Full text of CPI Detailed Report : May 1962

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Released June 26, 1962
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D. C.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR MAY 1962
The Consumer Price Index in May remained at 105.2 (1957-59=100),
unchanged from April, the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported
today. (On the former base of 1947-49-100, the May index was 129.1.) The stability of
consumer prices in the main reflected a balance between lower prices for food, solid fuels,
and gasoline, and further price gains for services and used cars. Prices of consumer goods
and services have advanced by 1.3 percent over May 1961, with the most important increases
being for medical care services, housing, public transportation, food, used cars, and
gasoline.
FOOD

A decline from April of 0.2 percent in average retail food prices
resulted from lower prices for eggs, meats and poultry, dairy products,
and most fresh fruits, moderated by a continuing rise in average prices of fresh vegetables
The index for total foods, at 103.2, was nearly 1 percent above May 1961, primarily because
of a 14 percent increase in fresh vegetable prices and a 2.5 percent advance in prices of
restaurant meals.
Egg prices dropped by about 4 percent between April and May 1962,
reaching the lowest level for the month since 1959 and 5 percent below May 1961. The
decline reflected ample supplies from a rate of production about 3 percent above a year
earlier.
A decrease of 0.5 percent in prices of meats was largely attributable
to adequate supplies of beef and pork products and the influence of low poultry prices.
Over the year, prices of meats, poultry, and fish have advanced about 1 percent, resulting
from an increase of nearly 5 percent in prices of fish combined with higher average prices
for beef and veal.
Dairy products prices declined seasonally in May, reflecting lower
prices for fresh milk, as production trended toward its annual peak. Prices of nearly all
processed dairy products also decreased because of abundant supplies and the recent drop
in government support prices for fluid milk at the producer's level.
Average prices of fruits and vegetables advanced for the sixth
consecutive month, due almost entirely to higher prices for fresh vegetables and apples.
The advance in fresh vegetable prices was caused mainly by smaller supplies from a spring
crop adversely affected by weather.
HOUSING

A rise of 0.1 percent in housing reflected mainly higher home ownership costs combined with a further increase in household operation
services, particularly advances for laundry and dry cleaning and higher wage rates for
domestic service. An additional small rise in residential rents also was reported. The
most important reductions were those for coal and for household textiles. The downward
movement in coal prices was attributable to seasonal factors while traditional white sales
were primarily responsible for the 1.4 percent decline in prices of nondurable housefurnishings.
MEDICAL CARE
AND OTHER SECTORS

The increase of 0.2 percent in the medical care resulted from higher
professional fees, hospital room rates, and health insurance rates,
partly offset by reductions in average prices of prescriptions and
drugs. Since May 1961, medical care prices have advanced by nearly 3 percent, almost
entirely because of increases for medical care services; average prices of prescriptions
and drugs declined 1 percent.




Transportation prices moved somewha-t higher (0.1 percent) as Increases
for used cars and tires outweighed declines for gasoline and new cars. Public transportation charges were unchanged in May. Used car prices rose by nearly 2 percent as the
relationship of sales to used car inventories remained favorable and sales increased somewhat more than seasonally. Used car prices in May were 11 percent above a year earlier
and nearly 45 percent above the low recorded in March 1956. Dealers* selling prices of new
cars declined an average of 0.4 percent. Gasoline prices declined by 1 percent due to
sharp competitive declines in several cities.
Apparel prices remained stable for the second consecutive month as
increases in prices of men's clothing balanced declines in prices of women's and girls'
apparel and footwear. Apparel prices were 0.5 percent above year ago levels largely
reflecting higher prices for footwear and slight Increases for boys' clothing.
COST-OF-LIVING
ADJUSTMENTS

Approximately 160,000 workers covered by cost-of-living escalator
clauses are scheduled to receive increases ranging from 1- to 3-cents
an hour on the basis of the change in the index to May 1962. About
60,000 workers, mainly employees of aerospace establishments, will receive 1-cent an hour
increases on the basis of quarterly reviews. Some 85,000 workers in the meat packing
industry will receive a 1-cent increase based on the rise in the index over the last six
months. The remaining 15,000 workers, employed by various metal working companies, will
receive either 2- or 3-cent increases, based on semiannual or annual reviews.




3

TABLE 1: Cootuner Price Index--United States city average
Major group, subgroup, and special group indexes, May 1962
and percent changes, from selected dates
(1957-59-100 unless otherwise specified)
Indexes
(1957-59-100)

Indexea

Percent change to
May 1962 f r o m —

1947-49-100

1939-100

May
1962

May
1962

Group
February
1962

May
1962

April
1962

April
1962

105.2

105.2

0

0.4

1.3

129.1

217.2

Food at hone
—
Cereals and bakery products-- — ------Meats, poultry, and fish--—
Dairy products------------------------Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at hose
Food away from home
--

103.2
101.9
107.5
99.6
103.0
109.4
94.4
110.1

103.4
102.1
107.3
100.1
103.7
108.6
95.1
109.9

- 0.2
- .2
.2
- .5
- .7
.7
- .7
.2

.1
0
.4
- 1.0
- 2.0
6.3
- 3.1
.5

0.9
.6
2.0
1.1
- .8
2.2
- 1.4
2.5

121.8
118.4
142.5
109.9
116.6
135.2
104.3
(1/)

258.6
251.4
249.1
264.2
234.1
292.1
215.5
O/)

Housing 2/
Rent
—
-----Gas and electricity-Solid and petroleum fuels
—
House furnishings-----------------------Household operation----------------------

104.7
105.5
107.7
100.1
99.0
107.4

104.6
105.4
107.8
102.4
99.3
107.1

.1
.1
- .1
- 2.2
- .3
.3

.1
.3
- .2
- 3.8
- .3
.5

-

1.0
1.2
.5
0
- .4
1.5

133.5
145.1
125.6
136.4
103.1
140.8

175.4
167.5
119.7
241.9
193.0
205.8

102.7
103.1
100.0
109.1
100.6

102.7
102.9
100.3
109.2
100.3

0
.2
.3
.1
.3

.7
.3
1.0
.3
.8

.5
.3
0
1.5
- .2

110.1
112.1
99.3
142.9
92.7

209.8
220.7
182.3
284.1
228.2

107.3
106.0
115.6

107.2
106.0
115.6

.1
0
0

1.2
1.2
.7

3.2
2.9
4.2

151.2
138.1
215.2

215.3
210.9
264.7

Medical care-------------------------------

114.1

113.9

.2

1.0

2.8

164.9

227.2

Personal care---

106.4

106.3

.1

.6

1.9

136.3

228.8

Reading and recreation---------—

109.5

109.4

.1

.4

2.3

126.8

201.3

Other goods and services

105.1

105.1

0

.1

.6

133.9

189.8

106.0

106.0

0

.5

1.4

132.9

192.4

105.2

105.2

0

.4

1.4

126.7

228.6

103.0
103.2
103.2
103.5
102.5
101.2
104.0
101.5
101.8
115.3
98.9

103.1
103.5
103.4
103.8
102.6
101.3
104.4
101.4
102.2
113.4
98.9

-

.3
.1
.1
.2
.6
.7
- .1
.7
- .6
7.1
- .1

1.1
.8
.9
1.0
.4
.1
1.4
1.5
- .2
11.1
.2

119.0
121.2
121.8
121.2
109.9
104.1
130.7
112.5
136.8
(1/)
102.0

230.6
235.8
258.6
206.4
210.8
(1/)
198.4
196.3
240.0
(1/)
178.0

102.6

102.8

-

.2

.4

1.1

116.6

196.1

109.4
105.5
110.1

109.2
105.4
109.8

.2
.1
.3

.5
.3
.5

1.9
1.2
1.9

155.3
145.1
157.8

193.1
167.5
214.8

108.4
111.5
116.6
108.7

108.2
111.5
116.2
108.2

.2
0
.3
.5

.3
.3
1.0
.7

1.1
2.0
3.5
2.0

142.2
192.7
174.0
140.3

163.5
240.5
246.7
240.6

$0,951

$0,951

0

.3

- 1.2

$0,775

$0,460

All items

Men's and boys '
Women's and girls'

—- — — —
—-

Trans portat ion
Private
Public

-

.— — —

- . . — — — — .

-

May
1961

Special groups:

All items less shelter

—

Commodities
.
Nondurables
Food---Nondurables less food------------Apparel
Apparel less footwear
Nondurables less food and apparel---Used cars-—
Commodities less foodServices

—

Household operation services, gas,
and electricity
—
Transportation services--— - — - Medical care services--Other services V
Purchasing power of the consumer dollar
(Reference period-$l.00)

.1
.3
.2
.3
.1
.1
.4
.1
- .4
1.7
0

-

1/ Not available.
2/ Includes house purchase, Interest, taxes, Insurance, and upkeep, not shown separately.
3/ Includes house purchase, Interest, taxes, Insurance, and upkeep services; shoe repairs, television repairs, barber
and beauty shop services, and aovles.




4

TABLB 21 Consumer Price Index—All items index*a aid percent ohanges, selected dates
U.S. oity average and 20 large cities
(1957-59=100 unless otherwise specified)

Indexes
(1957-59=100)
May
1962

City

February
1962

Percent change to
May 1962 from-May
1961

105.2

104.8

103.8

104.6
102.0
106.9
105.7
104.7

104.4
102.0
105.7
105.9
105.0

103.0
101.9
105.1
104.2
104.2

February
1962

May
1961

Indexes
1947-49=100 1939-100
May
1962

May
1962

1.3

129.1

217.2

1.6
0.1
1.7
1.4
.5

131.9
125.8
133. 3
127.4
128.6

225.1
213.1
220.7
211.9
217.2

May
1962

May
1962

.5
2.2
1.6
1.4
1.0

128.5
129.0
126.1
133.6
125.5

217.2
216.8
215.5
225.8
207.6

April
1961

April
1962

April
1% 2

2.1
1.0
1.2
.8
.3

132.7
130.8
130.5
130.2
128.7

217.6
211.9
215.1
224.2
220.8

March
1961

March
1962

March
1962

.5
.2
.8
.9
1.8

128.4
129.8
125.7
130.1
136.2

220.2
224.2
215.4
219.3
232.4

0.4

Cities priced monthly j/

Cities priced in February, May,
August, November

May
1962

2/

Cleveland
Houston
Scranton
Seattle
Washington, D . C.

103.5
104.7
105.7
106.3
104.2

Cities priced in January, April,
July, October

April 1962

2/

Boston
Kansas City
Minneapolis
Pittsburgh
Portland, Oregon

107.1
105.7
105.5
105.7
103.9

Cities priced in March, June,

March
1962

Atlanta
Baltimore
Cineinnati
St Louis
San Francisco

103.7
104.6
103.3
104.8
107.3

September, December

2/

February
1962

May
1961

103.1
104.5
105.5
105.9
104.0

103.0
102.4
104.0
104.8
103.2

January
1962

April
1961

106.2
105.2
104.3
105.2
103.8

104.9
104.7
104.3
104.9
103.6

December
1961
103.4
104.4
102.6
104.4
106.5

March
1961
103.2
104.4
102.5
103.9
105.4

.2
0
1.1
- .2
- ,3
February
1962

May
1961

.4
.2
..2
.4
.2
January
1962
.8
.5
1.2
.5
.1
December
1961
.3
.2
.7
.4
.8

2/ Rants prioed bimonthly.
2/ Food a, fuels, and a few other items priced monthly; rents and other commodities and services priced quarterly.

TABUS 3s

City

Consumer Price Index—Percent changes from April 1962 to May 1962
U.S. oity average and five cities priced monthly
All iteaas and commodity groups

All
it«M

Food

Cbited States city average—

0

Chicago
• ••• ••
Detroit— —
Los A n g e l e s — — — — —
Rev Tork
Philadelphia

- 0.2
- .2
.6
- .3
- .4




Housing

- 0.2
-

.9
.2
.8
- 1.0
- .3

-

Apparel

Transportation

0.1

0

0.1

.1
.2
.7
.2
.5

0.1
.2
.3
- .4
- .1

.2
- 3.9
1.1
.5
- .5

Reading
and
Medical Personal
recreation
care
care
0.2
.1
1.0
- .1
.5
- .1

-

0th«r
goods ft
serrioes

0.1

0.1

0

.4
.1
.1
.1
0

.2
1.2
.4
0
- 2.9

0.4
- .1
.1
- .1
0

5

TABLE 4: Consumer Price I n d e x — A l l items and commodity groups
May 1962 indexes and percent changes, February 1962 to May 1962
U.S. city average and 10 cities priced in May 1962
U.S.
City
Chicago CleveAverage
land

Group

Detroit Houston

Los
Angles

New
York

Phila- Scranton Seattle Washingto
delphia
D. C.

Indexesi (1957-59=100) 2/
105.2

104.6

103.5

102.0

104.7

106.9

105.7

104.7

105.7

106.3

104.2

Food
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products-Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home

103.2
10i.9
107.5
99.6
103.0
109.4
94.4

104.6
104.0
108.4
101.2
108.5
111.1
96.0

101.1
100.1
103.7
99.1
99.7
109.0
92.6

101.4
100.7
105.0
96.5
107.6
107.1
93.1

103.1
100.8
107.3
98.6
100.6
108.9
93.6

106.2
104.5
118.1
97.9
106.8
119.4
89.9

103.5
101.2
109.2
99.8
100.9
105.9
94.1

102.3
100.9
105.9
98.4
100.5
107.3
96.1

103.2
101.9
108.3
99.7
99.7
110.4
95.6

105.5
103.4
107.3
101.8
106.9
112.3
93.7

101.5
100.2
108.5
97.5
103.2
102.1
95.1

Housing

104.7
105.5
107.7
100.1
99.0
107.4

103.4
104.5
106.2
102.9
101.2
105.2

101.1
101.4
107.4
103.3
96.2
105.9

97.8

105.7
105.2
115.5

107.4

105.4
101.3
97.6
103.2

101.9
99.1
115.8
100.5
105.6

99.6
103.5

105.5
98.6
103.0
108.9

104.5
106.2
102.7
97.4
98.3
113.6

103.3
105.6
105.2
93.4
95.1
109.5

105.1
108.2
100.1
98.6
97.3
107.9

102.6
107.7
107.4
97.0
99.5
111.3

Apparel
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Other apparel

102.7
103.1
100.0
109.1
100.6

101.1
101.9
97.5
108.9
99.1

102.6
102.8
99.1
111.4
102.1

104.7
103.0
105.1
108.0
101.9

104.2
105.5
103.1
107.3
102.1

102.7
103.4
100.9
108.6
99.0

101.8
104.5
96.9
111.1
99.0

104.1
104.1
102.6
109.8
101.4

104.0
105.2
102.0
108.2
102.3

104.8
103.6
102.9
112.5
103.0

104.9
103.1
104.2
111.6
102.4

Transportat ion
Private
Public

107.3
106.0
115.6

106.9
106.9
107.9

107.6
106.4
114.8

101.6
99.0
114.4

109.0
107.7
117.4

112.2
108.1
140.4

105.4
107.1
100.8

108.8
107.7
113.1

104.5
105.1
100.4

109.2
107.8
121.2

105.5
104.7
110.0

Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

114.1
106.4
109.5
105.1

117.4
107.6
100.8
102.0

118.5
105.4
106.9
106.5

114.6
107.4
107.0
102.2

107.2
112.7
111.4
106.8

114.0
103.5
103.2
106.3

114.7
104.4
110.5
103.5

116.3
107.9
99.5
104.2

113.6
114.3
128.1
107.5

109.7
108.1
104.6
109.8

117.7
108.7
110.2
102.5

0.2

0.4

0.2

.9
.7
0
.5
- 2.5
8.9
- 2.3

.4
.3
.3
.4
.3
3.8
- 3.3

-

All items

Gas and electricity
Solid and petroleum fuels
Housefurnishings
Household operation

Percent change fromi February 1962 to May 1962
All items

0.4

0.2

0.4

0

0.2

1.1

- 0.2

- 0.3

Food
Food at homeCereals and bakery products-Keats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home

.1
0
.4
- 1.0
- 2.0
6.3
- 3.1

- .6
- .9
- 4.2
- 1.5
- 1.3
5.7
- 3.4

1.0
1.2
0
- 1.2
- .1
10.9
- 1.8

0.6
.8
0
- 1.8
- .8
11.6
- 3.4

.2
.2
4.3
- 1.0
- 2.4
3.1
- 3.5

1.0
1.1
4.2
- 0.8
- .4
6.2
- 5.0

- 1.0
- 1.1
.9
- 1.1
- 5.4
4.0
- 2.9

-

Housing
Rent
Gas and electricitySolid and petroleum fuels
Housefurnishings
Household operation

.1
.3
- .2
- 3.8
- .3
.5

.3
.1
0
- 5.1
- .3
.2

.1

—

.1
.3
0
- 1.7
.5
.7

1/

-

Apparel--Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Other apparel

.7
.3
1.0
.3
.8

.6
.9
.6
.1
.8

.4
.7
.2
.5
.2

Transportation
Private
Public

1.2
1.2
.7

1.5
1.9
0

1.0
1.2
0

Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

1.0
.6
.4
.1

.5
.3
0
.2

-

.2
.3
.9
.1

.2
0
.4
0

-

-

.4
.4
.2

- 2.0
0

1/
-

.7
.3
0
.8
.3

.3
.2
.8
.2
.4

1.1
1.4
1.4
.1
1.1

.2
0
.5
0
.1

- 2.7
- 3.3
0

.2
.2
0

2.7
2.5
3.5

1.4
.2
0
- .2

.8
.9
1.1
- .4

3.3
.5
.6
.2

-

-

1/ Change from March 1962 to May 1962.
2/ The reference base in the April 1962 report should have read (1957-59-100).




-

-

-

.2
.1
.1
.6
.4
5.7
- 3.6
-

- .7
1/- .2
0
- 9.6
- 1.8
.5

.6
.7
0
- 5.7
- .4
.1

.5
1.7
0
0
- .4
3.9

0
.4
2.5
- 7.6
.6
.3

.3
.2
.8
.1
.6

1.1
1.0
1.6
.3
.6

.3
.1
.4
.4
.1

0
.1
.4
.2
.2

.2
.5
- .1
1.5
- 1.3

.9
1.1
0

.3
.7
0

- 1.0
- 1.2
0

.6
.6
.6

.4
.4
0

1.1
.1
.3
.1

.2
.2
- 3.3
0

1.2
.3
2.3
.1

.4
2.3
.7
- .6

.7
.5
.3
.9

.3

- .4
- 6.5
- .3
.1
-

.2
.3
1.4
- 1.8
- 2.8
5.6
- 2.6

-

6

City

TABLE 5: Couuaer Price Index--Food and Ita subgroups
May 1962 indexes and percent changes, April 1962 to May 1962
U.S. city average and 20 large cities
(1957-59-100) 2/
Cereals and
Dairy
Meats, poultry,
Total
Total food
bakery
productI
products
and fish
food at hot
Percent
Percent
Percent
Percent
Percent
Index
Index
Index
Index change
change
change
change
change

U. S. city average—

103.2

101.9

Atlanta
Baltimore-—
Boston-------------Chicago------------Cineinnat i — - - - - - - Cleveland
Detroit
Houston-----------Kansas C i t y —
Los Angeles--—-----

103.1
102.7
103. 7
104.6
101.2
101.1
101.4
103.1
102.6
106.2

102.4
100.4
101.9
104.0
100.1
100.1
100.7

Minneapolis-— — — —
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh-"
Portland, O r e g . — —
St. Louis-- — - —
San F r a n c i s c o - — —
Scranton——————
Seattle
Washington, D. C.

102.4
103.5
102.3
102.4
104.3
102.3
105.4
103.2
105.5
101.5

0
1.0
.3
.7
1.3
.1

0
.3
.8
.1

TABLE 6:
Food and unit
Cereals and bakery products:
Flour, wheat-— — -----.--5 lb.
Biscuit mix
-40 oz.
Macaroni-------------------16 oz.
Corn meal-lb.
Rolled oats
------18 oz.
Corn flakes-— 1 2 oz.
Rice, short grain
---lb.
Rice, long grain--- — - — - — — - - l b .
Bread, white
lb.
Soda crackers--- — - - - - - - - - - - - l b .
Sandwich cookies-- —--------16 oz.
Meats, poultry, and fish:
Round iteak-- —
lb.
Sirloin steak
lb.
Chuck roast
lb.
Rib roast--- —----------------lb.
Hamburger----------------------lb.
Veal cutlets--lb.
Pork chops, center cut
lb.
Pork roast---------------------lb.
Bacon, sliced
lb.
Ham, whole
.... lb.
Lamb, leg- —------------------lb.
Frankfurters---...-----lb.
Luncheon meat, canned-------12 oz.
Frying chickens, ready-to-cook-lb.
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen—--lb.
Haddock, fillet, frozen-lb.
Salmon, pink, canned--—---16 oz.
Tuna fish, canned
5 to b\ oz.
Dairy products:
Milk, fresh, (grocery)--qt.
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
qt.
Ice cream
- — - — . — . . g a i .
Butter-------------------------lb.
Cheese, American process
lb.
Milk, evaporated
----14% oz. can
Fruits and vegetables:
Frozen:
Strawberries-------------10 oz.
Orange Juice concentrate—-6 oz.
Lemonade concentrate--—--6 oz.
Peas, g r e e n — — - — — — - - — 1 0 oz.
Besns, g r e e n - — - - — - — — - - - 9 oz.
Potatoes, french f r i e d - - — 9 oz.
Fresh:
Apples-----— — ----------....lb.
Bananas------- - - - - — — — lb.
Oranges, size 200----------doz.
Lemons-- — --------—---..... lb.

-

-

0.2

107.5

.2

103.8
107.5
108.0
108.4
104.3
103.7
105.0
107.3
107.8
118.1

.2

.4
-

1.2

-

.4
.6

.3

100.8

.2

101.6
104.5

.9
1.0

100.7
101.2
100.9
102.1
102.6
101.0
103.9
101.9
103.4
100.2

0
- 1.1
- .3
.9
1.4
.2

0
.2

-

.9
.2

103.8
109.2
105.9
106.5
103.2
104.3
106.1
108.3
107.3
108.5

0.2

99.6

0

101.1
98.9
101.5
101.2
100.3
99.1
96
98.6
98.5
97.9

.1
.1

- 4.1
- 2.9
-

.2

.4
.8

.3
4.2
.1

.4
1.2

.1
2.9
- .1
- .2
0
.1
- .4

99.6
99.8
98.4
102.7
101.9
99.1
100.9
99.7
101.
97.5

103.0
.5
1.4
.3
.8
.4
1.4
1.2

.2
.4
.9
.2
1.3
1.2

.7
1.2

.1
.3
0
.4
0

0.7

94.4

0.7

1.3
1.4
3.0

99.6
95.4
95.8
96.0
92.5
92.6
93.1
93.6
95.5
89.9

.6

102.8
98.8
95.5
108.5
101.5
99.7
107.6
100.6
103.1
106.8

.3
.1
.6
.8
0
.1
.2
.3
9.0
• .2

107.4
105.9
111.5

103.:
100. S
100.5
97.8
105.1
103.9
105.7
99.
106.9
103.2

.9
2.7
.5
0
.7
2.5
.4
.1

.1
0

im

111.1

-

105.2
109.0
107.1
108.9
108.8
119.4

1.5
5.2
4.1
- .3
- 1.9

106.8
105.9
107.3
110.6
114.1
107.5
119.1
110.4
112.3
102.1

-

1962

Cents
56.6
47.8
24.7
13.9
23.5
26.9
19.0
21.4
21.1

30.9
52.3
106.2
107.9
61.9
82.1
51.5
146.3
86.7
62.1
67.8
62.1
69.5
63.1
51.2
40.2
49.7
55.8
77.3
34.7
24.2
25.8
86.1
75.3
36.4
15.7
27.1
21.2
14.0
20.9
22.8
19.0
16.2
16.8
80.8
19.4

Other
foods at hom
Percent
Index
change

109.4

Consumer Price Index—Average retail prices of selected foods
U. S. city average
May
April
Food and unit
Fresh--Continued
Grapefruit—------—
each
Peaches *
lb.
Strawberries * — - - —
pt.
Grapes, seedless *
lb.
Watermelons * —
lb.
Potatoea—10 lb.
Sweet potatoes-lb.
Corn *
doz. ears
Onions-—
lb.
Carrots
— lb.
Lettuce-------------------—head
Celery
lb.
Cabbagelb.
Tomatoes----------------------lb.
Beans, green
lb.
Canned:
Orange juice—---------46 oz. can
Pineapple juice
46 oz. can
Peaches
#2% can
Pineapple
#2 can
Fruit cocktail
#303 can
Corn, cream style
#303 can
Peas, green
#303 can
Tomatoes
#303 can
Tomato juice
— 4 6 oz. can
Baby foods
4% to 5 oz.
Dried:
Prunes-------------------lb.
Beans-------------------------lb.
Other foods at home:
Tomato soup
--10% to 11 oz. can
Beans, with p o r k - — - — - - 1 6 oz. can
Pickles, sliced
15 oz.
Catsup, tomato
--14 oz.
Potato chips-...-....-4 oz.
Coffee---------lb. can
Coffee--------—
ib. bag
Coffee, instant—
--6 oz.
Tea b a g s —
— p k g . of 16
Cola drink, carton------72 oz.
Shortening, h y d r o g e n a t e d - — — 3 lb.
Margarine, colored--------------lb.
Lard----------------------------lb.
Salad d r e s s i n g - — - —
pt.
Peanut butter
-----..-.—---lb.
Sugar----— — . . . — — . - 5 lb.
Corn s y r u p - - — - —
....24 oz.
Grape jelly
---12 oz.
Chocolate bar
1 oz.
Eggs, Grade A, large----doz.
Gelatin, flavored---—---3 to 4 oz.

* Priced only in season.
U Changed from 36 oz. to 72 oz. carton effective May.
2/ The reference base in the February 1962 report should have read (1957-59-100).




Fruits and
vegetables
Percent
change

1.0

2.0

1.1

-

.6
.5
4.6
2.9
- .4
1.7
2.3
-

1.8

1.0

.3
.1

.9
.8
.2
1.2

0
.4
1.5
0
.7
.6
.6
.2
.3
1.2

93.6
94.1
96.1
95.5
93.4
94.3
92.0
95.6
93.7
95.1

1.1

2.0
1.1

April
1962
Cents

May
1962
13.0

12.7

64.8
17.2
111.4
13.6
15.1
24.2
17.0
13.0
35.6
31.5

60.2
16.7
123.5
14.9
14.9
19.1
18.2
18.3
31.3
31.3

42.5
32.1
32.9
38.7
25.9
20.0
22.4
15.8
32.4
10.6

43.7
32.4
32.8
38.7
26.0
20.0
22.4
15.8
32.4
10.6

41.4
17.3

41.3
17.3

12.4
14.9
26.7
23.1
28.1
71.0
57.3
90.0
24.6
1/ 50.0
91.5
28.8
20.1
38.3
57.3
58.2
27.3
29.6
4.5
48.9
9.8

12.4
15.0
26.6
23.1
28.0
71.1
56.8
90.7
24.6
49.7
91.5
28.8
20.1
38.2
57.2
58.2
27.3
29.5
4.5
51.0
9.8

LABOR - D, C.

7
Brief Explanation of the CPI
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures average changes in prices of goods and
services usually bought "by city families of wage earners and clerical workers. It is
based on prices of about 300 items which were selected so that their price changes would
represent the movement of prices of all goods and services purchased by wage and clerical
families; they include all of the important items in family spending. Prices for these
items are obtained in k6 cities which were chosen to represent all urban places in the
United States; they are collected from grocery and department stores, hospitals, filling
stations, and other types of stores and service establishments which wage-earner and
clerical-worker families patronize.
Prices of foods, fuels, and a few other items are obtained every month in all
k6 cities. Prices of most other commodities and services are collected every month in
the 5 largest cities and every 3 months in other cities. Mail questionnaires are used
to obtain local transit fares, public utility rates, newspaper prices, fuel prices, and
certain other items which change in price infrequently.f Prices of most other goods and
services are obtained by personal visits of the Bureau s trained representatives.
In calculating the index, price changes for the various items in each city are
averaged together with weights which represent their importance in family spending. City
data are then combined in the total index with weights based on the 1950 populations of
cities they represent. Index numbers are computed on the base 1957-59 s 100.
The national index (the United States city average) includes prices from the
20 large cities for which separate indexes are published in this report, as well as
from the following 26 medium-sized and small cities:
Anna, Illinois
Camden, Arkansas
Canton, Ohio
Charleston, W . Virginia
Evansville, Indiana
Garrett, Indiana
Glendale, Arizona
Grand Forks, N. Dakota
Grand Island, Nebraska

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

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

Comparisons of city indexes show only that prices in one city changed more or
less than in another. The city indexes cannot be used to measure differences in price
levels or in living costs between cities.
A description of the index and historical tables of inaex numbers for the
United States city average and for 20 large cities are available on request to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington or any of its regional offices (addresses below).
The historical tables for the U.S. include index numbers for All Items, food, Apparel, and
Rent for periods from 1913 to date; and for other groups of goods and services from 1935 to
date,

BLS Regional Offices

Atlanta
1371 Peachtree
Street, N. E .

Zone 9




New York
Chicago
San Francisco
Boston
341 Ninth Ave. 105 West Adams St. 630 Sansome St. 18 Oliver St.
Zone 1
Zone 3
Zone 11
Zone 10
LABOR - D. C.