Full text of CPI Detailed Report : November 1954

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Issued December 22, 195U
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 2$, D. C.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX - NOVEMBER 195U
Consumer prices in American cities averaged 0»1 percent higher in November than
in October 195U, after declining in the preceding three months, according to the U.S.
Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. Higher new car prices for 1955 models
were an important factor in this increase, as former liberal price concessions on 195U
models were discontinued by dealers. Rent, fuel, medical care, personal care, and household operation costs also advanced over the month. Declines occurred in prices of food,
housefurnishings, and reading and recreation. Apparel prices were unchanged on the
average.
The Consumer Price Index for November 195U was llU.6 (19U7-U9 s 100), 0.3 percent less than November 1953, but 12.6 percent higher than June 1950; Since June 1953,
the index has exhibited marked stability, varying between llli«5 and H5*U percent of the
19U7-U9 average.
FOOD

Retail food prices fell 0.6 percent between mid-October and mid-November 195U>
continuing the decline which began last August. The food index in November was
111.1 (19U7-U9 - 100), its Iciest point since January 1951* with meats, poultry, and fish
prices down to pre-Korea levels. Food costs averaged lower in Ul of the 1*6 cities
surveyed. Price decreases for oranges, coffee, bacon, and eggs contributed most substantially to the reduction from the October food index level.
Orange prices declined nearly 2k percent on the average, and more than U0 percent in some cities, as supplies of Florida and California oranges became more plentiful.
Canned and frozen orange juice prices also rrere lower in most cities* In response to
seasonal changes in supply, lettuce prices decreased, while prices of tomatoes were up
more than 25 percent and green beans advanced over 30 percent.
Coffee prices fell k S percent further over the month as all U6 cities reported
decreases. At an average price of $1.05 per pound in November, coffee prices were about
15 percent belcw the record high of last August. Egg prices fell 2.7 percent between
October and November, and are now about 20 percent belo^ the levels of one year ago,
reflecting the continued effect of the record 195U production. Most fats and oils margarine, lard, vegetable shortening, and salad dressing - declined between 1 and U percent in price as the result of large supplies of raw materials.
Pork prices continued their seasonal downward movement of recent months, with
bacon lower in all cities (down 5 percent on the average). Prices of choice grades of
beef cuts priced for the index increased for the third consecutive month, reflecting
strength in primary markets. Poultry prices recovered somewhat from the low level of the
previous month.
Bread prices were raised in a number of cities to cover higher costs and there
were some further seasonal increases for milk, but competitive price reductions were reported in several areas for both of these important foods.




2

HOUSING

The housing index remained at the same level for the third successive month.
Rents again increased fractionally (0.2 percent) over the month although some
decreases were reported, especially in the smaller cities. The rent index has risen 1.3
percent in the first 11 months of 195U compared with 5*5 percent in the first 11 months
of 1953• Monthly gas and electric bills, and coal and fuel oil prices were higher in a
number of cities. Household operation costs moved upward slightly with scattered increases in laundry, dry cleaning, and ice prices.
Housefurnishings continued their downward trend as lower retail prices were reported for refrigerators, stoves, vacuum cleaners, and toasters. Some of the lower prices
resulted from retailers taking mark-downs to meet the competition from discount houses;
others reflected in part reduced prices from manufacturers to dealers. In addition, some
sale prices on current models were reported in anticipation of the introduction of the
1955 lines. Two large appliance manufacturers discontinued their policy of suggesting
retail selling prices for many items, peremitting distributors to establish retail prices
based on local conditions. Textile housefurnishings -were generally higher as dealers
restored original prices following sales.
OTHER COMMODITIES
The transportation index rise of 2.1 percent was the primary inAND SERVICES
fluence in reversing the recent downward trend of the Consumer Price
—
Index. Ne^ 1955 automobiles came on the market at slightly higher
list prices, but the bulk of the increased cost to consumers resulted from dealers
generally discontinuing or reducing price concessions such as were given during the last
few months on 195U models. Increased tire prices and auto maintenance costs also were
reported, but used car prices declined.
The apparel index was unchanged following the usual seasonal rise during the
earlier months of the Fall. New lower price lines on many articles of womenTs apparel
replaced previously stocked items. In menTs and bqysf apparel, jackets and work clothing
were lower and tailored clothing higher in some cities. Men's rubbers were higher in
price in most of the cities surveyed in November, as manufacturers1 prices advanced,
following higher raw material costs and recent wage increases.
Personal care costs averaged 0.U percent higher as scattered increases were
reported in the prices of some toilet goods and fees for barber and beauty shop services.,
Higher hospital rates in four cities and increases in physicians* fees in
several cities, because of higher overhead costs, caused a further advance (0.2 percent)
in the medical care index.
Reading and recreation costs declined 0.1 percent, as new model television sets
at lower prices were substituted for older models in many stores.




TABLE 1.

3

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — U.S. CITY AVERAGE ALL ITEMS AM) COMMODITY GROUPS
Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Dates

October
1954

November
1951*

September
1954

November
1953

2 Months Ago

Last Year

June
1950

Group
This Month

Last Month

Pre-Korea

Year
1939
PreWorld War II

INDEXES (19V7A9 = 1 0 0 )

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

Kent

. . . • • • • • • • » . . ,

Solid fuels and fuel oil
Rousefurnishings

. • . ,
.

Ilk* 6

114*5

114.7

115.0

101.3

59.^

111.1

111.8

112. 4

112.0

100.5

47.1

110.1
123*1

109.6
113.?

115.7

111.6
122.6
106.7
105.8
110.5
116.0

111.4
120.6
107.0

106.6

110.9
122.7
103.9
106.7

107.4
114.8

100.5
102.7
106.1
92.3
102.5
94.1

47.1
57.2
41.6
49.8
46.3
48 k 4

119.5

119.5

119.5

118.9

104.9

76.1

129.2
108,7

12k.2
105.it
117.3

129.0
108.5
123.8
105.6
117*6

128.8
107.9
122. 4
106.0

117.1*

127.3
107.3
125.9
108.3
116.9

108.7
102.7
107.6
97*4
99.6

86.6
104.9
56.4
53.4
68.4

104,6

104.6

104.3

105.5

96.5

52.5

106.5

106.4
99.0
116.5
90.9

98.1

117.0
91.2

106. k
99.6
116.7
91.-1

107.8
100.7
116.2
91.3

102.1
88.4

y,
1/

127.6
126.1
113.8
106.8
120.0

125.0
125.9
113.4
106.9
120.1

126.4
125.7
113.5
106.5
120.1

130.1
123.3
113*4
108.9
120.2

109.9
105.4
99.2
102.5
103.7

68.9
72.6
59.6
63.0
70.6

June
1QS3

Year
1939

103.5

111.1

99.5

Footwear

TRANSPORTATION
. . . . . . . . . .
MEDICAL CARE
PERSONAL CARE . . . .
READING AND RECREATION
......
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES jJ . « . .

110.5

93.3

y
y,

PERCENT CHANGE TO NOVEMBER 195k FROM :

Cereals and bakery products . •
Dairy products

...••>••.,

.......

September
1954

0.1

- oa

- 0.3

12.6

92.9

- 0.6

- 1.2

- 0.8

10.5

135.9

- 0.7
0.3

- 1.3
0.4
- 3.0
0.8

- 1.2
2.1
- 3.3
- 3.5
2.0
- 1.0

9.6
19.9
- 2,5
15.5
6.9
20.8

133.8
115.2
148.8
114.1
136.7
134.9

0.5

13.9

57.0

0.3
0.7
1.5
- 0.6
0.3

1.5
1.3
- 1.4
- 2.7
0.8

18.9
5.8
15.4
8.2
18.3

49.2
3.6
120.2
97.4
72.2

0.3

- 0.9

8.4

99.2

- 1.2
- 1.2
0.7
- 0.1

6.6
14.6
3.2

- 1.9
2.3
0.4
- 1.9
- 0.2

16.1
19.6
14.7
4.2
15.7

-

o.U

- 0.1
- 1.4

- 1.7
HOUSING 2/

0
0.2
0.2
0.3
- 0.2
0.2
0

MEDICAL CARE . . . . .
PERSONAL CARE
READING AND RECREATION
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES !_/ * • • «
1/
2/

November
1953

October
1954

- 0.8

- 2.0

0

0.1

0.1

- 0.1
0.3
0.1

0.5

2.1
0.2
0.4
- 0.1
~ 0.1

0.9
0.3
0.3
0.3

0.1A
0.3

- 0.1

8.6

Includes restaurant meals not shown separately.
Includes home purchase and other home-owner costs not shewn separately.
Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services"(such as legal services, banking fees,
burial ser/ices, etc.).
4/' Not available.




4/
57

V
1/
85.2
73.7
90.9
69.5
70.0

k

M I * 2. CCKSMER PRICK ZKSBZ — AIL ITEMS IRDEXES FOR SELECTED DATES
U.S. C m AVERAGE AID 20 IARQE CITIES

(1935-39 = 100)
City
October
195U

Novenber
19&

November
1953

June
1950

November
19ft

Year
1939

1/
U.S. c m AVERAGE

. .

llii.6

111*. 5

115.0

101.8

59.k

191.6

117.6
116.9
115.0
112.7
115.9

117.1
116.0
llii.8
112.6
116.1

ll6.ii
116.7
116.1
112.9
llli.7

102.8
102.8
101.3
100.9
101.6

58.6
59.0
60.U
60.1
59.2

200.3
197.3
192.2
186.5
192.9

November
1953

May
19 "SO

CITIES PRICED MONTHLY:

New York
Philadelphia

November

CITIES HtlCED IN FEBRUARY, MAY,
AUGUST, NOVEMBER
2/
Cleveland ••..••••••••••••••••..••
Houston

Washington, D. C
CITIES PRICED IN JANUARY, APRIL,
JULY, OCTOBER
2/

CITIES PRICED IN MARCH, JUNE,
2/
SEPTEMBER, DECEMBER

115.3
116.7
112.3
115.7
113.5

115.3
116.5
112. k
116.2
llii.l

115.5
117.3
113.J;
ll6.it
UU.3

100.U
103.5
100.2
102.0
101.6

October
195ii

July
195ii

October
1953

April
19^0

113.5
115.7
116.9
llii.3
115.2

113.8
115.6
117.3

113.8
115.7
116.6
llii. 7
116.1

101.2
101.U
102.1 3/
99.9 ~
101.5

USA
115.5
June
19SL

September
19 5L

San Francisco

September
19S3

117.6
115.5
11U.2

116.3
115.2
111*. 3
115.7
116.2

Baltimore

l/
2/
3/
±/

August
195U

195k

117,k
116.8

117.6
115.0
115.3
117.1
116.9

November
1952i
59.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
60.U

196.5
197.6
186.6
197.7
I86.ii
October

61.0
61.7
60.7
58.1
58.3

182.7
186.3
193.6

19k.3
199.5

June
19*)

September
195ii

101.3 V
101.6 ""
101.2
101.1
100.9

58.3
57.9
58.U
59.3
58.6

197.2
198.0
192.5
193.1
198.6

These are the same indexes shown in column 1, converted to a base of 1935-39 = 100.
Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items priced monthly; other commodities and services priced quarterly.
June 1950} formerly priced March, June, September, December.
May 1950; formerly priced February,
August, November.

TABLE 3. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — PERCENT CHANGES FROM OCTOBER 19$h TO NOVEMBER 19$h
U.So City Average and Five Cities Priced Monthly
All Items and Commodity Groups

Cit)

U.S. CITY AVERAGE . .

0.1

Philadelphia . *

O.ii
0.8
0.2
0.1
- 0.2




Food

All
Items

- 0.6
-

o.k
o.l

- 1.0
- 0.3
- 1.0

Housing

0
0.1
0.1
- 0.2
0.1
0.2

Apparel

0
0
- 0.3
- 0.1
0.3
0

Other
Goods 8s
Services

Medical
(Jare

2.1

0.2

O.ii

- 0.1

- 0.1

k.9
h. 6

0
0.6
0

1.2
1.0

0.2

0.3
- 0.1
- 0.3
0.7
0.3

0.5
1.1
- 2.0
- O.ii
- 0.6

0
0.1
0.3
0
0

6.1

o.U

Personal
Care

Reading
and
Recreation

Transportation

5

TABUS U. CGHSUMSR BR ICS XRSEX — AIL ITEMS AMD COMMODITY GROUPS
November 195b Indexes and Percent Changes, August 1954 to November 1954
U.S. City Average and 10 Cities Priced in November 1954

U.S.
Chicago CleveCITY
AVERAGE
land

Group

Detroit Houston Los
Apgeles

New
York

Phila- Scrantoc Seattle Washing.
delphia
ton

November 1954 Indexes (1947-49 " 100)

Cereals and bakery products • • • • • •
Heats, poultry and fish . . .
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
•
Other foods at home

Rent
• • • • • • • . • • • « . • « . •
Gas and electricity
Housefurnishings • • • •
Household operation • • • • • • • • • •

Men's and boys' . . . . . . . . . . . .
Women's and girls'
Other apparel

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

TRANSPORTATION

READING AND RECREATION
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES

.

114.6

117.6

115.3

116.9

116.7

115.0

112.7

115.9

112.3

115.7

113.5

111.1

109.6

109.7

113.9

110.3

110.9

111.0

113.4

109.8

110.6

110.1

110.1
123.1
103.5
106.6
109.6
113.7

108.5
116.5
99.4
105.6
110.9
119.2

108.6
120.3
100.5
103.3
106.7
117.6

112.6
117.7
103.1
106.3
121.7
115.4

109.4
118.2
99.8
108.9
114.2
112.4

109.0
127.1
103.1
103.3
106.5
111.4

110.5
127.3
105.1
107.2
105.3
115.8

112.4
120.8
105.3
112.3
111.1
115.4

109.7
118.7
103.8
108.2
108.2
112.1

110.2
126.9
103.5
105.9
111.7
110.6

108.7
120.7
98.7
111.2
103.5
114.4

119.5

128.3

120.3

122.4

124.8

124.0

116.0

114.5

115.7

119.7

117.2

129.2
108.7
124.2
105.4
117.8

106.2
123.4
108.4
121.1

106.8
123.5
103.0
110.9

109.2
119.3
109.0
110.3

106.6

139.6
109.5

102.4
130.6

106.9
108.1

108.2
126.0
105.0
119.4

102.3
121.3
109.3
114.7

123.0
112.2
133.2
101.0
110.0

88.5
127.3
105.6
114.2

123.0
114.3
130.3
106.9
117.0

104.6

106.6

104.1

102.4

106.9

104.7

104.4

106.4

105.7

105.8

102.3

106.5
99.5
117.0
91.2

111.3
98.8
120.1
93.9

107.9
96.8
118.0
93.0

108.3
94.5
113.0
87.3

106.2
100.9
127.6
90.9

108.3
98.6
118.5
83.0

105.8
99.4
116.1
94.5

104.8
105.8
111.2
93.3

107.8
100.2
120.0
92.1

108.7
100.4
118.6
86.6

105.4
96.8
114.7
90.5

127.6
126.1
113.8
106.8
120.0

134.1
126.1
115.4
111.0
118.2

122.0
130.8
114.7
118.0
119.4

125.3
127.6
119.0
110.4
124.8

125.8
119.9
119.7
111.6
119.1

126.3
122.9
117.1
97.3
114.3

131.4
124.6
108.4
104.5
121.3

138.8
132.5
117.6
113.1
123.9

132.0
119.6
112.0
117.3
116.1

128.9
130.2
117.6
109.3
126.0

129.4
118.6
111.0
104.6
129.9

Percent Change

— August 1954 to November 1954

0
FOOD

•

0.2

- 0.1

- 0.3

- 0.3

- 0.1

- 0.4

-

0.5

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • « • •

- 2.5

- 2.1

- 1.9

- 2.1

- 1.8

- 1.2

- 1.9

- 3.2

- 2.1

- 2.0

- 3.8

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

- 2.8
0.7
- 3.8
1.4
- 4.4
- 4.9

- 2.4 - 2.4
- 0.3
1.5
- 2.5 - 3.6
1.5 - 3.2
- 3.1 - 4.3
- 5.5 - 4.5

- 2.4
- 0.3
- 3.5
2.8
- 1.5
- 6.1

- 1.9
0.4
- 4.8
5.3
- 1.1
- 4.3

- 1.6
0.1
- h.S
0.5
1.6
- 2.7

- 2.0
1.7
- 2.5
1.9
- 5.0
- 4.2

- 3.6
- 0.1
- 4.5
4.0
-10.7
- 4.4

- 2.3
0.1
- 4.1
3.1
- 2.2
- 5.2

- 2.2
0.6
- 3.7
3.0
- 0.4
- 6.1

-

0.4

0.5

0.4

0.3

- 0.2
2.9
- 0.6

0.4

0
3.6
1.1
0.8

2.2
1.4
0.4

0
0
0.5
1.7

0

Solid fuels and fuel oil
Household operation

Men's and

'

• • . . • • • • • •

b o y s ' • • • • • • . . . . . •

0.3

0.9

0.2

- 0.2

0.6

- 0.6

0.5
0.8
1.9
0
0.4

- 0.1
0.4
1.6
0.2

0
1.3
1.1
0

0.8
0.3
o.4
0.1

0.1

1/0.8
0

0.8
0.9

- 0.3
0.3

0.9

- 0.3

- 0.2

- 0.2

- 0.1

1.1

1.1

0.8

0.1
1.8
0.1
0.6

- 1.3
0.1
0.7
- 0.1

- 0.6
- 0.2
0.3
0.3

- 0.9
o.4
0
- 0.1

- 0.5
- 0.2
0.3
0.6

- 0.2
2.3
0.9
0.6

0
2.3
- 0.7
0.7

0.6
1.1
0.1

0.4

0.7
- 0.3
- 0.7
0

0.8

0.5

3.6
1.0
0
1.0

6.1
o.5
0
1.4
0

2.2
0
0.2
2.9
0

3.3
0
- 0.1
- 2.3
- 0.4

1.9
0.5
0.7
- 0.8
- 0.2

1.2
6.0
0.3
1.1
0.3

5.3
0.1
- 0.1
0.7
0

0.5
READING AND RECREATION
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES

1/

0.1

Change from May 19




0.4
0.2
. . . . . . . . - 0.2

to November 1954.

2.9
0.7
0.3
- 0.3

-

0.6

- 4.4
0.7
6.2
0.6
9.5
3,1
0.2
1/0

- 0.3
- 0.1

- 0.5
0.1
- 0.1
0.3
0.6
0.1

- 0.4
- 0.6

-1.4
2.4
- 0.2

0
0.6

o.5
1.0
- 0.6
0.1
3.4
0.3
- 0.1
- 0.3
- 0.5

6

TABLE 5- CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — FOOD AND ITS SUBGROUPS
November 195k Indexes and Percent Changes, October 19 5U to November 195U
U. 5. City Average &nd 20 Large Cities
(1914.7 .^9 - 1 0 0 )
Total

Total
City
Index

U . S . CITY AVERAGE , .
Atlanta
Baltimore . . . . . . 1
Boston . . . . . . . 1
Chicago . . . . . . .
Cincinnati . . . . .
Cleveland < > . . . « .
Detroit . . . . . . .
Houston . . . . . . .
Kansas City . . . . .
Los Angeles
Minneapolis . . . . .
New York
Philadelphia
« . . .
Pittsburgh
. . . . .
Portland, Ore. . . »
St. Louis
San Francisco . . . .
Scranton
« . * . . .
Seattle . . . . . . .
Washington, D.C. * .

Food at Home
Percent
Index
Change

Percent
Change

111.1

-

0.6

110.1

„ 0.7

110,$

•

0.9

109.0

1.2

112.4

-

O.U

111.1

_ 0.6

-

1.2

107.3

•

-

o.U
1.0

108.$

106,9
109.6
113*0

109.7

-

0.1

113.9

110.3
107.9
110.9
110,8
111.0

113.4
111.8
109,8
113.5

-

1.2

f\

-

108.6

-

ill
1.0

-

1*2

0

-

0.6

106.8

_ 0.7

1.0

109.0

-

1.2

-

0.9

110.3

-

110.$

1.0

-

111.1

-

-

-

109.8

-

0.3

1.0

1.1

112.il

1.6

108.9

1.5

111.6

-

-

-

103.i
99.8

-

0.2

1.3
2.0

12U.U

121*. 5

0

118.6
130.3
118.7

1.1

126.9
120.7

-

0.7

0

0.1
-

99.8
103.1
98. U
io$.i
105.1*

-

0.7

103.5
96.7

103.8

1 9 $U

(Cents)

1/
~

0.8
0.7
2.3

-

1.3
1.7
1.3

1.2

106.6

-

0.1

109.6

108.0

-

0.2

111.3
106.$

108.8

110.0
105.6

-

108.9

108.3

103.3

102.ii

107/2
112.3

110.0

0
110.9

2.3

~

10$.8
11U.9

-

0.2

106.6

-

$.6

106.7
121.7

O.h

2.5

11U.2

- 0.2

105.7
106.$

0.2

- 0,2
- 0.2
0.8

115.5
105*3
111.1

- 2.8
-

k.9

118.1

1CU.U
108.2

-

0.5
0

108.2

0.1

111.6

- 0.9

»

1.3
1.8
L1.6

9 9.9

105*9
111.2

113.7

-

107.6
107. U

1 0 2 .U

l.u

10$.

2.1*

o.U

103.5

0

1.9

_ 1.5
-

0.5

-

1.7

-

1.9

105.6

-

1.0

-

2.8

119*2

-

2.6

-

2.7

-

1.7

119.U

- 2.7
- 2.3

117.6
ii$.l*
112.u
106.6

- 1.3
« 2 »U

-

0,3

lii.U

121,8

-

3.1

-

0.5
3.2

115.8

-

0.7

-

2.8

-

6.1

-

3,3

0.5

_ 1.1

0.6

-

111.7
-

0.2

115.1*

123.2
110.2
122.6
112.3

112.1

0.8

110.6

3.1

11U.U

19 $u

(Cents)

53.8

53.6

27.U
12.6

27.U
12,6

17.6

19.0

18.5
22.0

18.6

17.5
27.2

17.U
27.2

23.8

23.7

92.U
$3.0
71.8

U0.0
108.u
61.2
71. U
63.7
6 9.9
5U.U

U8.8

Ul.U
51.5
U3.U

21.9

92.0
51.3
70.3
U0.2
107.9

80.2
75.2
6U.6
69.1
5U.7
1*9.1
Uo.5
51.3

U8.9

UU.3
U9.6

$3.3
38.$

52.7
38,8

22.2

22.3

23.3
29.U

23.3
29.6

71.U
56.8

71.5
56.8

13.7

13.8

30.6

30.6

18.1*

19.0

19.3
2U.0

2U.2

13.1
17.1*

12.9
16.8

52.5

68.9
18.5

18.8

November

October

19.2

Food and Unit
Fresh (continued)
Grapefruit *
Peaches *
Strawberries *
Grapes, seedless *
Watermelons *
Potatoes
Sweetpotatoes
Onions
Carrots
Lettuce
Celery
Cabbage
Tomatoes
Beans, green
Canned
Orange .Juice
Peaches
Pineapple
Fruit cocktail
Corn, cream style
Peas, green
Tomatoes
Baby foods
Dried
Prunes
Navy beans
OTHER FOODS AT HOME:
Vegetable soup
Beans with pork
Gherkins, sweet
Catsup, tomato
Coffee
Tea
Cola drink
carton
Shortening, hydrogenatpd
Margarine, colored
Lard
Salad dressing
Peanut butter
Sugar
Corn syrup
Grape jelly
Chocolate bar
Eggs, Grade A, large
Gelatin, flavored

* Priced only i n season
1/ Pries for November excludes long grain rice in 13 cities; comparable October price 17,6.




0

0.1

111.2

103,3
106.3

0.1

-

Other
Foods a: t Home
Percent
Index
Change

- 1.5
- 2.U
- 3.8
- 2.9
- 1.7
- 2.3

- 1.0

RETAIL FOOD PRICES FOR NOVEMBER 195k AND OCTOBER 195U
TJ. 3. City Average

November
Food and Unit

2,6

_ o.$

1

TABLE 6 .

0.3
0.9
0
3.6
0.2

1.0

-

106.8

0.3

0.6

Q9.7

103.6

o.U

-

105,3

0.3
0.5
0.$

0.1
1.1

99.1*
106.2

o.U

1.$
0.2

120.8

-

0,3

127.3

1.0

_ 1.0

-

0.3

0.7

CEREALS AND BAKERY PRODUCTS*
Flour, wheat
5 lb.
Biscuit mix
2 0
OSE»
Corn meal
lb.
Rice
lb.
Rolled oats
2 0
oz.
Corn flakes
1 2
0 2 .
Bread, white
lb.
Soda crackers
lb.
Vanilla cookies
7 oz.
MEATS, POULTRY AND FI'SH:
lb.
Round steak
lb.
Chuck roast
lb.
Rib roast
lb.
Hamburger
lb.
Veal cutlets
lb.
Pork chops, center cut
lb.
Bacon, sliced
lb.
Ham, whole
lb.
Lamb, leg
lb.
Frankfurters
Luncheon meat, canned
12 oz.
lb.
Frying chickens, dressed
lb.
Frying chickens, ready-to-cook
lb.
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen
lb.
Haddock, fillet, frozen
16 oz.
Salmon, pink, canned
7 oz.
Tuna fish, canned
DAIRY PRODUCTS:
qt.
Milk, fresh, (grocery)
qt.
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
pt.
Ice cream
lb.
Butter
lb.
Cheese, American process
Milk, evaporated
14 h oz. can
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES:
Frozen
10 oz.
Strawberries
6 oz.
Orange juice concentrate
1C oz.
Peas, green
10 oz.
Beans, green
Fresh
lb.
Apples
lb.
Bananas
doz.
Orar.gps, size 200
lb.
Lemons

-

- o.U

100.$

0.1

0.1

_ 1.8

108.7

118.2
120,0

-

12$.1

1.2

1.2

12U.5

0.2

-

109.7
110.2

0
0.$

116.$

120.3
117.7

103.$

0.7
0 . 2 |! 1 0 5 , 8
0 . 1 Ij i o o » u

119,1

Fruits &
Vegetable s
Percent
Index
Change

Meats, Poultry 1
Dairy
& Fish
Products
Percent
Percent
Index
Index
Change
Change

106.6

127.1

1,0 1 1 1 . 7

o.l

0.3

116.$
122.1*

0.1

112.6

109.1*

123.1

-

112.6
110.6
110.1

0.7

1.5

-

112.3

Cereals &
Bakery Products
Percent
Index
Change

195U

(Cents)

October
195U

(Cents)

each
lb.
pt.
lb.

23.1

22.0

lb.
15 lb.
lb.
lb.
lb.
head
lb.
lb.
lb.
lb.
46 oz. can
#2 ^ can

78.2

76.5

11. u

11.1*

7.6
13.9

7.3
1U.0

17.3

18.6

13.5

12.8
6.0

6.5

2U.9
25.1

19.9
18.9

35.7
32.7

36.3
32.5

#2 h can

38.7

38.7

#2 h can

1*1.0

U0.9

#303 can
#303 can

17.7

18.0

21.5

21.U

11*. 7
9.7

1U.7
9.8

lb.

31.9

lb.

17.9

31.5
17.8
1U.3

#303 can
4 i-5 oz.

11 oz. can

11*. 3

16 oz. can

1U.5

7 & oz.

29.5

29.U

14 &z.
lb.

22.2

22.2

105.1

110.0

35.U

3U.8

oz.
lb.

32.U

32.U

35.U

lb.

29.1

35.9
30.1

lb.

25.3
35.8

25.9

pt.
lb

U9.7

U9.3

52.3
23.7

23.7

i lb.
of

6, 6

1U.5

5 lb.
24 oz.
12 oz.
1 oz.
doz.
3-4 oz.

36.3

52.U

25.9
5.2

25.9

58.1

59.7

8.5

5.1

8.5

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

7

The Consumer Price Index measures the average change in prices of goods and
services customarily purchased by city wage-earner and clerical-worker families. Index
numbers are presented on the base I9V7-U9 = 100, and show the average increase or decrease in prices from che 19^7-^9 average. For the convenience of users, indexes are
also calculated on the base 1935-39 ~ 100.
About 300 items are priced for the index to estimate the average change in
prices of a fixed quantity of goods and services from one period to the next. Among
these are all the important items that wage and clerical workers buy, and they are
selected so that their average price change wiix oe representative of the price changes
on all items. Prices are collected in
cities which are representative of all cities
in the United States.
Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items are priced every month in eacn
city. Prices of most other goods and services are obtained every month in the 5 largest
cities, every 3 months in 16 other large cities and in 9 medium-sized cities, and every
k months in 16 small cities. In each city, prices are reported by representative retail
stores and service establishments patronized by wage and clerical worker families.
Indexes are calculated for all cities combined (the U.S. city average) and
for each of the 20 largest cities. No separate index numbers are calculated for the
following 26 medium-sized and small cities which are included in the U.S. average:
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
l^ynchburg, 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

In the calculation, price changes on individual items are weighted by their
importance in wage-earner and clerical-worker family spending. City data are combined
by weighting with 1950 population data to arrive at the U.S. city average.
Comparison of city indexes shows only that prices in one city changed more or
less than in another. City indexes do not measure differences in price level between
cities.
A detailed description of the index containing lists of items priced, their
weights, cities included, and an explanation of the index calculation, its uses and
limitations, is available in Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletin No. 11^0 - "The Consumer
Price Index - A Layman's Guide,'1 for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, United
States Government Printing Office, Washington 2 5 , D. C. Price 20 cents.
A more technical description of the Consumer Price Index is available upon
request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, Washington 25, D. C.
Historical series of iridex numbers for the U.S. city average and 20 individual
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 f-rom 19V7 to date*