Full text of CPI Detailed Report : March 1977

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

CPI Detailed Report
For March 1977
Consumer Price Index: U.S. City Average and Selected Areas

Contents
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Ray Marshall, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Julius Shiskin, Commissioner
OFFICE OF PRICES AND LIVING CONDITIONS
W. John Layng, Assistant Commissioner

The CPI Detailed Report is a monthly
report on consumer price movements
including statistical tables and
technical notes.
This publication may be ordered from
the Superintendent of Documents,
U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402.

Page

Price movements

1

Chart 1. All items index and rates of changes, 1967-77
Chart 2. Commodities less food index and rates of change,
1967-77
Chart 3. Total food index and rates of change, 1967-77
Chart 4. Services index and rates of change, 1967-77

7
8
9
10

Table 1. CPI—U.S. city average, by commodity and service
group and expenditure class

11

Table 2. CPI—seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by commodity
and service group and expenditure class

12

Table 3. CPI)—food items, U.S. city average

13

Table 4. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city
Subscription price per year:
$9.00, domestic
$11.00, foreign
$.75, single copy
Material in this publication is in the public
domain and may be reproduced without
permission of the Federal Government.
Please credit the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Library of Congress
Catalog number 74-647019

May 1977




average
Table 5. CPI—selected areas, all items index

15
19

Table 6. CPI—areas priced monthly, by expenditure class,
percent change from February 1977 to March 1977

19

Table 7. CPI—selected areas, by expenditure class

20

Table 8. CPI—food groups, selected areas

22

Table 9. CPI—gasoline indexes, U.S. city average and selected
areas
Table 10. CPI—gasoline average prices, U.S. city average and

23

selected areas

23

Table 11. CPI—by population size

24

Table 12. CPI—by region
Appendix: Technical Notes

25
26

Price Movements
March 1977
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.6 percent in
March before seasonal adjustment to 178.2 percent of its
1967 base. The March CPI was 6.4 percent higher than in
March 1976.
Seasonally adjusted changes

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI also rose 0.6
percent in March. This compares with rises of 1.0 percent
in February and 0.8 percent in January, and an average
monthly increase of 0.3 percent in the last 4 months of
1976. The March rise was slower than earlier this year
because of smaller price increases for food and other
commodities (table A).
Price developments, first quarter 1977

In the 3 months ending in March, the CPI rose at a
seasonally adjusted annual rate of 10 percent, compared
with 4.2 percent in the final quarter of 1976. The acceleration occurred primarily in the food component as adverse winter weather conditions curtailed production and
disrupted marketings of many food items. In addition, the
upsurge in coffee prices continued. The food index rose
at a 14.6-percent rate in the first quarter, compared with
no change in the last quarter of 1976, and a small rise—at
a 1.6-percent rate—in the third quarter.
In the energy sector—where prices and supplies also
were affected by the cold weather this winter—prices of
energy items in the CPI (gas, electricity, fuel oil, coal,
gasoline, and motor oil) rose at a 7.7-percent rate in the 3
months ending in March, less than the increase in the fourth
quarter of 1976. Although fuel oil and natural gas prices
rose sharply, increases in gasoline price slowed.

If food and energy items are excluded, the rise in the
CPI accelerated in the first quarter to a 7.3-percent rate
from 4.7 percent in the preceding quarter. Much of this
acceleration was due to sharp rises in charges for services
and prices of used cars. Prices of some other consumer
goods, reflecting earlier increases in manufacturers' prices,
also rose at a faster rate in the first quarter than in late
1976.
Changes in the CPI are influenced partly by behavior of
prices at the producers' level. The Wholesale Price Index
(WPI), which measures prices at the primary market level
for commodities from the raw to the finished stage, rose
at a 10.2-percent rate in the 3 months ending in March,
following a 7.1-percent rise in the fourth quarter of 1976.
The acceleration in the first quarter in the WPI, as in the
CPI, was primarily in the agricultural sector (Table B).
Prices for fuels and fuel products in the WPI rose at an
18.3-percent rate, about the same as in the last two quarters
of 1976. The industrial commodities index including fuels
rose at a 7.9-percent rate and excluding fuels at a 6.1-percent
rate—both about as rapidly as in the last two quarters of
1976. The following tabulation shows annual rates of price
change (in percent) in industrial commodities other than
fuels grouped by stage of processing:
3 months
ending:

Crude Intermediate
Finished goods
materials
materials Consumer Producer

Mar. 1976...
Dec. 1976 ..
Mar. 1977...

0.2
-5.5
10.1

7.2
7.5
6.9

7.0
3.5
7.6

5.0
9.2
5.3

Adverse weather conditions this winter had an impact not
only on food and fuel prices, but also on prices and activities in many other sectors of the economy. In addition to
weather-related factors, faster price rises in the first quarter,

Consumer Price Index Revision
The completion of the comprehensive program to revise the Consumer Price Index will be delayed beyond
the previously announced date of April 1977. Although
much of the work required for the revision has been
completed, serious problems have been encountered,
principally in the design and operation of the new computer system required to process and calculate the indexes and in data validation. The Bureau now estimates
that the additional time required will delay completion




of the revision program and publication of a revised
Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and
Clerical Workers as well as a new Consumer Price Index
for All Urban Consumers until the fall of 1977.
Until these revised indexes are officially introduced,
the Bureau will, of course continue to publish the present
CPI. In accordance with previously announced plans, the
Bureau also will continue the present CPI for a 6-month
period after the introduction of the revised indexes.

Table A. Percent changes in CPI and components, selected periods
Changes in all items
Changes from preceding month

Month

All items

Commodities
less food

Food

Services

Compound
annual rate
from
3 months
ago

From
12 months
ago

Seasonally
adjusted

Unadjusted

Unadjusted

Seasonally
adjusted

Unadjusted

1976:
March
April
May
June
July
August . .
September
October. . .
November.
December.

0.2
.4
.6
.5
.6
.5
.4
.4
.3
.3

0.2
.4
.7
.4
.5
.5
.3
.3
.3
.4

-0.7
.3
.4
.5
.7
.2
-.4
0
-.3
.3

-0.6
.5
.8
.2
.1
.2
.1
.2
-.3
.1

0.4
.6
.8
.6
.4
.6
.6
.4
.4
.2

0.3
.3
.6
.4
.4
.6
.3
.4
.4
.6

0.6
.3
.4
.6
.7
.6
.8
.5
.5
.4

0.7
.5
.6
.6
.7
.6
.5
.4
.4
.4

3.9
3.1
5.4
6.1
6.3
5.5
5.3
4.8
4.0
4.2

6.1
6.1
6.2
5.9
5.4
5.6
5.5
5.3
5.0
4.8

1977:
January . .
February .
March

.6
1.0
.6

.8
1.0
.6

.9
2.3
.5

.9
2.0
.6

.6
.6

.7
.7
.4

.9
.6
.7

.9
.6
.8

6.1
9.1
10.0

5.2
6.0
6.4

Seasonally Unadadjusted
justed

particularly among industrial materials, were accompanied
by the continued improvement in economic activity that
began in late 1976. Although temporarily set back by the
cold weather and fuel supply problems in early 1977, output in the private sector rose at a strong 5.8-percent rate
in the first quarter, twice as fast as in the fourth quarter
of 1976. The rise in output reflected a step-up in inventory buildup by manufacturers and a resurgence in
demand, particularly for motor vehicles.
Food. After declining in the preceding quarter, prices of
food purchased in grocery stores rose at a 15.8-percent
rate in the 3 months ending in March. Prices rose for many
foods, including fruits and vegetables, coffee, pork, poultry,
cereal and bakery products, sugar and sweets, and salad
and cooking oils. Beef prices, however, declined. The rise
in prices of food away from home—restaurant meals and
snacks—also accelerated, to a 10.9-percent rate in the first
quarter, from 3.7 percent in the fourth quarter.
The rise in retail food prices in the first quarter stemmed
not only from weather-related factors, but also from earlier
increases in prices at the processors' and farm levels. The
Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for consumer foods and for
crude foods began to move up in the fourth quarter of
1976 and increases accelerated in the first quarter (tables
B and C).
Fresh fruit and vegetable prices rose sharply as supplies
were curtailed during the first quarter. New crops of
Florida citrus and vegetables such as snap beans, sweet




Seasonally Unadadjusted justed

Seasonally
adjusted

corn, and celery were damaged by the severe freeze. The
Western drought limited offerings of fresh produce from
California, which accounts for 40 percent of the Nation's
supply. The index for processed fruits and vegetables in the
WPI registered the largest quarterly rate of increase (22.8
percent) since the fall of 1974, while the corresponding
index in the CPI advanced 5.2 percent.
Prices for cereal and bakery products at both the retail
and producer levels turned up in the first quarter. The upturn at the retail level was primarily due to higher prices
for bakery products resulting from increased costs for
ingredients such as cocoa, sugar, and shortening. Flour
and rice prices continued to decline. At the processors'
level, however, rice prices rose due to improved export
demand and a concern over the drought in California. In
addition, flour prices turned up reflecting increases in wheat
prices. The winter wheat crop outlook was poor during
most of the first quarter due to the Midwest drought and
the possibility of reduced crops in other growing areas
in the world. However, stored supplies remained high and
prices were still below levels of last year.
Among livestock products, hog prices moved up in the
latter part of the fourth quarter of 1976 and early in the
first quarter of 1977 as severe cold weather adversely
affected marketings. Smaller supplies resulted in higher
pork prices during the first quarter. By the end of the
quarter, however, hog marketings and pork production
rose resulting in declining prices. Prices for cattle and beef
declined as a result of increased supplies of beef and com-

peting meats; weaker demand for beef also helped to reduce prices. Retail prices of beef and veal also moved down
over the quarter, despite a January increase.
Shortages of broilers and fryers, arising from weatherrelated transportation problems, caused prices for poultry
to rise at both producer and retail levels in the early part of
the quarter. Producer prices moved down later when the
weather improved, but retail prices continued to rise.
Prices for eggs at the farm level moved down from
December to March at the fastest rate (35.1 percent) since
the second quarter of 1974. Increased egg production in
the wake of a period of low supplies and near-record prices
was a major reason for this downward movement. At the
retail level, egg prices rose in January and February, but
declined in March.
Retail prices for dairy products continued to decline in
the first quarter of 1977; however, the rate of decline was
much slower than from September to December, as unusually high demand for butter and cheese caused prices of dairy
products at the processor level to turn up after declining
in the preceding quarter.

Prices of coffee and some food items continued to be
influenced by changes in international markets. Price increases for green coffee, cocoa beans, and tea accelerated
in the first quarter. World supplies of both coffee and cocoa
beans remained tight in the wake of unfavorable growing
conditions in many producing countries. Processors' prices
of roasted coffee were 108.5 percent higher this March
than a year earlier, while retail prices were up 92.8 percent
over the same span. Increased demand for tea as a coffee
substitute resulted in sharply higher prices for tea as well.
Retail prices for sugar and sweets turned up after declining in 3 of the 4 previous quarters. Prices for sugar and
confectionery in the WPI rose sharply in the first quarter,
after showing no change in the previous 3 months. This
index had registered large declines during much of 1976.
Major influences in the rise for sugar prices were the large
purchases in the world market by the Soviet Union and
the Peoples Republic of China. Higher prices for cocoa
beans contributed to increases in prices for chocolate
coating and candy bars.

Table B. Changes in selected components of the Consumer and Wholesale Price Indexes, 1976-77
3 months ending (compound annual rate,
seasonally adjusted)
Index

1976

1977

June

September

December

March

4.0
10.6

6.1
6.2
5.6
6.5

5.3
1.6
5.5
7.5

4.2
0
5.7
5.1

10.0
14.6
7.4

8.0
5.5
10.6

5.8
5.7
6.5

6.5
5.3
6.9

4.6
4.7
4.0

8.3
7.3
9.4

-5.9

10.9

10.9

13.1

7.7

1.3

6.6

3.5

7.1

10.2

-10.1
-12.0

13.4
21.0

-12.0
-25.0

6.6
6.2

19.3
26.5

-4.3
-13.9
5.3
5.6
6.0
7.3
3.1

15.5
13.2
4.8
16.4
3.5
4.3
3.6

-27.4
-13.6
8.0
10.6
8.3
4.7
7.7

-8.0
8.4
7.6
21.6
7.1
9.5
5.2

25.7
12.5
7.9
21.9
8.2
5.3
8.5

7.3

4.3

6.7

6.1

6.4

March

Consumer Price Index
All items
Food
Commodities less food
Services
AH items less food and energy items
Commodities less food and energy items
Services less energy items
Energy items (gas, electricity, fuel oil,
coal, gasoline, motor oil)

3.9
-5.4

9.8

Wholesale Price Index
All commodities
Farm products and processed foods and
feeds
Crude foods and feeds
Intermediate materials for food
manufacturing
Consumer foods
Industrial commodities
Crude materials except foods
Intermediate materials except foods
Producers' finished goods
Consumer finished goods except foods . .
Industrials except fuels




Prices for salad and cooking oils, which began to move
up in the fourth quarter of 1976, rose at a rapid rate in the
first quarter primarily as a result of higher costs for ingredients, especially soybeans. World supplies of soybeans
were low partly due to unfavorable weather conditions in
Brazil during harvest time.

Commodities other than food. Prices of consumer goods
other than food increased at a faster rate in the first
quarter of 1977 than in the final quarter of 1976—at a
7.4-percent rate compared with 5.7 percent in the CPI
and 8.5 percent compared with 5.2 percent in the WPI,
(tables B and C). Excluding used car and home purchase

Table C. Changes in wholesale and retail prices for consumer goods and services, 1976-77

]

3 months ending (compound annual rate, seasonally adjusted)
Index

Index

Consumer Price Index . . . .
Consumer goods
Food

l

Meats, poultry, fish
Dairy products
Cereal and bakery products
Fresh fruits and vegetables.
Commodities less food
Nondurables less food

...

Apparel less footwear. .
Footwear
Gasoline
Fuel oil

2

3

Tobacco products
Durables

i

New cars
Furniture
Appliances including radio
and television
Services
Rent
Household less rent
Medical care
Transportation,
Other services

Includes items not listed.
CPI includes motor oil.




CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
CPI
CPI
CPI
CPI
CPI

1976

1977

March

June

3.9

6.1

5.3

4.2

10.0

.2
-3.5
-5.4
-13.9
-20.2

6.0
6.9
6.2

3.9
-.5
1.6
-13.6
-16.3
-25.6
11.6
2.1
1.5
-12.7
34.8
156.3
5.5
7.7
6.0
9.1
6.2
3.8
6.6
8.3
10.2
21.6
11.2
17.8
2.0
5.6
5.0
5.1

3.4
6.0
0

10.4
10.1
14.6
12.5
8.6
-2.6
-.7
1.2
2.7

-10.8
-5.0
2.3
-14.0
-26.8
4.0
3.1
1.8
2.4
3.4
7.6
5.3
11.6
-13.6
-15.5
-1.9

13.2
6.3
-1.1
7.2
11.6
7.6
7.3
-14.1
-58.2
5.6
3.6
5.0
3.8
4.3
6.9
6.1
11.0
7.2
-2.4
7.7

-9.4
7.3
5.7
7.2
4.0
4.6
3.5
3.8
5.5

-4.2
1.8
5.4
6.5
3.1
1.5
3.5
.5
6.5

5.8
2.7
10.6
6.1

4.7
3.7
6.5
5.4
6.5
8.2
7.0
5.4

-29.2
5.5

8.9
13.0
20.3
7.7

September

December

8.4
-7.9
20.7

-8.9
-10.6

-9.5
-9.5
25.6
-10.4
5.7
5.2
5.4
6.5
1.9

4.9
3.5
4.8

9.5
22.5
8.7
13.8
6.6
16.6
6.0
3.3

1.3
6.1

6.9
5.7
7.6
5.8

1.6
1.0
7.5
5.4
6.8
8.9
10.3
6.9

1.0
-2.0
5.1
5.3
2.0
13.2
6.4
5.8

6.4
7.9

CPI includes coal.

March

9.7
63.6
107.6
7.4
8.5
5.5

9.5
4.4
10.2
5.3
6.5
2.6
3.6
27.9
25.4
5.7
12.0
10.5
7.0
4.1
4.2

2.9
4.6
2.3
2.3
9.8
6.3
12.0
9.4
8.9
6.7

prices—which are not included in the WPI—the rise at
the retail level was 5.2 percent or about the same as in the
last two quarters of 1976. Price increases accelerated at
both the retail and manufacturers' levels for fuel oil,
apparel, footwear, and appliances, and moderated for
gasoline, tobacco products, new cars, and furniture. Although price movements were similar at both levels, increases were generally larger at the manufacturers' level.
Much of the acceleration in the CPI for consumer goods
other than food in the first quarter of 1977 was due to
used car prices, which rose at a 40-percent rate, compared
with 16.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 1976. Demand
for full and intermediate size used cars continued strong
despite the cold weather; the supply of late-model cars was
tight. The new car index, however, rose at a somewhat slower
rate in the first quarter than in the preceding quarters. New
car sales were usually strong in the first quarter, particularly for full and intermediate size models. However, rebates
on some smaller models were offered to help stimulate
sluggish sales.
The rise in fuel oil prices in both the CPI and the WPI
accelerated sharply in the first quarter because cold
weather increased demand at the same time that frozen
rivers limited barge and truck deliveries. In addition,
January 1 increases in imported crude oil prices by the
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries were passed
through to refined petroleum products.
In contrast to fuel oil prices, the rate of increase in
gasoline prices slowed in the first quarter because many
suppliers had stockpiled foreign crude oil in anticipation
of the OPEC price increase. The severe winter weather also
curtailed consumer driving and thus reduced demand for
gasoline during much of the first quarter.
The faster price rise in the first quarter among other
consumer goods such as apparel, footwear, and appliances
reflected earlier increases in manufacturers' prices. Despite
the acceleration, increases for these consumer goods were
relatively moderate due to slow demand and wide sale promotions by retailers. At the manufacturers' level, rising costs
for materials such as textile, leather, and fabricated metal
products were passed through.
Materials cost, which were a major source of the rise in
prices of finished goods during the past year, continued to
move up rapidly in the first quarter. Higher fuel costs for
production contributed to price increases for some industrial goods. The severe winter weather and widespread cutbacks in the availability of natural gas to business customers
disrupted production and transportation in many parts of the
country. Temporary shortages or unexpected low inventories of some commodities resulted from these abnormal
conditions. An early return of good weather in some areas
contributed to a generally quick recovery of business
activity. With the economy rebounding rapidly in the
latter part of the first quarter, many producers raised
prices to reflect earlier cost increases and to improve profit
margins.




Prices of intermediate industrial commodities (other
than fuel) rose at a slightly slower rate during the first
quarter (6.9 percent) than during the preceding quarter
(7.5) percent. Metals and textile products generally rose
more than in the final quarter of 1976, but lumber and
wood products moved lower after rising steeply at the end
of last year. Stronger demand and fears of a possible copper
strike helped to accelerate price increases for nonferrous
metals, while the steel price increase effective last December
led to advances for many types of fabricated metal products.
Among textile products, prices for knit goods turned up
in the first quarter. Renewed consumer interest in knit
goods and increased demand from apparel manufacturers
were among the influences contributing to the first quarter
increases. Prices for raw cotton remained high due to tight
supplies in domestic and foreign markets. The decline in
prices of most lumber and wood products was due largely
to adverse winter weather, which curtailed construction
activity sharply in much of the country. The return of more
favorable weather led to higher prices for most of these
products at the end of the first quarter, although plywood
prices continued to fall because of excess production.
Among other intermediate industrial materials, prices turned
up for motor vehicle parts, leather, and agricultural
chemicals following decreases in the fourth quarter, but
paperboard prices turned down.
Prices of crude industrial commodities (other than fuel)
moved up at a 10.1-percent rate from December to March,
following a 5.5-percent rate of decline in the previous
quarter. Large advances for both nonferrous and ferrous
scrap metals, reflecting improved demand as the economy
strengthened, were responsible for most of this upward
movement. Strong export demand in January led to higher
prices of hides and skins, but these prices moved back
somewhat later in the quarter. Prices of iron ore, crude
natural rubber, sand, gravel, and crushed stone, and wastepaper also increased from December to March.
Services. Prices of consumer services accelerated sharply in
the first quarter to an annual rate of 9.8 percent, compared
with 5.1 percent in the previous quarter. The first quarter
increase in service prices was the largest since early 1976
and contributed to about 40 percent of the rise in the All
Items CPI. Excluding changes in energy items—natural gas
and electricity—the services index rose 9.4 percent, up
from 4.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 1976. Household
services, particularly property taxes, mortgage interest costs,
and property insurance rates, accelerated in the March
quarter. In addition, transportation services, residential
rents, and various other services such as apparel, recreational, and personal care services, increased more than in
the final quarter of 1976. The increase for medical care
services was smaller than in the last quarter of 1976, but
still substantial (table C).
Within the household services sectors, mortgage interest
costs—which reflect changes in house prices and interest

rates—rose in the first quarter of 1977, following a decline in the final quarter of 1976. The average price of
new homes constructed in the first quarter accelerated
sharply, and prices of existing homes continued to increase
rapidly. Mortgage interest rates continued to decline in the
first quarter, but by less than in the previous quarter.
Despite continued strong savings inflows and slack demand
during much of the quarter, some mortgage lending
institutions were hesitant to lower rates further because
of anticipated heavy demand for funds when home construction improved. By the end of the first quarter, housing
starts had improved significantly as a result of better
weather.
Property taxes rose at an annual rate of 22.0 percent,
nearly three times as much as in the final quarter of 1976.
Metropolitan areas continued to face escalating costs for
nearly all types of city services. Some localities, confronted
with consumer resistance to further property tax hikes,
opted for more frequent property tax assessments to increase revenues. Property insurance rates also accelerated
sharply in the first quarter as insurance companies faced
higher costs for nearly all types of claims.
Among utilities, the natural gas index in the CPI rose at
a 16.7-percent rate in the first quarter—a substantial rise,
although less than in the last two quarters of 1976. The
Federal Government restructured the pricing schedule of
natural gas sold in interstate commerce to induce producers
to sell their gas across State lines rather than hold it in
reserve or sell within the producing State where the price is
usually''unregulated. As natural gas contracts expired, companies had to purchase available gas at higher prices from
companies with newer wells. Subsequently, consumer gas
bills reflected higher charges passed through by gas distribution companies. Price increases allowed under the
Emergency Gas Purchase Act passed in January 1977 showed
up in the natural gas index late in the first quarter.
The 10.9-percent first quarter rise in water and sewer
rates nearly doubled the fourth quarter increase. The rise
in charges for electricity in the CPI remained moderate—
3.8 percent in the first quarter and less than the 7.8-percent
rate in the fourth quarter of 1976. Residential telephone
service charges declined partly as a result of the reduction
in the Federal excise tax on telephone services in the first
quarter.
Residential rents rose at a 6.3-percent rate, somewhat
faster than the quarterly increases in recent years. Part of
this increase represented the annual adjustment to take




account of special rent-controlled units in New York. In
addition, some landlords raised rents to cover higher fuel
bills and rising property taxes and to earn a larger return
on their investment.
Prices for medical care services increased at an annual
rate of 9.4 percent, about the same as in the second and
third quarters of 1976, but significantly less than in the
fourth quarter. The unusually sharp increase in the fourth
quarter resulted partly from the annual adjustment of retained earnings of health insurance companies. During the
first quarter, physicians' fees rose at a 12.2-percent rate,
the fastest rise since early 1976. The rate of price increase
for hospital service charges accelerated sharply in the first
quarter to 13.2 percent from 8.7 percent in the previous
quarter. Some health facilities have been under increasing cost pressures from rising labor costs, declining contributions, and sharply higher insurance rates, particularly
for malpractice insurance. Hospitals which have borrowed
funds to operate have had to incur additional interest
expenses. In addition, more frequent and more sophisticated medical tests which require highly expensive and
complex equipment have added to the increase in hospital
service charges.
Transportation services accelerated to an annual rate
of 8.9 percent as auto insurance rates rose at an annual
rate above 10.0 percent for the fourth consecutive quarter.
Insurance companies continued to press for further rate
hikes in many areas to meet increasing damage repair bills.
The first quarter annual rate of increase for auto repairs
and maintenance charges was nearly double the rate in
the final quarter of 1976. In the public transportation
sector, airline, railroad, and taxi and local transit fares
increased more in the first quarter of 1977 than in the
final quarter of 1976. Local transit fares rose despite reports of increased ridership over the previous year for
many transit systems. Subsidies, special taxes, and fare
hikes were imposed to help finance expansion of mass
transit service and to repair existing systems. Airline fares
which were increased on January 15 rose 1.6 percent in the
first quarter. Taxicab fares rose in New York, Los Angeles,
Washington, and Seattle in the first quarter.
The CPI for other services accelerated in the first quarter
from a rate of 5.8 percent to 6.7 percent. Influences behind
higher charges included increasing overhead expenses, such
as utility charges, along with a first quarter rise in the legal
minimum wage for some employees in retail trade from
$2.00 to $2.20 an hour.

Chart 1. All items index and its rates of change, 1967-77
SEHILOG

(1967=100)

2 oo

leo
CPI RLL ITEMS INDEX
(NOT SERSONRLLY ROJUSTEDJ

160
140

120

100
PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPRN
(5ERS0NRLLY HDJUSTED)

MflR
10.0

^RITH5CBLE
1.4
1-2
1.0
0-8
0.6
0.4
0-2
0-0
-0.2

PERCENT CHRN6E OVER 3-MONTH SPRN
(RNNURL RRTE. SERSONRLLY RDJUSTEO)

RRITH5CRLE
8
6
4
2
0

MflR WITH.
5CRLE
7.1
8

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPRN
(RNNURL RRTE. SERSONRLLY RDJUSTED)

RRITH.
5CRLE
8

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPRN

1/

i,.I,,i,

1967

1968

1969

1970

1/ Computed from t h e u n a d j u s t e d s e r i e s .
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

Chart 2. Commodities less food index and its rates of change, 1967-77

KB1"

(1967=100)

200
180

CPI COMMODITIES LESS FOOD INDEX
ISERSONRLLY RDJUSTED)

160
140
120

100

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER i-MQNTH SPRN
(SEASONALLY RDJUSTED)

MRR
0-4

1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
-0.2
-0.4
-0.6

PERCENT CHRN6E OVER 3-MONTH SPRN
IRNNURL RRTE. SERSONRLLY ROJUSTED)

RRITH.
5CRLE
6

MAR
7.4

4
2
0

MflR
6 . 5 WITH.

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPRN
IRNNURL RflTE. SERSONRLLY RDJUSTED)

5CHLE

MflR
6.1

RRITH.
5CRLE

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPRN 1/

4
2
0

1967

1968

1969

1970

JV Computed from the unadjusted series.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

Chart 3. Total food index and its rates of change, 1967-77
(1967=100)

CPI TOTflL FOOD INDEX
ISEflSONRLLY flOJUSTEO)

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPfl
(SERSONRLLY flOJUSTED

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
iflNNURL RflTE. SEflSONRLLY ROJUSTEO)

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
(RNNURL RRTE. SEflSONRLLY ROJUSTEO)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN/1/

in.nlu.nlnh.lnh.lu.ulu.ulu.ulnhJ

1967

1968

1969

1970

1971

1972

1/
Computed from t h e u n a d j u s t e d s e r i e s .
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




9

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

Chart 4. Services index and its rates of change, 1967-77
(1967=100)

SErtlLor 200

CPI SERVICES INDEX

180

MAR
189.9

(SERSONflLLY ROJUSTED)
160
140

120

KttB-

100

PERCENT CHRNGE OVERf L-fiONTH SPRN
\ SERSONRLLY ROJUSTED)

HAM*

0-7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0-2
0-1
0-0
-0-1

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPRN
(RNNURL RRTE. SERSONRLLY flOJUSTEO)

12
10
8
6
4
2
0

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPRN
SERSONRLLY ROJUSTEO)
(RNNURL

MflR
7.4

10
8
6
4
2
0

1967

1968

1969

1970

1971

1972

1/
Computed from t h e u n a d j u s t e d s e r i e s .
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




10

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

Table 1. CPI — U.S. city average, by commodity and service group and expenditure class
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Relative
importance

Unadjusted
Seasonally adjusted
percent change to
percent change from—
March 1977 from—
March
March
February December to January to February to
1976
1977
1977
January
February
March
Commodity anc service groups
6.4
0.6
178.2
0.8
1.0
0.6
_
207.2
1.2
.5
.5
.8
5.9
171.8
.5
5.5
.6
.9
188.6
2. 0
.4
5.2
2.3
.5
.9
186.9
.4
.7
.8
-.6
.5
181.3
.
2
.
2
.
8
-2.9
175.0
1. 1
.5
.5
171. 2
2. 0
.1
-1. 1
8.3
.3
196.8
13.4
-. 1
1. 1
1.8
1.4
3.6
213.2
16.6
.1
6.8
.8
1.0
.8
195.2
.7
.6
.7
.4
162.6
6. 1
.7
5
.
4
.
5
.
5
.
6
.3
163.9
.5
.4
.6
149. 3
4. 3
-. 1
5.0
.5
.5
152.6
1. 3
1. 1
0
3.5
-.2
-.6
.9
143.3
5.4
.6
.4
.6
155.4
.3
4.6
.7
.2
157.8
.1
-. 1
6
.
0
.
5
.5
.
5
.
6
172.6
7.3
.8
.4
.9
183.4
-. 7
1.2
166. 0
4. 1
.1
.1
.1
2.8
.3
.3
149.3
.1
-. 1
2.0
2.0
2.2
281.4
13. 7
1. 1
.4
5.8
.6
.6
.4
166.8
.6
160.8
6.9
.7
.9
.9
3.4
.5
.6
.3
149. 7
.5
4.8
.6
.4
140.9
.1
.1
2.0
3.8
1.5
182. 7
21. 1
3. 3
5
.
7
.
5
*
.
5
168.0
*. 7
*. 5
7.2
.6
.8
190.0
.7
.9
.4
5.7
.8
.3
.5
150.8
7.5
.8
.8
197. 1
.9
.7
1.3
6.8
.8
.6
208.4
1. 0
8.2
.8
.5
.8
.9
185. 1
.8
9.9
.8
211.5
1. 0
.7
.4
.5
6. 1
168. 1
.7
.5

Unadjusted indexes

Group or class

December
1976
All items
All items (1957-59=100)
Commodities
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
Commodities less food
Nondurables less food
Apparel commodities
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Other apparel commodities
Nondurables less food and apparel . .
Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Fuel oil and coal
Other nondurables
Durable commodities
Household durables
New automobiles
Used automobiles
Other durables
Services
Rent
Services less rent
Household services less rent
Transportation services
Medical care services
Other services
Special indexes:
All items less food
Nondurable commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
- Services less medical care services
Insurance and finance
Utilities and public transportation
Housekeeping and home maintenance service
Appliances (including radio and TV)

100.000

February
1977

62.468
23.667
18.456
2.537
5. 700
2.841
3.019
4. 360
5.210
38.801
22.795
7.811
2.467
3. 378
1.383
.582
14.984
3.426
1.873
2.217
1.060
6.408
16.006
4.444
1.909
2.323
7.329
37.532
4.525
33.007
16.208
5.295
5.958
5.547

177. 1
206.0
170.9
187. 7
186.2
180.0
174. 7
171. 1
194. 7
213.0
193.6
161.6
163. 1
148.5
150.6
143. 3
154.4
157.7
171.8
182.0
165.8
148.8
278.3
166. 1
159.7
148.8
140.7
179. 1
167.2
188.7
150.2
195.6
206.8
183.6
209.4
167.5

76.333
46.462
6.428
31.575
9.864
5.675
4.830
1.395

174.0
175.0
147.4
185. 3
204.5
182.0
218.8
125. 0

-

175. 1
175.9
148. 1
186.5
205.6
183.8
220.5
125.0

6.6

.6

*. 4

5.5

.5
.5

*.4
.7

*1.5

4. 1

*. 6
.4

*. 6
*. 5
0

6.7
5.9
9.0

.6
.5

*.9

*. 5

1.5

.9

1.0

1. 0

1. 1
*. 4

.1

1. 0

7.2
2.4

*. 6

0

.2

.2

1.0
2.0

0.6
.6

*.
*.
.
*.

*. 7

.8

*.6
*.8

.1

Expenditure classes
All items
Food
Housing
Shelter 1
Rent
Homeownership 2
Fuel and utilities 3
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation . . .
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Private

Public
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
Special indexes:
All items less shelter
All items less medical care
All items less mortgage interest costs
CPI—domestically produced farm foods 4
CPI-selected beef cuts 5
Purchasing power of consumer dollar:
1967=$1.00
1957-59=31.00
1

100.000
23.667
34.202
21.256
4.525
16.328
5.414
2.913
7.532

9. 194

13.548
12.227
1.321
19.013
6. 734
2.554
5. 143
4.582
78.744
93.266
95.840
15.827
1.806
_
_

177. 1
187.7
184.3
185.3
150.2
198. 1
196.4
205.4
173.6
150.8
173.3
172.7
178.9
169.8
195.8
166.7
155.5
156.9

178.2
188.6
185.5
186.3
150.8
199.3
198.5
208.5
174.6
151. 7
174.8
174. 1
180.4
170.7
197.6
167.3
155.8
157.3

175.0
176.0
175. 1

176. 1

0.6

0.8

.5
.7
.5
.4

.9

5. 7
5. 7
5.6

.6

11. 0
13.5

1. 1

4.8
4.6
9.4
9.8

4. 7

$0,565
.485

$0,561
.483

-6.0
_

.3
.3

.9

.7

.9
.9

1. 0

.8
.8
.5

.6
.6
.6

2.0

1. 1
.5
.7

6.5
6. 1
6.6

-2.4

178. 6

*.9
.8
*.9

7
7
3
7

.6
.6
.9

.4
.2
.3

162.2

*. 8

1.5

6.3
9.4
6.3
4.6
3.6

177.0
176.2
178.3
161.5

Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
2
Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance and
repairs.
3
Also includes residential telephone, fuel o i l , coal, water, and sewerage services
not shown separately.
4
Calculated from the CPI food at home component by excluding fish, nonalcoholic
beverages, bananas, chocolate candy bars, chocolate syrup and about half of the index
weight for sugar.




6.4
5.5
6.3

.9

-.2
-.4

.2

.9

1.0

.5

*. 6
1.4
1.4
.3
.2

.6

*. 5

.5
.8
*.5

*.9

*.9

*.3
.4

.4

*.6
*. 9
*. 6

*.5

.6

.1

*.4
.4
.3

*.5

*1. 1
*1. 0
*1.0
*2. 5

*. 6
*. 6
*. 6
*-.2

-.8

-2.2

.4

*. 6
*. 6
*. 8
1.6

"

-. 7
_

_

5

Calculated from the CPI beef and veal component by excluding veal cutlets and
beef liver.
* Not seasonally adjusted.

11

NOTE: Index applies to month as a whole, not to any specific date.

Table 2. CPI—seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by commodity and service group and expenditure class
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)
Seasonally adjusted annual rate
percent change for

Seasonally adjusted indexes
Group and class

6 months ending in

3 months ending in

December January 'February
1977
1977
1976

March
1977

June
1976

September December
1976
1976

March September
1977
1976

March
1977

Commodity and service groups
All items
Commodities
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
Commodities less food
Nondurables less food
Apparel commodities
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Other apparel commodities
Nondurables less food and apparel . . .
Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Fuel oil and coal
Other nondurables
Durable commodities
Household durables
New automobiles
Used automobiles
Other durables1.
Services . ,
Rent
Services less rent
Household services less rent
Transportation services
Medical care services
Other services
Special indexes:
All items less f0od *.
Nondurable commodities}
Apparel commodities less footwear
Services less medical care services !
Insurance and finance
Utilities and public transportation
Housekeeping and home maintenance service.1.
Appliances (including radio and TV)

168.0
181.9
179. 7
178. 1
172. 1
169.5
181.3
198. 7
190.4
160.5
162.0
148.5
149.8
144.2
153.4
156.9
170.0
183. 1
163.5
148.8
261.4
164.3
158.4
148.4
139.2
178.7
165. 1
185.5
148.3
192.2
202.5
180.6
206.4
165.6

169. 4
183. 5
181. 3
179. 5
174. 0
170. 3
181. 2
202. 3
192. 0
161. 6
162. 8
149. 4
150. 6
145. 5
154. 0
158. 0
170. 8
181. 8
165. 4
148. 9
266. 6
165. 3
159. 9
148. 8
140. 0
185. 5
166. 0
187. 2
ri49. 5
194. 0
205. 1
181. 5
208. 0
166. 7

171.4
187. 1
185.4
178.4
175.4
168.4
196.3
209.6
194. 0
162.7
163.7
150.0
152.3
145.2
155.0
158.3
171.8
183.5
165.6
148.8
272.0
166.3
161.4
149.5
140. 1
191. 6
167.2
188.4
149.9
195.4
206.4
183. 1
209.4
167.5

172.2
188.2
186.4
179. 3
175.7
169.2
196.8
212.6
195.4
163.4
164.2
149.9
153. 1
144.3
155.4
158. 1
172.7
184.3
165.8
149.3
278. 1
167.0
162.4
150.2
140.6
194.4
168.0
189.9
150.6
197.0
208.4
184. 5
211. 1
168.3

6. 1
6.0
6.2
6.0
7.6
6.3
7.2
-10.4
17. 0
7.0
5.6
5.0
4.5
.5
7.4
6. 1
2.9
5.3
7.2
1.8
4.8
7.7
4.9
6.5
1.9
1.5
25.5
5.7
6.5
5.4
6.7
6.5
7.0
8.2
5.4

5. 3
3. 9
1. 6
4
1. 5
-16. 3
11. 6
17. 6
8. 3
5. 7
5. 5
6. 0
6. 2
10. 2
3. 7
6. 6
3. 5
6. 0
10. 2
2. 0
1. 6
11. 2
5. 4
5. 0
1. 4
6. 4
5. 0
6. 9
7. 5
5. 4
7. 7
6. 8
10. 3
8. 9
6. 9

4.2
3.4
0
-.9
-9.5
-7.9
-8.9
12.6
11.4
3.7
5.7
5.4
2.7
.3
2.8
3.5
8.9
6.6
9.5
6.6
3. 3
8.7
6. 1
6.0
5.6
6.9
16.2
3.0
5. 1
5.3
5.4
2. 0
6.4
13.2
5.8

172.2
171.7
147.4
182.7
198.5
179.2
216. 7
124.4

172. 9
172. 4
148. 4
r
184. 3
201. 5
181. 1
217. 6
124. 7

174. 0
175.0
149.0
185.3
203.3
181.3
218.8
125.0

175. 1
175.9
149.0
186.5
205.4
183. 1
220.5
125. 1

7.0
5.6
4.3
4.9
5.7
9. 1
8.2
4. 7

7. 4
4. 1
6. 2
8. 2
6. 9
8. 9
8. 5
1. 6

5.3
2.4
1.9
5.2
-2.8
9.0
5. 1
1. 0

10. 0
10.4
14.6
15.8
2.7
8.6
-. 7
38.8
31. 1
10.9
7.4
5.5
3.8
9. 1
.3
5.3
3. 1
6.5
2.6
5.7
1.4
28. 1
6.7
10.5
4.9
4. 1
40. 1
7. 2
9.8

6.3
10.4
12.2
8.9
9.4

6.7
6.9

10. 1
4.4
8.6
14.6
9.0
7.2
2. 3

5.7
5.0
3.8
3.2
4.5
-5.7
9.4
2.7
12.5
6.3
5.5
5.5
5.4
5.3
5.5
6.3
3.2
5.6
8. 7
1.9
3.2
9.4
5. 1
5.7
1. 7
3.9
14.8
6.3
7.0
5.4
7.2
6.7
8.6
8.5
6. 1

7. 1
6.8
7.0
7. 1
-3.6
0
-4.9
25. 0
20.8
7.2
6.5
5.5
3.3
4.6
1.5
4.4
5.9
6.6
6.0
6.2
2.3
18. 0
6.4
8.2
5.3
5.5
27.6
5. 1
7.4
5.8
7.8
7.0
7.7
11. 3
6.2

7.2
4.9
5.2
6.5
6.3
9. 0
8.3
3. 1

6. 1
6.2
3.2
6.9
5.6
9.0
6.2
1.6

5. 7
3.8
5.8
6.0
5.4
6.1
9.8
12.7
3.8
5.3
9.9
10.3
4.7
5.9
8.2
7.0
4. 1
2.9

7. 1
7.0
6.8
5.4
5.8
5. 1
12.2
14.2
5.9
3.9
8.8
9.5
4.6
6.6
10. 6
5. 6
5.0
4. 3

6.3
6.0
6.3
0
-7.9

6.8
6.3
6.9
4. 0
3. 7

Expenditure classes
All items
Food
Housing \
Shelter l ?
Rent
Homeownership * 3.
Fuel and utilities 4
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation...
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Private
Public
Health and recreation l
Medical care!
Personal careJ
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
Special indexes:

181.9
181.6
182.4
148.3
195.0
191.8
201.6
172.2
150.6
171.9
171.5
176.3
168.0
192.3
165.2
154.5
155.8

All items less shelter.1
All items less medical care \
All items less mortgage interest costs ?
CPI—domestically produced farm foods * s ..
CPI—selected beef cuts 6

172.2
173.2
172.3
173.0
163.9

196. 7
194.0
203.4
173. 1
151.7
173.5
173.0
178.0
169.0
194. 1
166.2
155. 1
156.7

187. 1
184.3
185.3
149.9
198. 1
194.6
204.0
174.3
152.0
175. 1
174.8
178.7
169.8
195.8
166.7
155.7
156.9

188.2
185.5
186.3
150.6
199.3
197.3
206.8
174.8
152.3
176.2
175.7
180.2
170.7
197. 6
167. 3
156.3
157.3

6. 1
6.2
4.7
4.4
5.4
4. 3
9.5
12.4
3.6
4.2
9.5
10. 1
5.2
5.6
7.0
6.2
3.2
4. 0

173. 1
174.2
173.3
174.3
166.5

175.0
174.2
175. 1
178.6
165.2

176. 1
177.0
176.2
178.3
161.5

6.9
6.4
6.9
2.5
3.4

183.5

1 Not seasonally adjusted.
2 Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
3 Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance
and repairs.
4
Also- includes residential telephones, fuel oil, coal, water, and sewerage services
not shown separately.
5
Calculated from the CPI food at home component by excluding fish, nonalcoholic




5.3
1.6
7.0
7.6
5.4
8.0
10.0
12.9
3.9
6.4

10. 3
10.4
4.2
6.3
9.5
7. 7
4.9
1.8
5.6

5.5
5. 6
-2.5
-18. 1

4.2
0
4.8
2. 0
5.3
1.2
12.3
17.8
5.5
3.3
7.3
8.9
.2
6.7
9.7
6.0
5.4
4.8

10.0
14.6
8.9
8.8
6.3
9. 1
12.0
10.7
6.2
4.6
10.4
10.2

4.3
3.5
4.5
-4. 1
14. 1

9.4
9. 1

9. 1

6.6
11. 5
5.2
4. 7
3.9

9.4

12.8
-5. 7

beverages, bananas, chocolate candy bars, chocolate syrup and about half of the index
weight for sugar.
6 Calculated from the CPI beef and veal component by excluding veal cutlets and
beef liver.
r=revised.

12

NOTE: Index applies to month as a whole, not to any specific date.

Table 3. CPI—food items, U.S. city average
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)
P e r c e n t change to M a r c h 1977
from—

Index
Item and group

March 1977
Unadjusted

Food
Food away from home
Restaurant meals
Snacks
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Flour
Cracker meal
Corn flakes
Rice
Bread, white
Bread, whole wheat
Cookies
Layer cake
Cinnamon rolls
Meats, poultry, and fish . . . .
Meats
Beef and veal
Steak, round
Steak, sirloin
Steak, porterhouse..
Rump roast
Rib roast
Chuck roast
Hamburger
Beef liver
Veal cutlets
Pork
Chops
Loin roast
Sausage
Ham, whole
Picnics
Bacon
Other meats
Lamb c h o p s . . . . . . .
Frankfurters
Ham, canned
Bologna sausage . . .
Salami sausage
Liverwusrt
Poultry
Frying chicken
Chicken breasts
Turkey
Fish
Shrimp, frozen
Fish, fresh or frozen.. . ,
Tuna fish, canned
Sardines, canned
Dairy products
Milk, fresh, grocery
Milk, fresh, skim
Milk, evaporated
Ice cream
Cheese, American process ,
Butter
Fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables,
Fresh fruits
Apples
Bananas
Oranges
Orange juice, fresh . . .
Grapefruit
Grapes
Strawberries
Watermelon
Fresh vegetables
Potatoes
Onions
Asparagus
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Peppers, green
Spinach
Tomatoes

188.6
195.2
193.5
203.4
186.9
181.3
145.6
229. 7
172.4
184. 6
161.6
180.4
201. 1
188. 1
196.0
175. 0
170.8
160.7
160.8
155.9
170.4
157.5
185. 0
163.3
156.4
122.4
187.9
184. 1
175.8
182.8
207. 7
189.2
167.5
187. 3
174. 5
188.9
159. 7
195.2
172.4
164.4
164.9
158.3
161.8
163.8
137.0
241.5
235.9
275.2
197.4
256.8
171. 2
161.5
179. 1
210.8
162.3
200. 6
154.9
196.8
205.4
180.9
177.8
176.5
162. 1
161.5
160. 9

2

( )
225.3
197.2
246.5
269.4
354.6
235.7
264. 3
233. 7
156.4
258.5
224. 1
201.5

See footnotes at end of table.




13

March 1976

Seasonally
adjusted

188.2
195.4

zoft

186.4
179.3
142.6
228. 1
172. 1
182.4
159.8
179.9
198.9
186.2
194.6
175. 7
168.6
159.9
158.4
155. 6
173.5
156.7
185.0
161.2
154.4
122. 0
188. 1
186. 1
179.0
183.2
208. 1
187. 7
164. 7
190. 3
174. 0
189.3
160.5
191.4
172.4
165.4
165. 6
161.0
164.8
166.3
138. 1
241.3

195.8
257.3
169.2
159. 0
176.8
(!)
161.2
198.0
154. 7
196. 8
206.6
192.2
190.8
180.3
169.9
182.6

2

( )
218.5
202. 7
261.4
225.3
335.5
234. 1
272.5
176.2
(*)
249.3
223.2
187.8

Unadjusted

5,5
6.8
6.4
8.3
5.2
.4
-7.4
2.7
3.8
-9.2
-.4
2.9
6. 7
1.3
.8
-2.9
-4.9
-2.4
-2.4
-2.9
-2. 7
-2.3
-.9
-3.8
-2.2
-7. 5
. 6
-9.9
-7. 1
-11.9
-8.4
-7. 1
-16.4
-10.6
-1.8
6.4
-5.8
-7. 1
-1. 0
-1. 0
-1.8
.4
.8
2. 1
-3.5
10. 1
10.6
17.4
8.0
4.8
2.0
.5
1.5
3. 7
3.6
2.0
8.4
13.4
24. 3
22. 1
25. 7
16.4
12. 7
6.8
18.0

\i

25.8
-6.6
44.5
27.7
128.6
61.0
39.5
19.8
12.9
60. 1
19.0
24.2

F e b r u a r y 1977
Unadjusted

0.5
.8
.8
1. 2
.4
.7
.6
1. 1
1. 1
-.2
-. 1
-. 1
4.6
.6
-.2
.2
-. 3
-. 5
.1
.1
-. 1
.5
-1.5
-1.6
-1.0
.9
-1. 7
-.5
-2.9
-2.6
3.0
1. 1
-2.9
1. 3
.5
.4
.9
. 1
1.6
-.9
1.0
3.5
4. 3
2.2
1. 1
. 2
-.3
1. 1
-1.2
.6
m i
-. 1
_, i
,4
.4
.3
.5
1. 1
.9
5. 0
2. 7
14.2
2. 3
2.6

Seasonally
adjusted

0.6
. 7

V?4
.5
.5
.1
0
1.8
.2
-.4
0
5.7
.2
.2
.2
-2.9
-2.5
-2.5
-3. 1
-.5
-. 7
-2.8
-3.7
-3.6
. 1
-2.4
.4
-1.4
-2.8
2. 7
1. 7
-4. 0
2. 3
.1
.3
.1
.8
.5
-1. 3
1.4
3. 0
2.9
2. 3
.3
.7
(*)

C1)

-1.2
1. 0
.5
-. 1
-.2

C.1)6

l! 6
.3
-.9
4.9
1.8
13. 0
2. 1
(*)

-V

"(V2
()

-1.6
2. 1
6.9
2
)
-9.2
-12.6
-. 5
11.4
-10.7
11.4
-2.9
-14. 3

-4. 3
-.5
10. 3
(2)
-10.7
-12.4
5.6
-. 7

C1)

11.5
-2. 1
-13.5

Table 3. CPI—food items, U.S. city average—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Percent change to March 1977
from—

Index
Item and group

Unadjusted

Food—Continued
Food at home—Continued
Fruits and vegetables—Continued
Processed fruits and vegetables
Fruit cocktail, canned
Pears, canned
Pineapple-grapefruit drink, canned.
Orange juice concentrate, frozen . .
Lemonade concentrate, frozen . . .
Beets, canned
Peas, green canned
Tomatoes, canned
Dried beans
Broccoli, frozen
Other food at home
Eggs
Fats and oils
Margarine
Salad dressing, Italian
Salad or cooking oil
Sugar and sweets
Sugar
Grape jelly
Chocolate bar
Syrup, chocolate flavored
Nonalcoholic beverages
Coffee
Coffee, instant
Tea
Carbonated drink, cola flavored . . .
Carbonated drink, fruit flavored...
Prepared and partially prepared foods
Bean soup, canned
Chicken soup, canned
Spaghetti, canned
Mashed potatoes, instant
Potatoes, french fried, frozen
Baby foods
Sweet pickle relish
Pretzels

184.0
180.9
157.0
180. 1
175. 5
187.4
192.4
159.7
190.3
229. 7
179.2
213.2
179.5
180.7
191.3
162.3
188.7
222.8
183. 0
216.0
254.4
232.5
286.4
389.7
294.4
159.6
199.9
202. 1
173.8
205.6
146.4
166.2
158.5
181. 3
181.4
189.7
161.6

Not available.




March 1976

March 1977
Seasonally
adjusted

182.4
180.9
157.0
180. 1
(l)
185.4

(M

(V
221.7

n
212. 6
181.9
178.9
188.5
160.5
187.9
218.2
177.1 7

Cl )
()

227.3
()
295.9
159. 6
l

)
173. 1
203.2
146.3
167. 0
159.5
183.3
(l)
185. 1
161.4
Priced only in season.

14

Unadjusted

-1. 1
3.8
-.6
3.7
10.4
-1.9
3.9
1.5
7.5
-26.2
15.3
16.6
11.9
3.3
0
6. 1
3.6
.2
-13. 0
-3. 1
5.8
8.7
48.4
92.8
43. 1
8. 1
3.7
2.4
3.9
-.4
9.0
3.8
2.7
3.0
11.8
3.2
1. 1

February 1977
Unadjusted

1.3
-.2
.2
2.6
11.6
.7
.6
-. 1
1.5
-2. 1
5.0
.1
-13.7
.7
.5
.7
.8
1.6
2. 1
.5
2.7
1.3
4.6
7.0
4.2
.4
.4
.3
.3
-. 5
1. 0
.1
.2
1.2
.7
.4
-.4

Seasonally
adjusted

1.2
-. 1
.5
2. 7
(')
.5

2. 7
)
1. 4
3., 0
,7
,3
, 1
,9
1,, 4
2., 1
.7

4. 7
.4

I1)

.4
-1.0
.7
1.0
.7
1.8
-.3
-. 7

Table 4. CPI —nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Item and group

Other
index
base

February
1977 V

Housing
Shelter'
Rent, residential
Homeownership 2
Mortgage interest rates
Property taxes
Property insurance premium
Maintenance and repairs
Maintenance and repair commodities 3
Exterior house paint
Interior house paint
Maintenance and repair services
Repainting living and dining
rooms
Reshingling house roof
Residing house
Replacing sink
Repairing furnace
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal . . .
Fuel oil, No. 2
Gas and electricity
Gas
Electricity
Other utilities:
Residential telephone services
Residential water and sewerage
services
Household furnishings and operation 4
Housefurnishings
Textiles
Sheets, full, flat
Curtains, tailored
Bedspreads
Drapery fabrics
Pillows, bed
Slipcovers and throws, ready-made . .
Furniture and bedding
Bedroom furniture, chest and
dresser
Sofas, upholstered
Cocktail tables
Dining room chairs
Recliners, upholstered
Sofas, dual purpose
Bedding, mattress and box springs
Aluminum folding chairs
Cribs
Floor coverings
Broadloom carpeting
,
Vinyl sheet goods
Vinyl floor tile
Appliances (excluding radio and TV)
Washing machines, electric
Vacuum cleaners
,
Refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers,
electric
,
Ranges, free standing, gas or
electric
Clothes dryers, electric
Air conditioners, demountable
Room heaters, electric, portable
Garbage disposal units
Other housefurnishings:
Dinnerware, fine china
Flatware, stainless steel
Table lamps, with shade
Lawn mowers, power, rotary type . . .
Electric drills, hand-held
Housekeeping supplies:
Laundry soaps and detergents
Paper napkins
Toilet tissue
Housekeeping services:
Domestic services, general
housework
Baby sitter services
Postal charges
Laundry, flatwork, finished service
Licensed day care services, preschool
child
Washing machine repairs
See foonotes at end of table.




Mar. 70
Dec. 71
Mar. 70
Dec. 71
June 70

March
1977

184.3
185.3
150.2
198. 1
137.0
178.5
149. 6
207.9
174. 8
169.8
156.9
222.3

185.5
186.3
150.8
199.3
136.6
179.5
150.9
209.8
176.2
169.6

233.9
242.4
210.2
217.5
218.0
196.4
278. 3
275.4
205.4
229.5
182.9

235.9
245.4
211.8
220.1
220. 1

156. 1
224.4

198.5
281.4
278.2
208.5
231.8
186.7

March
1976

February
1977

6.3

o: 7

5.7

5
4
6

5. 7
5.6

.4.3

3

7.9
7.8
6.8

6
9
9
8

5.4
4.3
8.1

_. 1
... 95

7.4

7. 1

9

6.9

1. 2
8
1. 2
1. 0
1. 1
1. 1
1. 0
1. 5
1. 0
2. 1

7.8

9. 1
6.8
9.3

11.0
13.7
14. 1
13.5
19.7

130.5

130.6

1.3

. 1

200. 6
173. 6
153.7
153. 6
158.2
149.3
158.6
184.4
133. 1
137.6
154.3

201. 6
174.6
154.7
156.0
158.8
149.7
161.0
191.5
134.3
139.6
155.5

9.7
4.8
3.5

5

136.4
142.0
130.5
140.2
113.5
139. 6
137.5

137.5
142.8
132. 1
141.8
114.9
140.5
137.8

4.6
2.4
1.7
5.1
2.2
.7
4.0

159. 1
138.6
125.8
169.0
167.9
138.2
143. 6
123.3

160.2
139. 1
125.7
170.8
170.0
138.3
144.5
124. 1

5.6
2.6
1.6
4.8
4.0
3.8
3.8
3.8

138.0

138. 1

3.8

1

140. 8
151.9

142. 1
152.7

3.6
4.8

9
5

133.9
137.3

130. 1
137.8

3. 1
3.6

-2. 8
4

198.0
183.6
150. 1

200.9
185. 1
151.4
166.7
131.5
183.2
231.0
258.3

6.6

1. 5

6.1

8
2

13.9

6

218.7
224.4
225. 6
214.9

219.3

4.8

225.6
225.6
216.2

6.8
3.4
8.0

0

168.9
206. 3

169.3
208.7

5.0
5.0

2
1 2

(5)

130. 1
181.8
230. 6
256.8

15

Percent change to
March 1977 from—

Indexes

5.8

-. 1
4.2

9.4
9.8
8.2
3.2
3.0

1.2
2.3
2.8
2.4

6
7
1. 6
4
3
1. 5
3. 9

9
1. 5

8
. 8

6
1*. 2
1. 1
1. 2

6
•2
(

. 7
4
-. 1
1. 1
1. 3
1

6
6

8
5

9
)

(
1. 1

5.9

3
5

6

Table 4. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Item and group

February
1977
Apparel and upkeep 6 .
Apparel commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
Men's and boys'
Men's:
Topcoats and all-weather coats . . . .
Suits, year round weight
Sport jackets
Jackets, lightweight
Slacks, heavyweight
Slacks, lightweight
Trousers, work
Shirts, work
Shirts, business or dress
T-shirts
Socks
Handkerchiefs
Boys':
Coats, heavyweight
Sport coats, wool or wool blends . .
Dungarees
Undershorts
Women's and girls'
Women's:
Coats, heavyweight
Carcoats, heavyweight
Sweaters
Skirts, winter weight
Skirts, summer weight
Blouses
Dresses, street, year round weight . .
Slips
Panties
Girdles
Brassieres
Hose or panty hose, nylon
Anklets or knee-length socks
Gloves, fabric
Handbags
Girls':
Raincoats
Skirts, fall and winter
Dresses
Slacks, fall and winter.
Slips
Handbags
Other apparel commodities
Diapers
Yard goods
Wrist watches, men's and women's
Footwear
Men's:
Shoes, street
Shoes, work, high
Women's:
Shoes, street, pump
Shoes, evening, pump
Shoes, casual
Houseslippers, scuff
Children's:
Shoes, oxford
Sneakers, boys', oxford type
Dress shoes, girls'
Apparel services:
Drycleaning
Automatic laundry service
Laundry, men's shirts
Tailoring charges
Shoe repairs

June 74




M a rch
1976

February
1977

4. 6
4. 3
4. 1
5.0

0. 6

150. 6
139. 7
94. 7
145. 0
116. 3
150. 8
169. 3
168. 9
138. 9
170. 9
137. 8
167. 3

153. 4
144. 0

5. 1
1. 8
-5. 5
4. 5
-1. 2
4. 8
8. 7

169. 6
141. 6
173. 5
138. 0
170. 4

9.8
8. 6
9.7

i.9
3. 1
-1. 3
mt 3
2.3
•4
Q
o

113. 8
127. 1
200. 7
162. 8
14a. 3

118. 1
126. 8
202. 6
166. 2
143. 3

5. 8
2. 4
10. 2
7. 2
3. 5

3. 8
-# 2

140. 5
149. 0
134. 9
146. 3
158. 2
145. 4
153. 4
131. 2
154. 3
137. 0
154. 9

137. 6
133. 3
135. 6
154. 4
160. 6
146. 1
154. 8
132. 7
155. 1
138. 3
155. 2
92. 5
140. 2
131. 5
174. 4

9.0
-.6

-2. 1
.10. 5

2. 4
1. 2
7. 8
4. 4
5.4
7. 1
4. 9
4. 5
4. 9
7
4. 7
2. 3
3. 9

5
5.'5
1.5
5
9
1. 1
5
9

1
2. 7
3. 8
3. 6

-6.,7

137. 3
, 154. 1
131. 2
170. 2
141. 6
150. 3
157. 7
204. 0
168. 0
141. 2
154. 4

16

March
1977
151. 7
149. 3
148. 1
152. 6

139. 0
129. 9
174. 5

See footnotes at end of table.

March 1977 from

150. 8
148. 5
147. 4
150. 6

91. 8

Transportation
Private 7
Automobiles, new
Automobiles, used
Gasoline, regular, premium, and unleaded . .
Motor oil
Tires
Auto repairs (mechanical) and maintenance 8
Auto insurance premiums
Auto registration fees
Parking fees, private and municipal

Percent change to

Indexes

Other
index

93. 5
144. 5
119. 0
151. 4
170. 7

128. 1
154.,8
136. 6
171.,9
142.,3
149. 4
157., 8
202,( 1

3. 1
6. 1

-#

8.9
10. 3

5
5
i! 3

1.4
9
1.5

1
1.9

9
1. 1
0

2
8

9
1.,2
-., 1
,5
4., 1
1.,0
,5
—>. 6
. 1
_,.9
1..0
0

169.,6
141.,2
155,.4

4. 6
8. 9
7.4
1.7
5. 4

162. 0
178. 7

162..3
180..3

7. 6
8. 2

.2

145. 7
137. 8
155. 6
151. 4

148,. 1
137,.8
157,. 1
150,.4

4. 5
4. 1
5.8
4.0

1,.6

156. 3
152. 3
163. 6

158,.5
151,.4
166,. 1

6.,3
.6
4.,9

166. 8
147. 8
172.,9
167. 0
157.,2

168,. 1
150,.9
174,.0
167,.9

6.,0
5.,9
8.8
5..7
7..8

173.,3
172., 7
140.,7
179., 1
183., 5
163.,0
140..0
198.. 3
203,.8
137,.5
190,.7

174 .8
174. 1
140 .9
182 . 7
184 .9
163 .9
138 . 3
200 .3
206 .0
137 .5
191 .3

158 .2

9..4
9..8
4..8
21,. 1
7,.6
3,.7
6,.2
7,.3
13,. 1
3,.5
6,.5

.6
.9
0
1.0
-.7
1.4
m

.6

1.5

.8
2. 1

.6
.5
.6
.9
.Qo
2. 1

.0

.Qo

.6
-1 .2
1.0
1. 1
.3

Table 4. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Item and group

February
1977
Transportation—Continued
Public
Local transit fares
Taxicab fares
Railroad fares, coach
Airplane fares, chiefly coach
Bus fares, intercity
Health and recreation
Medical care 9
Drugs and prescriptions
Over-the-counter items
Multiple vitamin concentrates
Aspirin compounds
Liquid tonics
Adhesive bandages, packages
Cold tablets or capsules
Cough syrup
Prescriptions
Anti-infectives
Sedative and hypnotics
Ataractics
Antispasmodics
Cough preparations
Cardiovasculars and antihypertensives . . .
Analgesics, internal
Hormones
Professional services:
Physicians' fees
General physician, office visits
General physician, house visits
Obstetrical cases
Pediatric care, office visits
Psychiatrist, office visits
Herniorrhapy, 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
Se/niprivate rooms
Operating room charges
X-ray, diagnostic series, upper Gl
Laboratory tests
Anti-infectives
Tranquilizers
Electrocardiogram
Intravenous solution
Physical therapy
Oxygen, inhalation therapy
Personal care
Toilet goods
Toothpaste, standard dentifrice
Toilet soap, hard-milled
Hand lotions
Shaving cream.
Face powder
Deodorants
Cleansing tissues
Home permanent wave kits
,
Personal care services
Men's haircuts
Beauty shop services
,
Women's haircuts
,
Shampoo and wave sets, plain
,
Permanent waves, cold
Reading and recreation 1 0
Recreational goods
TV sets, portable and console
TV replacement tubes
Radios, portable and table models
Tape recorders, portable
Phonograph records, stereophonic
Movie cameras, 8mm
Film, 35mm, color
Golf balls

Jan. 72

Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.

72
72
72
72
72
72
72

See footnotes at end of table.




17

Percent change to

Indexes

Other
index

March 1977 from
March
1977

March
1976

February
-1977

178.9
177.0
182.5
169«4
177. 8
211.2

180.4
177.4
187.7
173.6
180.7
211.2

4. 7
3.0
7.4
7.5
7.4
9.7

0.8
.2
2. 8
2.5
1.6

169.8
195. 8
130.7
144. 3
107.6
142.1
121.5
198. 3
134. 3
152. 3
119.3
74. 1
169.9
116.8
144.5
193.4
123.9
123.0
115.5

170. 7
197.6
131.4
145.0
108.0
143.9
121.9
199.8
134. 1
152. 3
120. 1
74. 3
171. 1
117. 1
146.8
197.2
124. 3
123.4
116.6

6.3
9.4
6.1
6.5
3. 1
4.6
2. 1
13.5
3.7
7.6
5.6
2.6
6.4
5.9

.5
.9
.5
.5
.4

10 1
10 7
3.5
2.4
6.6

198.8
204.6
200. 1
202.2
206o2
167.8
178.6
189.4
179.9
185.6
180. 8
167.5

201. 3
207.7
202.0
203.3
208. 7
169.0
179.6
191.7
180.9
186.7
181.9
168. 1

9.2
9.7
8. 8
8.3
10.4
3.9
9. 3
9.5
6.8
6.9
8.2
5.1

164.3
164.6
158.2
288. 3
300.6
183.7
145.9
127.9
133.8
142. 7
150.5
158.2
136.6
166.7
163.5
142.5
194. 1
170.5
139.9
172.4
121.6
228.2
133. 3
170.0
170.2
170.0
201. 3
169. 3
139.7
155.5
129.2
102.4
170. 8
105o 1
95.9
123.9
95.9
130.3
104.5

165.2
165.6
159.7
291.2
302.6
184.6

5.4
48 8
9.8
11.4
13.8
8. 7
4.5
7. 7

147O 1
130.0
136.5
143.2
151.5
159.2
138.0
167. 3
164. 1
142.9
196.3
171.0
137.4
173.7
124.6
22 8. 8
132.9
170.6
170.7
170.6
202.4
169.9
140.0

155.8
129.6
102.2
171. 1
105. 3
95.5
123.7
95. 8
131.3
104.7

6.6
6.1
6.9

9.6
6.6
6. 3
5. 3
4.2
1. 3
6.9
4. 8
8.2
7. 3
6.8
4.9
7. 3
6.8
7.6
12.5
6.1
4.9
4.6
2.7
-.9
3.5
.1
0
-.2
.4
7.6
1.6

1. 3
.3
.8
-. 1
.7
.3
.7
.3
1.6
2, 0
.3
.3
1.0
1. 3
1.5
.9
.5
1.2
. 7
.6
1.2
.6
.6
.6
.4

.5
.6
.9

1.0
.7
.5
.8
1.6
2.0
.4
.7
.6
1.0
.4
.4
.3
1. 1
. 3

-1. 8
.8
2.5
.3
-. 3
.4
.3
.4
.5
.4
.2
.2
.3
-.2
.2
.2
-.4
-.2
-. 1
.8
.2

Table 4. CPI —nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Item and group

February
1977

Health and recreation—Continued
Reading and recreation—Continued
Recreational goods—Continued
Basketballs, rubber or vinyl cover
Fishing rods, fresh-water spincasting
Bowling balls
Bicycles, boys'
Tricycles
Dog food, canned or boxed
Recreational services
Indoor movie admissions
Adult
Children's
Drive-in movie admissions
Bowling fees, evening
Golf green fees
TV repair
Film developing
Reading and education:
Newspapers, street sale and delivery
Magazines, single copy and subscription
Piano lessons, beginner
Other goods and services
Tobacco products
Cigarettes, nonfilter tip, regular size
Cigarettes, filter tip, king size
Cigars, domestic, regular size
Alcoholic beverages
Beer, at home
Whiskey, spirit blended and straight bourbon
Wine, dessert and table
Beer, away from home
Financial and miscellaneous personal expenses:
Funeral services, adult
Bank service charges, checking account
Legal services, short form will
1

Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Also includes home purchase costs not shown separately.
3
Also includes pine shelving, furnace filter, packaged dry cement mix, and shrubbery
not shown separately.
4
Also includes window shades, nails, carpet sweepers, air deodorizers, steel wool
scouring pads, envelopes, reupholstering, and moving expenses.
5
Priced only in season.
6
Also includes men's sport shirts, women's and girls' lightweight coats, women's
slacks, bathing suits, girls' shorts, earrings, and zippers not shown separately.
2




18

Percent change to

Indexes

Other
index
base

7

March 1977 from:
March
1977

March
1976

147O 3
127.4
133.8
146.3
152. 8
180. 3
160.2
184.8
178.2
203 o 5
184.5
153.2
(5)
110.0
121.2

148.6
127.4
134.0
146,7
153. 3
181.2
160.3
183.7
176.9
202.8
186.5
153.5
(5)
109.7
123.0

1.0
2.7
3.7
2.4
4. 1
6.8
4. 8
5. 3
4.5
7O5
5.5
5.5
(5)
3.2
-.8

187. 8
194.0
151.5
156.9
165.8
168. 1
168.7
133.6
148. 8
144. 3
116.5
159.2
170.3

188.5
194.0
151.7
157. 3
166.0
168.2
168.9
134.1
149. 3
145.0
116.7
159.4
170.7

4.4
9.1
6.0
3.6
4. 1
4.0
4.2
4.4
2.8
1.8
1.0
2.1
5.0

153.9
132.4
208.5

154.4
132. 1
211.8

3.9
5.8
7.0

February
1977

0.9
0
. 1
. 3
. 3
.5
. 1
-.6
-.7
-.3

1. 1
.2
(5)
-. 3
1.5
.4
0
.1
.3
" 1
.1
.4
.3
.5
.2
.1
.2
. 3
-.2
1.6

Also includes storage batteries and drivers' license fees not shown separately.
Includes prices for water pump replacement, motor tune-up, automatic transmission repair, front-end alignment, and chassis lubrication; does not include prices for
auto body repairs. In the CPI this component represents consumers' direct, out-ofpocket expenses for automobile repairs and maintenance.
9
Also includes health insurance not shown separately.
1
° Also includes outboard motors, nondurable toys, college tuition fees, paperback
books, and college textbooks, not shown separately.
8

Table 5. CPI —selected areas, all items index
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers)
Indexes

Pricing
schedule 2

Area 1

1967=100

1957-59=100

Percent change fr<>m:

Other
bases

March
1976

MarchV1977

December
1976

February
1977

U.S city average .

M

178.2

207.2

6.4

2.2

0.6

Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles—Long Beach
N.Y.-Northeastem N J
Philadelphia .

M
M
M
M
M

172.4
176.8
176.7
182.9
180.4

195.8
203. 1
207. 8
217. 6
210.7

6.4
6.8
7.8
5.2
6.3

2.0
2. 1
2.3
1.8
2.8

.7
1.0
.2
.4
1. 0

January
1976

January 1977

1
1
1
1

Boston
Houston
Minneapolis—St. Paul
Pittsburgh

213. 5
210. 1
203.9
198, 9

178. 2
183.6
175.9
172.9

February 1977
Buffalo
Cleveland
Dallas
Milwaukee
San Diego.
Seattle
Washington

177.5
177. 3
175.2
173.6
176.6
171.4
178.4

2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3

195. 1

3

189.3

.

1
Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) except for New York and Chicago which have more
extensive Standard Consolidated Areas. Area definitions were established for the 1960
Census and exclude 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.

3
4
5

February
1976

November
1976

6.2
7.4
7.0
6.8
5.6
6.0
6.8

2. 1
2.5
2.0
1. 8
1.6
2. 1
2.2

185.6

201.4
207.8

176. 1
182.2
178.8
168.3
175.0
173.2
176.2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3

1. 2
.9
1.4
1.2

196.0

March
1976

March 1977

Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati
Honolulu
Kansas City
. .
St Louis
San Francisco—Oakland

3. 7
6.6
5.3
5.4

200. 1
4

202.5
211. 6
202.9

5

October
1976

5.7
6.9
7. 0
4. 5
7. 1
6,5
6.5

181. 5

207. 7
202.3
209.6

December
1976
2.4
2. 1
2. 5
1. 7
2.5
3. 0
2. 1

2 - February, May, August, and November.
3 — March, June, September, and December.
November 1963=100.
February 1965=100.
December 1963=100.

NOTE: Price changes within areas are found in the Consumer Price Index; differences
in living costs among areas are found in family budgets.

Table 6. CPI—areas 1 priced monthly, by expenditure class, percent change from February 1977 to March 1977
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)
Expenditure class

All items.
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care.
Reading and recreation .
Other goods and services

1

U.S.
city
average

Chicago

0,6

0.7

1.0

0v2

0.4

1.0

1.0
.1
1.6
.7
.6

-.2
1.3
.3
2. 0
1.2
2. 3
(2)
.3
.5

.6
-.2
.3
.6
.4
.4
2
( )
. 1
.4

.2
.6
. 1
.7
.5
1.4
(2)
-.4
.3

1. 0
1.1
1.0
.8
.6
1.6
(2
.2
, 1

.5
. 7
.6
.9
.5
.9
.4
.2
.3

.9
. 7

2

See footnote 1, table 5.




19

Not available.

Detroit

Los AngelesLong Beach

New Y o r k Northeastern
New Jersey

Philadelphia

Table 7. CPI-selected areas1, by expenditure
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers)
Expenditure class

U.S.
city
average

Chicago

Detroit

Los AngelesLong Beach

New Y o r k Northeastern
New Jersey

Philadelphia

Indexes, March 1977
All items

178.2

172.4

176.8

176.7

182.9

180.4

Food
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other food at home
Food away from home

188.6
186.9
181.3
175.0
171.2
196.8
213.2
195.2

186.7
185.0
183.0
175.5
163.8
198.7
211.5
193.6

181.4
178. 7
185.2
167.8
170.9
171.3
205.8
193.4

181.4
180.6
181.7
172. 6
155.6
181.4
208.9
183. 5

192.2
193. 1
183.8
176.2
175.0
218.5
222.7
189.8

196.2
193. 3
191.9
184. 1
172.5
205.2
218.2
208.4

Housing
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation.

185.5
186.3
150.8
199.3
198.5
281.4
208.5
174. 6

169.3
168.7
140.4
181.3
176. 5
274.9
187.0
166.5

182.2
185.3
(2)
192.9
201.9
284.9
219. 7
159.7

186.9
195. 6
152.7
209. 1
164.4
_
192.4
167.3

189.3
187.5
(2)
201.2
217.0
289.3
240.0
178.0

187.6
195. 1
163.4
203. 3
190.9
274.2
193.2
171.9

Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear

151.7
152.6
143. 3
155.4

141.0
133.6
132.0
149.9

145.4
157. 1
129. 3
149. 5

144.7
140.6
139. 1
147. 7

146.0
140.0
137.4
152.7

142.2
148.9
121.8
154. 0

Transportation
Private
Public

174.8
174. 1
180.4

178.8
178.3
181.8

171. 1
171.0
171.3

177.4
179. 1
145.6

192. 7
182.6
231.5

175.4
179. 1
153.7

Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

170. 7
197. 6
167.3
155.8
157.3

172.6
202.6
165. 3
157.5
160. 1

181.6
224.8
(2)
155.8
161.3

168. 1
199.4
156.2
144.9
157.8

177.5
213.8
(2)
160.4
162. 1

175.0
215.6

.

0

155. 6
158. 1

Percent changes, December 1976 to March 1977
2.2

2.0

2. 1

2. 3

1.8

2.8

,

3.8
4.2
1. 1
2.8
-. 1
12. 1
5.4
2.3

3.4
3.5
1.6
1.7
.2
11.4
4.4
3.2

2.2
2.5
-3. 1
2.8
-. 1
8.8
2.5
1. 0

3. 1
3.8
2. 1
.8
-1.2
7.0
9.4
1.2

2.9
3.5
0
1.8
.3
12.2
3.7
.8

5.5
6.2
2.9
6.3
.1
15.4
5. 7
2.8

Housing
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation .

2. 1
2. 1
1.7
2.2
3.4
6.4
3.5
1.3

1. 3
1.0
.4
.8
2.4
7.6
2.4
1.5

2. 3
2.4
(2)
2.5
3.4
7. 5
3.8
1.2

-. 1
1.3
-2.5
1.3

-.4
1. 3
-4.5
1.9

. 7
1.6
.5
-.4

1.5
0
3.3
1.0

-2. 1
.5
-6.8
2.5

-. 1
1. 7
-3.7
1.8

Transportation
Private
Public

2.0
2.0
1.3

2.0
2.3
.3

2.7
2.9
.6

1.2
1.2
.5

1. 7
1.9
1.3

2.9
3.3
.3

Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

1.6
2.8
1.3
.9
.9

2.0
2.9
2. 1
1.9
.8

1.9
3.4
(2)
.3
.9

1.7
2.5
1.8
1.3
.8

1.8
3. 1
(2)
.5
1.2

1. 7
3.6
(2)
.8
.4

All items.
Food
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Pairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other food at home
Food away from home

Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys!
Women's and girls'
Footwear

3

See footnotes at end of table.




20

3

2.7 "
3. 3
1.5
3.3
1.2
_
2. 1
1. 1

2.0
2. 1
(2)
2.3
2.3
6. 0
1. 1
1.8

3

2. 0
1.4
1. 1
1.2
5. 0
6.4
6.9
1.2

Table 7. CPI-selected areas1, by expenditure class-Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers)
Expenditure class

Atlanta

Baltimore

Cincinnati

Honolulu

Kansas
City

St.
Louis

San
FranciscoOakland

Indexes, March 1977
All items

176. 1

182.2

178. 8

168.3

175. 0

173. 2

176.2

Food
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products . . . .
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other food at home
Food away from home

192.9
192. 1

192.2
190. 0
175.2
179. 2
170.8
205.0
218.7
200. 7

193.4
195.6
192.9
182.2

189.6

189. 1

188.6

186.8
174.4
185. 1
214.4
209.4
195. 2

182.6
185. 2
178.2
170.9
163. 1
187.8
217.8
173. 7

Housing
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation,

181. 6
181.3
133.0

196.9

195.5
193.6
_
5
202.8
175.9

206. 7
141.6
234. 1
190. 1
280. 1
195.8
179. 1

152.3
165.0
145. 6
136. 1

Transportation
Private
Public
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear

,

4

185. 6
180. 7
172.7

176. 7
199.6
229.2
185.0

185.2
171.9
182.6
185. 0
191. 1
196.5
202.2

183.9
213.6
200.4

181. 6
179. 3
129.8
202.4
219.9

160.6
158.3
161.0
156.4
171. 0

178.9
179. 7
128.6
199. 7
188.9

_

_

176. 6

_

187.9
185. 7
177. 3
176.8
196. 6
217. 2
191.5
174.4
170.6
125. 1
183.6
190.0
285.2
201. 1
172.5

185. 6
191.8
164. 1
205. 7
164.8

149. 8
153.6
142. 5
150. 2

246. 3
165.3

198. 1
161.4

226.3
171. 0

160.4
143. 0
167.6

158.2
155. 1
153. 7
167. 7

151. 3
148. 2
140.4
150.0

160.4
170.7
153.6
164.4

150.3
147. 9
145.5

160. 3
165.2
96.9

166. 1
167.3
156.8

165.6
171.5
120.0

158. 0
164. 1
125. 1

168.9

166.3

169.7
152.9

171.5
104.9

174. 1
211.2
171. 3
155. 1
141.4

171. 6
205. 7

175.9
217.9
162.8
147.0
167. 3

167.9
196. 6
174.2
162. 3
139. 8

166.7
188. 3

168. 0
183. 1

169.8

168.8

159.8

159.6
153.5
165.2

147. 3
161. 0

156.9

152. 9
162.8

_

189. 5
175.4

173.2
174.2
153. 6
168.2
195. 1
164. 8
149.4
151.3

Percent changes, December L976 to March 1977
All items
Food
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other food at home
Food away from home
Housing
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation.

2.4

2. 1

2. 5

3.9

4. 0

4.2
.2
1.8
0

4.6

-1. 5
2.8
-.6

15.9

15.8

4.3
4.2

5. 0

4.5

4.4

2. 7

1.9

1.7

1.7

.6

1. 0
.5

.9
1.9

4. 1

6.7
6.6

_

1. 3

10. 7

1.4

1.2

Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and boys'
Footwear

2.9

1. 1

4. 3
2. 1
3. 1

.9

Transportation
Private

1.0

Public
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services




3.0

2. 1

4.4
4.9
.8
5.4
0

4. 3
5. 0

2.3
2.3

4. 5
4. 3

-. 3
.5

2.2
4.4

.8
5.0

6.3

-1. 1
11. 3
4. 7

2.2

5.0

9.8
6.4
2. 0

1.5
1.2
2.7
.8
1.4
_
1.9

1.8

1.8

2.9

1. 5

.6
1. 1

1. 1

2. 6
1. 6

1.6
2.4

5.9

2.8
6.5

1. 2
1. 0

8. 0
.7

4. 0
9. 7
1. 3

2. 1
1. 1

.2
7.9
5.8

1.5

1. 1

1. 7
10. 7
8.2

2. 0

2. 1

1.7
1.5

2.2
1.4
3.5
2.5

4. 0

4.0

1. 7

6.0
4.3
2.6

5. 0
5. 1
.6

3.4

.4
.4

1.8
2.0

.9

.6
.6
.5

1.0

-. 2

1.6

1.4
3.3

2. 1

2. 2

3.8

1. 7

3.4
1.3

.5

.6
1. 1

-. 7

1.4

1. 3

. 1

1.7
1.8
.3

2.0
1.8
2.8

1.9
3. 3

1.6
3.2

2.2
1.0
-.4

.8
.9
.9

2. 7
5.6
.6
1.3

1. 1

2.7
2.5

.7
.6

Revised indexes: December 1976, 186.0; Annual average 1976, 171.5.
Revised indexes: December 1976, 200.1; Annual average 1976, 182.2.

21

4.6
1.4

2. 0

0

See footnote 1, table 5.
Not available.
Change from January 1977.

2. 5

-. 3
3. 0
.2
10.4
7. 2
2. 0

2. 0
1. 5

.9

1. 7

.6
1. 3
1. 0
.6

.6
2.2

Table 8. CPI—food groups, selected areas
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers 1967=100)
Food at home
Total
food

Area1

Total

Cereals
and
bakery
products

Meats,
poultry,
and fish

Dairy
products

Fruits

and
veoetables

Other
foods
at
home

Food
away
from
home

Indexes, March 1977
U.S. city average

188.6

186.9

181. 3

175.0

171.2

196.8

213.2

195.2

Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo

192.9
192.2
186. 8
186.9
186.7
193.4
195. 1
187.7
181.4
189.6
196.6
189.1
181.4
185. 9
190.6
192.2
196.2
189.2
188.6
186.3
182. 6
181.9
196.3

192. 1
190.0
184.3
185.2
185.0
195.6
195. 2
183.5
178.7
185.2
191.4
185.6
180.6
184. 1
184.5
193. 1
193. 3
186. 0
187.9
178.3
185.2
180.4
192.3

186.8
175.2
184.2
184.7
183.0
192.9
191.2
181.4
185.2
171.9
178.8
180.7
181.7
178. 3
190.6
183.8
191.9
187.8
185.7
173.9
178.2
173.5
196.1

174.4
179. 2
173.8
170. 8
175.5
182.2
177.6
167.8
167.8
182.6
185.5
172.7
172.6
174.9
173.6
176.2
184. 1
178. 2
170.9
173.9
177.3
174. 1
171.2

185. 1
170. 8
163.9
170. 1
163.8
176.7
187.4
165.3
170.9
185.0
182.5
176.6
155.6
175.6
177.8
175.0
172.5
158.9
176.8
158.7
163.1
168.4
162.6

214.4
205.0
197.2
197.1
198.7
199.6
194.0
194.7
171.3
191. 1
203.0
183.9
181.4
193.8
181.4
218.5
205.2
195.6
196.6
182.1
187.8
173.9
210.3

209.4
218.7
208.6
209.7
211.5
229. 2
232.0
207.9
205. 8
196. 5
205.0
213.6
208. 9
201.3
201.9
222.7
218.2
210.2
217.2
200.3
217.8
207.3
228.8

195.2
200.7
196.0
196.7
193.6
185.0
195.5
203. 1
193.4
202.2
214.7
200.4
183.5
(2)
217.1
189.8
208.4
208.0
191.5
(2)
173.7
186.9
206.2

Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas
Detroit
Honolulu
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles—Long Beach
Milwaukee
Minneapolis—St. Paul
N.Y.-Northeastern N J
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
San Diego
San Francisco-Oakland
Seattle '.
Washington

..

Percent changes, February 1977 to March 1977
U.S. city average

0.5

Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo

Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas
Detroit

Honolulu
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles—Long Beach . . .
Milwaukee
Minneapolis—St. Paul
N.Y.-Northeastern N J
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh

St. Louis
San Diego
San Francisco—Oakland
Seattle
Washington
1

1.0
.2
.9
.2
-.2
.7
1.0
1. 1
.6
-.4
.1
.2
1.0
.7
1.0
.6
1. 1
-.2
.8

0.4

0. 7

0. 2

0.1

1. 1

0. 1

-. 1
-.2
-. 2
.2
1.0
-.2

-1.5
.1
1.1
2.8
1.9
-. 1
.2
1.7
-1.0
-.8
.4
-.6
.2
-.8
2. 2
1.4
.5
2.2
-.3
1.0
1.0
-.5
1. 8

-1.6
-.6
-.9
-.5
.5
-.2
-. 3
.3
-.7
.1
2.5
0
-.7
-.7
0
.5
1.8
.2
1.7
-.2
-.4
-1.2
.9

-.8
-. 1
-.2
-. 1

2.5
1.8
1.4
-.9
2.0
-.9
3.1
1. 1
.7
1. 1
1.4
4.0
1.7
1.3
1. 3
.2
2.2
1.2
1.4
3. 3
3. 3
-.5
2.9

1.2
-1.1
-1.2
.4
.6
.5
.6

.9
0
-.3

.5
1. 1
.5
.7
-.5
0
.1
1.0
.8
.9

.9
1.0
-.4
.8

Not available.

See footnote 1, table 5.




22

.6
-.2
2.7

-1.0
.1
1.0
.2
-. 2
.1
-.6

-1.8
.3
.2
-. 1
.2
-.5
1. 1
.9
-.2

-1.2
-.4
1.6
0
-. 1
2.2
-1.2
-.7
-1.5
-.2
1. 1
.8
1.7
1.6
-.3
-.7

0.8

2. 1
2.0
.7
1.2
1.3
1.3
.5
.6
.6
1.0
.7
3. 0
.2

(2)
0

.5
.8
.5
,9
(2)

1.5
.8
.8

Table 9. CPI—gasoline indexes, U.S. city average and selected areas
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, January 1976=100)

February
1977
U.S. city average
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas
Detroit
Honolulu
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles—Long Beach.
Milwaukee
Minneapolis-St. Paul
N.Y.-Northeastem N.J ..
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
San Diego
San Francisco—Oakland..
Seattle
Washington

to March
1977 f r o m -

Index

103.9
103.0
102.9
102.9
103. 0
104.5
103. 1
101.2
105.4
103.5
102.6
105.6
105.3
106. 8
104.6
103.4
101. 8
103.6
104.4
105.4
104.3
105. 1
105.6
104.0

March
1977

February
1977
0. 8

104.7

.5
1. 3
.7
1.0
.6
.8
.6
1.6
.6
.6
.9
.9
.3
.7
.4
.6
.5
.8
.1
.7
.7
.8
.4

103.5
104. 2
103.6
104. 0
105. 1
103.9
101. 8
107. 1
104.1
103.2
106.6
106. 2
107. 1
105. 3
103. 8
102.4
104. 1
105. 2
105. 5
105.2
105.8
106.4
104.4

Percent change

Percent change

Percent change
Area 1

Premium gasoline'

Unleaded regular gasoline

Leaded regular gasoline

to March
1977 fro:

Index

February
1977

March
1977

February
1977

to March
1977 fron

Index

February
1977

March
1977-

February
1977

105.2

106. 2

1.0

104. 3

105. 1

0. 8

105.5
104.5
106. 7
103. 2
105.9
105.7
104.7
105.7
106.0
102.9
106. 6
106. 8
106.4
106.9
106. 1
104.5

106.2
105.6
108. 3
104. 6
106.5
106.3
106.4
107.9
107.4
103.7
108. 3
108. 3
107. 3
107.7
106.5
104. 8
107.6
107.5
106.6
106.7
105.6
106.5
107. 1

7
1. 1
1.5
1.4

104. 0
103. 1
104. 2
102.4
105.3
103. 1
102. 1
105.2
104. 1
102.4
104. 7
104. 9
105. 3
104. 2
104. 8
103. 1
104.4
105.7
104. 9
104.6
104. 1
105.4
105. 1

104.3
104. 1
105.3
104. 3
105. 8
104. 1
103.4
106. 6
105. 6
103. 1
106. 0
106.6
106. 2
105.6
106. 1
103.5
105. 8
106.6
105.5
105. 3
104.6
106. 3
105.4

. 3
1. 0
1. 1
1.9
.5
1.0
. 3
. 3
.4
.7
.2
.6
.9
1. 3
1.2
.4
1.3
.9
.6
.7
.5
.9
.3

105. 9

106. 3
106.2
105.8
104. 9
105.6
106.4

6
6
1.6
2. 1
1. 3
8
1.6
1.4
8
7
4
3
1.6
1. 1
4
9
7
9
7

1
Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metro- extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used. Area definitions are those established
politan Statistical Area (SMSA) except for New York and Chicago where the more for the 1960 Census and do not include revisions made since 1960.

Table 10. CPI—gasoline average prices, U.S. city average and selected areas
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers)
Leaded regular gasoline

Average price per gallon

Area 1

U.S. city average
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas
Detroit
Honolulu
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles—Long Beach.
Milwaukee
Minneapolis—St. Paul....
N.Y.-Northeastem N.J ..
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
San Diego
San Francisco—Oakland..
Seattle
Washington

Premium gasoline

Unleaded regular gasoline

January
1977

February
1977

March
1977

January
1977

February
1977

March
1977

January
1977

February
1977

March
1977

$0,600

$0. 607

$0,612

$0,627

$0,637

$0,643

$0. 649

$0,656

$0. 661

.597
.623
. 607
.617
. 630
.598
.596
.576
.603
. 707
.562
.588
.625
.573
.597
.6,12
. 607
.611
.598
.634
. 649
.610
.628

627
625
628
629
661
612
609
579
632
714
567
598
641
596
625
637
630
624
606
655
659
618
657

.647
.653
.647
. 652
.671
.636
.639
. 603
.655
.743
.592
.621
.652
.615
.660
.660
.658
.645
.636
.671
.682
.641
.678

652
664
655
656
676
642
641
609
658
744
603
628
660
618
664

.586
. 607
.597
. 602
. 620
.587
.590
.560
.591
. 702
.543
.575
.612
.565
.594
.604
.585
.594
.590
.620
.641
.599
.615

.594
.615
. 602
.612
. 626
.593
.592
.567
. 600
.703
. 557
.583
.623
. 569
.594
. 608
.604
.606
.598
.629
.645
.606
. 626

.634
.641
. 642
.637
.669
.626
.622
.587
.640
.716
.582
.608
. 650
. 605
.627
.642
. 648
.640
.618
.665
.663
.627
.667

. 638
.648
.651
.645
.673
. 630
.633
.599
. 649
. 722
.591
.617
.655
. 609
. 630
. 644
. 658
.647
.621
. 670
.667
.632
.672

669
669
660
644
680
686
652
689

. 654
.671
. 662
. 668
.679
.648
. 649
.617
. 667
.749
.611
. 638
.666
.626
.672
.672
.678
.666
.648
.684
. 690
.657
.691

1
Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metro- extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used. Area definitions are those established
politan Statistical Area (SMSA) except for New York and Chicago where the more for the 1960 Census and do not include revisions made since 1960.




23

Table 11. CPI—by population size 1
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Area and group

Relative
importance

Percent change to
March 1977 from—

1ndexes

December 1976

March 1976

100.000
23.667
34.202
9. 194
13.548
19.013

167.5
178.7
174. 5
145.0
159.8
160.6

174.3
181.7
181.6
151.8
171.4
168.0

178.2
188.6
185.5
151.7
174.8
170. 7

6.4
5. 5
6.3
4.6
9.4
6.3

2.2
3.8
2. 1
-. 1
2.0
1.6

Class A-1 (3.5 million or more):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

32.358
7.943
10.747
2.984
4.396
6.288

168.7
179.5
173.5
140. 3
167.6
164. 3

175.4
183. 1
180.4
145.8
179.4
172.0

178.9
189. 0
184. 1
144.5
182.8
175. 1

6.0
5.3
6. 1
3. 0
9. 1
6.6

2.0
3.2
2. 1
-.9
1.9
1.8

Class A-2 (1.4 million to 3.5 million):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

11.763
2.831
4. 021
1.083
1.582
2.246

167. 0
179.2
170. 6
146.9
162.2
161.0

174.0
181.7
179.4
151.6
173.0
168.5

178. 1
189. 0
182.9
152.8
177. 7
171.4

6.6
5.5
7.2
4. 0
9.6
6.5

2.4
4. 0
2. 0
.8
2. 7
1. 7

Class B (250,000 to 1.4 million):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

25.678
5.840
8.966
2.384
3.576
4.913

166.3
178.6
173.5
147.4
154.4
159.6

173.3
181.8
180.3
155.9
166.7
166.4

177.2
189. 1
184. 1
155.9
169.6
169. 3

6.6
5.9
6. 1
5.8
9.8
6. 1

2. 3
4.0
2. 1
0
1. 7
1. 7

Class C (50,000 to 250,000):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

12.537
2.940
4. 358
1. 182
1.710
2. 346

166.7
177.5
175.4
147. 7
156.4
157.2

173.5
179.5
183. 3
155.5
166.9
164.7

177.6
187.5
187.4
156. 7
169.8
166.6

6.5
5.6
6.8
6. 1
8.6
6.0

2.4
4.5
2.2
. 8
1.7
1.2

Class D (2,500 to 50,000):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

17.288
4. I l l
6. 110
1.562
2.285
3.220

168.2
178. 1
179.2
146.8
155.6
158. 0

174.6
180.2
185.4
154.8
167.3
165.2

178.8
187.7
190. 1
155.2
170.8
167.2

6.3
5.4
6. 1
5.7
9.8
5.8

2.4
4.2
2.5
. 3
2. 1
1.2

United States:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

Based upon 1960 Census of Population.




24

December 1976

March 1977

M a r c h 1976

December 1976

Table 12. CPI—by region
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Area and group

Relative1
importance
D e c e m b e r 1976

Percent change to
March 1977 from—

1

M a r c h 1976

December 1976

March 1977

March 1976

December 1976

United States:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation

100.000
23.667
34.202
9. 194
13.548
19.013

167.5
178. 7
174.5
145. 0
159.8
160. 6

174.3
181.7
181.6
151.8
171.4
168.0

178.2
188.6
185.5
151.7
174.8
170. 7

6.4
5.5
6.3
4.6
9.4
6.3

2.2
3.8

Northeast:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation

32.560
8.354
10.600
3.219
4. 178
6.210

170. 7

181.4
177. 6
144. 3
169.6
162.7

176. 7
183.9
183.6
152. 1
179.0
169.7

180.2
190.3
187.0
150.0
183.4
172.4

5.6
4.9
5.3

2.0
3.5
1.9

4. 0
8. 1

-1.4
2. 5

6.0

1.6

North Central:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation

27.937
6.560
9.608
2.456
3.925
5.389

164.5
177.8
167. 1
144.4
155.5
161.6

171.5
180. 6
174.4
151.2
168.7
168.7

175. 7
187.6
178,5
152. 1
172.0
171.9

6.8
5.5
6.8
5.3

2.4
3.9
2.4

South:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation

22.078
5.043
7.763
2. 117
3.033
4. 122

169.7
181.4
180. 1
148.4
155.8
161.4

176. 6
183. 6
187.3
155.4
167.4
169. 1

180.6
192.0
191. 1
156.7
170.2
171.2

West:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation .
Health and recreation

16.590
3.585
6.091
1.369
2.351
3. 193

164. 0
171. 3
174.4
142.2
155.9
154.9

171.8
176.3
182.7
146.4
168.8
162.6

175.6
182.4
187.4
147. 2
171.2
165.3

1
Regional index and relative importance data exclude Anchorage, Alaska, and
Honolulu, Hawaii which are included in the U.S. level data. Consequently, regional




relative importances will not add to U.S. totals.

25

2. 1
-. 1
2.0
1.6

10.6

1. 0
2. 0

6.4

1.9

6.4
5.8

2.3
4.6

6. 1

2. 0

5.6
9.2

.8
1.7
1.2

6. 1
7. 1
6.5
7.5
3.5
9.8
6.7

2.2
3.5
2.6
.5
1.4
1.7

Appendix: Technical Notes
Brief Explanation of the CPI
personal visits of the Bureau's trained representatives.
Mail questionnaires are used to obtain local transit fares,
public utility rates, newspaper prices, fuel prices, and
certain other items.
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. Local data are then
combined to obtain a U.S. city average. Separate indexes
are also published for 23 areas.
The index measures price changes from a designated
reference date—1967—which equals 100.0. An increase
of 22 percent, for example, is shown as 122.0. This
change can also be expressed in dollars as follows: The
price of a base period "market basket" of goods and
services bought by urban wage earners and clerical workers
has risen from $10 in 1967 to $12.20.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures average
changes in prices of goods and services usually bought
by urban wage earners and clerical workers. 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
major statistical areas and 17 smaller cities, which were
chosen to represent all urban places in the United States.
They are collected from about 18,000 establishments—
grocery and department stores, hospitals, filling stations,
and other types of stores and service establishments.
Prices of food, 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 five largest areas and every 3 months in other
areas. Prices of most goods and services are obtained by

A Note About Calculating Index Changes
period. BLS does not publish annual rates based on
data for 1 month.

Movements of the indexes from one month to another
are usually expressed as percent changes rather than
changes in index points because index point changes are
affected by the level of the index in relation to its base
period while percent changes are not. The example in the
accompanying box illustrates the computation of index
point and percent changes.
Seasonally adjusted percent changes in the U.S. All
Items Index are based on seasonal adjustment factors
and seasonally adjusted indexes carried to two decimal
places. This procedure helps to eliminate rounding error
in the percent changes.
Percent changes for 3-month and 6-month periods
are expressed as annual rates and are computed according to the standard formula for compound growth rates.
These data indicate what the percent change would be
if the current rate were maintained for a 12-month

Index Point Change
CPI
Less previous index
Equals index pojnt change:

123.8
123.2
0.6

Percent Change
Index point difference,
|

Divided by the previous index,
Equals,
Results multiplied by one hundred
Equals percent change:

0.6
123.2
0.005
0.005x100
0.5

A Note on Seasonally Adjusted and Unadjusted Data
climatic conditions, production cycles, model changeovers, holidays, and sales.
The unadjusted data are of primary interest to consumers concerned about the prices they actually pay.
Unadjusted data are also used extensively for escalation
purposes. Many collective bargaining contract agreements
and pension plans, for example, tie compensation changes
to the Consumer Price Index unadjusted for seasonal
variation.

Because price data are used for different purposes by
different groups, the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes
seasonally adjusted as well as unadjusted changes each
month.
For analyzing general price trends in the economy,
seasonally adjusted changes are usually preferred, since
they eliminate the effect of changes that normally occur
at the same time and in about the same magnitude every
year—such as price movements resulting from changing




26

Reliability of Percent Changes in the CPI
A system of "replicated" samples introduced into the
index structure in the 1964 revision permits an estimate of
sampling error for the CPI. l The table below shows
standard errors for monthly, quarterly, and annual percent

Average standard errors of percent changes in the
CPI based on 1976 data
Standard error
Component

All items
Food at home
Food away from home . .
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation . .
Other goods and
services




Monthly
change

Quarterly
change

Annual
change

.04
.10
.08
.06
.15
.07
.14
.16
.09

.05
.11
.14
.10
.27
.12
.19
.26
.16

.10
.22
.31
.18
.25
.20
.27
.64
.33

.11

.12

.18

changes in the CPI for all items and for nine commodity
groupings based on 1975 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.
Because the CPI is rounded to one decimal place, some
ambiguity may arise in interpreting small index changes.
As the table indicates, for example, a month-to-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 for a 1-month period
is always significant.
This replaces the table of average errors based on 1975
data which was included in the CPI report through
December 1976.

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.

27

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE! 1977 O-241-010/1006

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
REGIONAL OFFICES

Region I
1603 JFK Federal Building
Government Center
Boston, Mass. 02203
Phone:(617)223-6761
Region II
Suite 3400
1515 Broadway
New York, N.Y. 10036
Phone: (212) 399-5405

Region V
9th Floor
Federal Office Building
230 S. Dearborn Street
Chicago, III. 60604
Phone:(312)353-1880
Region VI
Second Floor
555 Griffin Square Building
Dallas, Tex. 75202
Phone:(214)749-3516

Region III
3535 Market Street
P.O. Box 13309
Philadelphia, Pa. 19101
Phone:(215)596-1154

Regions VII and VIII*
911 Walnut Street
Kansas City, Mo. 64106
Phone:(816)374-2481

Region IV
1371 Peachtree Street, NE.
Atlanta, Ga. 30309
Phone: (404) 881^418

Regions IX and X**
450 Golden Gate Avenue
Box 36017
San Francisco, Calif. 94102
Phone:(415)556-4678




* Regions VII and VIII are serviced by Kansas City
**Regions IX and X are serviced by San Francisco