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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.