Full text of CPI Detailed Report : November 1958

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Released December 23, 1958
U.S. DEPARTMENT (F LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D . C .
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FCR NOVEMBER 1958
October and
Statistics,
showing the
of food and

Consumer prices in United States cities rose 0*2 percent between
November 1958 according to the U.S. Department of labor's Bureau of Labor
Most groups of goods and services advanced in price, with transportation
largest increase, due to higher prices for 1959 model automobiles. Prices
gasoline were lower.

The Consumer Price Index in November regained the previous peak of
123.9 (1947-49=100) reached in July. The November index was 1.9 percent higher than a
year ago.
TRANSPORTATION

Prices of transportation items
were up 1.3 percent, led by a rise
1
of 6*4 percent in dealers selling prices of new cars as more 1959
models became available. Prices of tires also advanced. Gasoline prices dropped 2.2
percent, with substantial reductions in several cities. Public transportation costs
rose 0*4 percent, as fare increases were granted several eastern railroads, and transit
fares advanced in Baltimore.
EOCP

Food
tive
fresh fruits, and eggs.
year ago but 1.9 percent

prices were down 0.3 percent in November, their fourth consecumonthly decline, with seasonal reductions in prices of pork,
The November food index at 119.4 was 2.9 percent higher than a
below the July 1958 peak.

Average prices of meats, poultry, and fish as a group dropped 1.0
percent due largely to reductions for all cuts of pork. Most other items of the group
showed modest increases. Bacon prices were down 6.2 percent, pork chops 1.7 percent,
and ham 0.4 percent. Frankfurters were also down (0.5 percent) but all cuts of beef,
leg of lamb, and canned luncheon meat were higher. Poultry and fish prices increased
slightly on the average.
The "other foods at home* group declined 0.5 percent as the prices
of eggs dropped 1.7 percent and coffee prices were down 0.4 percent in a continuing
decline.
A net increase of 0*1 percent for fruits and vegetables resulted
from widely divergent price movements among individual items. Fresh fruit prices fell
3.2 percent due principally to seasonal decreases of 5.4 percent for oranges and 4.6
percent for apples* These decreases were almost offset by a 4.0 percent increase in
average prices of fresh vegetables as tomatoes advanced 30 # 6 percent, celery 9.3 percent,
and potatoes 2.1 percent* However, lettuce prices declined 9.9 percent* Prices of
processed fruits and vegetables advanced, largely because of higher prices for canned
orange juice and dried prunes; prices of canned tomatoes and dried beans were lower.
Cereals and bakery products increased 0*1 percent, while dairy
products were unchanged on the average.
Prices of restaurant meals were up 0*4 percent, resuming their
upward movement after a decline in October.




2

APPAREL

Prices of apparel were up 0*4 percent, as higher prices were reported
for women's rayon dresses, blouses, wool coats, and shoes; men's
suits, topcoats, and sport shirts; and shoe repairs* Prices were lower for women's wool
suits and children's shoes*

HOUSING

The housing index rose 0*1 percent, with increases in most of its
component subgroups* Rent was up 0.1 percent as advances were
reported in most of the cities surveyed* Household operation costs were 0*2 percent
higher, due largely to increases in wages of domestic service workers and scattered
advances for laundry and dry cleaning services* Prices of anthracite rose 0*5 percent
and bituminous coal 0*2 percent, but fuel oil prices declined 0*2 percent and gas and
electric bills were unchanged on the average* Repair and maintenance costs fell slightly*
The increase of 0*1 percent in house furnishings prices resulted from higher prices of
kitchenware, wool rugs, sheets, towels, and toasters, which more than offset reductions
for vacuum cleaners and ranges*
OTHER CCMMCDITIES
AMD SERVICES

Reading and recreation costs rose 0*3 percent as prices of movie
admissions and newspapers advanced* Prices of television sets and
radios also rose slightly with introduction of new models*

Medical and personal care each increased 0*2 percent with higher
fees for medical and hospital services, prescriptions and drugs, barber and beauty shop
services, and toilet goods*




TABLE 11 Consoaer Price Index—United States aity t r n g i
Major group, subgroup, and special group indexes, November 1958,
and percent changes tram •elected date®

3

(1947-49=100 unless otherwise specified)

Btroint change to November 1958 from
Tear
1939

November
1958

October
1958

October
1958

August
1958

November
1957

123.9

123.7

0.2

0.2

1.9

108.6

foodFood at honeCereals and bakery productsMeats, poultry, and fishDairy productsfruits and vegetable!
Other foods at honerood away from hens (Jan. 1953=100)

119.4
117.6
134.0
113.5
114.5
121.1
112.6
113.7

119.7
118.0
133.9
114.6
114.5
121.0
113.2
113.3

- .3
- .3
.1
- 1.0
0
.1
- .5
.4

- 1.1
- 1.3
.8
- 3.6
1.3
- 3.0
- .2
.4

2.9
3.1
1.8
8.5
0
5.7
- 2.6
2.5

153.5
149.7
134.3
172.8
129.9
161.6
132.6
(1/)

Housing
RestGas and electricitySolid fuels and fuel oilHousefumishings
Household operation

128.0
138.4
118.1
135.8
103.5
132.6

127.9
138.3
118.1
135.6
103.4
132.4

.1
.1
0
.1
.1
.2

.1
.2
.5
1.6
.2
.4

.9
1.5
3.3
- 1.6
- 1.0
2.5

68*2
59.8
12.6
140.8
93.8
93.9

Apparel1
Men's and boys
Women's and girls*
FootwearOther apparel-

107.7
108.5
100.6
130.3
92.3

107.3
107.9
100.2
130.1
91.8

.4
.6
.4
.2
.5

1.0
.2
2.1
.2
.4

-

.2
.8
.2
1.0
- .3

105.1
113.6
84.6
159.0
127.3

TransportationPrivate—— ,
Public.

144.5
133.6
191.1

142.7
131.8
190.4

1.3
1.4
.4

2.5
2.7
.8

3.2
3.0
4.5

105.8
104.0
135.1

147.0

146.7

.2

1.4

4.8

102.5

Personal care-

129.1

128.8

.2

.2

1.9

116.6

Reading and recreation-

117.0

116.6

.3

.3

2.3

85.7

Other goods and servioes-

127.3

127.2

.1

.2

.4

80.3

All items less food

126.5

126.0

.4

.7

1.5

83.1

All items less shelter-

121.7

121.5

.2

.2

2.1

119.7

CommoditiesNondurablesFoodNondurables less food*
ApparelNondurables less food and apparel—
Durables- -

116.6
118.2
119.4
117.1
107.7
125.5
112.8
144.2
88 .8
103.1

116.4
118.4
119.7
117.2
107.2
125.9
111.2
135.5
88.7
103.0

.2
.2
.3
.1
.5
- .3
1.4
6.4
.1
.1

.2
- .5
- 1.1
.2
1.1
- .3
2.6
10.4
3.5
.1

1.7
1.5
2.9
- .3
- .2
- .1
1.7
4.2
6.3
.2

126.0
130.0
153.5
99.5
106.7
90.4
96.9
153.0
U/>
79.9

CoModities less food-

114*5

113.9

.5

1.1

.6

92.8

ServicesRentServioes loss rentHousehold operation servioes, gas,
and electricity•
Transportation s e r v i c e s — — — —
Msdioal oare servioes
Other servioes 2/

143.4
138.4
144.8

143.1
138.3
144.5

.2
.1
.2

.3
.2
.3

2.6
1.5
2.8

78.4
59.8
97.0

132.8
176.0
152.0
129.8

132.6
175.6
151.8
129.4

.2
.2
.1
.3

.5
.6
1.5
- .2

2.9
5.3
5.0
1.3

52.6
119.7
115.6
122.6

•0.807

10.808

.1

-

- 1.8

-52.1

Qroup
All items-

Special groups:

Used oars (Jan. 1953=100)Dorables less c a r s — —

Airchasing power of the consumer dollar
(1947-49=11.00)

-

-

.1

1/ Mot available.
2/ Includes house purchase, interest, taxes, insurance, and upkeep, not shown separately.
y Includes house purchase, lnUrost, taxes, insurance, and ujfctep ssrvioesj shoe repairs, television repairs, barber
and beauty shop servioes, aid movies.




4

TABIC 2s Consumer Price Index—111 iteaa indexes and percent changes, selected dates
U.S. city average and 20 large cities

Percent change to
current month from

Indexes (1947-49=100)
City

November
1958

August
1958

November
1957

123*9

123.7

121.6

59.4

127.4
123.4
126.1
121.7
123.5

126.9
123.7
125.2
121.1
123.4

125.6
123.5
122.9
118.6
122.1

58.6
59.0
60.4
60.1
59.2

November
1958

August
1958

November
1957

Year
1939

124.5
124.2
120.7
126.0
121.5

125.1
124.0
120.4
126.3
121.2

123.3
122.4
117.8
123.9
119.4

59.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
60.4

October
1957

Year
1939

United States city average

Year
1939

—

August
1958

November
1957

Year
1939

0.2

1.9

108.6

1.4
.1
£.6
2.6
1.1

117.4
109.2
108.8
102.5
108.6

November
1957

Year
1939

1.0
1.5
2.5
1.7
1.8

110.3
108.7
106.3
112.8
101.2

October
1957

Year
1939

2.8
2.5
1.9
2.8
2.1

105.6
102.4
105.1
114.3
113.6

Cities priced monthly X/
Chicago—
Los Angeles
fhrw Y n r - l r - , , —

,r-

—

-

-•

Cities priced in February, May,
August, November 2/
Houston—————————

—

—

—

-

Seattle
Cities priced in January, April,
July, October 7j
Kansas City- —
Minrie apoli s
—
Pittsburgh
Portland, Oregon—

-

—

••

October
1958
—

Cincinnati
St. L o u i s - - —
San F r a n c i s c o - — — —

.4
.2
.7
.5
.1

August
1958
-

July
1958

125.4
124.8
124.9
124.7
124.7

122o0
121.8
122.2
121.1
121.9

61.0
61.7
60.7
58.1
58.3

-

September
1958

June
1958

September
1957

Year
1939

June
1958

122.2
121.7
120.9
122.1
123.5

58.3
57.9
58.4
59.3
58.6

-

—

124.6
124.8
122.5
125.3
128.4

--•
—•—

124.9
124.8
122.7
124.5
128.0

-

.5
.2
.2
.2
.2

125.4
124.9
124.5
124.5
124.5

—

Cities prioed in March, June,
September, December 2/

July
1958

-

-

0
.1
.3
.2
.2

September
1957

Year
1939

2.0
2.5
1.3
2.6
4.0

.2
0
.2
.6
.3

113.7
115.5
109.8
111.3
119.1

J/ Rents priced bimonthly.
2/ Foods, fuels, and a few other itema priced monthly; rents and other commodities and services priced quarterly.

TABIE 3 J Consumer Price Index—Percent changes frcn October 1958 to November 1958
U.S. city average and five cities priced monthly
All items and conmodity groups

Reading
Medical Personal
and
care
recreation
care

City

All
items

Food

Housing

Apparel

Transportation

United States city average—

0.2

- 0.3

0.1

0.4

1.3

0.2

.2
.2
.2
.1
.4

.4
.1
.1
.4
.1

.7
.5
1.0
2.0
2.5

0
.5
0
.2
0

Chicago——
Detroit
Los Angeles—
New Y o r k — —
Philadelphia




.1
.1
.4
.2
.2

-

.3
.3
1.1
- .1
- .5

-

-

Other
goods &
services

0.2

0.3

0.1

.1
.1
.1
.1
.1

.2
0
.8
0
0

.1
.1
.1
.1
0

-

TABIS Ut Consumer Price Index*—All items and ccmofLitv groups
November 1958 indexes and percent changes, August 1958 to November 1958

5

U.ft. city average and 10 cities priced in November 1958
U.S.
CleveLos
City
Detroit Houston Angeles
Average Chicago land

Group

Nov
York

PhilaWashingt
delphia Scranton Seattle D . C .

Indexes ( 1 9 V M 9 . I O O )
All items

123.9

127.4

124.5

123.4

124.2

126.1

121.7

123.5

120.7

126.0

121.5

Food —

119.4
117.6
134.0
113.5
114.5
121.1
112.6

116.3
113.9
123.4
105.9
112.7
119.1
118.5

116.1
113.9
129.0
108.5
110.2
112.6
115.4

119.6
117.5
125.2
110.5
111.9
128.7
113.5

116.5
114.9
126.2
109.9
111.7
122.0
110.8

124.3
120.4
145.9
112.1
110.7
132.9
113.4

121.0
119.0
142.4
114.9
119.2
118.1
112.0

122.3
120.0
139.0
114.7
121.4
121.3
111.5

117.1
116.8
135.5
115.2
113.2
114.1
110.1

120.8
119.7
147.0
114.4
115.5
126.0
110.0

119.8
117.7
132.3
113.0
118.4
114.9
114.7

128.0
138.4
118.1
135.8
103.5
132.6

138.8
165.1
128.7
141.6
101.5
136.2

130.0
159.9
115.4
139.0
101.5
119.1

126.7

129.8
139.4
116.1

135.2
146.6
130.6

124.7

121.3
127.2
103.4
132.2
109.0
133.7

122.5
130.9
117.7
143.1
100.6
116.9

129.8
146.4
86.7
137.9
102.9
138.0

120.4
127.8
130.5
140.7
100.7
131.7

107.7
108.5
100.6
130.3
92.3

110.9
114.0
101.4
134.1
96.4

108.9
113.3
99.6
129.0
94.7

107.3
108.2

144.5
133.6
191.1

153.8
135.8
195.6

147.0
129.1
117.0
127.3

151.5
129.6
123.7
121.4

Cereals and bakery products —
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables —
Other foods at horns

Gas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil —
Household operation
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'

— - -

Other apparel

—

Private
Public
Medical care
Other goods and services

—

117.0
126.0
108.8
120.0

—

99.9
142.2

100.6
120.2

115.7
138.4
102.9
132.3

104.6
108*4
95.0
126.1

108.5
111.7
100.1
132.2
84.7

106.7
108.2
98.0
131.7
96.1

100.1

86.4

111.6
106.2
108.0
137.7
91.1

129.6
93.7

109.5
110.3
102.6
134.3
91.9

107.9
111.3
99.1
133.0
87.0

103.6
107.8
96.0
123.3
89.1

138.5
129.3
180.5

135.0
130.8
155.6

142.8
136.2
188.0

138.5
134.3
162.1

143.7
124.6
191.4

149.9
130.2
188.9

147.4
133.9
191.9

144.6
133.3
180.1

145.5
137.9
172.4

153.5
128.5
125.0
127.4

153.0
134.0
113.6
135.7

133.5
135.4
116.7
128.9

138.9
133.1
102.6
124.0

135.3
122.2
119.3
126.7

148.6
134.4
118.5
128.5

127.6
130.5
144.3
119.6

148.8
133.6
119.0
135.3

147.3
125.0
117.6
136.3

—.

—

Percent change from August 1958 to November 1958
0.2

0.4

- 1.1
- 1.3
.8
- 3.6
1.3
- 3.0
- .2

- .6
- .7
- .1
- 4.4
.4
1.3
1.7

Housing
Rent — —
— —
Qas and electricity
Solid fuels and fuel oil
lousefurnisULngs —
——
Household operation

.1
.2
.5
1.6
.2
•4

Apparel
Men's and boys' — — — —
Womb's and girls' —

All items

- 0.5

- 0.2

0.2

0.7

0.5

0.1

0.2

- 0.2

0.2

-

1.8
2.1
.5
3.6
.4
5.4
0

- .7
- 1.0
- .5
- 3.0
•4
- .5
0

.5
.6
.3
- 2.6
- .8
- 1.1
1.9

1.3
1.2
3.4
- 5.1
1.3
10.6
.3

0
0
3.4
- 1.5
2.8
- 3.0
.3

- 1.6
- 1.8
3.6
- 3.3
2.3
- 8.9
- .2

- 1.3
- 1.4
.2
- 2.9
2.4
- 5.1
- .7

- 1.5
- 1.8
.4
5
0
1.5
- 3.4

- 2.1
- 2.6
.8
- 3.7
.1
-10.0
.5

0

1/ .4
.3
1.4
.6
.1

.3
0
2.1
.3
.2

0

.1
1 / .1
- .7

.2

- 1.0
.2
.8
- 1.9

.8
.1

.7
.2

.2
1/ .6
0
2.4
.4
- .9

.3
1.0
0
2.3
- .4
.1

.8
.7
0
.1
.6
.7

.2
.3
4.8
1.2
1.7
.2

1.0
.2
2.1
.2
.4

1.4
- 1.0
3.9
0
.5

.1
0
0
.4
0

1.3
.1
2.6
0
1.6

.3
.1
.6
.1
.1

- .7
- .5
- 1.3
.5
- .3

.1
.7
- .7
.4
1.9

P r i v a t e — — — — — —
Public

2.5
2.7
.8

2.5
3.1
0

1.5
1.9
0

Medical care — — — — — —
Bnrsonal care — — — — — —
Beading and recreation
Other goods and services

1.4
.2
.3
.2

.6
.2
.5
.1

.5
.9
1.8
- .1

.....

Food
Food at hone
— —
Cereals and bakery products ~
Meats, poultry, and fish
—
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables ——
Other foods at hone
—

Other apparel

—

—

•

.....
.....

—— — -

-

1/ Change from September 1958 to November 1958.




-

.1

—

-

—

-

_

-

.2
.3
.1
.6

.5
.4
1.5
0
.2

1.2
.4
2.5
.6
.1

.8
.3
1.2
.2
.2

.5
.5
0

1.1
1.2
0

1.1
1.2
0

2.6
3.2
.6

.5

1.0
.6
0
.4

.9
•2
.9
.1

.1

.1
.3

-

-

3.3
.6
.3
.2

-

3.4
X
7.6
.4
1.8

-

2.4
2.9
.4

4.4
5.0
.3

0

-

.1

.1
1.5

-

.3
0

0

-

.7
.7
0

4.2
3.2
8.8

.4

5.1
1.1
0
.2

.5

.9
-

3
#
.3

TABUS 5* C o n i m r Price Index — Food and its subgroups
November 1958 indexes and percent changes, October 1958 to November 1958
U.S. city average and 20 large cities

City
U.S. city average

Total
Cereals and
lieats, poultry,
Dairy
food at hone
bakery products
and fish
products
Percent
Percent
Percent
Percent
Percent
change
change
change
change
change
— 119*4. - 0.3 117.6 - 0.3 134.0
0.1 113.5 - 1.0 114.5
Total food

Atlanta
116.5 - .9
Baltimore
119.5 - .6
Boston — — — — — 119.2 - .6
Chicago
116.3 - .3
Cincinnati
— — — 120.3 - 1.3
Cleveland
116.1
0
Detroit
— 119.6
.3
louston
116.5 - .3
Kansas city
113.8
.2
Los Angeles
124.3
1.1

115.7 - 1.0
116.6 - .7
116.7 - 1.0
113.9 - .3
118.1 - 1.4
113.9
.1
.2
117.5
114.9
.2
.1
111.6
.9
120.4

125.5
128.4
132.5
123.4
131.9

Minneapolis
117.7 - .1
lev York
121.0 - .1
Philadelphia
122.3 - .5
Pittsburgh — — — • — - 120.6 - .8
Portland, Qreg.
120.8
.2
8t. Louis
— 120.2 - .2
San Francisco
123.8
.7
Scranton
— — — 117.1 - .3
•tattle
120.8
0
Washington, D.C.
119.8 - 1.1

116.0
119.0

134.5
142.4
139.0
133.1

TABUS 6*

120.0

119.4
119.4
115.8
122.4

116.8
119.7
117.7

Cereals and bakery products;
Flour., lrheat — — — — — — — — — 5 ib.
Biscuit mix — — — — — —
20 oz.
Corn meal — — — — — — —
ib.
Rolled oats
18 oz.
Corn flakes — — — — —
12 oz.
Bread, white — — — — —
ib.
Soda crackers — — — — — —
ib.
Vanilla cookies — — — — — —
7 oz.
Meats, poultry, and fish:
Round steak — — — — — — —
ib.
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, canned — — — — 12 oz.
Frying chickens, ready-to*cook — ib.
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen —
ib„
Haddock, fillet, frozen — —
ib.
Salmon, pink, canned — — —
ie oz.
Tuna fish, canned — — — — e to d& oz.
Dairy products;
Milk, fresh, (grocery) — — — — — qt.
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
— qt.
Ice cream — — — — — —
pt.
Butter — — — — — — — — —
ib.
Cheese, American process — —
ib.
Milk, evaporated — — — i4i-oz. can
Fruits and vegetables:
Frozen:
Strawberries — — — — —
10 oz.
Orange juice concentrate — — 6 oz.
Peas, green — — — — — —
10 oz.
Beans, green — — — — —
9 oz.
Fresh:

* Priced only in season.
1/ Not available.




125.2

126.2

127.5
145.9

140.2

124.8
147.2
135.5
147.0
132.3

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

121.1
123.0

0.1

112.6 - 0.5

112.6

128.7
122.0
112.0
132,9

1.4
1.5
3.1
.7
1.4
1.4
2.3
.2
1.2
5.1

105.5
113.0
106.7
118.5
115.7
115.4
113.5

124.5

1.1

120.2
112.0

- .7
- 1.5
- .7
- .9
- 2.9
- .5
- .4
- .9
- .5
- .4

113.7
117.5
115.2
112.7
116.2
110.2
111.9
111.7
108.0
110.7

- 2.2
0
- .1
0
0
- .3
- .2
- .9
0
- .1

116.2 118.3 119.1 122.5 -

- 1.0
- .9
1.0
- .9
- .5
- .2
117.0
.3
115.2 - .3
114.4 - 1.3
113.0 - .4

104.9
119.2
121.4
117.1
117.3
105.4
116.7
113.2
115.5
118.4

-

116.4
112.9
114.7
105.9

113.0

108.5
110.5
109.9
109.1

112.1

107.9
114.9
114.7
113.1
117.7
110.4

-

.1
1.2
.2
.1
.3
.5
.3
.1
0
.5

Other
foods at hone
Percent
change

118.1 - .2

121.3 - 3.8
118.8 - 3.1
118.2
3.6
125.0
.1
133.2
4.6
114.1 - 1.4
126.0 3.9
114.9 - 6.4

-

.7
.2
- 1.1
0
- 1.2
.3
- .4
110.8
.5
106.5
.3
.1
113.4

110.1 110.0 114.7 111.5
122.2
112.9
118.7
111.9

0
1.1
.8
.4
1.1
1.1
.8
.4
.9
.3

Consumer Price Index -- Average retail prices of selected foods
U.S. city average

Food and unit

Bananas — — — — — — —
Oranges, size 200 — — — — — —
Lemons — — — — — — —
Grapefruit *

.1
.3
.6
.8
.2
.3
.9
.3
.1
- 1.4

129.0

.3
0
.1
.2
0
.4
.1
.3
.1
.1

Fruits and
vegetables
Percent
change

ib.
doz.
lb.

November
1958
Cents
54.8
26.8
12.9
18.5
20.4

25.6
19.6
29.2
24.5

October'
1958
Cents
54.7

26.8
13.0
18.5
20.4

25.6

19.6

29.3
24.5

54.4
135.3
90.7
73.9

104.5
62.5
80.9
54.3
135.1
92.3
78.8

77.6

77.4

104.9

62.6

81.1
66.4
65.8

53.1
43.0
46.3
57.8
61.8
33.7

66.6

66.1
52.6
42.9

46.2
56.7
62.1
33.5

24.2
25.5
29.7
74.4
57.9
15.1

24.1
25.5
29.7
74.8
57.9
15.1

26.4

26.2
28.9
19.9
23.1

29.0
19.9
23.1
11.7
18.4

82.6
18.5
13.9

12.3
18.3
87.3
18.3

Food and unit
Fre s h — C ontinued
Peaches • — — — — — —
ib.
Strawberries * — — — — —
.
pt
Grapes, seedless * — — — —
ib.
Watermelons * — — — —
ib.
Potatoes — — — — —
10 ib.
Sweetpotatoes — — — — —
ib.
Onions
ib.
Carrots — — — — — —
ib.
Lettuce — — — — — —
head
Celery — - - - - - - - - - —
ib.
Cabbage — — — — — — — — —
ib.
Tomatoes —
—
—
—
—
ib.
&eans, green — — — — —
ib.
Canned:
Orange juice — — — — 46-oz. can
Peaches — — — — — —

#24 can

F r u i t cocktail — — — —

#303 can

Pineapple —

—

—

—

—

#2 can

Corn, cream style — — — #303 can
Peas, green — — — — — — — #303 can
Tomatoes — — — — —
#303 can
Baby foods — — — — — — 44 to 5 oz.
Dried:
Prunes — — — — — — — — —
ib.
Beans — — — — — — —
ib.
Other foods at home:
1
Tonato soup
"• loj- to ll-oz. can
Beans with pork — — — — — 16-oz. can
Pickles, sweet — — — — —
7i oz.
Catsup, toaato — — — — —
14 oz.
Coffee — — — — — — — lb, can
Coffee — — — — —
lb. bag
Tea bags — — — — —
kg. of 1a
P
Cola drink, carton — — — — — 36 oz.
Shortening, hydrogens ted —
3 ib.
Margarine, colored — — — — —
ib.
Lard — — — — — — — — — — — — ib.
Salad dressing — — — — —
t.
p
Peanut butter — — — — —
ib.
Sugar — — — — — — —
5 ib.
Corn syrup — — — — —
24 oz.
Grape jelly — — — — — — — 12 oz.
Chocolate bar — — — — —
1 0 z.
Eggs, Grade A , large — — — — - doz.
Gelatin, flavored — —
3 to 4 oz.

November
1958

October
1958

Cents

Cents

(!/)
50.4
12.9

26.3

9.1
13.7
16.3
14.5
6.8
28.0
22.2

46.0
34.9
35.3
27.1
18.2

21.1
16.2
10.1
36.8
17.8

12.4

15.2

27.0
22.4
86.8
68.9
24.0
28.1
92.8
29.0
22.9
37.9
56.7
56.9
26.2
27.8
5.2
62.7
9.0

49.4

12.6

8.9
13.9

18.1
13.2

7.0
21.4
22.1

45.3
34.5
35.0

26.8
18.0
21.1
16.5

10.1

35.0
18.5
12.4
15.2
27.0
22.4
87.2
69.1
24.1
28.0
92.8
29.0
23.0
37.8
56.7
56.9

26.1

27.9
5.2

63.8
8.9

Labor D.C. - BLS58-0332

7

Brief Explanation of the CPI

The Consumer Price Index (CFI) measures the average changes in prices of goods
and services typically bought by city families of wage earners and clerical workers * It
is based on prices of about 300 items which were selected so that their price changes
would represent the movement of prices of all goods and services purchased by wage and
clerical families; they include all of the important items in family spending* Prices
for these items are obtained in 46 cities which were chosen to represent all urban places
in the United States; they are collected from grocery and department stores, hospitals,
filling stations, and other types of stores and service establishments which wage-earner
and clerical-worker families patronize•
Prices of foods, fuels, and a few other items are obtained every month in all
46 cities* Prices of most other commodities and services are collected every month in
the 5 largest cities and every 3 f months in other cities* Almost all prices are obtained
by personal visits of the Bureau s trained representatives*
In calculating the index, price changes for the various items in each city are
averaged together with weights which represent their importance in family spending* City
data are then combined in the total index with weights based on the 1950 populations of
cities they represent* Index numbers are computed on the base 1947-49 = 100*
The national index (the United States city average) includes prices from the
20 large cities for which separate indexes are published in this report, as well as
from the following 26 medium-sized and small cities:
Anna, Illinois
Camden, Arkansas
Canton, Ohio
Charleston, W . Virginia
Evansville, Indiana
Garrett, Indiana
Glendale, Arizona
Grand Forks, N* Dakota
Grand Island, Nebraska

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

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

Comparisons of city indexes show only that prices in one city changed more or
less than in another. The city indexes cannot be used to measure differences in price
levels or in living costs between cities*
A description of the 11index is contained in BLS Bulletin 1140, "The Consumer
Price Indexs A layman's Guide, which may be purchased for 20 cents at any Bureau of
Labor Statistics regional office (addresses below) or from the Superintendent of Documents, U* S* Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D* C* A more technical
description of the index appears in BLS Bulletin 1168, "Techniques of Preparing Major BLS
Statistical Series*" Reprints of chapter 9* pertaining to the CPI, are available on
request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington or at any of its regional offices*
Historical series of index numbers for the United States city average and for
20 large cities are available upon request* These series include index numbers for All
Items, Food, Apparel, and Rent for periods from 1913 to date; and for other groups of
goods and services from 1947 to date*
BLS Regional Offices
Atlanta
50 Seventh St*, NE
Zone 23




New York
341 Ninth Ave.
Zone 1

Chicago
105 West Adams St.
Zone 3

San Francisco
630 Sanson* St.
Zone 11

LABOR - D . C.

Boston
18 Oliver St.
Zone 10