Full text of CPI Detailed Report : May 1956
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Issued June 26, 1956 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington 25, D. C. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR MAI 1956 Consumer priees in United States cities rose 0.4 percent between April and May 1956, according to the U. S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. An advance of 1.3 percent in food prices was primarily responsible for the increase. Prices of all other groups of goods and services either advanced or remained at their April levels. The Consumer Price Index for May was 115.4- (1947-49 = 100), 1.1 percent higher than in May 1955, and equivalent to the previous high set in October 1953. FOOD Food prices shoved their sharpest rise for any month since June 1953, bringing the food index to 111.0 (1947-49 = 100). The food index was, however, still 0.1 percent below the level of May 1955, and 4*8 percent lower than the peak of August 1952. Prices of food purchased in stores rose 1.5 percent, primarily because of higher prices for fresh fruits and vegetables, although prices of all major classes of foods rose. Prices of restaurant meals rose 0.2 percent over the month. Most fresh fruits and vegetables were higher than in April. The more than usual seasonal advances in fresh fruit and vegetable prices reflected adverse weather conditions and heavy export demand for potatoes. Over the month prices of potatoes were up 19*2 percent, onions 14*4 percent, and green beans 9*0 percent. However, prices of tomatoes fell 16.0 percent, and celery and cabbage were slightly lower. Apple prices advanced seasonally, 9*8 percent; oranges, 8.7 percent; and bananas, 9*4 percent; but prices of fresh strawberries were down 30.3 percent. Prices of meats of pork chops rose 5.9 percent, but increased 9»1 percent. Round steak were reported for all other cuts of and poultry were higher than a month earlier; prices advances for ham and bacon were smaller; lamb prices were 1.9 percent higher and smaller increases beef and veal and for poultry. Prices of dairy products rose 1.0 percent, contrary to the usual seasonal decrease. Fresh milk prices increased 1.4 percent as higher prices were allowed under Federal marketing agreements. Butter prices increased 1.5 percent reflecting higher support prices. The rise of 0.2 percent in prices of cereals and bakery products was due mainly to higher prices for flour and soda crackers* In the "other foods at home" category, higher prices for hydrogenated shortening, lard, margarine, and coffee offset a reduction of 1.5 percent in egg prices. HOUSING Residential rents advanced 0.4 percent, with average increases reported in 22 of the 36 cities surveyed. The household operation group index increased 0.2 percent, primarily because of higher water rates in some cities. Prices of anthracite and bituminous coal declined seasonally. Housefurnishings prices were slightly lower, on the average, 'as May white sale prices and further reductions for appliances were partially offset by advances in prices of dinnervare, ranges, and some furniture items. OTHER COMMODITIES AND SERVICES A substantial increase in prices of used cars and the nationwide increase in railroad fares, effective May 1 were the important factors in the transportation group index advance of 0.4 percent. New car prices declined 0.4 percent. Sale prices on tires were reported in many cities. 2 The medical care index rose 0*2 percent; the personal care and "other goods and services19 groups were up 0.1 percent; while apparel and reading and recreation remained at their April levels. TABLE C: Consumer Price Index — U.S. and 20 cities, housing and housing subgroups 1955 Annual averages (1947-49 = 100) City : s : Total : J housing Rent i Gas and s Solid : House- : : electri- :fuels and : furnish- :Household city fuel oil ines toceration U.S. city average- 120.0 130.3 110.7 125.2 104.1 119.1 Atlanta———— Baltimore———— Boston————-— Chicago Cincinnati 125.1 116.6 120.9 129.9 118.0 133.5 125.9 124.3 150.7 132.2 118.0 99.9 111.0 109.8 119.1 118.4 124.6 126.1 128.1 128.5 107.5 98.2 105.3 106.3 98.8 130.1 112.2 117.6 122.7 124.6 Cleveland Detroit Houston — Kansas C i t y — — — Los A n g e l e s — — — 122.3 122.3 123.1 121.5 125.7 144.2 141.1 138.1 138.3 139.5 108.9 110.5 106.8 120.9 115.3 123.8 119.7 101.8 107.3 100.6 102.5 105.3 113.5 112.5 127.3 124.6 119.3 Minneapolis— New York Philadelphia Pittsburgh Portland, Oregon— 122.1 115.7 114.3 116.4 119.0 141.6 118.0 116.5 124.5 130.4 119.1 109.0 102.2 122.2 107.8 117.5 127.4 121.0 117.2 130.6 101.2 104.3 103.2 104.9 120.1 119.3 114.8 119.7 112.6 St. Louis San Francisco Scranton Seattle——— Washington, D.C.— 120.4 116.5 115.4 121.3 116.6 136.5 132.3 123.9 137.4 123.5 103.8 135.0 118.7 88.7 121.3 138.2 102.1 104.0 99.6 103.9 103.2 121.3 109.9 109.8 114.6 120.1 — 114.2 — — 128.9 130.0 132.9 105.6 NOTE: Effective after release of the June 1956 index, the Bureau will discontinue publication of the U. S. and city indexes for all items on the base 1935-39 = 100. TABI25 It Consumer Price Index — United States city average, all items and conaodity groups Indexes and percent changes for selected dates Indexes (19^7-^9-100) May 1956 April 1956 March 1956 May 1955 June 1950 Tear 1939 This month Last month 2 months *go Last year Are-Korea Pre-World War II 115,4 114.9 114.7 114.2 101.8 59.* 111.0 109*5 124.7 95.5 107.5 121.5 110.9 109.6 107.9 124.5 94.0 106.4 116.7 110.8 109.0 107.3 124.4 92.8 106.9 114.8 110.7 111.1 110.0 123.8 102.1 104.0 120.2 108.4 100.5 100.5 102.7 106.1 98.3 102.5 9*.l *7.1 *7.1 57.2 *1.6 *9.8 lousing Z/ — — — — — — Rent — — — — — — — — Oas and electricity — — — — Solid fuels and fuel oil Housefuraishings Household operation 120.9 132.2 111.8 127.9 102.6 122.4 120.8 131.7 111.8 129.7 102.7 122.1 120.7 131.6 111.7 130.6 103.1 121.6 119.4 130.3 110.9 122.5 103.7 119.0 10fc. 9 108.7 ioe.7 Apparel Man's and boys' — — Women*s and girls' — — — Footwear — — — - — — Other apparel — — — 104.8 107.0 97.9 122.8 91.1 104.8 106.5 98.1 123.0 91.1 104.8 106.6 98.3 121.9 91.1 103.3 105.7 97.3 117.4 90.3 Oroup All items — — Food 1/ Food at home — — — — — — Cereals and bakery products Keats, poultry, and fish Dairy products — — — — — Fruits and vegetables — — — — — — — — — 107.6 97.* 99.6 96.5 96.1 93.3 102.1 *8.* 76.1 86.6 10*.9 56.* 53.* 68.* 52.5 (*/) <*/> 88. V <5/> — — — — — — — — — . — 126.9 172.5 116.9 126.4 170.8 116.5 126.7 170.8 116.8 125.5 164.9 116.2 109.9 117.9 106.6 70.2 81.3 65.5 Medical e w e Personal care — — — — Reading and recreation — Other goods and services 3/ — — — — — 131.9 119.6 108.2 121.5 131.6 119.5 108.2 121.4 131.4 119.2 107.7 121.2 127.5 113.9 106.5 119.9 105.% 99.2 102.5 103.7 72.6 59.6 Transportation Public — — Private Percent change to April 1956 All items — — Food 1/ —Food at hosm — — — — — — — — Cereals and bakery products - — — — Meats, poultry, and fish Dairy products — — — —— Fruits and vegetables Other foods at hosM — —— Housing 2/ - — • — — — Rent — - — - - - — - — — — Oas and electricity — Solid ftoels and fuel oil Housefumishings — — Household operation — — Apparel Men's and boys' — — — — Women's and girls' — Footwear - — — - — — — Other apparel — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 0.4 0.6 1.3 1.5 .2 1.6 4.1 .1 1.8 2.1 .2 2.9 .6 5.8 .2 .1 .4 0 - 1.4 - .1 .2 0 .5 .2 .2 0 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — — — « - .............. Medical care Personal care Other goods and services — "jj — — < Tear 1939 13.4 94.3 10.4 9.0 21.4 -10.0 16.5 18.5 17.9 135.7 132.5 118.0 129.6 115.9 162.4 129.1 .2 .5 .1 - 2.1 - .5 .7 1.3 1.5 .8 4.4 - 1.1 2.9 15.3 21.6 8.9 18.9 5.3 22.9 58.9 52.7 6.6 126.8 92.1 78.9 0 .4 .4 .7 0 1.5 1.2 .6 4.6 .9 8.6 9.1 4.9 20.3 3.1 99.6 1.1 4.6 .3 .2 1.0 .1 15.5 46.3 9.7 112.2 78.5 .2 .1 0 .1 .4 .3 .5 .2 3.5 5.0 1.6 1.3 25.1 20.6 5.6 17.2 81.7 100.7 71.7 72.1 1.0 - 1/ Includes restaurant meals not shown separately. 2/ Includes home purchase and other home-owner costs hot shown separately. y Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services* (such as legal services, banking fees, burial services, etc.). V Hot available. from: toe 1950 .1 .5 .7 -6.5 3.4 1.1 2.3 .4 Public Private Mwj 1956 May 1955 1.1 1.0 — — . ..„ — - — - — — — — — -— — — — — — — — —— — — — — —— • — — — Murtdi 1956 63.0 70.6 - W) O/) 80.8 TABIE 2t Consumer Price Index — All items indexes for selected dates U.S. city average and 20 large cities [1935-39-100] City May 1956 April 1956 May 1955 115.4 114.9 114.2 118.6 118.0 118.1 117.2 117.4 116.3 112.3 116.0 116.4 115.4 United Statea city average J«ne 1950 Tear 1939 May 1956 101.8 59.* 192.9 58.6 202*0 199.2 195.0 187.0 193.4 Cities priced monthly: Chicago — — — . . . Detroit Los Angelea — — — — Keir York — — - — — — — Philadelphia 116.7 — 113.0 116.2 ClevelandHouston ScrantonSeattleWashington, D.C.- 117.3 115.7 116.8 112.1 117.1 114.4 April 1-956 Clties priced in January, April, July, October g/ 115.6 Cities prleed in March, June, September, December 2/ Atlanta—• BaltimoreCincinnatiSt. LouisSan Francisc Tear 1939 April 1956 113.4 101.2 61.0 61.7 60.7 58.1 58.3 185.5 187.4 191.4 195.8 116.1 113.6 117.0 113.8 116.3 December 1955 March 1955 116.8 117.1 114.2 115.3 114.9 113.4 114.2 114.3 115.7 115.6 116.1 115.9 116.8 1956 April 1950 115.2 115.8 Tear 1939 113.5 April 1955 113.4 116.8 115.2 116.4 March 1956 115.2 -Hay" 1950 59.2 59.5 58.5 59.2 60.4 115.3 115.5 111.4 114.6 115.5 116.4 59.2 100.4 103.5 100.2 102.0 101.6 116.6 111.1 116.2 January 1956 115.2 BostonKansas CityMi nneapoliaPittsburghPortland, Oregon- 1955 60.1 101.6 115.5 JteDruary^ 1956 59.0 60.* 101.3 100.9 111.8 W 1956 " Cities prleed in February, May, August, November 2J 102.8 102.8 115.6 101.4 (b/)l02.1 99.9 101.5 June 1950 199.9 197.7 186.3 200.1' 187.8 ,201.6 March 1956 Tear 1939 (^>101.3 101.6 101.2 101.1 100.9 198.1 58.3 57.9 58.4 59.3 58.6 198.0 192.5 193.1 199.6 l/ These are the same Indexes shovn in column 1, converted to a base of 1935-39:100. 2/ Foods, feels, rents, and a fev other items priced monthly; other commodities and services prleed quarterly. 3/ June 1950; formerly priced March, June, September, December. y May 1950; formerly priced February, May, August, November. T A B U 3: Consumer Price Index — Percent changes from April 1956 U.S. city average and five cities priced monthly All items and conmodity groups. All items City United States city average — Cklcmgo Detroit — — lev Tork Philadelphia — — — — — Food lousing Apparel to Transportation Medical care 0.4 1.3 0.1 0 0.4 0.2 .4 .5 .3 .6 .2 1.6 1.5 .3 1.6 1.3 .1 .2 .2 .1 .3 - 0.3 - .1 1.2 - .2 - .6 .4 .3 .5 .3 .4 0 .1 .2 .2 0 - May 1956 - Personal care - Reading and recreation Other goods & services 0.1 0 0.1 .8 .2 0 .1 .5 - 0.1 - .1 0 .1 0 .1 .2 .1 .1 .5 - TABLE 14-s Consumer Price Index ~ All items and commodity groups May 1956 indexes and percent changes, February 1956 to May 1956 U.S. city average and 10 cities priced in May 1956 U.S. City Average Chicago Group Cleveland WashingPhiladelphia Scranton Seattle ton, D.C, New York Los Detroit Houston Angeles Indexes (19*7-^9-100) All items Food at home - - — — — Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry, and fish — Dairy products — — — — — Fruits and vegetables Other foods at home Gas and electricity Solid fuels and fuel oiX Housefurnishings — — — Household operation Apparel — — — — Hen's and boys' Women's and girls' Transportation Public — — — — — — — — — — — — — — Medical care - — Personal care — — — Reading and recreation Other goods and services — — — — 115.4 118.6 117.3 118.0 116.8 116.7 113.0 J 111.0 109.5 124.7 95.5 107.5 121.5 110.9 108.8 107.1 120.0 89.1 110.3 117.8 117.8 109.2 107.3 119.6 93.2 104.2 116.7 114.3 113.9 112.4 119.8 93.5 108.9 138.9 112.8 107.5 165.4 117.6 90.8 108.7 111.4 109.8 113.0 109.6 128.3 96.2 103.0 121.8 110.1 110.6 109.0 129.2 99.1 102.6 116.6 111.1 120.9 132.2 111.8 127.9 102.6 122.4 129.9 123.6 123.2 — — — 113.8 131.3 101.4 127.0 109.1 123.7 100.7 115.0 114.2 123.9 106.9 115.9 125.8 <S— 106.5 126.9 141.7 116.2 — — 100.5 129.6 104.8 107.0 97.9 122.8 91.1 108.2 113.6 98.5 126.7 94.9 105.7 108.4 98*4 122.3 93.4 102.5 109.7 91.9 118.7 86.8 126.9 172.5 116*9 131.6 166.5 116.4 122*8 165.7 113.9 131.9 119*6 108.2 121.5 136.4 122*8 115.6 117.6 145.5 123.7 114.9 t23.1 112.1 117.1 112.9 111.2 124.6 98.3 107.5 125.3 111.0 108.3 107.3 124.0 93.4 105.2 117.2 106.7 111.8 112.0 111.1 109.9 131.2 121.9 95.9 93.0 112.9 > 112.1 123.6 122.3 108.6 112.1 117.0 115.9 — 101.6 124.6 110.1 133.8 102.3 121.4 103.4 122.2 106.7 119.0 116.3 125.0 120.1 121.4 98.8 109.8 122.3 — 88.8 133.5 100.8 120,8 106.2 105.7 98.6 132.8 90.3 106.1 109.4 98.2 126.9 83.8 103.5 106.2 95.8 122.1 93.9 103.6 104.0 99.0 117.6 91.9 106.3 108.4 99.6 126.0 90.5 106.6, 109.4 99.5 126*3... 86.4 103.6 105.8 97.4 120.3 91.4 125.2 144.3 121.4 124.4 164.2 118.6 124.4 152.9 119.8 131.8 187.9 lfl.8 134.3 186.7 113.3 127.1 190.0 112.9 125.3 178.0 113.6 129.0 154.9 121.9 142.4 127.4 109.5 124.5 126.5 128.9 113.2 122.5 126.8119.6 96*6 116.3 126.7 111.4 105.2 121.2 137.5 127.6 114.9 124.9 121.3 123.7 121.7 116.8 135.3 119*6 . 111.0 128.1 123.4 117.3 106.0 130.8 Percent change from February 1956 All items Food — Food at home — — — — — — — — Cereals and bsricery products — Meats, poultry, and fish Dairy products — — — — — — Fruits and vegetable8 Other foods at home Housing — — — Gas and electricity Solid fuels and fuel oil Housefurnishings Household operation — — — — — — — — — Wanes's and girls' Footwear Transportation Public — Private — — — — — — — Medical care — — Personal care - — — — - — - — — — Reading and recreation Other goods and services 1.3 0.9 0.8 0.9 3.2 3.5 .2 1.7 3.9 11.3 1.1 .7 .1 .2 1.3 - .9 - 1.8 .8 1.4 1.3 .1 1.6 .2 5.2 - .5 1.8 2.3 .2 2.9 - 1.8 7.6 1.3 2.4 2.3 .9 2.4 - 2.4 8.0 2.3 2.8 2.7 3.8 2.4 - 2.3 8.6 2.3 1.5 . 1.9 - .2 2.6 1.6 3.2 1.9 1.9 1.9 .1 0 - .9 7.7 2.7 .9 •4 .5 1.6 - .1 iI/ ) 0 .8 - 9.4 1.3 .3 .8 - .6 i1/)1.4 0 •3 - W) .4 1.9 2.3 .9 1.7 2.5 4.6 1.6 2.4 2.8 .3 2*3 . 2*0 8.3 1.2 .2 .5 .1 - 1.6 .1 .8 - 1.0 0 - 4.4 - .4 .5 .2 .5 - .4 1.2 .1 #3 #7 .7 - .7 1.5 .4 .8 0 1.2 - .1 .4 .7 .3 1/ Change from November 1955 to May 1956. 0.8 2.0 2.2 .3 2.0 .2 7.2 1.2 .8 .6 .7 .5 1.0 .3 .3 .1 to May 1956 0.8 1.4 .1 116.6 124.2 123.1 136.2 . 100.4 125.2 0.2 0*3 0 - 2.6 0 .2 — 114.4 1.4 0.7 - 116.2 1.1 - .2 .1 .6 .8 .j .5 .1 - - .3 -a . - .3 .7 .8 0 .5 - 1.2 1.9 .8 .2 1.4 - .4 .4 .6 .3 - .7 .4 - 1.1 -1.2 •4 - 1.5 .4 1.3 .3 .3 .2 1.7 .2 .1 0 .5 .2 1.0 1.9 1.3 - .2 .4 1.5 .2 .3 .5 0 - .8 .3 .7 1.1 .7 .8 1.5 - 1.2 3.6 .2 .6 .4 - - .9 .3 1.0 .2 .2 .1 1 3 .9 .9 3.3 .7 -1.7 .4 .8 .4 - _ - .7 .3 5.2 .7 - .4 2.6 1.6 - 5.3 1.4 1.5 - !i 1.5 - .5 - 0 - 1.5 .1 .5 _ .2 .6 - - 1 .1i 0 - .3 1.4 - .7 1.0 .2 0 1.3 - .8 4.1 - 1.0 0 - 1.9 1.0 1.0 1 n 1 .U. .2 1.8 .6 .4 •4 .1 .5 1.0 .1 - 1.1 1.0 - 1.6 - .5 .2 .7 .7 TABUS 5: Consumer Price Index — Food and its subgroup* May 1956 indexes and percent changes, April 1956 to May 1956 U.S. city average and 20 large cities Total food at hoaw City Percent change Percent change U.S. city average Fruits and vegetables Percent change Percent change Percent change Other foods at hone Percent change 1.3 109.5 1.5 124.7 0.2 95.5 1.6 107.5 1.0 121.5 4.1 110.9 0.1 1.0 .9 1.7 1.6 1.2 1.4 1.5 .8 1.6 .3 107.3 109.5 107.1 107.1 111.4 107.3 112.4 105.4 105.7 109.6 1.2 1.1 1.7 1.9 1.4 1.6 1.7 .6 1.9 .2 118.3 .5 .2 .1 .2 0 .2 .3 .4 .2 .1 97.3 96.2 94.2 89.1 95.8 93.2 93.5 90.8 89.6 96.2 1.8 .8 2.2 3.1 1.5 .9 1.6 .6 1.7 1.4 108.9 108.9 105.2 110.3 113.8 0 .1 1.1 1.1 2.6 3.2 .2 4.4 3.2 0 118.6 120.0 3.9 4.3 7.3 3.4 3.4 4.9 7.3 2.2 4.2 .6 104.1 .4 .4 .1 .6 .3 .1 .6 .4 .7 .4 .8 1.6 1.3 1.2 1.2 •9 .4 1.5 .2 1.8 109.0 111.2 110.5 112.1 109.1 112.0 107.3 111.1 112.4 1.0 2.0 1.6 1.4 1.5 1.0 .4 1.1 .5 1.9 .1 .3 .1 0 .3 0 0 .1 .2 .3 93.0 99.1 98.3 93.6 97.3 93.1 101.9 93.4 95.9 93.0 1.0 2.6 1.8 1.4 1.7 1.2 .4 .1 1.3 2.0 111.9 102.6 107.5 107.3 112.5 101.5 105.7 1.3 .4 .3 .1 3.0 4.1 .1 .2 .3 .3 130.5 109.2 113.9 107.5 107.6 113.Q 112.9 110.6 112.9 111.8 113.5 111.5 113.2 108.3 111.8 112.0 109.9 ZABIZ 6: 121.6 122.2 120.0 124.6 119.6 119.8 117.6 120.5 128.3 126.4 129.2 124.6 125.6 125.3 119.5 130.8 124.0 131.2 121.9 April 1956 Cereals aad bakery protects; Flour, Biscuit ttlx Corn aeal Rice Rolled oats Cora flakee Bread, elate Soda crackers •anillacookies Jlaets, poultry, aad fish: Cents 53.4 26.7 12.5 17.1 19.3 21.8 »7.7 27.4 23.9 84.0 37^7 u>. Frying efclokeaa, reedy-to*cook ib. Oceaa perch, fillet, frozen — ~ ib. k, fillet, freaen — — i b . •i pink, canned — — — ™ ie ox. Tuna fisk, canned — — — — 6 to « o«. Dairy prodeots: Milk, fresk, (grocery) qt. Milk, fresh, (delivered) qt. Cheese, American process — — — ib. Milk, evaporated — — — — ut-os. can Fruits aad vegetablees Freaen i Strawberries — — — « • — — — 10 o*. Orange Juice concentrate e or. Bnii green io oc. Beans, green - — io ©*. Freak: — doz. lb. * M e e d only In season. 77.3 54.2 59.4 71.3 51.5 40.4 49.1 41.8 45.4 59.7 32.8 22.2 110.6 103.0 105.2 112.9 112.1 121.8 116.6 125.3 122.0 124.8 125.3 127.2 117.2 123.6 122.3 2.6 5.7 5.0 5.2 4.0 .2 U9 6.6 .4 6.6 13.8 30.2 19.6 21.3 23.1 16.9 54.4 17.6 *ar 1956 Food and unit 105.7 117.8 116.6 114.3 112.8 109.8 105.8 110.1 .2 O .4 .2 .4 .3 .3 .2 .1 •4 119.5 111.1 111.0 120.0 112.6 119.6 107.1 108.7 108.6 112.1 19.6 30f2 21.2 23.3 15.1 15.5 50.0 17.8 Otter foods at hoaw: Yegetable soup — — < Beans vitk pork — ~ Pickles, sweet — Catsup, tcaato Coffee Tea bags Cola drink, carton . Shortening, kydrogenated Murgarine, colored — — « Salad dressing Faanut butter « C o m syrup Grape Jelly — — Chocolate bar — — — - « Bggs, Grade A, large Gelatin, flavored April 1956 Cents 9.7 40.4 66.9 11.9 8.0 12.4 f15.2 14.1 8.5 33.8 25.3 • 46-oz. can #2* can #2 can — - #909 can — - #903 can — #909 can #909 can 4* to 5 os. 36.5 34.9 33.6 — lb. lb. 23.7 28.7 71.7 57.2 16.6 lb. Oranges, sise 200 108.9 108.7 Fresh—Continued Grapefruit Peaches'* Strawberries * — — - - Grapes, seedless * Watermelons Potatoes Sueetpotatoes —« Onions — — — — Carrots Lettuce Celery < Cabbage Toaatoes — • Beans, green Canned: Orange Juice Beaches — — Pineapple Fruit cocktail Corn, cream style — Peaa, green Toaatoes Baby foods Dried: 110.6 Frankfurters 104.2 118.5 117.8 122.3 116.7 138.9 111.4 115.7 111.1 Cons—ur Price Index — Average retail prices of sa&ected foods U.8. city average Food aad w i t Dairy products 111.0 112.6 Waehingtea, D.C Meats, poultry, and fish 108.9 112.0 109.7 108.8 Pittsburgh Portland, Oteg. St. Lsuis Cereals and bakery products 26.2 17.9 21.6 15.4 9.7 35.9 16.1 35.8 14.0 14.5 27.0 23.0 100.3 3*2 32.5 97.3 » 3 i9.r 35.3 53.4 14.0 52.6 23.5 26.4 4.5 57.3 8.5 16.2 [27.0 23.0 100,1 23.2 32.5 94.3 28.9 18.8 34.9 53.4 52.6 23.5 26.3 4.5 58.2 8.4 7 BrttfflxptenftUpBof tfae gfj The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the average changes in prices of goods and services typically bought by city families of wage earners and clerical workers* It is based on prices of about 300 items which were selected so that their price changes would represent the movement of prices of all goods and services purchased by wage and clerical families; they include all of the important items in family spending* Prices for these items are obtained in 46 cities which were chosen to represent all urban places in the United States; they are collected from grocery and department stores, hospitals, filling stations, and other types of stores and service establishments which wage-earner and clerical-worker families patronize* Prices of foods, fuels, and a few other items are obtained every month in all 46 cities* Prices of most other commodities and services are collected every month in the 5 largest cities and every 3 months in other cities* Almost all prices are obtained by personal visits of the Bureaufs trained representatives* In calculating the index, price changes for the various items in each city are averaged together with weights which represent their importance in family spending* City data are then combined in the total index with weights based on the 1950 populations of cities they represent* Index numbers are computed on the base 1947-49 = 100* The national index (the United States city average) includes prices from the 20 large cities for which separate indexes are published in this report, as well as from the following 26 medium-sized and small cities: Anna, Illinois Camden, Arkansas Canton, Ohio Charleston, W. Virginia Evansville, Indiana Garrett, Indiana Glendale, Arizona Grand Forks, N* Dakota Grand Island, Nebraska Huntington, W* Virginia Laconia, New Hampshire Lodi, California IjrhcSi^urg, Virginia Madill, Oklahoma Madison, Wisconsin Middlesboro, Kentucky Middletown, Connecticut Newark, Ohio Pulaski, Virginia Ravenna, Ohio Rawlins, Wyoming San Jose, California Sandpoint, Idaho Shawnee, Oklahoma Shenandoah, Iowa loungstown, (Mo Comparisons of city indexes ehow only that prices in one city changed More or less than in another* The city indexes cannot be used to measure differences in price levels or in living costs between cities* A description of the index is contained in BLS Bulletin 1140, "The Consumer Price Index! A layman's Guide," which may be purchased for 20 cents at any Bureau of Labor Statistics regional office (addresses below) or from the Superintendent of Docur ments, U* S* Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D* C* A more technical description of the index appears in BLS Bulletin 1168, "Techniques of Preparing Major BLS Statistical Series*11 Reprints of chapter 9> pertaining to the CPI, are available on request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington or at any of its regional offices* Historical series of index numbers for the United States city average and for 20 large cities are available upon request* These series include index numbers for All Items, Food, Apparel, and Rent for periods from 1913 to date; and for other groups of goods and services from 1947 to date* BLS Regional Offices Atlanta 50 Seventh St*, NE ZoB 2 * 3 New York 341 Ninth Ave* Zone 1 Chicago 105 West Adams St* Zone 3 San Francisco 630 Sansome St. Zone 11 Boston 18 Oliver St. Zone 10