Full text of CPI Detailed Report : November 1972

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the consumer price index
for November 1972

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Peter J. Brennan, Secretary

CONTENTS

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Ben Burdetsky, Deputy Commissioner

Price movements

OFFICE OF PRICES
AND LIVING CONDITIONS
Joel Popkin, Assistant Commissioner

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.

Table 9.

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—Seasonally adjusted indexes and percent changes
at annual rates, commodity and service groups,
and expenditure classes

10

CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wage
earners and clerical workers, major groups, percent
change from October 1972 to November 1972

11

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, commodity groups,
November 1972, index and percent changes from
August 1972

12

CPI—United States and selected areas for urban wage
earners and clerical workers, food and its subgroups,
November 1972, and percent changes from October
1972

14

CPI—United States city average for urban wage
earners and clerical workers, food items, November 1972
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, November 1972, and percent changes from
selected dates

17

United States city average Consumer Price Index:
Indexes affected by refunds of insurance premiums
in Massachusetts

21

Price Movements
November 1972
The Consumer Price Index rose 0.2 percent in
November, to 126.9 percent of its (1967=100) base.
Almost two-thirds of the rise was due to higher prices
for food, apparel, and residential gas. The November
index, was 3.5 percent higher than it was a year ago.
After seasonal adjustment, the November increase was
0.3 percent. In the 6-month period ending in November,
the CPI rose at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.6
percent. Prices in the last 3 months of the period rose at
a 4.2-percent rate, compared with 2.9 percent in the first
3 months. The larger advance in the last 3 months is
attributable to the food price index which in November
rose 1.1 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis, following
increases of 0.2 percent in October and 0.6 percent in
September. After seasonal adjustment, the nonfood
commodities index increased 0.1 percent, compared with
a decrease of 0.1 percent in October and a rise of 0.4
percent in September. The November increase of 0.2 percent for services was smaller than the 0.4-percent rise
in October and the same as in September.

During the first year of Phase II of the Economic
Stabilization Program, the CPI rose 3.5 percent. This rate
compares with a rise of 3.8 percent at a seasonally adjusted annual rate in the 8 months of 1971 before the
start of Phase I.
The index of food purchased in grocery stores increased 0.5 percent. It usually decreases 1.0 percent in
November. The index of food away from home—
restaurant meals and snacks-increased 0.4 percent.
Fresh vegetable prices rose even more sharply than
usual as reduced fall planting acreage for some items, adverse growing and harvesting weather, and a shift in the
source of supplies from summer producing areas to winter producing areas curtailed supplies in November. Meat
prices, which normally decline appreciably at this
season, increased on average. Prices of most beef cuts
rose despite earlier price decreases at the wholesale level;
pork prices declined but by significantly less than usual.
Bread and flour prices advanced, because of recent increases in wheat and flour prices which manufacturers

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

Changes from preceding month

Month

All items
Unadjusted

Food

Seasonally Unadadjusted
justed

Commodities
less food

Seasonally Unad- Seasonally
justed adjusted
adjusted

Services
Unadjusted

From
From
From
3 months 6 months 12 months
ago
ago
ago

November 1971
December

0.2
.4

0.2
.3

0.1
1.1

0.8
.6

0.1
0

0
.2

0.3
.3

1.9
2.6

3.0
2.8

3.5
3.4

January 1972 .
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November . . . .

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

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

0
1.6
.2
0
-.1
.6
1.0
.3
.2
.1
.4

-.1
1.8
0
-.1
-.1
.2
.6
.5
.6
.2
1.1

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

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

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

3.2
4.8
3.6
3.1
2.1
2.2
3.3
2.9
4.6
4.1
4.2

2.9
3.4
3.1
3.2
3.5
2.9
3.2
2.5
3.4
3.7
3.6

3.4
3.7
3.5
3.4
3.2
2.9
3.0
2.9
3.3
3.4
3.5




Table B. Comparative seasonally adjusted annual rates of change in the CPI and its major components before and
during the Economic Stabilization Program.

Group

All items
Food
Commodities less food
Services

1971 before
Phase I
(December 1970 to
August 1971)

3 months
Phase I
(August 1971 to
November 1971)

12 months
Phase II
(November 1971 to
November 1972)

15 months
Phase I and II
(August 1971 to
November 1972)

3.8
5.0
2.9
4.5

1.9
1.7
0
3.1

3.5
5.4
2.5
3.5

3.2
4.7
2.0
3.5

have been allowed by the Price Commission to pass on to
the retail level. Prices of eggs and fresh fruits declined,
but less than seasonally for November; poultry prices
decreased a little more than usual. Dairy product prices
were also higher in November, apparently because of a
decline in fluid milk supplies.
The nonfood commodities index rose 0.2 percent
before seasonal adjustment in November. Over half of
the rise was due to price increases for apparel, particularly for items of fall and winter clothing priced for
the first time this season in several cities. Some items of
year-round clothing also showed price increases in
November; prices of footwear continued to rise.
Used car prices rose again in November, but by substantially less than in the 2 preceding months. Prices of
new cars increased, continuing to reflect the introduction
of 1973 models. The increase was smaller than usual for
November and the smallest November rise since 1963. As
in October, substantial quality improvements related to
Federal safety and environmental requirements, and the
fact that list price increases on new models had been
largely disallowed by the Price Commision, combined
to hold down the rise in new car prices. Higher prices
were recorded for furniture, housekeeping supplies, home
maintenance and repair commodities and houses. Gasoline and tire prices, however, declined.
The services index rose 0.2 percent. Medical care services increased 0.1 percent in November following a 0.7percent rise in October when the regular annual adjustment to the health insurance component was made.
Rents rose less than in recent months. Charges for residential gas rose sharply as a result of changeovers to
winter rates in several areas and rate increases in others.
Most other household services, such as water and sewerage charges, mortgage interest rates, and charges for
domestic and day care services, also were higher. Transportation services prices rose, following a slight decline in
October, as increases were reported in auto insurance
rates, parking and registration fees, and maintenance and
repair costs.




Diffusion of individual price changes

Approximately 120,000 individual prices were collected directly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Noember for use in the index. Approximately 80 percent of
these quotations represent monthly comparisons. As can
be seen from table C, 75 percent of these monthly comparisons remained unchanged, 11 percent decreased, and
14 percent increased between October and November.
The proportion of nonfood commodity prices increasing was the same as in October and less than in September. The November index also includes 23,000 price
comparisons to November from periods before October,
of which 18,500 cover the quarterly span from August
to November. About 14 percent of these increased, compared with about 15 percent in last month's index. In
addition, about 4,500 rental units were surveyed in
November and 20 percent of these reported rent increases from May.

Introduction of additional series on food prices
Effective with release of the Consumer Price Index
(CPI), for November 1972, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has initiated monthly publication of two additional
index series. The additional series, entitled (1) domestically produced farm foods and (2) selected beef cuts,
are derived from existing index data and published
monthly in table 1 of the CPI press release and detailed
report.
As well as being published by BLS, the new series
will be used by the Economic Research Service of the
U.S. Department of Agriculture in its monthly report,
Price Spreads for Farm Foods and in the Marketing and
Transportation Situation. The new BLS series on domestically produced farm foods will serve as the basis for
estimating changes in the retail value of U.S. farm foods
in these publications. The series for domestically produced farm foods is calculated by excluding the following items from the food-at-home component of the

Table C. Percent distribution of monthly price comparisons

1

1971
Itpm

September
to
October

October
to
November

All items 2
Increases
Decreases
No change

100
11
10
79

100
11
9

Food at home
1 ncreases
Decreases
No change

1972
November
to
December

December
to
January

January
to
February

February
to
March

March
to
April

80

100
16
7
77

100
14
11
75

100
22
8
70

100
15
10
75

100
14
12
74

100
12
11
77

100
13
10
77

100
17
8
75

100
15
11
74

100
24
9
67

100
16
12
72

100
15
13
72

Commodities less food
1ncreases
Decreases
No change

100
7
7

100
7
6
87

100

89

100
7
10
83

100
8
7
85

100
10
5
85

100
7
7
86

Services
1ncreases
Decreases
No change

100
1

100
2
1
97

100
6
1

100
12
5

100

100
3
1

100
6
4

93

83

96

90

September
to
October

October
to
November

86

8
91

6
5

8
3
89

1972—Continued
April
to
May

May
to
June

June
to
July

July
to
August

August
to
September

All items 2
Increases
Decreases
No change

100
13
12
75

100
15
11
74

100
18
10
72

100
16
11
73

100
15
10
75

100
15
11
74

100
14
11
75

Food at home
Increases
Decreases
No change

100
14
13
73

100
T7
12
71

100
20
11

100
18
13

69

69

100
16
12
72

100
17
12
71

100
16
12
72

Commodities less food
1ncreases
Decreases
No change

100
8
6
86

100
6
7
87

100
8
7
85

100
8
6

100
11
5

100
6
6

100
6
5

86

84

88

89

Services
Increases
Decreases
No change

100
7
5

100
5
3
92

100
4

100
3
3

100
4

100
4
5

100
4

91

94

88

3
93

94

2
94

2

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.
2
Based on approximately 98,000 individual quotations.




CPI: fish, nonalcoholic beverages, bananas, chocolate
candy bars, chocolate syrup, and about half of the index weight for sugar. These exclusions are items which
are not produced on U.S. farms. The new series for selected beef cuts is calculated by excluding veal cutlets
and beef liver from the CPI for beef and veal. The new
indexes are on the current reference base, 1967=100.
Data for the new series covering the period from November 1971 appear in the following tabulation:




December
January 1972
^^7.'.'.'.
April
J^anye
July
August
September . .
October
November . .

Domestically
produced farm
foods

Selected beef
cuts

116.1
117.9
117.8
120.3
120.4
119.9
119.8
120.6
122.2
122.6
122.6
122.5
123.1

126.0
127.5
130.6
135.9
136.8
134.7
132.3
134.1
138.0
138.8
136.5
135.2
135.6

Chart 1. All items index and its rate of change, 1963-72
(1967= 100)
SEMILOG
135
130
125
120
115
110 h
105
100

T

NOV
126.9
CPI FILL ITEMS INDEX
(NOT SERSONflLLY RDJUSTED)

95
90

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN
(SERSONRLLY RDJUSTED)

85 L-

flRITH.
SCflLE
0.7
— 0.6
0.5
— 0.4
— 0;3
— 0-2
— 0.1
— 0.0

-0.1
PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(RNNURL RflTE. SERSONRLLY RDJUSTED1

3RITH,
5CBLE
8

NOV
4*2

WITH.
SCflLE
8

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
[RNNURL RflTE. SERSONRLLY RDJUSTED)
NOV
3.6

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPRN 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 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 1 1 • 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

1963

1964

1965

1966

1967

1/ Computed from the unadjusted series.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




1968

1969

1970

1971

1972

Chart 2. Commodities less food index and its rates of change, 1963-72
(1967= 100)

SEMI-

LOG

135
130
125
120
115
110
105
100
95
90
85

NOV
120.4

CPI COMMODITIES LESS FOOD INDEX
(SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN
(SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)
NOV
0.1

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONRLLY flDJUSTEO)
NOV
1 .7

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE* SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTEO)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN 1/

1963

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

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




6

1969

1970

1971

1972

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
-0.1
-0.2
-0.3

Chart 3. Total food index and its rates of change, 1963-72
1
(1967=100)
UQW

SB "

126.3

135
130
125
120
115
110
105

CPI TOTAL FOOD INDEX
(SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)
-HQY-

100

1 .1

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN
(SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

95
90
85

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED}

RRJTH.
SCflLE
12

flRITH.
SCflLE
1.6
1 .4
1 .2
1 .0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
-0.2
-0.4
-0.6

NOV
8.0

10
8
6
4
2
0
-2
-4

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)
8
6
4
2
0

RRITH*

-2

SCflLE8

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN 1/

6

NOV
5.4

4
2

Ay

0
11 ii I ii t11 I n i ill tit 11 I n i n Lit

1963

1964

ttl ii t n 1 tit 111 tit iii ii i ii I11 t n i > 1i ill iii ii 1111 til 111 ii I ii i ii I ii t n 1111 it 1 lit ill ii 11

1965

1966

1967

1/ Computed from the unadjusted series.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




1968

1969

1970

1971 1972

Chart 4 Services index and its rates of change, 1963-72
(1967= 100)
INUV

SEMI-

LOG

134.9

135
130
125
120
115
110
105
100
95

—
—
—
—
-

CPI S E R V I C E S INDEX
(NOT SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

BIJJ.
iCRLE

90
PERCENT CHFIN6E OVER 1-MONTH SPFIN
(NOT SEflSONRLLY flDJUSTED)

85

NOV
0.2

1 .1
1 .0
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
-0.1

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(flNNURL RRTE. NOT SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

12
10

8
NOV
3.3

6
4
2
0

SCBLE

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUflL RflTE. NOT SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTED)

10
8

NOV
3.3

6
4
2
0

RRITH*
5CflLE

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN

NOV
3.5

1963

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




8

1969

1970

1971

1972

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

Groups

Relative
importance

126. 9
147. 6

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 •
Nondurables less food •
Apparel commodities1 •
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Nondurables less food and apparel
Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Fuel oil and coal
Other nondurables
Durables commodities
Household durables
New cars
Used cars : —
Other durables
Services
Rent
Services less
Household services less rent
Transportation services 7
Medical care servic
Other services 7
Special indexes:
All items less food
Nondurable commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear •
Services less medical care services
Insurance and finance7
Utilities and public transportation 7
Housekeeping and home maintenance service —

Unadjusted indexes
Unadjusted
Seasonally adjusted
1967 = 100 unless
percent change to
percent change from
otherwise noted
November 1972 frorrr
previous month
November 1 October
October | Novembe
October to I September August to
1972
1972
1972 J
1971
November | to October September
Commodity and service groups
126. 6
147.2

62.59

122. 7

122. 3

22. 19
17. 23
2.28
5.64
2. 72
3.03
3.56
4.96

125.4
123. 4
115. 0
131. 5
117. 7
126. 5
118. 1
133. 3

124.
122.
114.
131.
117.
124.
118.
132.

40.40

121. 0

120. 8

23. 63
9. 03
2. 82
4.02
1.57
14. 60
2. 92
2.09
2. 50
. 67
6.42

121. 7
125. 6
124. 8
126. 5
127. 1
119.4
111. 1
134. 3
120. 4
119. 3
118. 6

121. 3
124. 9
123. 8
125. 9
126.5
119. 3
111.2
134. 3
120. 3
118. 1
118. 5

16.
4.
2.
1.
7.

77
83
12
98
84

120. 3
116.0
110.2
116. 0
127.5

37.41
5.05
32. 36
15.36
5. 57
5. 55
5. 88
77. 81
45. 82
7.46
31. 86
9. 85
5. 51
4.46

9
8
6
3
1
5
0
8

0.2

3.5

.4
. 5
. 3
.2
.5
1. 6
. 1
.4

5.4
5. 7

3.5

. 7

11. 3
1.6
7.4
2.2
4. 0

1.1
1.5
.5
1. 3
. 5
. 8
. 9
.4

2. 5

. 1

. 8
.5
. 5
. 1
-. 1
0
. 1
1. 0
. 1

2. 5
2.6
2. 5
2.5
3.2
2.5
2. 9
4. 1
1. 8
1. 0
2.2

.3
.2
. 7
. 1
.4
.3
. 8

120. 1
115. 8
110. 1
115.2
127.4

.
.
.
.
.

2
2
1
7
1

2.5
2. 1
.5
5.3
2.5

134.9
120. 5
137. 6
141. 3
136. 3
140. 1
127.4

134. 6
120. 3
137.2
140. 7
136.2
139. 9
127.0

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

127.4
123.5
125. 3
134.2
145. 3
127. 3
146. 3

127. 1
123. 1
124.6
133. 8
145. 1
126. 5
145. 9

.2
. 3
.6
.3
. 1
. 6
. 3

.3

.6

. 2
. 1
0
1.3
.2
. 7
. 1
. 1

.6
. 7
. 2
.2
. 3
2. 1
.9
. 5
.4

. 1
.4
. 7
. 4
-. 1
-. 7
*. 1
*. 1
-. 1
.3

. 6
.8
1. 0
1. 1
.2
.6
1. 9
*. 1
*. 3
0
.3

-. 1
. 2
-.6
*. 7
-.2

-.4
. 1
-3.9
*1.4
-.2

. 5
.3
. 3
*1. 1
-. 1

3.5
3. 3
3. 6
4. 4
1. 8
3. 9
2. 7

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

*. 4
*. 3
*.4
. 4
-. 1
1.3
.2

*. 2
*. 3
*. 2
.2
.2
. 1
. 5

3.0
3. 9
2. 5
3.5
3: 1
4. 6
3. 9

.2
. 5
. 2
*. 3
. 1
. 5
.3

. 1
.2
. 7
*. 3
. 2
R. 4
.4

.
.
*.
.
R.
0

3. 5

0. 3

0.3

0.5

5.4

1. 1

.2

.6

*. 2
.2
*. 3
. 2
R. 2
R. 2
. 2

*. 2
. 1
*. 3
. 1
R..6
R. 5
. 3

*0
*. 1

.6

7
8
2
1
6

Expenditure c l a s s e s
126. 9

All items
22. 19

125.4

124. 9

Housing —
Shelter2 •
Rent
Homcownc v ship ——————
F u e l and u t i l i t i e s 4
Gas and electricityr 7
Household furnishings and operation

33. 84
21. 72
5. 05
16.25
4. 71
2.43
7.41

130. 8
136. 2
120. 5
142.0
121. 7
122.2
122. 1

130.4
136. 0
120. 3
141. 8
120. 6
120. 9
121. 8

Apparel and upkeep

10.45

125. 0

124. 3

2.5

. 3

Transportation 7

13.27
11. 80
1.47

121. 4
119.0
144. 1

121.2
R118. 7
144. 1

2.3
2. 1
3.4

-. 8
-. 9
.6

1. 1
R1.2
. 5

Health and recreation
Medical care
P e r s o n a l care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services

19. 87
6.46
2.58
5. 71
5. 12

127. 4
134. 1
121. 0
124. 1
126.4

127.2
133. 9
120. 8
124.0
126. 4

3.0
3. 4
2. 6
2. 7
2. 9

*. 2
.2
. 2
0
0

*. 3
1. 1
.2
. 2
. 1

*. 2
.2
.3
. 5
-. 1

77.28
93. 54
96.25
15. 28
2.01

124.
126.
126.
123.
135.

6
6
1
1
6

124.2
126. 2
125. 7
122. 5
135.2

3. 5
3. 6
3. 6
6.0
7.6

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

. 3
. 2
.2
*-. 1
*-l. 0

. 6
. 5
. 5

$0. 788
. 678

$ 0 . 790
. 679

7

Special indexes:
All items less shelter
All items less medical care
All items less mortgage interest costs
CPI-domestically produced farm foods 5
CPI-selected beef cuts 6
Purchasing power of consumer dollar:
19 6 7 = $ 1. 0 0
1957-59 = $ ! . 0 0
1

.3
. 1
. 2
. 1
.9
1. 1
. 2

3. 5
3. 7
3. 3
3.9
4.5
5.2
2.2

Also includes infants' wear, sewing materials, and jewelry not shown.
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 service not shown separately.
5
Calculated from the CPI food at home component by excluding fish, nonalcoholic beverages, bananas, chocolate candy bars, chocolate syrup,
and about half of the index weight for sugar.
6
Calculated from the CPI beef and veal component by excluding veal cutlets and beef liver.
7
Revisions have been made in historical series to reflect the effect of retroactive refunds.
Revised data will be published in the November
1972 issue of The Consumer Price Index.
* Not seasonally adjusted.
R«Revised in accordance with BL.S policy covering retroactive refunds.
2

3

NOTE:

Index applies to month as a whole^ not any specific date.




Table 2. Consumer Price Index—Seasonally adjusted indexes and percent changes at annual rates, commodity and service groups, and
expenditure classes
Seasonally adjusted annual rate
percent changes for
3 months ending in
6 months ending in
Novemberl October I September I August November I August
May
1 F e b r u a r y November I May
1972
I 1972 I
1972
I 1972
1972
1972
1972
1972
1972
1972
Commodity and service groups
Seasonally adjusted indexes
(1967=100)

Groups

All items
122. 7

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 l e s s food

—
•

Nondurables less food
Apparel commodities 1
Men's and boys'
Women's and g i r l s "
Footwear
Nondurables l e s s food and apparel —
Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products (not
seasonally adjusted)
Alcoholic beverages (not
seasonally adjusted)
Fuel oil and coal
Other nondurables
Durable commodities
Household durables
Used c a r s (not seasonally adjusted) Other durables
Services (not seasonally adjusted)
Rent (not seasonally adjusted)
Services l e s s rent (not seasonally
adjusted)
Household services less rent
Transportation services ~*"""•• •-• • ————•

Medical care services
Other services
Special indexes;
All items less food
Nondurable commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
Services less medical care (not seasonally
adjusted)
Insurance and finance
Utilities and public transportation •
Housekeeping and maintenance

122. 8
114. 5
131.0
117. 0
129. 7
117. 1
132.5
120.3
120. 7
123. 8
122. 9
124.2
126.2
119. 1
110.5

122. 1
124. 7
122. 7
114. 5
129. 3
116. 8
128. 8
117. 0
132.4
120.4
120. 6
123. 1
122.4
123. 3
125. 7
119.2
111. 3

121.3
123. 9
121. 8
114. 3
129.0
116. 5
126. 1
115. 9
131. 8
119.9

134.3

134.3

134. 2

134. 1

120.4
119.3
118. 6
119. 8
116.0
108. 1
116.0
127.2
134.9
120.5

120.3
118.3
118.6
119. 9
115. 8
108. 8
115.2
127.4
134.6
120.3

120.2
118. 4
118. 3
120. 4
115. 7
113.2
113. 6
127. 6
134. 1
119.9

119. 9
118.4
118.0
119. 8
115.4
112.9
112.4

137. 6
141. 0
137. 1
140. 7
127.4

137.2
140. 6
137.0
140.3
126.9

136.
140.
137.
138.
126.

127. 1
123.6
123. 7
134.2
145.3
127. 7
146.3

126.3
124. 6
115. 1
132. 7
117. 6
130. 7
118.2
133.0
120.4
121. 1
124. 1
123. 7
124.3
126. 7
119.4
111.4

122. 2
124.9

119.9

122. 1
121.2
121. 9
125.4
118.5
109.2

4. 7
8.0
9.5

2. 8
12.0
3. 8
15.4
8.2
3. 7

1. 7
4. 1
6. 7
8. 5
8. 1
4.2
3. 1
8.3

3.4
5. 0
5.4
-1. 7
13. 1
-3. 0
18. 7
-6. 3
4. 0

4. 5

9. 7
10. 6
0. 4
30. 1
4. 2
12.4
-3. 7
3.5

2. 4

-0. 7
-2. 3
1. 8
-6. 7
1.4
-13. 6
11. 6
4. 7
3. 4

0. 7
-1. 3
-2. 3
-3. 5
3. 9
1.4
5. 3

3. 1
3. 0
4. 0
1.3
3. 6
3.5
1.5

2.4
2.3
.0
4. 7
1. 0
2. 1
-3. 3

6. 5
7. 5
0. 5
12.5
0. 3
17. 1
0. 7
3.9
2.0
2.4
2.6
3. 0
2. 1
4. 1
2.2
6. 8

2. 7

2. 4

3. 1
4. 4
3. 9
1. 1
10. 1
2. 8
-1. 5
3. 7
4. 1
2. 9
2. 7
2. 7
2.0
3. 0
2.3
2. 8
-0. 9

9. 6

1. 7

6. 6

7
1
5
8
8
6
1
6

1.4
-0.3
2. 1
2. 1
0. 7
12.4
-23. 7
2.6

1. 5
0. 7
1.5

2. 0
1.4
2. 8

2.6
2.5
-6.0
11.2
2.2

2.4
1. 8
7.4
-0. 4
2.6

3.4
3.4

2. 8
2. 7

4. 7
4.2

3.3
3.2

3. 7
3. 5

3.6
3.8
0.9
7. 1
4.5

3.3
3. 5
3.9
2.9
2. 6

2. 7
1. 8
2. 1
2.4
1.6

4. 9
8.9
0. 3
3.6
2. 3

3.4
3.6
2.4
5.0
3. 5

3. 8
5.3
1.2
3. 0
1.9

126.2
121. 8
121. 6

2.9
6.0
7. 1

2. 6
2. 7
-1.6

3.3
1.0
2.0

2. 9
5.8
2. 7

2.7
4. 3
2.6

3. 1
3.4
2. 3

133. 1
144. 7
125.9
145.2

3.
1.
5.
3.

3.4
5. 1
1.9
4.5

2. 8
1. 1
1. 9
4.0

4.4
4.6
8. 8
4. 0

3.4
3.4
3.9
3. 8

3. 6
2. 9
5.3
4.0

9. 7

6.5

3. 5
4.4

3.9
6.2
4.2
6. 6
9.2
10. 0
0. 7

3.6
3.2
3.2
3.9
3.0
3.4
2.5

3.4
4.3
3. 5
3. 8
5.9
7. 0
1. 8

1. 3
-1. 7
1. 0

127. 7

1. 7
3. 1
2.0
.0
2. 1
-16.0
13.4
-1. 6

133. 8
119.6

3. 3
3.0

7
0
1
5
6

136.4
139. 7
136. 8
138.3
126.0

126. 8
123. 0
123.4

126. 7
122. 7
122. 6

133. 8
145.1
127. 1
145. 8

133.4
144. 8
126. 6
145. 2

3. 6
4. 0

1. 7

3
7
8
1

5.2
2. 8
5. 1
9.0
6.2

2.
3.
3.
2.
2.
2.
30.
2.

Expenditure classes

Housing (not seasonally adjusted)
Shelter2 •
Rent (not seasonally adjusted)
Home owne r ship3
Fuel and utilities* Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation Apparel and upkeep —
Transportation
Private
Public
Health and recreation (not seasonally
adjusted)
Medical care
Personal care
Readingg and recreation
O
h goods
d and
d services
Other
Special indexes:
All items less shelter
All items less medical care
All items less mortgage interest cost
CPI-domestically produced farm foods (not
seasonally adjusted)
CPI-selected beef cuts (not seasonally
adjusted)
2
3
4

126. 3
130. 8
135. 9
120.5
141. 7
121.5
122. 1
122. 1
123. 8
121.4
119. 1
145.3

124. 9
130.4
135. 9
120. 3
141. 7
121. 1
121. 5
121. 9
123.3
121.0
118.6
145. 1

124. 7
130. 1
135. 6
119. 9
141.4
120. 8
121.2
121. 6
122. 9
122.0
119. 7
144.3

123. 9
129.9
135.4
119. 6
141.2
120. 1
120. 6
121.2
121. 9
120. 7
118.3
143.6

127.4
134. 6
121. 0
124.0
125. 9

127.2
134. 3
120. 8
124. 0
125.9

126.
132.
120.
123.
125.

8
8
5
7
8

124. 7
126.6
126. 1

124.2
126. 1

123. 1
135.6

125. 7
122.5
135.2

4.2
8. 0
2. 8
1. 5
3. 0
1.4
4.7
5. 1
3.0
6.4

-0. 7
4. 8
5. 6
2. 5

2. 7

2.0

2. 8

2.3

3. 1
3.5
-2.2

-1.0
-3.4
9. 1

3.6
4. 2
3. 7

1. 0
.0
3.3

126.5
132.6
120. 1
123. 1
125. 9

2. 9
6.2
3.0
3. 0
.0

2.2
2.8
1. 7
2.3
-0.3

3. 6
1.8
3.4
2.3
5.2

3.3
2.8
2.4
3. 4
7.0

2.6
4.5
2.4
2.6
-0.2

3.4
2.3
2. 9
2. 8
6. 1

123. 8
125. 9
125.4

123. 1
125. 3
124. 8

5.3
4.2

2. 6
3. 3
3.3

2.0
2. 3
2. 3

4.0
4. 7
4. 7

4.0
3. 7
3. 8

122. 6

122.6

136. 5

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




4.4
4. 9
3.4
6.5
1.3
1. 7
2.0

2. 1
-0. 7
2. 9
2.4
2. 7
1.2
2. 7
4. 1
3.0

2. 3
2. 7
4. 8

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 fuel oil, coal, water, and sewerage service not shown separately.

NOTE:

2. 9
5.0

10

3.0
3.5
3.5

9. 7

-1. 7

15.3

5.6

6.5

21. 1

-10.2

35. 3

5. 1

10.3

Table 3. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas x for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
major groups, percent change from October 1972 to November 1972
Group

U.S. city
average

Los AngelesLong Beach

Chicago

Northeastern
New Jersey

Philadelphia

0.2

Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep —
Transportation
Health and recreation Medical care
Personal care •
Reading and recreation —
Other goods and services •
1
2

.4
.3
.6
.2
.2
. 1
.2
. 1
.0

.6
-. 1
.6
.3
.2

.7
-. 1
.2
.1
.2

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

-.2
.1
.0
.6

.o

.0
.2

-.2
-.2

. I

.4
.1
-.2
.6
.2

.5

See footnote 1, table 2.
Not available.

Table 4. 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

October
1972

November 1972
U. S. City Average
Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles—Long Beach
N. Y.-Northeastern N. J. Philadelphia

Bo ston

• - ••• — -

Houston

1.......... - •

Minneapolis—St. Paul
Pittsburgh

Cleveland Dallas
Milwaukee —
San Diego —
Seattle
Washington -

Baltimore —
Cincinnati —
Honolulu
Kansas City St. Louis
San Francisco—Oakland -

M
M
M
M
M

126.9
127.7
126.3
123. 1
125.5
123.6
125.6

November
1971
3.5

.6
.4
1.2
1.2
1.3

3.2
3.2
3.7
4.5
3.4

October 1972

July
1972

October
1971

154.4
144.6
147.4
145.5

1.4
1.0
1.4

3.5
3.3
3. 1
2.9

November 1972

August
1972

November
1971

142.4
151. 1

1.4
1.3
.2
.3
1.4
1. 1
1.6

4.5
2.8
2.7
3.4
5.0
3. 1
4.4

September 1972

June
1972

September
1971

146.0
148.3
143.3

1.7
1.8
1.4
. 7
1.3
1.4
1.2

4. 1
2. 7
4.0
1.6
3.3
2.6
4. 1

147.6
142. 8
146.4
146.2
158.6
150.6

128.6
127.9
125.7
125.0
126.8
121.2
129. 7

August
1972
1.0

126.9
125.7
127. 4
124.3
133.3
129.0

128.9
126.4
127.2
126.5

Percent change from:

Other
bases

1957-59= 100

144.4
141.2

149. 0
144.4
149.5

.2
.2
.3
. 1
.2

3

141. 4

3

135. 9

4

133. 3

1
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
include2 revisions made since I960.
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 indicates price change within
areas. Estimates of differences in living costs among areas are found in the family budgets.




11

Table 5. Consumer Price Index—:United States and selected areas ] for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
commodity groups, November 1972 index and percent changes from August 1972

Group

124.3

133.3

129.0

122.3
121.5
112.5
131. 0
115.8
124. 1
116. 1
124.3

130. 6
127.3
117.9
133.8
120.3
134.5
120. 5
141. 1

126. 1
123.3
116. 1
130. 1
120.2
127. 1
115.4
138.0

133.8
143.0
(3)
147.3
116.5
113. 9
118.0
116.7

129.0
131.9
119.5
135.7
127.8
133.6
119. 7

138.5
145.5
(3)
157. 7
125.2
120.4
123.7
128.2

133. 2
143.4
126.2
147.9
119. 1
113.8
124.5
123. 1

123.4
118.7
129.5
120.9

121.4
121.9
118.5
126.4

121. 1
117. 5
124.4
125. 1

125.5
125. 0
125.8
126. 5

122.8
125.4
118.3
129.3

121.4
119.0
144. 1

125.5
120. 0
160.4

116.9
114.2
148.5

121.4
121.6
117.0

134.0
126.3
163. 1

126. 1
123.3
142.8

111. A
134. 1
121. 0
124. 1
126.4

128.5
133.6
(3)
124.2
130.6

130.5
143.4
(3)
125.9
121.9

121.5
130.2
(3)
114.2
120. 0

132.5
142.0
118.6
128.8
132.9

131.6
144.4
(3)
127.4
127.9

125.7

127.4

125.4
123.4
115. 0
131.5
117. 7
126.5
118. 1
133.3

126.0
124. 6
115.8
133.2
118.4
125.8
119. 3
131.2

124.7
123.5
117.0
134.8
114. 3
118. 0
118.8
130. 3

130. 8
136.2
120. 5
142. 0
121. 7
119.3
122.2
122. 1

124.6
129. 0
114. 5
135.5
115.5
114. 1
115.4
117.0

125. 0
124. 8
126.5
127. 1

2

4
5

Apparel1 and upkeep Men s and boys'
Women1 s and girls' -—
Footwear

Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation —
Other goods and services •

Philadelphia

126.9

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

Transportation
Private
Public

New YorkNortheastern
New Jersey

Chicago

All items

Housing
Shelter
Rent
Homeownership costs Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal —
Gas and electricity
Houeshold furnishings and operation •

Los
AngelesLong
Beach
(Monthly indexes 1967=100)

U.S.
city
average

6
7

Quarterly percent changes August 1972 to November 1972
0.6

1.2

1. 3

.9
.7
.9
.3
.7
1.8
.9
1. 1

.6
.7
1. 1
.5
.7
-1.4
3.0
.6

1.4
1.6
3. 1
.2
1. 3
2.6
2.9
.6

.4
2. 3
2.0
1.5

1.0
1.2
(3)
1. 3
.3
.0
.2
.9

3.2
5.9
3. 1
.2

1.9
1. 3
3.3
.9

4.6
5. 5
7. 2
.6

4.6
6.6
5.9
2.2

-. 1
-. 1
.0

.0
-.2
.7

2.6
2.7
.3

.5
.6
.2

.4
.5
.4

.8
1.4
(3)
.3
.2

1.2
1. 1
(3)
1.8
.3

.7
.6
( )
.0
.5

.5
1. 1
-.9
.9
.2

.5
.4
.9

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

.6
.6
.5
.5
.9
-1.2
1.8
1. 1

.1
-.3
-.3
-.8
1.6
-3.5
1.9
1.5

Housing
Shelter
Rent
Homeownership costs •
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation

. 7
.5
.8
.5
1.3
1.2
1.4
. 7

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

-. 5
-1.2
(3)
-1.6
.3
.0
.6
1.5

Apparel and upkeep Men' s and boys'
Women1 s and girls' Footwear

3.5
3.7
5.6
1.6

6.2
3.7
12.6
2.0

Transportation •
Private
Public

.6

Health and recreation Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation —
Other goods and services -

.7
.9
. 7
.9
.3

See footnotes at end of table.




12

-. 1

1.2
-2.4

3

.5
.6
.3
1.2
1.7
1.7
1.2

8

.6
.8
()
1.0
.2
3

Table 5. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas ! fo
and clerical workers,
wage earn
commodity groups, November 1972 index and percent changes from August 1972—Continued

Group

Milwaukee

San
Diego

Washington

(Quarterly indexes 1967=100)
128.6

127. 9

125. 7

125.0

126.8

121.2

129.7

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

124.8
123. 2
114.5
130.4
116. 7
126.9
119.6
133.6

125. 6
124.9
111.6
133.2
122. 1
129.9
118.3
129.8

124.9
121. 8
113. 1
131.7
110. 1
125.8
116. 7
136.3

122. 6
120.6
115. 1
130.5
115.6
120.2
113.6
130.4

125.4
122.5
112.7
135.3
115.3
122.5
114.5
132.5

122.5
120.6
112.7
128.2
117.2
119.5
118.0
128.5

129.2
124.9
118.7
127.2
113.3
138.4
122.9
140. 1

Housing
Shelter

135.7
137. 7
122. 1
140.7
143.5
121. 1
146.6
124.4

127.4
129.9
113.8
132.7
124.2

128.2
133. 5
112. 1
143.2
117. 0

135.5
147. 7
134.5
153.4
117.8

124.4
119. 6

113.6
122.4

126.5
129.4
119.2
132.6
123.7
118.9
129.2
120.5

119.3
113. 0

124. 1
129. 1
105.8
135.8
115.5
119.2
109. 1
117.3

132.7
136.7
120. 1
146. 5
126. 0
118.2
128.4
124.4

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

130. 0
148.3
125.5
123.3

125.2
120. 2
128. 1
128.7

123.9
126.5
123.8
127.7

129.7
131. 1
128. 1
130.9

124. 1
122.3
132.3
122. 1

119.9
123. 1
119. 3
118.7

127.2
128.0
129.7
129.7

Transportation Private
Public

119.6
117.2
146.2

126.4
121.6
158.3

119. 7
117.6
146.4

121.6
116.6
183.5

120.5
121.3
106.8

111.7
112.6
106.4

124.9
120.8
147.7

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

127.2
126.8
121.7
130.0
127.4

134. 3
146.2
125.5
126.4
133.5

127.7
132. 8
127. 8
122.4
126.2

125. 0
129.3
122.6
125.0
122.4

121. 0
126.5
117.3
118. 1
119.8

120. 7
126. 0
115.2
119.0
119.5

129.6
141.4
118.5
124.2
128.5

Homeowner ship costs
Fuel and utilities Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation

Quarterly percent changes August 1972 to November 1972
0.2

All items
Food at home Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products •
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
Food away from home

.2
-. 1
.3
-.4
.5
-3.4
2.8
1.7

.5
1.4
.5
-.2
1.0
.5

1.0
1. 0
.0
2.0
.9
-.6
1. 1
1. 1

1.6
.3
.2
.9
.7
1. 7
-3.9

1.0
.9
-.2
.0
.7
2.8
1.9
1. 1

.7
.6
2.5
-1.5
.8
1.4
2.0

-.6

1.6
1.7
.3
2. 1
4.2
6. 1
.4

1. 1
1. 1
.2
1. 3
.9
.4
.0
1.3

2. 0
2.2
.7
3.0
3.7
.6
1. 1

.6

1.3
1. 0
1. 0
1.2
.4
2. 1
.2
2. 0

Housing —
Shelter Rent
Homeowner ship costs Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation

1. 6
2. 0
1. 1
2.2
.6
.0
.7
1. 0

2.2
2.7
.4
3.0
2.4

-.3
-.8
.4
-1.2
.2

.9
.7

.2
.7

Apparel and upkeep Men1 s and boys'
Women' s and girls'
Footwear

4.8
7.4
5.3
2.8

1.3
-1. 1
2.7
2.9

1.9
1.0
3.5
2.5

3.8
4.0
6.0
1. 1

2.6
.7
4.9
2.0

3.0
8.6
1.9
-.9

2.7
4.9
2.9
1.8

Transportation
Private
Public

1.2
.7
6.0

-.2
-.2
.4

-1.4
-1.6
.6

-. 7
-.8
.4

1.2
2.3
-16.3

1.8
2.2
-.3

.6
.7
.4

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

1. 1
.6
.7
2.4
.0

2. 3
1.2
.5

.3
.9
.4
-.3
.2

2. 1
.9
.2

1.3
2.0
.0
1.6
.4

.4
-.2
.5
1.2
.0

1. 0
.6
.4
1.0
1.7

-1. 1
.9

-1.8
.2
.4
.2
.2

.6

Revised index: September 1972, 130. 2.




March 1972,
1972, 118.7.

13

Table 6. Consumer Price Index—United States and selected areas for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
food and its subgroups, November 1972, and percent changes from October 1972
Total
food

Total

Cereals
and
bakery
products

Food at home
Meats,
Dairy
poultry,
products
and fish

Fruits
and

egetables

Other
foods
at home

Food
away
from
home

(Indexes 1967 = 100)
U. S. City Average •

125.4

123.4

115.0

131.5

117.7

126.5

118. 1

133.3

Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston ' • '• "'
Buffalo
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas
Detroit
Honolulu
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles—Long Beach
Milwaukee
Minneapolis-St. Paul
N. Y.-Northeastern N. J Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
»St. Louis
San Diego
•
San Francisco—Oakland —
Seattle
Washington

127. 1
126.9
125.9
124.8
126.0
126.3
125.6
124.9
124.7
124.8
127.8
125.2
122.3
122.6
126.5
130.6
126. 1
123.9
124.3
125.4
123. 1
122.5
129.2

125.2
125.3
124.3
123.2
124.6
125.5
124.9
121.8
123.5
122.2
123.2
123.3
121.5
120.6
124.6
127.3
123.3
121.9
122.3
122.5
121.9
120.6
124.9

117.6
113.4
115.9
114.5
115.8
116.3
111.6
113. 1
117. 0
105.9
110.4
117.2
112.5
115. 1
122.4
117.9
116. 1
111.2
120. 3
112.7
112.2
112.7
118.7

131.3
132.0
133.4
130.4
133.2
130.4
133.2
131.7
134.8
127.7
131.4
129. 1
131.0
130.5
134.5
133.8
130. 1
128.7
127.7
135.3
128.9
128.2
127.2

121.2
119. 8
118.6
116.7
118.4
121. 1
122. 1
110. 1
114.3
119.6
119.7
126.6
115.8
115.6
118.2
120.3
120.2
116.3
120.7
115.3
117.0
117.2
113.3

135.7
131.3
127. 1
126.9
125.8
131.8
129.9
125.8
118. 0
133.0
128.8
120.4
124. 1
120. 2
122.3
134.5
127. 1
127.4
126. 1
122.5
123. 1
119.5
138.4

118.3
121.0
117.2
119.6
119.3
120.7
118.3
116.7
118.8
117.5
118.0
119.0
116. 1
113.6
120.9
120.5
115.4
118.2
113.5
114.5
119. 1
118.0
122.9

133.0
133.5
131.8
133.6
131.2
129. 1
129.8
136.3
130.3
132.5
143.9
131.0
124.3
130.4
135.0
141. 1
138.0
135.8
133.7
132.5
127.4
128.5
140. 1

Percent changes October 1972 to November 1972
U. S. City Average
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas
Detroit
Honolulu
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles—Long Beach —
Milwaukee
Minneapolis—St. Paul —
N. Y.-Northeastern N. J
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
San Diego San Francisco—Oakland Seattle
Washington
1

.4
.0
-. 1
.6
.6
.7
.6
.2
.7
.9
.2
.3
.4
.4
.3
.5
.4
.2
.7
.6
.2
.4
.3

0.5

0.3

0.2

0.5

1.6

0. 1

.4
.1
-.2
.6
.6
.9
.6

.6
-.7
.7
-.8
.5
.7
-.7

.5
.4
-.6
-.3
.2
-.2
.5
.5
. 7
.9
-.2

2.8
.1
.3

-.9
-.2
-.9
3.8
2.2
2.5
2.4
1.0
1.2
4.2
.8
.3
2.4
-.2
1.5
1.0
1.4
1.4
1.7
3. 7
3.7
4. 1
.4

-.2
.0
-.3
.7
.2
.2
.5
-.6
.7
-.9

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

.0
.7
.4
.2
.9
.4

.1
.3
1.3
-. 1
1.3
-.5
-.2
.9
2. 1

See footnote 1, table 2.




14

.1
.0
.8
.1
.3
-. 1
-.8
.9
.3

-1.4
-.8
-. 7

.7
2.2
.6
-.8
1.8
.2
.8
.6
.3
.8
.4
.3
.5
.3
.2
.2
.3
.9
.2

-.6
.5
-.9
-.8
.3

1.0
.3
.8
-. 1
-1.0
.0
-.8

.4

.5
.7
.2
.2
.5
.4
.4
.5
.8
.2
.4
.9
.1
.3
.1
.3
.3
1. 1
.3
-. 1
1.2

Table 7. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
food items, November 1972 indexes and percent changes from selected dates
(1967=100)
Percent change November 1972 fron
Item or group

Food away from home
Restaurant meals —
Snacks
Food at home
Cereals and bakery products
Flour
Cracker meal
Corn flakes —
Rice
Bread, white
Bread, whole wheat —
Cookies

Layer cakes
Cinnamon rolls
Meats, poultry, and fish Meats •
Beef and veal Steak, round
Steak, sirloin
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 —
Li v e rwur st
—
Poultry
Frying chicken
Chicken breasts
Turkey
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
Ice cream
- .•
Cheese, American process
Butter

November 1972
Seasonally
adjusted
adjusted
125.4
133.3
133.5
132.4
123.4
115.0
101.5
135.5
99.7
109.8
113.2
120.9
110. 1
120. 1
122. 1
131.5
132.9
137.7
134.3
132.2
135.4
132.9
136.3
134.6
139. 1
134.9
167.6
128.6
130. 0
130.4
137.4
120.3
127.5
125.9
128.9
132.3
129.7
122. 1
133.6
132.3
123.3
110.2
108.9
114.4
112.6
148.0
141.6
163.7
134.8
151.7
117.7
116.3
121.2
122.7
121.2
106.7
126.4
105.5

126.3
133.0
133.2
132.3
124. 6
115. 1
101.6
135.9
99.6
110. 0
113. 1
120.5
110.9
120.3
122.2
132.7
133.8
139.0
135.5
134.3
137.6
134. 1
137.7
136.4
139.9
135.3
168.8
129.8
132. 0
131.7
136. 7
121.0
128.4
127.4
129.0
132.8
129.6
122. 1
133. 9
132.4
123.8
112.2
111.8
115.8
111.6
148.4
142.5
164.7
135.5
151.4
117.6
116.0
121. 1
122.7
121.1
106.6
126.7
105.3

See footnotes at end of table.




15

October 1972
Seasonally
adjusted

usted
0.4
.4
.4
.2
.5
.3
1.5

-. 1
-. 1
.4
.7
.2

-. 1
-. 1
.5
.2

.2

.3
1.3
1.2
1.0
.3
-.8
-.3
-.4

.1

.4
-.5
-.3

.1
-. 1
2.5
1.4

2. 3
.9
.4
.3

2. 1
-. 1
1.3

1. 1

1.6
2.2

1. 1
1. 1

1.5
2.4
2.9

1. 1
.4
.4
.5
1.5
.5
1.6
.2
-.5

.5

.6
.2
.7
-.2
.7
1.3
1.2
1.3

2. 1
3. 1
3. 1
1.4

-. 1
.8

.1
.7
1. 1
1.6
2.2
2.4
1.0
2.5
-.2
1.0
1.3
.8

.7

2.0
.4
1.6
2.0
-.4
-.7
.7

1. 1

.5
.5
.4
.4
.6
1.2
.4
.9

1.6
2.6
3.3
.7
.3
.5
.4
.5
.7
1.3
.2
.9

.1

.1

.1

November
1971
unadjusted
5.4
4.0
4.4
2.3
5.7
.8
.4
2.9
-3.7
.0

1.1
1.3
1.3
-.3
2.4
11.3
12.4
8.8
7.3
7.0
7.7
7.2
5.8
6.9
9.0

17.6
13.9
21.0
17.6
19.4
22.7
17.5
17.3
29.3

10.6
6.3

11.9
12.7
11.4
13.7
8.3
1.9
2.0
4.3
-.3
11.4
17.4
14.7
5. 1
8.6
1.6
1.0
2.6
2.2
.8
.3
3.4
-.2

Table 7. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
food items, November 1972 indexes and percent changes from selected dates—Continued

Percent change to November 1972 frorr
November 1972

Item or group

Unadjusted
Fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits
Apples •
Bananas
—
Oranges
—-——«
Orange juice, fresh
Grapefruit
Grapes -——
Strawberries
Watermelon
Fresh vegetables
Potatoes
Onions
Asparagus Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Cucumbers •
Lettuce •
Peppers, green
Spinach
•
Tomatoes •

_

Vi*i

__Fy

VMlAll^U

_ _ _ _ _ _

126.5
129.5
122.6
112.9
100.0
129. 1
130.7
137.0
166.5

130. 7
136.6
129.6
134.4
103.5
121.3
130.0
151.7
168.2

135. 1
135.2
140.9

143.0
145.4
151. 3

n

n

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
Coffee, can and bag
Coffee, instant
Tea •
Carbonated drink, cola flavored Carbonated drink, fruit flavored
Prepared 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

1.6
2.2
-3.7
-.2
-1.2
-3.8
.2
-27. 1
-2.0
()
7.0
4.9
.3

(M

Seasonally
adjusted

November
1971
unadjusted

0.8
.8
.3
2.5
7.5
. 1
.3
-7.6
-14.3
1

7.4
10.4
8.5
14.6
6.3
-3.0
.6
8.0
20.5
(X)

1.9
4.3
3. 1
(')
-3. 1
-1.8
-8.6
-5.0
3. 1
1.2
3.7
8.6
.7
.9
.5
.9
1.6
1.2
1.6
.0
.6
-.4
.3
.9
4.0

11.8
22.7
32.7
(l)
10. 0
11.6
3.7
-6.5
-5.5
2.4
7.8
22.3
3.0
2.6
3.3
1.3
.8
3.5
7.9
-.3
2.4

Il )
()

(M

124.6
134.6
133.9
98.1
138.5
121.4
141.2
148.8
122. 1
123.0
120. 7
116.6
136.4
119.3
126.0
107.7
118.5
140.4
118.3
118. 1
113.6
117.0
109.7
119.4
121. 1
115.8
125.8
130.8
110.9
122.9
122. 8
123.5
109.5
129.4
128.2

137.4
141.7
135.9
115.3
125.8
141. 8
144.2
155.3
122. 1
122.9
120. 7
116.0
136.7
119.5
126.0
107.2
118. 7
140. 5
118.7
118.2
114.2
117.4
109.8
119.8
121.2
115.7
126. 1
130.4
111.5
122.9
122.8
123.5
109.6
129.5
128.3

-1.6
-2.8
-.5
4. 1
10. 1
16.6
.6
27.5
.7
1.0
.5
1.0
1. 1
1.4
1. 7
.7
.5
-.4
.1
.1

-.6
.2
.3
-.2
.2
.3
.2
.3
.3
-.2
.5
.2

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

-. 7
-.8
-3.3
.9
2.0
3.6
-.4
-1.4
1.7
3.2
-1.3
1.6
1.8
.4

115.4
116.5
104. 7
121.9
112.4
111.5
109.6
128.9
115.2

115.5
116.9
104.9
121. 8
112.5
111.8
109.4
128.5
115.4

. 3
.2
.5
.3
.2
.1
-.5
1.0
.9

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

1.9
1.6
-1.2
3.6
1.5
2.8
-1.5
6.9
1. 1

Priced only in season.




October 1972

Seasonally
adjusted

16

-. 1
.2

6.4
.4
2.2
10. 1

Table 8.
Consumer Price L
[ndex—United
States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
u ^.
indexes for selected items and
group
nd groups,
November 1972 and percent changes from selected dates

(1967=100)
Item or group

Other
indexes
bases

Ranges, free standing, gas or e l e c t r i c —
Clothes d r y e r s , e l e c t r i c
Air conditioners, demountable Room h e a t e r s , e l e c t r i c , portable
Garbage disposal units
Other housefurnishings:
Dinnerware, fine china
F l a t w a r e , stainless steel
Table lamps, with shade Lawn m o w e r s , power, r o t a r y type
E l e c t r i c d r i l l s , hand-held
Housekeeping supplies:
Laundry soaps and detergents
P a p e r napkins
Toilet t i s s u e
Housekeeping s e r v i c e s :
Domestic service, general housework
Baby sitter s e r v i c e s
P o s t a l charges
Laundry, flatwork, finished s e r v i c e s
Licensed day c a r e s e r v i c e s , preschool child Washing machine r e p a i r s

November 1972
1

Housing
SheltersRent, residential Homeowner ship 3
Mortgage interest rates
Property taxes
Property insurance premiums Maintenance and repairs
Commodities4
Exterior house paint
Interior house paint •
Services
Repainting living and dining rooms •
Re shingling house roof
Residing house
Replacing sink ———
. —— — ~.——.
Repairing furance
Fuel and utilities Fuel oil and coal
Fuel oil, No. 2
Gas and electricity
GasElectricity
Other u t i l i t i e s :
Residential telephone s e r v i c e s
Residential water and sewerage s e r v i c e s
Household furnishings and operation 8 H ou s efu rni shing s
Sheets
Curtains, tailored
Bedspreads
D r a p e r y fabric
Pillows, bed
Slipcovers and throws, r e a d y - m a d e
F u r n i t u r e and bedding —
Bedroom furniture, chest and d r e s s e r —
Sofas upholstered
Cocktail tables
Dining room c h a i r s
R e c l i n e r s , upholstered
Sofas, dual purpose
Bedding, m a t t r e s s and box springs
Aluminum folding c h a i r s
Cribs •
F l o o r coverings
Broadloom, carpeting, manmade fibers
Vinyl sheet goods
Vinyl asbestos tile
Appliances (excluding radio and T . V . ) n
Washing machines, e l e c t r i c , automatic
Vacuum c l e a n e r s , c a n i s t e r type R e f r i g e r a t o r s or r e f r i g e r a t o r - f r e e z e r s ,

Percent change to November 1972
from:

5

6
7

Dec. 71
Mar. 70
Dec. 71

October 1972

November 1971

130. 4
136.0
120.3
141. 8
117. 3
149.3
123. 6
142.4
126.2
116. 7
117.4
149.5
162. 7
157. 1
137. 3
147. 7
153. 1
120. 6
118. 1
116. 7
120. 9
122.0
119.9

0. 3
. 1
. 2
. 1
. 2
. 2
. 1
. 4
. 4
. 9
. 4
. 2
. 1
. 1
. 2
.3
. 5
. 9
1. 0
. 3
1. 1
2. 1
. 1

3. 5
3. 7
3. 3
3. 9
-1. 2
9. 8
1. 1

114. 9
141. 6
122. 1
117. 1
115. 1
118.0
112. 9
113.5
123. 9
108. 3
113. 8
121.9
105. 7
121.2
101. 7
104. 9
98. 3
118.0
105.2
(10)
119.0
106. 6
101.4
119.5
118. 1
109.9
110. 7
103. 7

114.9
138. 8
121. 8
116. 9
114. 7
116. 9
113. 0
111.5
124. 9
107. 7
114.2
121.5
105.4
120. 7
101. 2
103. 9
98.5
117. 7
105. 1
(10)
118.4
106.6
101.4
119.2
117.9
109. 9
110.9
103. 8

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

-.2
-. 1

5.3
3. 8
2. 2
1. 7
1. 9
1. 3
1. 8
4. 7
4. 1
-1. 1
. 9
1. 7
. 9
1. 8
(9)
1. 5
(9)
1.4
1. 3
(10)
-.2
. 3
-. 4
2. 8
. 9
. 5
. 6
-.2

108.3
111.0
115.2
(10)
109. 1
111. 1

108.3
111. 6
114. 8
(10)
108.4
111.4

0
-.5
.3
(10)
. 6
-. 3

. 1
0
1. 9
(10)
' . 6
. 7

126. 7
129.4
126.3
(10)
106.6

125. 8
129.4
125. 6

. 7
0
.6
(10)
-.6

6.3
6. 1
3.4
(10)
-. 3

111. 4
133. 5
125. 7

111.4
133.5
123.5

0
0
1. 8

. 7
3. 6
1. 7

141. 5
138. 5
146.6
140.4
125.6
142. 7

140. 8
138.3
146. 6
140.2
124. 7
142.2

See footnotes at end of table.




October 1972

130. 8
136.2
120. 5
142. 0
117. 5
149. 6
123. 7
142. 9
126. 7
117. 7
117. 9
149. 8
162. 8
157. 3
137.6
148.2
153. 9
121. 7
119. 3
117. 0
122. 2
124. 6
120.0

17

o

. 6
-.4
. 3
. 3
. 4
.5
1.0
-.2
. 3
. 1
(10)
. 5
0
0
. 3

. 5
. 1
0
. 1
. 7
.4

2. 3
4. 0
6. 0
4.4
3. 3
3. 2
3.2
4. 5
1. 0
. 5
5.2
5.6
4. 8

4.
4.
0
3.
5.
3.

0
6
5
5
3

Table 8. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
indexes for selected items and groups, November 1972 and percent changes from selected dates—Continued
(1967-100)
Item or group
Apparel and upkeep12 —
Apparel commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
Men's and boys'
Men' s:
Topcoats, wool or all-weather coats,
polyester blends —
Suits, year round weight
Suits, 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 blends
Sport coats, wool or wool blends
Dungarees, cotton or cotton blends
Undershorts, cotton
Women's and girls'
Women's:
Coats, heavyweight, wool or wool blends —
Carcoats, heavyweight, cotton
Sweaters, wool or acrylic
Skirts, wool, wool blend or manmade
f ib e r s
Skirts, cotton polyester/cotton
Blouses, cotton or manmade fibers
Dresses, street, chiefly manmade fibers —
Slips, nylon •
Panties, acetate or nylon tricotGirdles, manmade blend
Brassieres, nylon lace —
Hose, or panty hose, nylon seamless
Anklets, or knee-length socks, various
fibers
Gloves, fabric, nylon or cotton
Handbags, rayon faille or plastic
Girls':
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
Men' s:
Shoes, street
Shoes, work, high
Women's:
Shoes, street, pump —
Shoes, evening, pump
Shoes, casual
House slippers, scuff —
Children's:
Shoes, oxford
Sneakers, boys', oxford type •
Dress shoes, girls', strap or pump
Miscellaneous apparel:
Diapers, cotton gauze or disposable
Yard goods, polyester blend
Wrist watches, men's and women's
Apparel services:
Drycleaning, men's suits and women' s
dresses
Automatic laundry
service
Laundry, men1 s shirts
Tailoring charges, hem adjustment
Shoe repairs, women' s heel lift

Other
indexes
bases

November 1972

October 1972

October 1972

125.0
125.6
125.3
124. 8

124.3
124. 9
124.6
123. 8

0.6
.6
.6

132.4
133. 5

130. 1
133.4

n

2. 5
2. 6
2.5
2. 5

1. 8
. 1

6.4
.4

(10)
.1
.3
.1

(10)

-.2
-1.3
6.3

114. 0
116. 1
143.2
115. 3
115. 8
112. 8
118.2
115.6
117. 1
128.0
122. 7
128.9
120.5
126.5

113.9
115. 8
143. 0
114. 8
115.4
111. 8
118. 8
115.0
117.2
121.5
121. 9
128. 5
120.2
125. 9

5.3
. 7
. 3
. 2
. 5

6.4
3. 7
3.0

136. 1
137. 0
129.5

134. 1
136.2
129.3

1. 5
.6
.2

6. 6
5. 1
4. 8

146.2

141.5
(io}
125. 1
131.5
111. 1
118.7
118.2
123.0
94.6

n
125.6
132.2
110. 6
118.8
118.2
123. 8
95.3
114.2
110. 8
147. 7

. 4
. 3
. 9

-.5
.5
-. 1

1. 1
.9
-1.4
-.2
-. 1
1.2

3.3

2. 9

(10)

n

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

2. 8
. 8
.2
2. 2
.3
.3
-3.0

113.7
110. 7
146.3

.4
.1
1.0

115.2
119. 5

116. 9
121. 1

-1.5
-1. 3

-3.6
11.6

124.2
140. 1
110. 1
125.2
127. 1
126. 8
126. 0

124.3
140. 0
110. 1
123. 8
126.5

-.
.
0
1.
.

1
5

13.5
6. 5
-1. 1
-3. 7
3.2

.9
1.0

4. 7
4. 7

128. 8
123.6
128.0
126. 7

125.7
124. 8
128.2
123.6
126.2
126. 1

.5
0
1.4
.5

2. 9

129.3
125.2
130.5

129.0
124. 8
131. 1

.2
. 3
- 5

3. 9
4.4
1. 5

116.9
119.3
117. 1

117.0
119.3
116.9

-. 1
0
.2

118.4
115. 7
123.9
135.5
118.5

118. 1
115.2
123. 7
134. 1
118. 1

.3
.4
.2
1. 0
.3

See footnotes at end of table.




n

November 1971

18

1
1

-1.2
1.0
8.0

2. 1
1.6
2.5

3.2
-2.5

2.9

1.2
1. 7
3.9
3.3
3.9

Table 8. Consumer P r i c e Index—United States city average for urban wage e a r n e r s and clerical workers,
indexes for selected items and groups, November 1972 and percent changes from selected dates—Continued
(1967-100)
Item or group

Other
indexes
bases

P e r c e n t change to November 1972
from:
November 1972
13

Local transit fares
Taxicab fares Railroad fares, coach
Airplane fares, chiefly coach
Bus fares, intercity
Health and recreation —
Medical care
Drugs and prescriptions —
Over-the-counter items
Multiple vitamin concentrates
Aspirin compounds
Liquid tonics
Adhesive bandages, packages
Cold tablets or capsules
Cough syrup
Prescriptions
Anti - inf e ctive s
Sedatives and hypnotics
Atar actic s
Anti spa smodic s
Cough preparations
Cardiovasculars and antihypertensives
Analgesics, internal
Anti - ob e s it y
Hormones
Professional s e r v i c e s :
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
eyeglasses
Routine laboratory tests
Hospital service charges
Semiprivate rooms
Operating room charges —
X-ray, diagnostic s e r i e s , upper G. I. —
Laboratory t e s t s , urinalysis
Anti-inf e ctive s, Tetracycline, HCL
Tranquilizers, Chlordiazepoxide, HCL
Electrocardiogram
Intravenous solution, saline Physical therapy, whirlpool b a t h "
Oxygen, inhalation therapy
P e r s o n a l care
Toilet goods
Toothpaste, standard dentifriceToilet soap, hard milled
Hand lotions, liquid
Shaving cream, aerosol
Face powder, pressed
Deodorants, aerosol
Cleansing tissues
Home permanent wave kits
P e r s o n a l care services
Men's haircuts
Beauty shop services
Women' s haircuts
Shampoo and wave sets, plain Permanent waves, cold

Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.

72
72
72
72
72
72
72

November 1971

121.2
118. 7
110. 1
115.2
110.2
124. 6
114. 8
136.4
139. 6
127.5
147.9
144. 1
150. 8
133. 7
122.0
131.9
142. 1

0.2
.3
.1
.7
-. 1
-. 1
-.2
.1
. 1
.2
. 6
0
0
0
0
0
0

2.3
2. 1
.5
5.3
3.0
2.2
-3.5
3. 8
-1.2
3. 2
8. 8
3.4
4. 7
1.5
-4. 4
1. 8
4. 6

127.4
134. 1
105. 6
111. 7
95. 3
117. 1
101. 1
125.0
114.3
113. 7
100.5
72. 7
127. 8
103.5
108.0
132.0
112. 1
109.9
117.2
92. 7

127.2
133. 9
105. 7
111. 7
95.5
117. 1
101. 0
124. 8
114.2
114.3
100.6
72.9
128.3
103. 3
108.0
131. 7
112.0
109.7
116. 9
92. 8

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

3.0
3.4
-. 1
1. 1
-. 1
1.5
.3
1. 1
1. 0
2.2
-1. 1
-8.4
2.6
.9
.2
3. 8
.1
1.9
.2
-2.0

134. 8
135.7
138. 0
134.6
137. 8
130. 8
129.2
130.4
133.5
135.2
133.3
130. 2

134.6
135.6
137. 8
134.5
137.0
129.5
128. 8
130.5
133.3
135. 0
133. 1
130. 1

. 1
.1
.1
.1
. 6
1.0
.3
-. 1
.2
. 1
.2

2. 1
2.0
2.9
2.4
2.3
2. 8
2.4
1.3
2. 9
3.2
3.0
2.0

126. 3
121.3
103.0
176.0
172.9
130. 1
102.2
99. 1
101. 8
103. 5
102.4
102. 7
101. 9
121.0
117. 7
109.7
123.3
127.5
107.4
139.0
103. 8
121. 7
109.7
124.4
126.6
122.9
124.6
126. 7
113. 1

125.6
121.3
102.9
175. 8
171. 6
129. 7
102. 5
99. 1
102.2
103.4
102. 7
102.4
102.0
120. 8
117.6
110.2
122. 1
127. 8
107.0
136.4
103.5
124. 9
109. 7
124.2
126.4
122.6
123. 9
126.5
112.9

.6

2. 8
3. 0
(9)
5.4
8.7
2. 8

See footnotes at end of table.




October 1972

121.4
119. 0
110.2
116.0
110. 1
124.5
114.6
136. 6
17
139. 8
127. 7
148. 8
144. 1
150. 8
133. 7
122.0
131. 9
142. 1

15

Automobiles, new •
Automobiles, used •
Gasoline, regular and premium
Motor oil, premium
T i r e s , new, tubeless
Auto r e p a i r s and maintenance 1 6
Auto insurance r a t e s
Auto registration —
Parking fees, private and municipal

October 1972

19

.2
.3
-. 1

0
.1
.1
.8
.3
-. 3
0
-.4
. 1
-.3
.3
-. 1
.2
.1
-. 5
1. 0
-. 2
.4
1. 9
.3
-2.6
0
.2
.2
.2
.6
.2
.2

O

i

88
2.6
2.5
1.3
3. 8
6.3
-.4
13. 6
-2.0
-1.5
-1.8
2.6
2.3
2. 9
3. 7
3.3
1.5

Table 8.
Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers,
indexes for selected items and groups, November 1972 and percent changes from selected dates—Continued

(1967-100)
Item or group

Other
indexes
bases

Percent change to November 1972
from:
November 1972

October 1972

124. 1
108. 2
99. 3
133. 2
99.2
94. 3

124. 0
108. 3

Reading and recreation 1
Recreational goods
TV sets, portable and console
TV replacement tubes
Radios, portable and table model
Tape recorders, portable
Phonograph records, sterophonic
Movie cameras, Super 8, zoom lens

F i l m , 35mm, color
— ——— — —
—
— — ——Golf b a l l s , liquid c e n t e r or solid c o r e
B a s k e t b a l l s , r u b b e r o r vinyl <
Fishing rods, fresh water spincasting
Bowling balls •
Bicycles, boys'
Tricycles
Dog food, canned or boxed
Recreational services
Indoor movie admissions
Adult
Children's
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 delivery
Magazines, single copy and subscription
Piano lessons, beginner

99.4
133. 0
98. 9

107. 4
88. 6
108. 1
105. 5
126.0
108. 0
114. 2
117. 6
114. 9
111.4
129.4
141. 9
140. 6
145.6
147. 9
122. 1
(10)
98. 5
116. 1

94. 8
108.0
88. 6
108. 2
105. 6
125. 9
10 8. 0
114. 5
117. 6
114. 6
111. 1
128. 8
142. 0
140. 7
145.4
147.5
120. 0
131. 1
98.2
116. 1

133.2
134. 1
125.2

133. 1
133.4
124. 4

126.4
134. 3
136. 0
136.3
111. 1
120.4
114. 1
108. 8
12 8. 3
132. 7

126.4
134.3
136. 0
136. 2
111. 2
120.3
114.2
108. 9
128.0
132.4

122. 3
106. 9
152. 6

122. 1
106. 8
152.4

124. 6
121.0
119.4
141.3

124.2
120. 8
119.3
140. 7
136.2
127. 0

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 service, adult
Bank service charges, checking accounts
Legal services, short form will

October 1972

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

-. 1
-. 1
.1

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

November 1971
2. 7
.9

-1. 0
7. 0
. 8
1. 9
. 8
-. 3
-. 4
.7
.4
-2. 5
1. 3
3. 5
2.
.
2.
2.

9
5
2
3

1. 7
3. 9
3. 9
3. 7
(10)

(10)
. 3
0

0
-1. 9

.1
.5
.6

2.0
7. 5
3. 0

.2
.2

4. 1
4.4
4.2
1. 6
1. 8
.4
1. 8
2. 7
3. 0

0
0
0

2. 9

.2
.1

2. 7
-2. 2

Other special groups:
All items less shelter
Commodities less food
Nondurables less food and apparel
Household services less rent
Transportation services
Other services

9

136. 3

°127. 4

1

2.
2.
4.
1.
2.

5
5
4
8
7

Revised index: September 1972, 130.2.
Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Also includes home purchase costs not shown separately.
4
Also includes pine shelving, furnace filters, packaged dry cement mix, and shrubbery not shown separately.
5
Revised index: August 1971, 116.0; May 1972, 119.8; September 1972, 120.4.
6
Revised index: April 1971, 113.8; August 1971, 115.6; September 1971, 115.6; October 1971, 115.6; February 1972, 119.3; March 1972,
119.6; April 1972, 120.1, September 1972, 120.7.
7
Revised index:
January 1971, 112.6; February 1971, 114.5; March 1971, 114.7; April 1971, 115.7; May 1971, 116.5; June 1971, 116.3;
July 1971, 116.0; August 1971, 116.7; September 1971, 116.7; October 1971, 116.7; November 1971, 118.0; 1971 annual average, 116.2; January
1972,
121.6; February 1972, 121.8; September 1972, 121.7.
8
Also includes Venetian blinds, nails, carpet sweepers, air deodorizers, steel wool scouring pads, envelopes, reupholstering, and moving
expenses.
9
Not available.
10
Priced only in season.
11
Radios and television sets ' a r e shown separately under reading and recreation.
12
Also includes men's sport shirts, women's and girls' lightweight coats, women's slacks, cocktail dresses, bathing suits, girls' shorts,
earrings, and zippers not shown separately.
" R e v i s e d index:
July 1971, 119.4; November 1971, 118.7; December 1971, 118.5; January 1972, July9; July 1972, 120.2.
14
Also includes recapped tires and drivers' license fees not shown separately.
15
Revised index: April 1971, 116. 1; May 1971, 116. 9; June 1971, 117. 5; February 1972, 115.6; September 1972, 118.5; October 1972, 118.7.
16
Includes prices for water pump replacement, motor tune-up, automatic transmission repair exhaust system repair, front end alignment,
and chassis lubrication.
17
Revised index: March 1971, 139. 7; April 1971, 141. 5; May 1971, 141. 8; June 1971, 142. 2; July 1971, 142.4; August 1971, 142.6; September
1971,
142.6; October 1971, 141.5; November 1971, 141.5; December 1971, 141.5; 1971 annual average, 141.1; January 1972, 140.8; February
1972,
140.6; March 1972, 140.7; April 1972, 140.6; May 1972, 140.5; October 1972, 139.6.
18
Also includes outboard motors, nondurable toys, college tuition fees, paperback books, and college textbooks, not shown separately.
19
Revised index: March 1971, 131.9; April 1971, 132.9; May 1971, 133.0; June 1971, 134.0; July 1971, 134.2; August 1971, 134.0;
September 1971, 133.7; October 1971, 133.8; November 1971, 133.9; December 1971, 134.1; 1971 annual average, 133.0; February 1972, 135.6;
March 1972, 135.4.
20
Revised index: December 1971, 124.0.
2

3




20

Table 9.

United States city average Consumer Price Index:

April

Auto Insurance:
Revised
Previously published

Indexes affected by refunds of insurance premiums in Massachusetts

May

July

August

September

average

139.7
140.1

141.5
141.9

141. 8
142.1

142. 2
142.5

142.4
142.7

142.6
142.9

142.6
142.9

Previously published

115.9
115.9

116. 1
116. 2

116.9
117.0

117.5
117.6

117.4
117.4

117. 3
117.3

116.4
116.4

117.2
117.2

Total Transportation:
R e vi s e d
Previously published

117.8
117.8

118. 1
118. 1

118.8
118.8

119.6
119.6

119.4
119.5

119.3
119.3

118.6
118.6

119. 3
119.3

118.6

118.6
118.6

Transportation Service:
Revised
Previously published

131.9
132.0

132.9
133. 0

133. 0
133.1

134.0
134. 1

134.2
134.3

134.0
134. 1

133.7
133. 8

133. 9

134. 1
134.2

133.0
133.1

Insurance and Finance:
Revised
Previously published

137.2
137.3

136.6
136.6

137. 0
137.0

137.7
137.7

138.3
138.3

138.9
139.0

139.2
139.2

140.0
140. 1

141.2
141.3

138.9
139.0

Private Transportation:
116.6
116.6

140.9
140.9

116.6
116.6

1972
January

Auto Insurance:
Revised
Previously published

February

April

May

July

140. 8
141. 0

140.6
140. 8

140.7
140. 9

140.6
140.7

140. 5
140. 6

140.7
140.7

Previously published

116.4
116.4

115.6
115.7

115.9
115.9

116.1
116.1

117. 1
117. 1

117.3
117.3

Total Transportation:
Revised
Previously published —

118. 9
119.0

118.3
118.3

118.4
118.4

118.6
118.6

119.5
119.5

119.8
119.8

Transportation Services:
Revised
Previously published —

135.6
135.6

135.6
135.7

135.4
135.5

135.6
135.6

135. 8
135. 8

136.0
136.0

Insurance and Finance:
Revised
Previously published

142. 3
142.3

142.4
142.4

142. 5
142. 6

142.7
142.7

142. 9
143. 0

143.5

141. 1
141. 1

August

141.1
141.1

September

October

140.4
140.4

139.6
139.7

118.5
118.6

118.7
118.8

120.5
120.5

121.0
121.0

121.2
121.2

136.3

136. 3
136.3

136.2
136.2

144.7
144.7

145.1
145.1

Private Transportation:




21

120.2
120.3

Brief Explanation of the CPI
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

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.

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




22

climatic conditions, production cycles, model changeovers, holidays, and sales.
The unadjusted data are of primary interest 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.

Reliability of Percent Changes in the CPI
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
1970 data which was included in the CPI report through
December 1971.

A system of "replicated" samples introduced into
the index structure in the 1964 revision permits an estimate of sampling error for the CPI. l The table below
shows standard errors for monthly, quarterly, and
Average standard errors of percent changes in the
CPI based on 1971 data

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

Monthly
change

Standard error
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

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

annual percent changes in the CPI for all items and
for nine commodity groupings based on 1971 averages.
The figures may be interpreted as follows: The chances

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:




23

CPI
less previous index
index point difference =

123.8
123.2
0.6

Index point difference divided by the index for
the previous period:
123.8 - 123.2

123.2

x 100 = 0.5

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

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

Region IM
406 Penn Square Building
1317 Filbert St.
Philadelphia, Pa. 19107
Phone: 597-7796 (Area Code 215)

Region V I I and V I I I
Federal Office Building
911 Walnut St., 15th floor
Kansas City, Mo. 64106
Phone: 374-2481 (Area Code 816)

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

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




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