Full text of CPI Detailed Report : July 1959

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Released August 21, 1959
U . S . DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D. C.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR JULY 1959

Prices of consumer goods and services in United States cities
rose 0.3 percent between June and July 1959, according to the United States
Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. Higher prices for all major
classes of goods and services contributed to the advance, with food up 0.4 percent,
nonfood commodities 0.3 percent, and services 0.3 percent.
The Consumer Price Index for July was 124.9 percent of the
1947-49 average, 0.8 percent higher than in July 1958.
FOOD

Average food prices increased 0.4 percent in July, as sharp
advances in prices of eggs more than offset lower prices for
fresh fruits and vegetables. The food index, at 119.4, was 1.9 percent lower than
its record high reached in July 1958.

Egg prices rose for the first month since September 1958,
with an advance of 18 percent (much more than their usual rise between June and
July), following reductions in laying flocks. Prices of dairy products were
up 0.9 percent as fresh milk prices increased seasonally.
Prices of meats, poultry, and fish increased 0.4 percent,
largely because of an advance of 2.3 percent in prices of frying chickens. Beef
and veal prices rose fractionally, but prices of pork and lamb were lower.
Fruit and vegetable prices decreased 2.8 percent as local
supplies of fresh fruits and vegetables became more plentiful. Prices of
watermelons fell 33 percent, tomatoes 14 percent, potatoes 9 percent, and onions
7 percent. Higher prices were reported for grapefruit and lettuce. Prices of
processed fruits and vegetables were higher than in June, largely because of
advances for both canned and frozen orange juice.
Restaurant meal prices advanced 0.5 percent.
HOUSING

A rise of 0.1 percent in the housing index reflected increases
in most of its component subgroups. Rents again edged up
0.1 percent. Household operation costs advanced 0.3 percent largely because of
higher prices for dry cleaning and laundry services. Prices of home repairs and
maintenance were up 0.4 percent, with increases for plumbing equipment and painting
and repair services. The gas and electricity and solid fuels and fuel oil groups
rose 0.2 and 0.1 percent, respectively. Housefurnlshings prices declined 0.1 per*
cent as lower prices for household textiles and some appliances more than offset
increases for floor coverings and furniture.
OTHER COMMODITIES
AND SERVICES




An advance of 0.8 percent in reading and recreation prices was
due primarily to higher movie admission charges and increased
prices for sporting goods.

2

Transportation prices rose 0.3 percent because of higher prices
for used cars, increased
transit fares in two cities, and higher auto insurance
1
rates. Dealers selling prices of new cars were down 0.7 percent and gasoline
prices were 0.5 percent lower«
Apparel prices were up 0.2 percent, with increases reported
9
for men s and women's shoes, men's dress shirts and work clothing, and women's
rayon dresses and nylon hose. Prices were lower for men's slacks and tropical
suits and women's cotton street dresses and rayon skirts.
A rise of 0.3 percent in medical care costs reflected higher
prices for drugs and prescriptions and increases in fees for professional services.
Personal care costs advanced 0.2 percent with higher prices
for toilet goods.
Prices of cigarettes and cigars were higher as taxes were
increased in several states.




TABLE It Consumer Price Index—United States eity average
Major group, subgroup, and special group Indexes, July 1959
and percent changes from selected dates

3

(1947-49=100 unless otherwise specified)
Percent change to July 1959 f r o m —

Indexes
Group
H I items
Food

•
Cereals and bakery products

Dairy products
••
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
Food away from horns (Jan. 1953=100)
Housing 2J
Rent
Gas and electricity
•
Solid fuels and fuel oil
House furnishingsApparel
1
ten's and boys
1
Women's and girls
Footwear
Other apparel ' •
Transportation
PrivatO"
Public

•••
••••

-

111

-•

—
• •
...
-•

• -

• ••

July
1959

June
1959

June
1959

April
1959

July
1958

Tear

124.9

124.5

0.3

0.8

0.8

110.3

119.4
117.1
134.4
112.0
113.3
130.8
105.7
116.2

118.9
116.6
134.2
111.6
112.3
134.5
102.3
115.6

.4
.4
.1
.4
.9
- 2.8
3.3
.5

1.5
1.6
.2
.4
.4
5.8
1.0
1.2

- 1.9
- 2.8
1.1
- 6.0

153.5
148.6
135.0
169.2
127.5
182.5
118.4

129.0
139.6
119.5
134.0
104.0
134.3

128.9
139.5
119.3
133.9
104.1
133.9

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

.2
.2
1.1
- 3.4
.2
.4

1.0
1.3
2.1
1.3
0
2.4

69.5
61.2
13.9
137.6
94.8
96.3

107.5
108.3
98.8
135.2
92.3

107.3
108.1
98.8
134.5
91.8

.2
.2
0
.5
.5

.5
.3
- .1
2.1
.4

.7
.2
.2
4.2
.3

104.8
113.2
81.3
168.8
127.3

146.3
135.2
194.2

145.9*
134.9*
192.7

.3
.2
.8

.7
.6
.8

4.3
4.6
2.5

108.4
106.4
138.9

-

.6

- .8
- 5.5
3.0

-

1939

(I/>

Medical care

151.0

150.6

.3

.9

4.1

108.0

Personal care

131.3

131.1

.2

1.0

1.9

120.3

119.1

118.1

.8

1.2

2.1

89.0

130.8

129.2

1.2

2.0

2.8

85.3

All items less food

127.9

127.5

.3

.6

2.0

85.1

All items less shelter

122.7

122.2

.4

1.0

.9

121.5

Conaaoditie0 .•••••.
• . . ••
Nondurable s
•
Food
Nondurable3 less food
•
Apparel
Apparel less footwear
Nondurables less food and a p p a r e l Durable s
New cars
— — — —
Used oars (Jan. 1953=100)
Durables less cars

117.0
118.7
119.4
118.1
107.4
102.5
127.3
113.1
137.3
96. \
103.5

116.6
118.2
118.9
117.8
107.2
102;4
126.£
112.8
138.3
93.8
103.3

.3
.4
.4
.3

.1
.4
.3
- .7
2.5
.2

.9
1.1
1.5
.5
.4
.1
.6
.4
- 1.2
4.7
.2

.2
- .6
- 1.9
1.0
.7
0
1.2
3.0
5.0
14.3
.4

126.7
130.9
153.5
101.2
106.1

Commodities less food •• •

115.1

114.7

.3

.5

1.8

93.8

145.8
139.6
147.5

145.4
139.5
147.1

.3
.1
.3

.7
.2
.8

2.2
1.3
2.4

81.3
61.2
100.7

134.6
180.9
156.5
131.6

134.3
179.3
156.1
131.4

.2
.9
.3
.2

.5
1.0
.8
.8

2.5
3.4
4.8
1.2

54.7
125.8
122.0
125.7

$0,801

$0,803

.7

- 52.4

•-"•

Other goods and s e r v i c e s —

•

Special groupsJ

—

Service a • •• • •
— —
Rent
Services less rent-- — —
Household operation services, gas,
and electricity—
Transportation services—
•.,••••• •
Medical care s e r v i c e s — — • •• ' — • — —
Other services 2 / — —
Purchasing power of the consumer dollar
(1947-49=11.00)

.2

-

.2

-

.7

-

<!/>

93.2
97.4
140.9
(1/)
80.6

2 / Not available.
£/ Includes house purchase, interest, taxes, insurance, and upkeep, not shown separately.
3/ Includes house purchase, interest, taxes, insurance, and upkeep services; shoe repairs, television repairs, barber
and beauty shop services, and movies.
*
Revised.




T A B U 2 s Consumer Prioe Index—111 items index*a and percent changes, selected dates
U.S. city average and 20 large cities

Peroent change to
current month from

Indexes (1947-49=100)
lear
1939

—

April
1959

July
1958

Year
1939

City

July
1959

April
1959

July
1958

United States city average

124.9

123.9

123.9

59*4

0.8

0.8

110.3

128.3
124.4
127.6
123.5
124.2

127.4
123.5
' 126.6
122.0
123.6 •

127.6
124.3 125.7 •
121.1
123.3

58.6
59.0
60.4
60.1
59.2

.7
• .7- .8
1.2
.5

.5
.1
1.5
2.0
.7

118.9
110.8
111.3
105.5
109.8

July
1959

April
1959

July
1958

July •»
1958

Year
1939

125.6
126.0
125.4
125.7
126.1

125.1
125.5
125.1
124.5
125.3

125.4
124.8
124.9'
124.7
124.7

.2 .
1.0
.4
.8
1.1

105.9
104.2
106.6
116.4
116.3

June
1959

March
1959

June1958

124.3
126.4
122.2
126.0
129.0

124.9
124.8
122.7
124.5
128.0 ,

February
1959

May
1958

124.8
124.1
120.3
126.9
121.3

125.0
123.7
120.7
126.1
121.3

Cities priced monthly 1/
Detroit
Los A n g e l e s — — - — i —

—
—

Philadelphia—

•

-

Cities priced in January, April,
July, October 2/
Bo ston—i— :
—
Kansas City
Minneapoli s
—
Pittsburgh
Portland, Oregon

*
—

—
—
*

Cities priced in March, June,
September, December 2/
Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati——
St. Louis
San Francisco

125.5
• 126.6
• 123.1
126.3
- 129.6*

:

Cities priced in February, May,
August, November 2/
Cleveland
Houston
Scranton
Seattle
Washington, D. C.

May
1959

— — - —

• 125.3
• 124.1
• 120.0
127.9
121.8

1 9 5 9
April

lear
1939
61.0
61.7
60.7
58.1
58.3

.4
.4.2
1.0
.6

Year
1939
58.3
57.9
... 58.4
59.3
58.6
Year
1939

March
1959 -

June
1958.

Year
1939

1.0
.2
.7
.2
.5.

.5
1.4
.3
1.4
1.2

115.3
118.7
110.8
113.0
121.2

.

February
1959

May'
9
1 58

Year
1939

.4
0
- .2
.8
.4

.2
.3
- .6
1.4
.4

111.7
108.6
105.1
116.0
101.7

59.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
60.4

1/ Rents priced bimonthly.
2/ Foods, fuels, aid a few other items priced monthly; resits and other commodities and services priced quarterly*
* Revised.

TABIS 3s

City
Ubited States city average—
Detroit
Hew York
Philadelphia

Consumer Price Index—Percent changes from June 1959 to July 1959
U.S. city average and five cities priced monthly
All itens and cosModity groups

All
items

Food

0.3
.5
.8
.5
.8
.2

-

0.4

0.1

.6
.6
.2
2.0
.5

.2
.6
.4
.1
.3

1/ Based on revised index for June, 145.9•
2/ Based on revised index for June, 141.8.




Housing

-

Apparel

-

Transportation

Pttfr'ng
Medical Personal
and
care
recreation
care

Other
goods &
servioes

0.2

1/0.3

0.3

0.2

0.8

1.2

•9
.6
.7
.1
.3

1.0
4.4
2/-.4
.5
.6

.1
.1
.1
.1
0

.3
.1
.1
.2
.1

.9
4.8
2.2
.3
•9

.2
.1
6.7
1.0
0

-

TABLE 4: Consumer Price Index—All items end caaoaodity groupe

5

July 1959 Indexes and Percent Changes, April 1959 to July 1959

U.S. city average and 10 cities priced in July 1959
U.S.
Boston
City
Average

Group

Chicago Detroit

Kansas
City

Los
MinneaAngeles p o l i s

New
York

Philadelphia

P i t t s - Portland,
burgh
Oregon

Indexes (19^7-^9-100)
All items

-

Pood

124.9

125 .6

128.,3

124.,4

126.0

127.6

125 .4

123 .5

124.2

125 .7

119 .4

118 .9
115 .7
132 .4
112 .8
105 .8
130 .8
102 9

117.1
114.,4
130.,3
105.,1
116.,4
126.,9
109. 6

118.,0
115.,4
124.,6
107.2
107.,5
138.,5
105. 5

112.9
110.1
127.2
105.4
107.8
121.8
98.6

123.3
118.4
146.2
112.0
111.0
130.8
106.6

119 .2
116 .3
134 .2
107 .1
105.6
.137 .6
112 .4

122 .4
119 .6
143 .9
115 .6
116 .9
126 .2
107 .7

121.9
119.1
137.3
113.1
118.8
132.2
104.5

120.5 ~
118 .9"
131
111 .1
114 .4
133 .1
114 .8

121.6
.118.4
139.5
115.3
120.5
121.3
108.0

129 .0

134 .9
147 6
113 .2
136 .6
101 .4
133.7

138. 6
165. 7
129.,3
139. 1
102. 1
136. 9

127. 6

136.6
146.9
131.3
102.4
125.4

127.5
153 .9
135 .3
126 .2
99 .4
133 .1

126 .2

118. 0
126.,3
110. 6
122. 6*

126.8
141.8
122.7
131.8
104.2
137.1

119 .2
137 .1
104 .1
133 .6

122.0
128.4
105'. 3
124.9
107.1
135.4

129 .0
132.6
139 .4
135 .1
107.9
143 .4

127.8
137.8
102.0
140.7
103.4
128.9

92 3

103 9
104 .6
95 .9
129 5
98 4

110. 3
114.,0
98. 8
138. 6
96. 3

104. 2
106. 6
94,0
131. 2
85. 6

104.7
107.6
96.0
128.5
87.8

108.9
110.9
100.0
137.0
84.9

108.3
108.5
101 .5
131 .6
94 .0

106 .2
108.0
96 .3
135 .2
96 .0

105.6
108.8
94.7
135.6
92.9

104 .9 1
104.4
96 .1
131 .1
99 .4

112.0
jl3.0
101.3
144.3
98.8

146 .3*
135 .2*
194 .2

152 .7
146 9
168 .8

155.,3
137. 2
196. 9

139. 8
132. 5
179. 4

154.1
139.9
251.4

141.3*
137.5*
162.1

126 .4
121 .0
166 .8

146 .8
128 .1
191 .4

153.7
133.6
193.4

161 .8
135.9
237.7

141.0
134.4
196.8

159..4
132,.6
115,.5
127..0

158. 9
136. 9
125. 2
121. 3

158. 0
134. 0
120. 0
135. 8

171.0
135.9
132.9
125.7

146.7
135.1
105.4
132.7

193,.9
138,.8
124,.9
134,.0

140,.2
123,.5
120,.2
133,.1

153.5
135.7
120.7
130.0

158,.3
127:.4
111.1
129,.6

142.4
133:9
135.9
129;0

117 .1
Pood at hone
—
Cereals and bakery products — 134 .4
teats, poultry, and fish — — 112.0
Dairy products
— — — — 113 .3
130 .8
Pruits and vegetables
Other foods at hone — —
105 7

— — — — — — — — — 139 6

Rent

119 .5
134 .0
104 0
134 3

Solid fuels and fuel oil
Household operation
Apparel
— — — — — — —
Men's and boys'
—
—
Women's and girls'
--——
footwear
— — — — — —
Other apparel
—
—
—

— 107 5
— 108 3
— 98 8
— 135 2

Private
Public

151,.0
131,.3
Reading and recreation — — - — 119 .1
130,.8
Other goods and services

—

—

126.1

Perc ent change from April 1959 to July 1959
All items

0,.8

0..4

0.7

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

1..4
1..6
.1
- 4..6
11.,0
1..9

1.6
1.7
.6
.3
2.6
4.9
.7

lousing
.2
Rent — — — — — — — — — — —
.2
Oas and electricity
1.,1
Solid fuels and fuel oil
- 3..4
louse furnishings
— - — —
.2
Household operation — — — —
,4

,2
.1
,7
- 4..9
,2
1.,5

Apparel
Men's and boys'
—
Women's and girls'

- .,1

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

Other apparel —

—

—

,5
,3

- .1
2.,1
,4

—

Transportation —
fcrivate—-————Public
Medical care —
Personal care
— — —
Reading and recreation
Otter goeds and services

—

—

—

—
—

—
—

,7
6
8

0

-

,

- ,

-

,5
2. 6
•,3

- ,,1
-

2

0

2
5

1.1
1

-

.3
.4

1/

0

- 4.0
1 .0

0

,7

9

1.0
1.2
2. 0

_

-

2

C1.7

0.4

0.8

.7
.6
.5
.4
.6
31.5
1 .1

1.2
1.3
0
.1
.1
5.5
1.4

.2
.3
.1
.8
.1
- 2.2

.2

.2
.1
1.2
0
.5
.1

1.0
1/.1
.5

.1
0
.9
1.7
.1

.6
.2

—

-

.6
.5
.9
.2

_

.6

_

.8
.4
.7

- 1 .5

.7

-

.4
.4

1 .1
- 1 .4

.5
.5

.1
.3
5 .3
.1

.2
.3
.4
.8

0

.3
4 .1
2 .3
.2

-

.7
1 .5
.2

-

0

.9
1.8

-

14 .0

0

-

-

-

1,.2

0.5

.9
1,.1
.2
.5
.8
4!,1
1.,9

2,.4
2..4
1..6
1..6
1..6
4.,6
2,.5

1.4
1.5
- 1.0
.6
2.2
7.0
1.4

.4
.1

,2

.7
1 / - .1
1.8
- 9.9
- 1.2
.2

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

0

- 4..7

0
1.,2

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




1,.5
1..7
.9
.5
.1
9..7
,3

1

-

-

2.0
1.3
.6
.8
2.7
1.8
1.6
.6
.1
0
.6
.4
.1

2.5
.4

2

.4
.6
.2
1.4
.2

6
,5
0
1.,7
1.,4

1.1
.3
.6
4.0
.6

.1
.2

- 2.8
- 3. 2

0

5
6

0

1.6
2.1

2. 2
3. 0
0

- 2.3
- 2.7

.2
.7
2.1
6.9

1.0
1.1

1.9

.9
.6
- 1.8
1.3

2

.9
.3
9.0
1.3

0

2

2. 1

Indexes for June 1959 revised as follows:
Group
City
Household operation Detroit
Transportation
U. S.
Los Angeles

_
_

0
0
1.5

1/ Change from May 1959 to July 1959.
*

1,.0

6
.1
,2
2. ,5
,3

0

-

-

0,.2

Revised
index
Group
City
122.7 Private transportation U. S.
145.9
Los Angeles
141.8

Revised
index
134.9
138.1

,2

6

1

2. 3

0

0
1.3
1.6

0

TABLE 5: Consumer Price Index — Food and its subgroups
July 1959 indexes and percent changes, June 1959 to July 1959
U . S . city average and 20 large cities

6

Total
food at Imm

Total food
City

Percent
change

Index

U.S. city average

—
—
—

Los Angeles

—

Minneapolis
—
•ev York
—
Ifclladelphla
Pittsburgh
Portland, Oreg. —
St. Louis
San Francisco
—
Seranton
—
—

—
—

Washington, D.C.

*

—

—
—
—
—

Index

0.4

117.1

117.0 - .1
119.4
.7
118.9
.4
117.1
.6
119.9
.5
114.6
0
118.0 - .6
114.9
.4
112.9 - .2
123.3 - .2
119.2
.3
122.4
2.0
121.9
.5
12C.5 - .2
121.6 - .2
119.1 - .5
122.2 - .7
.6
117.3
121.4 - .2
.8
120.5

115.2
116.0
115.7
114.4
117.3
112.2
115.4
112.8
110.1
118.4

119.4

Atlanta — —
Baltimore
Boston
—
Chicago — — —
Cincinnati
— —
Cleveland
Detroit
— —
•ouston
—

TABLE 6 :

116.3
119.6
119.1
118.9
118.4
114.2
120.0
116.2
119.5
118.2

Cereals and bakery product!;
Flour, vfaeat
—
5 ib.
Biscuit mix — — — — — —
20 or.
Corn meal — — — — —
ib.
Bice, short g r a i n — — — — — — lb..
Rice, long grain
— — —
Boiled oats — — — — — — — — 1 8 oz.
Corn flakes — — — —
12 oz.
Bread, white —
—
—
—
—
ib.
Soda crackers — — — — — —
ib.
Vanilla cookies — — — — - — — 7 oz.
Heats, poultry, and fish:
Round steak — — — — — —
n>.
Chuck roast — — — — — —
ib.
Rib roast — — — — — — —
ib.
Hamburger
ib.
Veal cutlets
— ib.
Pork chops, center cut — — — — — ib.
Bacon, sliced — — — — —
ib.
Ham, whole — — — — — — —
ib.
Lamb, leg — — — — — —
ib.
Frankfurters —
—
—
—
—
ib.
Luncheon neat, canned — —
12 oz.
Frying chickens, ready-to-»cook — ib.
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen —
ib.
Haddock, fillet, frozen — — —
ib.
Salmon, pink, canned — — — — — is oz.
Tuna fish, canned —
6 to 64 oz.
Dairy products;
Milk, fresh, (grocery) —
—
qt.
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
qt.
Ice cream — — — — — — — —
pt.
Butter — - — - — - — — — — — ib.
Cheose, American process — — — — ib.
Milk, evaporated —
—
ui-oz. can
Fruits and vegetables:
Frozen:
Strawberries — — — — —
10 oz.
Orange juice concentrate — — 0 oz.
Peas, green — — — — —
10 oz.
Beans, green — — — — —
9 oz.
F*esh:
Apples —
—
—
—
—
ib.
Bananas — — — — — — — —
ib.
Oranges, size 200 — — — — — doz.
Lemons — — — — — — — — — — ib.
Grapefruit *
each
* Priced only In season.

0.4
-

.2
.6
.4
.5
.5
.1
.8
.5
.4
.4

-

-

.3
1.9
.6
.3
.1
.8
.8
.4
.3
1.1

134.4
125.3 128.6
132.4
130.3
133.0
128.6 124.6
125.2 127.2 146.2

0.1

112.0

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

113.8
111.2
112.8
105.1
112.1
104.9
107.2
107.1
105.4
112.0

134.2 - .1
1.3
143.9
137.3 - .1
131.7 - .3
139.5 - .4
124.8 - .2
147.1
.1
132.4 - 2.3
146.4 - .1
131.0 - .1

0.4

Dairy
products
Index

Percent
change

Fruits and
vegetables
Index Percent
change

Other
foods at hoae
Percent
change

Index

0.9

130.8

- 2.8

105.7

3.3

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

0
113.8
117.0 - .1
105.8 - 2.6
2.8
116.4
0
112.0
.3
107.0
107.5 - .2
.1
113.3
0
107,8
.1
111.0

134.6
127.7
130.8
126.9
133.4
123.7
138.5
126.9
121.8
130.8

- 3.1
0
- 1.1
- 2.9
- 2.1
- 1.7
- 5.5
.7
- 4.2
- 3.8

99.6
104.6
102.9
109.6
108.0
107.2
105.5
102.1
98.6
106.6

2.4
3.2
5.1
2.9
3.5
2.9
2.7
1.1
2.8
1.8

107.1 - .4
115.6
1.9
113.1 - .1
111.1
.1
.8
115.3
104.8 - 1.8
116.3 - .9
0
111.1
115.4 - .1
1.8
111.7

105.6
1.0
116.9
2.5
118.8
2.2
114.4 - .1
.5
120.5
.6
106.5
0
115.5
0
110.3
.2
117.3
1.2
118.6

137.6
126.2
132.2
133.1
121.3
134.0
131U
132.9
130.1
130.0

-

112.4

4.3
5.3
3.9
3.4
2.3
2.9
2.2
5.5
1.7
3.9

-

-

113.3

2.8
1.6
2.6
4.6
3.4
4.5
4.9
1.5
3.1
2.3

10 V

104.5
114.8
108.0
112.5
105.8
104.0
104.1
108.1

Consumer ft-ice Index •-- Average retail prices of selected foods
U.S. city average

Food and unit




Percent
change

Cereals and
Meats, poultry,
bakery products
and fish
Percent
Index Percent
Index
change
change

July
1959
Cents
54.3

June
1959

27.0
13.0
19.0
21.0
20.4
25.6

19.8

29.2
24.5

108.9

64.2

83.5
55.4
143.9
87.9

68.4
62.2

76.8
64.0

51.1
42.4
47.5

58.2

61.5
33.3

23.8
25.0

29.6
74.1
58.5

23.5
24.7
29.7
74.0

58.1

15.2

15.2

26.0
26.0

25.8
25.3

19.9
22.7

22.6

16.4

16.6
68.4
17.9
15.0

19.8
16.6

16.8

69.6

18.1

13.8

Food and unit
Fresh—Continued
Peaches • —
—
—
—
—
n>.
Strawberries • — — — — —
.
pt
Grapes, seedless » — — —
ib.
Watermelons •
ib.
Potatoes — — — — — —
10 ib.
Sveetpot&toes
—
lb.
Onions — — — — — — — —
ib.
Carrots — — — — — —
ib.
Lettuce — — — — — —
head
Celery
lb.
Cabbage — — — — — —
u>.
Tomatoes - — - — — — —
ib.
deans, green — — — — — —
ib.
Canned:
Orange juice — — — — 45-oz. can
Peaches — — — — —
#24 can
Pineapple — — — — — —
#2 can
Fruit cocktail — — — — — #303 can
Corn, cream style — —
#303 can
Peas, greon — — — — — — — #303 can
Tomatoes — * — — — —
#303 can
Baby foods — — — — —
4i to s oz.
Dried:
Prunes — — — — — — —
ib.
Beans — — — — — — —
n>.
Other foods at host:
Toaato SOUp
•
to ll-oz. can
Beans with pork — — —
ia-oz. can
Pickles, s l i c e d — — —
15 oz.
Catsup, toaato — — — — —
14 oz.
Coffee — — — — — — — — lb. oan
Coffee —
—
—
—
—
lb. ba*
Tea bags — — — — —
kg. of id
P
Cola drink, carton —
—
36 oz.
Shortening, hydrogenated — —
3 ib.
Margarine, colored — — — — —
ib.
LarA
—
ib.
Salad dressing —
—
—
t.
p
Peanut butter — — — — —
ib.
Sugar — — — — — — — —
0 ib.
Corn syrup — — — — — —
24 oz.
Grape Jelly — — — — — — 13 Cz.
Chocolate bar — — — — —
1 oz.
Eggs, Grade A , large — — — — — doz.
Gelatin, flavored —
—
3 to 4 ox.

July
1959
Cents
18.0

June
1959
Cents
30.2

33.1
4.7
81.2
15.2
10.2
14.5
16.3
14.5
8.7
26.0
18.8

7.2
89.6
14.9
11.0
14.4
15.8
14.5
8.5
30.1
19.2

51.3
36.5
36.2
27.9
19.7
20.4
15.5
10.1

50.3
36.5
36.1
27.9
19.6
20.5
15.5
10.1

40.2
17.4

40.1
17.3

12.6
15.0
26.7
22.5
77.0
57.1
24.3
29.4
88.7
27.7
19.6
37.8
55.8
57.1
26.5
28.3
5.2
52.5
9..3

12.5
15.0
26.6
22.4
76.9
57.1
24.1
29.4
88.2
27.7
19.9
37.8
55.7
56.9
26.4
28.1
5.1
44.2
9.3

Labor D.C. - BLS58-053?

7
ftrtaT

MsnftttPP

o f Vm

Cf I

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures average changes in prices of goods and
services usually bought by city families of wage earners and clerical workers* It is
based on prices of about 300 items which were selected so that their price changes would
represent the movement of prices of all goods and services purchased by wage and olerioal
families; they include all of the important items in family spending* Prices for these
items are obtained in 46 cities which were chosen to represent all urban places in the
United States; they are collected from grocery and department stores, hospitals, filling
stations, and other types of stores and service establishments which wage-earner and
clerical-worker families patronize*
ftrices of foods, fuels, and a few other items are obtained every month in all
46 cities* Prices of most other commodities and services are collected every month in
the 5 largest cities and every 3 months in other cities* Almost all prices are obtained
by personal visits of the Bureau's trained representatives*
In calculating the index, price changes for the various items in each city are
averaged together with weights which represent their importance in family spending* City
data are then combined in the total index with weights based on the 1950 populations of
cities they represent* Index numbers are computed on the base 1947-4-9=100*
The national index (the United States city average) includes prices from the
20 large cities for which separate indexes are published in this report, as well as
from the following 26 medium-sized and small citiess
Anna, Illinois
Camden, Arkansas
Canton, Ohio
Charleston, V* Virginia
Evansville, Indiana
Garrett, Indiana
Glendale, Arizona
Grand Forks, N* Dakota
Grand Island, Nebraska

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

Pulaski, Virginia
Ravenna, Ohio
Rawlins, throning
San Jose, California
Sandpoint, Idaho
Shawnee, Oklahoma
Shenandoah, Iowa
Ybungstown, Ohio

Comparisons of city indexes show only that prices in one city changed more or
less than in another* The city indexes cannot be used to measure differences in price
levels or in living costs between cities*
A description of the index is contained in BLS Bulletin U 4 0 , "The Consumer
Price Index: A Layman's Guide," which may be purchased for 20 cents at any Bureau of
Labor Statistics regional office (addresses below) or from the Superintendent of Documents, U* S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D* C* A more technical
description of the 19index appears in BLS Bulletin 1168, "Techniques of Preparing Major BLS
Statistical Series.
Reprints of chapter 9> pertaining to the CPI, are available on
request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington or at any of its regional offices*
Historical series of index numbers for the United States city average and for
20 large cities are available upon request* These series include index numbers for All
Items, >ood, Apparel, and Rent for periods from 1913 to date; and for other groups of
goods and* services from 1935 to date*
BLS Regional Offices
Atlanta
1371 Peachtree
Street, N. K .
Zone 9




New York
341 Ninth Ave*
Zone 1

Chicago
105 West Adams St*
Zone 3

San Francisco
630 Sansome St*
Zone 11
LABOR. - D* C*

Boston
18 Oliver St*
Zone 10