Full text of CPI Detailed Report : November 1957
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Released December 20, 1957 U.S. DEPARTMENT CP LABCR Bureau of labor S t a t i s t i c s Washington 25, D* C. CONSUMER FRIGE INDEX FCR NOVEMBER 1957 Consumer prices i n United States c i t i e s rose 0*4 percent between October and November* according t o the U*S* Department of Labor f s Bureau of Labor S t a t i s t i c s * Higher p r i c e s f o r 1958 model automobiles were l a r g e l y responsible f o r the increase, although prices were higher f o r most major groups of goods and services* Food was the only major group i n which prices were lower* The November Consumer Price Index was 121*6 (1947-49=100), 3*2 percent higher than a year ago* FOCp A drop of 0*3 percent i n food prices r e f l e c t e d seasonal declines i n prices of pork, fresh f r u i t s , and eggs* This was the t h i r d consecutive month i n which food prices have f a l l e n * The November food price index a t 116*0 percent of the 1947-49 average was 2*7 percent above a year ago but 1*6 percent below the August 1957 peak* Average prices of meats, p o u l t r y , and f i s h dropped 1*6 percent, with reductions f o r most cuts of meat and poultry* Bacon prices f e l l 7*4 percent, pork chops 3*0 percent, and f r a n k f u r t e r s 0*9 percent* Prices of chickens dropped 0*9 percent on the average* Beef and veal prices were down 0*3 percent, l e d by declines of 0*7 percent f o r both round steak and r i b roast* Fresh f r u i t prices f e l l 2*1 percent on the average with oranges down 6*1 percent and bananas down 4*3 percent* Fresh vegetables were up 2*7 percent as sharp seasonal price increases i n tomatoes (14*2 percent; and green beans (8*5 percent) more than o f f s e t moderate decreases f o r some other items of the group* Prices of processed f r u i t s and vegetables showed l i t t l e change i n general, and f r u i t s and vegetables as a whole averaged 0*1 percent higher* Egg prices declined seasonally, 1*5 percent* Prices of dairy products advanced 0*3 percent, w i t h seasonal increases i n fresh milk more than o f f s e t t i n g moderate declines i n other items i n t h i s group* Coffee prices dropped 0*7 percent, t h e i r 12th consecutive monthly decrease* Cereal and bakery products increased 0*2 percent, with a l l items advancing moderately except f l o u r which declined s l i g h t l y * Restaurant meals advanced 0*3 percent* HOUSING The r i s e of 0*2 percent i n housing was the r e s u l t of price advances i n a l l of i t s component subgroups except housefurnishings* Rents advanced 0*2 percent, with increases reported i n 14 of the 16 c i t i e s surveyed i n November* Household operation costs rose 0*5 percent as rates f o r telephone and domestic service continued upward and prices of laundry soaps and detergents also increased* Prices of gas, e l e c t r i c i t y , and coal were higher than i n October* Prices of housefurnishings declined 0*3 percent as 1957 models of appliances were reduced p r i o r to the introduction of 1958 models* OTHER CCMMCDITIES AND SERVICES Most of the advance i n consumer prices i n November was due to the introduction of 1958 model automobiles a t higher l i s t prices and with lower dealer discounts* Prices of new cars t o consumers averaged 11*5 percent higher than i n October* Gasoline prices also advanced, but prices of used cars declined* Higher t r a n s i t fares i n several c i t i e s resulted i n a r i s e of 0*7 percent i n the public transportation index* 2 The reading and recreation index rose 0*9 percent as theatres i n several c i t i e s charged higher admissions f o r special features and prices of newspapers rose s l i g h t l y * The advance of 0*4 percent i n costs of medical care r e f l e c t e d increased charges f o r h o s p i t a l services and higher prices f o r prescriptions and drugs* Personal care was up 0*4 percent because of higher prices f o r t o i l e t soap, toothpaste, and beauty shop services* The r i s e of 0 . 2 percent i n apparel resulted c h i e f l y from increases i n prices of women's wool coats and rayon dresses, men's wool suits and topcoats, and shoes* TABLE 1 s Consumer Price Index—United States c i t y average, a l l items and special groups Indexes and percent changes f o r selected dates Novo 1957 Group A l l items less food — A l l items less s h e l t e r A l l commodities—— A l l commodities less food Durables Non-durables— A l l services — — — A l l services less r e n t ! ! | i' 121.6 124.6 119.2 114.7 113.3 110,9 117.4 139.8 140.9 iI Ii ! i Ind exes (19.47-A9=100) Nov. Sept. June Oct. 1950 1957 1957 1956 121.1 123.7 118.6 114.3 112.8 108.6 117.0 139.2 140.3 121.1 123.4 118.7 114.5 112.6 108.6 116.7 138.8 139.8 i J 117.8 120.5 115.6 111.8 111.0 107.9 114.6 133.9 134.4 101.8 103.0 100.7 100.3 99.4 102.4 99.0 107.9 107.0 Year 1939 59.4 69.1 55.4 51.6 59.4 57.3 58.7 | 80.4 73.5 | Percent change t o November 1957 from All items— A l l items less f o o d — — — - — — A l l items less s h e l t e r — — — A l l commoditiesA l l commodities less food— Durables Non-durable s A l l services —— A l l services less r e n t — — — ——___ Oct. 1957 Sept. 1957 Nov. 1956 June 1950 Year 1939 0.4 .7 .5 .3 .9 2.1 .3 .4 0.4 1.0 .4 .2 1.1 2.1 .6 .7 .8 3.2 3.4 3.1 2.6 2.5 2.8 2.4 4.4 4.8 i 19.4 ! 21.0 [ 18.4 | 14.4 I 14.5 I 8.3 ! 18.6 I 29.6 31.7 ' 104.7 ! 80.3 115.2 122.3 ; 91.6 j 93.5 ! 100.0 • 73.9 91.7 I i I i (1947-49=11.00)* Purchasing power of the consumer d o l l a r - Nov. 1957 Oct. 1957 $0.82 $0.83 Sept. 1957 $0.83 Nov. 1956 June 1950 Year 1939 $0.85 $0.98 $1.68 * To calculate purchasing power of the consumer d o l l a r on any other base, divide the index f o r the desired base date by the index f o r the comparison date* TABUS 2: Consumer Price Index — United States c i t y are rage, a l l Items and coanodity groups Indexes and percent changes f o r selected dates Indexes (1947-49-100) November 1957 October 1957 September 1957 November 1956 June 1950 Year 1939 This month Last month 2 months ago Last year Pre-Korea Pre-World War I I 121.6 121.1 121.1 117.8 101.8 59.4 Food 1/ Food at home ————————— Cereals and bakery products — Meats, poultry, and f i s h Dairy products Fruits and vegetables — Other foods at home — — 116.0 1U.1 131.6 104.6 114.5 1U.6 115.6 116.4 114.7 131.4 106.3 114.2 114.5 116.2 117.0 115.5 131.2 110.3 113.1 114.8 115.0 112.9 111.3 127.0 98.8 111.1 115.8 115.2 100.5 100.5 102.7 106.1 92.3 102.5 94.1 47.1 47.1 57.2 41.6 49.8 46.3 48.4 Housing 2/ — , — Rent — — — — . = . — — Gas and e l e c t r i c i t y — - - - - - - - — Solid fue3,s and f u e l o i l — — — Housefurnishings Household operation — 126.8 136.3 1U.3 138.0 104.5 129.4 126.6 136.0 113.8 137.6 104.8 128.7 126.3 135.7 113.7 136.8 104.8 128.3 123.0 133.8 111.8 134.3 103.8 124.5 104.9 108.7 102.7 107.6 97.4 99.6 76.1 86.6 104.9 56.4 53.^ 68.4 Apparel Men1s and boys' Women1s and g i r l s ' Footwear Other apparel — 107.9 109.4 100.8 129.0 92.6 107.7 109.4 100.6 128.3 92.5 107.3 109.3 99.8 128.1 92.3 107.0 108.4 100.4 126.2 92.1 96.5 98.1 93.3 102.1 88.4 52.5 50.8 54.5 50.3 40.6 — 140.0 182.8 129.7 135.8 181.6 125.4 135.9 181.1 125.5 133.2 173.4 123.5 109.9 117.9 106.6 70.2 81.3 65.5 Medical care — — Personal care — — — — — — — Reading and recreation — Other goods and services j J 140.3 126.7 114.4 126.8 139.7 126.2 113.4 126.8 139.0 125.1 113.3 126.7 134.5 121.4 109.0 123.2 105.4 99.2 102.5 103.7 72.6 59.6 Group A l l items — ----- Transportation Public Private Percent change to November 1957 October 1957 A l l items Food Food at hone Cereals and bakery products Fruits and vegetables Other foods a t home Food away from home — Housing 2/ Bent — Men's and boys' Public Private from: June 1950 Year 1939 0.4 3.2 19.4 104.7 .3 .5 .2 - 1.6 .3 .1 - .5 .3 - .9 - 1.2 .3 - 5.2 1.2 - .2 .5 •4 2.7 2.5 3.6 5.9 3.1 - 1.0 .3 3.8 15.4 13.5 28.1 - 1.4 24.1 11.8 22.8 (A/) 146.3 142.3 130.1 151.4 129.9 147.5 138.8 U/) .2 .2 .4 .3 .3 .5 .4 .4 .5 .9 .3 .9 3.1 1.9 2.2 2.8 .7 3.9 20.9 25.4 11.3 28.3 7.3 29.9 66.6 57.4 9.0 144.7 95.7 89.2 .2 0 .2 .5 .1 .6 .1 1.0 .7 .3 .8 .9 .4 2.2 .5 11.8 11.5 8.0 26.3 4.8 105.5 115.4 85.0 156.5 128.1 3.1 .7 3.4 3.0 .9 3.3 5.1 5.4 5.0 27.4 55.0 21.7 99.4 124.8 98.0 .4 .4 .9 0 .9 1.3 1.0 .1 4.3 4*4 5.0 2.9 33.1 27.7 11.6 22.3 93.3 112.6 81.6 79.6 - - - 1/ Includes restaurant meals not shown separately. 2/ Includes home purchase and other home-owner costs not shown separately* 2 / Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services11 (such as legal services, banking fees, b u r i a l services, e t c . ) . 4/ Hot available. 70.6 0.4 — Solid fuels and f u e l o i l Housefurnishings September 1957 November 1956 63.0 4 TABLE 3* Consumer Price Index — A l l items indexes f o r selected dates U.S. c i t y average and 20 large c i t i e s (1947-49=100) City United States c i t y average 1/ November 1957 October 1957 November 1956 June 1950 Year 1939 121.6 121.1 117.8 101.8 59.4 125.6 123.5 122.9 118.6 122.1 124.7 122.7 122.2 118.4 122.0 121.0 120.6 119.1 115.6 118.2 102.8 102.8 101.3 100.9 101.6 58.6 59.0 60.4 60.1 59.2 Cities priced monthly £ / Chicago Detroit Los Angeles Cities priced i n February, May, August, November Houston-— — Scranton— Seattle Washington, D.C. — — • — Cities priced i n January, A p r i l , July, October 2 / Boston— Kansas City— ——— Pittsburgh Portland, Oregon — Cities priced i n March, June, September, December 2 / Atlanta Cincinnati——————— St. Louis — San F r a n c i s c o - — — — — — — — - 1/ 2/ 2/ y 2/ •• . —• • • ••• — November 1957 August 1957 November 1956 June 1950 Year 1939 123.3 122.4 117.8 123.9 119.4 122.3 122.1 117.8 123.7 119.1 120.0 119.7 114.9 120.2 115.9 100.4 103.5 100.2 102.0 101.6 59.2 59.5 58.5 59.2 60.4 October 1957 July 1957 October 1956 April 1950 Year 1939 122.0 121.8 122.2 121.1 121.9 122.1 121.7 121.6 120.7 122.2 119.3 118.9 117.4 118.2 119.5 101.2 101.4 U 102.1 99.9 101.5 61.0 61.7 60.7 58.1 58.3 September 1957 June 1957 September 1956 122.2 121.7 120.9 122.1 123.5 121.2 121.2 119.7 121.3 122.8 118.9 117.5 117.1 118.1 119.0 June 1950 Year 1939 V 101.3 101.6 101.2 101.1 100.9 This index on the base of 1935-39=100 i s 203.3. Rents priced bimonthly. Foods, fuels, and a few other items priced monthly; rents and other commodities and services priced quarterly. June 1950. May 1950. TABLE 4* Consumer Price Index — Percent changes from October 1957 to November 1957 U.S. c i t y average and f i v e c i t i e s priced monthly A l l items and commodity groups City United States c i t y average— ChicagoDetroitLos Angeles New York Philadelphia- All items Food Housing Apparel Transportation Medical care Reading and Personal recreation care 0.4 - 0.3 0.2 0.2 3.1 0.4 0.4 0.9 .7 .7 - 1.0 .1 .2 0 .3 .2 .4 .3 4.0 4.3 3.0 .2 .3 .3 4.2 3.2 3.5 •2 0 .1 .2 2.5 3.9 .2 0 .5 1.7 .6 .2 .1 - .2 - .4 - 1.2 .1 .1 1.1 1.0 .1 58.3 57.9 58.4 59.3 58.6 TABIZ 5: Consumer Price Index — A l l items and commodity groups November 1957 indexes and percent changes, August 1957 to November 1957 U.S. c i t y average and 10 cities priced i n November 1957 U.S. City CleveAverage Chicago land Detroit Group Los Houston Angeles 5 New PhilaWashing^ York delphia Scranton Seattle D. C. Indexes (19*7-^9-100) 121.6 125.6 123.3 123.5 122.4 122.9 118.6 122.1 117.8 123.9 — 116.0 114.1 131.6 104.6 114.5 114.6 115.6 114.1 111.7 124.5 98.7 112.7 116.1 121.5 113.7 111.6 129.1 100.5 110.2 110.7 118.3 117.1 115.0 125.2 101.2 111.9 125.9 117.2 112.6 110.2 121.0 98.9 112.4 113.8 113.4 118.8 115.2 140.1 106.9 109.9 114.8 115.1 116.0 113.7 135.9 105.6 117.4 107.6 115.0 119.0 116.6 132.9 107.4 119.9 116.9 114.4 112.2 111.5 131.3 102.9 113.4 104.0 113.0 116.8 116.4 114.2 115.3 129.6 140.9 104.4 103.5 119.3 118.5 116.9 ' 109.7 117.0 111.3 136.4 162.0 114.6 139.9 102.6 133.1 129.4 159.2 115.4 136.3 103.8 116.9 128.7 112.2 128.6 109.0 119.1 130.3 139.1 116.2 133.4 144.7 130.6 122.4 Gas and e l e c t r i c i t y Solid fuels and fuel o i l — — — Housefurnishings — — — — — — Household operation 126.8 136.3 114.3 138.0 104.5 129.4 — — 100.5 140.4 103.7 122.8 110.9 145.4 104.9 128.2 122.1 124.7 103.4 138.3 110.4 129.2 122.0 128.0 117.7 146.1 103.8 115.9 128.9 143.3 86.6 144.4 103.3 137.3 120.5 126.1 122.7 142.7 100.S 127.1 107.9 109.4 100.8 129.0 92.6 110.9 116.2 100.7 131.7 96.6 109.0 113.5 100.3 127.0 95.1 104.2 110.2 94.0 123.7 85.8 111.3 108.4 106.1 137.6 91.0 108.6 112.9 100.4 128.7 85.2 107.2 108.7 99.0 130.9 96.4 108.2 107.2 103.1 127.0 94.6 109.5 110.6 102.5 133.9 91.9 108.7 112.5 100.9 129.7 87.3 103.6 107.8 96.3 122.8 88.7 140.0 182.8 129.7 149.1 194.3 130.9 138.3 170.9 130.4 137.6 153.9 134.1 139.0 188.0 132.1 133.0 154.8 129.1 140.3 189.0 121.2 144.9 187.4 124.9 141.8 190.6 128.2 141.2 180.1 129.8 141.6 156.6 136.2 140.3 126.7 114.4 126.8 i 146.8 127.9 127.3 121.5 150.8 127.6 120.9 127.2 151.1 132.5 114.0 135.8 129.2 133.4 113.4 128.1 131.2 130.2 104.5 123.6 129.7 118.8 116.5 126.1 140.8 132.1 118.9 128.6 125.5 127.2 135.1 119.3 143.6 131.0 118.0 136.0 133.1 122.4 112.2 136.5 A l l items Food at home —— Cereals and bakery products — Meats, poultry, and f i s h Dairy products — — — — — — Other foods at home — Men' 1 and boys' Women's and g i r l s 1 Other apparel — Transportation -— Public Private ——— —— Reading and recreation - - - — — 119.4 I Percent change from A l l items August 1957 0.5 1.2 0.4 0.4 0.2 Food Pood at home —— —— Cereals and bakery products — Meats, poultry, and f i s h - - - - Dairy products — Fruits and vegetables Other foods at home — - — - - - - - 1.6 - 2.1 .5 - 6.5 2.7 - 5.5 1.6 - .8 - 1.2 1.5 - 6.1 1.4 - 2.0 2.9 - 1.9 - 2.3 4.1 - 7.1 5.7 - 8.7 .9 - 1.8 - 2.4 .2 - 6.8 .2 - 3.4 .9 - 2.3 - 3.2 - .3 - 7.9 .4 - 6.5 1.3 lousing — Rent — — — — — — — — — Gas and e l e c t r i c i t y — - - - - - - - - Solid fuels and fuel o i l lousefurnishings — Household operation —————— .9 .7 .9 1.7 .6 1.1 .9 .6 .5 .9 1.9 .2 1.3 1.1 0 3.2 2.1 - .1 - 1.0 2.5 .4 1/ -3 10.7 - .2 Men's and boys' — — — — — — — and g i r l s ' — Footwear — — — — — — — — Other apparel — — — — — — 1.2 .6 2.2 .5 .7 1.6 .3 3.8 .2 1.0 1.0 .7 1.5 .6 .6 WOMB'S 1/ - .1 —. - .8 .5 .6 .6 to November 1957 1.4 - 0.1 0.4 0 0.2 0.3 .1 .3 .8 - 5.3 4.2 .6 1.3 - 1.4 - 1.9 .6 - 5.5 4.4 - 8.0 1.6 - 2.1 - 2.6 - .2 - 5.8 2.5 - 8.1 1.1 - 3.4 - 4.0 3.4 - 8.7 2.6 -15.8 1.7 - 2.3 - 2.6 .4 - 7.0 .1 - .8 - 2.2 - 2.7 - 3.5 - .2 - 6.9 2.3 -12.2 2.1 1.2 .7 0 5.3 1.8 1.3 .4 .3 0 2.2 .5 1.0 .5 .6 0 .1 1.7 .1 1.9 .2 0 1.0 1.2 .7 1.2 .1 2.4 1.2 .8 2.0 .1 3.7 .6 1.1 1.2 .5 2.0 .6 •4 .3 .5 - 1.1 .2 - .2 - .6 .1 - 1.4 .1 1.0 - — — .7 2.9 1.4 5.2 .4 .1 1.2 - .2 - 1.2 1.6 .5 3.2 .5 - .3 1.3 2.8 .8 - .1 .7 .2 — - - .1 1.8 .8 1.8 1/ - Transportation Public Private — — — — — 3.0 1.2 3.3 2.6 0 3.3 2.7 0 3.2 3.5 0 4.2 2.5 12.9 1.1 2.3 0 2.6 2.0 0 2.6 3.9 0 5.0 8.4 0 9.9 4*0 0 4.5 2.7 0 3.3 Medical care Personal care — — — — — — — — Reading and recreation Other goods and services — 1.2 1.4 1.6 .1 3.7 1.1 9.2 .3 .1 1.2 .3 .2 3.0 2.0 3.4 .1 .2 .3 .4 .2 .2 .8 3.4 .2 .2 2.1 .5 - .1 0 1.1 1.9 .1 .1 1.0 .4 .3 .4 .7 .9 .1 1.1 1.5 - .8 .1 J / Change from September 1957 to November 1957* - City U.S. c i t y average — Atlanta Baltimore Boston ....— Chicago — Cincinnati - . . . . - . . — Cleveland — . . . . Detroit Houston Kansas c i t y Los Angeles Minneapolis lew York Ihlladelphia Pittsburgh Fortland, Oreg. — — St. Louis — San Francisco Scranton Seattle — Washington, D.C. TABUS 6s Coniimr Price Index — Food and i t « subgroups November 1957 indexes and percent changes, October 1957 to November 1957 U.S. c i t y average and 20 large cities [>9*7-49-100] Total Cereals and Meats, poultry, Dairy Fruits and Total food food at hone bakery products and fish products vegetables Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent change change change change change change 116.0 - 0.3 l l i u l - 0.5 131.6 0.2 10lio 6 - 1.6 rn.5 0.1 0.3 111*.6 113.? - .7 111.7 - l . i 12U.7 .1* 106.3 - .5 111.1 - 2.1 ill*.5 - 3.1 117.1 - .6 113.7 - .7 127.3 .1 105.14 - 1.5 11U.8 .3 112.5 - 1.8 U5.8 - .7 113.6 - 1.0 130.6 .6 103.6 - 1.2 1 2 0 . 6 - ol 112.1 . 2.8 llli.l . 1 111.7 . 1 121.5 • .5 98.7 - .3 112.7 1.3 .2 116.1 117.3 - 1.1 115.6 - 1.3 131.8 . 1 105.2 - 2.3 117.6 .1 115.8 - 2.9 113.7 - .6 111.6 - .7 129.1 . 1 100.5 - 1.7 110.2 2.1* 110.7 - 1.8 117.1 - 1.0 115.0 - 1.2 125.2 .2 101.2 - 3.1 111.9 - .3 125.9 .3 112.6 - .9 110.2 - 1.2 121.0 .2 98.9 - 2.7 112.1* .1 113.8 - 3.5 112.3 .1 110.0 . 1 101.5 - 1.1 l l l . l i - .3 110.1 . 1 126.7 2.9 118.8 - .2 115.2 - .3 U*0.1 .2 106.9 - 1.7 109.9 .3 .3 111*. 8 115.6 - 0.5 108.3 115.5 109.9 121.5 119.7 118.3 117.2 113.1* 109.1 115.1 - 115.0 116.0 : 115.0 119.0 116.8 116.8 116.2 118.5 112.? H6.1* 116.8 - :l! 1.? .6 .1 .1 •1 1.1 .5 .9 TABLE 7s Bananas — — — — — — ib. Oranges, size 200 — — — — — doz. Lemons — — — — — — — ib. Grapefruit » each 116.6 : - 1.3 November October 1957 1957 5 ib. 20 oz. ib. Rolled oats — — — 20 oz. Corn flakes — — — — — 12 oz. Bread, white - — — - - ib. Soda crackers --———— ib. Vanilla cookies 7 oz. lfeats, poultry, and fish: Round steak —— — Chuck roast —— ib. Rib roast ———— ib. Hamburger ——————————— ib. Veal cutlets — — — — — — ib. Pork chops, center cut ————— ib. Bacon, sliced — — — — — ib. Bam, whole — - - — — — ib. Lamb, leg — — — — — — — ib. Frankfurters — — — — — ib. Luncheon meat, canmed — — — 12 oz. Frying chickens, ready-to-cook — ib. Ocean perch, f i l l e t , frozen — ib. Haddock, f i l l e t , frozen ———— ib. Salmon, pink, canned ————— is oz 8 t o 0£ oz. Tuna f i s h , canned Dairy products; Milk, fresh, (grocery) — qt. Milk, fresh, (delivered) qt. Ice cream — — — — — — pt. Butter — ib. Cheese, American process ib. Milk, evaporated — — — i 4 i - o z . can Fruits and vegetables: Frozen: Strawberries — — — 10 oz. Orange juice concentrate —— e oz. Peas, green — — — — — — 10 oz. Beans, green — — — 10 oz. Fresh: * Priced only i n season. 130.1 135.9 132.9 129.5 135.li 99.6 - 1.3 107.8 121.2 105.6 - 1.0 117.1* - 1 : 1 107.6 1C7.1* - 1.1* 119.9 . 1 116.9 115.1 - .7 lOli.O - 1.1 lli*.2 o 112.2 115.2 - . 1 106.li - 1.5 llY.3 o 111.0 112.5 - .1 12U.1 99.8 - l . l * 105.6 0 121.1 116.6 . 1 1U0.7 107.3 - 1.1* 116.6 .2 118.6 111.5 - 1 . 5 131.3 102.9 - 2.1* 113.1* .2 10lu0 115.3 - .5 11*0.9 lOh.k - 2.8 118.5 .3 116.9 lU*.2 - l.l* 129.6 103.5 - 1.7 119.3 .1 109.7 Consumer Price Index — Average r e t a i l prices of selected foods U.S. city average Food and unit Cereals and bakery products; Flour., wheat - — — — — Biscuit mix —-——— Corn meal ——— 113.6 113.7 25.7 18.3 19.6 25.7 18.2 2l*.5 19.6 2l*.l* 12.3 17.6 61.1 19.3 65.1 11.1* 12.3 18.1* 17.8 .1 .2 .1 •2 .3 .2 .1 3.3 .3 .5 Food and u n i t Fre s h — C o n t i n u e d — lb. Peaches * -----— pt. Strawberries * — lb. Grapes, seedless * — lb. Watermelons * 10 l b . Potatoes — — — — lb. Sweetpotatoes Onions — lb. Carrots — lb. Lettuce head Celery — lb. Cabbage — — — — — — lb. — lb. Tomatoes — lb. Beans, green Canned: — 4 6 - o z . can Orange j u i c e — # 2 i can Peaches #2 can - — Pineapple — #303 can Fruit cocktail Corn, cream s t y l e — #303 can Peas, green — #303 can — #303 can Tomatoes 4 i t o 5 oz. Baby foods Dried: Prunes — — — lb. Beans lb. Other foods a t home: i o £ t o 11 - o z . can Tomato soup Beans w i t h pork — •———— 16-oz. can ........ 7J oz. P i c k l e s , sweet ........ 14 oz. Catsup, tomato . . . . . . . . l b . oan Coffee — — — — — — l b . bag Coffee — — . . . . . p k g . o f 16 Tea bags — — 36 oz. Cola d r i n k , c a r t o n 3 lb. Shortening, fcydrogenated — lb. Margarine, c o l o r e d —lb. Lard Salad d r e s s i n g — pt. — lb. Peanut b u t t e r - 5 lb. Sugar - 24 oz. Corn syrup Grape J e l l y — - 12 oz. — ' 1 oz. Chocolate bar — — doz. Eggs, Grade A , l a r g e 3 t o 4 oz. Gelatin, flavored — 2.1 - .9 - 2.7 - 1.3 2.3 .6 1.2 - 1*.2 2.7 1*.6 Other foods at hoae Percent change 123.6 lllul* 125.2 116.0 122.1* 113.9 113.0 111.3 117.0 - .7 0 .8 0 .7 1.1 1.5 .7 .3 ol* - 1.1* - 1.7 - 1,7 - .8 - .1* .6 .9 - 2.2 - o9 ' fl November October 1252 l<*7 Cent 8 Cents 23.2 21.8 56.5 55.9 12.3 12.7 8.2 16.7 18.1* 13.3 7.9 26.7 23.9 33.8 3U.1* 8.1 16.0 19.1 13.5 7.9 23 .U 22.0 26„ 0 17.3 33.9 3l*.7 31*. 2 2600 17.3 15.3 15.2 33.0 16.3 33.1 16.3 12.3 12.3 ll*.7 27.3 31*.2 21.1* 10o0 ll*o8 27.3 22.0 95.1 76.9 23.6 21.1* 10.0 21.8 96.2 22.8 76.9 23.7 27.2 95.8 29.7 22.9 37.3 53.7 55.5 2U.9 27.3 68.1* 69.5 8.9 e.9 27.2 95.7 29.6 37.1* 53.6 55.6 25.0 27.1* !*.5 1*.5 Labor D.C. BLS58-1598 7 Brtef BsptemttW 9f the gpi The Consumer Price Index (CFI) measures the average changes i n prices of goods and services t y p i c a l l y bought by c i t y families of wage earners and c l e r i c a l workers* It i s based on prices of about 300 items which were selected so t h a t t h e i r price changes would represent the movement of prices of a l l goods and services purchased by wage and c l e r i c a l f a m i l i e s ; they include a l l of the important items i n f a m i l y spending. Prices f o r these items are obtained i n 46 c i t i e s which were chosen t o represent a l l urban places i n the United States; they are collected from grocery and department stores, h o s p i t a l s , f i l l i n g s t a t i o n s , and other types of stores and service establishments which wage-earner and clerical-worker families patronize. Prices of foods, f u e l s , and a few other items are obtained every month i n a l l 46 c i t i e s . Prices of most other commodities and services aire collected every month i n the 5 largest c i t i e s and every 3 months i n other c i t i e s . Almost a l l prices are obtained by personal v i s i t s of the Bureau's trained representatives. I n calculating the index, price changes f o r the various items i n each c i t y are averaged together with weights which represent t h e i r importance i n family spending. City data are then combined i n the t o t a l index with weights based on the 1950 populations of c i t i e s they represent. Index numbers are computed on the base 1947-49 = 100. The national index (the United States c i t y average) includes prices from the 20 large c i t i e s f o r which separate indexes are published i n t h i s r e p o r t , as w e l l as from the following 26 medium-sized and small c i t i e s : Anna, I l l i n o i s Camden, Arkansas Canton, Ohio Charleston, W. V i r g i n i a Evansville, Indiana Garrett, Indiana Glendale, Arizona Grand Forks, N« Dakota Grand I s l a n d , Nebraska Huntington, W. V i r g i n i a Laconia, New Hampshire Lodi, California Lynchtjurg, V i r g i n i a M a d i l l , Oklahoma Madison, Wisconsin Middlesboro, Kentucky Middletown, Connecticut Newark, Ohio Pulaski, V i r g i n i a Ravenna, Ohio Rawlins, Wyoming San Jose, C a l i f o r n i a Sandpoint, Idaho Shawnee, Oklahoma Shenandoah, Iowa Youngstown, Ohio Comparisons of c i t y indexes show only t h a t prices i n one c i t y changed more or less than i n another. The c i t y indexes cannot be used to measure differences i n price l e v e l s or i n l i v i n g costs between c i t i e s . A description of the index i s contained i n BLS B u l l e t i n 1140, "The Consumer Price Index: A layman's Guide,11 which may be purchased f o r 20 cents a t any Bureau of Labor S t a t i s t i c s regional o f f i c e (addresses below) or from the Superintendent of Documents, U. S# Government P r i n t i n g O f f i c e , Washington 25, D. C. A more technical description of the index appears i n BLS B u l l e t i n 1168, "Techniques of Preparing Major BLS S t a t i s t i c a l Series . M Reprints of chapter 9 , pertaining to the CPI, are a v a i l a b l e on request to the Bureau of Labor S t a t i s t i c s i n Washington or a t any of i t s regional o f f i c e s . H i s t o r i c a l series of index numbers f o r the United States c i t y average and f o r 20 large c i t i e s are a v a i l a b l e upon request • These series include index numbers f o r A l l Items, Food, Apparel, and Rent f o r periods from 1913 to date; and f o r other groups of goods and services from 1947 to date. BLS Regional Offices Atlanta 50 Seventh S t . , NE 20116 2 3 New York 341 Ninth Ave. Zone 1 Chicago 105 West Adams S t . Zone 3 San Francisco 630 Sansome S t . Zone 11 LABOR - D . G. Boston 18 Oliver S t . Zone 10