2
12U.8

125.5
136.U
121.1*
115.6
116.5

122.8
12U.3
117.8
96.2
116.0

118.6
1U8.0
122.5
116.8
126.3

127.1
126.2
109.2
10U.2
121.0

138.6
135.1
117.1?
113.2
123.5

137.7
131.6
116.5
97.7
120.1;

122.1*
125.9
U7.7
n6.o
120.1

0

0.2

o.U

95.U

0.1

0.8

1.7

0.9
0.2
0.7
0.1
3.7
- 0.2

2.0

0.3

Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings

111.9

Ul.l
121;. 2
103.7
10U.7
121.9
109.2

o.U

• • • • • • > • • • • • •

117.5

112.1

Percent Change —

Food at home

115.9

0

0.8
1.0
7.8
0.7

0

o.U 1/ 1.1
0
0.5
- 2.0 - 3.U
0.1
- 0.9
1.1
o.5

1.1

0.5

l.U

1.0

0.6

April 1955 to July 1955

1.2

0.7

- 0.7
- 0.9

o.U

- O.lj
0

0.5

1.3
0.3
1.2
0.9
5.2
- 0.7

1.3
- o.U
0.9
3.1
2.8
- 0.2

0.7
0
0.2
- 0.7
5.8
- l.U

1.5
0.1
- 5.8
- 0.6

- o.U

- 0.1
0.5
- 1.7
- 1.3
3.5
- 0.2

1.6

- 0.1

o.U

3.U

0.3

- 0.3

-

-

0

0.5
0.1
1.0
1.3

0

•

-

- 0.3
1.0 - 2.0
0.1 - 0.7
2.1*
0.1

lc8
0

2.3

- 0.2
0.1

- 1.8
15.1

1/ 1.0
0
- 0.1
- 2.0
- 0.2

0

-

1/

0.7

0.7

1.5

0.9
1.6
- 0.7
2.U
3.1
- 0.5

0.9
0
1.5
- o.U
3.8
- 0.5

l.U
o.U
2.8
- 0.3
1.0
1.5

- 0.8

- 0.1

- 0.1

.

-

0
- 0.1
- U.6
- i.e
0.2

0
- 9.9
- 0.7
0

3.1
- 5.3
- 2.7
r 0.3

0.9
0
2.1
- 2.8
- 0.5

1/

0.1

- l.i

1.0

0.3

- 0.3

0.3

- o.U

- 0.5

- 1.0

- 1.5

- 0.8

0.2
- 0.2
0.5
0.3

0.2
- 2.2
0.6
- 0.7

0.7
1.2
0.7
0.8

0.6
0.1
0.3
0.1

0.5
- 1.0
O.U
- 0.2

0
o.U
0.5
0.6

0.1
- 0.9
0
- 0.3

0.1
- 1.5
0.9
- 0.3

0.2
- 2.1
0.3
- 0.9

-

o.U
2*6
0.7
1.0

- 1.5
- 0.8
0
- 0.5

0.1
0.5
1.6
- 0.3
o.U

- 1.1
0.1*
0.6
0.6
0.1

1.2
0.3
0.1;
0.2
6.1
0.5
o.U - 0.6
0.1
0.1

1.6
0.1
U.5
0.9
- o.U

o.U
2.U
O.U
- 1.1
1.5

0.9
0.9
5.9
- 0.6
0.6

- 1.5
0.6
0.7
- 0.7
0

1.1
0
- 0.3
0.7

0
3.3
0
- 0.9

- 0.5

0

0

- 0.5
7.1
1.2

I.u

6

TABI2 5. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — FOOD AND ITS SUBGROUPS
Ally 1955 Indexes and Percent Changes, June 1955 to July 1955
U. S. City Average and 20 Large Cities
(19^7-^9 =» 100)
Total Food

City

Index

U.S. CITY AVERAGE
Atlanta
Baltimore .
Boston . .
Chicago • .
Cincinnati
Cleveland .
Detroit
Houston • •
Kansas City
Los Angeles

.
.
.
.
•

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

• • •
. . .
• • .

Minneapolis • . .
New York
. . . .
Philadelphia . .
Pittsburgh . . .
Portland, Ore. .
St. Louis . . . .
San Francisco . .
Scranton
. . . .
Seattle
Washington, D.C.

Percent
Change

. 112.1 0 . 7
•

•

•

;

• <
•
•
•
•
•

•
•
•

Total
Food at Home
Percent
Index
Change

Cereals &
Bakery Products
Percent
Index
Change

111.1

0.7

12U.2

103.7

-

0.3
0.1

U7.9
121.9
119.1
U9.3
12U.6
U9.S
119.7
118.2
120.8
127.9

o.U
0
0
0.5
- 0.1
- 0.2
- 0.2
0.1
0.1
0

107.5
10U.6
101.U
. 98.U
1 0 5 .U
101.1
101.6
102.2
98.9
103.6

-

126.2
128.9
122.9
12U.5
12U.8
U8.7
130.9
119.5
127*8
121.9

0.1
0.2
2.5
0.2
0
0.2
0
- 0.1
0
0

99.7
10U.8
106.3
100.8
105.0
103.7
107*7
103.5
103.9
101.2

110.8
112.1
110.8
110.5
113*8
109.7
llU.ii
110.7
107.7
112.2

-

0.2
0.1
1.2
1.2
0.8
0.U
o.U
0.5
0.3
0.7

109.3
110.6
109.6
109.0
113*0
108.8
113*3
109.5
106.2
109.7

-

112.1
111.6
llli.2
112.3
111.7
113*1*
113.6
110.2
113 J *
112.0

o.U
0.7
1.0
- 0.2
0.9
0.9
0.2
1.2
O.U
0.6

111.3
110.6
113.3
111.7
111.1
Ul.li
U3*l
U0.3
U2.5
U0.5

0.3
0.8
1*3
- 0.3
0.6
1*2
0.2
1.U
o.U
0.7

1*5

1.3
0.9
0.5
o.U
0.6
0.3
0.5

TABLE 6.

Food and Unit
CEREALS AND BAKERY PRODUCTS:
Flour, wheat
5 lb.
Biscuit mix
20 oz.
Corn meal
lb.
Rice
lb.
Rolled oats
20 oz.
Corn flakes
12 oz.
Bread, white
lb.
Soda crackers
lb.
Vanilla cookies
7 oz.
MEATS, POULTRY AND FISH:
lb.
Round steak
lb.
Chuck roast
lb.
Rib roast
lb.
Hamburger
lb.
Veal cutlets
lb.
Pork chops, center cut
lb.
Bacon, sliced
lb.
Ham, whole
lb.
Lamb, leg
lb.
Frankfurters
12 oz.
Luncheon meat, canned
lb.
Frying chickens, dressed
lb.
Frying chickens, ready-to-cook
lb.
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen
lb.
Haddock, fillet, frozen
16 oz.
Salmon, pink, canned
7 oz.
Tuna fish, canned
DAIRY PRODUCTS:
qt.
Milk, fresh, (grocery)
qt.
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
pt.
Ice cream
lb.
Butter
lb.
Cheese, American process
Milk, evaporated
i oz. can
FRUITS AND VEGETABIES:
Frozen
10 oz.
Strawberries
6 oz.
Orange juice concentrate
10 oz.
Peas, green
10 oz.
Beans, green
Fresh
lb.
Apples
lb.
Bananas
doz.
Oranges, size 2 0 0
lb.
Lemons
* Priced only in season
l/Formerly published as navy beans*




July
1955
(Cents)
53*9
27 .U
12.6
18.0
19*2
21.9
17.8
26.9
23.8

0.2
-

Meats, Poultry
& Fish
Percent
Index
Change

Dairy
Products
Percent
Index
Change

0ol

10U.7

0.1
o.U
0.2
0.2
0.2
- 1.0
- 0.7
0.7
- 0.9
0.9

108.0
108.3
106.U
106.U
106.U
96.1
105.3
108.6
103.8
103*0

-

10U.2
102.7
108.8
106.5
103.2
95*1
105.0

0.3
1.0
o.U
0.7
l.U
0.1
0.9
- o.U
1.8
- 0.5

105.0

108.6
109.3

-

-

-

Fruits &
Vegetables
Percent
Index
Change

0.6

121.9

0.1
0.2
1.1
1.7
0
O.U
0.3
0.1
0.6
0.2

115*7
U5.8
120.7
120.0
123*5
U9.1
135*3
118.5
UU.3
11U.5

-

1*7
1*2

123*1
115.3
123*6
120.0
U8.7
128.6
122.7
120.2
123.U
U7.5

-

2*5

0.2
o a
U.U
0.1
0
o.U
0.2

2.0

109.2

1.U

2.5

1 0 2 .U
108.5
105.8
113*9
llU.U
113.1
110.U
107.0
101.7
107.5

1.1
1.0
1.8
1.0
1.6
1.9
1*5
0.1
o.U
0.5

2.U
U.1
3.U
2.7
2.2
1.8
1*5
2.8
1.0

2.0
3.3
o.U
- 1.7
- 1.2
-

Other
Foods at Home
Percent
Index
Change

1*5

0.5
5*2
- l.U
2.U

116.7
111

.y

no.2
117.8

no. 9

U6.8
108.3
108.5
109.0
109.3

2.0
1.6
2.3
l.U
1.8
1.0
- 0.1
2.9
0.3
1*5

RETAIL FOOD PRICES FOR JULY 1955 AND JUNE 1955
U.S. City Average
June
1955
(Cents)
53*9
27*U
12.6
17*9
19*2
21.9
17*7
27*0
23.8

89*9
U9.1
70.U
39.U
109.U
87.1
67 .U
63.0
68.8
52.9
U3.0
U7.1
57.5
U2.6
U6.2
55.U
37.5

90.1
U9.8
70.8
3 9 .U
109.5
89.8
65.7
61.9
69.5
52.8
U3.U
U6.6
58.6
U2.5
U6.6

21*6
22.7
29.0
70.2
57.8
13.7

21.U
22.5
29.0
70.U
57.8
13*7

30.6
18.3
19.7
2U.0

30*7
18.1
19*6
2U*2

20.6
17*3
55.6
17 .U

18.8
17.0
52.9
17*5

55*5

37*5

June
1955

July
1955

Food and Unit
Fresh (continued)
Grapefruit *
each
Peaches *
lb.
Strawberries *
pt.
Grapes, seedless *
lb.
Watermelons *
lb.
Potatoes
10 lb.
Sweetpotatoes
lb.
Onions
lb.
Carrots
lb.
Lettuce
head
lb.
Celery
lb.
Cabbage
lb.
Tomatoes
lb.
Beans, green
Canned
46 oz. can
Orange juice
Peaches
#2
can
Pineapple
#2
can
Fruit cocktail
# 0 3 can
Corn, cream style
#303 can
#303 can
Peas, green
Tomatoes
#303 can
Baby foods
4 h-5 oz.
Dried
lb.
Prunes
lb.
Beans 1 /
OTHER FOODS AT HOME:
11 oz. can
Vegetable soup
16 oz. can
Beans with pork
7 i oz.
Pickles, sweet
14 *z.
Catsup, tomato
lb.
Coffee
* lb.
Tea
Cola drink
carton of 6, 6 oz.
lb.
Shortening, hydrogenated
lb.
Margarine, colored
lb.
Lard
pt.
Salad dressing
lb
Peanut butter
5 lb.
Sugar
24 oz.
Corn syrup
12 oz.
Grape jelly
7/8 oz.
Chocolate bar
doz.
Eggs, Grade A, large
3-4 oz.
Gelatin, flavored

h

(Cents)
30.9

(Cents)
29.1

29.5
U.7
59.5
16.3
8.6
13*2
15.9
1U.8
7.0
28.1
15.1

8.5
13.0
1 3 .U
13.9
8.0
26.9
18.3

33.5
3U.0
32.9
26.5
16.8
21.5
15.3
9.7

33*U
33.9
32.8
26.U
16.9
21.5
15*3
9*7

33*9
18.3

33*7
18.2

1U.1
15.0
27*U
22.5
89.1
U0.3
32.5
3U.6
28.8
20.5
35.3
55.1
51.9
23*7
25*9
U.6
57.3
8.6

1U*1
1U*9
28.0
22.U
89.0
U0.3
32 .U
3U.U
28.6
20.8
35.3
5U.U
52*0
23*7
26*0
U*6
53*6
8.6

6.U
71.7
16.0

LS56-OU82

BRIEF EXPIANATIGN OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

T

The Consumer Price Index measures the average change in prices of goods and
services customarily purchased by city wage-earner and clerical-worker families. Index
numbers are presented on the base 19^7-^9 * 100, and show the average increase or decrease in prices from the 19^7-^9 average. For the convenience of users, indexes are
also calculated on the base 1935-39 " 100.
About 300 items are priced for the index to estimate the average change in
prices of a fixed quantity of goods and services from one period to the next. Among
these are all the important items that wage and clerical workers buy, and they are
selected so that their average price change will be representative of the price changes
on all items. Prices are collected in
cities which are representative of all cities
in the United States.
Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items are priced eve**y month in eacn
city. Prices of most other goods and services are obtained every month in the 5 largest
cities, every 3 months in 16 other large cities and in 9 medium-sized cities, and every
k months in 16 small cities. In each city, prices are reported by representative retail
stores and service establishments patronized by wage and clerical worker families.
Indexes are calculated for all cities combined (the U.S. city average) and
for each of the 20 largest cities. No separate index numbers are calculated for the
following 26 medium-sized and small cities which are Included in the U.S. average:
Anna, Illinois
Camden, Arkansas
Canton, Ohio
Charleston, W. Virginia
Evan8ville, Indiana
Garrett, Indiana
Olendale, Arizona
Grand Forks, N. Dakota
Grand Island, Nebraska

Huntington, W. Virginia
Laconla, New Hampshire
Lodi, California
I^nchburg, Virginia
Madlll, Oklahoma
Madison, Wisconsin
Middlesboro, Kentucky
Middletown, Connecticut
Newark, Ohio

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

In the calculation, price changes on individual items are weighted by their
Importance in wage-earner and clerical-worker family spending. City data are combined
by weighting with 1950 population data to arrive at the U.S. city average.
Comparison of city Indexes shows only that prices in one city changed more or
less than in another. City indexes do not measure differences in price level between
cities.
A detailed description of the index containing lists of items priced, their
weights, cities included, and an explanation of the index calculation, Its uses and
limitations, is available in Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletin No. 11^0 - "The Consumer
Price Index - A Layman's Guide," for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, United
States Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. Price 20 cents.
A more technical description of the Consumer Price Index is available upon
request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, Washington 25, D. C.
Historical series of iildex numbers for the U#S. city average and SO individual
large cities are available upon request. These series include index numbers for All Items,
Food, Apparel, and Rent for periods from 1913 to date; and for other groups of goods and
services from 19^7 to date.