Full text of CPI Detailed Report : March 1962

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Released April 24, 1962
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D. C.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR MARCH 1962
The Consumer Price Index rose by 0.2 percent in March to 105.0
(1957-59*100) f largely reflecting price advances for apparel and further increases for
services, the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics announced today.
Higher average prices for fresh fruits and vegetables, prescriptions and drugs, used cars,
and durable housefurnishings also were important in causing the index to advance to a
new high. On the other hand, egg prices were off sharply and there was a contraseasonal
decline in average prices for gasoline. Consumer prices in March 1962 were 1.1 percent
higher than a year ago with most of the rise attributable to an increase of nearly 2
percent for services, as well as higher prices for used cars, sporting goods,, and restaurant meals. /On the former base of 1947-49, the March index was 128.8^/
APPAREL

Higher prices for women's and girls' apparel, mainly spring wear,
were primarily responsible for the 0.7 percent increase in the apparel
index. However, shoe prices also advanced with the introduction of spring styles. Average prices for men's and boys' clothing were unchanged over the month. March 1962 apparel
prices averaged 0.3 percent higher than a year ago, with most of the increases being for
shoes and for men's and boys' clothing.
MEDICAL CARE

Prices advanced significantly for prescriptions and drugs and for
medical care services. Among the more important increases were
higher prices for vitamins, hospitalization insurance, and professional medical fees.
The medical care index has increased by about 3 percent from March 1961 levels, mainly
because of higher prices for all medical services.
HOUSING

Housing costs were unchanged on the average, as prices for home
repairs and maintenance and fuel oil moved lower, while housefurnishings, household operation, and some costs associated with home ownership advanced.
Durable housefurnishings prices were higher as a result of increases for furniture,
sewing machines, and ranges. Partly offsetting these increases were reductions for
some floor coverings and for washing machines. Higher prices for laundry and dry cleaning
services were largely responsible for the rise in household operation costs. Rents
continued their steady, moderate advance.
TRANSPORTATION

A decline of 1.3 percent in gasoline prices caused the transportation
index to move down, in spite of higher average prices for used cars.
Widespread local competitive pressures were the principal factor in lower gasoline prices.
Average prices of used cars, after adjustment for depreciation, advanced by nearly 1
percent, reflecting continuing firm demand and the low level of dealers' stocks. New
car prices remained unchanged. In comparison with a year ago, average prices for transportation have advanced by 2.4 percent, led by a 14 percent increase in prices of used
cars. New car prices, however, were somewhat below year ago levels.
FOOD

Retail food prices increased slightly (0.1 percent) reflecting
higher prices for restaurant meals. Prices of food purchased for
home consumption were unchanged on the average, as increases for fresh fruits and
vegetables
and for some beef products and frankfurters were offset by lower prices for
e
8
£ 8 > pork, and processed fruits and vegetables.
Higher prices were reported for all fresh vegetables except green
beans, which declined seasonally by 8.4 percent owing to more abundant supplies. The
rise in prices of all other fresh vegetables reflected reduced shipments caused by
unfavorable growing conditions in major vegetables producing areas. An increase of
about 2 percent in fresh fruit prices was attributable mainly to higher prices for apples,




2

bananas, and oranges. Seasonal decreases for lemons and grapefruit partially offset
other fresh fruit price increases.
Contraseasonal declines for pork and lower prices for some beef
products resulted in a small decrease in average prices of meats. In comparison with
a year earlier meat prices have declined by nearly 1 percent, with total meat production
reportedly somewhat higher than a year ago.
COST-OF-LIVING
ADJUSTMENTS

Approximately 67,000 workers are scheduled to receive increases
amounting to 1 or 2 cents an hour on the basis of the national index,
generally as a result of a quarterly review. Workers receiving
these increases are employed primarily in a variety or manufacturing companies, including chemical firms and an aircraft company. Some transportation workers are also
included among these employees.




3
TABLE 1: Consumer Price I n d e x — U n i t e d States city average
Major group, subgroup, and special group indexes. March 1962
and percent changes from selected dates
(1957-59*100 unless otherwise specified)

Indexes
(1957-59-100)

Indexes

Percent change to
March 1962 f r o m —

1947-49-100

1939-100

Group
March
1962

February
1962

105.0

104.8

0.2

Fruits and vegetables------ — - - - - - - - - Other foods at home-----------Food away from home

103.2
101.9
107.3
100.6
105.0
104.4
96.1
109.7

103.1
101.9
107.1
100.6
105.1
102.9
97.4
109.5

.1
0
.2
0
- .1
1.5
- 1.3
.2

Housing 2/
Rent
Gas and electricity
Solid and petroleum f u e l s - - — - - - - - - - - - - - House furnishings
— —
Household operation-

104.6
105.3
107.9
103.6
99.5
107.1

104.6
105.2
107.9
104.0
99.3
106.9

0
.1
0
.4
.2
.2

102.7
102.8
100.4
109.1
100.3

102.0
102.8
99.0
108.8
99.8

.7
0
1.4
.3
.5

105.9
104.6
114.9

106.0
104.7
114.8

Medical c a r e - — - — - — — — --

113.6

113.0

.5

1.0

Personal c a r e - — - — — — —

105.9

105.8

.1

.7

109.2

109.1

.1

105.1

105.0

All items
Food at home-----------------Cereals and bakery productsMeats, poultry, and fish

Men's and boys'
Women'8 and girls '
Footwear—
Other apparel
Trans portat ionPrivate
Public

-----—
------—

------—

—

Reading and r e c r e a t i o n —

—

-------

Other goods and services-

December
1961

February
1962

-

0.5

1 . 1
0.5
.1
1.9
- .4
.3
1.0
- 1.3
2.4

1.2
1.3
.9
2.1
- .6
4.6
- 1.0
.5
.2
.3
.1
.8
.3
.7

-

-

1

.7
1.2
.1
.1
.3
1.4

.3
.3
- .2
1.4
- .2

- .8
- .3
- 1.6
.3
- .8

.1
. 1
.1

-

March
1961

2.4
2.1
4.0

March
1962

March
1962

128.8

216.8

121.8
118.4
142.3
111.0
118.9
129.0
106.2
(1/)

258.6
251.4
248.6
266.9
238.6
278.8
219.4
O/)

133.4
144.8
125.8
141.2
103.6
140.4

175.2
167.2
119.9
250.3
194.0
205.2

110.1
111.7
99. 7
142.9
92.4

209.8
220.1
183.0

2BU .

149.2
136.3
213.9

212.5
208. 1
?63.1

2.9

164.2

226.2

1.5

135. 7

227.7

.9

2.4

126.5

200.7

.2

1.0

133.9

189.8

.1
.3
.7

1

227.5

Specisl groups:
All Items less food

105.7

105.5

.2

.2

All Items less shelter

105.0

104.8

.2

.6

Commodities
Nondurables——- — —
Food
Nondurables less food
Apparel——
Apparel less footwear
Nondurables less food and apparel

102.8
103.2
103.2
103.5
102.6
101.3
104.0
100.9
102.4
108.6
99.0

102.7
103.1
103.1
103.3
101.9
100.5
10^.1
100.8
102.4
107.7
99.0

.1
.1
.1
.2
.7
.6
.1
.1
0
.8
0

New cars
Used cars— — - —
Durables less cars
Commodities less food-

—
—
—-

—

Services
Rent
Services less r e n t — — - - — - — —
Household operation services, g a s ,
and e l e c t r i c i t y - — - — - — - —
Transportation s e r v i c e s - — - —
Medical care s e r v i c e s - — - — Other services 3/
Purchasing power of the consumer dollar
(Reference period-$l.00)—

j
|

i

!
|
|

-

j
1i

1
|
|
!

.6
1.2
- . 1
- .8
•2
- 1.1
- .8
.2
-

.2

!

1

|

i

1'
i
1

j

1j

1.2

132.5

191 .9

1.2

126.4

228.2

118. 7
121.2
121.8
121.2
110.0
104.2
130.7
111.8
137.6

-1

102.1

230.2
235.8
258.6
206.4
211.1
(1/)
198.4
195.1
241.4
(1/)
178.2

.4
.5

'o
,6
1.7
- .4
14.1

i1|

O/)

102.4

102.2

.2

116.3

195. 7

109.0
105.3
109.6

108.9
105.2
1U9.5

.1
. 1
.1

.5
.3
.5

1.7
1.2
1.6

154.8
144.8
157.1

192. 4
167.2
213.e

108.2
111.3
115.8
108.0

108.1
111.2
115.5
107.9

.1
.1
.3
.1

.5
.8
1.0
.3

1.1
2.2
3.3
1.3

142.0
192.3
172.8
139.4

$0,952

$0,954

.5

- 1.0

$0,776

'

j

1

-

.2

-

U Not available.
2/ 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.




I6?.2
|
!
!

1|l
i1
!i
i

2^0.0
2*5.0
239.1

$0,461

T A B U 2s Conata*r Prioe Index—111 items indexes and peroent changes, selected datea
U.S. city average and 20 large cities
(1957-59=100 unless otherwise specified)

Indexes
(1957-59=100)
March
1962

City
United States oity average-

December
1961

Percent change to
March 1962 f r o m —
March
1961

December
1961

Indexes
1947-49=100

March
1961

March
1962

105.0

104.5

103.9

0.5

1.1

128.8

104.5
102.0
106.1
105.9
105.0

103.8
100.9
105.8
105 -3
104.8

103.3
102.0
105.0
104.6
104.0

.7
1.1
.3
.6
.2

1.2

1.0
1.2
1.0

131.8
125.8
132.3
127.6
128.9

Cities priced in March, June,
September, December
2/

March
1962

December
1961

March
1961

March
1961

March
1962

Atlanta
Baltimore
—
Cincinnati
St. Louis
San Francisco-

103.7
104.6
103.3
104.8
107.1

0.5
.2
.8
.9
1.6

128.4
129.8
125.7
130.1
135.9

Cities priced monthly X/
Chicago
DetroitLos AngelaeNav York
PhiladtlpMa-

Citiaa priced in February, May,
August, November
2/

February
1962

Cleveland
--HoustonScranton
Seattle
Washington, D. C.-

Cities prioad in January, April,
July, October
2/
Boston---————-—--—
Kansas City
Minneapolis----Pittsburgh
Portland, O r e g o n - - - - — —

103.4
104.4
102.6
104.4

106.5

November
1961

December
1961

103.2
104.4
102.5
103.9
105.4
February
1961

103.1
104.5
105.5
105.9
104.0

103.1
103.9
104.6
105.7
104.2

103.3
101.5
103.5
104.1
103.4

January
1962

October
1961

January
1961

106.2
105.2
104.3
105.2
103.8

105.4
104.6
104.4
105.0
104.6

104.4
103.2
103.3
104.9
104.0

0

.3
.2
.7
.4
.6
November
1961

0

.2
3.0
1.9
1.7
.6

.6
.9
.2
.2

October
1961

-

128.1
128.7
125.9
133.1
125.2
January
1962

January
1961

.8
.6
.1
.2

-

February
1962

February
1961

1.7
1.9

131.6
130.1
129.0
129.6
128.6

1.0

.3
.2

.8

J/ Rants prioad bimonthly.
Food af fuels, and a fav othar items prioad monthly; rents and othar commodities and services prioad quarterly.

TAB1E 3 s Consumer Prica Index—Psroent changes from. February 1962 to March 1962
U.S. oity average and five citiaa priced monthly
All itena and rwcwlity groups

City
tibitad States city average—
Chicago
Detroit
Hev lark • •• •• Philadelphia




AH
items

Food

Honaing

Apparel

Transportation

ffaartlng Othar
Medical Personal
good* *
and
care
care
recreation servioes

0.2

0.1

0

0.7

- 0.1

0.5

.1
0
.4
0
0

0
.1
.3
.1
0

0.1
.2
0
.1
- .3

.6
.2
.4
.4
.7

.1
0
.4
.2
.3

0
.4
2.7
.5
.3

-

-

-

0
.2
.1
.1
.1

0.1

0.1

0.1
-

.2
.9
.1
.1
.6

-

.3
0
.1
0
0

TABIi Ut Consumer M m

Index—111 it ens and commodity groups

March 1962 indexes and percent changes, Deceaber 1961 to March 1962

U.S. city average and 10 oitiea prioed in March 1962
U.8.

City
Average

Oroup

Atlanta Baltimore

Cincin- Detroit
Los
nati
Angeles

Chicago

New
York

Philadelphia

St.
Louis

San
Francisco

Indexes (1957-59-100)

All items

105.0

103.7

104.6

104.5

103.3

102.0

106.1

105.9

105.0

104.8

107.1

103.2
101.9
107.3
100.6
105.0
104.4
96.1

102.5
102.0
103.7
101.0
103.1
103.4
100.7

102.4
100.2
107.4
100.6
99.0
100.9
96.0

105.2
104.9
112.9
102.2
109.7
108.8
97.4

101.3
100.2
107.2
101.0
101.5
100.4
93.9

100.9
100.1
104.8
97.4
108.7
99.6
95.0

105.5
103.9
113.1
98.3
107.2
113.7
3/94.2

104.4
102.2
108.9
101.6
104.8
102.8
95.8

102.5
101.1
104.4
100.6
103.3
102.5
96.8

102.5
101.3
104.2
100.2
102.4
106.2
96.1

105.7
104.4
106.3
101.2
106.9
116.1
95.2

104.6
105.3
107.9
103.6
99.5
107.1

103.6
103.6
109.9
109.6
96.7
108.9

104.4
105.4
103.8
104.9
98.1
108.2

103.4
104.2
106.2
104.7
101.4
105.3

102.3
102.4
110.6
107.6
97.5
107.9

97.9

107.8

100.2
103.4

105.9
105.0
103.6
108.8

104.9
106.4
102.7
107.3
99.4
113.5

102.5
104.0
108.8
104.9
98.6
106.3

108.6
112.9

105.3
101.3
97.9
103.0

105.0
104.9
115.5

99.5
109.7

Apparel - — — - — — - «
lien's and boys' — — «
Vonen's and girls'
Footwear —
Other apparel — — — - «

102.7
102.8
100.4
109.1
100.3

101.2
103.0
97.6
109.1
99.9

105.5
103.1
104.5
114.1
103.8

101.1
101.6
97.8
108.8
98.7

101.7
101.6
99.8
108.2
99.4

104.6
103.1
104.5
108.3
101.3

102.9
103.3
101.5
108.6
99.1

102.5
104.4
98.3
111.5
99.5

103.7
103.5
102.3
109.6
100.8

103.8
103.0
103.0
109.1
100.4

104.4
101.9
103.9
110.6
103.1

Transportation
Private
Public

105.9
104.6
114.9

103.9
103.0
109.4

106.4
104.0
117.0

105.4
105.0
107.9

108.1
106.7
116.7

104.4
102.5
114.4

109.7
105.9
135.6

104.3
105.7
100.8

108.2
106.8
2/113.1

107.8
105.6
116.8

106.3
106.9
102.4

113.6
105.9
109.2
105.1

110.9
108.6
107.6
101.1

118.5
107.0
102.3
103.4

116.8
107.3
100.6
101.5

109.6
101.4
106.8
104.6

113.5
107.4
106.0
102.4

113.4
103.1
102.5
106.2

114.0
104.4
110.1
103.4

116.4
107.8
103.5
104.2

113.5
109.9
117.8
106.7

112.7
107.7
107.1
107.7

food

—

Food at b a m
—
—
—
—
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish —
Dairy products —
—
Fruits and vegetables — —
Other foods at :

lousing

—

—

—

—

Qas and electricity
Solid and petroleum fuels-

Housefurnishings
Household operation

— -

— — — — — <

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

111.0

1
Percent change from December 1961 to March 1962
All items
Food at k M
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish —
Dairy products
—
—
—
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at h e m
lousing
Bent
Oas and electricity

0.5

0.3

0.2

0.7

0.7

1.1

0.3

0.6

0.2

0.4

0.6

1.2
1.3
.9
2.1
- .6
4.6
- 1.0

1.2
1.5
1.4
2.2
- .4
4.3
- .3

.4
.4
.8
1.5
- 2.7
2.2
- .5

2.2
2.6
5.6
1.8
- .2
9.0
- 1.0

.5
.5
- .1
1.7
.1
1.5
- 1.4

1.1
1.3
0.3
.4
- .1
7.0
- .5

1.1
1.5
0
.4
0
5.0
1.3

1.4
1.4
.4
4.5
- 2.2
3.3
- .8

1.1
1.2
.3
2.7
- 1.9
5.7
- 1.2

.8
1.0
.2
2.0
- 3.0
5.4
- .9

1.6
1.8
.1
1.2
1.0
6.5
- .7

.1
.3

.5
.4

0

.6
.1
0
.8
.1
.4

.5
.8
0

.2
.3
.1
.8
.3
.7

-

Apparel —
Hen's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear —
Other apparel

- .8
- .3
- 1.6
.3
- .8

-

Transportation
PrivatePublic-

-

— —

Solid and petroleum fuels-

lousefurnishings
—
Household operation

—

Medical care
Fursemal ear*
Heading and recreation — —
Other goe&s and services

-

.1
0
.1
0
.1
.7

.2
.2

1/

.7
0
.7

3.4
.4
1.1

.1
.5
.3
- .7
1.2

.2
.8
- .5
.2
2.1

- 1.7
.3
- 4.2
0
- 1.3

.1
.3
.7

- 1.4
- 1.6
0

-

1.0
.7
.9
.2

.7
.6
.9
0

-

-

-

0
.3
.2
.1
.8
.8
.7
.6

.5
.6
0

1.1
1.4
0

2.6
1.2
10.0

.9
.5
.4
0

1.4
.2
.1
- .2

.3
1.9
.2
.1

1/ Change from January 1962 to March 1962.
2/ Revised index for January 1962-113.1 and February 1962-113.1.
3/ Revised index for February 1962-94.6.




-

-

-

.1
0
.4
.1

1/

0
.4
0

.7

1/

.1
.5
0
.5
0
.4

1.2
.2

- 1.0
.3
.2
1.7

.3
.5
- 1.4
.6
- .1

- 1.4
.2
- 3.1
0
- 2.5

- 2.3
- .2
- 4.6
.1
- 2.0

6.7
8.5
0

- 1.0
- 1.2
0

-

-

.4
.1
.4
.2

2.6
.6
- .6
0

.1
.7
.4
.2
.4

-

.2
.2
0
1.0
.8
1.0
.1

-

-

-

0
.5
.8
.6
.6

.1
.5
-

.7
.2
1.3
.6
.3

.1
.5
1.0

- 1.3
- 1.6
0

- 1.1
- 1.2
0

.3
.1
.8
0

.3
.5
1.8
.2

1.0
.9
.1
- .1

6
T A B L E S: Consumer Price I n d e x — F o o d and its s u b g r o u p s
M a r c h 1962 indexes and percent c h a n g e s , F e b r u a r y 1962 to M a r c h
U . S . city a v e r a g e and 20 large cities
(1957-59-100)

City

Percent
change

Index

Total
food at home
Percent
Index
change

Cereals and
M e a t s , poultry,
Dairy
bakery products
and fish
products
Percent
Percent
Percent
Index
Index
Index
change
change
change

Fruits and
vegetables
Percent
Index
change
104 .4

1..5

9 6 .,1

- 1.3

103.4
100 .9
105 .2
108 .8
100 .4
101 .7
99 .6
107 .2
107 .0
113 .7

2,.7
.6
2..0
3..5
3..0
3..5
3..8
1..5
6..3
1..2

100..7
96.,0
97.,6
9 7 ..4
93..9
9 3 ..1
9 5 ..0
94..9
9 6 ..0
* 9 4 ..2

- 0.7
- 2.1
.5
- 2.0
- 1.9
- 1.3
- 1.5
- 2.2
- 1.0
.4

99..9
.3
- .6
103..6
- .7
100.,4
.1
102.,7
3
102..2
.1
- .1
108..9
.6
101. 6
104,,8
.7
8
0
101..1
104..4
- .1
0
100. 6
.4
103. 3
1
.2
102..2
.2
109,.5
102..3
100.,4
0
.5
- .4
100..7
.1
.2
97..8
2.0
101.,0
.2
104,.6
3
101..3
.4
.3
104,.2
100.,2
.2
102.,4
- 2.9
.5
.2
104..4
.2
.4
106..3
101..2
0
106. 9
3
101..6
.4
.3
108,.0
100. 0
- .3
.8
102.,4
1
102..9
101.,0
- .1
- .2
106..9
- .1
- .4
106..7
1
.4
100,.7
.4
109,.1
9 9 .,7
103.,6
0
5
lndex-94.6.
T A B L E 6: Consumer Price Index--Average retail prices of s e l e c t e d foods
U . S . city average

101 .5
102 .8
102,.5
104 .3
108 .5
106 .2
116 .1
104 .0
108,.0

- 0..6
.0
,9
3..7
,3
5.,0
,8
2. 6
,2
1.,0

94.,0
9 5 ..8
9 6 ..8
9 7 .,3
9 3 .,9
9 6 ..1
9 5 ..2
96. 6
9 6 .,5
9 7 ,,3

103 2

0.1

101 9

0

107 3

0.2

100..6

0

105..0

Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Detroit
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles-

102 5
102 4
104..0
105..2
101..3
100..4
100..9
102.,9
103..1
105..5

.3
.4
.7
0
.3
.3
.1
0
.6
.3

102 0
100 2
102,.2
104..9
100..2
99..2
100..1
100..8
102..4
103..9

0.4
- .5
.7
0
.2
.3
.2
- .2
.9
.5

103 7
107 4
107,.7
112,.9
107,.2
103,.8
104,.8
103,.5
107,.7
113,.1

.3
.4
.2
.2
0
.1
.2
.6
.2
.2

101..0
100..6
103..4
102,,2
101,.0
100..0
97..4
9 9 ..2
9 8 .,9
9 8 ..3

0
0.1
.7
.5
.1
.3
.9
.4
.5
.4

103..1
99..0
98,.6
109.,7
101..5
100..1
108..7
103..1
108..6
107.,2

—

M i n n e a p o 1 is
101..7
New York
104..4
Philadelphia
102..5
Pittsburgh
102..5
Portland, Oreg.
102..5
S t . Louis
102..5
San Francisco---105.,7
Scranton
102..6
Seattle
105..0
101..7
Washington, D.C.
* Revised February 1962

-

Cereals and b a k e r y products:
F l o u r , wheat
- 5 lb.
Biscuit m i x
40 oz.
Macaroni--------------------16 o z .
Corn meal
lb.
Rolled oats
18 o zo z .
1 2
Corn flakes
lb.
R i c e , short grain
R i c e , long grain---lb.
B r e a d , white
lb.
Soda c r a c k e r s
lb.
Sandwich cookies
16 o z .
M e a t s , p o u l t r y , and fish:
Round steak
lb.
Sirloin steak
lb.
Chuck roast
lb.
Rib roast
lb.
Hamburger
lb.
Veal c u t l e t s
lb.
Pork c h o p s , center cut
lb.
Pork roast
lb.
B a c o n , sliced
lb.
Ham, whole
lb.
L a m b , leg
lb.
Frankfurters
lb.
Luncheon m e a t , canned
12 o z .
Frying c h i c k e n s , r e a d y - t o - c o o k - l b .
Ocean p e r c h , fillet, frozen
lb.
H a d d o c k , fillet, frozen
lb.
S a l m o n , p i n k , canned
16 o z .
Tuna fish, canned
^ to 6 ^ o z .
Dairy p r o d u c t s :
M i l k , f r e s h , (grocery)
qt.
M i l k , fresh, ( d e l i v e r e d )
qt.
Ice cream
\ gal.
Butter
.
lb.
C h e e s e , A m e r i c a n process
\ lb.
M i l k , evaporated
14^ o z . can
Fruits and v e g e t a b l e s :
Frozen:
Strawberries
1 oz.
Orange juice concentrate
6 oz.
Lemonade c o n c e n t r a t e
6 oz.
-10 o z .
Peas, green
B e a n s , green
9 oz.
P o t a t o e s , french fried
9 oz.
Fresh:
Apples
lb.
Bananas
lb.
O r a n g e s , size 200
doz.
Lemons
lb.

Priced o n l y in s e a s o n .




-

-

-

-

-

Food and unit

*

Other
foods at h o m e
Percent
Index
change

,1
- 2. 3
,2
2
,9
3
.2
0
2
0

U . S . c i t y average

--

1962

- 0 ..1

_

1.

1,6

March
1962
Cents

February
1962
Cents

56.6
47.6
24.6
13.8
23.2
26.9
18.9
21.4
21.2
30.9
52.1

56.6
47.4
24.7
13.6
22.8
27.0
18.9
21.2
21.1
31.0
51.9

105.1
107.5
61.9
82.1
51.5
146.8
87.3
61.9
67.7
61.5
69.7
63.0
51.3
42.6
49.2
55.5
77.2
34.4

106.1
108.3
61.1
81.5
51.3
147.5
87.9
62.5
67.9
61.8
69.4
62.7
51.1
42.6
49.3
55.5
77.1
34.2

24.6
26.3
86.4
76.0
36.4
15.8

24.7
26.4
86.3
76.1
36.3
15.8

27.1
22.4
14.0
20.7
22.8
19.3

27.1
22.9
14.0
20.7
22.8
19.2

14. R
16.5
78.8
19.1

14.1
16.2
77.5
19.4

Food and unit
Fresh--Cont inued
Grapefruit
each
Peaches *
---lb.
Strawberries *
pt.
G r a p e s , seedless *
--lb.
Watermelons *
lb.
Potatoes
10 l b .
Sweet potatoes
lb.
Corn *
- - - - d o z . ears
Onions
lb.
Carrots
lb.
Lettuce
head
Celery
—
lb.
Cabbage
lb.
Tomatoes---— lb.
B e a n s , green
lb.
Canned:
Orange juice
46 o r . can
Pineapple juice
46 o r . c a n
Peaches
#2% can
Pineapple
#2 c a n
Fruit cocktail
# 3 0 3 can
C o r n , c r e a m style
# 3 0 3 can
P e a s , green
- - - - - - - # 3 0 3 can
Tomatoes
- # 3 0 3 can
T o m a t o juice
--46 o z . can
Baby foods
4 % to 5 o z .
Dried:
Prunes
lb.
Beans
lb.
Other foods at h o m e :
T o m a t o soup
- 1 0 ^ to 11 o z . can
B e a n s , with pork
16 o z . can
P i c k l e s , sliced
15 o z .
C a t s u p , tomato
14 o z .
Potato chips
4 oz.
Coffee
lb. can
Coffee
lb. bag
C o f f e e , instant
6 oz.
T e a bags
p k g . of 16
Cola d r i n k , carton
36 o z .
Shortening, hydrogenated
3 lb.
M a r g a r i n e , colored
lb.
Lard
lb.
Salad d r e s s i n g
pt.
Peanut butter
lb.
Sugar
5 lb.
Corn syrup
24 o z .
Grape jelly
12 o z .
Chocolate bar
1 oz.
E g g s , Grade A , large
doz.
G e l a t i n , flavored
3 to 4 o z .

1,

1.

-

2.2
1.1
1.9
1.2
.6
1.4
.9
1.3
.4
1.4

March
1?62

12.2

57.7
16.0
*
15.1
15.4
20.3
16.2
13.1
31.7
26.3
45.4
32.6
32.6
38.9
26.0
20.1

22.3
15.8
32.4

10.6
41.4
17.3
12.4
14.9

26.6
23.1
28.0
71.0
57.2
90.4
24.6
30.7
91.0
29.0
20.1
38.4
56.7
58.4
27.3
29.5
4.5
53.8
9.8
LABOR - D. C.

7
Brief Explanation of the CPI
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 clerical
families; they include all of the important items in family spending. Prices for these
items are obtained in k6 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.
Prices of foods, fuels, and a few other items are obtained every month in all
k6 cities. Prices of most other commodities and services are collected every month in
the 5 largest cities and every 3 months in other cities. Mail questionnaires are used
to obtain local transit fares, public utility rates, newspaper prices, fuel prices, and
certain other items which change in price infrequently. Prices of most other goods and
services 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 1957-59 « 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 cities:
Anna, Illinois
Camden, Arkansas
Canton, Ohio
Charleston, W . Virginia
Evansville, Indiana
Garrett, Indiana
Glendale, Arizona
Grand Forks, N. Dakota
Grand Island, Nebraska

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

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

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 and historical tables of index numbers for the
United States city average and for 20 large cities are available on request to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington or any of its regional offices (addresses below).
The historical tables for the U.S. include index nuabers for All Iteas, Food, Apparel, and
Rent for periods froa 1913 to date; and for other groups of goods and services from 1935 to
date.
BLS Regional Offices
Atlanta
1371 Peachtree
Street, N . E .
Zone 9




New York
Chicago
San Francisco
Boston
34l Ninth Ave. 105 West Adams St. 630 Sansome St. 18 Oliver St.
Zone 1
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Zone 11
Zone 10
LABOR - D. C.




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