Full text of CPI Detailed Report : May 1973

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the consumer price index
for May 1973

CONTENTS
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Peter J. Brennan, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Julius Shiskin, Commissioner

Price movements
Charts 1—4. Consumer price indexes for all items and major
components, and rates of change over 1-, 3-, 6-, and
12-month spans
Table 1.

a monthly report
on consumer price movements
including statistical tables
and technical notes.




Table 2.

Table 3.

Table 4.

Table 5.

Table 6.

Table 7.

Table 8.

Page
1

5

CPI—United States city average for urban wage earners
and clerical workers, by commodity and service groups,
and expenditure classes

9

CPI—United States city average for urban wage earners
and clerical workers, by commodity and service groups,
and expenditure classes

10

CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wage
earners and clerical workers, all items most recent index
and percent changes from selected dates .

11

CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wage
earners and clerical workers, major groups, percent
changes from April 1973 to May 1973

11

CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wage
earners and clerical workers, commodity groups, May
1973, and percent changes from February 1972

12

CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wage
earners and clerical workers, food and its subgroups,
May 1973, and percent changes from April 1973

14

CPI—United States city average for urban wage
earners and clerical workers, food items, May 1973
indexes and percent changes from selected dates

15

CPI—United States city average for urban wage earners
and clerical workers, indexes for selected items and
groups, May 1973, and percent changes from selected
dates

17

Price Movements
May 1973
The Consumer Price Index rose 0.6 percent in May
to 131.5 percent of its 1967 base. Higher prices for
food, apparel, used cars, gasoline, and household services accounted for about three-fourths of the rise in the
CPI. The May index was 5.5 percent above a year ago.
After seasonal adjustment, the May increase was also
0.6 percent. In the 6 months ended in May, the CPI
rose at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 7.2 percent.
In the last 3 months of this period, the index rose at an
8.7 percent annual rate.
The May food index, which includes prices of food
purchased in grocery stores and in restaurants, showed
a monthly increase of 1.1 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis, following increases of 1.4 percent in
April and 2.4 percent in March. The nonfood commodities index increased 0.4 percent in May after seasonal adjustment, the same as it had in April, and less

than the 0.5 percent increase in March. The services
index rose 0.4 percent in May, compared with 0.3 percent in each of the 2 preceding months. (See table A.)
(For changes before and during the Economic Stabilization Program that began in August 1971 see table C).
Monthly change in detail

The index for food purchased in grocery stores—the
major paft of the total food index—rose 0.9 percent,
instead of declining as it usually does in May. With the
exception of meats and eggs, most food items showed
price increases in May. The cereal and bakery products
index rose sharply, instead of declining slightly as it
usually does in May. Higher wholesale prices for wheat,
flour, and rice, which resulted mainly from strong export demand, were primarily responsible for the increase.

Table A. Percent changes in CPI and components, selected periods
Changes in all items
at seasonally adjusted
compound annual rates

Changes from preceding montlI

Month

Services

Commodities
less food

Food

All iterns

From

From
v> IIIUII tllo

Unadjusted

1972:
May
June
July
August . .
September
October . .
November
December.

Seasonally Unadjusted
adjusted

0.3
.2
.4
.2
.4
.3
.2

0.3
.1
.4
.3
.4
.3
.3

.3

.2

.3
.7
.9
.7
.6

.5

Seasonally Unadadjusted
justed

-0.1
.6
1.0
.3
.2
.1
.4
.5

0

2.1
1.9
2.6
1.5
1.0

2.1
1.9
2.4
1.4
1.1

.2
.7
.5
.7
.6
.7
-.1

Seasonally Unadadjusted justed

From
1 0 mnnthc
1 £. IllUi 1 ins

ago

ago

ago

0.6
.2
0
.1
.7
.4
.2
.1

0.4
.1
.3
.3
.3
0
.2
.2

0.2
.3
.3
.2
.2
.4
.2
.4

2.4
2.5
3.3
3.2
4.4
4.2
4.3
3.4

3.3
2.9
3.2
2.8
3.4
3.8
3.7

3.9

3.2
2.9
3.0
2.9
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.4

-.5

.2
.3
.5
.4
.4

.2
.4
.3
.3
.4

4.0
5.7
8.6
9.2
8.7

4.1
5.0

3.7
3.9

5.9
6.6
7.2

4.7

1973:
January . .
February .
March
April
May

.7

.9
.6
.6

.3
.5
.7
.6

5.1
5.5

NOTE:
The May index is based entirely on prices prevailing before the price freeze was announced by the President on June
13. The June index will be based on prices collected both before and after the freeze, because pricing for the CPI is done throughout
the month.




1

Table B. Percent distribution of monthly price comparisons
November
1971
to
December
1971

Item

December
1971
to
January
1972

1972
January
to
February

February
to
March

March
to
April

April
to
May

May
to
June

All items 2
Increases
Decreases
No change

100
16
7
77

100
14
11
75

100
22
8
70

100
15
10
75

100
14
12
74

100
13
12
75

100
15
11
74

Food at home
Increases
Decreases
No change

100
17
8
75

100
15
11
74

100
24
9
67

100
16
12
72

100
15
13
72

100
14
13
73

100
17
12
71

Commodities less food
Increases
Decreases
No change

100
6
5
89

100
7
10
83

100
8
7
85

100
10
5
85

100
7
7
86

100
8
6
86

100
6
7
87

Services
Increases
Decreases
No change

100
6
1
93

100
12
5
83

100
8
3
89

100
3
1
96

100
6
4
90

100
7
5
88

100
5
3
92

1972—Continued
June
to
July
All items 2
Increases
Decreases
No change

July
to
August

August
to
September

September
to
October

October
to
November

November
to
December

100
18
10
72

100
16
11
73

100
15
10
75

100
15
11
74

100
14
11
75

100
14
9
77

100
20
11
69

100
18
13
69

100
16
12
72

100
17
12
71

100
16
12
72

100
17
10
73

Commodities less food
1ncreases
Decreases
No change

100
8
7
85

100
8
6
86

100
11
5
84

100
6
6
88

100
6
5
89

100
6
4
90

Services
Increases

100
4
3
93

100
3
3
94

100
4
2
94

100
4
5
91

100
4
2
94

100
3
3
94

December
1972
to
January
1973

January
to
February

March
to
April

April
to
May

Food at home
Increases
Decreases
No change

...
...

1973
February
to
March

All items 2
Increases .
Decreases
No change

100
21
10
69

100
27
9
64

100
26
8
66

100
24
10
66

100
20
11
69

Food at home
Increases.
Decreases
No change

100
23
8
69

100
31
10
59

100
30
9
61

100
27
12
61

100
23
13
64

Commodities less food
Increases
Decreases
No change

100
7
8
85

100
12
4
84

100
11
5
84

100
11
4
85

100
9
5
86

Services
Increases
Decreases
No change

100
9
27
64

100
5
4
91

100
4
2
94

100
4
3
93

100
6
3
91

Regulations of the Economic Stabilization Program permit certain types of increases, but it is not possible to determine
whether allowable increases accounted for all increases shown in the table.
Based on approximately 98,000 individual monthly quotations.




Table C. Seasonally adjusted annual rates or change in the CPI and major components before and during the
Economic Stabilization Program that began in August 1971

Item

All items
Food
Commodities less food
Services *

1971. before
14 months
3 months
Phase I
Phased
Phase I
(December 1970
(November 1971
(August 1971
to August 1971) to November 1971) to January 1973)
3.8
4.8
2.9
4.5

2.0
1.7
0.3
3.1

3.6
6.5
2.4
3.5

4 months
Phase III
(January 1973
to May 1973)
8.7
22.4
5.0
4.0

21 months
Phase I, II, III
(August 1971
to.May 1973)
4.3
8.6
2.6
3.6

Not seasonally adjusted.

The fruits and vegetable index rose more than seasonally, as fresh vegetable prices rose more than usual
and processed fruits and vegetable prices rose contraseasonally. Adverse winter and spring weather conditions,
which affected planting, maturing, and yields of crops,
caused sharp price increases for onions, potatoes, cabbage,
and celery. Fresh fruit prices rose about seasonally,
Dairy product prices rose 1.1 percent in May. Cheese
and evaporated milk prices rose 1.8 and 1.7 percent,
respectively, as strong demand for cheese, lower evaporated milk supplies, and the increased subsidy for milk
used for processing, exerted upward pressure on prices.
Grocery milk prices rose 1.2 percent, reflecting higher
prices at the wholesale and farm market levels.
The index for meats, poultry, and fish rose 0.1 percent,
the smallest increase since January 1973. Meat prices
declined slightly, as beef and pork prices were lower.
The declines in these prices, however, were smaller than
usual for May. Prices of other meats, increased, but considerably less than in the 3 preceding months. The change
in the food-at-home index is based on a comparison of
prices collected in the first week of May with those collected in the first week of April. Ceilings were placed on
meat prices in late March. Retail poultry prices increased
slightly, instead of declining as they usually do in May.
The large increase in fish prices was also contraseasonal.
The index for nonfood commodities rose 0.6 percent, a
larger-than-seasonal increase for May. Higher prices for
apparel, used cars, and gasoline accounted for most of
the rise in the nonfood commodities index. Prices of
apparel commodities rose 0.8 percent, more than the
usual increase for May. Women's and girls' apparel prices
rose seasonally as spring and summer seasonal items
were reintroduced into the index for some cities at the
same or higher prices than prevailed a year ago. Prices of
men's and boys' apparel increased more than they
usually do in May. Earlier increases in cotton yarn prices
plus higher wage costs at the manufacturing level were




reflected in increased prices of products made from
cotton and combinations of cotton and man-made fibers.
In addition, foreign demand for yarns and fabrics in the
American market has contributed to the shortages that
now exist at all levels of cotton production. Prices of
year round weight suits and slacks were substantially
higher. The increase in the footwear index also was more
than seasonal. Retail prices continued to reflect earlier increases in wholesale prices. In recent months, however,
wholesale footwear prices have declined in response to
declining prices for hides and leather.
Used car prices rose 2.8 percent, slightly less than the
usual increase for May.
The new car index was unchanged from April to May
instead of moving down slightly as it usually does durin this period. Dealer concessions on new domestic cars
did not increase as much as usual in May as the demand
continued strong. In addition, prices were higher for imported cars, reflecting the effects of the dollar devaluation.
Retail gasoline prices rose slightly for the second
consecutive month. The increases reflect wholesale price
increases which became effective in late April and early
May. Prices also rose for fuel oil, home maintenance and
repair commodities, furniture, houses, tobacco products,
and newspapers.
Services

The service index increased 0.4 percent in May. Increases in charges for household services and rent contributed significantly to the rise. The rent index and the
index for household services other than rent both rose
0.4 percent. Prices paid for home maintenance and repair services and housekeeping services increased significantly in May.
The index for medical care services increased 0.3
percent. Physicians' fees rose 0.4 percent. Other professional service charges such as eye examinations and
laboratory tests were higher. Hospital charges for semi-

private rooms and operating rooms rose only 0.1 percent
following sharp increases in the first 4 months of 1973.
Among other services in the CPI, the index for personal care services rose 0.8 percent. The recreational service index rose chiefly due to higher movie admission
charges. Funeral service charges rose 0.6 percent, due to




increased costs of caskets, other supplies, and labor,
The index for transportation services continued its
trend of very moderate monthly increases, rising 0.1 percent in May. Public transportation, auto insurance rates,
parking fees, and auto finance charges remained unchanged.

Chart 1. All items index and its rate of change, 1964-73
(1967=100)
SEMILOG
140
135
130
125
120
115
110
105
100
95
90

MflY
131 . 5
CPI FILL ITEMS INDEX
(NOT SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTEO)

MflY

0.6

PERCENT CHfiNGE OVER 1-MONTH'SPflN
(SERSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

RRITH.
SCflLE
— 0.7
— 0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
•

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPRN
(flNNURL RflTE, SEflSONflLLY ROJUSTED)

BR1TH.
SCflLE

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPRN
(RNNURL RRTE, SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTEO)

MflY flRJTH.
SCRLE
7.2

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN 1 /

MflY
5.5

RRITH.
SCRLE

8

1964

1965

1966

1967

1/
Computed from the unadjusted s e r i e s .
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




-0.1

MRY
8.7

1968

1969

1970

1971

1972

1973

Chart 2. Commodities less food index and its rates of change, 1964-73
(1967=100)
SEMILOG
140
135
130
125
120
115
110
105
100
95
90

MflY
122.9

CPI COMMODITIES LESS FOOD INDEX
(SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTEO)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER i-MONTH SPflN
(SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTED)
MflY
0.4

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(RNNUflL RflTE, SEflSONRLLY flOJUSTEO)

BRITH.
SCRLE
6

RRITH.
SCRLE
0.7
—
—
0.6
—
0.5
0.4
—
0.3
—
0.2
—
0.1
—
0.0
— -0.1
— -0.2
— -0.3

MflY
5.4

4
2
0

VW

-2
PERCENT .CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

RRITH.
SCflLE
6

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN

MflY
4.0

U

4
2
0

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

1/ Computed from the unadjusted s e r i e s .
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




6

1969

1970

1971

1972

1973

SCRLE

Chart 3. Total food index and its rates of change, 1964-73
(1967=100)
_JlflX_

SEMILOG
140
135
130
125
120
115
110
105
100
95
90

CPI TOTflL FOOD INDEX
(SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN
(SERSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
-0.2
-0.4
-0.6

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE, SEflSONRLLY flDJUSTED)

flRITH.
SCRLE
12

10
8
6
4
2
0
-2
PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
tflNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED

-4

RRITH.
5CBLE fl

CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN

6
4
Z
0
» 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 1 » 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 • 1 1 1 1 1 • 1 1 1 1 1 • 1 1 • 1 1 1 1 •. 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 i • 1 1 1 1 1 1 . 1 1 . 1 •. 1 . 1 1 . • 1 . . 1 1 * 1 1 1 1 1 • 1 1

1964

1965

1966

1967

1/
Computed from the unadjusted s e r i e s .
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




1968

1969

1970

1

1 1 1 1 1 . 1 1 . 1 . • i .> 1 1 . 1 • • 11 • 1

1971

1972

1973

1

Chart 4. Services index and its rates of change, 1964-73
(1967=100)
MfiY
137.5

SEMILOG
140
135
130
125
120
115
110
105
100
95
90

CPI SERVICES INDEX
(NOT SERSONflLLY flDJUSTEDJ

flRITH.
SCRLE

3

ERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTHtSPflN
(NOT SEflSONflLLY RDJUSTE!

MflY
0.4

1 .1
1 .0
0.9
0.8
0.7

0.2
0.1
0.0
-0.1

flRITH.
SCRLE
12

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(RNNUflL RflTE, NOT SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

10
8
6
4
2
0
PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. NOT SEflSONflLLY flOJtfXTEDJ

10
8
MflY
3.9

6
4
2
0

flRITH.
SCRLE

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH

8
6

MflY
3.6

4
2
0

l n l u l u

1964

i i I II I ii I II

i i t ii 1 II I i i

i i I ii I i i 1 II

i i 1i i 1i i I i i

1965

1966

1967

1968

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




8

i i I i i 1i i I

1969

1970

1971

1972

1973

Table 1. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, by
commodity and service groups, and expenditure classes

Group

Relative
importance
December
1972

Unadjusted indexes
1967=100 unless
otherwise noted
April
May
1972
1973

Unadjusted
percent change to
May 1973 from—
May
April
1972
1973

Seasonally adjusted
percent change from
February
to March

March to
April

April to
May

1.4
1.3
. 8
1.6
*. 2
2.7
1. 1
. 7

1. 1
1. 1
1. 8
. 7
*1. 1
.9
2. 0
1.5

Commodity and service groups
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

62.552
22.492
17.494
2.243
6. 016
2.685
2.999
3.552
4.998

131.5
153.0

127.4

128. 3

6.7

136.5
136.4
120.2
155.4
121.8
141. 8
124. 3
137. 0

137. 9
137.6
122. 1
155.6
123.2
144.6
125.4
138.9

12.8
14. 5
6. 5
24.7
5. 0
16. 7
8. 1
6.5

122. 3

123.0

3. 2

5
5

5.5

40. 059
23.415
8.960
2.799
3.982
1. 572
14.455
2.902
2. 103
2.459
.655
6.335
16.644
4. 772
2. 060
2. 056
7.756

123.3
126.2
125.9
126.0
129.7
121.7
114.7
136.5
121.6
128. 3
120. 0

124. 0
127.2
126.7
127.2
130. 3
122.2
116. 1
137. 0
121. 7
129. 3
120. 1

3.6
3.5
3. 5
3. 1
4.6
3.6
8. 1
2.9
1.8
8.9
2.0

121. 0
117.7
111. 1
117. 3
127.4

121.8
118.5
111. 1
120.6
127.6

2.9
3.2
-. 3

Services less rent
Household services less rent .
Transpo
Medical care services
Other services

37.448
5.059
32.389
15.486
5.473
5.575
5. 855

137. 0
123.0
139.6
143.6
136.5
142.7
129.9

137. 5
123.5
140. 1
144.2
136.6
143. 1
130.6

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 T. V. )

77. 508
45. 907
7.388
31. 873
9.829
5. 522
4.502
1.621

129. 1
129.7
125.5
136.2
145.9
129. 1
150.0
105.4

129. 7
130.7
126.5
136.7
146.3
129. 3
151. 1
105.4

3.4
8.0
3. 2
3.6
2.4
3. 1
5.3
-. 3

Nondurables less food
App ar e 1 c omm o ditie s l
Men1 s and boys 1
Women's and g i r l s '
Footwe ar
Nondurables less food and apparel —
Gasoline and motor oil _.
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Fuel oil and coal
Other nondurables
Durable commodities
Household durables
New cars
Used cars
Other durables
Service s

0.6

130.7
152. 0

. 7
1. 0
.9
1.6
. 1
1. 1
2. 0
.9
1.4

2. 4
3. 0
8
5. 8
*. 4
1. 3
5

9

.4

1.2
.4
. 1

_.
*.
*.

5
4
5
3
1
7
1
6
2

. 7
.6
.4
1.0
.5
. 7
2. 1
*. 7
*. 2
.6
.4

.4
1.0
*.4
*. 1
1. 1
0

1. 7

. 7
. 7
0
2.8
. 2

3
3
3
*i! 2
3

.5
.6
. 8
*3. 2
. 2

.2
.6
.2
*2. 8
. 1

3.6
4. 1
3. 5
4.2
.6
4.0
4. 2

. 4
.4
.4
.4
. 1
.3
. 5

*.
*.
*.
_.

*. 3
*. 3
*. 3
. 1
. 3
.4
*.5

*. 4
*.4
*. 4
.7
.4
. 3
*. 5

9.6

9
1.

3
4
4
1
2
2
*. 5
2
i. 5

9
*. 4
2
2
5
1

.7
*. 3
. 3
.2
.5

.4
.3
.5

. 5
. 7
.2
*.4
.5
.4
.6
*0

Expenditure classes

Food
Housing
Shelter 2 . . .
Home owner ship3
Fuel and utilities*
Gas and electricity..
Household furnishings and opera
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 foods5 .
CPI - selected beef cuts 6

131.5

.9

.6

.6

136. 5

137.9

2.4

1.4

1, 1

132.8
138. 1
123.0
143.6
125. 1
125.5
123.6

133.3
138.7
123.5
144. 2
125.4
125.7
123.9
126.7

*. 2
. 1
*.4
-. 1
. 2
.4
.2

*.4
. 3
*. 3
. 3
.4
.2
.4

*.4
. 7
*. 4
.7
.5
.2

22.492
33.859
21. 830
5.059
16.355
4.708
2.434
7. 321
10. 370
13. 134
11.665
1.469
19.768
6.447
2.573
5.656
5. 093

122.6
120.3
143.9
129.2
136.2
123.8
125.2
128.2

129.6
136.6
124.4
125.6
128. 5

78. 170
93.553
96.298
15.519
2. 060

128.9
130.5
130. 0
137. 0
161. 5

129.7
131.3
130.8
138.2
161.3

$0,765
.658

$0,760
.654

Purchasing power of consumer dollar:
1967=$1.00
1957-59 = $ ! . 00 .

125.8

123.5
121.3
143.9

3. 7
3.9
4. 1
3.8
4. 7
4. 3
2.6

.4
.4
.4
.4
. 2
.2
. 2
. 7

3.3
3.6
.8
3. 0
3.5
3.9
2.5
2. 5
6.0
5.6
5.7
15.4
21.9

.6

. 7

.6
. 3
-. 3

.7
.9
-. 1

. 3
. 3
. 5
. 3
.2

*.4
.2
*. 6
.3
.6

*. 5
. 1
*. 6
.2
.5

.6
.6
.6
.9
-. 1

1. 0
1. 0
.9
*3. 5
*5. 0

• 1.6
• 1.5

Also includes infants1 wear, sewing materials, and jewelry not shown separately.
Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance and repairs.
4
Also includes residential telephone, fuel oil, coal, water and sewerage services not shown separately.
5
Calculated from the CPI food at home component by excluding fish, nonalcoholic beverages, bananas, chocolate candy b a r s ,
about half of the index weight for sugar.
6
Calculated from the CPI beef and veal component by excluding veal cutlets and beef liver.
* Not seasonally adjusted.

. 3
.5
*.
.
*.
.
.

3
3
5
2
3

.6
.6
.6
*. 9

1

2

3

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




9

chocolate syrup and

Table 2. Consumer P r i c e Index-United States city average for urban wage e a r n e r s and c l e r i c a l w o r k e r s , by commodity and
service groups, and expenditure c l a s s e s

Group

Seasonally adjusted annual rate
Percent changes for

Seasonally adjusted indexes
(1967=100)
April
ebruary
March
May
1973
1973
1973
1973

August Novembe rl F e b r u a r y
I 1973
1972
1972
Commodity and service groups

All items
Commodities
Food
Food at home
C e r e a l s and bakery products
M e a t s , poultry, and fish
Dairy products (not seasonally
a d j u s t e d) —-____________-._—______________
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home _.
Food away from home .
Commodities less food
Nondurables less food
Apparel commodities1 —
Men1 s and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwe ar
Nondurables less food and apparel
Gasoline and motor oil
Tabacco products (not seasonally
adj us te d)
Alcoholic beverages (not seasonally
adjusted)
Fuel oil and coal _-- _- _—_—____——_».
Other n o n d u r a b l e s
Durable commodities
Household d u r a b l e s
New c a r s __— —__..— -____—_——___..-_..—.

Used c a r s (not seasonally
cidj us te d) -— -.-_-_—_-_ ——— —.
Other durables ____..
— — —__——.
Services (not seasonally adjusted)
Rent (not seasonally adjusted)
Services less rent (not seasonally adjusted).
Household s e r v i c e s l e s s rent
Transportation s e r v i c e s
Medical c a r e s e r v i c e s
Other s e r v i c e s (not seasonally
adjusted)
Special indexes:
All items less food —— — —.__—__«
..
Nondurable commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
Services less medical care services (not
seasonally adjusted)
Insurance and finance
Utilities and public transportation
Housekeeping and home maintenance servic
Appliances (including radio and T. V. ) (not
seasonally adjusted)

May
1973

3. 2

4. 3

5. 7

3.4

4. 7

6. 7

5. 3
5.4
-. 7
12. 7

8. 3
9. 5
2.8
13. 3

16.8
20. 0
9.3
37.4

123. 2
141.6
126.7
139. 0
122.9
123.9
126. 7
126. 1
126. 8
129.9
122. 3
116.6

-2.4
15. 3
-3. 7
4. 0

3. 8
14.4
7. 4
4. 3
2. 0
4. 1
5. 0

11. 7
15.6
14. 2
4.9
2. 7

136. 5

137. 0

2. 7

121.6
127.9
119.9
121.4
117.6
110.9

121. 7
129. 3
119. 9
121.7
118. 3
111. 1

1. 3
-1.0
1.4

1. 7
3.4
2.4

2. 7
25.6
1. 7

1. 7
9. 5
2.4

4.8
2. 8
4. 0

. 7
2. 1
11.9

1. 7
2. 1
2.6

117. 3
127. 9
137.0
123. 0
139.6
143. 3
136. 0
142.4

120. 6
128. 0
137.5
123. 5
140. 1
144. 3
136. 5
142. 8

9- 0
5. 2

13.4

-.9

-11.8
. 3

3.4
3.4
3. 3
4. 1
3. 3
2. 6

3. 3
3. 0
3.6
3. 8
.6
7.4

3.9
5.4
3.2
5. 8
-4.9
2. 6

129. 2

129. 9

130.6

128.2
126. 5
123. 8

128.5
128.4
124. 9

129. 1
129. 7
125.8

129. 7
130.6
126. 0

2.6
3. 3
-1. 0

2.9
5. 7
5.4

135.
145.
128.
148.

3
7
1
8

135. 8
145.4
128.4
149. 5

136.2
145. 8
128.7
150.2

136.7
146.6
129.2
151. 1

3.4
4. 5
2. 3
4. 2

3. 3
1.4
5.2
3.6

105. 5

105.4

105.4

105.4

124. 7
131.4
130.4
117.8
144. 0

126. 2
134.5
134. 3
118.8
152.4

127.4
136.4
136. 1
119.8
154. 8

128. 3
137. 9
137.6
122. 0
155. 9

121. 0
134. 9
122.2
134. 8

121.5
136. 7
122. 8
136. 0

121. 3
122. 0
124.5
124.4
123. 9
128. 1
120. 5
113. 1

121.9
122.6
125. 6
125. 0
125. 6
128. 8
120. 9
113. 0

121. 8
140.4
124.2
137. 0
122.4
123.4
126. 3
125. 5
126. 8
129.4
121. 8
115.4

134. 5

135. 5

121. 2
126. 4
119. 2
120.4
116.6
109.7

121. 3
127. 2
119.4
120. 8
116. 9
110. 0

127. 3
136. 2
122. 1
138. 7
143. 2
135. 3
141.6

113. 7
127.7
136. 6
122.6
139. 2
143. 1
135.6
141.9

128.6

2.7
1. 0
. 3
-1. 0
-2.9
3.9
1. 7
4.9

November]
1972 I

May
1973

7.2

12. 1
21. 3
24. 0
15. 0
37.4
7. 5
21.4
15.6
13. 1
5.4
6.4
7. 3
5.6
9.7
5.7
6. 1
13.0

4. 0

9. 3

6.8
7. 5

19. 0
22. 0
12. 2
37.4

1. 0
13. 0
.7
14.8
1. 7
4. 2

9.6
18. 5
14.9

2.4
2. 5
2.6

4. 0
4. 7
4.4
4. 1
4.4
5. 1
4.9
9.9

3. 0
1.8
4. 1
2.4
6.4

8.9

7.6
2. 2
17. 3
2. 0

4.4
6. 0
5.2

1.5
1.2
1.9
2. 7
2.5
-4. 3

8. 1
1. 3

3. 1
3.6
3.4

11. 2
2. 1
3. 3
3.2
3.4
3.9
1.9
5. 0

3.9
5. 0
3. 7
4.4
-. 7
3. 0

3. 5
9. 7

4. 8
13. 6
7. 3

2. 7
4. 5
2. 1

4. 1
11.6
4. 3

3. 3
1. 1

4. 2
2.5
3. 5
6.3

3. 4
3. 0
3. 7
3. 9

3.8
1. 8
2.5
6. 7

3. 0
4. 0
3.9

Expenditure c l a s s e s
All items
Housing (not seasonally adjusted)
She lte r 2
Rent (not seasonally adjusted)
Homeownership3
Fuel and utilities*
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operatior
Apparel and upkeep
T r ans po r tation
Pr ivate
Public
Health and recreation (not seasonally adjusted)
Medical care
Personal care (not seasonally adjusted)
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 (not
seasonally adjusted)
CPI - selected beef cuts (not seasonally
adj us te d)
1
2
3
4

4. 3

5. 7

8.7

3. 7

7.2

8. 3

16. 8

21. 3

6. 8

19. 0

4.4
4.9
3.4
5.6
2. 0
3. 0
2. 0

2. 8
2. 1
3. 0
2. 0
4.4
4. 0
3. 0

3. 7
4. 5
5.4
4. 0
7. 8
6. 7
2. 3

4. 0
4. 1
4. 7
3. 7
4.6
3.6
3.0

3.6
3. 5
3. 2
3. 8
3.2
3.5
2. 5

3. 9
4. 3
5. 0
3.8
6. 2
5. 1
2.6

5. 0

2. 0

6.6

2.6

4. 3

4. 1
4. 2
2. 5

2. 7
2.4
4. 0

0
1.4
-3. 3

6.8
6.5
. 3

3.4
3. 3
3.2

3. 3
3.9
-1. 5

129.6
136. 3
124.4
125. 5
128.9

2. 2
2.8

2.9
5.9
2. 7
3. 0
. 6

2.
2.
4.
1.
3.

2
7
7
6
5

4. 8
2. 7
6. 7
3. 3
5.5

2.6
4. 3
2. 2
2.6
.5

3. 5
2. 7
5. 7
2.4
4. 5

128.8
130. 5
130. 0

129.6
131. 3
130. 8

3. 0
3. 3
3. 3

5. 0
4. 2
4.6

5.9
5. 5
5. 5

10.2
9.7
9.4

4. 0
3.7
3.9

8.0
7.6
7.4

134.9

137. 0

138. 2

9.7

1.6

25. 9

26.2

5.6

2 6. 0

159. 1

161.5

161. 3

21. 1

8.9

55. 8

28.5

5. 1

41. 5

131.4
132. 0
137. 6
122. 1
143. 3
123. 9
124. 1
122. 8
124.2
121. 3
119. 2
143.9
128. 1
135.4
122.4
124.5
127.2

134. 5
132. 3
137. 7
122.6
143. 1
124. 2
124.6
123. 0
125. 1
122. 0
119.6
143.5
128.6
135.7
123. 1
124. 9
127. 9

136.4
132.8
138. 1
123. 0
143.6
124.7
124. 9
123. 5
125. 9
122. 8
120.7
143. 3
129.2
135. 9
123.8
125. 2
128. 5

137. 9
133.3
139. 0
123. 5
144.6
125. 3
125.2
123. 7
126. 2
123. 3
121. 1
144. 0

126. 5
128. 3
127. 9

127. 8
129.6
129. 0

130.4
151. 5

Also includes infants' wear, sewing materials, and jewelry not shown separately.
Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance and repairs.
Also includes residential telephone, fuel oil, coal, water, and sewerage service not shown separately.

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




10

Table 3. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
all items most recent index and percent changes from selected dates
Pricing
schedule 2

1967= 100

Percent change from:

Other
bases

1957-59= 100

May
1972

May 1973
U.S. city average
Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles—Long Beach
N. Y.-Northeastern N. J —
Philadelphia

M
M
M
M
M

131. 5

153.0

130.8
133.4
127.4
138. 0
134. 1

148.6
153.3
149. 8
164.2
156.7

5.7
6.3
5.0
5.6
6.3

132.4
130.5
130.8
131.2

158.6
149.3
151.6
150.9

Buffalo
Cleveland
Dallas
Milwaukee
San Diego
Seattle
Washington

133. 2
132.7
130.6
130.0
130. 7
126. 3
133.3

149.9
146.8
148.4
155.3

3

146. 4
141. 1

4

130. 1
131.9
129. 8
126.0
127.4
126.2
128. 7

February
1973

5.6
5.2
4. 8
5.9
5.7
6. 3
6. 1

137.3

March
1972
Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati
Honolulu
Kansas City
St. Louis
San Francisco—Oakland

2. 1
2.6
2.3
3. 1

May
1972

3

149. 7
153. 1
147.3

2. 2
2. 2
2.3
2.4
2.0
2.6
2.0
December
1972

5. 1
5.6
5. 5
2.9
4. 1
4.5
4.9

151.3
147.4
153. 1

.4
.4
.5

January
1973

4.9
4.6
5.3
5.2

May 1973

April
1973

2.6
2.9
1.5
2.3
2.7

April
1972

April 1973
Boston
Houston
Minneapolis
Pittsburgh

February
1973

1.9
3. 0
2.6
1.3
1.5
2.0
1.9

Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) except for New York and
Chicago where the more extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used. Area definitions are those established for the I960 Census and do not
include revisions made since I960.
2
Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all cities; most other goods and services priced as indicated:
M—Every month.
1—January, April, July, and October.
2—February, May, August, and November.
3—March, June, September, and December.
3
November 1963= 100.
4
February 1965= 100.
5
December 1963= 100.
NOTE: The Consumer Price Index cannot be used for measuring differences in living costs among areas; it i dicates price change within
areas. Estimates of differences in living costs among areas are found in the family budgets.

Table 4. Consumer Price Index-United States and selected areas 1 for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
major groups percent changes from April 197 3 to May 1973

uTs:
Group
All items
Food

_,

Apparel and upkeep
Transportation *
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care

city
average

Chicago

Detroit

Los AngelesLong Beach

0.6

0. 7

0. 8

1.0

.4
. 7

1. 1
. 3
.5

. 3
1. 6
-. 2

.
.
.
.
.

. 5
(')
.6

.

Other goods and services

3
3
5
3
2

.6

See footnote 1, table 3.
Not available.




11

Northeastern
New Jersey

Philadelphia

0.4

0.4

0. 5

.9
-. 1
.4
.7
. 3

1. 1
-. 1
.7
4

1. 0
.4
0
2

.6

( )

( )

( '

0

-. 1

-. 3

• 2 ..

.5
.1

Table 5. Consumer Price Index^-United States and selected areas 1 for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
commodity groups, May 1973, and percent changes from February 1972
Group

city

Los AngelesLong
Beach
Loner Rparh

Chicago

No rSi ea °stern

New Jersey

Philadelphia
^

Indexes (1967=100)
131.5

130.8

133.4

127.4

138.0

134. 1

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

137.9
137.6
122. 1
155.6
123. 2
144.6
125.4
138. 9

138.8
139.2
126. 7
156.0
124.4
143.9
125.6
137.3

138.6
139. 2
128. 1
159.7
123. 0
132.4
126. 9
136. 3

133.6
134. 8
119.0
156. 2
120.4
135.4
124. 8
130. 3

141. 9
140. 7
123.8
154.7
125. 8
150.8
128.7
145.6

139. 5
138.4
123.4
155.5
123.5
144.7
125. 8
144.4

133. 3
138.7
123. 5
144. 2
125.4
129. 3
125.7
123.9

127.7

Shelter
Rent, residential
Home owner ship
Fusl and utilities
Fuel oil and coal.
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation.

132. 1
121.4
136.8
118. 8
124.6
119.7
120. 1

137. 5
147. 9
(2)
152.9
120. 0
124.4
121. 7
117.2

128.9
131. 5
120.8
134.6
129.2
136. 1
120. 3

142. 1
150. 0
(2)
161.6
130.6
129.2
132. 5
128.5

136.2
146.2
128.7
150.8
124.4
125. 3
128.8
125.2

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

126.7
126.7
127. 2
130. 3

126.3
121. 3
133. 0
123.8

122.5
121.6
118. 8
130. 3

122. 7
119.6
125.5
128. 0

126. 7
129.6
123.6
129. 5

125.4
125. 1
122.9
130. 9

Transportation .
Private
Public

123.5
121. 3
143.9

127.8
122.6
160.5

123.7
121.6
148.5

122. 8
123. 1
117. 3

135.2
127.8
163. 3

127.6
124.8
143. 5

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

129.6
136.6
124.4
125.6
128.5

130.7
135. 9
(2)
127.4
131.6

133.3
147.4
(2)
126.9
124.7

124. 0
133.7
(2)
117. 1
121. 2

135.0
144. 0
125.4
129. 5
135.7

133.5
147.4
(2)
128.0
129.8

Percent changes February 1973 to May 1973
2.9

1.5

5.2
5.8
3.7
9.0
1.8
8. 5
1.9
3. 1

4.8
5.0
3. 3
7.6
2.6
7. 1
.5
4.4

5.7
6. 3
3. 1
9.8
3.7
7.0
2. 3

4.6
4. 7
4.5
7. 8
1.0
5.7
1. 7
4. 2

4.6
5.4
4.2
7.4
1.2
8.2
2. 5
2. 2

5.6
6.3
4. 1
9.5
1.5
8. 1
3.3

Housing
Shelter
Rent, residential .
Horn e owne r s hip
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal—
~
Gas and electricity
- ____
Household furnishings and operation.

1.0
1. 0
1. 1

1.5
1.5
1.1

-.7
-1. 0
3
.4

. 9

.6

1.0
1.7
1. 0
1. 1

1. 1
2. 7
1.5
2.0

2. 1
2. 7
(2)
3. 1
.5

2. 0
2. 3
3
.9
2.5
1.8

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

2.5
2. 8
3. 2
2. 1

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

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

3. 1

-.2
. 3
.9

1.2
.3

1. 1
1.6
(2)
2. 1
.8
1.4
2. 3
-. 2

3.2
3.2
4.7
1.6

1. 8
1. 3
3. 1
.1

2. 3
1.7
3. 5
1. 2

4. 1
6. 3
4. 1
4. 0

2.4
3. 8
2.4
2. 1

2. 0
2.2
-.3

2.6
3. 0
0

2.8
2. 1
0

2. 0
2. 1
0

.9
1. 2
0

1.4
1.5
0

1. 2
1. 0
1.6
1.0
1. 1

1. 1
1.0

1.4
2.2

1. 5
1. 5

1. 1
.5
3.4
1. 0
1. 0

1. 0
1.7
(2)
0
1. 1

3

2

See footnotes at end of table.




3. 1

12

-1.6

.9

4. 3
.6

1.5

Table 5. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas 1 for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
commodity groups, March 1973, and percent changes from December 1972—Continued
San
Diego

Group

Washington

Indexes (1967=100)

133.2

132.7

130.6

130.0

130. 7

126. 3

133. 3

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

138.2
137. 7
121. 0
154.2
122.2
153. 0
122. 1
140. 9

139.5
140.2
121. 2
159.4
127.6
145. 0
126.8
136. 3

136.9
135.4
120. 1
153. 7
116.4
142.7
124.5
142.7

134.5
134. 0
123.8
150. 7
119.9
139.5
122.4
136. 0

137.2
135. 8
117. 8
159.6
120.4
134. 2
123.9
140.4

133. 9
134. 1
117. 0
152.7
123.7
137. 0
124.6
133.2

141.5
139.9
126. 0
154. 0
118. 5
156. 2
128. 9
145. 5

Housing
Shelter —
Rent, residential
Home owner ship
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation

136. 7
139.0
125.8
141.5
143. 1
128.9
144.4
125. 7

129. 1
131.4
114.6
134.4
125.2

129.7
134. 3
112.8
143.9
120. 5

138. 1
151.2
136. 3
157.7
118. 3

125. 8
122. 3

116.6
124.5

129. 0
131. 0
121.5
133.9
130.4
133. 5
135.5
122. 8

119.9
113. 8

128. 8
134.4
107.4
142. 2
120.3
125. 2
109.4
120. 8

132. 5
135.7
123. 1
142.9
125.6
130.4
127.6
127. 2

Apparel and upkeep
Men1 s and boys 1
Women's and g i r l s '
Footwe ar

133.5
147. 8
132. 1
125. 8

128. 1
121.8
131.6
132. 0

128.3
128. 3
131.2
130. 7

132.3
131.4
132.8
133.4

124. 8
123. 1
131.2
126. 0

123.2
125.7
122.5
124. 3

131. 7
131.6
135.9
134. 1

Transportation
Private .
Public __.

122. 3
120. 1
146.2

129. 7
123.2
172. 0

123.6
121.8
146.4

126. 5
121.7
185.6

121.7
122.5
106.8

111.7
113.8
99.8

125.6
122.0
146. 0

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

129.4
129.6
124. 3
131. 1
130.3

137. 1
150.0
129. 8
128.4
135. 1

131. 0
136.5
128.4
126. 1
130.2

127.6
132. 8
125.7
128. 0
123.8

122.6
128.4
121.8
118.5
121. 0

123. 3
128.6
120. 3
121. 3
121. 5

131. 5
143. 0
120.7
125.4
132.4

All items

4

Percent changes February 1973 to May 1973

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

Rent, residential
Home owner ship
Fuel and utilities .
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation..

2.2

2.2

5.8
6. 0
3.4
10. 9
.5
8. 5
.7
4. 9

•6.7
7. 1
5. 1
11. 2
1.6
9.3
3.2
4. 0

4.4
5. 0
4. 0
7. 0
1.8
8.2
1.9
2.5

4.5
4. 7
3.0
7.6
1.4
7.9

4. 3
4. 0
3.2
5.6
1.5
6.8
1. 0
5. 3

4.2
4. 8
2.5
7. 5
2.6
9.9
.2
2. 2

.2
-.4
.5
-.4
.6

.7
.4
. 3
.4
-. 7

.9
1.0
.8
1. 2
.5

.6
1.7

-1.4
1.4

1. 3
1. 0
1. 3
.9
3.5
4.9
3.2
1. 1

3.
3.
1.
4.
2.
1.
.
1.

3
4
7
3
8
0
1.9

2. 0

. 5
. 4

2. 0

0
8
0
5
8
0
3
3

Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys1.
Women's and g i r l s '
Footwear _

. 7
-. 3
1. 1
.6

2.4
2. 5
2.9
2. 0

2. 1
1.7
4. 1
1. 1

1.4
-.2
2. 1
2.9

1. 3
1.8
1.2
1.3

2.2
.6
4.9
.5

Transportation
Private
Public

1.4
1.6

2. 1
1. 2
6.5

3.9
4.2
0

3. 3
3. 8
. 1

2.7
2.9
0

1. 0
1.2
0

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

.9
.9
1. 1
.5
1.4

1.2
.9
2. 0
1.7
.9

1.2
1. 1
0
1.9
1.4

1.5
1.8
2. 8
1.4
1. 0

.9
1.2
2.4
0
. 7

1. 1
. 5
2. 1

See footnote 1, table 3.
Not available.
Change from March 1973.
Revised index: February 1973, 121.4.




13

5.4
6. 1
4.4
8.8
1. 9
10. 9
1. 3
3. 5
.6
.66
2. 0
-.2
-.8
2. 3
-.2
1.7
3. 1
5.6
2.9
1.8

. 9
.7

Table 6. C o n s u m e r P r i c e Index—United States and s e l e c t e d a r e a s for u r b a n wage e a r n e r s and c l e r i c a l w o r k e r s ,
food and i t s s u b g r o u p s , M a y 1973, and p e r c e n t c h a n g e s from A p r i l 1973
Food at home
Total
food

Area1

Total

Cereals
and
bakery
products

Meats,
poultry,
and fish

Dairy
products

Fruits
and
vegetables

Other
foods
at
home

Food
away
from
home

Indexes (1967-100)
~

137.9

137.6

122. 1

155.6

123.2

144.6

125.4

138.9

C inc innati ——.—.——«—————.——-.—.Cleveland
Dallas
De t r o it
Honolulu
Hous ton — _—_——_.»—_—.—
...... _«_
Kans as City
Los Angeles—Long B e a c h
Milw aukee
v
Minneapolis-St. Paul
N. Y . - N o r t h e a s t e r n N. J
Philadelphia
- _Pittsburgh
St. Louis
_
San Diego _—..-.._..-.. - «———.—_«_
San Francisco—Oakland
Se attle
Washington

140.6
139.8
136. 4
138. 2
138.8
140. 0
139.5
136. 9
138.6
132. 7
139. 1
138. 1
133.6
134.5
138.6
141.9
139. 5
137.4
136. 0
137. 2
135. 2
133. 9
141. 5

140. 7
140. 1
136.4
137. 7
139.2
141. 2
140.2
135. 4
139.2
131. 8
136. 3
138.2
134. 8
134. 0
138. 3
140.7
138.4
136.5
135. 5
135.8
136.6
134. 1
139. 9

125. 0
119.7
122. 3
121. 0
126.7
124.4
121.2
120. 1
128. 1
111.6
118. 5
125. 5
119. 0
123.8
132. 3
123.8
123.4
120.0
127.4
117.8
117. 3
117. 0
126. 0

158. 2
157.0
153. 3
154. 2
156. 0
157. 1
159.4
153. 7
159.7
144.4
158. 5
156.8
156. 2
150. 7
160. 3
154. 7
155. 5
151.7
147. 7
159.6
153. 1
152.7
154. 0

127. 7
125.9
121. 9
122.2
124.4
127. 0
127.6
116.4
123.0
124.6
124. 0
133.4
120.4
119.9
125. 1
125. 8
123. 5
122. 2
123. 5
120.4
121. 1
123.7
118. 5

154.9
150.4
143.2
153.0
143. 9
148.2
145. 0
142. 7
132.4
138.4
136.2
135. 8
135.4
139. 5
137.0
150.8
144.7
148. 0
147. 2
134. 2
142.4
137.0
156. 2

126. 3
127. 3
123.8
122. 1
125.6
130. 2
126. 8
124.5
126.9
124. 1
123. 7
125.5
124.8
122.4
126.6
128. 7
125.8
125.4
121.7
123. 9
128. 3
124.6
128.9

140. 3
138.6
135.9
140. 9
137. 3
135. 8
136.3
142. 7
136. 3
135. 1
149. 1
137.9
130. 3
136.0
140. 0
145.6
144.4
143. 0
138. 7
140.4
130. 5
133. 2
145.5

U. S. city a v e r a g e Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
- ~
B uf f al o

-

- -

P e r c e n t changes April 1973 to May 1973

Atlanta
Boston
Buffalo
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dall^Detroit
Honolulu
Houston
_
Kansas City „—._—— —...... ..
Los Angeles—Long Beach

__—.»

Minneapolis—St. Paul
N. Y. - N o r t h e a s t e r n N. J
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
—
St. Louis
San Diego
San Francisco—Oakland
Se attle
W ashington

1. 0

0.9

1.6

1.4
. 7
.6
. 8
1. 1
1. 3
1. 2
1. 3
. 3
1. 0
1. 3
1. 3
.9
ft
. 5
. 1
. 0
.6
. 1
. 9
. 7
. 1
. 9

1. 7
.5
. 5
. 3
1. 0
1.4
.8
1. 2
0
1. 2
1. 3
1. 2
.6
. 1
1. 8
1. 1
.9
.6
1.0
. 5
.8
1. 1
. 9

. 7
.4
2. 8
1. 3
.6
4.2
.4
2. 8
2.6
1. 3
2. 3
2.6
1.4
1. 6
1.6
2. 3
. 7
1.9
1.8
1. 5
2.6
. 7
2. 1

See footnote 1, table 3.
Change from F e b r u a r y 1973.




14

0. 1

1. 1

2.0

). 9

1.4

. 7
-. 5
-.4
. 1
1. 2
. 7
-. 3
. 3
-1.4
. 3
1. 0
-. 5
. 5
-1. 8
1.6
. 1
. 3
-1.7
-. 2
-. 7
. 1
. 4
-. 3

1.6
1. 5
. 3
1.4
1. 3
.6
.8
1. 3
1. 7
. 2
1. 4
1.2
. 5
. 7
1.7
1. 2
.7
3.9
.9
1. 1
.7
1.8
.9

4. 7
2.6
1. 3
. 5
2.9
1.4
2.8
2. 2
-.6
3.4
.9
3.6
1. 0
3. 0
2. 5
1.6
1. 7
2. 0
2. 1
4. 0
1.9
3.6
2.5

.4
. 2
.3
-. 7
-. 7
1.6
L. 5
. 8
L. 0
L. 2

.9
1. 5
. 7
3. 3
1.3
1. 3
2.9
2. 0
1.4
.6
1.6
1.8
2. 0
2
3. 6
.4
1. 0
1.2
.4
1.8
2
5.3
.9
1. 1
.9

1.4
. 1
. 1
1. 2
1.8
2. 2
1. 0
1. 8
4
. 1
-.4
1. 5

Table 7. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban
May 1973 indexes and percent changes from selected dates

age earners and clerical workers, food items,

(1967= 100)
±-*erc snt cnange to May
from—
April 1973

Index
Item and group

Food
Food away from home
Restaurant meals
Snac ks
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Flo ur
Cracker meal
Corn flakes
Ric e
Bread, white
Bread, whole wheat
Cookies
Layer cakes
Cinnamon rolls
Meats, poultry, and fish
1/ e at s
Beef and veal
Steak, round
Ste ak,. sir loin
Steak, porterhouse
Rump roast
Rib roast
Chuck roast
Hamburger
Beef liver
Veal cutlets
Pork
Chops
Loin roast
Pork sausage
Ham, whole
Picnics
Bacon
Other meats
Lamb chops
Frankfurters
Ham, canned
Bologna sausage
Salami sausage
Liverwur st - —— —
Poultry
Frying chicken
Chicken, breasts
Tur ke y
Fish
Shrimp, frozen
Fish, fresh or frozen
Tuna fish, canned
Sardines, canned
Dairy products
Milk, fresh, grocery
Milk, fresh, delivered
Milk, fresh, skim
Milk, evaporated
Cheese, American process
B utte r




May 1972

May 1973
Unadjusted

Seasonally
adjusted

Unadjusted

Unadjusted

137. 9
138. 9
139. 5
136. 1
137.6
122. 1
116. 3
140.7
103.4
124. 2
120.6
126.9
113.4
126.5
127. 0
155.6
155.9
162. 7
158.2
150. 3
151.8
154. 2
162. 4
173. 0
170.6
155. 3
188.9
150. 0
145. 8
151. 7
166. 1
140. 5
159. 2
145. 2
149.4
145. 0
156.4
140. 8
156. 7
150. 3
147. 8
150.4
154. 8
144. 5
136. 0
160.2
154. 1
185. 1
140. 9
161. 0
123. 2
121. 9
126. 5
130.2
131.4
110. 0
134. 7
103. 0

137.9
139. 0
139.6
136. 2
137. 6
122. 0
115.8
139.9
103.4
124. 0
120. 8
127. 3
112. 5
126.6
127. 0
155.9
156.4
161. 9
157. 1
149. 6
152. 0
152.4
161. 8
171. 5
169.9
154. 5
188.5
152.4
150. 0
155.4
167. 4
143. 1
160. 2
146.4
149. 5
145.7
156. 7
140. 2
156.7
150. 5
148. 1
151. 2
155. 7
144.8
137.4
159.9
153.6
184. 9
140. 1
161. 0
121. 8

12. 8
6. 5
7. 0
4. 1
14. 5
6. 5
16. 1
3. 8
2.4
13.2
7. 0
5. 5
1. 8
5.6
5. 1
24. 7
24. 1
21. 3
21. 1
17.9
16.4
19. 3
18. 9
29.2
25. 7
17. 5
18.4
30. 0
27. 1
32. 3
33.0
27. 1
31.6
31. 0
22.8
14. 5
28. 1
23.9
23.6
21. 0
26.2
38. 7
44.4
29. 1
22. 6
14. 3
15. 3
25. 3
5.4
10. 5
5. 0
4.4
5.2
6.7
9.0
3. 3
8.5
-2. 2

1. 0
1.4
1. 5
.6
.9
1.6
2. 1
1.4
2.3
2. 1
1. 8
. 6
. 7
1. 3
2. 3
. 1
-. 1
-. 1
-.6
-.9
-. 2
-. 1
.9
. 3
. 1
-.6
. 1
-. 5
1. 3
-.8
. 1
-1. 1
-1.2
-1. 8
. 3
-. 3
. 3
. 7
-. 4
1. 1
. 7
. 2
-. 6
-. 5
5.4
2. 6
3. 1
3. 3
1. 4
2.5
1. 1
1. 2
.8
1. 7
1.7
.6
1.8
-. 2

129.9
131.4
110.3
134. 4
103. 0

15

Seasonally
adjusted
1. 1
1.5
1. 5
. 7
1. 1
1.8
1.9
1.4
2. 3
2. 1
1.9
1. 2
.4
1. 7
2.4
.7
.6
.4
. 6
-1.5
-. 7
. 2
.6
1. 8
. 4
-. 7
.6
.6
2.6
. 1
. 7
2. 1
. 5
-.9
. 8
-.5
1. 2
.9
0
1.6
. 7
.8
. 8
-.2
7. 5
2. 8
2.8
3. 1
1.4
2. 7
_
1..2
1.6
1. 0
.6
2. 0
-. 2

Table 7. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, food items,
May 1973 indexes and percent changes from selected dates-Continued
(1967=100)

hange to May 197 3
from—
May 1973

Item and group

Food—Continued
Food away from home—Continued
Fruits and vegetables .
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits _
Apples .
Bananas
Oranges
-- - ,, . , _...._ - Orange juice, fresh
Grapefruit
Grape
Strawberries
Watermelon
Fresh vegetables .

- ,« - .- . -••-.-

Onions
Asparagus .
Cabbage .
Carrots Celery
Cucumbers
Lettuce .
Peppers, green
S p i n a c h ———«—«_____••__.»—._-.—..—....—.—.»-.»_.—.•.•••.
Tom atoe s
Processed fruits and vegetables .
Fruit cocktail, canned
Pears, canned
Pineapple-grapefruit juice, drink
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

Carbonated drink, cola flavored
Carbonated drink, fruit flavoredPrepared 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

Unadjusted

Seasonally
adjusted

144.6
156. 9
137.7
145.5
100.6
137.6
132. 0
130.6

141.6
151.4
138.4
142.0
98.9
144. 1
132.4
141. 0

16.7
23.8
113.8
19.5
-3.6
16.6
1. 1
-1. 0

120.6

127.9

16.7

(!)
172.4
184. 3
303.6
134.4
195.2
131.4
146. 7
144.7
165.2
188.7
152.8
126.9
126.3
128. 8
123.9
119. 0
137.2
120. 5
138. 0
109.2
124. 6
144.3
120. 7
125.4
138. 7

(l)
161.6
184. 1
294.2
139.9
183. 3
133.5
139. 3
133.6
164.4
128.6
153.7
115. 8
126.4
128. 9
124. 3
118. 9
137.2
119. 8
138. 1
109.6
124. 7
144.4
120. 8
126. 7
149.6

31. 2
62. 1
171. 1
-4.7
45.6
-5. 1
-1. 3
18.6
51. 1
-9. 1
11.9
-6. 1
5.4
5.9
5.6
3.7
. 7
2.7
14.6
1.7
7. 8
5. 3
2.2
8. 1
36.4

121. 1
111. 3
125.7
126.3
120. 5
132.9
134. 8
115.9
129. 5
133.4
131.7
110.9
131.4
131. 1
117. 8
117. 7
105. 3
123. 0
117. 9
113. 5
113.7
131. 3
117. 0

120.7
110.9
125.6
126. 0
120.4
132.5
135. 1
115.4
129. 5
133. 5
131.2
110.9
131. 3
130. 8
117.6
117.2
105. 1
123.2
117. 5
113.6
114.3
130. 9
116. 7

C)

Priced only in season.




May 1972

16

(M

Unadjusted

(M
(M

2.8
.6
2. 8
4. 0
4.4
5.9
3. 1
2.9
7. 0
13. 0
5.4
1.8
2.5
2. 2
2.7

April 197 3
Unadjusted

2. 0
2.8
. 7
8.4
-5.9
1.4
.2
2. 7
-17.8

4. 2
7. 5
20.6
-7.6
16.4
. 2
10. 7
-15. 1
2.9
1.6
-1. 0
-5. 0
. 5
-.3
.4
-.2
-1. 3
-.2
2.9
-.7
1. 0
1. 5
0
.9
-. 1

1. 0
. 3
1.4
. 5
1.8
2.9
2. 2
.4
. 7
. 5
. 3

.9
-. 5
4. 0
5. 1
2.4
2.2
4.9
1. 3

.5
.8

-. 7
0

Seasonally
adjusted

0.9
.8
-. 1
3.8
-6. 3
0
-. 1
-1. 5

(M

-6.0

(l)
1. 5
5. 3
15.6
-9.4
14. 3
-3. 3
-3.8
7. 2
-. 1
-19. 8
.7
-5. 0
.6
. 1
.6
. 2
-1. 2
. 2
3. 2
.0
. 7
1.4
.6
2.0
7. 3
1. 3
. 5
2. 3
.6
1. 0
-. 2
1.5
. 7
1. 9
3. 0
2. 1
. 2
. 7
. 3
. 3
.2
. 1
.7
. 3
. 7
1. 2
0
-. 1

Table 8. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers
indexes for selected items and groups, May 1973, and percent changes from selected dates

Item and group
HousingShelter 1
Rent, residential
Horn e owne r s hip2
Mortgage interest rates
Property taxes
Property insurance premiums
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 .
Replac ing s ink
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
Textile s
—
She e ts
Curtains, tailored
Bedspreads
Drapery fabric .
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

Other
index
base

Dec. 71
M a r . 70
Dec. 71

Floor coverings
Broadloom carpeting, manmade fibers .
Vinyl sheet goods
Vinyl asbestos tile
Appliances (excluding radio and T. V. )
Washing machines, electric, automatic
Vacuum cleaners, canister type
Refrigerators or refrigerator-freezers, ele
Ranges, free standing, gas or electric
Clothes dryers, electric
Air conditioners, demountable
Room heaters, electric, portable
Garbage disposal units
Othe r hous efurnis hing s:
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 serv
Licensed day care services, preschool child .
Washing machine repairs
See footnotes at end of table.




17

Percent change to May 1973
from:
April
May
1973
1972

April
1973

May
1973

132.8
138. 1
123.0
143.6
117.8
152. 1
124. 8
148. 1
134.2
119. 3
119.6
154. 1
167. 1
161.4
141. 1
152.7
159. 5
125. 1
128.3
126.2
125.5
127. 1
124. 0

133.3
138.7
123. 5
144. 2
118.2
152.4
125. 0
149.6
136.5
119.2
119.9
155. 2
168.9
162. 9
142. 1
153. 3
160.4
125.4
129.3
127. 3
125.7
127.4
124. 0

115. 6
144. 3
123. 6
118.0
115.8
118.2
113.4
112.4
126. 7
108.2
115. 5
123.6
107. 7
122. 3
102.8
107. 3
99.7
118.0
106. 0
128. 1
120.4
107.6
102.2
120. 1
119.7
109. 5
110. 8
103.8
108.2
110.0
114.2
109.9
(5)
111.0

115.8
144. 3
123.9
118. 5
115.7
117. 0
114. 7
112. 1
126.8
108. 1
115. 1
124.8
109. 0
123.4
103.3
108. 2
100. 1
119. 0
106.2
132.0
122. 3
107.4
102. 0
120.4
119.4
109.5
110.8
103. 5
108.4
110. 0
114. 1
109.7
(5)
111.5

2.6
4. 8
2.6
2. 0
1.8
1. 8
2. 2
.5
4.2
.8
1.2
2. 5
3.5
2. 3
2.9
2.8
1.4
1. 5
1.6
2.9
3.6
.7
.2
2. 3
.9
. 1
.4
-. 3
.5
0
.4
-1. 3

128.8
131. 1
127.7
121. 6
106.4

129.6
131.4
128. 5
121.7
106. 8

5.5
8. 1
5. 5
1. 2

.6
.2
.6
.1

112.4
138. 5
127. 1

112. 0
138.5
121. 0

1. 0
5.9
-4. 0

0
-4. 8

144.4
140.7
146.6
145.9
128. 8
147.2

145.7
141. 1
146.6
147.5
129. 1
148.2

4.9
4. 3
0
6.9

3.7
3. 9

4. 1
3. 8
1.0
5. 1
1.9
6.9
10. 7
1.4
2. 3
5.5
7. 1
5. 1
5.3
5. 2
5.0
4.7
8.9
9. 3
4. 3
4. 3
4. 3

5

6.4
5.6

0.4
.4
.4
.4
.3
.2
.2
1.0
1.7
-. 1
.3
.7
1. 1
.9
.7
.4
.6
.2
.8
.9
.2
.2
0
.2
0
. 2
.4
-. 1
-1. 0

1. 1
-.3
.1
-. 1
-.3
1.0
1.2
.9
.5

.2
3. 0
1.6
-. 2
-.2
.2
-. 3
0
0
-. 3
.2
0
-. 1
-. 2
5

.9
. 3
0

1. 1
.2
.7

Table 8. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workei
indexes for selected items and groups, May 1973, and percent changes from selected dates—Continued

(1967=100)
Other
index
base

Item and group

Apparel and upkeep^

-

-

-

—

-

Nlen*' s and boys'
__
Men1 s:
Topcoats, wool or all-weather coats,
polyester blends—
—
«
Suits year round weight
- - Suit, tropical weight
_
Jackets, lightweight
Slacks, wool or wool blends
Slacks, cotton or manmade blends
Trousers, work, cotton or polyester/cotton
Shirts, work, cotton or polyester/cotton
Shirts, business, polyester/cotton
-___ __
T-shirts, chiefly cotton
Socks, cotton or manmade fibers
Handkerchiefs, cotton or polyester/cotton
Boy' s
Coats, all purpose, cotton or cotton blends
Sport coats, wool or wool blends
Dungarees, cotton or cotton blends
Undershorts, cotton
Women* s and g i r l s '
Women1 s :
Coats, heavyweight, wool or wool blends
Carcoats, heavyweight, cotton
Sweaters, wool or acrylic
Skirts, wool, wool blend or manmade fibers
Skirts, cotton or polyester/cotton
Blouses, cotton or manmade fibers
Dresses, street, chiefly manmade fiber
Slips nylon -_ _—______—____-__-_-__---____-____-________—

May

May

1973

1972

125 8
126 2
125. 5
125. 9

126 7
127 2
126. 5
126. 7

3 4
3 5

(5)

134 6
145. 9
118.0
116. 0
142.8
119.2
119.6
112. 4
121. 7
117. 3
120. 1

(5 )
(5)
133. 0
122. 1
126.0

(5 )
(5 )
134. 0
122.5
127. 2
(5)

April
1973

3.2

7
8
.8

3. 5

.6
(5)

(5)

133 6
146. 1
117. 5
115.7
143. 0
118. 1
119. 0
111. 9
119. 7
116.6
119. 2

(5)

Girdles, manmade blend
Brassieres, nylon lace
Hose or pantyhose, nylon seamless
Anklets or knee-length socks, various fibers
Gloves, fabric, nylon or cotton
Handbags, rayon faille or plastic
Girl's:
Raincoats, vinyl, cotton or polyester blends
Skirts, wool, wool blends or acrylic
Dresses, cotton, manmade fibers or blends
Slacks, cotton or chiefly cotton
Slips, polyester blends
Handbags, plastic
- Footwear
Men1 s:
Shoes street
Shoes, work, high
Women1 s
Shoes, street, pump.
_
Shoes, evening, pump
Shoes, casual—
House slippers scuff
Childrens :
Shoes, oxford
_
Sneakers, boys, oxford type

Percent change to May 1973

Indexes
April
1973

1 7
5 7
2. 0
-.6
4. 0
3.9
3.9
_. 9
3.7

7
.4

.3
-. 1
.9

.5
.4
1. 7

.5
3.8

.6
.8

(5 )
(5 )

(5 )
(5 )

1. 7
3. 1

.3
1. 0

(5)

(5)

5.4

.8

H
123.
( 5 )3
124. 7

H
130.
( 5 )5
125. 9

134.6
110. 9
119. 0
118. 7
124. 2
94. 3
114. 3
111. 5
148. 3

135. 0
110.9
119.4
119. 0
125. 0
94. 5
113.9
112. 0
148. 5

0
2. 1
.7
2. 5
-2. 1
-.9
.7
3. 7

(55 )
( )
122.6
(5 )
109.2
124 9
129. 7

(5 )
(5 )
123. 2
(5 )
109.4
126 1
130. 3

(5 )
(5 j
-1. 7
(5 )
-1.4
-2.9
4.6

132 1
132 4

133 0
134 8

8 0
10. 9

130 1
123. 7
130 1
127 5

130 0
123. 7
130 5
128 6

2 7
1. 3
37
3 5

0

132 5
125.6
135 2

133 0
125.6
135. 3

5 1
2. 0
4. 2

0

118 3
120. 8
119 1

118 6
122.4
119 1

4 0

120. 2
116.5
127 1
136 8
120. 4

120.8
117. 9
127 6
137 6
120.8

2. 8

. 5

2.4

1. 2

5.6
3 8
5. 0

.3

H5
()

7.6

1. 3
4.2

5

(5)

5. 8
1. 0
.3
0
.3
.3
.6
.2
-. 3
.4
.1
(5 )
(S )
.5
(5 )
.2
1 0
.5
7

1 8

3

9
4

Miscellaneous apparel:
Yard goods, polyester blend
Wrist watches, men's and women's
Apparel services:
Drycleaning, men's suits and women1 s dresses
Automatic laundry service
Tailoring charges, hem adjustment
Shoe repairs, women's heel lift

.
_

_

See footnotes at end of table.




18

3

3^9

1. 3

36

o
.4

Table 8. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
indexes for selected items and groups, May 1973, and percent changes from selected dates—Continued
(1967=100)
Item and group

Other
index
base

Percent change to May 1973
from:
May
April
1972
1973

April
1973

May
1973

Transportation .
Private 7 _.
Automobiles, new
Automobiles, u s e d .
Gasoline, regular and premium
Motor oil, premium __
Tires, new, tubelessAuto repairs and maintenance 8
Auto insurance rates
Auto registration
Parking fees, private and municipal
Pub lie
Local transit fares
Taxicab fares
Railroad fares, coach
Airplane fares, chiefly coach
3us fares, intercity ——- — —_——..—..

122. 6
120. 3
111. 1
117. 3
113. 8
126. 5
111.2
140. 7
138.4
123. 7
152. 0
143. 9
149. 8
135.7
122. 3
132. 1
144.6

123.5
121. 3
111. 1
120.6
115. 3
127. 2
110. 7
141.4
138.4
123.7
152. 0
143. 9
149.9
135. 7
122.4
132. 1
144. 6

3. 3
3.6
-. 3
9.6
8.6
3. 2
-4. 8
5. 1
-1. 5
-3. 0
4. 2
. 8
. 5
2. 1
-3.6
1.9
5. 1

Health and recreation
Medical care
Drugs and prescriptions
Over-the-counter items
Multiple vitamin concentrates
Aspirin compounds
Liquid tonics
Cold tablets or capsules
Adhesive bandages, packagesCough syrup
Pre s criptions
Anti -infe ctive s
Sedatives and hypnotics
Atar actic s
Antispasmodics
Cough preparations
Cardiovasculars and antihyper
Analge s ic s, inte rnal
Anti-obesity
Hormones —
Professional services:
Physicians fees
General physician, office visits
General physician, house visits
Obstetrical cases
Pediatric care, office visits
Psychiatrist, office visits
Herniorrhaphy, adult
Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy .
Dentists' fees
Fillings, adult, amalgam, one surface
Extractions, adult
Dentures, full upper ..—..——«.-—.——-..——-—
«
Other professional services:
Examination, prescription, and dispensing of
e ye glas s e s —— ——_— —___ .
—Routine l a b o r a t o r y t e s t s , urinalysis
Hospital s e r v i c e c h a r g e s „_—___- __—___..--._«_—..- —_
Semiprivctte room __»,__.._—_-_.—.—. ..—._—._....__..
Operating room c h a r g e s
X - r a y , diagnostic s e r i e s , upper G. I
Laboratory t e s t s , urinalysis
Anti-infective, t e t r a c y l i n e , HCL
T r a n q u i l i z e r , chlordiazepoxide, HCL and
meprobamate
Electrocardiogram
Intravenous solution, saline
P h y s i c a l therapy, whirlpool bath .
Oxygen, inhalation therapy
Personal care
Toilet goods
__.
Toothpaste, standard dentifrice
Toilet soap, h a r d milled
Hand lotions, liquid
Shaving c r e a m , a e r o s o l
F a c e powder, p r e s s e d
Deodorants, a e r o s o l
Cleansing t i s s u e s
Home p e r m a n e n t wave kits
Personal care services
j ^ g n ' g haircut _-.._-___——_—..•——_—_-__—..——_.»_—.
Beauty shop s e r v i c e s
Women's h a i r c u t s .
Shampoo and wave s e t s , plain
P e r m a n e n t w a v e s , cold

129. 2
136. 2
105.7
112.2
94.7
117.5
101. 2
114.4
126. 1
115. 1
100. 3
71. 1
128.4
103.6
107.4
135. 3
112. 9
111. 5
116.4
91. 5

129.6
136.6
105. 9
112.5
95.5
117.7
101. 7
114. 1
126.7
115. 3
100. 4
71. 3
129. 0
103. 8
107. 6
136. 0
112. 8
111. 7
116.6
91. 3

3. 0
3. 5
. 2
. 7
.2
0
.4
. 2
2. 1
1. 1
-. 3
-5.2
2.5
1. 1
-. 3
4. 9
1. 3
2. 0
-.4
-1. 7

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

136.9
138. 1
141. 0
137. 0
139.6
132.9
130. 5
131. 1
135.4
137.8
134. 3
131. 9

137.5
138. 5
141. 3
137. 9
140. 0
133.6
130. 8
132. 7
135. 7
137. 9
134. 7
132. 1

3. 2
3. 1
4. 1
2.9
3. 2
4. 0
2. 3
2. 2
2.9
3.4
2. 1
2. 4

.4
.3
.2
. 7
. 3
. 5
.2
1. 2
. 2
. 1
. 3
.2

127. 6
121. 2
104.9
180. 8
178.4
131.2
103. 0
97.7

129.4
121. 9
105. 1
181. 0
178. 5
131. 2
103. 3
97. 8

3. 8
1.0
3. 2
4.5
6. 7
1. 8
1.4
-2. 5

1.4

102. 4
104. 5
103.6
106. 3
103. 1
123. 8
119. 3
110. 7
126. 0
126. 6
108. 5
142. 9
104. 7
125.4
109. 3
128. 5
130. 2
127. 3
131.4
131. 0
115. 1

104.4
104. 5
103. 8
106.4
103. 1
124.4
119. 5
110. 1
126. 9
125. 3
108.9
144. 3
104. 8
126. 1
109.4
129. 5
131.4
128. 3
133.2
131. 7
115.8

3. 3
1. 7
1. 9
4. 4
1.4
3.9
2. 0
. 2
3.3
. 1
. 8
9. 8
-1. 1
1. 4
. 3
5. 8
5.2
6. 3
10. 1
6. 0
2. 8

Jan. 72
Jan. 72
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.

72
72
72
72
72

See footnotes at end of table.




19

0
2. 8
1. 3
.6
-.4
. 5
0
0
0
0

0
0

.6
. 2
. 1
. 1
0
. 3
. 1
2. 0
0
.2
. 1
0
. 5
.2
-.5
. 7
-1. 0
. 4
1. 0
. 1
.6
. 1

1.4
. 5
. 6

Table 8. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
indexes for selected items and groups, May 1973, and percent changes from selected dates—Continued

Item and group

Other
index
base

Health and recreation—Continued
Reading and recreation 9
Recreational goods
TV sets, portable and console
TV replacement tubes
Radios, portable and table model ,
Tape recorders, portable
Phonograph records, stereophonic.
Movie cameras, super 8, zoom lens .
Film, 35mm, color.
Golf balls, liquid center or solid core
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'
Drive-in movie admissions, adult
Bowling fees, evening
Golf green fees
TV repair, color picture tube replacement
Film developing, color
Reading and education:
Newspapers, street sale and deliveryMagazines, 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
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 accounts
Legal services, short form will
1

Percent change to May 197 3
from:
May
April
1972
1973

April
1973

May
1973

125.2
108. 6
98.2
134. 3
99.2
92.5
108.2
88.7
108. 1
104.3
127. 1
109. 1
115.4
121. 1
114.3
116.4
131.5
146. 7
145.2
150. 8
148. 5
123. 1
134. 9
99.5
116. 3

125.6
109. 0
98. 1
134. 5
99.3
92.9
108. 8
88.5
107. 8
104.0
127. 3
109.3
115.5
121. 8
115. 1
120. 7
132. 1
147. 7
146.2
151. 9
149. 2
122.9
136. 0
99.4
116. 3

2. 5
1. 1
-1.5
3. 0
. 3
-1.6
2.2
1. 1
-.4

134.8
136. 1
125.6
128. 2
136. 5
138.2
138. 7
112. 3
121.6
114. 9
109. 1
131.5
134. 3

136.2
136. 1
125. 8
128. 5
137.0
138.8
139.2
112.7
121.7
114. 3
108.9
135.0
134.6

3. 3
2. 0
2.9
2. 5
2.9
3. 3
2. 7
1.8
1.8
. 1
. 3
6.7
3. 1

124.6
106.5
158.3

125.4
107.4
158.5

3.9
0
6.2

-.9
.9
1.9
1. 7
5.0
1. 8
9.3
3. 2
4.6
4.4
5. 0
2. 3
3.4
5.4
1.4
-1. 3

0. 3
.4
-. 1
. 1
. 1
. 4
.6
-.2
-.3
-. 3
.2
.2
. 1
.6
.7
3.7
.5
.7
. 7
. 7
.5
-. 2
.8
-. 1

1. 0
0
.2
.2
.4
.4
.4
.4
. 1
-. 5
-.2
2. 7
.2

Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Also includes home purchase costs not shown separately.
Also includes pine shelving, furnance filters, packaged dry cement mix, and shrubbery not shown separately.
4
Also includes Venetian blinds, nails, carpet sweepers, air deodorizers, steel wool scouring pads, envelopes, reupholstering, and moving
expenses.
5
Priced only in season.
6
Also includes m e n ' s sport shirts, women's and g i r l s ' lightweight coats, women's slacks, bathing suits, g i r l s ' shorts, earrings, and
zippers not shown separately.
7
Also includes storage batteries and drivers' license fees not shown separately.
8
Includes price for water pump replacement, motor tune-up, automatic transmission repair, exhaust system repair, front-end alignment,
and chassis lubrication.
9
Also includes outboard motors, nondurable toys, college tuition fees, paperback books, and college textbooks, not shown separately.
2

3




20

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 establishmentsgrocery and department stores, hospitals, filling stations,
and other types of stores and service establishments.
Prices of foods, fuels, and a few other items are
obtained every month in all 56 locations. Prices of most
other commodities and services are collected every month
in the five largest areas and every 3 months in other
areas. Prices of most goods and services are obtained by

A Note on Seasonally Adjusted and Unadjusted Data
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




climatic conditions, production cycles, model changeovers, holidays, and sales.
The unadjusted data are of primary inierest to
consumers concerned about the prices they actually pay.
Unadjusted data also are 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.

21

Reliability of Percent Changes in the CPI
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 monthto-month change of 0.1 percent in the all-items CPI
is significant. Because of rounding, however, a change
of this size in the published index might result from a
much smaller change in the unrounded value. Hence,
any particular change of 0.1 percent may or may not
be significant. On the other hand, a published change of
0.2 percent is almost always significant, regardless of
the time period to which it relates.
This replaces the table of average errors based on
1971 data which was included in the CPI report through
March 1973.

A system of "replicated" samples introduced into
the index structure in the 1964 revision permits an estimate of sampling error for the CPI.1 The table below
shows standard errors for monthly, quarterly, and
annual percent changes in the CPI for all items and
for nine commodity groupings based on 1972 averages.
Average standard errors of percent changes in the
CPI based on 1972 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

Quarterly
change

Annual
change

.04
.07

.06
.10

.09
.15

.08
.06
.17
.11
.09
.14

.14
.10
.27
.17
.14
.19

.33
.19
.33
.20
.28
.34

.09

.12

.20

.11

.17

.23

Monthly
change

The method of deriving these estimates is described in a
paper by Marvin Wikerson, "Measurement of Sampling Error
in the Consumer Price Index," Journal of the American Statistical Association, September 1967.

A Note About Calculating Index Changes
Percent changes expressed as annual rates 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 12month period.
Movements of the indexes from 1 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 following example illustrates the computation of index point and
percent changes:




22

CPI
less previous index
index point difference =

123.8
123.2
0.6

Index point difference divided by the index for
the previous period:
1 2 3 . 8 - 123.2
x 1 0 0 = 0.5
123.2

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.

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
REGIONAL OFFICES

HAWAII
PUERTO RICO

Region I
1603 JFK Federal Building
Government Center
Boston, Mass. 02203
Phone: 223-6762 (Area Code 617)

Region V
8th Floor, 300 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, III. 60606
Phone: 353-1880 (Area Code 312)

Region II
1515 Broadway
New York, N.Y. 10036
Phone: 971-5405 (Area Code 212)

Region VI
1100 Commerce St., Rm. 6B7
Dallas, Tex. 75202
Phone: 749-3516 (Area Code 214)

Region III
P.O. Box 13309
Philadelphia, Pa. 19101
Phone: 597-1154 (Area Code 215)

Regions VII and VIM *
Federal Office Building
911 Walnut St., 15th Floor
Kansas City, Mo. 64106
Phone: 374-2481 (Area Code 816)

Region IV
Suite 540
1371 Peachtree St., NE.
Atlanta, Ga. 30309
Phone: 526-5418 (Area Code 404)

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




*
**

Regions VII and VIM are serviced by Kansas City.
Regions IX and X are serviced by San Francisco.