Full text of CPI Detailed Report : June 1954
The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.
Issued July 23, 1954 U. S. DEPAHIMEHT OF LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington 25, D. C. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX - JUNE 1954 C o m w m r prices in U„ S, cities rose 0.1 percent between May and June 1954, according to the U. S, Department of Labor!s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rise mainly resulted from the increase of 0.4 percent in food prices. Prices of other commodities and services averaged slightly lower than in May, with decreases of 0.2 percent for transportation and 0.3 percent for personal care. The Consumer Price Index for June was 115.1 percent of the 1947-4-9 average, 0.5 percent higher than a year ago and 13.1 percent above the level of June 1950. On a 1935-39 base, the June index was 192.4. FOOD Food prices, advancing for the third consecutive month, brought the food index to 113.8 percent of the 1947-+9 average. It was 1.5 percent higher than 3 months ago, 0.1 percent above a year ago, and 13.2 percent above the level of June 1950. Fresh fruit prices rose 7 percent during the month, as higher quotations were reported for all fruits priced except lemons. Apples and oranges advanced seasonally; bananas rose 12 percent, reflecting lower supplies due to strikes and unsettled conditions in the producing areas; and strawberries were up 6-1/2 percent. Prices of fresh vegetables averaged 2 percent lower than in May, as increasing local supplies resulted in reductions of 28-1/2 percent for tomatoes, 25-1/2 percent for green beans, 24 percent for lettuce, and 13 percent for cabbage. Advances of 27 percent were reported for new crop potatoes, and celery prices rose 14 percent. Coffee prices rose 2-1/2 percent during the month to an average price of $1.21 a pound. Egg prices declined 1-1/2 percent between May and June. Prices of meats declined slightly during the month, as reductions for bacon and ham offset higher prices for pork chops and for all cuts of beef. Pork chop prices have advanced from an average of 85 cents a pound in February to 93 cents in June. Poultry prices were 1-1/2 percent higher than a month ago. Prices of dairy products declined seasonally with reductions of almost 1 percent for fresh milk and cheese, and smaller decreases for other items. 2 OTHER COMMODITIES AND SERVICES Average prices of other commodities and services were relatively stable between May and June. Higher charges for home maintenance services offset minor decreases in gas bills and slightly lower prices for some electrical appliances and textile housefurnishings in the housing group. Rents were unchanged on the average, although small advances continued to be reported in the largest metropolitan areas. Prices of laundry soap and detergents continued upward, but toilet soap prices were generally lower. Lower prices were reported for men's and boys' slacks, and men's simimer suits in some areas. Cotton apparel prices were generally lower, reflecting lower mill prices for fabrics. Higher prices were reported for women's shoes in some cities, and prices of summer apparel items were higher than at the end of the last season. Gasoline "price wars" were reported in several cities; sale prices for automobile tires were widespread; and charges for some auto repair services were reduced. Used car prices advanced slightly in most cities. TABLE 1. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — U.S. CITY AVERAGE ALL ITEMS AMD COMMODITY GROUPS Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Dates May 195* June 195^ April 195^ June 1953 June 1950 Year 1939 Last Year Pre-Korea PreWorld War II Group This Month Last Month 2 Months Ago 3 INDEXES (19*7-*9 = 100) ALL ITEMS 115.1 115.0 ll- 6 it. 111*. 5 101.8 59.* FOOD 1/ 113.8 113.3 112.k 113.7 100.5 *7.1 113.3 121.3 111.1 102.9 117.1 115.2 112.8 121.3 111.0 103.5 11*. 6 11*. 5 111.8 121.1 110.5 IOI4-.6 110.0 113.6 113.7 118.9 111.3 107.5 121.7 110.9 100.5 102.7 106.1 92.3 102.5 9*.l VT.l 57.2 *1.6 *9.8 U6.3 *8.* 118.9 118.9 118.5 117 A 10*. 9 76.1 128.3 107.6 120.9 105.8 117.2 128.3 107.7 120.9 105.9 117.2 128.2 107.6 123.9 106.1 116.9 123.3 106.1* 121.8 108.0 115.1* 108.7 102.7 107.6 97.* 99.6 86.6 10*. 9 56.* 53.* 68.* 10*. 2 10*. 2 10k. 1 101*. 6 96.5 52.5 98.1 93.3 102.1 88.* 109.9 105.* 99.2 102.5 103.7 68.9 72.6 59.6 63.0 70.6 June 1953 June 1950 Year 1939 Pood at home Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry and fish Dairy products — — - — Fruits and vegetables — Other foods at home — — — — — — — — HOUSING 2/ Rent Gas and electricity Solid fuels and fuel oil Housefurnishings — - — — APPAREL Men'8 and boys' — — — — — Women's and girls' — — Footwear — 107.0 98.5 116.3 91.0 107.1 •98.U 116.1 90.* 128.9 125.1 112.7 106.1* 120.1 TRANSPORTATION MEDICAL CARE PERSONAL CARE READING AND RECREATION OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 107.3 98.5 115.9 90.9 107.2 99.2 115.3 92.3 129.1 125.1 113.0 106. * 120.1 129.1 121*. 9 112.9 106.5 120.2 129.1+ 121.1 112.6 107.8 118.2 W y, V, y PERCENT CHANGE TO JUNE 195* FROM: May 195* April 195* ALL ITEMS 0.1 0.1* 0.5 13.1 93.8 FOOD 1/ 0.* 1.2 0.1 13.2 11*1.6 1.3 0.2 0.5 - 1.6 6.5 1.1* - 0.1* 2.0 - 0.2 - *.3 - 3.8 3.9 12.7 18.1 *.7 11.5 11*.2 22.1* 11*0.6 112.1 167.1 106.6 152.9 138.0 0.3 1.3 13.3 56.2 0.1 0 - 2.1* - 0.3 0.3 l*.l 1.1 - 0.7 - 2.0 1.6 18.0 4.8 12.1* 8.6 17.7 1*8.2 2.6 lii*.i* 98.1 71.3 0.1 - O.k 8.0 98.5 - 0.3 0 0.3 0.1 - 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.7 - 0.2 - 0.7 0.9 - 1.1* 9.1 5.6 13.9 2.9 - 0.2 0 - 0.3 0 0 - 0.2 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.1* 3.3 0.1 - 1.3 1.6 17.3 18.7 13.6 3.8 15.8 Food at home Cereals and bakery products —- Dairy products Fruits and vegetables - — - — - — Other foods at home 0 HOUSING 2/ Rent Gas and electricity — — Solid fuels and fuel oil Housefurnishings — — — Household operation — — APPAREL Footwear TRANSPORTATION MEDICAL CARE PERSONAL CARE READING AND RECREATION OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES - — O.k 0 0.1 - 0.6 2.2 0.6 — — 0 - 0.1 0 - 0.1 0 0 l/ Includes restaurant meals n$t shown separately. 2/ Includes home purchase and other home-owner costs not shown separately. 2/ Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services" (such as legal services, banking fees, burial services, etc.). kj Not available. */ V V 1/ 87.1 72.3 89.1 68.9 70.1 TABLE 2. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — ALL ITEMS INDEXES FOR SELECTED DATES U.S. CITY AVERAGE AND 20 LARGE CITIES ( 1 9 * 7 - 4 9 = 1 0 0 ) (1935-39 = 100) City June 195* June 1950 Year 1939 June 195* 115.1 11*. 5 101.8 59-* 192.* 117-3 117.1 115.7 112.9 115.9 115.3 116.6 115.* 112.0 11*. 6 102.8 102.8 101.3 100.9 101.6 58.6 59.0 60.* 60.1 59.2 199.8 197.7 193.3 186.8 192.9 June 195* June 1953 June 1950 117.6 115.5 11*. 2 117.* 116.8 117.1 115.1 11*. 5 115.8 116.1 101.3 101.6 101.2 101.1 100.9 May 195^ May 1953 May 1950 115.3 116.7 112.3 116.3 113.7 113.7 116.8 112.0 116.2 113.5 100.* 103.5 100.2 102.0 101.6 April 195* April 1953 April 1950 112.9 115.5 116.3 11*. 5 11*. 8 U.S. CITY AVERAGE June 1953 111.7 11*. 3 115.1 112.8 115-* 101.2 101.* 102.1 99.9 101.5 1/ CITIES PRICED MONTHLY: New York — — Philadelphia — — CITIES PRICED IN MARCH, JUNE, SEPTEMBER, DECEMBER 2/ Atlanta — - — — Baltimore Cincinnati St. Louis San Francisco — CITIES PRICED IN FEBRUARY, MAY, 2/ AUGUST, NOVEMBER Cleveland Houston Scranton Seattle Washington, D. C. -- CITIES PRICED IN JANUARY, APRIL, 2/ JULY, OCTOBER Boston Kansas City Minneapolis Pittsburgh Portland, Ore. l/ 2/ 3/ 5/ June 195* 199.* 198.5 192.3 195.9 199.6 58.3 57.9 58.* 59.3 58.6 3/ May 195* 59.2 59.5 58.5 59.2 60.* 196.5 197.6 186.6 198.8 186.7 April 195^ 181.8 186.0 192.6 19*. 6 198.8 61.0 61.7 60.7 58.1 58.3 */ These are the same Indexes shown in column 1, converted to a base of 1935-39 = 100. Foods, fuels, rents, and a fev other ltesL8 priced monthly; other commodities and services priced quarterly. May 1950; formerly priced February, May, August, November. June 1950; formerly priced March, June, September, December. TABLE 3. All Items U.S. CITY AVERAGE — — — — — Food Housing Apparel Transportation Medical Care Personal Care Reading and Recreation 0.1 City Chicago — Detroit — — Los Angeles — New York Philadelphia CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — PERCENT CHANGES FROM MAY 195* TO JUNE 195* U.S. City Average and Five Cities Priced Monthly All Items and Commodity Groups 0.* 0 0 - 0.2 0 - 0.3 0 0 0.2 - 0.2 0 0.5 - 0.1 1.1 - 0.3 - 0.2 0.8 0.1 0 0.2 0.2 0.3 0 0.* 0.5 0 0 0.* - 1.1 - 1.3 0.1 - 0.1 0 0 0 0 1.1 - 0.2 0.* 0.3 0.* 0.8 0 0 0.6 0.5 1.8 Other Goods & Services 0 - 0.3 - 0.1 0 0 0.1 5 TABUS k. CONSUMER ERICS INDEX — ALL ITEMS AID COMMQDITT GRO0PS June 1954 Indexes and Percent Changes, March 1 5 4 TO June 1954 9*U.S. City Average and 10 Cities Priced in June 1954 | V. 8. cm Group Atlanta Balti- Chicago CincinLos • Detroit more nati Angeles ATERA&E New York Philale lphia St. Louis San Francii 115.7 112.9 115.9 117.4 116.8 115.3 114.9 127.7 111.7 105.3 120.4 113.7 1 June 1954 ALL ITEMS 115.1 FOOD — Food mt home Cereals and bakery products — — — Meats, poultry and fish Dairy products — — - — Fruit8 and regetables HOUSING • — 117.6 115.5 117.3 113.8 114.7 116.0 111.6 113.3 121.3 111.1 102.9 117.1 115.2 113.9 115.4 117.9 108.1 117.9 108.1 115.6 121.7 115.0 107.2 118.2 114.8 118.9 1 * - 1 113.9 24. Indexes (1947-491 = 100) 114.2 114.9 117.5 113.1 111.6 116.5 116.6 110.9 117.0 106.2 100.6 113.7 121.3 114.7 118.5 113.6 IO3.6 116.7 120.5 116.7 117.9 109.8 103.3 132.3 118.4 111.9 122.4 111.1 102.9 111.6 112.1 111.1 125.0 110.0 100.3 108.0 116.3 115.9 121.6 113.5 105.3 122.4 116.0 115.3 116.5 111.8 96.6 125.6 125.0 126.2 116.7 122.1 124.1 115.4 113.7 119.6 117.5 129.0 130.1 __ — 111.4 112.3 110.0 129.4 97.5 121.1 99.8 109.3 106.3 122.9 107.3 120.6 128.6 115.6 118.0 102.0 119.5 104.2 111.5 102.2 108.1 102.6 — — — 128.3 107.6 120.9 105.8 117.2 — Gas and electricity 107.0 98.5 116.3 91.0 114.0 106.4 122.6 92.7 101.7 98.0 117.0 9^.7 113.8 101.1 117.5 94.8 128.9 125.1 112.7 106.4 120.1 127.4 120.6 115.0 110.0 118.4 137.8 133.3 107.0 115.5 123.1 134.2 122.8 113.4 107.5 118.7 — Household operation — APPAREL Men's and boys' — — — Women's and girls' — — — TRANSPORTATION MEDICAL CARE PERSOHAL CARE — — — — — — READING AND RECREATION OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES — — — — — — — — — Percent Change — 117.1 __ 106.8 107.3 108.7 122.1 106.2 118.8 102.3 113.^ 108.7 113.7 133.8 103.8 133.0 106.7 118.8 103.0 104.2 103.9 105.1 104.7 103.2 105.2 96.2 122.4 86.2 109.2 95.4 112.6 87.0 109.3 97.2 116.9 82.9 106.3 98.1 116.6 94.1 104.8 103.3 111.1 92.6 109.6 96.7 118.9 96.0 105.6 99.0 114.2 87.8 126.6 124.8 108.5 99.4 117.8 119.5 124.1 118.8 111.0 124.9 125.8 122.6 116.9 99.8 115.2 134.6 123.9 107.0 105.3 121.5 137.2 125.0 116.2 112.0 123.5 136.2 134.8 113.2 95.7 115.7 142.9 123.3 111.6 105.6 116.3 108.7 118.8 109.5 110.1 109.5 — — 105.1 108.9 March 1 5 4 to June' 1954 9*- ALL ITEMS 0.3 0.5 0.6 0.5 0 0.5 - 0.4 0.4 0.9 0.4 0.3 FOOD 1.5 2.2 2.1 0.8 0.7 2.4 - 0.3 1.5 2.5 1.5 1.9 1.7 0.1 1.5 - 4.7 8.6 2.6 2.4 - 0.5 1.2 - 1.3 11.8 2.3 2.6 0.1 2.5 - 4.2 10.0 3.* 1.1 0 1.0 - 6.1 7.5 1.9 0.9 0.1 - 1.0 - 7.0 11.5 2.0 2.6 0.1 1.0 - 4.4 13.8 3.1 - 0.2 - 0.2 0.6 - 2.3 - 1.1 0.9 1.6 - 0.1 2.2 - 5.7 7.1 3.7 2.9 0.8 2.7 - 5.0 12.6 3-3 1.8 0 1.3 - 4.9 8.9 2.5 2.3 0.2 2.1 - 1.4 3.8 4.9 0.1 0.9 - 0.1 - 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.4 - 0.4 0 - 8.5 - 0.5 - 0.2 1/2.9 0 - 1.6 0 - 0.2 1/0.9 0 - 1.7 - 0.6 - w •^ 0 J Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry and fish Dairy products — — — — — Other foods at hone HOUSING - 0.1 Rent — — Solid fuels and fuel oil - — — — — Housefnrnishlngs — — — — — — — — •len's and boys' — Women's and girls' Other apparel — — — — — — — — — — — — — — •TOAITCPfSR'Pi'PT/W MEDICAL CARE PERSOHAL CARE READING AND RECREATION l/ Change from December 1^53 " o June 195^ t 0.2 0 - 3.9 - 1.3 0 — 0 0 - 4.6 - 1.1 - 0.4 0.1 - 1.3 - 1.5 - 0.7 1/1.3 0.2 - 7.2 - 0.9 - 1.6 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.5 0.2 1.1 w 0 •1 - 0.2 j - 0.5 0.4 0.6 - 0.9 - 0.4 0 1.7 1.5 0.6 - 1.2 - 1.7 0 0.1 - 0.2 - 1.4 - 1.8 0.2 - 0.5 - 6.0 - 1.8 0.9 - 0.3 0 - 1.5 1.6 - 0.2 __ __ 0 1.5 O.J 0.9 0.3 - 1.9 - 0.9 0 - 6.4 - 1.1 - 0.5 - 0.5 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.6 - 0.7 0.2 0 - 0.6 0 1.3 - 0.8 - 0.6 - 0.2 1.3 - 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.9 - 0.2 - 1.2 1.6 1-3 - 0.3 - 1.5 1.0 0.5 - 0.4 - 1.1 0.3 0.4 - 0.1 - 0.1 0.9 0.4 0 - 1.0 0.6 0 1.1 0 - 1.1 - 0.4 - 0.2 - - 1.4 1.5 - 1.0 - 0.7 0 - 1.5 1.1 - 0.6 - 2.2 0 0 0.6 - 1.5 - 0.5 0.3 - 0.1 1.1 - 1.5 1.1 0.7 0 0.1 - 1.2 - 3.7 0 - 0.3 0.1 - 1.2 - 0.1 0 1.2 0.2 - 1.5 - 0.4 - 0.3 - — — 6 TABUS 5. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — FOOD AND ITS SUBGROUPS June 195*+ INDEXES AND PERCENT CHANGES, May 195*+ TO June 195^ U. 8* City Average and 20 Large Cities (19^7-^9= 100) Total Cereals & Meats, Poultry Dairy Food at Home Total Food City Bakery Products & Fish Percent Index Change Products Percent Percent Change Index 0.1+ 113.3 0.1+ — - 111+.7 0.5 1.0 116.0 110.8 0.6 111.6 -0.1 0.1 Ilk.9 112.1+ 0.9 Detroit — — 1.1 117.5 Houston — — — 1 1 2 . 1 -0.1 109.1+ 0.7 Los Angeles — — — — 113.1 -0.3 0.3 Minneapolis - — - — — — 113.0 lew York — — 111.6 -0.2 0.8 116.5 Philadelphia 0.6 Pittsburgh — — — - 115.5 1.2 Portland, Ore. — 111+.3 St. Louis - — — - 116.6 0.7 0.5 115.3 o.i+ Scranton — — — 113.3 0.2 Seattle — 113.3 0.1+ Washington, D.C. 113.1+ 113.9 115.6 109.9 110.9 111+.7 111.9 116.7 111.3 108.9 111.9 0.1+ 1.2 0.6 -0.1 0.3 1.0 1.1 -0.1 0.9 -0.1+ 115.1+ 121.7 119.5 117.0 118.5 116.5 117.9 118.5 120.1+ 122.1+ 113.1 111.1 115.9 115.1 111+.6 0.1+ -0.3 1.0 0.7 1.5 0.8 0.7 0.1+ 0.2 0.5 125.1+ 125.0 121.6 122.5 119.3 116.5 127.7 118.9 121.5 120.7 Percent 121.3 Index U.S. CITY AVERAGE — — 113.8 Atlanta 115.3 111+.9 113.3 113.3 112.7 TABLE 6. 5 lb. 20 oz. lb. lb. 20 oz. 12 oz. lb. lb. 7 oz. lb. lb. 73.6 lb. 56.1 lb. "b. lb. lb. lb. lb. 12 oz. lb. lb. lb. lb. 16 oz. 7 oz. qt. qt. pt. lb. lb. oz. can 12 oz. 6 oz. 10 oz. 10 oz. lb. 52.2 1+1+.0 5k.1 11. ++5 1+9.6 51.7 39.7 21.1 22.1 29.5 69.3 56.9 13.9 36.5 19.3 19-^ 21+.5 18.5 * Priced only in season 1/ Revised 18.0 doz. 51+.8 lb. 17.6 Percent Index Change Change 117.1 2.2 115.2 0.6 - 0.5 0 0.2 0.2 - 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 - 0.1 117.9 115.0 107.3 106.2 113.6 108.9 109.8 107.1 107.1 111.1 -0.1+ 1.1 0.6 -0.2 -1.8 0.3 0 -0.6 -0.1 0.1+ 108.1 107.2 102.9 100.6 103.6 97-^ 103.3 103.9 91.6 102.9 - 0 0 0 1.5 0.1 0 0.8 2.6 5.2 0.3 117.9 118.2 110.2 113.7 116.7 111+.9 132.3 113.2 ilk. 6 111.6 1.+ +1 5.0 2.2 0.9 1+.5 1+.2 5.8 2.0 9.0 -3-3 108.1 111+.8 109.3 121.3 120.5 119.5 118.1+ ilk. 6 110.0 112.1 -0.3 0 0.6 -0.1 0.1 0.6 1.0 0.7 0.3 1.0 0.6 - 0.2 0.7 .0 103.6 110.0 113.5 108.0 115.5 111.8 111.7 111.1+ 111.7 107.6 -0.6 -0.5 0.1 -0.1 0.6 98.7 100.3 105.3 I07.0 101+.9 96.6 105.3 105.3 103.I 109.9 - 3.0 - 0.3 0 - 0.2 - 1.9 - 0.2 - 0.1+ - 0.3 - 0.1+ - 0.8 125.1+ 108.0 122.1+ 118.6 120.2 125.6 120.1+ 116.0 120.1 113.1+ 1.9 -0.7 5.0 3.8 5.3 2.9 -0.6 2.9 -0.1+ 3.0 122.6 116.3 116.0 12k. 6 113.8 125.0 113.7 Ilk.2 111.8 113.6 2.6 0.3 0.1 0.1+ 1.1 1.6 2.2 0.1+ 0.1+ 0.3 0 0.2 - 0.5 - 0.3 0 -0.3 0.9 0.2 1.0 0.1+ - RETAIL FOOD PRICES FOR JUNE 195k AND MAY 195^. U.S. City Average 53.7 27.5 12.5 19.7 18.5 21.9 17.0 27.1 23.6 89.9 51.7 70.0 1+0.9 110.9 90.3 89.5 73.9 Ik.k 55.9 52.2 1*3.5 53.1 11. ++3 1+9.6 1/ 51.5 39.6 21.2 22.2 29.6 69.6 57-3 13.9 36.8 18.5 19.1+ 2*+.5 16.8 16.0 52.6 18.4 Percent ~ 0.6 June 195*+ Food and Unit Fresh (continued) Grapefruit * Peaches * Strawberries • Grapes, seedless * Watermelons * Potatoes Sweetpotatoes Onions Carrots Lettuce 91.0 51.8 70.1 kl.l 110.5 92.7 86.7 72.9 lb. Index Change 102.9 (Cents) 18.5 21.9 17.0 27.2 23.6 Percent 0.1 (Cents) 53.6 27 A 12.5 19.6 Index Other Foods at Home 111.1 0 May 195*+ lb. Oranges, size 200 Lemons Change June 195k Food and Unit CEREALS AND BAKERY PRODUCTS Floor, wheat Biscuit mix Corn meal Rice Rolled oats Corn flakes Bread, white Soda crackers Vanilla cookies MEATS, POULTRY AID FISH: Round steak Chuck roast Rib roast Hamburger Veal cutlets Pork chops, center cut Bacon, sliced Ham, whole Lamb, leg Frankfurters Luncheon meat, canned Frying chickens, dressed Frying chickens, ready-to-cook Ocean perch, fillet, frozen laddock, fillet, frozen Salmon, pink, canned Tuna fish, canned M I R Y PRODUCTS: Milk, fresh, (grocery) Milk, fresh, (delivered) Ice cream Butter Cheese, American process 14 £ Milk, evaporated FRUITS AID VEGETABIXS: Frozen Strawberries Orange juice concentrate Peas, green Beans, green Fresh Apples Index Change Fruits & Vegetables Celery Cabbage Tomatoes Beans, green Canned Orange Juice Peaches Pineapple Fruit cocktail Corn, cream style Peas, green Tomatoes Baby foods Dried Prunes Navy beans OTHER FOODS AT HOME: Vegetable soup Beans with pork Gherkins, sweet Catsup, tomato Coffee Tea Cola drink carton Shortening, hydrogenated Margarine, colored Lard Salad dressing Peanut butter Sugar Corn syrup Grape jelly Chocolate bar Eggs, Grade A, large Gelatin, flavored (Cents) each lb. pt. ib. ib. 15 ib. ib. ib. ib. head ib. ib. ib. ib. 32.8 k.8 9k.k 16.1 8.1+ lk.k 13.8 1^.5 6.6 21*. 3 17.7 #2 can 4 4-5 oz. 3^.7 32.8 38.8 kl.l 18.2 21.k 17.3 9.8 ib. ib. 30.6 17.7 11 oz. can 16 oz. can 7 £ oz. 14 *z. ib. Ik.3 Ik.5 30.0 46 oz. #2 & #2 i #2 4 #303 can can can can can #303 can i ib. 22.3 120.9 3^.2 of 6, 6 oz. 32.2 ib. ib. ib. pt. ib 5 ib. 24 oz. 12 oz. 1 oz. doz. 3-4 oz. 35.2 30.1 27.1 35.9 1+9.1 52.7 23.7 25.3 1+.7 53.0 8.5 BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 7 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 ave, age. For the convenience of users, indexes are also calculated on the base 1935-39 23 100About 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 k6 cities which are representative of all cities in the United States. Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items are priced every month in each 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 Huntington, W. Virginia Camden, Arkansas Laconia, New Hampshire Canton, Ohio Lodi, California Charleston, W. Virginia I^ynchburg, Virginia Evansville, Indiana Madill, Oklahoma Garrett, Indiana Madison, Wisconsin Glendale, Arizona Middlesboro, Kentucky Grand Forks, N. Dakota Middletown, Connecticut Grand Island, Nebraska Newark, Ohio Pulaski, Virginia Ravenna, Ohio Rawlins, Wyoming San Jose, California Sandpoint, 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. llkO - "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 iiidex numbers for the U.S. city average and 20 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.
@FedFRASER