Full text of CPI Detailed Report : October 1955
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Issued November 22, 1955 U.S# DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington 25, D. C* CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR OCTOBER 1955 Consumer prices in United States cities averaged the same in October as in September 1955* according to the U*S* Department of Laborfs Bureau of Labor Statistics * Seasonally lower food prices were counterbalanced — primarily by higher transportation and housing costs, but also by slightly higher prices for medical care and personal care* Apparel, reading and recreation, and the "other goods and services" groups were unchanged, on the average, from their September levels* The October Consumer Price Index was 111**? percent of the 19^7-^9 average, 0*3 percent higher than a year ago, but 0*1* percent below the record high reached in October 1953* FOOD Family foods cost less in 39 of the 1*6 cities surveyed in October * At 110*8, the food index was 0*7 percent lower than in September and 0*9 percent below the October 19$k level* Substantial decreases in prices of meats (down 1*8 percent), poultry (down 7#6 percent), and fresh fruits and vegetables (down 2*6 percent) were primarily responsible for the drop. Smaller declines were reported for eggs, fats and oils, and cereals* Chocolate bar prices were also lower as many stores began selling larger bars at the same price* Costs of restaurant meals continued their persistent advance, rising 0*1* percent; the dairy products group advanced 0*9 percent, with seasonally higher milk prices j and coffee prices rose 2*1 percent, as higher wholesale prices affected the retail level* The 2*5 percent drop in the meats, poultry, and fish group brought this index to 100*9$ less than 1 percent above its 19U7-U9 average and lower than at any time since April 1950* Poultry prices declined in all but 2 of the U6 cities, showing the effects of increased commercial production of young chickens* Heavy marketings of hogs resulted in a 5#1 percent decrease in prices for pork chops and smaller decreases for hams (down lu5 percent) and bacon (down 1*1 percent)* Beef and veal prices were down slightly* Fresh fruits accounted for the bulk of the decline in the fruits and vegetables component* Average prices for apples fell from lii to 12 cents a pound, continuing the decline begun in July* Prices for most other fresh fruits also were lower, except for oranges, which increased 2*5 percent, and grapes, up fractionally* Fresh vegetable prices averaged lower, led by lettuce and sweetpotatoes, for which prices decreased 18*2 percent and 9*9 percent, respectively* Prices of fresh tomatoes advanced 8*6 percent* HOUSING The index of housing costs rose 0*3 percent between September and October, as residential rents advanced 0*2 percent, and prices of most other housing components also increased* The rise of 0*8 percent in housefurnishings prices reflected a general increase in prices of aluminum s a u c e p a n s , and some advances for curtains and sheets* However, prices of refrigerators and toasters declined* Anthracite prices advanced 2*1; percent, bituminous coal rose 0*9 percent, and prices of fuel oil were up 0*2 percent from September* Household operation costs rose for the eighth consecutive month, reflecting increases in telephone service rates and dry cleaning prices* Home maintenance and repair costs increased during the month as higher prices were reported for water heaters, kitchen sinks, and sink faucets* 2 OTHER COMMODITIES AND SERVICES The advance of 1.0 percent in transportation costs resulted primarily from the introduction of 1956 models of certain makes of automobiles at higher list prices with smaller concessions than those which prevailed at the end of the 19E>5> season. Prices of used cars declined 1*3 percent during the month and gasoline prices also were slightly lower, as "price wars11 in two cities offset slight advances in a few other cities. Higher rates for group hospitalization insurance in several cities accounted for much of the O.U percent increase in the medical care index. A general increase in prices of milk of magnesia was also a contributing factor. Personal care costs rose 0.3 percent, as additional cities reported higher rates for men f s haircuts. Higher prices for cigarettes reflected increases in tobacco taxes in two cities. The apparel index was unchanged on the average, despite small increases in shoe prices and some men f s and boys1 seasonal clothing. TABLE 1. 3 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — U.S. CITY AVERAGE ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Dates October 1955 September 1955 August 1955 October 1954 Last Month 2 Months Ago Last Year June 1950 Group This Month Pre-Korea Year 1939 PreWorld War II INDEXES (1947-49 = 1 0 0 ) llll. 9 FOOD 1/ Food at home . Cereals and bakery products . . Meats, poultry and fish . . . . Dairy products HOUSING 2/ Rent « . . « • • . • • . . . . . Solid fuels and fuel oil Housefurnishings . . •. . APPAREL Footwear TRANSPORTATION . . . . . MEDICAL CARE PERSONAL CARE J READING AND RECREATION OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES 3 / . . . . llii .9 11U.5 114.5 101.3 59.^ 111.8 100.5 47.1 47.1 57.2 41.6 49.8 46.3 48k4 110.8 111.6 111.2 109.4 123.9 100.9 107.5 108.5 n3.9 110. u 124.0 103.5 106.5 110.2 111.1 110.0 12U.1 102.9 105.7 111.3 112.6 110.9 122.7 103.9 106.7 111.1 115.7 100.5 102.7 106.1 92.3 102.5 94.1 120.8 I2OJ4 120.0 119.5 104.9 76.1 130.8 111.2 126.3 104.4 120.1 130.5 111.2 125.2 103.6 119.8 130.5 110.8 123.8 103.2 119.5 129.0 108.5 123.8 105.6 117.6 108.7 102.7 107.6 86.6 104.9 56.4 104 .6 104.6 103. U 104.6 106.0 99.5 105.5 91.0 105.8 99.5 118.1 91.0 117.6 90.5 106. k 99.6 116.7 91.1 102.1 88.4 V V V n 126.6 128.7 117.0 106.7 120.6 125.3 128*2 116.6 106.7 120.6 125.U 128.0 n5.8 106.3 120.4 125.0 125.9 113.4 106.9 120.1 109.9 105.4 99.2 102.5 103.7 68.9 72.6 59.6 63.0 70.6 June 1950 Year 1939 n8.4 97. 4 97.4 99.6 96.5 98.1 93.3 53.* 68.4 52.5 PERCENT CHANGE TO OCTOBER 1955 FROMI August 1955 October 1954 0.3 0.3 12.9 93.u - 0.7 - o.U - 0.9 10.2 135.2 - 0.9 - 0.1 - 2.5 0.9 - 1.5 - 0.2 - 0.5 - 0.2 - 1.9 1.7 - 2.5 1.2 - 1.4 1.0 - 2.9 0.7 - 2.3 • 1.6 8.9 20.6 - 4.9 16.5 5.9 21.0 132.3 116.6 142.5 115.9 134.3 135.3 0.3 0.7 1.1 15.? 58.7 20.3 8.3 17.U 7.2 20.6 51.0 6.0 123.9 95.5 75.6 8.4 99.2 September "1955 0 HOUSING 2/ OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES jJ 1/ 2/ 2/ 4/ 0.2 0 0.9 0.8 0.3 0.2 o.U 2.0 1.2 o.5 0 1.2 0.2 0 0.3 0 0.5 2.2 0.7 0.6 - o.U - 0.1 1.5 - 0.1 8.1 6.6 16.0 2.9 1.0 0.4 0.3 0 0 1.0 0.5 1.0 o.U 0.2 1.3 2.2 3.2 - 0.2 O.U 15.2 22.1 17.9 U.l 16.3 1.4 2.5 2.0 - 1.1 2.1 0 Includes restaurant meals not shown separately. Includes home purchase and other home-owner costs not shown separately. Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services"(such as legal services, banking fees, burial services, etc.). Not available. y V W ¥ 83.7 77.3 96.3 69.U 70.8 k TABLE 2. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — ALL ITEMS INDEXES FOR SELECTED DATES U.S. CITY AVERAGE AND 20 LARGE CITIES (1935-39=100) ( 1 9 1 * 7 . 1 * 9 = 1 0 0 ) City October 1955 September 1955 October 195U June 1950 Year 1939 October 1955 1/ U.S. CITY AVERAGE 11U.9 11U.9 11U.5 101.8 59.k 192.1 119.0 116.5 116.3 112. a 115.3 118.9 116.9 116.1 112.6 115.2 117.1 116.0 lll*.8 112.6 116.1 102.8 102.8 101.3 100.9 101.6 58.6 59.0 60.1* 60.1 59.2 202.7 196.7 19U.3 186.0 191.9 October 1951* April 1950 CITIES PRICED MONTHLY: Detroit New York July 1955 October 1955 CITIES FRICED IN JANUARY, APRIL, JULY, OCTOBER 7j 113.S 115.9 117.5 11U.0 11I4.7 11U.5 116.2 116.1* 113.8 116.2 CITIES PRICED a MARCH, JUNE, SEPTEMBER, DECEMBER 2/ CITIES PRICED IN FEBRUARY, MAY, AUGUST, NOVEMBER 2/ 113.5 115.7 116.9 111*. 3 115.2 September 1955 June 1955 September 117.2 115.5 113.7 116.5 115.6 116.0 115.0 113.7 115.9 115.3 116.3 115.2 llli .3 115.7 116.2 August 1955 May 1955 116.0 115.5 111.5 116.6 113.8 August 1951* 115.3 115.5 111.1* 116.8 113.5 115.3 116.5 112.1* 116.2 11U.1 October 1955 61.0 61.7 60.7 58.1 58.3 101.2 101. U 3/ 102.1 99.9 ~ 101.5 18U.3 187.1 192.8 193.5 201.3 June 1950 September 1955 k/ 101.3 101.6 101.2 101.1 100.9 198.8 198.5 191.5 19U.U 197.6 58.3 57.9 58.li 59.3 58.6 May 1950 August 1955 100. I* 103.5 100.2 102.0 101.6 59.2 59.5 58.5 59.2 60.U 197.7 195.5 185.3 199.3 186.9 l/ These are the same indexea shotra In column 1, converted to a "base of 1935-39 = 100. 2/ Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items priced monthly; other commodities and services priced quarterly. 3/ June 1950; formerly priced March, June, September, December. 5/ 1950j formerly priced February, May, August, November. TABLE 3. All Items City 0 U.S. CITY AVERAGE Chicago Detroit Los Angeles New York Philadelphia CONSUMED PHICE INDEX — PERCENT CHANGES FROM SEPTEMBER 1955 TO OCTOBER 1955 U.S. City Average and Five Cities Priced Monthly All Items and Commodity Groups . . . . . . 0.1 - 0.3 0.2 - 0.2 0.1 Housing Apparel Transportation Medical Care Personal Care Reading and Recreation - 0.7 0.3 0 1.0 0.1* 0.3 0 - 1.3 - 0.8 0.3 - 1.3 - 0.9 0.8 - O.U - 0.1 0.9 0.5 1.3 0.9 1.1 0.8 1.8 0.2 0 0.2 0.2 0.1 0 0.1 0.1* - 0.1 0 Food 0.1 - 0.8 0 - 0.1 - 0.2 0.1 0 0.3 - 0.8 - 0.2 Other Goods & Services 0 0.9 0 0 0 1.1* 5 TABLE k. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS October 1 9 5 5 Indexes and Percent Changes, July 1 9 5 5 to Cctober 1 9 5 5 U.S. City Average and 1 0 Citios Priced in October 1 9 5 5 U.S. Kansas L08 IHnneaCITY AVERAGE Boston Chicago Detroit City Angeles polis Group October ALL ITEMS FOOD Food at home • • • * • • . • • • • • . Meats, poultry and fish . . . Dairy products HOUSING Rent APPAREL MEDICAL CARE PERSONAL CARE READING AND RECREATION . . OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES . 1 1 6 . 5 1 1 6 . 2 1 1 6 . 3 1 1 6 . U 1 1 2 . U 1 1 5 . 3 1 1 3 . 8 1 1 6 . 2 1 1 0 . 8 1 0 9 . 9 1 0 9 . 1 1 1 2 . 7 1 0 7 . 1 1 1 2 . U 1 1 2 . 3 1 1 0 . 5 1 1 2 . 8 111.1 1 1 1 . 9 1 0 9 . 1 1 0 8 . 0 1 0 7 . 2 1 1 1 . 2 1 0 5 . 3 1 0 9 1 1 1 . 5 1 0 9 . 2 1 1 1 . 6 1 1 0 . 3 1 1 0 . U 1 2 3 . 9 1 2 2 . 1 1 1 8 . 8 1 1 9 . 2 1 2 0 . 7 1 2 7 . 8 1 2 5 . 9 1 2 8 . 7 1 2 3 . 0 1 2 5 . 0 1 2 3 . 9 9 8 . 1 9 5 . 3 9 9 . 8 9 6 . 1 1 0 1 . 7 1 0 1 . 9 1 0 2 . 3 1 0 7 . 5 1 1 U . 2 1 0 6 . 2 1 0 5 . 5 1 0 7 . U 1 0 3 . 0 1 1 0 . 9 1 0 6 . 9 1 1 1 . 3 1 0 9 . U 1 0 8 . 5 1 0 3 . 8 1 0 8 . 6 1 1 8 . 0 1 0 3 . 0 1 0 7 . 7 1 1 5 . 2 1 0 3 . 8 1 1 3 . 9 1 0 3 1 1 3 . 9 1 0 8 . 2 1 1 9 . 7 1 1 6 . 5 1 0 7 . U 1 1 3 . 5 1 2 2 . 7 1 1 5 . 5 1 1 3 . 8 1 2 3 . U 1 1 5 . 8 120.6 1 2 1 . 8 1 3 2 . 3 1 2 2 . 6 1 2 2 . 0 1 2 7 . 3 1 2 1 . 3 1 1 6 . 3 H U . 8 1 1 6 . U 1 1 9 . 6 1 U 2 . U 1 3 8 . U 1 1 1 . 2 1 1 2 . 3 1 1 0 . 3 1 1 U . 0 1 2 2 . 0 1 1 6 . 2 lieTe 1 0 8 . 9 1 0 1 . 8 1 2 3 . U 1 0 7 . 8 1 2 6 . 3 126.ii 1 3 1 . 6 1 2 0 . 0 1 1 6 . 1 1 1 8 . 8 1 2 6 . 6 1 2 1 . 0 1 1 9 1 3 2 . 1 1 0 U . U 1 C 5 . 3 1 0 7 . 6 1 0 7 . 9 1 0 2 9 9 . 7 1 0 U . 7 1 0 5 . 7 1 0 2 . 1 105.0 1 2 0 . 1 1 1 7 . 8 1 2 U . 0 1 1 U . 0 1 2 5 . 3 1 2 5 . 0 1 2 0 . 2 1 1 9 1 1 U . 0 1 1 8 . 9 L I U . I IOI4.6 1 0 2 . 8 1 0 8 . 0 1 0 1 . 3 1 0 U . 7 1 0 U . 6 1 0 5 . U 1 0 U . 3 1 0 5 . 7 1 0 2 . 2 1 0 8 . 0 1 0 6 . 0 1 0 3 . 1 1 1 2 . ? 1 0 7 . 3 1 0 7 . 3 1 0 8 . 2 1 0 7 . 1 1 0 5 . 9 1 0 3 . U iou.5 1 1 0 . 5 9 9 . 5 9 7 . 9 1 0 0 . 2 9 2 . 9 9 9 . 5 9 8 . 0 1 0 1 . 8 9 8 . U 105.0 95.5 1 0 1 . 8 1 1 8 . U 1 1 3 . 7 1 2 3 . 3 1 1 3 . 3 1 1 6 . 5 1 2 0 . 5 9 1 . 0 1 0 3 . 6 9 U . 8 8 6 . 8 8 8 . C 8 3 . 0 9 2 . 5 1 2 6 . 6 1 3 5 . 9 1 3 2 . U 1 2 2 . 5 1 2 7 . 1 1 2 U . 5 1 2 8 . 7 1 2 6 . 3 1 2 8 . 7 1 3 2 . 7 1 3 6 . £ 1 2 U . 5 1 1 7 . 0 L L U . U 1 2 1 . 7 1 2 6 . 7 1 2 1 . 3 1 0 6 . 7 1 0 6 . 6 1 1 U . 5 1 0 9 . 3 1 2 0 . 6 118.6 117.8 1 2 U . U 0 . 6 - 1 . 2 - - 1 . 5 - - 0 . 2 0 . 8 1 . 5 2 . 5 9 5 . 6 1 1 1 . 9 1 2 7 . 8 1 3 1 . 8 1 3 5 . 5 1 2 6 . 0 1 U 8 . 2 1 2 6 . 5 1 3 5 . 5 1 3 1 . 8 1 2 8 . 8 1 1 8 . 5 1 2 2 . 3 1 1 0 . 6 1 1 6 . 6 1 1 5 . 8 1 1 7 . 9 1 1 5 . 0 9 6 * 2 1 1 7 . 1 1 0 U . 2 1 1 1 . 7 9 8 . 0 1 1 6 . 5 1 1 6 . 6 1 1 6 . 2 1 2 6 . 2 1 2 1 . 1 1 2 5 . 1 1 2 1 . 9 1 2 0 . U 1 . 7 - O.U - 1 . 8 - • • • • • • TRANSPORTATION MEDICAL CARE 1/ Change from April 1955 to October 1955. 0 . 1 - 2 . 8 - 1 . 8 0 . 8 1 . 2 1 . 5 1 / 2 . 2 3 . 3 0 . 2 - 9 . 9 - 5 . 9 5 . 5 5 . 6 5 . 6 0 . 7 0 . 2 0 . 2 1 . 6 3 / 0 . 2 0 . 2 - - O.U - 0 . 2 1 . 3 1 . 0 - 1 . 2 - 1 . 1 0 . 2 - 1 . 5 - - 1 . 3 0 . 2 - 0 . 2 - 3 . 3 - 2 . 8 • 6.U 6.U 0 3 . 5 O.U 0 . 9 5.1 - 1 . 5 U.l -10.0 1 . 6 2 . 1 2 . 6 - 1 . 0 0 0 1.5 1 . 9 0 . 7 1 . 5 0 . 3 0 . 2 0 . 1 1.1 1 . 3 2 . 9 2 . 6 0 . 9 2 . 2 3 . 2 - 2 . 6 0 . 6 1 . 0 1 . 9 5 . 0 o.U 0 . 2 - 1 . 0 0 . 1 - - 0 . 3 1 . 6 0 . 6 2 . 1 1 . 0 2 . 1 2.8 0 2 . 6 3 . 8 1 . 6 1 . 6 0 . 5 0 . 8 0 . 8 0 . 7 l.U 1 . 6 0 . 2 1 . 3 1 . 6 1 . 1 0 . 1 1 . 6 0.2 1 . 3 0 . 1 l.U 0.2 - 0 . 1 - 0 . 1 1 . 0 - 0 . 3 2 . 0 0 0 . 9 - U . 7 0 . 2 1 . 0 0 O.U 6 . U 1 . 8 1 . 7 0 . 6 5 . 3 0.5 1 . 3 0 . 7 0 . 3 0 . 9 6 . 1 0 . 6 - o.U 0 . 6 0 . 8 - - 1 . 1 2 . 0 0 . 8 - o~5 5.8 0 . 8 - U . 7 9 . 6 U.U 0 . 2 1 . 6 0 . 6 2 . 6 - 1 . 2 0 . 2 - 2 . 3 U . 7 0 . 3 0 . 3 2 . 7 - 1 3 . 8 1/ 0 - 2 . 7 0 . 7 1 . 0 0 . 3 7 . 8 L . U 0 . 7 1 . 2 1 . 6 0 . 9 - 0 . 1 5.2 - 0 . 6 - U . U 0 - 3 . 8 2 . 3 - U . 8 1 . 3 0 . 3 - 1 . 3 O . U 3 . 3 0 - 0 . 1 3 . 8 0 . 6 1 . 3 READING AND RECREATION . . OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES . 0 . 3 - - 1 2 . 8 0 . 8 • - 0 . 1 9 . 5 5 . 3 2 . 5 • • • 0.8 - 0 . 2 - - 2 . 3 - 0 . 3 0 . 3 - - 1 U . 0 .U July 1 9 5 5 to October 1 9 5 5 1 . 9 U . 3 olu 1 1 3 O . U - 1 1 . 0 .U .U 1 2 1 . 6 - 0 . 2 1 0 7 . 3 9 7 . 3 - 3 . 2 o.U IOU.O .U 0 . 6 0 . 2 1 0 8 . 1 1 2 5 . 1 - - 3 . 3 .U 1 0 2 . 6 115.7 1 . 5 - - .U 9 2 . 2 - 7 . 3 2 . 7 9 9 1 1 2 . 7 1 . 3 2 , 7 - .U 9 U . 1 0 . 3 - 9 6 1 1 7 . 9 - 0 . 7 0 . 3 Men's and boys' Women's and girls' Footwear • • Other apparel . U 1 0 0 . 9 0 . 2 Solid fuels and fuel oil Housefurnishings • • • • 1 0 0 ) 1 1 9 . 0 ALL ITEMS HOUSING - Pitts- Portland, burgh Oregon N U . 5 Percent Change — Food at home • • • . . . . . . . . • . Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry and fish Dairy products Fruits and vegetables Other foods at home • • • • • • • • • ( 1 9 U 7 - U 9 Indexes Philadelphia L L U . 9 1 3 0 . 8 Solid fuels and fuel oil 1 9 5 5 New York 0 . 3 - 0 . 1 0 . 6 - 0.5 0 0 . 1 0 . 2 - 0.5 5 . 6 0.1 0 . 2 0 . 3 - 0 . 1 0 . 2 0 . 3 - - 0 . 9 U . 9 - 0 . 3 0.2 - 1 . 6 2 . 9 0.2 2 . 3 0 . 6 1 . 3 - 0 . 7 0 - 1 . 3 0 . 3 0.2 o.U 0 . 1 1 1 . 3 1 . 2 0 . 2 6 TABLE 5. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — FOOD AND ITS SUBGROUPS October 1955 Indexes and Percent Changes, September 1955 to October 1955 U. 8. City Average and 20 Large Cities (19^7-1*9 _ ioo) Total Food Total Cereals & Meats, Poultry Dairy Food at Home Bakery Products Percent Index Change & Fish Percent Index Change Products City Index U.S. CITY AVERAGE . . Percent Change 110o8 - 0.7 110.1 - Change 109.U Atlanta • Baltimore • • • • . . j Boston 1 Chicago i Cincinnati Cleveland Detroit . Houston • • • • • • • Kansas City Los Angeles ! 108.5 109.8 111.U 108.0 109.9 107.2 109.1 112.1 - 0.3 111.0 109.5 - 0 . 1 108.0 112.7 - 0 . 8 111.2 109.U - 0.7 108.1 107.1 - 0 . 1 105.3 112. U 0 . 3 109.U Minneapolis New York Philadelphia . . . Pittsburgh Portland, Ore. . . St. Louis San Francisco . . . Scranton Seattle Washington, D.C. • 112.3 110.5 . . . . 112.8 111.1 111.9 112.8 112.7 107.5 111.6 111.3 Percent Index 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.3 - 0 . 1 111.5 - 1.3 109.2 - 0.9 - 1.2 123.9 - 0 . 1 100.9 - 116.6 121.7 122.1 118.8 12U.0 118.9 119.2 117.8 120.7 127.8 - 0.5 1.1 1.1 1.6 1.6 0.3 0.1 0.9 0.9 o.U 0.1 - 0 . 1 125.9 128.7 - 1.2 123.0 - 1.3 125.0 o . 5 123.9 - 1.0 119.0 - 0.2 130.6 - 1.7 119.2 - o.U 127.9 - 1 . 5 122.1 - 1.5 111.6 - 1 . 1 110.3 1 . 1 110.U - 0 . 8 110.5 - 0.3 - 1.5 - 0.3 - 0.9 111.8 107.0 110.9 109.6 TABLE 6. CEREALS AND BAKERY PRODUCTS: Flour, wheat 5 lb. Biscuit mix 20 oz. Corn meal lb. Rice lb. Rolled oats 20 oz. Corn flakes 12 oz. Bread, white lb. Soda crackers lb. Vanilla cookies 7 oz. MEATS, POULTRY AND FISH: lb. Round steak lb. Chuck roast lb. Rib roast lb. Hamburger lb. Veal cutlets lb. Pork chops, center cut lb. Bacon, sliced lb. Ham, whole lb. Lamb, leg lb. Frankfurters 12 oz. Luncheon meat, canned lb. Frying chickens, dressed lb. Frying chickens, ready-to-cook lb. Ocean perch, fillet, frozen lb. Haddock, fillet, frozen 16 oz. Salmon, pink, canned 6-6£ oz. Tuna fish, canned DAIRY PRODUCTS: qt. Milk, fresh, (grocery) qt. Milk, fresh, (delivered) pt. Ice cream lb. Butter lb. Cheese, American process Milk, evaporated i* i oz. can FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: Frozen Strawberries 10 oz. 6 oz. Orange juice concentrate 1C oz. Peas, green 10 oz. Beans, green Fresh lb. Apples lb. Bananas doz. Oranges, size 200 lb. Lemons * Priced only in season 1/ Discontinued 1955 (Cents) • l.U - o.U - 0.1 - o.U - 0.1 0 - 0.2 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.1 0.7 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.1 0.1 - - - 96.U 101.9 102.3 99.U 102.6 - 100.9 - 105.7 98.9 102.U 97.1 • - - - 2.5 1.7 2.6 3.0 3.6 2.7 2.U 2.U 0.9 2.6 0.6 2.9 3.0 U.o 1.8 1.3 1.9 1.6 U.l 1.3 U.o Percent Index Change 107.5 108.2 109.1 11U.2 106.2 109.1 10U.7 105.5 109.8 107.u 0.9 103.0 - 0.1 0.1 2.3 0.2 2.8 3.2 0 0.1 3.1 0 110.9 0.1 106.9 0.9 111.3 109.U 108.1 100.7 105.3 107.9 108.1 112.9 2.2 0 U.7 - 0.2 0.5 0.1 • 0.2 0.1 Other Foods at Home Percent Index Change Percent Change 108.5 - 1.5 111.0 109.6 103.8 - 1.6 108.6 110.0 106.1 118.0 109.6 103.0 107.7 115.2 103.8 113.9 103.U 107.3 118.0 112.7 101.2 110.9 109.0 - 1.3 - 6.7 - 2.8 0.1 1.7 - 0.2 - 3.2 0 - 0.2 113.9 - 0.2 105.u 113.0 - 0.8 - 0.6 108.2 119.7 118.8 117.2 116.5 110.0 107 .U - 0.3 - 0.5 0 113.5 3.1 3.0 l.U U.7 0.2 122.7 115.5 113.8 123.U 115.8 - 1.3 120.8 1.3 112.7 - 1 . 8 111.7 0.5 113.3 • 2.9 11U.U - - 1.1 - 0.1 0.1 - o.U 1.1 0.7 - 1.2 - o.U 0.2 o.U - 0.5 - 0.2 - 0.8 0 0.2 RETAIL FOOD PRICES FOR OCTOBER 1955 AND SEPTEMBER 1955 U.3. City Average October Food and Unit - 0.2 105.3 101.3 98.1 95.3 101.9 98.9 99.8 99.6 96.1 101.7 - Index Fruits & Vegetables September 1955 (Cents) 53.U 27.1 53.6 27.2 12.6 12.6 17.6 17.8 19.2 22.0 19.2 17.8 17.7 27.0 27.1 23.8 23.7 90.5 U9.3 69.6 39.3 110.1 81.0 22.0 91.5 U9.2 69.9 39.3 110.5 85.3 67.2 66.5 59.8 62.6 68.1 68.U 53.2 53.3 U2.6 U2.5 1/ 5373 U2.2 U6.U 57.6 U2.7 U5.6 U5.9 58.1 56.5 35.U 35.3 22.3 23.8 22.1 28.9 71.2 28.9 71.0 57.7 57.7 13.7 13.7 30.5 23.U 18.9 30.5 18.8 21.3 2U.0 2U.1 12.3 21.0 17.1 1U.3 17.2 60.7 59.2 17.5 17.8 October 1955 Food and Unit Fresh (continued) Grapefruit * Peaches * Strawberries * Grapes, seedless * Watermelons * Potatoes Sweetpotatoes Onions Carrots Lettuce Celery Cabbage Tomatoes Beans, green Canned Orange juice Peaches Pineapple Fruit cocktail Corn, cream style Peas, green Tomatoes Baby foods Dried Prunes Beans OTHER FOODS AT HOME: Vegetable soup Beans with pork Pickles, sweet Catsup, tomato Coffee Tea bags Cola drink, carton Shortening, hydrogenated Margarine, colored Lard Salad dressing Peanut butter Sugar Corn syrup Grape jelly Chocolate bar Eggs, Grade A, large Gelatin, flavored (Cents) September 1955 (Cents) each lb. 15.3 pt. lb. 15.U 15.3 UU.7 10.8 12.0 lb. 10 lb. lb. U5.0 lb. 8.0 7.9 lb. 1U.U head 15.1 15.0 lb. 15.8 16.1 lb. lb. 7.6 7.3 22.8 21.0 lb. 20.9 19.9 4 6 oz. can 35.0 3U.5 3U.8 #2 h can #2 can #303 can 3U.9 33.2 18.U 33.0 #303 can 26.7 17.2 #303 can 21.5 21.5 #303 can 4 i-5 oz. 15.1 9.7 15.1 9.7 lb. 3U.6 lb. 17.7 3U.3 18.1 11 oz. can 1U.1 1U.2 16 oz. can 15.0 15.0 7 & oz. 14 lb. pkg. of 16 36 oz. 3 lb. lb. lb. pt. lb 26.7 17.1 27.2 27.2 22.7 22.6 92.3 2U.2 90.5 2U.2 32.U 88.8 32.U 90.1 28.9 20.0 20.0 35.3 55.6 28.9 35.2 5 lb. 52.0 55.9 52.0 24 oz. 23.7 23.7 12 oz. 26.3 7/8 oz. U.2 26.3 U.6 doz. 68.2 68.5 3-4 oz. 8.5 8.5 BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 7 The Consumer Price Index measures the average change in prices of goods and services customarily purchased by city wage-earner and clerical-worker families. Index numbers are presented on the base 19^7-49 31 and show the average increase or decrease in prices from the 19^7-49 average. For the convenience of users, indexes are also calculated on the base 1935-39 • 100. About 300 items are priced for the index to estimate the average change in prices of a fixed quantity of goods and services from one period to the next. Among these are all the important items that wage and clerical workers buy, and they are selected so that their average price change will be representative of the price changes on all items. Prices are collected in 46 cities which are representative of all cities in the United States. Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items are priced eve*-y month in eacn city. Prices of most other goods and services are obtained every month in the 5 largest cities, every 3 months in 16 other large cities and in 9 medium-sized cities, and every k months in 16 small cities. In each city, prices are reported by representative retail stores and service establishments patronized by wage and clerical worker families. Indexes are calculated for all cities combined (the U.S. city average) and for each of the 20 largest cities. No separate index numbers are calculated for the following 26 medium-sized and small cities which are included in the U.S. average: Anna, Illinois Camden, Arkansas Canton, Ohio Charleston, W. Virginia Evansville, Indiana Garrett, Indiana Glendale, Arizona Grand Forks, N. Dakota Grand Island, Nebraska Huntington, W. Virginia Laconia, New Hampshire Lodi, California I^nchburg, Virginia Madlll, Oklahoma Madison, Wisconsin Middlesboro, Kentucky Middletown, Connecticut Newark, Ohio Pulaski, Virginia Ravenna, Ohio Rawlins, Wyoming San Jose, California Sandpoint, Idaho Shawnee, Oklahoma Shenandoah, Iowa Youngstown, Ohio In the calculation, price changes on individual items are weighted by their importance in wage-earner and clerical-worker family spending. City data are combined by weighting with 1950 population data to arrive at the U.S. city average. Comparison of city indexes shows only that prices in one city changed more or less than in another. City indexes do not measure differences in price level between cities. A detailed description of the index containing lists of items priced, their weights, cities included, and an explanation of the index calculation, its uses and limitations, is available in Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletin No* 11^0 - "The Consumer Price Index - A Layman's Guide," for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, United States Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. Price 20 cents. A more technical description of the Consumer Price Index is available upon request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, Washington 25, D. C. Historical series of iiidex numbers for the U.S. city average and 60 individual large cities are available upon request. These series include index numbers for All Items, Food, Apparel, and Rent for periods from 1913 to date; and for other groups of goods and services from 19^7 to date.
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