Full text of CPI Detailed Report : September 1954

The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.

Issued October 26, 195k
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington 25, D. C.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX - SEPTEMBER 195^
Consumer prices in American cities averaged 0.3 percent lower in September than
in August 195^ according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.
A decrease of 1.3 percent in food prices was mainly responsible for the decline, although
costs of transportation and reading and recreation also went down. Prices of apparel,
housefurnishings, medical care, residential rents, fuel, and personal care advanced during the month.
The Consumer Price Index for September 195h was 11^.7 (19^7-^9*100), O.k percent lower than a year ago, but 12.7 percent above the June 1950 level. On the 1935-39
base, the September index was 191*8.
FOOD
The food price index in September was 112 •k. The decline of 1.3 percent during
the month was the largest change in any month since November 1953* Food prices in
September averaged 1.2 percent lower than a year ago, 3*6 percent below the record high
level of August 1952, but 11.8 percent higher than in June 1950*
The largest single factor in the decline in food prices between August and
September was coffee, which had risen steadily in price since December 1953* Decreasing
from an August average of $1,233 per pound to $1,116 in mid-September, coffee was 9i
percent lower than a month ago, but still 22 percent higher than last December.
September coffee prices were lower in all k6 cities in the index, vith reductions of
from 3 to 13 percent from August.
Decreases in prices of fresh fruits and vegetables also were important in the
food index decline during the month, as more plentiful local supplies reached the market.
Largest decreases were for potatoes (down 11^ percent), apples (down 13^ percent), and
tomatoes (down almost 20 percent). Prices of sweetpotatoes, grapes, onions, celery, and
green beans also were lower than in August. Orange prices continued to rise during
September, as the California crop was short and the Florida crop had not yet reached the
market. Since March of this year, orange prices have advanced almost 50 percent, to
their highest level since 1920.
Record production brought egg prices down during the month, although au
increase is usual in September. Continued large supplies of pork contributed to price
reductions of k percent for ham and 2 percent for bacon. Prices of chuck roast and
round steak were higher.
Fresh milk prices rose 1 percent between August and September, as is usual at
this time of year.
HOUSING The housing index, which includes household furnishings and maintenance, as
well as rents, rose 0*3 percent between August and September, reflecting higher prices
for sheets (after August sales), rugs, and some furniture and appliances. Rents
continued upwards, advancing 0.2 percent during the month. Prices of coal and fuel oil
advanced seasonally. Some home maintenance items also were higher than in August.
However, prices of bedroom suites, refrigerators, and seving machines declined in a
number of large cities.




2

APPAREL
Women's and girls1 fall and winter apparel returned to the market at
prices higher than those at the end of the previous season. The largest increases were
for women's plain and fur-trimmed coats and rayon dresses. Lower prices of women's
moderately-priced fur coats reflect the reduction in Federal excise taxes. Prices of
women's year-round apparel advanced during the month as higher prices were reported for
rayon dresses and lingerie, following the August sales. Higher prices for men's suits
were offset by reductions in prices of work clothing. Men's fall and winter clothing
returned to the market at about the level prevailing at the end of the previous season.
Prices of footwear declined between August and September, returning to their July level.
OTHER COMMODITIES
AND SERVICES
New car prices again declined, as dealers continued to make price
concessions of various types. Prices of tires were lower than in August. Gasoline
prices advanced in some cities, although there were price wars in others.
Most of the increase in medical care was due to higher rates for group
hospitalization in a few cities. The personal care index rise reflected wide-spread
advances in prices of toilet soap.
Substantial reductions in prices of television sets were alaost offset
by higher motion picture theatre admission charges.




TABLE 1.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — U.S. CITY AVERAGE ALL ITEMS AMD COMMODITY*GROUPS
Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Dates

September
1954

August
1954

This Month

Last Month

September
1953

July
1954

June
1950

Year
1939

Pre-Korea

PreWorld War II

Group
2 Months Ago

Last Year

3

INDEXES (1947-49 = 100)
ALL ITEMS

114.7

FOOD l/

112.4

Food at home
Cereals and bakery products —
Meats, poultry and fish
-Dairy products — — —
—
Fruits and vegetables —
—
Other foods at home — — - —
HOUSING 2/
Rent
Gas and electricity
— —
Solid fuels and fuel oil
Housefurnishings
Household operation — —
APPAREL

—

Footwear

—

—

—

—

TRANS PC®TAT I ON
MEDICAL CARE
PERSONAL CARE
READING AND RECREATION
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES

115.0

115.2

115.2

101.8

59.4

113.8

113.9

114.6

100.5

47.1

111.6
122.6
106.7
105.8
110.5
116s 0

113.3
122.3
107.6
105.1
114.7
119.6

114.2
121.6
109.7
104.3
120.1
117.3

113.5
120.3
113.5
109.6
106.6
116.7

100.5
102.7
106.1
92.3
102.5
94.1

47.1
57.2
41.6
49.8
46.3
48.4

119.5

119.2

119.0

118.4

104.9

76.1

128.8
107.9
122.4
106.0
117.4

128.6
107.8
121.9
105.4
117.3

128.5
107.8
121.1
105.7
117.2

126.0
106.9
124.6
108.1
116.0

108.7
102.7
107.6
97.4
99.6

86.6
104.9
56.4
53.4
68.4

104.3

103.7

104.0

105.3

96.5

52.5

106.4
99.0
116.5
90.9

106.4
97.7
116.9
90.7

106.6
98.2
116.5
90.8

107.5
100.5
115.3
92.5

98.1
93.3
102.1
88.4

4/
•v
V
I'

126.4
125.7
113.5
106.5
120.1

126.6
125.5
113.4
106.6
120.2

126.7
125.2
113.3
107.0
120.3

130.7
122.6
112.9
107.8
118.5

109.9
105.4
99.2
102.5
103.7

68.9
72.6
59.6
63.0
70.6

June
1950

Year
1939

PERCENT CHANGE TO SEPTEMBER 1954
August
1954
ALL ITEMS

- 0.3

FOOD 1/
Food at home - —
Cereals and bakery products

Fruits and vegetables — — — —

,

...

HOUSING 2/
Rent — — —

— — —

— — — - —

Solid fuels and fuel oil - —
Housefurnishings

— — — — -

APPAREL
Men's and boys'

—

—

Footwear

TRANSPQRTATICW
MEDICAL CARE
PERSONAL CARE
READING AND RECREATION
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES jJ

—

- 0.4

September
1953
-

0.4

12.7

93.1

-

1.2

11.8

138.6

1.9
6.0
3.5
3.7
0.6

11.0
19.4
0.6
14.6
7.8
23.3

136.9
114.3
156.5
112.4
138.7
139.7

- 1.3

- 1.9

- 1.5
0.2
- 0.8
0.7
- 3.7
- 3.0

- 2.3
0.8
- 2.7
1.4
- 8.0
- 1.1

0.3

0.4

0.9

13.9

57.0

0.2
0.1
0.4
0.6
0.1

0.2
0.1
1.1
0.3
0.2

-

2.2
0.9
1.8
1.9
1.2

18.5
5.1
13.8
8.8
17.9

48.7
2.9
117.0
98.5
71.6

0.6

0.3

-

0.9

8.1

98.7

1.5
1.0
1.7

8.5
6.1
14.1
2.8

4/
V
V
y

3.3
2.5
0.5
1.2
1.4

15.0
19.3
14.4
3.9
15.8

83.5
73.1
90.4
69.0
70.1

0
1.3
- 0.3
0.2

•

July
1954

FROM;

- 0.2
0.2
0.1
- 0.1
- 0.1

- 0.2
0.8
0
0.1
- 0.2
0.4
0.2
- 0.5
- 0.2

„ 1.7
-

-

-

-

_ 1.0
-

-

-

-

l/ Includes restaurant meals not shown separately.
2/ Includes home purchase and other home-owner costs not shown separately.
3/ Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and "miscellaneous services" (such as legal services, banking fees,
burial services, etc.).
|4/ Hot available.




5ABIZ 2.

CCRSUMKK PRICE INDEX — ALL ITEMS INDEXES FOR SEIECTED BATES
U.S. CITT AVERAGE AJID 20 IARGE CITIES

( 1 9 * 7 - * 9=

10 0

)

(1935-39 - 100)

City
September
195*
U.S. C U T AVERAGE

September
1953

June
1950

Tear
1939

September
1954
1/

114.7

115.2

101.8

59.k

191.8

117.4
116.2
115.4
112.7
116.2

116.6
116.9
116.2
113.2
115.2

102.8
102.8
101.3
100.9
101.6

5 8.6
59.0
6o.k
60.1
59.2

199.9
196.1
192.8
186.5
193-*

CITIES HtlCXD MCHTILY:

Detroit
Los Angeles

— — — — —

Philadelphia

September
19"54

CITIES PRICED II MARCH, JUNE,
SEPTEMBER, DECEMBER
2/

September
1954

117.6
115.0
115.3
117.1
116.9

August
1QS4

August
19

U5.3
116.5
112.4
116.2
114.1

115.1
116.8
113.2
116.8
114.2

100.4
103.5
100.2
102.0
101.6

July
1954

July
1953

April
1950

113.8
115.6
117.3
115.4
115.5

113.1
115.3
115.6
113.8
115.5

101.2
101.4
102.1
99.9
101.5

Cleveland
Houston
Scranton
Seattle
Washington, D.C.
CITIES PRICED IN JANUARY, APRIL,
JULY, OCTOBER
2/
Boston
Kansas CityMinneapolis
Pittsburgh
Portland, Oregon

l/
2/
3/
4/

June
1950

116.3
115.2
114.3
115.7
116.2

Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati
St. Louis
San Francisco
CITIES PRICED IV FEBRUARY, MAY,
AUGUST, NOVEMBER
2/

September
1953

101.3
101.6
101.2
101.1
100.9

3/

197.2
198.0
192.5
193.1
198.6

58.3
57.9
58.4
59-3
58.6

May
IPSO

August
1954
59.2
59.5
58.5
59.2
60.4

196.5
197.2
186.8
198.6
187.4
July
1954

4/

61.0
61.7
60.7
58.1
58.3

183.2
186.1
194.2
196.2
200.0

These are the saae Indexes shown in column 1, converted to a base of 1935-39 = 100.
Foods, fuels, rents, and a fev other items priced monthly; other camnodlties and serrlces priced quarterly.
May 1950; formerly priced February, May, August, November,
June 1950; formerly priced March, June, September, December.

TABLE 3.

City

U.S. c m AVERAGE
Chicago - — - — — —
Detroit Los Angeles — —
lev York
Philadelphia




—
—

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — PERCENT CHANGES FROM AUGUST 195* TO SEPTEMBER 1954
U.S# City Average and Five Cities Priced Monthly
All Items and Commodity Groups

Apparel

Trans*
portation

Medical
Care

Personal
Care

Reading
and
Recreation

Other
Goods &
Services

All
Iteas

Food

loosing

- 0.3

- 1.3

0.3

0.6

- 0.2

0.2

0.1

- 0.1

- 0.1

- 0.3
- 0.5
0.3
- 0.3
0

- 1.5
- 1.9
0
- 1.1
- 1.7

0.6
0
0
0.3
0.4

0
0.3
1.2
1.1
0.7

- 0.2
- 0.1
0.7
0.5
0.1

0.1
- 0.2
0
0
5.8

0.4
0.1
0.3
0.1
0

- 0.1
0.3
- 0.5
- 0.8
1.6

-

0.3
0.1
0.3
0.2
0

TABLE 4. COISUMER PRICE INDEX — ALL ITEMS AND COMMODITY GROUPS
September 1954 Indexes and Percent Changes, June 1954 to September 1954
U.S. City Average and 10 Cities Priced in September 1954

N.S.

cm

Group

Atlanta

AVERAGE

Balti- Chicago Cincin- Detroit
Los
more
Angeles
nati

Mew
York

PhilaSt.
delphia Louis

September 1954 Indexes (1947-49 = 100)
ALL
FOOD
Food at
Cereals and bakery products
Meats, poultry and fish - —
Dairy products
Fruits and vegetables
Other foods at home
HOUSING

115.2

117.4

114.3

116.2

115.4

112.7

116.2

115.7

116.2

112.4

113.3

114.2

110.2

114.3

114.2

112.3

111.8

115.2

115.4

* 114.1

111.6

112.4

113.3

109.2

110.7

111.2

114.3

114.0

113.5

116.9

121.9

116.6

117.9

126.9

125.2

120.7

118.8

131.0

106.7

111.8

108.8

101.7

113.8
121.1
108.6

113.0

122.6

105.8

107.1

107.5

108.6

106.6

109.1

108.9

103.6

107.5

102.8

106.0

IO8.3

101.6

117.1

107.9

107.2

117.8

H8.3

105.4

111.9

121.5

112.0
123.0

103.1

109.6

118.7

112.8

116.3

117.3

127.2

117.5

117.0

122.6

124.7

115.8

114.3

119.7

117.5

108.1

109.5

108.2
123.0
106.0

102.3

103.8
136.8

130.1

117.3
109.4

102.7

104.8

118.9

113.8

119.0

109.0

110.5

Rent
Qas and electricity — — —
Solid fuels and fuel oil —
Housefurnishings — — — — —
Household operation
APPAREL

—
—

116.3

105.8

—

Men's and boys*
Women's and girls'
Footwear
—
—
—
Other apparel
—

114.7

—
—

TRANSPORTATION —
MEDICAL CARE
PERSONAL CARE —
READING AID RECREATION
OTHER GOODS AID SERVICES

108.1
118.9

116.0

107.8

116.5

119.5

124.1

114.4

127.9

128.8

131.3

124.7

145.5

107.9

111.3

99.6

106.3

122.4

117.7

106.0

109.6

99.1

108.5

115.2
123.1
101.5

117.4

129.4

111.1

121.1

119.7

119.0
109.0
110.2

104.3

110.3

103.1

106.9

104.1

102.9

104.8

104.4

IO6.3

103.9

103.I

106.4

111.4

104.9

108.3

109.0

105.9

104.6

108.0

99.7

95.6

98.7

99.6

105.6

96.2
•118.7
96.0

105.5

99.7

121.1

123.0

112.1

101.4

105.3

100.1

116.5

122.5

116.8

119.8

122.0

117.7

115.3

111.1

90.9

92.0

113.0

95-1

94.1

87.0

87.6

82.7

94.3

93.2

126.4

120.0
121.1

127.2

123.1
122.9

137.3

124.8

118.0
126.8

129.7

122.7

124.0

132.3

113.5

115.5

135.3
133.4
107.4

133.1

125.7

115.1

109.3

119.1

117.5

107.7

106.5

108.6

117.9

98.3

109.2

99.1

104.5

113.7

120.1

118.1

123.1

110.6
118.2

117.2

117.9

124.7

114.5

121.3

123.5

Food at homo

—

—

—

—

—

—

Moats, poultry and fish —
Dairy products
—
—
—
Fruits and vegetables —

—

—
—

—
—
—
-

-

- 1.2

-

1.2

- 1.6

-

-

_

1.3

-

2.0
0.2

-

1.5
1.1
4.0

-

2.8
-

5.6
0.7

HOUSING — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

0.5

Rent —
Gas and electricity
—
—
—
—
—
Solid fuels and fuel oil
—
Housefurnishings — — — — — — — —

0.4

-

Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Other apparel

-

—

—

TRAISPCRTATICN
MEDICAL CARE
PERSONAL CARE
READ H O AID RECREATION
OTHER GOODS AMD SERVICES

l/ Change from

March 1954




-

—

—

—

—

—

—

-

— — — — — — —

to September 1954.

1/

5.3

-

-

1.5

-

-

0.3
4.2

0.7

0.8

-

3.2
0

-

3.6
0.2

-

-

4.4

-

3.8
4.0

-11.5

-

1.1

0.4

0.5

0.8

1/4.8

1.1

1.7
1.0

- 0.3

-

2.1

2.1

-

1.4

-

0.1

-

-

0.8

-

4.3
0.5
0.2

- 0.6
0.2
- 0.5
0.1

87.8

125.1
136.1
113.8
93.3
113.8

140.2
123.4

111.8
106.1
115.8

1.5
0.3

-

-

0.8

-

0.1

0.4

0.4

-

1.3

2.1

0

-

0.3

0

1.5
-

2.9
0.4

-

0.7
1.1
0.1

- 1.1

-

0.1
0.2

-

1.4

-

0.7

2.3

-

4.3
2.8

-

3-8
1.1

-

0

0.3

0.5

0.7

-

-

0.4

-

0.8

0.2

-

-

1.3
2.2
0.3
1.6
0.2

-

-

1.5
0.7

-

1.5
1.1

0
3.4

0.6

- 0.2
2.2
0

- 0.2

0.2

0.6

- 2.1

_ 3.6

0.1

-

0.2

0.1

0.5
-

0.7
0.8

5.8
0.9
1.5

-

0.2

0

0.7

- 0.6

-

5.2
5.8

-

2.3
0.1
8.8
3.3

0.1

0
-

0

2.9
- 3.7

0
-

- 0.3
0.1

0.2
-

1.2

1.8

-

- 0.3

0

4.7

1.0

2.6

2.0

-

- 0.8

0.5
0

1.8
0.1

-

l.l

0.4

5.8

1.0

0.5

0.7

0.4

-

-

0.6

0.3

1.9

1.1

0.2

- 0.1

0.9

0.5
0.7
0.1

- 0.5

0.1

3.6
-

1.4

0.7

0.7

2.0

-

0.3

0.5
0.7
0.2
0.1

-

0.2
0.4

0.3

0.2

5.7
-

-

-

-

0.4

-

3.6
0.1

0.3

-

-

3.7

1.3

-

-

-

0.4

0.9

_

- 2.8

3-3
0.6

1.1

-

0.5

0.3

0

-

0.3

2.1

3.6

1.1

-

-

0.2

-

0.7
1.6

0.4

- 0.8

1.5

0.1

4.8

0.1

2.2

3.0

0

-

—

-

5.4
1.6

1.3

0

0.2

—

-

0.3

2.2

-

- 0.6
0.5
0.2
- 0.1

—

0.8
0.3

1/0.6
0.1

0.3
1.2

0.1

—

1.3
5.2
0

0

0.2

APPAREL —

0.1

1.1

0.3

98.7
115.1

June 1954 to September 1954

-

-

POOD

107.7
108.1

99.0

Percent Change —

ALL ITEMS

109.8

0.8

-

0.1
0.1

-

1.5

-

-

0.5

- 0.3

-

0.2

0,8

0

0

-

-

8.1

- 1.9

1.0

0.1

0.5

0.2

2.5

- 1.6

-

0.5
0.4

6

TABLE 5« CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — FOOD AST) ITS SUBGR0UP8
September 1954 Indexes and Percent Changes, August 1954 to September 1954
U. S. City Average and 20 Large Cities
(19*7-^9 = 100)
Total

T o t a l VTnrxi
City
Index

U.S. c m AVERAGE

112.4

Atlanta

—

Boston
- — - - - — -. . . .
Chicago
—Cincinnati

113-3
114.2

114.2
111.5
108.9
112.3

—

.....

Philadelphia
Pittsburgh —

St. Louis
San Francisco
Scranton - — — —
Seattle
Washington, D.C. -

—

-

_
-

„
_

111.8
115.2

-

113.4
112.1

-

.

Change

1.3

111.6

1.3
1.4

112.4

_

-

113.8

0.9
1.9
0.7
1.5

Cereals &
Bakery Products

Meats, P o u l t r y

Dairy

& Fish

Products

Percent

Percent
Change

Index

Index

0.2

106.7

-

0.8

105.8

1-5
1.8

116.9

0.]

111.8

-

2.1

108.1

121.9

0

108.8

-

1.6

1.3
1.8

119.3
116.6

0.1

104.1

-

0.4

108.9
108.2

121.1

0.3
0.4

101.7
108.6

-

1.4

0.3
1.2

1.5
0.1

104.4
105.8

-

-

0.3
0.1

103.7
101.6

-

110.1

1.1

120.3

2.1

_ 0.8

117.9
117.4

-

-

-

F r u i t s «Sc
Vegetables

Percent

Index

122.6

113.0

110.6

Change

1.5

109.2

1.5
1.0

Change

-

Index

Other
Foods at Home

Percent

Index

Change

Percent
Change

0.7

110.5

-

3.7

116.0

-

3.0

0.2

118.9

-

0.3

107.8

-

3.0

0.1

111.9
107.2

-

5.1

1.7

H.5
4.2

116.5
108.6

-

-

-

3.6

123.0

121.5

-

3.6
2.7

2.6
-

0.4

109.6

-

0.3

112.0

-

0.2

107.5 103.1

3.0

104.8

-

2.3
6.0

119.9

-

2.7

0.9
1.0

103.1 106.0

0.3

117.1
115.4

-

5.2

118.7

-

0.1

113.7

-

3.^
3.2

106.3

-

5.0

109.9
112.8

-

4.9

3.2

-

1.5

103.6

2.5

1.8

120.4

-

1.2

108.1

110.7

-

0.1

126.9

-

0.1

107.1

-

0.8

102.8

0

107.9

-

1.3
1.4

125.0

-

0.1
0

100.7

-

0.2

102.2

-

4.6

125.0

-

2.3

-

0.3

106.0

107.2

-

3.3

116.3

1.7

114.3

-

2.0

-

0.3

117.8

-

5.3

117.3

-

3.8
2.8

112.9

-

0.8

1.5
0.8

108.3

0.7
1.2

120.7
124.2

107.5
108.6

0.3
0.8

115.2

1.1

111.6
111.2

-

2.2

111.9
114.0

-

1.5

124.3

2.5
0.2

110.3
104.9

-

-

1.5

118.8

101.6

2.6

-

-

0.3

131.0

118.3
109.8

1.5
1.2

118.4

106.7

-

-

2.6

120.1

108.9
106.7

108.3

1.1

1.4

115.4
114.1

0.2

110.7

1.2

113.5
110.6

111.7
112.1

1.0

111.4

2.1

110.8

-

-

113.3
109.2

0

112.2

Percent

Index

1.0-

114.3
110.8

Detroit

Percent
Change

110.3
110.2

Food at Home

-

125.2
-

0.2
1.0
0

-

0.3
0

-

0.2
0

126.2
-

1.2

102.6

-

109.9
106.6

-

-

0.9
2.1

109.1
106.2

0.3
1.8

105.4

0.1

-

107.8

107.1

-

0.4

102.8

2.8
0

1.4

112.0

0.1

103.7

109.7
104.8

-

-

3.9
3.8

125.5
117.2

-

2.2

3.1
1.0

127.2

-

2.5

117.5

-

0.3

3.5
2.9

113.9
115.4

-

3.6
2.0

6.7

114.4

-

3.1

TABLE 6. RETAIL FOOD PRICES FOR SEPTEMBER 1954 AND AUGUST 1954
U.S. City Average
Food and Unit
CEREALS ABB BAKERT PRODUCTS
Flour, wheat
Biscuit mix
Corn meal
Rice
Rolled oats
Corn flakes
Bread, white
Soda crackers
Vanilla cookies
MEATS, POULTRY AID FISI:
Round steak
Chuck roast
Rib roast
Hamburger
Teal cutlets
Pork chops, center cut
Bacon, sliced
Earn, whole
Lamb, leg
Frankfurters
Luncheon neat, canned
Frying chickens, dressed
Frying chickens, ready-to-c00k
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen
Haddock, fillet, frozen
Salmon, pink, canned
Tuna fish, canned
DAIRY PRODUCTS:
Milk, fresh, (grocery)
Milk, fresh, (delivered)
Ice cream
Butter
Cheese, American process
Milk, evaporated
i* h
FRUITS ABD VEGETABLES:
Frozen
Strawberries
Orange juice concentrate
Pfeas, green
Beans, green
Fresh
Apples
Bananas
Oranges, size 200
Lemons
* Priced only in season




5 lb.
20 oz.
lb.
lb.
20 oz.
12 oz.
lb.
lb.
7 oz.
lb.
lb.
lb.
lb.
lb.
lb.
lb.
lb.
lb.
lb.
12 oz.
lb.
lb.
lb.
lb.
16 oz.
7 oz.
qt.
qt.
pt.
lb.
lb.
oz. can

12 oz.
6 oz.
10 oz.
10 oz.
lb.
lb.
doz.
lb.

Sept. 195*

Aug. 195*

(Cents)

(Cents)

53.*
27.5
12.6
19.3
18.6
21.9
17.4
27.2
23.7

53.*
27.6
12.6
19.5
18.5
21.9
17.4
27.2
23.7

91.9
50.6
70.2
40.3
107.5
87.2
76.5
68.0
69.6
55.1
*9.5
43.8
54.9
44.2
49.6
52.5
38.9

91.1
49.1
69.2
40.5
106.7
87.8
78.1
70.7
69.5
55.3
50.1
44.1
56.1
44.1
*9.9
52.2
39.1

22.1
23.1
29.6
69.3
5 6.8
13.8

21.9
22.8
29.6
69.2
56.7
13.8

36.5
19.0
19.3
24.4
1*.3
16.5
68.9
17.*

36.5
19.3
19.3
24.4
16.5
16.1
67.7
17.5

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
Navy beans
OTHER FOODS AT HOME:
Vegetable soup
Beans with pork
Gherkins, sweet
Catsup, tomato
Coffee
Tea
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

Sept. 195*
(Cents)

Aug. 195*
(Cents)

each
lb.

1^.3

13.7

19.9
82.7
12.'4
7.6
13.5
14.4
12.5
6.1
16.5
17.2

22.4
*-3
93.5
14.6
8.1
13.*
13.8
13.1
6.5
20.5
18.0

36.3
32.6
38.7
41.0
18.1
21.4
17.4
9.8

36.4
32.7
38.7
40.9
18.2
21.3
17.4
9.8

31.3
17.8

31.3
17.8

1^.3
1^.5
29.5
22.3
111.6
34.6
32.3
35.8
30.2
26.9
36.4
*9.3
52.7
23.7
25.9

i M
1*.5
29.6
22.4
123.3
3*.5
32.3
35.7
30.4
26.5
36.3
49.4
52.7
23.7
25.6
4.8
61.7
8.6

pt.
lb.
lb.
15 lb.
lb.
lb.
lb.
head
lb.
lb.
lb.
lb.
4 6 oz. can
# 2 h can
#2 h can
#2 * can
#303 can
#303 can

#2

can

4 £-5 oz.
lb.
lb.
11 oz. can
16 oz. can
7 h oz.
14 &z.
lb.

4

lb.

of 6, 6 oz.
lb.
lb.
lb.
pt.
lb

5

lb.

24 oz.
12 oz.
1 oz.
doz.
3-4 oz.

59.6
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-^9 = 100, and show the average increase or decrease in prices from che 19^7-^-9 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
cities which are representative of all cities
in the United States.
Foods, fuels, rents, and a few other items are priced ev&ry 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. averages
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
Madill, Oklahoma
Madison, Wisconsin
Middlesboro, Kentucky
Middletown, Connecticut
Newark, Ohio

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

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,w 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 iildex numbers for the U.S. city average and 20 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.