Full text of CPI Detailed Report : May 1958

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Released June 24, 1958
U.S. DEPARTMENT CF LABCR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25 > D* C»
CONSUlffiR F R I G E I N D E X F O R M A I

1958

Consumer prices in United States cities rose 0*1 percent between
April and May 1958, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor
Statistics* Higher Medical care and transportation prices were largely responsible for
the moderate advance, as average prices of food and apparel were unchanged and reading
and recreation declined* Services advanced 0*1 percent, while commodity prices
(including food) were unchanged, with a slight increase in prices of durables offsetting
lower prices for non-durables*
The May Consumer Price Index was 123*6 percent of the 1947-49
average, 3*3 percent higher than in May 1957*
FOOD

Food prices were unchanged on the average between April and May
after advancing during the past 5 months* Higher prices for meats,
poultry, and fresh fruits were offset by price reductions for fresh vegetables, eggs, and
fresh milk* The May food price index at 121*6 percent of the 1947-49 average was 6*1
percent above a year ago*

The increase of 0*5 percent in prices of fresh fruits and vegetables
was the net effect of widely divergent movements, with fruits generally up and vegetables
generally down* Fresh fruit prices were up 4*7 percent on the average with apples up 18*3
percent, grapefruit 14*4 percent, and bananas 5*6 percent* Prices of oranges were down
4*8 percent* Fresh vegetable prices dropped 3*5 percent, as favorable growing conditions
resulted in more plentiful supplies* ftrioes of potatoes, onions, and tomatoes declined
for the first time this year, 7*6, 16*8, and 3«7 percent, respectively, while lettuce was
up 7*6 percent and celery 11*0 percent* Prices of frozen fruits and vegetables increased
0*6 percent, due mainly to a 1*2 percent price increase in orange juice concentrate;
canned fruits and vegetables were up 0*8 percent largely because of increases of 2*7
percent for orange juice and 2*4 percent for tomatoes*
Prices of meats, poultry, and fish increased 0*6 percent on the
average* Chicken prices advanced 2*0 percent and smaller increases were reported for
bacon, hamburger, frankfurters, and canned luncheon meat* Chuck roast, ham, and leg of
lamb were lower in price on the average*
Egg prices decreased 4*0 percent and coffee was down 1*0 percent
while the price per ounce of chocolate bars rose 3*3 percent* Prices of dairy products
decreased 0*6 percent with a continuing seasonal decline of 0*8 percent in prices of
fresh milk* Prices of restaurant meals advanced 0*2 percent*
H00SING

The rise of 0*1 percent in the housing index reflected increases of
0*1 percent for rent, 0*3 percent for home repairs and maintenance,
and 0*4 percent for gas and electricity* Prices of the solid fuels and fuel oil group
dropped 1*9 percent principally because of seasonal reductions in coal prices* Housefurnishings prices were unchanged on the average as customary May white sale prices for
sheets, towels, and curtains and lower prices for floor coverings were offset by
increases in prices of dinnerware and some furniture items*
OTHER COMMCDITIES
AND SERVICES




Medical care costs rose 0*7 percent, mainly because of increases in
premiums for two group hospitalisation plans affecting four cities*
Rates for professional and hospital services also were higher*

2

The average price increase of 0*3 percent in transportation
reflected higher prices for gasoline, following termination of price wars in several
cities, and for used oars; prices of new oars and tires were lover*
The reading and recreation group declined 0.3 percent, primarily
because of lower movie admission charges and prices of television sets and radios* Newspaper prices advanced in two small cities and TV repair services were slightly higher*
Apparel prices were unchanged on the average* Prices were somewhat
lower for men's sport shirts, underwear, work gloves, and street shoes* Higher prices
were reported for women's cotton and rayon dresseB and shoes*
1

April levels*

Personal care and "other goods and services' remained at their

TABLE 1s Consumer Price Index—United States city average, all items and special groups
Indexes and percent changes for selected dates

Grout*

May
1958

All items
All items lass food
All itens 1MS shelter-" •
• —
All coMBodltiea- • ••• •
—
All comnodities less f o o d — — — — D u r a b l e s - - — — •»•••• •••—-Boa-durable a ••-—.• .•— •• — - — — — —
A H services— — • - — — . . ...i... —
All services less rent-----

123.6
125.1
121.3
116.6
112.9
109.7
116.5
142.3
143.8

Iodezes (194,7-4.9=100)
April March May
June
1958
1958
1957
1950
123.5
125.0
121.2
116.6
112.8
109.6
116.6
142.1
143.5

123.3
125.0
121.0
116.4
113.1
109.6
116.9
141.7
143.1

119.6
122.3
117.1
113.0
111.8
108.3
115.6
137.2
138.1

101.8
103.0
100.7
100.3
99.4
102.4
99.0
107.9
107.0

Xear
1939
59.4
69.1
55.4
51.6
59.4
57.3
58.7
80.4
73.5

Percent change to May 1958 from
April

March

0.1
.1
.1

0.2
.1
.2
.2
- .2
.1
- .3
.4
.5

1958

All items
All items less f o o d - — —
A H items less s h e l t e r — — — — — — —
All commodities- ••• •' . — - - — — . . .
All commodities less f o o d — — —
Durables——
—-•••-- — — - -Non-durables——
—
All services--"-—••• •- — —
. •
All services less r e n t — — — - —

0

-

.1
.1
.1
.1
.2

1958

May

1957

3.3
2.3
3.6
3.2
1.0
1.3
.8
3.7
4.1

June

1950

21.4
21.5
20.5
16.3
13.6
7.1
17.7
31.9
34.4

—

Xear

1939

108.1
81.0
119.0
126.0
90.1
91.4
98.5
77.0
95.6

(1947-49=11.00)*
May

1958

Purchasing paver of the consumer dollar-

•0.81

March

May

1958

June

1958

1957

lear

1950

1939

10.81

10.81

10.84

•0.98

•1.68

April

* To calculate purchasing power of the consumer dollar on any other base, divide
the index for the desired base date by the index for the comparison date*




TABUS 2 s ConiUBsr Price Index — United States city average, all items and connodity groups
Indexes and percent changes for selected dates

3

Indexes (1947-49-100)
1958

April
1958

March
1958

May
1957

June
1950

Tear
1939

This
month

Last
month

2 months
ago

Last
year

Pre-Korea

Pre-World
War II

123.6

123.5

123.3

119.6

101.8

59.*

121.6
120.5
132.6
116.6
111.8
137.4
111.5

121.6
120.5
132.7
115.9
112.5
136.6
112.4

120.8
119.6
132.7
114.4
114.1
130.7
113.8

114.6
113.0
130.4
103.7
110.0
122.5
109.9

100.5
100.5
102.7
106.1
92.3
102.5
94.1

47.1
47.1
57.2
41.6
1*9.8
46.3
48.4

127.8
137.5
116.5
131.6
104.0
130.9

127.7
137.3
116.0
134.2
104-0
130.9

127.5
137.1
115.9
136.7
1Q3.9
130.7

125.3
134.7
112.3
135.4
104.2
127.3

10*. 9
108.7
102.7
107.6
97.*
99.6

76.1
86.6
104.9
56.4
53.4
68.4

Men's and boys' — — — — — —
Vonen's and girls' — — — — —
Footwear
— — — — — —

106.7
108.9
98.4
129.7
92.1

106.7
109.1
98.2
129.8
91.9

106.8
108.9
98.8
129.5
91.9

106.5
109.0
98.6
127.8
92.0

96.5
98.1
93.3
102.1
88.V

52.5
50.8
54.5
50.3
40.6

Public
Private

138.7
186.1
128.0

138.3
186.1
127.6

138.7
185.9
128.0

135.3
176.8
125.4

109.9
117.9
106.6

70.2
81.3
65.5

143.7
128.5
116.6
127.2

142.7
128.5
117.0
127.2

142.3
128.3
117.0
127.2

137.3
123.4
111.4
124.3

105.4
99.2
102.5
103.7

72.6
59.6
63.0
70.6

Group

All items
Food 1/
Food at home
— — — —
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at hone — —
Housing 2/
Rent

—
—

.
—

—

—

-

—

Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings
Household operation
— — — —

Reading and recreation
Other goods and services jJ

Percent change to

0.1

0.2

3.3

21.4

108.1

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

.7
.8
.1
1.9
- 2.0
5.1
- 2.0
.4

6.1
6.6
1.8
12.4
1.6
12.2
1.5
3.4

21.0
19.9
29.3
9.9
21.1
34.0
18.5

158.2
155.8
132.2
180.3
124.5
196.8
130.4

.1
.1
.4
- 1.9
0
0

.2
.3
.5
- 3.7
.1
.2

2.0
2.1
3.7
- 2.8
- .2
2.8

21.8
26.5
13.4
22.3
6.8
31.4

67.9
58.8
11.1
133.3
94.8
91.4

.2
.1
.2
1.5
.1

10.6
11.0
5.5
27.0
4.2

103.2
114.4
80.6
157.9
126.8

0
.1
0

2.5
5.3
2.1

26.2
57.8
20.1

97.6
128.9
95.4

1.0
.2
.3
0

4.7
4.1
4.7
2.3

36.3
29.5
13.8
22.7

97.9
115.6
85.1
80.2

Food
—
-

-

-

Food away from hone
Rent — — — —
—
Oas and electricity — — —
Solid ftaels and fuel oil
Household operation

—
—

—

—

—
—

-

—
—

-

-

0
.2
.2
.1
.2

-

.3
0
.3

Public
Private

Reading and recreation — - —

-

.7
0
.3
0

-

.1
0
.4
.2
.2

l/ Includes restaurant meals not shown separately.
2/ Includes hone purchase and other hone-ownern costs not shown separately*
2/ Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and mi£'*ellaneou8 services" (such as
legal services, banking fees, burial services, etc.).
4/ Hot available.




from:

March
1958

All items

Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
— —

May 1958

April
1958

May
1957

-

June
1950

W)

Year
193?

W)

4

TABLE 3 s Consumer Price Index — All items indexes for selected dates
U.S. city average and 20 large cities
(1947-49=100)

United States city average

May
1957

April
1958

May
1958

City

June
1950

Year
1939

123.6

123.5

119.6

101.8

59.4'

127.0
124.3
125.2
121.1
122.9

127.0
124.4
125.6
121.2
122.9

122.2
121.9
120.8
117.2
119.8

102.8
102.8
101.3
100.9
101.6

58.6
59.0
60.4
60.1
59.2

May
1957

May
1950

Year
1939

Cities priced monthly l/
Chicago
Los Angeles
Philadelphia

May
1958

Cities priced in February, lfey,
August, November £/

Washington, D . C.
Cities priced in January, April,
July, October g/
Kansas City
Pittsburgh
Portland, Oregon

• •

— — —

Cities priced in March, June,
September, December 2/
Atlanta
Cincinnati—St. Louis
San Francisco--

1/
ZJ
y
U

-

•

—
• •• -

•»•„•„•,.,-

... •

February
1958

125.0
123.7
120.7
126.1
121.3

124.5
122.3
119.1
125.0
120.3

121.7
121.1
116.4
122.8
117.2

100.4
103.5
100.2
102.0
101.6

59.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
60.4

April
1958

January
1958

April
1957

April
1950

Year
1939

124.5
123.7
124.1
123.8
125.0

123.4
122.4
123.2
122.6
123.3

120.2
120.4
119.8
118.8
121.6

101.2
101.4
102.1
99.9
101.5

61.0
61.7
60.7
58.1
58.3

June
1950

Year
1939

101.3
101.6
101.2
101.1
100.9

58.3
57.9
58.4
59.3
58.6

March
1958

December
1957

March
1957

124.9
124.1
122.3
124.5
126.7

122.4
122.1
120.8
122.5
124.8

120.6
119.9
118.1
120.2
122.3

2/

U

Rents priced bimonthly.
Foods, fuels, and a few other items priced monthly} rents and other commodities and services priced quarterly,
June 1950.
May 1950.

TABLE 4> Consumer Price Index — Percent changes from April 1958
to May 1958
U.S. city average and five cities priced monthly
All items and commodity groups

City
United States city average—
Chicago
Detroit
Los AngelesNew York
Philadelphia-

All
items

Food

Housing

0.1

0.1
0
.1
.3

.1

0

0.1
.7
1.0
•2

.5

-

y Based on revised index for April 1958, 129*1.
2/ Based on revised index for April 1958, 134.E»




Apparel
0

.1

0.1

0

.1

.8

.1

.6

Transportation

.3
•8

0.3

Medical
care

-

.5

- 0.3

0.7

.1
.1
- .1

Reading
Personal
and
recreation
care

•2
.5
0

0.1
0
.1
0
0

-

-

.2

.2

- 1.2
- .8
- .7

TABLE 5 S Consumer Price Index — All items and commodity groups
May 1958 indexes and percent changes, February 1958 to May 1958
U.S. city average and 10 cities priced in fey 1958
U.S.
City
CleveLoe
Average Chicago land
Detroit Houston Angeles

Group

5

New PhilaUashingtoi
York delphia 3cranton Seattle D . C.

Indexes (19*7-49.100)
123.6

127.0

125.0

124.3

123.7

125.2

121.1

122.9

120.7

126.1

121.3

Food
Food at home — — — — — — — —
Cereals and bakery products —
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products — — — — — — —

121.6
120.5
132.8
116.6
111.8
137 .A
111.5

118.5
116.5
124.5
109.5
111.1
131.0
116.3

118.6
116.9
130.0
111.7
107.8
127.2
113.9

124.0
122.5
125.7
114.3
109.2
153.4
113.8

117.2
115.8
126.6
110.7
112.2
127.5
109.5

124.0
120.6
141.6
115.5
109.0
134.5
112.1

121.9
120.5
137.7
117.0
112.1
134.7
110.3

124.0
122.2
134.5
117.1
115.5
141.5
109.9

120.5
120.6
135.2
117.8
110.5
137.7
108.8

122.8
122.6
141.9
117.2
115.4
(1/)
110.4

123.4
122.2
132.2
116.4
117.8
138.5
112.4

Housing —

127.8
137.5
116.5
131.6
104.0
130.9

137.2
164.1
114.7
133.7
102.4
135.1

130.7
159.9
115.4
132.3
101.8
118.1

128.1

134.8
145.7
131.9

124.3

117.0
125.1
108.5
121.5

130.1
139.1
116.0

120.5
125.6
103.4
125.4
108.5
132.0

121.9
129.1
117.7
135.6
101.5
115.7

129.1
144.6
86.6
137.8
103.2
137.5

120.6
127.1
124.5
132.6
100.5
130.5

106.7
108.9
98.4
129.7
92.1

109.0
116.0
96.4
133.4
95.7

109.1
113.6
100.3
127.7
95.1

138.7
186.1
128.0

148.5
195.6
130.0

143.7
128.5
116.6
127.2

150.6
129.3
125.8
121.9

All items

—

Q&s and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings
Household operation

— — —

Women's and girls' — — — —
Other apparel
Public

Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

—

—

100.0
141.5

99.7
118.5

116.4
135.6
104.2
130.6

103.1
109.0
92.2
124.4
85.1

111.4
107.7
107.0
136.7
91.0

108.2
113.1
98.8
130.7
85.2

105.5
107.9
96.0
131.7
95.5

104.5
109.5
94.1
128.7
92.3

109.6
110.5
102.7
134.1
91.8

108.5 103.2
112.2 107.4
100.3 95.9
131.2 122.5
87.3 87.6

135.8
172.3
127.4

130.2
155.6
125.2

137.6
188.0
130.5

134.4
162.1
129.8

139.1
190.2
119.6

144.2
188.1
124.0

140.5
191.3
126.8

142.0 138.1
180.1 158.4
130.5 131.8

152.7
126.8
122.3
127.4

151.2
133.7
113.3
135.9

131.8
135.1
115.6
128.2

137.0
133.2
102.4
124.0

130.8
121.5
117.2
126.5

143.5
134.5
118.8
128.7

126.2
128.9
137.1
119.7

146.6
132.9
119.6
136.4

136.8
123.7
117.5
136.7

0.9

0.8

—

—

Percent change from February 1958
All items
Food
Food at hose
Cereals and bakery products —
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Other foods at home

Qas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings
Apparel
Women's and girls'
Other apparel —
Public
Private
Medical care
Personal care
Other goods and services

—-

to May 1958

0.9

0.6

0,4

0.5

1.1

0.9

0.7

0.5

1.3

2.4
2.8
.2
4.1
- 2.4
10.5
.2

2.0
2.3
.3
4.3
- 1.2
6.3
0

2.2
2.4
.3
4.3
- 2.6
7.4
.1

3.2
3.6
- .1
5.2
- 3.6
13.2
1.2

.8
1.0
.1
1.4
- .4
5.0
- .8

2.1
2.0
1.3
2.4
- 1.0
7.3
- .3

2.4
2.6
.4
3.9
- 3.9
11.1
- .3

1.9
2.3
.6
3.0
- 3.7
12.9
- 1.0

3.3
3.4
.1
4.2
- 2.8
16.8
- .4

2.8
3.3
3.6
3.5
.2
.5
5.2
4.6
- 2.6 ^ 1.4
(g/) 11.8
.6
1.9

.4
.4
.5
- 4.1
- .9
.8

.2
2/ 1.0
0
- 4.4
- 1.3
1.3

0
0
0
- 4.8
- 1.4
.1

-

-

.7
2/ .1
- .2

0

- 1.5
0

- 2.3
-3.3

2.6
- 5.8
- 1.0
.2

- 1.1
2/ 0
0
-11.7
- 2.3
1.6

- 1.1
.2
0
- 7.6
- 1.7
- .2

-

0
- 3.8
- 1.2
1.8

.2
.1
.1

0
.8
.4
.2
0

- .6
- .4
- 1.4
.9
- .2

- 1.1
- .6
- 1.8
- .3
- .6

.6
2.2
.9
1.3
.4

8.4
0
9.8

1.1
4.7
.6

.1
0
.1

.3
.3
.2
.1

2.2
.5
- 3.8
.1

.6
.5
- 2.0
.2

-

.9
—

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

-

.3
.1
- 1.3
1.4
- .1

.2
0
.5
.2
.1

.4
0
.7
.3
.1

.1
.4
.1

-

.6
0
.8

.4
0
.5

- 1o0
0
- 1.2

.2
.3
.6
.5

.2
- 1.8
- 3.3
.1

.3
.1
.4
.1

1.3
•4
0
.2

-

-

-

—

-

-

.3
0
0
- .2
- 2.5
0

.9
.3
0
- 6.6
.2
2.6

.6
.5
.9
- .1
.3

0
0
0
.5
0

- .2
- .3
- .1
.1
- 1.1

2.0
0
2.6

4.2
0
4.9

.9
0
1.0

.1
0
.2

.5
1.6
- 1.0
.1

.2
.5
.4
.3

.4
.4
.6
.1

- .1
• .1
^ 3.2
.1

-

-

1/ Insufficient prioe quotations. Fresh fruits and vegetables in short supply because of work stoppage in warehouses.
U Not available.
2/ Change from March 1958 to fey 1958.




TABU 6s C m i m t Price Index — Food and its subgroups
lfcy 1958 indexes and percent changes, April 1958 to May 1958
U.S. city average and 20 large cities
Total
food at h o M

Total food
City

Percent
change

Index

U.8. city average

121.6

0

Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Chicago — — — —
Cincinnati — - — Clare land — — —
Detroit
•ouston
—
Kansas city
Los Angeles

119.5
122.7
120.2
118.5
123.3
118.6
124.0
117.2
115.2
124.0

0.1
.2
.2
.1
0
.1
.7
.8
.3
1.0

Minneapolis — —
flew York
Ifclladelphla
Pittsburgh
Portland, Qreg.
St. Louis
flan Francisco
—
flcrantom — — —
Seattle
— —
Washington, D.C.

—
—
—
—
—

-

-

119.6 - .3
121.9 - .2
124.0
.5
123.2
.4
— 121.7
.2
— 122.3
— 123.5 - .5
.7
— 120.5
.2
- 122.8
.2
123.4
—

Percent
change

Index

120.5
119.2
120.2
118.3
116.5
122.0
116.5
122.5
115*8
113.7
120.6

0

Cereals and
bakery products
Index

Percent
chaqge

132.8

0.1

M e a t s , poultry,
and fish
Index

Percent
change

116.6

0.6

Dairy
products
Index

.6
127.1
128.6
.2
131.5
.4
.1
124.5
132.0 - .4
130.0 - .1
125.7
.1
126.6
0
127.6
0
.2
141.6

.2
119.5
115.7
.4
114.1 - .1
109.5
1.1
118.3
.9
111.7
.7
1.1
114.3
0
110.7
112.7
.4
115.5 - .8

113.7
117.3
108.1
111.1
115.9
107.8
109.2
112.2
101.8
109.0

118.6 - .4
0
120.5
122.2
.7
122.2
.4
121.0
.5
.2
119.1
122.4 - .6
120.6
.4
0
122.6
122.2
.2

.1
134.5
0
137.7
134.5
.5
.5
131.3
135.7
.3
125.8
.2
0
141.0
135.2 - .1
141.9 - .1
132.2
.1

110.6
1.2
117.0
.3
117.1
.5
114.6
.4
1.0
118.2
113.6
.4
119.6 - .7
117.8
.9
117.2
.4
.8
116.4

104.5
112.1
115.5
114.1
117.0
101.4
113.8
110.5
115.4
117.8

-

Percent
change

111.8 - 0.6

0
0.2
.6
0
0
.1
.7
.9
.4
1.4

-

Fruits and
vegetables

-

.2
0
- 5.1
0
- .1
.1
- .9
- .4
3.1
1/.1
- .2
- 1.7
- .1
- .3
0
- .2
- .1
- .3
- 2.6
- .2

Index

137.4
138.6
134.5
136.9
131.0
137.7
127.2
153.4
127.5
124.6
134.5

Percent
change

-

Other
foods a t hoae
Index

Percent
change

0.6

111.5

- 0.8

.7
1.9
2.5
.8
.7
.1
3.2
3*2
3.4
5.4

105.1
111.4
106.6
116.3
114.3
113.9
113.8
109.5
105.7
112.1

-

.6
1.6
1.2
1.1
1.7
1.7
.4
.9
.7
.6

118.1
110.3
109.9
121.1
114.6
119.1
110.1
108.8
110.4
112.4

-

1.2
1.3
1.8
.6
1.0
.3
.6
1.7
.9
1.7

138.7 - 2.3
2.0
134.7
141.5
4.5
2.0
138.9
127.9 - .2
.6
141.2
138.1 - 1.3
3.2
137.7
(2/0
a/)
1.7
138.5

-

IABIZ 7t Consuner Price Index — Average retail prices of selected foods
U.S. city average

MKT

Food and unit
Cereals and bakery products;
Flour, wheat — — — — — — — — — 5 lb.
Biscuit mix — — — — — — — — — 20 oz.
C o m seal — — — — — —
ib.
Boiled oats — — — — — —
i8oz.
Corn flakes — — — — — —
12 oz.
Bread, white — — — — — —
ib.
Soda crackers — — — — — —
ib.
Vanilla cookies — — — — —
7 oz.
M M t s , poultry, and fish:
Bound steak — — — — — —
ib.
Chuck roast — — — — — —
ib.
Hamburger —
—
—
—
—
ib.
Veal cutlets — — — — —
ib.
Pork chops, center cut — — — — — rb.
Bacon, sliced — — — — —
ib.
Ham, whole — — — — — —
ib.
Lamb, leg —
—
—
ib.
Frankfurters — — — — —
ib.
Luncheon meat, canned — —
12 oz.
Frying chickens, ready-to^cdok — ib.
Ocean perck, fillet, frozen
ib.
Haddock, fillet, frosen — — — ib.
Salmon, pink, canted —
16 oz.
Tuna fish, canned — —
a to 64 oz;
Dairy products;
Milk, fresh, (grocery) —
qt.
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
qt.
Ice cream — — — — — —
t.
p
Cheese, American process — —
ib.
Milk, evaporated — — — — i4i-oz. can
Fruits and vegetables:
Frosen1
Strawberries — — — — r
10 oz.
Orange juice concentrate — — 6 oz.
Peas, green — — — — —
10 oz.
Beans, green —
—
9oz.
Fresh:
Apples — — — — — —
ib.
Oranges, size 2 0 0
Lemons — — —
Grapefruit *
1/
U
1/
*

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

doz.

ib.
aoh

1958
Cents
55.7
26.8
12.8

April
1958
Cents
55.6

26.8
12.8

18.1

18.3
20.3
25.4
19.2
29.3
24.5

20.3
25.4
19.1
29.2
24.5

105.9

105.8

64.8

82.9
54.0
133.0
91.3
80.4
67.9
77.0

64.8
49.1
49.0
45.6
55.9
63.2
32.9

65.7
82.6
53.1
131.8
91.2

79.5

68.6

78.1

64.0

48.2

48.1
45.5
56.5
63.1
32.9

23.3
24.8
29.7
73.6
58.0
15.1

23.6
24.9
29.7
73.9
58.2
15.1

26.6

26.5
25.9
19.4

26.3
19.4
23.3
18.1
16.7
74.1
19.1

15.0

23.2

15.3
15.9
77.8

18.8
13.1

hv
1958

Food and unit
F r e s h — Continued
Peaches * — — — — — —
ib.
Strawberries •
—
pt.
Grapes, seedless * — — — - — — ib.
Watermelons *
— ib.
Potatoes — — — — —
10 ib.
Sweetpotatoes — — — — —
ib.
Onions — — — — — — —
ib.
Carrots — — — — — —
ib.
Lettuce — — — — — —
head
Celery — — — — — — — —
ib.
Tomatoes — — — — — — —
ib.
&eans, green — — — — —
ib.
Canned:
Orange juice — — — — — — 45-oz. can
Peaches —

—

—

—

can

Pineapple — — — — — —
#2 can
Fruit cocktail
#303 can
Corn, cream style — — — #303 can
Peas, green — — — — — #303 can
Tomatoes — — — —
#303 can
Baby foods — — — — — 44 toftoz.
Dried:
Prunes — — — — — — —
ib.
Other foods at hoae:
Tomato SOUp -- 10j- to 11-oz. can
Beans with pork — — — — — 16-oz. can
Pickles, sweet — — — — —
74 oz.
Catsup, tomato — — — — — —
14 oz.
Coffee — — — — — —
lb. o*n
Coffee —
lb. bag
Tea bags — — — — —
kg. of ia
P
Cola drink, carton — — — — — 36 oz.
Shortening, hydrogenated —
3 ib.
Margarine, colored — — — — — ib.
Lard — — — — — — — — — — — — ib.
Salad dressing — — — — — — p t.
Peanut butter — — — — —
ib.
Corn syrup — — — — — — —
Grape Jelly — — — — — —
Chocolate bar — — — — — —
Bggs, Grade A, large — —
Gelatin, flavored — —

— 24 oz.
— 12 oz.
— 1 oz.
doz.
3 to 4 oz.

April
1958

Cents
32.5
76.3
17.7
11.3

13.8
21.1
20.9

10.5
44.4
26.4
36.9
33.8
34.6

26.1

17.5
20.9

0/)
82.5
17.1
13.6
13.5
19.4
19.0

11.1
28.8

46.1

35.9
34.0

34.5

26.1
17.5

21.0

10.0

17.6
10.0

33.2

18.2

33.2
17.9

12.6
15.1
27.0
21.8

12.5
15.1
27.1
21.9

18.0

92.2

75.9
24.0
27.3
95.6
29.7
22.5
37.9
54.5
55.8

25.8
27.7
5.1

56.6
9.0

92.8
77.2

24.0

27.4
95.8

29.8

22.4
37.7
54.3
55.7
25.7
27.7
4.9
59.0
8.9

Based on revised indeoc for April, 108.9.
Insufficient price quotations. Fresh fruits and vegetables in short supply because of work stoppage in warehouses.
Hot available.
Priced only in season.




7
Brief z m t e m t t w

9f the

qpi

The Consumer Price Index (CFI) 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 f months in other cities. Almost all prices are obtained
by personal visits of the Bureau s trained representatives*
In calculating the index, price changes for the various items in each city are
averaged together with weights which represent their importance in family spending. City
data are then combined in the total index with weights based on the 1950 populations of
cities they represent* Index numbers are computed on the base 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
Lynchburg, Virginia
Madill, Oklahoma
Madison, Wisconsin
Middlesboro, Kentucky
Middletown, Connecticut
Newark, Ohio

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

Comparisons of city indexes show only that prices in one city changed more or
less than in another. The city indexes cannot be used to measure differences in price
levels or in living costs between cities*
A description of the 11index 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 Documents, 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 S e r i e s R e p r i n t s 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
ne
Z<> 23




New York
341 Ninth Ave.
Zone 1

Chicago
105 West Adams St.
Zone 3

San Francisco
630 Sansome St.
Zone 11

LABOR - D .

C.

Boston
18 Oliver St.
Zone 10