Full text of CPI Detailed Report : March 1970
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the consumer price index
U.S. CITY
AVERAGE
for March 1970
AND
SELECTED
AREAS
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
B U R E A U OF L A B O R
June 1 9 7 0
STATISTICS
the consumer price index
U.S. DEPARTMENT
OF LABOR
George P. Shultz, Secretary
BUREAU
Geoffrey
OF
LABOR
H. Moore,
STATISTICS
Commissioner
a monthly report
on consumer price movements
including statistical
tables
and technical
notes.
Consumer Price Indexes
1957-59 = 100
U N I T E D S T A T E S D E P A R T M E N T OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Commodities and Services
'Seasonally Adjusted
Latest Data: March 1970
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
FOR
MARCH 1970
The Consumer Price Index rose 0.5 percent in March to 133.2 (1957-59=100). The
rise in charges for consumer-services accelerated sharply, primarily due to large increases
for mortgage interest and m e d i c a l care; services accounted for about 70 percent of the index
advance* Prices of commodities were up less than in February because of a substantial slowing in the rate of increase in food prices. Nonfood commodity prices rose somewhat faster in
March than in the previous month owing to a larger price rise for durable goods.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the all items index advanced 0.4 percent in March.
This compares with increases of 0.5 in February and 0.6 in each of the preceding 3 months.
The slower rate reflected smaller increases in prices of food, apparel, and other nondurable
commodities in March than in February. Prices of consumer durables, which show no seasonal
change between these months, rose 0.4 percent on the strength of increases in house prices.
For perspective, annual rates of change in the CPI and some of its major components in each of the last 4 quarters is presented below. All percentage rates, with the
exception of those for services which overall exhibit no seasonality, are seasonally adjusted.
1970
1st Qtr.
All items
Commodities
Food
6.3
3.3
5.4
1969
4th Qtr.
3rd Qtr.
2nd Qtr.
6.8
5.0
6.1
6.8
3.6
5.8
10.4
5.7
8.7
4.3
3.8
5.0
5.2
1.7
1.0
6.5
7.8
7.0
Nondurables
less food
Durables
Services
2.5
3.0
11.2
The rate of increase in commodity prices declined significantly in the first
quarter of this year compared with the last quarter of 1969. On the other hand, price
increases for services, particularly home mortgages, transportation and medical care, were
notably larger in the more recent quarter.
Since March 1969 consumer prices have advanced 6.1 percent, largely on the
strength of higher prices for services and food. Price increases for commodities other than
food amounted to about 3-1/2 percent and were responsible for nearly one-fourth of the all
items rise.
Food
Retail food prices averaged 0.2 percent higher in March, after seasonal adjustment, their smallest monthly increase since last October. Prices of food purchased for home
consumption rose slightly on a seasonally adjusted basis despite a sharp drop in egg prices.
Restaurant meals and other food consumed away from home continued to show substantial price
increases.
Retail egg prices dropped about twice as much as is usual for March, following a
sharp build-up of cold storage holdings in February. Meat prices advanced contraseasonally,
probably in response to a 12 percent decline in red meat production in the previous month.
2
Poultry prices on the other hand, declined contraseasonally with the initiation of sales
(promotion efforts designed to reduce stocks. Prices of milk and other dairy products
Continued to climb in March; they were up 0,7 percent, seasonally adjusted, largely because
pf sustained strength in demand for cheese# Fruits and vegetables were up less than seasonally (down 0.7 percent after seasonal adjustment) primarily because of weakness in prices
pf fresh vegetables and apples. Prices of nonalcoholic beverages moved significantly higher
ffor the fifth consecutive month. The persistent climb largely reflects higher prices for
both regular and instant coffees which are due in part to a weather-induced tightness in
{Brazilian coffee supplies.
Since March 1969, retail food prices have advanced 7.5 percent. Price increases
for grocery store food also amounted to 7.5 percent and were responsible for eight-tenths of
the overall increase * About half of the increase in prices of food purchased for home consumption resulted from a 13.1 percent rise in meat prices. Much of the remainder of the
advance was due to increases for dairy products, fresh vegetables, bakery products, eggs, and
nonalcoholic beverages.
Services
Charges for consumer services rose sharply in March, 1.1 percent, largely because
3f higher prices for home mortgages and medical care services. The increase in mortgage
interest charges was primarily the result of the January rise in rates allowable on FHAinsured loans. A relatively sharp rise in physician's fees was responsible for the accelern
ated pace of advance in medical care services. Prices of transportation services posted a
moderate advance, following several months of much steeper increases.
The 11.2 percent annual rate of advance in prices of consumer services during the
first quarter of this year was the steepest such rate on record. Most types of services rose
substantially faster in the first quarter than in the last quarter of 1969. The acceleration in the rate of increase in transportation services was particularly marked and stemmed
from increases in public transit fares, particularly in New York City, and costs of automobile
insurance, registration, and repairs. The steeper first-quarter climb in charges for household services was due primarily to increases in rates allowable on V.A. and FHA mortgage
loans. Larger increases in physicians' fees and hospital room rates were behing the faster
rise in charges for medical care services.
In March 1970, prices of consumer services were 8.1 percent above their yearearlier levels. Approximately three-fifths of this increase stemmed from a rise in costs
of household services, other than rent, of nearly 11 percent. In addition to mortgaging
costs, higher prices for home maintenance and repairs, residential property taxes and
insurance, and housekeeping services played important roles in the advance for household
services. Higher prices for transportation services, particularly those associated with
automobiles, constituted about one-fifth of the increase in services overall.
Nondurable Goods other than Food
Retail prices of nondurable goods other than food were up more than seasonally
in March, but by less than in February. Prices of apparel, after seasonal adjustment, rose
more slowly. Gasoline prices fell appreciably.
In the first quarter this year, prices of nondurable commodities other than food
rose at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 2-1/2 percent; this was the slowest such rate
recorded since the first quarter of 1966. Price increases for apparel commodities amounted
to 2 percent in the first quarter at a seasonally adjusted annual rate--the slowest such rate
since the third quarter of 1965. The rate of advance in prices of other nondurable goods
also moderated in the first quarter, largely because of the decline in gasoline prices in
March.
Retail prices of nondurable commodities other than food were 3.9 percent above
year-earlier levels in March;--this was the smallest twelve-month gain since mid-1968 and
compares with an increase of 4.6 percent in the twelve months ending in March 1969. The
3
slower rate of advance in the more recent period reflected the markedly slower rate of rise
in prices of apparel commodities; price increases for nondurable goods, excluding food and
apparel, were about the same in both periods.
Durables
Retail prices of consumer durable goods rose 0.4 percent in March, despite
declines in prices of both new and used cars, largely because of further increases in house
prices. The drop in new car prices was slightly larger than usual for March and was the
first seasonally adjusted decline since September last year when prices moved to year-end
clearance levels on 1969 models. Weakness in prices of cars, both new and used, probably
reflects sagging sales. New car sales were more than 10 percent below year-earlier levels
both in March and in the first quarter.
Prices of durable household goods rose appreciably in March primarily on the
strength of higher prices for furniture and bedding. At a seasonally adjusted annual rate,
prices of household durables rose about 2-1/2 percent in the first quarter. While this
represents an acceleration from the rate recorded in the previous two quarters, it remains
among the* slowest quarterly rates of increase in about two years.
Since March 1969, retail prices of consumer durable goods have advanced 2.7
percent. Higher prices for houses and household durables were responsible fo^ virtually all
of the rise. A sharp drop in used car prices during the period, down nearly 10 percent,
provided a significant moderating influence.
Cost-of-Living Adjustments
Approximately 44,400 workers will receive cost-of-living wage adjustments based
the Consumer Price Index for March. About 6,000 airline employees will receive hourly
increases of 6 or 9 cents, based on the change in the national CPI since March 1969. Another
9,700 workers, mainly in the aircraft and aerospace industry, will get a 2-1/2 percent pay
raise based on the rise in the national index over the same period, while 3,000 mail order
employees will receive an increase amounting to 8 cents an hour. Approximately 13,000
employees in interstate transit will receive an hourly pay increase of 3 cents based on the
rise in the national index since December 1969. An additional 12,000 workers in various
industries will receive increases ranging from 2 to 8 cents an hour, based on the increase
in the national CPI over the calendar quarter or over the year.
About 4,000 other employees whose escalator reviews are tied to the March CPI
will not receive an adjustment, since they have already received the maximum increases permitted by their contracts.
A NOTE ABOUT CALCULATING INDEX CHANGES
Effective with the February, 1970 release, and continuing thereafter, percentage
changes expressed as annual rates will be computed according to the standard formula for
compound growth rates. These data indicate what the percentage change would be if the
current rate were maintained for a 12-month period.
Movements of the index from one date to another are usually expressed as percentage changes rather than changes in the index points because index point changes are affected
by the level of the index in relation to its base period while percentage changes are not.
The following example illustrates the computation of index point and percentage changes:
Percentage Change
Index Point Change
March 1970 CPI (1957-59=100)
less February 1970 index
Index point differences
133.2
132.5
0.7
Index point difference divided by
the index for the previous period:
133.2 - 132.5y 100=0.5
132.5
TABLE 1. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, March 1970
(Unadjusted, unless otherwise indicated)
Indexes
(1957-59=100 unless otherwise noted)
March
February
December
March
1969
1970
1970
1969
132,.5
133 .2
131,.3
125,.6
162,.5
161 .1
154,.1
163 .4
Group
All items
All items (1947-49=100)
from:
Percent change to March 1970
1 year
1 month
3 'months
ago
ago
ago
6 .1
0..5
1 .4
131 .6
127 .4
127 .0
130 .2
129 .4
133 .1
116 .0
152 .4
131,.5
127,.4
126,.3
129,.7
128,.8
132,.4
118,.1
151,.5
129 .9
125 .8
124,.9
127 .2
127,.6
132,.1
116 .6
149 .9
122,.4
118,.5
121,.2
116,.5
123,.0
127,.6
108,.5
141,.3
.1
.0
.6
.4
.5
.5
-1.8
.6
1 .3
1 .3
1,.7
2,.4
1 .4
.8
.5
1,.7
7.5
7 .5
4 .8
11.8
5 .2
4 .3
6 .9
7 .9
Housing
Shelter 1/
Rent ^
Homeownership 2/
Fuel and utilities 3/
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
133 6
142 .8
122 3
150.9
115 .6
120 .8
114 8
121 6
132,.2
140,.9
121,.8
148,.5
114,.9
120,.6
114..6
120..8
130 .5
138,.5
121,.0
145,.4
114,.6
119 .2
113,.7
120,.0
124,.4
130 .5
117..5
135,.7
112,.2
117,.2
110,.6
116,.4
1,.1
1 .3
.4
1 .6
.6
.2
.2
.7
2,.4
3,.1
1 .1
3,.8
.9
1 .3
1,.0
1,.3
7 .4
9 .4
4 .1
11 .2
3 .0
3 .1
3 .8
4 .5
Apparel and upkeep 4/
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
130 .6
132 3
125 3
146 .3
130,.0
131..0
125,.4
145,.0
130,.8
132..0
127..2
144,.4
124..9
126..4
120,.6
137,.6
.5
1,.0
.1
.9
.2
.2
-1,.5
1,.3
4 .6
4,.7
3 .9
6 .3
Transportation
Private
New cars
Used cars
Gasoline
Public
127 1
123 0
104 .4
117,.6
115,.3
165,.8
127,.3
123,.3
104..6
117..8
116..7
165..4
126,.4
123,.4
104,.9
123,.9
116,.9
153..0
124,.3
121,.6
102..4
130..5
117..2
147,.5
.2
.2
.2
.2
-1,.2
.2
.6
.3
.5
- 5..1
-1..4
8..4
2 .3
1 .2
2 .0
-9 .9
-1,.6
12 .4
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
141,.4
161,.6
129.6
133,.6
134,.8
140..7
160,.1
129..0
133.,2
134..3
139..6
158..1
128..1
132..7
133..5
134..3
152..5
124..8
128..7
126..1
.5
.9
.5
.3
.4
1..3
2,.2
1,.2
.7
1..0
5 .3
6 .0
3 .8
3 .8
6 .9
132,.0
130,.9
127..4
131..8
130..7
127..7
130,.3
130..2
126..7
.2
.2
.2
1..3
,5
.6
All items less food
All items less medical care
133,.8
131..5
133..0
130..8
131..9
129..7
126..8
124.,0
.6
.5
1..4
1..4
5,.5
6,.0
Commodities
Nondurables
Nondurables less food
Apparel commodities
124..5
128,.7
126,.1
129,.9
124..2
128..4
125..8
129..3
123..6
127..7
125..7
130..3
118..7
121..8
121..4
124..3
.2
.2
.2
.5
.7
.8
.3
.3
4,.9
5,.7
3,.9
4,.5
Durables
Household durables
Services
Services less rent
—
Services less medical care
Insurance and finance (Dec.1965=100)
Utilities and public transportation
(Dec.1965=100)
Housekeeping and home maintenance services
(Dec. 196r5=100) - Medical care services
114..1
107,.4
152..3
158..9
148..3
142..9
113..7
106..9
150..7
157.,1
146..8
139.,9
113..6
106..5
148..3
154..3
144..4
136..0
111..1
104,.4
140..9
146..1
137..0
125..2
.4
.5
I!.1
l,.1
l,.0
2..1
.4
.8
.7
3..0
2,.7
5..1
2,.7
2,.9
8,.1
8,.8
8..2
14,.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
—,
Seasonally Adjusted:
Food
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Special Groups:
112..8
112.,2
109..8
107..0
.5
2..7
5..4
135..8
177..0
134.,7
175.,2
133..5
172..8
124..5
165..8
.8
1,.0
1,.7
2..4
9,.1
6,.8
$0,751
.364
$0,755
.366
$0,762
.369
$0,796
.386
.5
-1..4
-5..7
Purchasing Power of Consumer Dollar:
1957-59-$l
1939=$1
1/
2/
3/
4/
Also includes
Includes home
Also includes
Also includes
—
hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance and repairs.
telephone, water, and sewerage service not shown separately.
infants' wear, sewing materials, jewelry, and apparel upkeep services not shown separately.
Note: Index applies to month as a whole not to any specific date.
- 5 TABLE 2. Consumer Price Index—The United States and selected areas for urban wage earners and clerical workers, all items
most recent index and percent changes from selected dates
Indexes
Pricing
Schedule 2/
Area 1/
1957-59=100
1947-49=100
Percent change from:
Other
bases
February
1970
March 1970
December
1969
March
1969
U.S. City Average
M
133.2
163.4
0.5
1.4
6.1
Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles-Long Beach
New York —
Philadelphia
M
M
M
M
M
129.9
133.1
132.2
139.1
135.4
163.9
164.1
164.8
167.6
166.2
.5
.7
.5
.7
.7
1.2
1.8
.8
2.3
2.4
5.7
6.4
4.4
7.3
6.6
October
1969
January 1970
Boston
Houston
Minneapolis-St. Paul
Pittsburgh
1
1
1
1
136.1
130.9
132.8
129.4
168.6
161.2
164.4
159.5
1.0
.8
1.9
.7
November
1969
February 1970
Buffalo (Nov.1963=100)
—
Cleveland
Dallas (Nov.1963=100)
Milwaukee
San Diego (Feb.1965=100) Seattle
Washington
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
125.3
132.3
164.3
128.5
162.0
132.2
134.6
166.2
162.0
125.6
118.6
December
1969
March 1970
Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati
Honolulu (Dec.1963=100)
Kansas City
St. Louis
San Francisco-Oakland
—
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
131.9
133.5
129.2
163.3
165.6
157.2
134.6
132.4
136.1
166.6
164.3
172.8
1.7
2.2
1.5
1.2
1.4
1.7
2.0
122.0
1.5
1.2
1.2
1.9
1.1
1.3
1.2
January
1969
6.4
6.3
8.1
4.4
February
1969
6.8
7.5
7.5
6.4
5.1
5.0
6.6
March
1969
5.6
6.2
5.3
5.5
5.1
5.6
5.6
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 1960 Census and do not include revisions made since 1960.
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.
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.
- 6 -
TABLE 3: Consumer Price Index—The United States and Selected Areas 1/
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Major Groups
Percent change from February 1970 to March 1970
U.S. City
Average
Group
Chicago
Detroit
Los AngelesLong Beach
New York
Philadelphia
All items
0.5
0.5
0.7
0.5
0.7
0.7
Food —
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
.1
1.1
.5
-.2
.5
.9
.5
.3
.4
-.2
.5
2.1
-.2
.7
1.4
2/
.4
.3
.5
2.7
2.8
-4.1
.1
1.8
2/
-2.4
.1
-.4
.9
.5
.0
.5
1.2
2/
.0
.5
.3
1.3
.6
.2
.9
1.4
2/
1.0
.8
.0
1.7
1.1
.1
.4
.6
1/
.6
1/
\l
2/
See footnote 1, table 2.
Not available.
TABLE 4: Consumer Price Index — United States City Average for
Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers for Selected Groups
Seasonally Adjusted
(1957-59=100)
Indexes
Group
Percent changes to: Mar. 1970
From:
3 Months
1 Month
Ago
Ago
February 1970
December 1969
132,.0
127,.9
131,.1
129,.8
132,.6
116,.2
131.,8
127.,7
130..4
128.,9
133.,5
117.,4
130.,3
126.,3
128.,4
127.,2
135.,1
115.,5
0.2
.2
.5
.7
-.7
-1.0
1,.3
1,.3
2..1
2..0
-1,.9
.6
Fuel and utilities 1_/
Fuel oil and coal
115,.5
120,.1
114.,8
119..5
114.,5
117.,9
.6
.5
.9
1,.9
Apparel and upkeep 2/
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
130,.9
132,.7
125,.7
146,.4
130.7
131..8
126..4
145..3
130.,2
131.,3
126..1
144..3
.2
.7
-.6
.8
.5
1,.1
.3
1,.5
127,.4
123,.2
104,.1
127.,7
123..7
104..2
126..7
123..5
103..5
-.2
-.4
-.1
.6
.2
.6
124,.6
120,.9
128,.8
126,.2
123,.9
130,.2
114,.3
124..4
120..6
128..7
126..1
123..8
130..1
113..9
123..6
120..2
127..7
125..5
123..0
129..5
113..5
.2
.2
.1
.1
.1
.1
.4
.8
.6
.9
.6
.7
.5
.7
March 1970
Food
Food at home
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home —
Transportation
Private
New cars
•
••
^
Nondurables
Nondurables less food
Nondurables less food and apparel
Apparel commodities
Durables
T'
2/
—
—
—
Also includes telephone, water, and sewerage service not shown separately.
Also includes infants' wear,sewing materials, jewelry, and apparel upkeep services not shown separately.
- 7 -
TABLE 5: Consumer Price Index—United States and Selected Areas 1/
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Conmodity Groups
March 1970 index and percent changes from December 1969
U.S.
City
Average
Atlanta
All items
133.2
131.9
133,.5
129..9
129.2
133..1
122,.0
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
131.6
127.4
130.5
127.0
130..9
128..7
123,.4
121,.2
119.5
129.4
127.2
134.4
123.3
143.0
133..0
131..0
133..2
134..7
138..2
129,.7
117..4
142,.4
127.9
124.1
127.0
130.2
129.4
133.1
116.0
152.4
136,.2
130,.1
133,.6
133,.6
127,.7
137,.7
117,.5
162 .5
122.6
129.9
124.7
128.8
113.0
147.7
123..9
139.,2
137..0
120..0
114..7
143..6
116,.2
126,.6
116..1
124,.1
116,.0
130,.4
Housing
Shelter
Rent
^
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
133.6
142.8
122.3
150.9
115.6
120.8
114.8
121.6
136.9
144.4
118.1
152.5
115.2
126..8
133,,3
115..7
141..8
110..5
114,.1
110,.7
119,.1
124.9
130.1
108.9
140.3
110.8
133.6
111.8
116.4
134.,6
146..6
(2/)
154..7
107,.4
114..0
107,.7
114,.6
128,.0
139,.2
123,.7
150,.0
100,.5
111.9
128.7
130,.5
136,.5
118,.0
144,.1
114,.6
124,.0
105,.5
128,.5
Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
130.6
132.3
125.3
146.3
131.2
132.9
123.6
142.8
136,.7
140,.9
127 .4
163 .8
123,.7
122,.9
117,.6
141,.1
135.0
141.7
124.2
158.3
129,.1
131,.0
121,.4
150..8
118,.6
112,.6
122,.6
118,.8
Transportation
Private
Public
127.1
123.0
165.8
119.1
114.8
160.8
127 .3
123,.9
142,.7
127,.8
123,.7
154,.6
125.0
120.3
165.7
120,.7
117..5
145..3
111,.3
116,.0
89,.0
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
141.4
161.6
129.6
133.6
134.8
139.1
163.7
132.0
133.6
121.1
139 .2
179,.7
133,.2
130,.3
120,.6
137,.1
170..7
130,.5
116..7
129..9
140.4
171.1
128.4
131.5
126.8
144..2
176..8
(3/)
172,,2
125..0
121,.5
132,.1
116,.7
113..6
124,.0
Group
Baltimore
Chicago
Cincinnati
Detroit
Honolulu
(Dec.1963-100)
Indexes (1957-59-100 unless otherwise specified)
—
99,.8
111,.5
Percent changes from December 1969 to March 1970
All items
1.4
1.5
1,.2
1..2
1.2
1.,8
1,.9
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
1.3
1.3
1.7
2.4
1.4
.8
-.5
1.7
1.6
1.6
1.4
4.1
1.9
1.3
-1.4
1.7
1,.6
1..2
4..0
2,.3
1..8
.7
-2,.2
2..7
1..3
1..2
2..7
2.,4
1.,2
-,.8
.7
1.,8
1.0
1.1
1.6
2.4
1.2
2.0
1.6
.5
1..2
1.,3
1..6
2..9
2,.2
.3
-1..4
.8
2,.2
2,.0
3,.3
2,.9
.3
.5
2,.7
2..6
Housing
Shelter
Rent
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
2.4
3.1
1.1
3.8
.9
1.3
1.0
1.3
2.5
3.9
1.3
4.5
.4
.2
.2
1,.2
.8
.5
.8
2..6
3..3
,8
.9
2..2
2..8
3/ ..9
3..6
.7
.2
2..0
1..4
2.4
3.7
.6
5.0
.3
5.0
.4
-.1
3,.5
4..6
(2/)
5..3
1..5
.6
,1
,7
-.2
.2
-1.5
1.3
1.3
.7
1.3
1.5
.8
,8
.2
.7
-1..0
.3
-2..7
1..3
.9
2.2
-.2
1.5
2..5
3..4
,7
7.,3
.6
-1,.5
1,.2
2,.4
Transportation
Private
Public
.6
-.3
8.4
-1.1
-1.1
.0
.1
.1
.0
.1
.1
,0
-1.0
-1.2
.7
-1.,5
-1.,7
.0
1,.5
1,.8
.0
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
1.3
2.2
1.2
.7
1.0
1.5
2.7
-.8
1.8
.4
1..8
3..7
.7
2..0
.2
1..8
2..8
1,,4
1.,3
1..2
1.2
2.0
1.9
1.2
.0
1.,4
4,.8
(2/)
,8
.1
1,.2
.5
5,.7
.1
1,.6
Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
i
See footnotes at end of table.
2,.8
3,.5
2,.1
4,.4
.1
——
.0
1,.7
- 8 -
TABLE 5: Consumer Price Index—United States and Selected Areas 1/
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Commodity Groups Continued
March 1970 index and percent changes from December 1969
Group
Kansas City
Los AngelesLong Beach
New York
Philadelphia
St. Louis
San FranciscoOakland
Indexes (1957-59«100 unless otherwise specified)
All items
134 .6
132 .2
139.1
135,.4
132 .4
136.1
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
135 .9
131 .7
132 .9
135 .3
141 .8
127 .0
120 .8
150 8
126,.7
120,.9
123,.2
119,.6
124 .5
132,.0
106,.5
147,.6
135.1
128.3
124.3
130.9
122.3
141.8
117.3
163.7
132,.0
126,.3
128,.7
124,.2
136,.4
133,.6
112,.4
162..4
136 .6
132 .1
133 .6
137 .6
139 .2
140 .3
113 .1
154,.5
128.2
122.6
122.9
125.7
122.1
129.9
109.6
152.5
Housing
Shelter
Rent
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
130 .6
134,.8
111,.6
144,.5
127..3
139,.0
150..1
124..5
158,.8
111..9
120.,0
119..0
133..5
142..4
125..1
146..9
112..6
126..4
106.,5
126.,0
126,.9
132,.2
113,.0
137,.3
118,.1
120..6
122..0
122..0
148.5
164.6
152.0
170.8
108.2
130..2
119..3
137.6
143.7
(2/)
150.3
115.5
126.8
112.4
134.5
Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
139..4
137..4
139..2
154.,2
128..5
130.,6
129..2
139.,3
137.5
143.9
129.0
148.0
139.,2
135.,8
130.,1
155.,0
129..8
128..7
128..6
144..8
133.0
130.9
127.9
142.4
Transportation
Private
Public
126..0
120..6
195..6
127.,1
122.,3
160.,0
141.0
133.8
173.7
138.,7
131.,3
179. 1
125.,7
121.,7
159.,7
125.5
126.6
121.4
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
148.,3
165.,4
131.6
144.,4
142.,1
132.,7
157.,9
121.,6
115.5
126.5
148.9
168.9
(2/)
146.9
144.7
143.3
172.8
(2/)
127.8
139.9
144.5
155.,5
135.,6
140.,1
141.,7
137.7
159.3
136.6
120.5
132.6
—
—
113.6
121.2
Percent changes from December 1969 to March 1970
All items
1 .1
0 .8
2.3
2 .4
1 .3
1.2
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
1 .1
.8
1 .2
2 .7
.5
.6
.7
1,.9
.7
.6
.3
3 .1
.6
-3,.2
.7
1,.0
1,.7
1 .3
1,.1
2,.7
.7
2,.3
-1,.2
2,.4
1,.8
1 .5
3,.2
2,.1
1,.0
2,.7
-1,.5
2,.9
.8
.8
7 .1
.7
.4
1 .1
-1,.7
.5
.8
1.0
.9
3.6
.7
-.7
-1.7
.1
Housing
Shelter
Rent
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation
3,.6
4,.0
.8
5,.2
4,.0
2,.2
2,.9
2..4
3,.1
.0
3..3
4..6
1..9
5..3
.4
3..2
.1
2..6
2,.4
2 .7
.4
3,.3
2,.4
1,.1
2,.3
1,.7
2.8
3.3
2.2
3.8
2.9
Apparel and upkeep
Men'8 and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Transportation
Private
Public
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
1/
2/
3/
See footnote 1, table 2.
Not available.
Change from January 1970.
——
3/
——
2..2
1..8
(2/)
2..5
1..5
1..8
.1
3..5
3/
6,.2
2..1
.5
.8
1..0
1..7
.4
1..7
.9
1..1
.5
2..1
,5
1.,7
-1.8
1.,9
1.,2
1.,6
.3
2.,2
.3
.2
.4
1,.0
-.1
-1.0
-.2
.6
-2..7
-4.,6
28..0
-2..8
-3.,0
.9
7..1
,9
32.,7
2.,4
2.,8
,2
.9
-1..0
.0
-1.3
-1.3
.3
,7
1.,2
,5
.6
1.,1
1.,1
2.,3
,0
,4
,3
1..8
3..8
1..9
1..0
,1
1.3
1.9
.0
1.0
1.1
1.8
2.3
(2/)
1.,5
1.6
2.,4
2.,0
(2/)
,8
4.,0
3.8
1.3
- 9 -
TABLE 6: Consumer Price Index—United States and Selected Areas
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Food and its Subgroups
March 1970 Indexes end Percent Changes froai February 1970
Food at home
Area 1/
Total
food
Total
Cereals
and
bakery
products
Meats,
poultry,
and fish
Dairy
products
Fruits
and
vegetables
Other
foods
at home
Food
away
from
home
Indexes (1957-59=100 unless otherwise specified)
U.S. City Average
131.6
127.4
127.0
130.2
129.4
133.1
116.0
152.4
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo (Nov.1963=100) Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas (Nov.1963=100) -Detroit
Honolulu (Dec.1963=100)
Houston
Kansas City
—
Los Angeles-Long Beach Milwaukee
Minneapolis-St. Paul
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
San Diego (Feb.1965=100)
San Francisco-Oakland —
Seattle
Washington
130.5
136.2
135.4
127.3
133.0
127.9
129.3
125.5
130.9
123.4
132.7
135.9
126.7
130.2
131.2
135.1
132.0
128.2
136.6
120.8
128.2
128.5
135.7
127.0
130.1
129.6
125.7
131.0
124.1
126.5
122.3
128.7
121.2
126.7
131.7
120.9
127.5
126.8
128.3
126.3
125.4
132.1
117.4
122.6
121.9
130.0
119.5
133.6
130.9
112.0
133.2
122.6
120.3
116.1
123.9
116.2
131.4
132.9
123.2
118.9
122.8
124.3
128.7
125.1
133.6
112.0
122.9
115.1
123.8
129.4
133.6
134.3
129.4
134.7
129.9
131.5
128.9
139.2
126.6
125.3
135.3
119.6
132.0
130.7
130.9
124.2
132.1
137.6
131.2
125.7
127.4
131.8
127.2
127.7
124.2
125.7
138.2
124.7
129.0
126.7
137.0
116.1
131.2
141.8
124.5
138.7
138.8
122.3
136.4
121.0
139.2
113.2
122.1
130.0
128.3
134.4
137.7
141.1
134.0
129.7
128.8
133.2
121.0
120.0
124.1
135.4
127.0
132.0
128.5
123.9
141.8
133.6
130.8
140.3
106.4
129.9
123.4
134.9
123.3
117.5
115.7
122.1
117.4
113.0
116.1
116.2
114.7
116.0
114.6
120.8
106.5
116.0
118.1
117.3
112.4
115.6
113.1
112.6
109.6
111.5
125.0
143.0
162.5
160.4
137.4
142.4
147.7
145.7
137.7
143.6
130.4
158.4
150.8
147.6
(2/)
151.8
163.7
162.4
146.1
154.5
(2/)
152.5
155.4
157.3
Percent Changes February 1970 to March 1970
U.S. City Average
0.1
.0
0.6
0.4
0.5
0.5
-1.8
0.6
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo (Nov.1963=100) Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas (Nov.1963-100) —
Detroit
Honolulu (Dec.1963=100)
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles-Long Beach Milwaukee
Minneapolis-St. Paul
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
San Diego (Feb.1965=100)
San Francisco-Oakland —
Seattle
Washington
-.2
.6
.3
.2
-.2
.1
.7
-.3
.5
.4
-.5
.1
-.4
.1
.5
.3
.0
.2
-.6
-.4
-.4
-.5
-.4
-.4
.2
.3
.2
-.2
.0
.7
-.6
.5
.1
-.9
-.4
-.6
.1
.5
.0
-.2
•2
-.8
-.6
-.6
-.8
-.7
.7
2.5
1.4
1.6
.5
.8
1.9
.8
-.2
.1
-.1
-1.0
-.5
-.1
-.9
-.2
1.8
.7
.8
.3
.2
1.0
.8
.2
1.1
.2
.8
.2
-.5
.8
-.2
1.2
-.2
-.9
.1
.1
.5
.3
.5
.6
-.8
-.4
-.2
.2
.1
-1.2
.6
.1
.2
.8
.1
.3
1.0
.3
.6
.1
.1
.4
.3
.1
2.9
.2
-.1
.4
-.4
-.3
.1
.0
.4
.3
-.3
2.1
-2.9
.2
1.3
1.6
.8
1.9
.9
-1.3
.2
.0
2.5
1.3
.9
-.6
2.2
-.8
1.0
.6
-1.8
-.4
-2.5
-2.2
-1.9
.7
-2.4
-1.1
-1.1
-3.0
-1.0
-.4
-1.9
-1.5
-2.3
-2.2
-1.2
-1.7
-2.6
-.4
-2.6
-3.2
-3.8
-2.7
-1.6
.5
1.9
.1
.4
.1
.3
.8
.6
.4
1.6
1.1
1.3
.0
(2/)
.5
1.1
.8
.2
.5
(2/)
.0
.3
.4
1/ See footnote 1, table 2.
2/ Not Available.
-
10
-
TABLE 7: Consumer Price Index—United States City Average
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Food Items
March 1970 indexes and percent changes from selected dates
(1957-59-100 unless otherwise specified)
Item or Group
Total food
Food away from home
Restaurant meals
Snacks If
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Flour
Cracker meal If
Corn flakes
Rice
Bread, white
Bread, whole wheat 1/
Cookies
Layer cake 1/
Cinnamon rolls 1/
Meat8, poultry, and fish
Meats
Beef and veal
Steak, round
Steak, sirloin 2/
Steak, porterhouse 1/
Rump roast If
Rib roast
Chuck roast
Hamburger
Beef liver 1/
Veal cutlets Pork
Chops
Loin roast 2/
Pork sausage 1/
Ham, whole
Picnics IV
Bacon
—
Other meats chops If
Frankfurters Ham, canned 1/
Bologna sausage If
Salami sausage 1/ Livervurst If
Poultry
Frying chicken
Chicken breasts 1/
Turkey If
Fish
Shrimp, frozen If
Fish, fresh or frozen
Tuna fish, canned
Sardines, canned If —
Dairy products
Milk, fresh, grocery
Milk, fresh, delivered
Milk, fresh, skim If —
Milk, evaporated
Ice cream
Cheese, American process
Butter
See footnotes at end of table.
Index
riarch 1970
Seasonally
Unadjusted
adjusted
131.6
152.4
152.5
132.4
127.4
127.0
113.1
132.9
130.4
114.4
133.4
125.6
102.4
121.3
116.4
130.2
134.7
133.6
126.9
121.8
126.8
121.1
141.2
126.9
140.8
120.5
168.1
137.9
139.7
146.1
150.6
135.3
142.1
138.7
137.3
142.2
136.1
138.3
138.4
130.4
131.6
97.9
96.7
110.4
116.9
139.8
127.4
150.9
123.1
126.9
129.4
126.8
133.5
128.4
127.7
102.7
156.4
119.5
Percent Change to March 1970 f r o m —
February 1970
Seasonally
Unadjusted
adjusted
132.0
0.1
.6
.6
127.9
.0
.6
0.2
.3
.2
.9
2.1
.2
.2
.6
131.1
135.9
134.1
127.5
.1
.7
1.2
-.3
.4
.6
.5
1.0
.5
.4
.9
1.2
.6
142.2
126.8
141.1
167.4
139.6
142.4
135.0
.8
-.4
.2
.2
.5
1.3
.5
.1
-.1
1.3
1.0
-.1
.2
-.1
.8
.9
1.1
1.7
1.6
141.2
138.0
137.5
94.9
139.8
151.4
-.1
1.0
1.0
1.4
1.2
.5
1.4
.2
-1.2
-.8
1.2
-1.8
.0
-2.9
.9
1.1
1.0
1.9
1.6
1.4
2.4
1.2
129.8
127.3
.3
.5
.5
.3
.9
.7
.6
.2
.6
156.6
119.7
1.0
.0
1.3
.3
- 11 -
TABLE 7: Consumer Price Index—United States City Average
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. Food I t e m s — Continued
March 1970 indexes and percent changes from selected dates
(1957-59-100 unless otherwise specified)
March iy;u
Seasonally
Unadlusted
adiusted
Item or Group
133.1
145.7
139.6
101.9
125.4
90.6
150.6
(3/)
(3/)
(3/)
153.3
171.0
176.6
204.5
122.1
136.2
209.1
123.0
265.5
118.3
136.1
117.3
105.3
104.9
104.1
93.5
95.9
115.0
121.8
128.0
122.0
112.7
116.0
122.6
Fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Apples
Oranges
Orange juice, fresh 1/
Grapefruit
Grapes 3/
Strawberries 3 / —
Watermelon 3/
Potatoes
Onions
Asparagus JV 3/.
—
Carrot8
Celery —
Cucumbers 1/
Peppers, green 1/
Spinach 1/
Tomatoes
Processed fruits and vegetables
Fruit cocktail, canned
Pear8, canned If
Grapefruit-pineapple juice, canned 1/ —
Orange juice concentrate, frozen
Lemonade concentrate, frozen 2/
Beets, canned 1/
>
Peas, green, canned
Tomatoes, canned
Dried beans
Broccoli, -frozen 1/
Other food at home
Eggs
Fats and oils:
Margarine
Salad dressing, Italian 1/
Salad or cooking oil If
Sugar and sweets
Sugar
Grape jelly
Chocolate bar
Syrup, chocolate flavored 1/
Nonalcoholic beverages
Coffee, can and bag
Coffee, instant kj
Tea
Cola drink
Carbonated fruit drink 1/
Prepared and partially prepared foods 1/
Bean soup, canned 1/
Chicken soup, canned 1/
Spaghetti, canned 1/
Mashed potatoes, instant 1/
Potatoes, french fried, frozen 2/
Baby foods, canned
Sweet pickle relish 1/
Pretzels 1/ —
1/
2/
3/
4/
December 196 > 1 0 0 .
April 1960-100.
Priced only in season.
July 1961=100.
106.1
102.2
129.1
129.7
118.2
131.5
127.9
110.1
112.4
99.7
113.1
103.1
161.9
127.4
109.5
110.4
101.8
121.8
110.5
93.2
112.0
117.2
109.1
~
132. 6
144, 8
145.0
103.,6
133.,4
-
171.,5
(3/)
(3/)
(3/)
158. 4
173. 6
-
192. 7
124. 6
142. 3
_
124. 6
_
_
127. 1
_
-
_
_
92.9
-
-
-
116.2
123.6
_
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
—
1
Percent Change to March 197Q from*—
February 1970
Seasonally
Unadiusted
adiusted
.5
.8
2.8
5.6
.7
-.1
-.7
(3/)
(3/)
(3/)
1.5
2.5
27.0
-3.2
-16.0
-5.2
.3
.2
-6.5
-3.0
1.0
.0
.4
-.5
.4
-3.1
1.2
.8
-.3
.6
-1.1
.8
-1.8
-13.0
.5
.3
1.5
.9
.9
.7
1.0
.7
1.5
2.4
1.9
-.5
1.0
1.1
.5
-.5
.7
.6
.2
.4
.0
1.0
.7
.7
-1..3
-1,.0
4,.8
.8
-
1,a
(3/)
(3/)
(3/)
1.,1
1,.1
-1,,6
-12.,7
- 1,,4
-2..3
_
-1,.6
_
_
-4..5
_
-
-
_
-
-1.0
-7.,4
-
-
-
-
-
—
- 12 -
TABLE 8: Consumer Price Index—U.S. City Average
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers
Indexes for. Selected Items and Groups, March 1970
and Percent Changes from Selected Dates
(1957-59=100 unless otherwise specified)
Item or Group
Housing
Shelter 1/
Rent
Homeownership costs 2/
Mortgage interest rates
Property taxes
Property insurance rates
Maintenance and repairs
Commodities 3/
Exterior house paint
Interior house paint
Services
Repainting living and dining rooms
Reshingling roofs
Residing houses
Replacing sinks
Repairing furnaces
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Fuel oil, //2
Gas and electricity
Gas
Electricity
Other utilities:
Residential telephone services
Residential water and sewerage services
Household furnishings and-operation 4/
Housefurnishings
Textiles
Sheets, percale or muslin
Curtains, tailored, polyester marquisette
Bedspreads, chiefly cotton, tufted
drapery fabric, cotton or rayon/acetate
Pillows, bed, polyester or acrylic filling
Slipcovers, ready made, chiefly cotton
Furniture and bedding
Bedroom furniture, chest and dresser
Living room suites, good and inexpensive
quality
Lounge chairs, upholstered
Dining room chairs
Sofas, upholstered
Sofas, dual purpose
Sleep sets, Hollywood bed type (discontinued) —
Box springs
Aluminum folding chairs 5/
Cribs
Floor coverings
Rugs, soft surface
Rugs, hard surface
Tile,vinyl
Appliances J>/
Washing machines, electric, automatic
Vacuum cleaners, canister type
Refrigerators or refrigerator-freezers electric
Ranges, free standing, gas or electric
Clothes dryers, electric, automatic
Air conditioners, demountable 5/
Room heaters, electric, portable 5/
'Garbage disposal units
Other housefurnishings:
Dinnerware, earthenware
Flatware, stainless steel
Table lamps, with shade
Lawn mowers, power, rotary type 5/
Electric drills, hand held —
Housekeeping supplies:
Laundry soaps and detergents
Paper napkins
Toilet tissue
Housekeeping services:
Domestic service, general housework
Baby sitter service
Postal charges
Laundry, flatwork, finished service
Licensed day care service, preschool child
Washing machine repairs
FRASER
Digitized for
Other
Index
Bases
Dec,.63
Dec,.63
Dec,.63
Dec .63
Dec,.63
Dec,.63
Dec,.63
Dec,.63
Dec,.63
Mar., 70
Dec..63
Mar. 70
Dec..63
Dec..63
Dec..63
June 64
Dec..63
Indexes
March 1970
February 1970
Percent Change to March 1970
-From:
February 19/0 March 1969
133.6
142.8
122.3
150.9
148.9
134.7
153.2
148.3
117.2
121.0
114.7
146.2
186.8
166.1
136.7
148.2
152.4
115.6
120.8
117.8
114.8
121.9
107.5
132.2
140.9
121. 8
148.5
143.5
133.6
152. 8
146. 9
116. 5
119. 8
114.,8
144..7
185..4
165..4
135..0
145..6
151.,3
114..9
120..6
117..5
114..6
121..5
107..4
1. 1
1. 3
4
1.6
3. 8
,8
,3
1.,0
.6
1..0
.1
1..0
.8
.4
1..3
1,.8
.7
.6
.2
.3
.2
.3
.1
7.4
9.4
4.1
11.2
15.0
5.5
4.9
7.9
1.1
4.8
2.8
10.8
11.8
10.4
9.1
10.8
13.3
3.0
3.1
2.9
3.8
4.9
2.9
103.9
151.0
121.6
111.7
116.4
122.7
113.7
117.1
126.5
107.2
112.1
125.4
100.0
102..8
147..5
120..8
111..1
115..7
120,.8
112,.7
116,.6
125,.8
106,.8
112,.3
124,.6
1..1
2..4
.7
.5
.6
1,.6
.9
.4
.6
.4
.2
.6
.8
5.3
4.5
3.6
2.5
2.6
4.0
.7
4.5
-.1
3.2
4.8
127.3
121.0
100.0
118.0
120.6
126..1
120,.0
1,.0
.8
4.4
7.4
1,.3
.5
4.7
5.1
-
-
116,.5
120,.0
-
-
Dec..63
June 64
Dec.,63
Dec.,63
124.2
(5/)
120.6
106.9
103.9
113.7
111.7
86.8
92.4
81.3
87.2
100.1
101.8
(5/)
100.5
106.6
122 .5
(I/)
119 .9
106 .9
104,.0
113 .6
111 .3
86,.6
92 .3
81..5
86 .8
99 .3
101 .3
(5/)
100 .6
105 .9
1 .4
(I/)
.6
.0
- .1
.1
.4
.2
.1
- .2
.5
.8
.5
(5/)
- .1
.7
3.2
(5/)
4.8
.8
-.5
3.4
4.2
1.6
2.8
.2
3.0
3.1
3.0
(5/)
2.6
3.7
Dec..63
Dec.63
June 64
Dec. 63
138.1
120.4
119.9
120.0
102.8
137 .1
120 .1
118 .6
(5/)
103 .0
.7
.2
1 .1
(5/)
- .2
4.6
2.9
6.7
(5/)
.4
110.0
134.7
126.8
108 .8
131 .3
123 .5
1 .1
2 .6
2 .7
4.2
5.6
8.6
182.5
140.0
165.5
149.1
132.0
139.6
182 .0
138 .6
165 .5
147 .9
132 .0
138 .3
.3
1 .0
.0
.8
.0
.9
7.2
6.9
.0
8.1
6.4
8.2
Dec.,63
Dec. 63
Dec. 63
Dec. 63
Dec. 6 3 1
-
-
-
-
- 13 TABLE 8: Consumer Price Index—U.S. City Average
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers — Continued
Indexes for Selected Items and Groups, March 1970
and Percent Changes from Selected Dates
(1957-59=100 unless otherwise specified)
Item and Group
Apparel and upkeep V
Apparel commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
Men's and boys'
Men's:
Topcoats, wool 5/
Suits, year round weight
Suits, tropical weight 5/
Jackets, lightweight
Slacks, wool or wool blend
Slacks, cotton or manmade blend
Trousers, work, cotton
Shirts, work, cotton
Shirts, business, cotton
T-shirts, chiefly cotton
Socks, cotton
Handkerchiefs, cotton
Boy's:
Coats, all purpose, cotton or cotton blend 5/
Sport coats, wool or wool blend 5/
Dungarees, cotton or cotton blend
Undershirts, cotton
Women's and girls'
Women's:
Coats, heavyweight, wool or wool blend 5/
Carcoats, heavyweight, cotton 5/
Sweaters, wool or acrylic 5/
Skirts, wool or wool blend 5/
Skirts, cotton or cotton blend 5/
Blouses, cotton
Dresses, street, chiefly manmade fiber
Dresses, street, wool or wool blend _5/
Dresses, street, cotton 5/
Housedresses, cotton
Slips, nylon
'—
Panties, acetate
Girdles, manmade blend
Brassieres, cotton
Hose, nylon seamless
Anklets, cotton
Gloves, fabric, nylon or cotton
Handbags, rayon faille or plastic
Girl's:
Raincoats, vinyl plastic or chiefly cotton 5/
Skirts, wool or wool blend 5/
Dresses, cotton
Slacks, cotton 5/
Slips, cotton blend
Robes, duster style, quilted tricot or
percale 5/
Handbags
Footwear
Men's:
Shoes, street, oxford
Shoes, work, high
Women's:
Shoes, street, pump
Shoes, evening, pump
Shoes, casual,.pump
Houseslippers, scuff
Children's:
Shoes, oxford
Sneakers, boys', oxford type
Dress shoes, girls', strap
Miscellaneous apparel:
Diapers, cotton gauze
Yard goods, cotton —
Wrist watches, men's and women's
Apparel services:
Drycleaning, men's suits and women's dresses —
Automatic laundry service
Laundry, men's shirts
Tailoring charges, hem adjustment
Shoe repairs, women's heel lift
Other
Index
Bases
Indexes
February 1970
March 1970
Percent change to March 1970
From:
March 1969
February 1970
130.6
129.9
126.7
132.3
130.0
129.3
126.2
131.0
0.5
.5
.4
1.0
4.6
4.5
4.2
4.7
144.1
157.3
136.6
125.3
131.0
120.9
116.6
126.0
123.7
132.9
121.5
114.2
141.1
153.9
(5/)
125.6
129.6
119.4
116.4
124.9
123.2
133.3
121.3
113.9
2.1
2.2
(5/)
-.2
1.1
1.3
.2
.9
.4
-.3
.2
.3
4.6
7.2
8.2
1.8
4.5
7.1
1.0
3.4
2.7
2.9
2.9
2.5
114.6
(5/)
129.5
130.5
125.3
114.3
(5/)
129.4
129.9
125.4
.3
(5/)
.1
.5
-.1
5.4
(5/)
4.2
4.4
3.9
(5/)
(5/)
(5/)
(5/)
(5/)
125.3
158.5
(5/)
(5/)
(8/)
114.2
113.2
121.4
127.4
99.0
120.5
110.9
118.2
(5/)
(5/)
C5/>
121.0
(57)
124.9
158.7
(5/)
(5/)
153.5
114.6
112.7
120.9
125.6
98.3
122.5
111.0
118.5
(5/)
(5/)
(5/)
(5/)
(5/)
.3
-.1
(5/)
(5/)
(8/)
-.3
.4
.4
1.4
.7
-1.6
-.1
-.3
(5/)
(5/)
(5/)
(5/)
(5/)
1.8
6.8
(5/)
(5/)
(8/)
4.4
4.9
2.7
6.7
-.1
5.1
2.9
6.1
114.8
(5/)
134.0
125.5
108.1
118.9
(5/)
132.3
125.4
107.8
-3.4
(5/)
1.3
.1
.3
-3.0
(5/)
.4
6.2
1.1
(5/)
115.1
146.3
(5/)
114.9
145.0
(5/)
.2
.9
(5/)
6.6
6.3
143.8
142.1
142.3
141.4
1.1
.5
5.7
5.7
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
155.5
125.0
136.3
128.2
151.6
124.8
135.7
127.8
2.6
.2
.4
.3
6.6
6.0
10.5
4.2
Dec.63
Dec.63
146.6
120.7
138.0
145.9
120.0
136.6
.5
.6
1.0
6.5
4.3
8.2
Dec.63
104.9
125.9
103.8
104.3
124.6
103.8
.6
1.0
.0
3.1
6.6
2.4
135.2
113.2
128.5
127.7
125.5
134.6
112.3
128.0
127.4
125.0
.4
.8
.4
.2
.4
4.5
4.4
5.4
4.8
4.9
June 64
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
Sept.61
Mar.62
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
- 14 TABLE 8s Consumer Price Index—U.S. City Average
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers — Continued
Indexes for Selected Items and Groups, March 1970
and Percent Changes from Selected Dates
(1957-59=100 unless otherwise specified)
Other
•Index
Bases
Item and Group
Transportation
Private 9/
Automobiles, new
Health and recreation
Medical care
Drugs and prescriptions
Over-the-counter items
Multiple vitamin concentrates
Aspirin compounds
Liquid tonics
Adhesive bandages, package
Cold tablets or capsules
Cough syrup
Prescriptions
Anti-infectives
Sedatives and hypnotics
Ataractics
Anti-spamodics
Cough preparations
Cardiovasculars and anti-hypertensives
Analgesics, internal
Anti-obesity
Hormones
Professional services:
Physicians' fees
Family doctor, office visits
Family doctor, 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
Hospital service charges:
Daily service charges
Semiprivate rooms
Private rooms
Operating room charges
127,.3
123,.3
104,.6
117,.8
116,.7
141,.4
118 .5
140 .2
176,.0
140 .3
128 .2
165,.4
183 .8
131.5
117 .2
117 .4
127 .9
-.2
-.2
-.2
-.2
-1.2
.6
.8
.9
.2
.0
.3
.2
.0
.0
3.3
.3
.5
2,.3
1,.2
2,.0
-9 .9
-1 .6
5 .0
4 .0
7 .2
13 .0
5 .1
9 .7
12,.4
15,.9
5 .4
5 .7
6 .4
8 .4
141,.4
161,.6
100,.3
107,.8
91,.7
107,.3
101,.5
119,.7
112,.2
113,.5
89 .7
62,>8
112,.1
90,.0
101,,7
117,.1
99,.0
104,.7
105,.8
93,.9
140 .7
160 .1
100 .0
107,.2
90.8
107,.4
101,.2
118.2
111,.5
113.0
89 .7
63.0
112 .0
90.0
101,.6
115,.2
98,.8
105,.0
105,.5
93,.6
.5
.9
.3
.6
1.0
-.1
.3
1.3
.6
.4
.0
-.3
.1
.0
.1
1.6
.2
-.3
.3
.3
5 .3
6 .0
1,.5
1,.1
.5
.8
.6
2,.8
3,.1
.0
1!.7
.5
5.9
.3
.6
9,.7
2,.6
2,.2
2,.9
.4
Dec.63
163,.7
166,.6
171,.7
159,.0
148,.5
134..6
127,.5
153..8
148,.7
150..6
146,.1
131,,7
161,.6
164,.0
169,.0
157,.6
147,.7
133,.7
126..7
152,.6
148,.4
150,.3
145,.9
131,.3
1.3
1.6
1.6
.9
.5
.7
.6
.8
.2
.2
.1
.3
7,.3
8,.1
6,.3
8..5
6,.4
7,.3
3,.6
5,.1
6,.1
6,.7
5,.2
6..0
Dec..63
136..3
120..8
135,.7
119..8
.4
.8
5..7
4.J
279..0
275..6
268.,7
177..7
127.J
129.,6
112.,9
113.,9
125..6
110.5
102.,2
130.8
96.,1
115.,5
98.6
150.1
159.,1
140.6
126.,1
158.3
109.,0
275..6
271..9
265..9
175..4
125..4
129..0
112..4
114..3
124..3
110..0
102.,1
129..1
96.,1
114.,4
98.,6
149..5
158.,7
140..0
125.,4
157.,5
108.,9
1.2
1.4
1.1
1.3
1.8
.5
.4
-.3
1.0
.5
.1
1.3
.0
1.0
.0
.4
.3
.4
.6
.5
.1
12..0
12..4
11..2
10..8
5..2
3..8
2..8
.0
1,.4
3.,9
.3
6..3
1..3
7..8
2.,1
4..8
4.,9
4..8
4..5
5.,5
3.,4
Dec,.63
Dec,.63
Dec .63
Dec.63
Dec,.63
Dec .63
Dec,.63
Dec,.63
Dec,.63
Dec,.63
Dec,.63
—
Mar,.60
Mar,.60
Mar,.60
Mar,.60
Mar,.60
Mar,.60
Mar,.67
Mar,.67
Mar,.67
Dec,.63
Dec,.63
Dec .63
Dec,.63
Dec..63
Personal care
Toothpaste, standard dentrifrice
Toilet soap, hard milled
Hand lotions, liquid
Shaving cream, aerosol
Face powder, pressed
Deodorants, cream or roll-on
Cleansing tissues
Beauty shop services
Women's haircuts
Shampoo and wave sets, plain —
•Percent change to March 1970
•Indexes
From:
. February 19/0 February 1970
March 1969
127,.1
123.0
104..4
117..6
115,.3
142,.3
119,.4
141.5
176,.4
140,.3
128,.6
165,.8
183..8
131 .5
121,.1
117,.8
128.6
-
Gasoline, regular and premium
Motor oil, premium —
Tires, new, tubeless
Auto repairs and maintenance 10/
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
March 1970
.
Dec..63
Dec..63
Dec..63
1
- 15 -
TABLE 8: Consumer Price Index—U.S. City Average
For Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers — Continued
Indexes for Selected Itens and Groups, March 1970
and Percent Changes from Selected Dates
(1957-59-100 unless otherwise specified)
Other
Index
Bases
Itee and Group
Reading and recreation 11/
— —
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, 3 5 m , color
Golf balls, liquid center
Basketballs, rubber or vinyl cover — —
Fishing rods, fresh water spincast
Bowling balls
— - — — — —
Tricycles
— — —
Dog food, canned or boxed
Recreational services
Indoor movie admissions — — —
— — —
:
Adult
Children's
Drive-in movie admissions, adult
Bowling fees, evening
:
Golf greens fees
TV repairs, picture tube replacement
Film developing, black and white
—
Reading and education:
Newspapers, street sale and delivery
Magazines, single copy and subscription
Piano lessons, beginner
Dec.63
0.3
.2
.0
.0
-.1
.0
.2
-.4
.0
.0
1.0
3.4
.7
.2
-.7
.5
.3
.7
.8
.6
.3
-.2
(8/)
-.6
-.3
3.8
1.5
.1
2.2
-.4
-1.1
1.8
-4.1
.8
-.5
6.1
2.3
3.7
3.3
3.4
1.7
5.5
9.7
10.1
8.7
9.4
4.0
(8/)
-3.7
-2.4
Dec.63
Dec.63
160.4
129.3
127.8
159.8
129.3
127.7
.4
.0
.1
5.0
8.4
5.0
Dec.63
Dec.63
134.8
155.0
162.8
154.9
108.7
122.0
117.7
111.6
117.4
128.0
134.3
154.9
162.7
154.8
108.7
121.4
116.9
111.3
116.8
127.6
.4
.1
.1
.1
.0
.5
.7
.3
.5
.3
6.9
9.3
9.5
10.1
2.6
5.3
3.7
2.5
8.7
7.7
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
118.6
110.1
145.1
118.1
110.0
142.7
.4
.1
1.7
4.4
2.4
12.0
130.7
120.8
123.9
157.7
154.5
150.3
130.3
120.4
123.7
155.0
154.1
149.8
.3
.3
.2
1.7
.3
.3
5.1
3.4
3.5
10.7
9.7
5.0
Dec.63
-
— —
— — - —
Deo.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
—
*
Other goods and.services
Tobacco products
Cigarettes, nonfliter tip, regular size
Cigarettes, filter tip, king size
Cigar8, domestic, regular size — —
—
Alcoholic beverages
Beer
Whiskey, spirit blended and straight bourbon
Wine, dessert and table
Away from home
Financial and miscellaneous personal expenses:
Funeral services, adult
Bank service charges, checking accounts
Legal services, short form will
—
—
—
—
February 1970
133.2
99.2
79.9
117.3
76.1
90.2
97.9
81.6
99.7
103.7
115.6
115.4
100.5
1U.2
112.0
109.2
133.7
210.5
206.1
225.4
167.0
115.0
(8/)
99.5
117.7
Dec.63
— —
—
March 1970
'Percent change to March 1970
From:
March 1969
February 1970
133.6
99.4
79.9
117.3
76.0
90.2
98.1
81.3
99.7
103.7
116.8
119.3
101.2
111.4
111.2
109.7
134.1
212.0
207.7
226.7
167.5
114.8
(8/)
98.9
117.3
Dec.63
Dee.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dee.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
Dec.63
—
Indexes
Mar.59
Other special groups:
All items less shelter
Commodities less food
Nondurables less food and apparel
Household services less rent
Transportation services
Other services
1/ Also Includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
2/ Also Includes home purchase costs not shown separately.
3/ * Also Includes pine shelving, furnace air 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 radios and television sets, shown under reading and recreation.
7/ Also includes men's sport shirts, women's and girls' lightweight coats, women's slacks, cocktail dresses, bathing suits,
girls' shorts, earrings, and zippers not shown separately.
8/ Not available.
9/ Also includes recapped tires and drivers' license fees not shown separately.
10/ Includes prices for water pump replacement, motor tune-up, automatic transmission repair, exhaust system repair, front
end alignment, and chassis lubrication.
11/ Also includes outboard motors, nondurable toys, college tuition fees, paperback books, and college textbooks, not shown
separately.
-
16
-
Reliability of Percent Changes in the CPI
A system of "replicated11 samples introduced into the index structure in the 1964
revision permits an estimate of sampling error for the CPI. 1/ The table below shows
standard errors for monthly, quarterly, and annual percent changes in the CPI for all
items and for nine commodity groupings based on 1969 averages. The figures may be interpreted as follows: the chances 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. Data also are shown in terms of the relative error of the
standard error of percent changes. The relative errors tend to decrease markedly for
successively longer time periods, as expected.
Because the CPI is rounded to one decimal place, some ambiguity may arise in
interpreting small index changes. The table below indicates, for example, that 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.
Standard and Relative Errors of Percent Changes in the
CPI Based on 1969 Data
Standard Error
Monthly
Change
All items
Food at home
Food away from home
Housing
Apparel
Transportation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation —
Other goods and services-
.03
.07
.08
.06
.14
.08
.13
.12
.09
.13
Quarterly
Change
.05
.11
.14
.09
.23
.13
.19
.20
.13
.20
Relative Error
Annual
Change
.07
.13
.28
.15
.22
.14
.36
.32
.20
.34
Monthly
Change
.07
.10
.13
.10
.25
.13
.24
.36
.33
.25
Quarterly
Change
.04
.07
.08
.06
.18
.10
.12
.20
.15
.14
Annual
Change
.01
.03
.05
.02
.04
.04
.05
.07
.05
.08
This replaces the table of average errors based on 1968 data which was included
in the CPI report through December 1969.
1/ 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.
Brief Explanation of the CPI
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures average changes in prices of goods
and services usually bought by urban wage earners and clerical workers, both families
and single persons living alone. 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 Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSA's) and 17 smaller cities,
which were chosen to represent all urban places in the United States, including
Alaska and Hawaii. They are collected from grocery and department stores, hospitals,
filling stations, and other types of stores and service establishments which wage
earners and clerical workers patronize.
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 5 largest SMSA's and every 3 months in other SMSA's and 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
location are averaged together with weights which represent their importance in the
spending of all wage earners and clerical workers. SMSA and city data are then combined in the total index with weights based on the 1960 populations of SMSA's and
cities they represent. Index numbers are computed on the base 1957-59®100, and are
also available on the bases of 1947-49*100 and 1939-100.
The national index (the United States city average) includes prices from
the 23 SMSA's for which separate indexes are published in this report, as well as
from the following additional locations:
Alabama - Florence
Alaska - Anchorage
California - Bakersfield*
Colorado - Denver*
Connecticut - Hartford*
Florida - Orlando*
Indiana - Indianapolis*
Indiana - Logansport
Illinois - Champaign-Urbana*
Iowa - Cedar Rapids*
Kansas - Wichita*
Louisiana - Baton Rouge*
Maine - Portland*
Massachusetts - Southbridge
Michigan - Niles
Minnesota - Crookston
Mississippi - Vicksburg
New Jersey - Millville
New York - Kingston
North Carolina - Durham*
North Dakota - Devils Lake
Ohio - Dayton*
Ohio - Findlay
Oklahoma - Mangum
Oregon - Klamath Falls
Pennsylvania - Lancaster*
South Carolina - Union
Tennessee - Nashville*
Texas - Austin*
Texas - McAllen
Utah - Orem
Virginia - Martinsville
Wisconsin - Green Bay*
*Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area
Comparisons of indexes for individual SMSA's show only that prices in one
location changed more or less than in another. The SMSA indexes cannot be used to
measure differences in price levels or in living costs between areas.
A description of the index and historical tables of index numbers for the
United States city average and for 23 large SMSA's are available on request to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington, D. C. 20212 or any of its regional offices
(addresses below).
* u. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1 9 7 0 3 9 5 - 1 2 9
UU)
ireau of Labor Statistics Regional O f f i c e s
REGION I — Boston
REGION II — New York
REGION III — Philadelphia
Mr. Wendell D. Macdonald
Regional Director
U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
1603-A Federal Office Building
Boston, Massachusetts 02203
Phone: 223-6727
(Area Code 617)
Mr. Herbert Bienstock
Regional Director
U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
341 Ninth Avenue
New York, New York 10001
Phone: 971-5401
(Area Code 212)
Mr. Frederick W . Mueller
Regional Director
U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
F nn Square Building, R O O M 406
1317 Filbert Sheet
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
Phone: 597-7816
(Area Code 215)
Connecticut
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Vermont
New Jersey
New York
Puerto Rico
Virgin Islands
Delaware
District of Columbia
Maryland
Pennsylvania
Virginia
West Virginia
REGION IV — Atlanta
REGION V -
Mr. Brunswick A. Bagdon
Regional Director
U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
1371 Peachtree Street NE.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Phone: 526-5416
(Area Code 404)
Mr. Thomas J. McArdle
Regional Director
U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
219 S. Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60604
Phone: 353-7226
(Area Code 312)
Mr. Jack F. Strickland
Regional Director
U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
411N. Akard Street. Room 337
Dallas, Texas 75201
Phone: 749-3641
(Area Code 214)
Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
Arkansas
Louisiana
New Mexico
Mississippi
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee
REGION VI — Dallas
Chicago
Minnesota
Ohio
Wisconsin
REGIONS VII and VIII — Kansas City
REGIONS IX and X — San Francisco
Mr. Elliott A. Browar
Regional Director
U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Federal Office Building
911 Walnut Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64106
Phone: 374-2378
(Area Code 816)
Mr. Charles A. Roumasset
Regional Director
U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
450 Golden Gate Avenue
Box 36017
San Francisco, California 94102
Phone: 556-3178
(Area Code 415)
Region VII
Region VIII
Region IX
Region X
Iowa
Kansas
Missouri
Nebraska
Colorado
Montana
North Dakota
South Dakota
Utah
Wyoming
Anzona
California
Hawaii
Nevada
Alaska
Idaho
Oregon
Washington
Oklahoma
Texas
U.S.
D E P A R T M E N T
O F
LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
20212
O F F I C I A L BUSINESS
POSTAGE AND FEES PAID
U.S. D E P A R T M E N T OF LABOR
FIRST CLASS M A I L
@FedFRASER