Full text of CPI Detailed Report : September 1977

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

CPI Detailed Report
For September 1977
Consumer Price Index: U.S. City Average and Selected Areas

Contents
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Ray Marshall, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Julius Shiskin, Commissioner
OFFICE OF PRICES AND LIVING CONDITIONS
W. John Layng, Assistant Commissioner

The CPI Detailed Report is a monthly
report on consumer price movements
including statistical tables and
technical notes.
This publication may be ordered from
the Superintendent of Documents,
U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402.
Subscription price per year:
$9.00, domestic
$11.00, foreign
$.75, single copy

Page

Price movements
Chart 1. All items index and its rate of change, 1967-77

Library of Congress
Catalog number 74-647019

November 1977




.

6

Chart 2. Commodities less food index and its rate of change,
1967-77

7

Chart 3. Total food index and its rate of change, 1967-77

8

Chart 4. Services index and its rate of change, 1967-77
Table 1. CPI—U.S. city average, by commodity and service
group and expenditure class

9
10

Table 2. CPI—seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by commodity
and service group and expenditure class

11

Table 3. CPI—food items, U.S. city average

12

Table 4. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city
average
Table 5. CPI—selected areas, all items index

14
18

Table 6. CPI—areas priced monthly, by expenditure class,
percent change from August 1977 to September 1977

Material in this publication is in the public
domain and may be reproduced without
permission of the Federal Government.
Please credit the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

1

18

Table 7. CPI—selected areas, by expenditure class

19

Table 8. CPI—food groups, selected areas

21

Table 9. CPI—gasoline indexes, U.S. city average and selected
areas
Table 10. CPI—gasoline average prices, U.S. city average and

22

selected areas

22

Table 11. CPI—by population size

23

Table 12. CPI—by region
Appendix: Technical notes

24
25

Price Movements
September 1977

Changes in the third quarter

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4 percent in
September before seasonal adjustment to 184.0 percent of
its 1967 base. The September CPI was 6.6 percent higher
than in September 1976.
Seasonally adjusted changes

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI rose 0.3 percent
in September, the same as in August. The July increase was
0.4 percent. The CPI rose moderately in September for the
third consecutive month as prices for food and other commodities continued to show small increases. Food prices
increased 0.1 percent in September, and prices of nonfood
commodities rose 0.2 percent. Charges for consumer services rose 0.5 percent in September, the same as in August,
and less than the average monthly increase of 0.8 percent
in the first 7 months of this year.

For the 3 months ended in September, the CPI rose at a
seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.2 percent; this was
noticeably slower than the 8.1 percent rise in the quarter
ended in June, the 10 percent rise in the quarter ended in
March, and the same as in the final quarter of 1976. (See
table B.) The slowdown occurred primarily in the food and
nonfood commodities components, reflecting larger supplies
of farm and energy products this summer compared with
last winter and a slackening in consumer demand since
spring.
Food, The rise in retail food prices slowed to a 1.7 percent
rate in the third quarter as food prices at the processors'
level declined at a 7.5 percent rate. In the first half year,
food prices at both retail and processors' levels advanced at
rates exceeding 13 percent. The decline at the processors'
level—which was broad based—reflected lower prices at
the farm level. Prices for crude foods and feeds declined at

Table A . Percent changes in CPI and components, selected periods
Changes in all items
Changes from preceding month

Month

Food

All items

Unadjusted

Commodities
less food

Seasonally Unadadjusted justed

Seasonally Unadadjusted justed

1976:
September
October...
November,
December ,

0.4
.4
.3
.3

0.3
.3
.3
.4

-0.4
0
-.3
.3

O.1
.2
-.3
.1

1977:
January...
February..
March
April
May
June
July
August . . .
September.

.6
1.0
.6
.8
.6
.7
.4
.4
.4

.8
1.0
.6
.8
.6
.6
.4
.3
.3

.9
2.3

.9
2.0
.6




.5
1.2
.4
1.0
.5
.3
-.4

1.5
.7
.8
.1
.3
.1

Compound
annual rate
from
3 months
ago

Services

Seasonally Unadadjusted justed

Seasonally
adjusted

Seasonally
adjusted

From
12 months
ago

Unadjusted

0.6
.4
.4
.2

0.3
.4
.4
.6

0.8
.5
.5
.4

0.5
.4
.4
.4

5.3
4.8
4.0
4.2

5.5
5.3
5.0
4.8

.6
.6
.6
.7
.4
.1
.2
.4

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

.9
.6
.7
.7
.5
.7
.8
.5
.7

.9
.6
.8
.8
.7
.8
.8
.5
.5

6.1
9.1
10.0
9.9
8.4
8.1
6.4
5.2
4.2

5.2
6.0
6.4
6.8
6.7
6.9
6.7
6.6
6.6

a 12 percent rate in the second quarter and at a 27.3 percent
rate in the third quarter. Prices of intermediate materials
used in food manufacturing also declined in the third
quarter—at a 33.9 percent rate—following sharp advances
in the first two quarters of this year. (See table B.)
An important turnaround in food prices in the third
quarter was for coffee. With prices of green coffee moving
down since the second quarter as a result of a sharp cutback in coffee purchases by consumers, roasters and retailers reduced their prices in the third quarter. However,
the declines were small relative to the sharp advances recorded during 1976 and particularly in the first two quarters
of this year.
Prices for pork, poultry, and eggs also declined at both
the retail and processors' levels in the third quarter in
response to increased output which was reflected in declining prices at the farm level. Beef prices declined at the
retail level reflecting earlier declines in prices at the proc-

essors' level as well as increased competition from large
supplies of pork and poultry; however, beef prices at the
processors' level and cattle prices at the farm level turned
up in the third quarter; the increase was primarily due to
strong demand which bolstered cow prices; heavy slaughter
continued to depress steer prices.
Although prices rose at the retail level for other foods
such as dairy products, cereal and bakery products, salad
and cooking oils, and sugar and sweets, increases in the third
quarter were smaller than earlier in the year. Price rises at
retail slowed as prices for these products turned down at
the processors' level for the first quarterly decline this
year. The downturn in processors' prices reflected earlier
declines in prices for raw commodities and ingredients
such as wheat, flour, raw sugar, cocoa beans, soybeans, and
milk used in processed dairy products.
Prices for wheat, corn, and soybeans—which have a
widespread impact on food production costs and prices—

Table B. Changes in selected components of the Consumer and Wholesale Price Indexes, 1976*77
3 months ending (compound annual rate,
seasonally adjusted)
Index

1976
March

June

1977

September

December

March

June

September

Consumer Price Index
All items
Food
Commodities less food
Services
All items less food and energy items..
Commodities less food and
energy items
Services less energy items
Energy items (gas, electricity,
fuel oil, coal, gasoline, motor oil).

4.0
10.6

6.1
6.2
5.6
6.5

5.3
1.6
5.5
7.5

4.2
0
5.7
5.1

10.0
14.6
7.4

8.1
12.7
4.2

9.8

9.4

4.2
1.7
2.7
7.4

8.0

5.8

6.5

4.6

8.3

7.1

4.6

5.5
10.6

5.7
6.5

5.3
6.9

4.7
4.0

7.3
9.4

4.1
9.7

2.8
6.6

-5.9

10.9

10.9

13.1

7.7

9.8

6.7

1.3

6.6

3.5

7.1

10.2

3.6

1.9

-10.1
-12.0

13.4
21.0

-12.0
-25.0

6.6
6.2

19.1
26.5

-2.5
-12.0

-17.0
-27.3

-4.3
-13.9
5.3
5.6

15.5
13.2
4.8
16.4

-27.4
-13.6
8.0
10.6

-8.0
8.4
7.6
21.8

25.7
12.7
7.9
21.7

28.4
13.8
5.3
-2.0

-33.9
-7.5
7.6
8.9

6.0
7.3

3.5
4.3

8.3
4.7

7.1
9.2

7.6
5.5

4.7
6.3

7.8
5.6

3.1

3.6

7.7

5.2

8.5

6.5

5.2

7.3

4.3

6.7

6.1

6.4

4.0

7.2

3.9
-5.4

Wholesale Price Index
All commodities
Farm products and processed foods
and feeds
Crude foods and feeds
Intermediate materials for food
manufacturing
Consumer foods
Industrial commodities
Crude materials except foods . . .
Intermediate materials except
foods
Producers' finished goods
Consumer finished goods except
foods
Industrial except fuels

Crude materials, excluding foods, feeds, and fibers.




Table C. Changes in wholesale and retail prices for consumer goods and services, 1976-77
3 months ending (compound annual rate, seasonally adjusted)
Index

Index

Consumer Price Index

Food 2
Meats, poultry, fish . . .
Dairy products
Cereal and bakery
products
Fresh fruits and
vegetables
Commodities less food . . .
Nondurables less
food 1
Apparel less
footwear
Footwear
Gasoline
Fuel oil 3
Tobacco products..
Durables
New cars . .

.

.

Furniture
Appliances
including radio
and t e l e v i s i o n . . . .
Services
Rent
Household less rent
Medical care
Transportation
Other services

June

3.9

6.1

5.3

CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI

.2
-3.5
-5.4
-13.9
-20.2
-29.2
5.5
-10.8

6.0
6.9
6.2

3.9
-.5
1.6

13.2

CPI
WPI

December

March

June

4.2

10.0

8.1

4.2

3.4
6.3
0
8.4

10.4

7.4

9.9

9.2

14.6
12.7

1.2

12.7
13.8
8.7
-.7
15.0
27.7

2.3
.4
1.7
-7.5
-2.2
-.7
6.3
-2.2

September

7.2

-13.6
-16.3
-25.6
11.6

11.6

2.1

-5.0
2.3

7.6
7.3

-12.7

-9.5
-9.5

2.7
9.7

9.2

CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI

-14.0

-26.8

-14.1
-58.2

34.8
156.3

25.6
-10.2

63.9
106.7

-69.6

4.0
3.1

5.6
3.6

5.5
7.7

5.7
5.2

7.4

4.2

8.5

6.5

1.5
87.9
2.7
5.2

CPI
WPI

1.8
2.4

5.0
3.8

6.0
9.1

5.4
9.5

5.5
9.5

5.2
7.0

4.2
4.8

CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI
CPI
WPI

3.4
7.6
5.3

4.3
6.9
6.1

4.6
2.5
4.4
5.4
4.2
6.7

2.1

11.0

1.9
4.9
3.5
4.5
9.5

4.4

11.6
-13.6
-15.5
-1.9
-9.4

6.2
3.8
6.6
8.3

-5.8

CPI
WPI
CPI
CPI
CPI
CPI
CPI
CPI

7.3
5.7
7.2
4.0
4.6
3.5
3.8
5.5

5.8
2.7

10.6
6.1
8.9

13.0
20.3
7.7

6.3

-1.1

7.2

-2.4
7.7

-4.2
1.8
5.4
6.5

3.1
1.5
3.5
.5
6.5

4.7
3.7
6.5
5.4
6.5
8.2
7.0
5.4

Includes items not listed.
CPI includes motor oil.
CPI includes coal.

declined sharply in the third quarter as harvests this summer
pointed to large supplies for the 1977-78 marketing year.
Both corn and soybean crops are expected to surpass last
year's record and the wheat crop is expected to be just
slightly less than last year's record.




September

March

...

Consumer goods

1977

1976

1.5

10.2
21.6
11.2
17.8
2.0
5.6
5.0
5.1
6.4
7.9
1.3
6.1

1.6
1.0
7.5
5.4
6.8
8.9

10.3
6.9

-7.9
21.0
-8.9
-10.6

8.6

-2.8
7

10.2
5.3
6.7

2.6

9.5

-33.7

8.3
-.9

2.7
2.1
3.1

2.2

23.0

3.1

8.7

28.1
25.1
5.7
12.0
10.5

10.9
13.4

7.9
7.2

1.5

7.0
4.1
4.2
2.9
4.6

6.0
4.0
7.2
4.2
7.5

9.7
43.1
1.0
5.4

2.3
2.3
9.8
6.3

3.2
3.7

14.1
6.6

16.6
6.0
3.3
6.9
5.7
7.6
5.8

1.0

-2.0

-.2
2.5

Q
A
57«*t

R ft
%JmO

8.5
3.3
3.2

1.9
-.3
7A

5.1
5.3
2.0

19
9
1 £..£.

13.2

Q
A
17 .*T

6.4
5.8

ft Q

1• 1i •1 i

C A

6.7

5.8

6.2

i n p

7n
/ .u

1 U.O

O Q
O.O

in
n
1 \J.\J

p o
O.O

NOTE: Consumer goods represent 62.5 percent and services
36.5 percent of all items in the Consumer Price Index. Consumer
goods represent 30 percent of all commodities in the Wholesale
Price Index.

Raw sugar prices, which declined in the second quarter,
turned up in the third quarter. The increase, which occurred
in August, was primarily due to expectations of government
action to boost sugar prices. Prices declined again late in the
quarter following reports of increased supplies in the

world market. Cocoa bean prices also turned up in the third
quarter. Ghana, the largest producer of cocoa beans, raised
its prices as the world supply remained tight; in addition,
the crop in Brazil—the second largest producer—is expected to be reduced because of adverse weather conditions.
Prices for fresh fruits and vegetables turned up in the
third quarter and prices of processed fruits and vegetables
continued to increase at the retail, processors' and farm
levels. Although prices of most fruits and vegetables have
moved erratically from quarter-to-quarter, prices for fresh
orange juice and frozen orange concentrates have been
moving up steadily this year because of the effects of last
winter's freeze in Florida and the smaller California-Arizona
Valencia crop this year.
Consumer goods other than food. During the third quarter
of 1977, prices for consumer goods other than food rose at
an annual rate of 2.7 percent at the retail level. This was the
smallest increase in any calendar quarter since September
1973 and it was down from the 5.8 percent rate in the first
half year. At the primary market level, the rise in these
prices moderated to a 5.2 percent rate from June to
September, following a 7.5 percent rate of advance registered from December to June.
The slowdown in the CPI component was primarily due
to a sharp decline in used car prices (which are not included in the WPI). Used car prices declined in each month
during the third quarter reflecting weak demand especially
for large-size cars. House prices—(which are also in the
CPI component but not in the WPI)—rose at a faster rate
in the third quarter than in either of the first two quarters
of this year. The CPI for commodities excluding food,
used cars, and houses—which would be most nearly comparable to the WPI for consumer finished goods excluding
foods—rose at a 4.0 percent rate in the third quarter,
slightly less than the 4.6 percent rate in the second quarter,
and the 5.2 percent rate in the first quarter.
Prices increased less in the third quarter for apparel,
appliances, furniture, and footwear at both the retail and
manufacturers' levels. A smaller rise in consumer demand
this summer than in the first half year as well as slower
rise in prices of some materials contributed to the
slowdown. Among energy products, the WPI for gasoline
moved down, and prices for retail gasoline increased less
than in the second quarter. Fuel oil prices at the retail and
manufacturing levels continued to advance but at rates
much slower than those posted in the first quarter. Record
seasonal stocks as a result of abundant crude oil inventories
and increased production of refined petroleum products
contributed to these developments.1
New car price indexes in both the WPI and CPI rose at a
faster rate in the third quarter than in the first two quarters

Gasoline and fuel oil prices in the WPI are lagged one month
but are current in the CPI.




of this year. The acceleration was primarily due to price
increases on imported cars following a decline in the value
of the dollar in international markets. Also, year-end discounts on domestic cars were smaller-than-usual because
of strong demand.
Prices of tobacco products advanced sharply in the third
quarter at both the retail and manufacturers' levels primarily due to higher costs for leaf tobacco.
Materials costs are important factors which affect
manufacturers' prices. In the third quarter, prices of industrial materials at the intermediate stage of process rose
at a 7.8 percent rate, faster than the 4.7 percent rate in the
second quarter, and about the same as the rates posted in
the first quarter of this year and in the fourth quarter of
1976. Sharply higher prices for some kinds of construction
materials and metals accounted for much of the third
quarter rise.
Among other intermediate industrial materials, prices
were higher from June to September for liquefied petroleum
gas, electric power, and motor vehicle parts. On the other
hand, prices moved down after increasing during the second
quarter for inedible fats and oils, leather, and most kinds of
textile products.
Prices for crude materials excluding foods, feeds, and
fibers moved up at an 8.9 percent annual rate in the third
quarter after declining slightly in the second quarter. Most
of the increase was due to higher prices for natural gas and
crude petroleum reflecting upward adjustments in regulated
prices. Both ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal quotations
declined, partly as a result of sluggish domestic steel production and continued excess production and inventories
of copper.

Services, Prices of consumer services rose at an annual rate
of 7.4 percent in the third quarter, compared with rates of
9.8 and 9.4 percent in the first and second quarters of
1977. The rate of price increase in transportation service
in the third quarter was less than one-half the rate of increase in the previous quarter. In addition, charges for
household services excluding rent and medical care services
rose less in the September quarter than in the previous 3month period. Residential rent charges rose at a rate of
7.0 percent, slightly more than in the first and second
quarters of 1977.
In the transportation services sector, auto insurance rates
rose at the slowest rate since early 1975. It appeared that
the sizable rate increases for auto insurance throughout
most of 1975 and 1976 enabled companies to replenish
reserves which had been liquidated during the 1973-75
period, when underwriting losses were heavy. Increased
profits in 1977 permitted some insurance companies to pay
consumers dividends and postpone further rate hikes. In
the public transportation sector, smaller increases in the
third quarter were noted for local transit fares, taxicab
charges, railroad and bus fares. Also, in the third quarter,

airline fares rose for the third time in 1977, as the Civil
Aeronautics Board agreed for the first time to consider
future airline costs on fare increase requests.
The rate of increase in household services other than rent
slowed to 8.3 percent from its 10.8 percent rate in the
second quarter. Mortgage interest rates turned down in the
third quarter as the amount of lendable funds continued to
be adequate despite the continued surge in new home
construction and subsequent demand for mortgage funds.
Property taxes increased at the smallest rate in over a year.
Charges for housekeeping and home repair services also
increased at a slower rate in the third quarter. On the other
hand, charges for natural gas and electricity continued to
increase rapidly—13.2 percent-rate in the September
quarter compared with a rate of 12.1 percent in the previous
3 months. Consumer electric bills rose sharply when many
areas were granted rate increases and higher costs for coal,
petroleum, and other fuels were passed through. Gas prices
also continued to increase sharply in the third quarter as




rate hikes were noted in many large metropolitan areas
including Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco, Baltimore,
and San Diego.
Medical care services also increased at a slower rate in
the third quarter, as the rate of change for physicians' fees
decelerated slightly. There were signs that advances in some
physicians' expenses such as medical malpractice insurance
were easing somewhat. Hospital service charges continued
to increase at a annual rate above 10 percent for the third
consecutive quarter. Large increases were noted for semiprivate and operating room rates.
Other types of services, including personal care, recreational, and apparel services rose at an annual rate of
6.2 percent, slightly higher than in the June quarter. Charges
for these services—which traditionally are more susceptible
to discretionary spending than most household or medical
care services—continued to advance as higher labor, material, and overhead changes were passed through to
consumers.

Chart 1. All items index and its rate of change, 1967-77
SE«I-

(1967=100)

100
CPI flLL ITEMS INDEX
I NOT SERSONRLLY RDJUSTEOl

160
140
1Z0

100
PERCENT CHRNGE OVER L-MONTH SPRN
ISERSONRLLY ROJUSTEOJ

5C*lE

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
(RNNURL RRTE. SERSONFILLY R0JU5TE0I

8
6
A
2
0

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 6-HONTH SPRN
IRNNURL ROTE, SERSONflLLY ROJUSTEOI

RRITH.
SCRLE
B

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER L2-M0NTH SPflN

L967

1968

L969

1970

1971

1972

17 Computed from t h e u n a d j u s t e d s e r i e s .
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




6

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

Chart 2. Commodities less food index and its rate of change, 1967-77
(1967=100)

SEtU-

""•too
IBO

CPI

caririODjTJES
(SEftSONflLLY

160

LESS POOD INOEX
flOJUSTEOl

MO
120
100
PERCENT CHflNGE OVER t-MONTH SPRN
ISEflSONflLLY fiOJUSTEOl

A

iTH.
I .4
1.2

SEP
0.2

V
SEP
2.7

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN
IflNNUflL RflTE. SERSQNflLLY R0JUSTE01

ftRJTH.
5CflLE
6

1 .0
0.6
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0

—
—
—- 0 . 2
-0.4
—
-0.6
—
—

4
1
0
-2

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-hONTH SPf?N
(BNNUflL RflTE, SEflSONflLLY BOJUSTEOJ

flRJTH.
SCALE
-T

m i TH .
SCflLE

PERCENT CHONGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN 1 /

1967

1968

1969

1970

1/
Computed from t h e u n a d j u s t e d s e r i e s .
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

6

Chart 3. Total food index and its rate of change, 1967-77
(1967=100)

serti200
CP5 TOTftL FOOD INDEX
ISEffSONRLLY R0JUSTE01

WUTH.
SC8LE

3.2
2.8
2,4
2.0
1.6
I .2
0.6
0.4
0.0
-0.4
-0.8

CHANGE OVER l-MONTH SPR
(SERSONRLLY ROJUSTEO

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 3-hONTH SPRN
IflNNUflL RRTE* SERSONflLLY flOJUSTEOI

PERCENT CHRNGf OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
1BNNURL RflTE. SEflSONftLLY ROJUSTEOI

BRJTH,
SCALE
16
12
9
4
0

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN 1 /

-4

1967

1968

1969

1990

1971

1972

1/
Computed from t h e u n a d j u s t e d s e r i e s .
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




8

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

Chart 4. Services index and its rate of change, 1967-77
(1967=100)
SEMJ-

\_os
200

CPJ S E R V I C E S INDEX
ISEflSONfiLLY flOJUSTEOl

ISO
160
140

120
PERCENT.CHRNGE OVER t-MONTH SP
flSONRLLY
d
'

100

MUTH.
SCALE
12

PERCENT CHRNGE OVER 3-fiONTH SPflN
IflNNUfiL R«TE. SEflSONRLLY R0JUSTE01

10
8
6
4
2
0

f^RITH.

SC8LE
10

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN
(flNNUm. R j r t t . SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTEQl

ftRJTN.
SCflLE

OVER 12-MONTH SPflN

8

6
4
2
0

1967

1968

1969

1970

1971

1972

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




9

1973

197 4

1975

1976

1977

Table 1. CPI — U.S. city average, by commodity and service group and expenditure class
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)
Relative
importance

Unadjusted indexes

Group or class

December
1976

August
1977

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 commodities
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Other apparel commodities
Nondurables less food and apparel . .
Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Fuel oil and coal
Other nondurables
Durable commodities
Household durables
New automobiles
Used automobiles
Other durables
Services
Rent
Services less rent
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 services
Insurance and finance
Utilities and public transportation
Housekeeping and home maintenance service
Appliances (including radio and TV)

100.000

183. 3
213.2
176. 3
195. 2
193.2
182.7
181.8
175. 1
192. 1
232.3
203.0
166.0
167. 3
152. 1
154.3
147.0
157.3
162. 1
176. 3
189. 1
167.4
151. 1
284. 1
171. 1
164.3
152. 3
141.6
186.4
172.9
196.3
154.4
203.9
216.6
190.2
219. 6
171.8

All items
Food
Housing
Shelter1
Rent
Homeownership2
Fuel and utilities 3
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation.
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Private
Public
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
Special indexes:
All items less shelter
All items less medical care
All items less mortgage interest costs
CPI-domestically produced farm f o o d s 4 . .
CPI-selected beef cuts 5
All items less food and energy 6
Purchasing power of consumer dollar:
1967=$1.00
1957-59=$1.00

100.000

62.468
23.667
18.456
2.537
5.700
2.841

3.019
4.360

5.210
38.801
22.795

7.811
2.467
3.378
1.383
.582
14.984
3.426

1.873
2.217
1.060
6.408
16.006
4.444
1.909
2.323
7.329
37.532
4.525
33.007
16.208

5.295
5.985
5.547
76.333
46.462
6.428
31.575

9.864
5.675
4.830
1. 395

179.9
180.8
151. 1
192.6
214. 7
189.5
227.2
126.2

Unadjusted
percent change to

Expenditure classes
0 4
6.6
7. 1
-.4
7.4
.7
7.3
.8
6.2
.6
7.6
.8
11.0
.5
13.4
.3
5. 1
.4
4.0
.9
5. 3
-.2
5.5
-.2
4. 1
.3
6.5
.8
9.8
.7
6. 1
.4
4.6
1. 1
4.4
.9

13.548
12.227
1.321
19.013
6.734
2.554
5. 143
4.582

183.3
195.2
191.4
193.2
154.4
207.4
204.5
217.4
178. 1
154.8
178.9
178.3
183.5
174.7
204.9
172. 1
158. 1
159. 1

184.0
194.5
192.7
194.7
155.3
209. 1
205.5
218.0
178.9
156.2
178.5
177.9
184. 1
176. 1
206.3
172.8
159.8
160. 6

78.744
93.266
95.840
15.827
1.806
68.934

180.8
182.0
181.0
180.8
164.7
177.2

181.2
182.6
181.6
179.7
164.9
178. 3

6.3
6.3
6.6
2.8
.9
6.2

.2
.3
.3
-.6

$0,546
.469

$0,543
.467

-6.2

-.5

23.667
34.202
21.256
4.525
16.328
5.414

2.913
7.532

9. 194

Seasonally adjusted
percent change f r o m —

jSepte mber 1977 fron
September I September August
June to
1977
1976
1977
July
Commodity and service groups
0.4
184.0
6.6
0.4
214. 0
176.6
5.7.2
. 1
194.5
7. 1
-.4
-. 1
192.2
6.8
-.5
.7
184.9
2.5
1.2
-1.2
182. 1
1.6
.2
1. 1
175.4
2.5
.2
-1.5
183.2
7.3
-4.6
1.2
232.6
19.8
. 1
.4
203.7
7.9
.3
. 1
166.7
4.9
.4
.3
168.4
5.0
.7
.3
153.5
3.4
.9
.7
155.8
3.8
1.0
.3
148.6
2.5
1. 1
158. 1
-.2
3.8
.5
163. 1
.
1
6.0
.6
177.2
.2
5.9
.5
188.9
-.3
4.6
-. 1
170. 0
.3
5.9
1.6
151.9
.5
2.8
.5
285. 1
.6
13.7
.4
172.0
.5
6.3
.5
164.5
0
4.8
.1
152.8
.1
4.2
.3
141. 1
.2
5. 1
-.4
182.5
-2.7
1.3
-2. 1
174.4
*. 8
6.4
.9
197. 7
.8
7.9
.7
155.3
.6
6.2
.6
205.4
.8
8.2
.7
218. 1
1.2
8.2
.7
191.3
.4
7.9
.6
221. 1
.7
10.2
.7
173.6
.4
6. 1
1.0
*.4
6.4
.6
180.9
. 1
6.0
*. 2
181.0
1.0
3.2
.4
152.6
7.5
193.9
*. 8
8.5
216.4
1.2
.5
190.4
8.8
1.2
228.5
6.8
.6
*. 5
126.8
2.1
.5
.2

1

July to
August
0.3
.3
.3
.2
.5
.6
.9
.5
-.9
.5
.3
.4
.7
.4
.9
.5
.8
.3
.2
.1
-.5
.9
.4
.1
.3
.6
-2.4
*. 5
.5
.5
.5
.5
.5
.6
.5

August to
September
0.3

.2
. 1
.1
.9

.1
-.4
1.5
-.9
.2
.2
. 3
-.4
.3

-1.4
.2
.7
.7
.6
1.9
.5
.4
.5
.2
.3
.6
-2.5
*.9
.5
.6
.5
.4
.4
.8
.6

*.4
*.4
.6
*.5
.4
.4
*.5
0

*.6
*. 1
-.5
*. 7
.3
.3

0.4
. 1
*.8
• 1.0
.6
*1. 1
1. 1
1.8
.4
.4
-.3
-.3
.2
*. 5
*.8
*.4
.1
.3

0.3
.3
*. 5
*.5
.5
*. 6
.8
1.0
.4
.4
.1
0
-. 1
*. 3
*. 7
*. 5
.7
-. 1

0.3
.1
*. 7
*.8

*. 3
*.4
*.4
*. 6
-1.8
.6

*. 3
*.3
*. 3
*. 2
-1.6
.3

*.6
.3

.6
*.8
.5
.4

0

.1

.1
.2
-.4
*.8
*. 7
*.4
.6

1.2
*.2
*. 3
*. 3
*-.6
.4
.3

Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
index weight for sugar.
5
Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance and
Calculated from the CPI beef and veal component by excluding veal cutlets and
repairs.
beef liver.
6
3
Energy includes gasoline, motor oil, fuel oil, coal, gas, and electricity.
Also includes residential telephone, fuel oil, coal, water, and sewerage services
• Not seasonally adjusted.
not shown separately.
4
Calculated from the CPI food at home component by excluding fish, nonalNOTE: Index applies to month as a whole, not to any specific date.
coholic beverages, bananas, chocolate candy bars, chocolate syrup, and about half of the
2




1O

Table 2. CPI—seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by commodity and service group and expenditure class
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)
Seasonally adjusted annual rate
percent change for—

Seasonally adjusted indexes
Group and class

6 months ending in—

3 months ending i n —
June
1977

July
1977

August
1977

September
1977 December
1976

March
1977

June
1977

September
1977

March September
1977
1977

Commodity and service groups
All items . .
..
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 commodities
Men's and boys'
Women's and girls'
Footwear
Other apparel commodities . .
Nondurables less food and apparel . . .
Gasoline and motor oil
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Fuel oil and coal .
Other nondurables
Durable commodities
Household durables
New automobiles
Used automobiles
Other durables1
Services
Rent
Services less rent
.
...
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 services *
Insurance and finance
Utilities and public transportation
Housekeeping and home maintenance service.1.
Appliances (including radio and TV)

175.3
193.9
192. 1
183.4
179.4
175.2
188.1
233.4
201.2
165. 1
166. 3
151.6
153.2
147.0
157. 1
160. 1
175. 1
186.2
166.4
151.0
285.4
169.9
163.4
151.4
142.0
188.4
170.7
194.2
152.9
201.6
213. 8
189.4
216.2
170.7

175.5
194.0
191.9
184.6
177.2
177. 1
185.2
236. 1
202. 1
165. 3
166. 8
152. 1
154. 3
147.5
156.8
160. 3
175.5
185.7
166.9
151.7
287. 1
170.7
163.4
151.6
142. 3
183.3
172.0
195.7
153. 8
203. 3
216. 3
190.2
217.7
171.4

178.4
179.7
150.7
190. 1
212.7
187.2
224.9
126. 1

179.2
180. 1
151. 3
191.6
215. 3
189.5
226.0
126.3

176.0
194.5
192. 3
185.5
178.2
178.7
186.1
233.9
203.2
165.8
167.5
153.1
154.9
148.8
157.6
161.6
176.0
186. 1
167.1
150.9
289.6
171.4
163.5
152.1
143.2
178.9
172.9
196.7
154.6
204. 3
217.3
191.2
218.9
172. 3
179.9
180. 8
152.2
192.6
216.2
190. 3
227.2
126.3

176. 3
194. 7
192.4
187. 1
178.4
177.9
188.9
231.7
203.7
166.2
168.0
152.5
155. 3
146.7
157.9
162.8
177.2
187.2
170.3
151.7
290.9
172.2
163.8
152.5
144.0
174.5
174.4
197.7
155.5
205. 3
218.1
191.9
220.7
173. 3

1

All items less shelter,
All items less medical care1
All items less mortgage interest costs1.
All items less food and energy s
CPI—domestically produced farm foods ! 6 ...
CPI—selected beef cuts7

194. 0
190.5
192.2
153.8
206.2
204. 3
216.6
177.6
154. 8
177.5
176.9
184.4
174. 1
203.5
171. 3
157.5
159. 1

194.5
191.4
193.2
154.6
207.4
205.9
218.7
178. 3
155.4
177.7
176.9
184.2
174.7
204.9
172.1
158.6
158.9

194.7
192. 7
194.7
155.5
209.1
206.9
219.5
178.5
155.4
177.8
177.2
183.4
176. 1
206. 3
172. 8
159.5
160. 8

179.7
180.6
179.7
175.9
179. 3
165.0

180.2
181.4
180.4
176.9
180.4
162.0

180. 8
182.0
181.0
177.4
180.8
159.4

181.2
182.6
181.6
177.9
179. 7
160.1

Not seasonally adjusted.
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.
» Energy includes gasoline, motor oil, fuel oil, coal, gas and electricity.
;

3




-9.5
-7.9
-8.9
12.6
11.4

2.7
8.6
-.7

8.1
7.4

8.3

.3
2. 8
3.5
8.9
6.6
9.5
6.6
3.3
8.7
6. 1

9. 1
.3
5. 3
3. 1
6.5
2.6
5.7
1.4
28. 1

. 3
7.7
4.4
5.2
5.7
4.2
1.5
4.6
10.9
7. 1

6.0
5.6
6.9

10.5

3.0

5. 1
5. 3
5.4
2.0
6.4

4.9

4. 1
40. 1
7.2
9.8
6.3

10.4
12.2

5.8

8.9
9.4
6.7

5. 3

6.9

2.4

10. 1
4.4
8.6
14.6
9.0
7.2
2. 3

13.2

1.9
5.2
-2.8
9.0
5. 1
1.0

.

6.8
7.0

9.5
8.7

4.2
5.2
4.6

6.7

7. 1

12.7
12. 8
15.0
-16.5
45. 3
12.4

38. 8
31. 1
10. 9

4.2

2. 3
1.7

7.4
5.5
3.8

16.2

180.9
181.0
151.5
193.9
216. 8
190.8
228.5
126.7

193.9
189.0
190. 3
152.9
203.9
202.0
212.8
176.9
154.2
178.1
177.5
184. 1
173.2
201.8
170.6
157.4
158.6

10.0
10.4
14.6
15.8

3.7
5.7
5.4
2.7

•

All items
Food !
Housing
Shelter * 2
Rent
Homeownership x 3.
Fuel and utilities 4
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation....
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation.
Private
Public
Health and recreation l
Medical care!
Personal care1
Reading and recreation
Other goods and services
Special indexes:

4.2
3.4
0
-.9

.6
-2.2
6.3
1.7

-2.9
5. 1
2. 7
4.2
2.4
5.6

7. 1
-3.6
0

-4.9
25.0
20.8
7.2
6.5
5.5

3. 3
4.6

.-.8
2. 1
6.9
4.9
2.2
9.7
1.9
7.9

1.5
4.4
5.9
6.6
6.0
6.2
2. 3
18.0

2.5
3.2
4.0

5.5
1.0
2.9
5.8

6.4
8.2

-11. 8

-26.4

6.6
9.4
6.3

9.7
10. 8
11. 1
10.0
5. 8

9.0
7.4
7.0
7.5
8.3
5.4
8.6
6.2

7.8
8.9

5.7
2.9

4.6
7.9
15.0
9.3
8.2
3.2

2. 1
8.2

3.2
6.9

7.9

5.6

7.9
6.6
1.9

9.0
6.2
1.6

8. 1
12.7

4.2
1.7
8.1
9.6
7.0

7. 1

5. 3
5.5

27.6
5. 1
7.4

5. 8
7.8
7.0

7. 7
11. 3
6.2
6.1
6.2

6.1
4.8
7.0
6.5
8.9
3. 1
10.5
-7.9
18. 8
8.7
3.5
4.7
3.5
2.9
3.4
3.2
6.0
5.3
3.2
5.5
3.2
9.4
6. 3
1.7
3. 1
4.9
-19.4
7.8
8.4
6.6
8.6
9.5
8.2
9.3
6.0
6.7
5.9
3.4
8.1
11.4
8.6
7.4
2.6

Expenditure classes
4.2
0
4.8
2.0

10.0
14.6
8.9
8.8

5. 3

6. 3

1.2

9.1

12. 3
17. 8
5.5
3. 3
7. 3

12.0
10.7
6.2
4.6
10.4
10.2

8.9
.2
6.7
9.7
6.0
5.4

4.8
4. 3
3.5

4.5
4.6
-4. 1
14. 1

9.1
6.6

11.5
5.2

4. 7
3.9
9.4
9.1

9.4
8.3
12.8
-5.7

7.8
8.9
6.3
9.6
9.9

12. 1
4.9
5. 1
4.4
4.2
8.9
6.0

8. 8
8. 1
2. 8
3. 3
8.4
8.4

8.2
7. 1
2. 3
9.0

10.6
10. 1
13.2
3.7
3. 1
-. 7
-.7

-1.5
6.9
9.2
5. 3

7.0
6.8
5.4

5. 8
5. 1
12.2
14.2
5.9
3.9
8. 8
9.5
4.6
6.6

10.6

5.4

5.6
5.0

5.7

4. 3

3. 4

6.8
6. 3
6.9

4.5

4. 3
4.6
.9
-11.4

6.4
4.0
3.7

6.1
7.0
7.9
9.2
6.6
10.1
10.0
12.7
4. 3
4. 1
1.8
1.7
3.6
6.4
9.0
6.7
4. 1
4.5
5.9
6.4
6.2
5.9
1.6
-1.7

6
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.
7
Calculated from the CPI beef and veal component by excluding veal cutlets and
beef liver,
N Q T E : |n(Jex a p p | i e s t Q m Q n t h as a w h o | 6 f n o t t 0 a n y s p e c j f i c

date.

Table 3. CPI—food items, U.S. city average
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Percent change to September 1977
from—

Index
Item and group

Unadjusted

Food
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 cake
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
Sausage
Ham, whole
Picnics
Bacon
Other meats
Lamb c h o p s . . . . . . . .
Frankfurters
Ham, canned
Bologna sausage
Salami sausage
Liverwusrt
Poultry
Frying chicken
Chicken breasts
Turkey
Fish
Shrimp, frozen
Fish, fresh or f r o z e n . . . .
Tuna fish, canned
Sardines, canned
Dairy products
Milk, fresh, grocery
Milk, fresh, skim
Milk, evaporated
Ice cream
Cheese, American process .
Butter
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

194.5
203.7
200.6
218.8

Seasonally
adjusted

194.7
203.7

Unadjusted

August 1977
Unadjusted

-0.4
.3
.3
.5
-.5
1.2
-1.9
0
-.4
.2
.1
.9
10.4
.2
.6
.2
.2
.1
.4
4.0
2.9
.1
-.7
-2.3
-1.6
-.9
-.5
.4
-.4
-.8
2.1
1.1
-.6
.9
.1
-1.0
-.4
.3
1.1
-.1
1.0
-.5
-.9
.2
.8
.8
1.0
1.3
-.1
.9
.2
-.2
.2
.7
1.4
-.2
.6
-4.6
-8.2

Seasonally
adjusted

0. 1
.2

197.5
209.8

164.3
240,0

7. 1
7. 9
6. 9
13. 0
6. 8
2. 5
10. 4
4. 4
11. 1
-4. 9
#2
2. 9
13. 6
5. 6
_. 9
1. 6
#2
1. 1
1. 1
6. 4
6. 2
_e 3
4. 8
_# 7
-3! 3
-1. 1
4. 9
-1. 5
2. 2
_, 8
-1. 2
-1. 8
-2. 9
-5. 0
1. 1
6. 0
-1. 0
5
4
l ! ,7
_,,7
3.,4
3.,4
4.,5
2., 1
10,,4
8.,6
11.,4
15,. 3
7,, 6
2,, 5
.9
2,. 5
8,. 1
6,. 1
2,. 3
1,. 0
7,. 3
8,. 6
10,. 4
9.2
3.7
13 . 2
15 . 5
7. 0
25 . 1

( 2
()
175.5
185.6
174.4

(2)
196.1
206.5
174.4

7. 0
6. 1
8. 9

-6.7
-15.7
-15.5

7.0
7.8
-5.9

140.8
172.5
175.7
136.1
186.7
136.0
224.1
166.1

154.0
183.5
188.3
180.5

6. 7
8. 4
8. 5
9. 1
-4 . 5
6. 3
12 . 3
23 . 8

-3.4
-2.8
-8.0
-9.7

6.8
-.2
-2.0

192.2
184.9
137.7
233.8

182.9
185.3
163.5

183.9
217.5

193.8
194.2
182.1
177.7
164.1
161.5
172.1

189.2

156.6

193.5

160.3
154.3
122.2
193.5
197.6
186.6
195.8

226.2
190.2

177.3

209.7
179.9
197.0
163.9
199.1
178.3
171.2
168.7
160.3
162.3

169.3

142.1
258.8
252.1
291.1
218.6
272.7
175.4
162.6
181.9
222.5
170.0

206.0
165.4
183.2
177.6
180,4
181.2
155.7
184.7
181.1

See footnotes at end of table.




September 1976

September 1977

12

219.0
192.4
187.1
141.5
235.4
184.7
188.5
165.3
185.2
220.4
194.2
197.2
178.4
173.5
159.8
156.5
165.5
182.3
151.6
188.6
155.6
152.5

H
193.1
188.5
177.5
185.6
217.9
191.5
173.1
192.2
178.3
195.8
160.7
203.6
174.5
169.3
165.6
152.1
152.7
163.1
139.5
260.1
220.6
273.0
177.9
165.2
184.1
171.9
209.8
163.8
188.9
187.1
175.1
167.9
155.2
175.9

H

172.6
228.0
207.4

f

-9.9
-14.1

.6
.1
.9
-2.4
.3
-.6
-.2
-.4
.5
10.9
-1.2
-.1
.1
-.1
.4
.1
5.3
3.7
-.9
.3
-1.8
-.3
.5
-1.5
-.9

-1.7
.8
-.2
-1.4
-4.2
-.2
.6
-.2
-.7
.3
-.2
.2

-2.9
-3.4
-.4
-1.1
.5
0
.4
-.4
-.8
-.4
.8
-1.0
-2.8
1.5

2.9
-4.2
-6.1
-2.6
4.8

-3.8
4.7
4.0
.6
-30.7

1.4
-15.6

8

18.3

-13.9
4.8
-9.7

1.4

0)
-6.6
8.2
-6.5

Table 3. CPI—food items, U.S. city average—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers. 1967=100)
Percent change to September 1977
from—

Index
Item and group

September 1977
Unadjusted

Food—Continued
Food at home—Continued
Fruits and vegetables—Continued
Processed fruits and vegetables
Fruit cocktail canned
Pears canned
Pineapple-grapefruit drink canned
Orange juice concentrate frozen
Lemonade concentrate frozen .
Beets canned
Peas green canned
Tomatoes canned
.
Dried beans
Broccoli frozen
Other food at home
E99S
Fats and oils
.
Margarine
Salad dressing Italian
Salad or cooking oil
Sugar and sweets
Suaar
Grape jelly
Chocolate bar
Syrup chocolate flavored
Nonalcoholic beverages
Coffee
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

..

..

...

. . . .

191.5
185.1
159.8
188.0
201.9
186.4
204.4
159.9
198.7
239.4
191.5
232.6
166.6
200.1
219.2
166.3
214.9
233.2
178.6
216.4
289.6
241.3
346.2
487.5
386.4
192.8
207.1
207.7
176.3
205.9
151.1
170.6
160.9
186,4
187.8
184.6
163.8

192.8
183.1
159.5
188.2
(*)
188.5
(i)

160.1
(*)
248.9
/i\

231.7
159.6
201.9
219.0
168.1
215.3
238.2
184.7

I1)

248.5

(J)

n
(*)
176.8
207.1
151.3
170.1
160.7
184.4
189.1
163.5
Priced only in season.

Not available.




Seasonally
adjusted

13

August 1977

September 1976
Unadjusted

5.6
2.6
2. 1
6.0
30.8
3.8
9.3
.4
11.4
-9.0
19.8
19.8
-8.6

16.9
18.0
10.3
20 o 8
8.5
-7. 1
-1.4
26.0
12.3
52. 1
80.6
58.0
27.9
6.1
4.2
3.8
-1.4
11.1
4.4
1.3
2.3
9.4
3.9
2.5

Unadjusted

0.7
.2
.4
1.4
5.2
.4
1.1
-.1
0
.5
-.2
.1
-.2
-.4
.3
-1.0
-.6
-. 3
.1
-.3
.6
.8
.3
-1.7
2.2
2.1
1.5
.3
1.1
1.0
2.4
.8
.2
2.1
1.0
1.2
.6

Seasonally
adjusted

0. 1
-1.2
-.1
1.5
(*)
-.4
(*)
-.5
(*)
-1.5

H

-.9
-6.8
-2.1
-4.0
-1.2
-3.1
.4
.2
(M

n. 4
H
(*)
()
()
H
1.3
1.5
2.6
.7
.4
1.5
(*)
1.4
.4

Table 4. CPI —nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Item and group

Housing
Shelter '
Rent, residential
Homeownership 2
Mortgage interest rates
Property taxes
Property insurance premium
Maintenance and repairs
Maintenance and repair commodities
Exterior house paint
Interior house paint
Maintenance and repair services . . . .
Repainting living and dining
rooms
Reshingling house roof
Residing house
Replacing sink
Repairing furnace
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Fuel oil, No. 2
Gas and electricity
Gas
Electricity
Other utilities:
Residential telephone services
Residential water and sewerage
services
Household furnishings and operation 4 . . . .
Housefumishings
Textiles
Sheets, full, flat
Curtains, tailored
Bedspreads
Drapery fabrics
Pillows, bed
Slipcovers and throws, ready-made .
Furniture and bedding
Bedroom furniture, chest and
dresser
Sofas, upholstered
Cocktail tables
Dining room chairs
Recliners, upholstered
Sofas, dual purpose
Bedding, mattress and box springs . .
Aluminum folding chairs
Cribs
Floor coverings
Broadloom carpeting
Vinyl sheet goods
Vinyl floor tile
Appliances (excluding radio and T V ) . .
Washing machines, electric
Vacuum cleaners
Refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers,
electric
Ranges, free standing, gas or
electric
Clothes dryers, electric
Air conditioners, demountable
Room heaters, electric, portable . . .
Garbage disposal units
Other housefumishings:
Dinnerware, fine china
Flatware, stainless steel
Table lamps, with shade
Lawn mowers, power, rotary type .
Electric drills, hand-held
Housekeeping supplies:
Laundry soaps and detergents
Paper napkins
Toilet tissue
Housekeeping services:
Domestic services, general
housework
Baby sitter services
Postal charges
Laundry, flatwork, finished service . . .
Licensed day care services, preschool
child
Washing machine repairs

Other
index
base

Mar. 70
Dec. 71
Mar. 70
Dec. 71
June 70

See foonotes at end of table.




14

Percent change to
September 1977 from—

Index <^
September

September

August

1977

1977

1976

1977

191. 4
193. 2
154.4
207. 4
140.0
182. 6
155.8
217. 1
181.3
168.6
158.4
232. 6

192. 7
194. 7
155.3
209- 1
140. 1
183.0
156.8
218.5
182.3
168.7
159-5
234. 2

7. 4

0.7
.8

244. 1
256. 0
220.8
225. 6
227.1
204. 5
284. 1
280.8
217. 4
241.7
194.8

246. 1
257. 1
222. 6
227.0
228. 1
205. 5
285. 1
281. 7
218.0
242. 3
195. 3

August

7.3
6.2
7.6

.6
.8

-. 4
9-0
7. 4
2.9
4. 0
7.6

. 1
. 2
.6
.6
.6
.1
. 7
.7

6.9

.8

8.4

.4

8. 4
5.6

.8

5.8
7.5

.6
.4
.5
.4
.3

8.0

11.0
13. 7
13.9
13. 4
18. 1
8. 4

.3

. 2
.3

131.4

131. 7

.7

.2

209-8
178. 1
157.0
154. 5
145.8
144.9
163.4
197.8
129-9
143. 7
158.8

215. 1
178.9
157.9
158.3
154.4
146.8
165.4
201. 2
136. 1
144. 3
159. 1

11. 2
5. 1
4. 1

2. 5
.4
.6

4.8

2.5

-1. 5
-. 5
9-8
10. 9
5. 1
3. 7
4. 5

5.9

141.0
144. 1
132.6
146.7
112.8
143.0
138.7
191. 3
165. 7
141. 0
127.6
172. 5
171.7
140.6
145. 7
126.9

141. 0
145. 0
128.7
148. 2
114. 3
143.7
138.8
(5)

166.3
141. 3
128. 0
171. 7
172. 6
141. 5
146.5
126. 3

4.8

2. 5
-1. 1
8. 2
1. 4
3. 2
2.6
(5)

1. 2
1.7
4.8

.4
. 2
0

.6
-2.9
1.0

1. 3
.5
.1
(5)

7.8
2.9

2. 2
4. 1
4. 2
3. 5
2.7

3. 4

139-8

140.6

3. 0

144. 0
155. 7
136. 1
(5)
140. 1

144. 0
157. 4

2.8
4.9

140.6

3. 5

206. 7
186.8
153. 3
168. 4
131.9

207.8
186.0
154. 1
167. 5
130. 1

7. 6
2. 1
4. 1

187.9
242.9
269-4

188.8
242.8
267.7

10. 0
12.9

223.5
228. 2
225.6
224.9

223.6
229- 2
225.6
226.0

4.7
4.8
.0
9.4

172. 2
211. 2

174. 1
211.6

5.8

!•!

1.3

8

1.9

1. 6

.4
.2
.3

-.5
.5

.6
.5
-. 5
.6
0

1. 1

R

.4

.5
-. 4
.5
-. 5
-1. 4
.5

6.5

4. 2

0

-.6
0
.4
0
.5

1. 1
. 2

Table 4. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Item and group

Apparel and upkeep 6
Apparel commodities
Apparel commodities less footwear
Men's and boys'
Men's:
Topcoats and all-weather coats . .
Suits, year round weight
Sport jackets
Jackets, lightweight
Slacks, heavyweight
Slacks, lightweight
Trousers, work
Shirts, work
Shirts, business or dress
T-shirts
Socks
Handkerchiefs

Other
index
base

June 74

Boys':
Coats, heavyweight
Sport coats, wool or wool blends
Dungarees
Undershorts
Women's and girls'
Women's:
Coats, heavyweight
Carcoats, heavyweight
Sweaters
Skirts, winter weight
Skirts, summer weight
,
Blouses
Dresses, street, year round weight
Slips
Panties
Girdles
Brassieres
Hose or panty hose, nylon
Anklets or knee-length socks
Gloves, fabric
Handbags
Girls':
Raincoats
Skirts, fall and winter
Dresses
Slacks, fall and winter.
Slips
Handbags
Other apparel commodities
Diapers
Yard goods
Wrist watches, men's and women's
Footwear
Men's:
Shoes, street
Shoes, work, high
Women's:
Shoes, street, pump
Shoes, evening, pump
Shoes, casual
Houseslippers, scuff
Children's:
Shoes, oxford
Sneakers, boys', oxford type
Dress shoes, girls'
Apparel services:
Drycleaning
Automatic laundry service
Laundry, men's shirts
Tailoring charges
Shoe repairs
Transportation
Private 7
Automobiles, new
Automobiles, used
Gasoline, regular, premium, and unleaded . . .
Motor oil
Tires
Auto repairs (mechanical) and maintenance 8
Auto insurance premiums
Auto registration fees
Parking fees, private and municipal
See footnotes at end of table.




15

Percent change to
September 1977 from—

Indexes
August
1977

September
1977

September
1976

August
1977

154.8
152. 1
151. 1
154. 3

156.2
153. 5
152.6
155.8

4. 0
3. 4
3.2
3.8

0.9
•9
1. 0
1.0

155. 0
140.4
94.5
145.7
117. 0
150.4
175. 2
175.5
144. 1
179.7
139- 4
172. 5

156.0
141. 7
95.6
147.9
119- 0
151. 3
177. 2
176. 2
145.8
179.8
140. 7
174. 4

2.6
-3. 0
-4. 2
5.6
-2.2
3. 1
8.5
8.9
7. 0
11.7
3. 0
6. 5

.6
.9
1. 2
1. 5
1.7
.6
1. 1
.4
1. 2
.1
•9
1. 1

123.8
(5)
207. 5
172.0
147. 0

126. 1
130. 3
206. 7
173. 1
148.6

-.6
3. 1
6.5
9-6
2. 5

1.9
(5)
-.4
.6
1. 1

160.9
161. 0
(5)
(5)
148. 0
148. 5
153. 6
137. 2
160. 1
135.7
156. 5
93.3
139-3
133. 2
174.0

163. 4
166.3
152.9
159.6
146.7
149- 3
157. 2
136. 9
162. 3
138. 3
155.8
93.4
140. 1
127.9
172.8

1. 1
-. 3
9- 1
1. 4
4. 0
2-9
3.6
9-4
6.6
2.6
3. 1
.8
2.9
. 2
-. 5

1.6
3. 3
(5)
-.9
. 5
2. 3
-. 2
1.4
1.9
-. 4
.1
.6
-4.0
-. 7

123. 1
154. 3
136. 3
171. 3
143. 7
152.8
162. 1
211.7
174. 2
142. 1
157. 3

122.9
156. 2
139.8
176. 7
143.8
154. 3
163. 1
214.8
174. 2
142.7
158. 1

-13. 3
-4.8
-.3
2.3
3.8
7.8
6.0
12.6
8. 1
•9
3.8

-. 2
1. 2
2. 6
3.2
. 1
1. 0
.6
1. 5
0
.4
.5

165. 2
185.0

166. 4
185. 9

4. 4
7.8

. 7
.5

146.4
141. 3
157.2
152. 1

148.
141.
159.
152.

5
7
5
9

2.3
4. 3
2. 7
2.8

1. 4
.3
1.5
.5

159.6
155. 6
167. 5

160. 3
153. 6
166.8

3. 0
3. 0
3. 4

.4
-1. 3
-. 4

171. 6
161. 3
178.7
174. 6
163. 1

172. 5
161. 6
179- 3
177. 0
165.5

6. 5
11-9
6.7
8. 1
9.9

.
.
.
1.
1.

178.9
178. 3
141.6
186.4
190.8
166.4
137. 5
205.4
214.6
142. 2
195.4

178. 5
177.9
141. 1
182. 5
190. 5
167.0
138. 0
206.7
216.7
142. 2
195. 3

5.3
5. 5
5. 1
1. 3
4. 6
4.0
1. 5
7.7
11.6
7. 1
5. 0

-. 2
-. 2
-. 4
-2. 1
-. 2
.4
.4
.6
1. 0
0
-. 1

5
2
3
4
5

Table 4. CPI—nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Item and group

Other
index
base

Transportation—Continued
Public

Health and recreation
Medical care 9
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-infectives
Sedative and hypnotics
Ataractics
Antispasmodics
Cough preparations
Cardiovasculars and antihypertensives
Analgesics, internal
Hormones
Professional services:
Physicians' fees
General physician, office visits
General physician, house visits
Obstetrical cases
Pediatric care, office visits
Psychiatrist, office visits
Herniorrhapy, 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 series, upper Gl
Laboratory tests
Anti-infectives
Tranquilizers
Electrocardiogram
Intravenous solution
Physical therapy
Oxygen, inhalation therapy
Personal care
Toilet goods
Toothpaste, standard dentifrice
Toilet soap, hard-milled
Hand lotions
Shaving cream.
Face powder
Deodorants
Cleansing tissues
Home permanent wave kits
Personal care services
Men's haircuts
Beauty shop services
Women's haircuts
Shampoo and wave sets, plain
Permanent waves, cold
Reading and recreation 10
Recreational goods
TV sets, portable and console
TV replacement tubes
Radios, portable and table models
Tape recorders, portable
Phonograph records, stereophonic
Movie cameras, 8mm
Film, 35mm, color
Golf balls

Jan. 72

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

72
72
72
72
72
72
72

185.9
181. 1
232. 2
174.7
204.9
135.1
150.0
109.0
149.2
122.9
215.2
135.9
156. 1
122.8
75.1
173.5
117.2
151.9
203.4
126.2
125.8
122.4

176. 1
206. 3
135.9
150.8
109- 7
150. 2
122.5
216. 1
138.0
156.7
123. 5
75. 1
175. 1
117.8
153. 3
204. 6
126.4
126. 4
123.6

208.6
214.7
207. 2
208. 1
215.4
174. 5
186.1
205.8
187. 3
194.0
188.8
171.9

209-9
216. 2
208.8
210.9
216. 3
175.4
187. 3
206. 3
188.8
195. 3
190.4
173.9

169.8
170. 5
166.4
304.3
316. 5
191. 2
151.8
131.8
144.7
146.0
158.8
169- 2
143. 5
172. 1
168.9
143. 3
211. 2
175.6
140. 4
172. 3
125.8
237. 5
137.4
175.5
175. 2
175.9
210. 3
174. 2
144. 5
158. 1
130.8
101. 2
174.0
105.3
95.1
126. 5

170.7
172. 1
167.6
306. 3
318.7
192.8
150. 4
135.2
147. 2
146.4
159- 3
170.8
144. 1
172.8
169- 2
144. 5
211. 5
176. 2
137. 1
174. 1
126. 5
239-0
137.6
176.6
176. 0
177. 2
213.6
175.0
144.9
159.8
131.4
101. 4
176. 2
105. 3
95.0
127.0
96.3
134. 2
104.4

96.5

134. 1
104.0

16

September
1977
184.
179192.
186.
184.
232.

191.6

See footnotes at end of table.




August
1977
183.5
179-2

Local transit fares
Taxicab fares
Railroad fares, coach
Airplane fares, chiefly coach
Bus fares, intercity

Percent change to

Indexes

1
1
7
1
3
2

September ] 977 from—
September
August
1976
1977
4. 1
1.9

0. 3
-. 1

8.8

6

10. 2
14.0

1
1. 8
0

6. 5
9.8

8
7

6.7

6

7. 3

5

3.9

3.7
7.2

1. 0

15.6

4. 1
6.0

6. 1
2. 7
5.6

2. 3
10. 6
10. 7
3.9
4.5

10.8
9-2
9.3

8. 1
7. 2
10. 4
5.9

8. 3
12.9
8. 2
8. 7

6
7
-. 3
4
1. 5
4

6

o' 9
5

9
6
2
5
1. 0

6
7
8
1. 3
4

5
6

9-2
6.0

2
8
7
8
2
1.

6.4
4.9

9

10.6
11. 3
13. 1
7.6
6.8

9.6

13.6
6.2

8. 7
11. 3
9-1

6. 1
5.8

4. 2
10. 5
6.4

.3
1.9

4. 1

9-0
6. 1
6.6

5. 5
7. 3
10. 6
6.4

5. 2
4.6

2. 5
-1. 5
5. 6

. 1
-1. 5
2. 7
.4
5.0

.5

5
7
7
7
8
-. 9
2. 6
1. 7
3
3

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

6
6
1

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

Table 4. CPI —nonfood commodities and services, U.S. city average—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Item and group

August
1977
Health and recreation—Continued
Reading and recreation—Continued
Recreational goods—Continued
Basketballs, rubber or vinyl cover
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
Bowling fees, evening
Golf green fees
TV repair
Film developing
Reading and education:
Newspapers, street sale and delivery
Magazines, single copy and subscription
Piano lessons, beginner
Other goods and services
Tobacco products
Cigarettes, nonfilter tip, regular size
Cigarettes, filter tip, king size
Cigars, domestic, regular size
Alcoholic beverages

Beer, at home
Whiskey, spirit blended and straight bourbon
Wine, dessert and table
Beer, away from home
Financial and miscellaneous personal expenses:
Funeral services, adult
Bank service charges, checking account
Legal services, short form will
1

Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.
Also includes home purchase costs not shown separately.
3
Also includes pine shelving, furnace filters, packaged dry cement mix, and shrubbery
not shown separately.
4
Also includes window shades, nails, carpet sweepers, air deodorizers, steel wool
scouring pads, envelopes, reupholstering, and moving expenses.
5
Priced only in season.
6
Also includes men's sport shirts, women's and girls' lightweight coats, women's
slacks, bathing suits, girls' shorts, earrings, and zippers not shown separately.
2




17

Percent change to

Indexes

Other
index

7

September 1977 fron

September
1977

September
1976

150. 4
128. 6
134.7
148. 2
155.3
183. 3
162.4
186. 3
177.6
210.9
192. 1
153.0
174. 7
109- 7
122. 0

150.6
128. 3
134.4
148. 4
156. 3
185.5
163.5
188.9
178.9
217. 4
192. 4
155.0
174. 5
110. 2
121. 3

1.6
3. 2
2.8
1. 1
3.0
7.3
4. 2
5.2
3.0
10.8
5. 4
5.3
4. 1

194. 6
204. 1
153.8
159- 1
167. 4
169.6
170.4
134.8
151. 1
145.8
118. 0
161.8
173.9

195. 0
204. 1
156. 1
160.6
170. 0
172.6
172.9
135. 5
151.9
146.6
118. 5
163. 1
174.8

6.8
8.6
5. 5
4. 4
5.9
6. 1
5.9
3.9
2.8
1.8
1.. 7

3. 1
4. 3

.8
. 5

157. 3
133.9
215. 4

157. 6
134. 4
216.0

4. 5
3.9
7. 1

. 2
.4
. 3

2. 7
-1.9

August
1977

0. 1
-. 2
-. 2
.1
.6
1. 2
.7
1.4
.7
3. 1
.2
1. 3
-. 1
.5
-. 6

.2
0
1.5
.9
1. 6

1.8
1. 5
.5
.5
.5
.4

Also includes storage batteries and drivers' license fees not shown separately.
Includes prices for water pump replacement, motor tune-up, automatic transmission repair, front-end alignment, and chassis lubrication; does not include prices for
auto body repairs. In the CPI this component represents consumers' direct, out-ofpocket expenses for automobile repairs and maintenance.
9
Also includes health insurance not shown separately.
1
° Also includes outboard motors, nondurable toys, college tuition fees, paperback
books, and college textbooks, not shown separately.
8

Table 5. CPI-selected areas, all items index
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers)
Pricing
schedule2

Area 1

Indexes
Percent change frcm—

Other
bases

1957-59=100

1967=100

S e p t e m b e r 1977

September

1976

June
1977

August
1977

U.S. city average

M

184.0

214.0

6.6

1.2

0.4

Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles—Long Beach
N Y -Northeastern N J
Philadelphia

M
M
M
M
M

178.5
182.8
181.6
187.3
186.5

202.8
210.0
213.6
222.9
217.8

6.6
6.7
6.4
4.9
6.9

1.9
1.0
1.2
.6
1.5

.7
.1
.6
.1
.8

July 1977

July
1976

April
1977

221,6
219.2
213.8
207.7

5.5
8.1
7.5
7.2

1.6
1.6
2.7
1.4

August 1977

August
1976

May
1977

1
1
1
1

Boston
Houston
Minneapolis—St Paul
Pittsburgh

185.0
191.6
184.5
180.6

182.7
181.1
182.4
178.7
184.1
180.2
185.5

2
2
2
2
2
2
2

Buffalo
Cleveland
Dallas
Milwaukee
San Diego
Seattle
Washington

3

200.8

3

201.7

197.2

4

193.5

211.8
216.1

September
1976

September 1977

Atlanta
Baltimore
Cincinnati
Honolulu
Kansas City
St Louis
San Francisco—Oakland

.

. .

3
3
3
3
3
3
3

5

183.0
188.8
185.2
173.4
180.6
179.1
184.0

6

0.8
.7
1.7
.4
1.9
2.3
1.8

6.2
6.2
7.9
5.7
7.0
8.8
7.2

204.5

6.6

210.5
219.2
210.2
7

7.0
7.6
5.7
7.1
7.2
8.3

186.9

214.4
209.2
219.0

June
1977

2.2
1.6
1.8
1.7
.9
1.0
1.8

1
Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metro3 — March, June, September, and December.
politan Statistical Area (SMSA) except for New York and Chicago which have more
November 1963=100.
extensive Standard Consolidated Areas. Area definitions were established for the 1960
February 1965=100.
Census and exclude revisions made since 1960.
Revised index for June 1977, 182.0.
2
Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all cities; most other
Revised index for June 1977, 206.6.
goods and services priced as indicated:
December 1963=100.
M — Every month.
1 — January, April, July, and October.
NOTE: Price changes within areas are found in the Consumer Price Index; differences
2 — February, May, August, and November.
in living costs among areas are found in family budgets.

Table 6. CPI—areas 1 priced monthly, by expenditure class, percent change from August 1977 to September 1977
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)
U.S.
city
average

Chicago

Detroit

Los AngelesLong Beach

All items

0.4

0.7

0.1

0.6

Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care.
Reading and recreation .
Other goods and services

-.4
.7
.9
-.2
.8
.7
.4

.5

-.8
.4
.3
-.2
.7
.6
2
()
1.3

.1
.9

Expenditure class

.9

1.9
-.5
1.0
.8
(2)
.6
1.1

1.1
.9

See footnote 1, table 5.




Not available.

18

.9

1.1
-.4
.8
.7

U

New Y o r k Northeastern
New Jersey

Philadelphia

0.1

0.8

-1, 1
.4
.7
-.2
.8
.3
2
()
1.9
.6

.5
1.2
.3
.9
.8
.8
1.3

Table 7. CPI—selected areas1, by expenditure class
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)
New Y o r k Northeastern
New Jersey

U.S.
city
average

Chicago

All items

184.0

178.5

182.8

181.6

187.3

186.5

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

194.5
192.2
184.9
182.1
175.4
183.2
232.6
203.7

195.2
194.3
187.1
185.0
169.4
196.2
237.3
198.8

187.9
185.1
197.7
173.6
175.7
159.4
226. 1
200.3

188.3
186.5
183.2
179.7
160.9
172.9
227.4
193.2

196.4
197.1
188.0
180.0
179.0
198.6
246.4
194.9

200.1
196.0
192.1
187.1
179.2
188.6
235.7
217.4

Housing
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation.

192.7
194.7
155.3
209.1
205.5
285.1
218.0
178.9

175.8
177.3
144.5
192.0
178.2
279.3
188.3
169.4

186.8
190.6

194.0
191.9

198.3
205.6
285.7
219.6
162.6

192.2
200.5
160.4
212.9
169.5

Apparel and upkeep..
Men's and b o y s ' . . .
Women's and girls'.
Footwear

156.2
155.8
148.6
158. 1

146.4
137.5
140.3
151.5

Transportation.
Private

178.5
177.9
184. 1

Expenditure class

Los AngelesLong Beach

Detroit

Philadelphia

Indexes, September 1977

Public
Health and recreation
Medical care
Personal care
Reading and recreation . .
Other goods and services .

All items..

'

199.9
174.4

206.0
226.3
292.5
260.7
180.3

148.0
154.8
132.5
149.1

145.2
136.6
140.3
149.1

152.9
143.3
147.7
155.8

195.2
204.7
167.9
214.3
197.2
275.3
206.2
176.4
144.4
148.6
126.5
153.2

182.0
181.8
183.6

177.3
177.4
174.0

181.7
183.5
149.2

194.7
184.8
232.8

185.8
187.0
178.9

176.1
206.3
172.8
159.8
160.6

177.8
211.3
173.4
158.7
164.7

190.8
243.2
2
()

182.0
219.5
2

181.0
226.9
2

158.6
165.6

172.7
208. 1
160.4
145.9
160.8

168.0
163.0
Percent changes June 1977 to September 1977

158.8
160.7

1.2

1.9

1.0

1.2

0.6

1.5
.5
.5

-1.5

2

()

-

2

()

()

()

.5
.2
1.1
2.0
.6

2.3
2.9
4.2
2.9
2.2

-.3
-.4
2.4
0
.9

.9
.6
.8
3.3
2.9

-.3
-.6
1.2
1.0
.2

-6.9

-2.6

-11.7

-6.3

-7.8

-5.3

Housing
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation .

2.0
2.3
1.6
2.6
1.8
.7
2.3
1.0

2.7
4.2

1.4
1.4
(2)
1.5
.9
0
-.5
1.4

1.6
1.6
1.0
2.5
3.0
1.6

.8
1.1
2
()
1.3
.3
.9
0
.2

2.3
2.6
M.O
2.8
2.7
.4
5.3
1.8

Apparel and upkeep..
Men's and b o y s ! . . .
Women's and girls'.
Footwear

1.5
1.3
1.8
.8

2.6
1.1
4.4
.9

-2.5

.9
-.1
1.1
-.1

2.8
1.3
5.3
1.2

2.0
1.6
4.4
-.1

Transportation.
Private
Public

-.4
-.4
.5

-1.0
.1

.3
.3
.4

-.1
-.1
.3

-.2
-.3
.2

.5
.6
.2

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

1.7
2.2
1.3
1.4
1.4

1.9
2.0
2.7
.9
2.6

2.3
3.3
1.7
1.9
1.4

1.8
2.5
1.7
1.0
1.6

.9
1.1
.9
1.8
-.2

2.0
3.5
1.3
.6
1.5

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

6.3
.3

2.0
1.5

M.3
5.0
-.4
.6

-1.5
.2

-.9

See footnotes at end of table.




19

4.8
.1

.5
1.5
.2

.7
1.6

3

1.7

1.3
.8

1.0
2.1

4.2
.4

Table 7. CPI-selected areas1, by expenditure class—Continued
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers. 1967=100)
Expenditure class

Atlanta

Baltimore

Cincinnati

Honolulu

St.
Louis

San
FranciscoOakland

180.6

179.1

184.0
190.2
191.7
180.9
186.8
168.4
171.8
241.6
185.1

Kansas
City

Indexes, September 1977
All items

183.0

188.8

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

199.9
198.8
188.7
182.9
194.6
203.1
226.2
203.4

199.4
196.9
178.8
187.8
173.6
197.6
238.8
208.9

Housing
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation.

190.7
192.6
136.9
208.9
201.8
214.5
180.9

206.3
218.9
145.5
249.7
196.5
283.3
203.2
184.0

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

159.1
169.9
154.3
139.4

Transportation
Private
Public

163.2
168.1

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

4

185.2

173.4

201.1
202.9
196.9
187.4
179.6
199.5
252.6
193.9

196.0
191.9
172.4
190.6
190.8
190.5
213.5
207.7

196.1
191.5
183.8
178.7
184.5
177.5
228.3
210.6

195.8
194.8
196.6
176.9
184.5
184.7
237.3
200.5

189.1
187.1
136.4
210.7
232.6

165.5
161.2
165.0
158.6
186.9

186.2
188.6
133.3
210.2
191.6

197.3
199.9
166.9
216.3
213.9

253.1
169.5

210.1
166.1

229.6
176.9

181.7
180.0
128.4
194.7
192.3
287.2
204.9
178.3

164.8
169.0
146.9
172.8

164.3
159.9
161.5
173.9

152.9
153.8
136.6
152.6

166.5
179.5
159.6
167.9

152.6
151.6
145.8
160.5

152.2
155.2
142.8
152.0

98.6

169.6
170.5
162.7

167.8
174.1
119.7

159.9
166.2
126.5

170.7
171.5
154.6

169.6
174.8
107.5

177.7
178.8
156.5

179.8
217.3
177.7
160.4
146.8

176.3
209.5
167.3
157.7
169.6

182.0
224.8
170.4
149.9
174.8

174.8
209.9
181.8
165.0
144.9

172.2
193.3
177.2
152.5
166.4

173.9
190.4
174.4
157.3
168.4

174.9
205.0
173.0
152.2
157.2

5

218.6
181.2

Percent changes June 1977 to September 1977
All items

2.2

1.6

1.6

1.7

0.9

1.0

1.8

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

2.0
2.1
-.7
3.5
3.2
-5.9
6.5
2.0

.8
.6
4.7
2.1
.3
-6.6
2.0
1.5

1.6
1.5
3.7
1.9
2.9
-3.9
3.5
1.9

1.9
1.7
3.5
1.7
.9
1.9
1.0
2.1

.5
.1
1.8
1.5
.2
-5.0
.3
1.6

-.2
-.7
.7
1.3
2.4
-8.3
-.2
1.7

.7
.4
.9
3.1
1.8

2.5
2.6
1.2
2.8
4.9

3.4
4.1
1.7
4.8
3.6
.4
5.6
1.3

1.9
2.3
2.7
2.2
4.8

2.0
.9
.9
.8
8.5

1.5
1.3
2.0
1.2
1.6

3.1
2.4
1.9
2.6
10.8

4.5

4.9
1.4

2.1
1.8

2.1
2.2
1.2
2.3
2.3
.3
4.0
1.7

3.9
1.2
9.1
2.2

1.0
4.3

5. 1

1.2
1.2
2.0
1.7

3.3
3.5
4.5
2.6

1.3
1.8
.8
2.1

1.5
2.3
1.2
1.4

Transportation
Private
Public

-.6
-.7
.3

-.7
-.9
.1

-1.2
-1.2
.3

-.6
-.8
1.1

-1.3
-1.3
.1

-.7
-.9
1.6

-.2
-.2
.2

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

1.5
1.3
1.2
1.3
2.5

1.3
.9
1.1
1.6
1.4

2.1
2.0
2.1
1.9
2.5

2.6
4.6
3.8
.5
2.3

1.8
1.6
1.8
2.3
1.6

2.0
2.4
1.3
1.2
2.6

2.5
3.3
2.5
1.3
2.5

Housing
Shelter
Rent, residential
Homeownership
Fuel and utilities
Fuel oil and coal
Gas and electricity
Household furnishings and operation.
Apparel and upkeep
Men's and boys'
Women's and boys'
Footwear

1
2
3

7.4
.9
6.8
10.3

9.4

See footnote 1, table 5.
Not available.
Change from July 1977.




-2.9
1.8

Revised index: June 1977,182.0.
Revised index: June 1977,184.7.

20

-6.9
.5
2.1

3.3
1.6

Table 8. CPI—food groups, selected areas
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)
Food at home
Area

1

Total
food

Total

Cereals
and
bakery
products

Meats,
poultry,
and fish

Dairy
products

U.S. city average

194.5

192.2

Indexes, September 1977
T
184.9
182. 1
175.4

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

199.9
199.4
193.8
191.1
195.2
201. 1
193.6
194.2
187.9
196.0
200.4
196.1
188.3
192.3
198.6
196.4
200.1
196.1
195.8
192.8
190.2
190.8
202.8

198.8
196.9
191.1
189.0
194.3
202.9
191.9
188.4
185.1
191.9
193.0
19U5
186.5
189.6
191.5
197.1
196.0
192.5
194.8
180.3
191.7
189.4
197.1

188.7
178.8
189.8
185.4
187.1
196.9
193.4
185.6
197.7
172.4
180.8
183.8
183.2
186.2
194.8
188.0
192.1
194.4
196.6
173.8
180.9
183.8
199.5

182.9
187.8
182.8
178.8
185.0
187.4
183.2
177.8
173.6
190.6
189.8
178.7
179.7
182.4
183.2
180.0
187. 1
186.4
176.9
174.6
186.8
184.6
179.7

194.6
173.6
169.1
174.8
169.4
179.6
181.1
170.8
175.7
190.8
182.0
184.5
160.9
179.8
188.2
179.0
179.2
171.6
184.5
162.8
168.4
172.0
158.6

Fruits
and

vegetables

Other
foods
home

Food
away
from
home

183.2

232.6

203.7

203.1
197.6
182.1
175.1
196.2
199.5
173.9
179.1
159.4
190.5
192.0
177.5
172.9
179.0
173.4
198.6
188.6
179.6
184.7
171.9
171.8
166.8
195.3

226.2
238.8
233.3
229.2
237.3
252.6
226.0
219.6
226.1
213.5
212.6
228.3
227.4
217.7
216.2
246.4
235.7
226.9
237.3
213.2
241.6
230.5
248.7

203.4
208.9
203.6
203.3
198.8
193.9
202.7
215.3
200.3
207.7
226.2
210.6
193.2
(2)
229.7
194.9
217.4
218.0
200.5
(2)
185.1
195.5
217.5

-4.6

0.1

0.3

-1.8
-3.3
-4.0
-4.8
.6
-4.0
-4.8
-3.5
-8.9
-.8
-3.7
-2.3
-3.9
-4.5
-5.7
-6.8
-.3
-6.1
-7.5
-4.1
-4.7
-7.4
-3.0

.5
U5
.8
.7
.3
1.0
.8
-1.2
2.1
0
-.6
-.7
0

1.3
.1
.2
.2
0
1.2
-.1
.3
0
1.0
.1
.7
.6
2
()
.3
-.1
.1
.3
.7

Percent changes, August 1977 to September 1977
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

-0.4
.3
.4
.2
.1
.5
.3
.7
-.1
-.8
.2
-.9
.2

.1
-.2
-.6
-1.1
.5
-.3
-.7
-.3
-.3
-.8
.3

-0.5

1.2
-.1
2.0
1.8
2.1
1.0
4.8
6.4
2.5
2.2
-.4
.3
2.6
1.5
3.6
-.9
.8
1.2
2.1
1.0
.4
2.8
2.9
5.1

.4
.2
.1
.6
.1
.7
-.3
-1.1
-.2
-1.2
.1
-.2
-.2
-.9

-1.4
.5
-.4
-.9
-.4
-.5

-1.1
.3

See footnote 1, table 5.




Not available.

21

0.2
-. 1
.8
1.1
1.2
.5
-.2
1.5
1. 1
-1.4
.1
-1.3
1.0
.7
-.4
-.4
-.4
.3
1.4
.1
.1
-.3
.1
-1.3

0.2
1.3
.9
.1
.2
.8

1.2
-.1
-.2
.3
.3
-.7
-.3
.5
-.2
2.8
0
.3
1. 1
.7
.2
.1
.5

.9

-.6
-.6
1.2
-.9
.4
.3
-. 1
-1.2
2.1

(2)
.3
.4
.4

Table 9. CPI—gasoline indexes, U.S. city average and selected areas
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, January 1976=100)
Leaded regular gasoline
Percent change
to Sept.
1977 from—

Index

Area1

August
1977

September
1977

Premium gasoline

Unleaded regular gasoline
Percent change
to Sept.
1977 from—

Index

August
1977

August
1977

September
1977

August
1977

Percent change
to Sept.
1977 from—

Index

August
1977

September
1977

U.S. city average

107.9

107.7

-0.2

110.2

110. 1

-0. 1

108.7

108.7

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

106.4
105.2
106.6
108.0
108.4
107. 3
104. 3
111.0
107. 8
105.2
110.5
109.4
108.2
109.6
109.4
104.9
106.3
107.2
109.0
106.4
108.0
111.6
107.0

108. 1
104.8
106.3
106.8
107.6
107.2
105.4
110.7
107.5
105.4
110.0
109.2
108.4
109.0
108.7
104.4
106.3
107. 8
108.5
106.9
108.1
111.4
106.4

1.6
-.4
-. 3
-1.1
-.7
-.1
1. 1
-. 3
-. 3
.2
-.5
-.2
.2
-.5
-.6
-.5
0
.6
-.5
.5
. 1
-.2
-.6

112.4
108.5
112.0
109.2
110.2
110.3
108.8
113.0
112.5
106.0
112.5
112.3
109.6
112. 1
112.3
108.5
110.5
110.2
110.7
108.6
107.9
111.9
110.3

113.8
108.7
112. 1
107. 8
109.7
110.2
109. 3
113. 1
112.4
106.4
112. 1
111.9
110.0
111.8
111.5
108. 6
110.2
110.4
110.5
109.0
107.9
112.1
110.3

1.2
.2
. l
-1. 3
-.5
-. 1
.5
. 1
-.1
.4
-.4
-.4
.4
-.3
-.7
.1
-. 3
.2
-.2
.4
0
.2
0

110.5
107.0
108. 8
109.0
109. 1
107. 6
105.7
111.0
109.9
105. 1
109.9
109.5
107.8
109.8
110.0
106.7
108.1
109.3
108.9
106.7
106.6
111. 3
108.6

111.9
107.0
108.8
107.5
108.4
107.5
106.8
111.0
110. 1
105.4
109.7
109.4
108.2
109.3
109.7
106.9
108.2
109.5
108.8
107. 1
106.5
111.5
108.5

August
1977
0
1.3
0
0
-1.4
-.6
-.1
1.0
0
.2
. 3
-.2
-.1
.4
-.5
-. 3
.2
. 1
.2
-.1
.4
-. 1
.2
-. 1

1
Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metro- extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used. Area definitions are those established
politan Statistical Area (SMSA) except for New York and Chicago where the more for the 1960 Census and do not include revisions made since 1960.

Table 10. CPI—gasoline average prices, U.S. city average and selected areas
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers)
Leaded regular gasoline

Unleaded regular gasoline
Average price per gallon

Area 1

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

September
1977

July
1977

August
1977

September
1977

July
1977

August
1977

September
1977

July
1977

August
1977

$0,631

$0,630

$0,629

$0,667

$0. 667

$0,666

$0,683

$0,684

$0,684

.618
.631
.624
.641
.650
.618
.611
.597
.625
.721
.585
.607
.633
.597
.629
.625
.623
.627
.624
.646
.663
.641
.649

.614
.629
.624
.641
.650
.617
.611
.597
.625
.721
.582
.606
.631
.596
.629
.627
.620
.623
.618
.641
.663
.640
.644

.624
.626
.622
.634
.645
.617
.617
.595
.623
.722
.580
.605
.633
.593
.625
.624
.620
.626
.615
.645
.663
.639
.640

.676
.666
.673
.671
.697
.654
.646
.628
.680
.738
.615
.642
.668
.633
.666
.667
.677
.664
.648
.685
.681
.664
.694

.675
.666
.673
.674
.696
.653
.647
.628
.680
.738
.614
.640
.669
.634
.664
.667
.676
.663
.645
.682
.682
.664
.692

.684
.667
.674
.665
.693
.653
.650
.628
.679
.740
.612
.637
.672
.632
.659
.668
.674
.664
.643
.685
.682
.665
.692

.694
.689
.684
.695
.701
.672
.664
.642
.695
.765
.633
.658
.677
.651
.697
.692
.695
.681
.672
.697
.703
.688
.712

.693
.689
.684
.699
.701
.670
.664
.642
.694
.764
.633
.656
.676
.651
.697
.692
.693
.683
.669
.693
.703
.688
.712

.701
.689
.684
.689
.696
.669
.671
.642
.696
.766
.632
.655
.678
.648
.695
.694
.694
.684
.668
.696
.702
.689
.711

Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropoli tan Statistical Area (SMSA) except for New York and Chicago where the more




Premium gasoline

extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used. Area definitions are those established
for the 1960 Census and do not include revisions made since 1960.

22

Table 11. CPI-by population size1
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Area and group

Relative
importance
December 1976 September 1976

United States:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

Percent change to

Indexes (1967=100)
June 1977

September 1977 fron
September 1977September 1976

June 1977

100.000
23.667
34.202
9. 194
13.548
19.013

172. 6
181.6
179. 5
150.2
169.5
165. 3

181. 8
193. 6
189. 0
153. 9
179. 2
173. 2

184. 0
194. 5
192. 7
156. 2
178. 5
176. 1

6.6
7. 1
7.4
4.0
5. 3
6.5

1.2
.5
2. 0
1.5
-.4
1.7

Class A-1 (3.5 million or more):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

32.358
7.943
10.747
2.984
4.396
6.288

173.9
182.5
178.4
146.0
177. 6
169.7

182. 1
193. 7
186. 7
146. 1
187. 1
177. 7

184. 0
194. 6
189. 4
149. 4
186. 7
180. 4

5.8
6.6
6.2
2.3
5. 1
6.3

1.0
.5
1.4
2. 3
-.2
1.5

Class A-2 (1.4 million to 3.5 million):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

11.763
2.831
4.021
1.083
1.582
2.246

171.9
182.5
175.5
149.7
171.3
165.6

181. 6
194. 9
185. 8
153. 4
181. 8
173. 8

183. 9
195. 0
190. 5
155. 6
181. 2
176. 8

7.0
6.8
8.5
3.9
5.8
6.8

1. 3
.1
2.5
1.4
-.3
1.7

Class B (250,000 to 1.4 million):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

25.678
5.840
8.966
2.384
3.576
4.913

171. 6
181.3
178.6
153.6
164.3
163.7

181. 2
194. 0
188. 6
158. 8
174. 0
171. 5

183. 6
195. 1
192. 8
162. 1
172. 9
174. 3

7.0
7.6
8.0
5.5
5.2
6.5

1. 3
.6
2.2
2. 1
-.6
1.6

Class C (50,000 to 250,000):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

12.537
2.940
4.358
1. 182
1.710
2.346

171.9
180.4
181. 1
152.2
165.3
161.8

181. 5
192. 7
191. 5
159. 2
174. 7
169. 0

183. 7
193. 9
194. 9
160. 0
174. 2
172. 6

6.9
7.5
7.6
5. 1
5.4
6.7

1.2
.6
1.8
.5
-.3
2. 1

Class D (2,500 to 50,000):
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep
Transportation
Health and recreation

17.288
4. Ill
6. 110
1.562
2.285
3.220

173.0
180.7
183.7
151.7
165.3
162. 1

182. 7
192. 9
193. 7
158. 3
175. 2
170. 4

184. 8
193. 7
197. 9
158. 1
174. 6
173. 6

6.8
7.2
7. 7
4.2
5.6
7. 1

1. 1
.4
2.2
-. 1
-.3
1.9

Based upon 1960 Census of Population.




23

Table 12. CPI-by region
(Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, 1967=100)

Area and group

Relative1
importance

Percent change to
September 1977 from—

December 1976 September 1976

United States:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation

100.000
23.667
34.202
9.194
13.548
19.013

June 1977

September 1977 September 1976

June 1977

172.6
181.6
179.5
150.2
169.5
165.3

181.8
193.6
189.0
153.9
179.2
173.2

184.0
194.5
192.7
156.2
178.5
176. 1

6.6
7. 1
7.4
4.0
5.3
6.5

1.2
.5
2.0
1.5
-.4
1.7

Northeast:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation

32.560
8.354
10.600
3.219
4. 178
6.210

175.2
183.9
181. 1
150.9
177.7
167.6

183.4
194.8
190.0
152.5
187.0
174.7

184.9
195.2
191.9
155.7
187.0
176.9

5.5
6. 1
6.0
3.2
5.2
5.5

.8
.2
1.0
2. 1
0
1.3

North Central:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation

27.937
6.560
9.608
2.456
3.925
5.389

169.8
181. 1
172.3
149.2
166.2
165.7

179.5
193.5
181. 6
154.4
177.0
174.6

181.6
193.8
185.7
155.7
175.9
178.0

6.9
7.0
7.8
4.4
5.8
7.4

1.2
.2
2.3
.8
-.6
1.9

South:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation

22.078
5.043
7.763
2. 117
3.033
4. 122

175.1
184.2
185.8
153.7
165. 1
166.0

184.4
196.2
195. 2
159. 1
174.7
174. 1

187.3
198.5
200.2
162.0
173.5
177.3

7.0
7.8
7.8
5.4
5. 1
6.8

1.6
1.2
2.6
1.8
-.7
1.8

West:
All items
Food
Housing
Apparel and upkeep .
Transportation
Health and recreation

16.590
3.585
6.091
1.369
2.351
3. 193

169.7
174.7
180.6
144.8
167. 1
159.9

179.7
188.6
191.9
148.4
175.8
167.5

182.2
189.7
196.5
149.5
175.5
170.7

7.4
8.6
8.8
3.2
5.0
6.8

1.4
.6
2.4
.7
-.2
1.9

1
Regional index and relative importance data exclude Anchorage, Alaska, and relative importances will not add to U.S. totals.
Honolulu, Hawaii which are included in the U.S. level data. Consequently, regional




24

Appendix: Technical Notes
Brief Explanation of the CPI *
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 SI2.20.

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 establishments—
grocery and department stores, hospitals, filling stations,
and other types of stores and service establishments.
Prices of food, 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

A Note About Calculating Index Changes
period. BLS does not publish annual rates based on
data for 1 month.

Movements of the indexes from one 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 example in the
accompanying box illustrates the computation of index
point and percent changes.
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.
Percent changes for 3-month and 6-month periods
are expressed as annual rates and 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 12-month

Index Point Change
j
j

CPI
Less previous index
Equals index pomt change:

j

123.8
123.2
0.6

Percent Change

j

Index point difference.

I
1

Divided by the previous index,
Equals,
Results multiplied by one hundred
Equals percent change:

0.6
123.2
0.005
0.005x100
0.5

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




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 are also 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.
25

Reliability of Percent Changes in the CPI
changes in the CPI for all items and for nine commodity
groupings based on 1975 averages. The figures may be
interpreted as follows: The chances 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 month-to-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 for a 1-month period
is always significant.
This replaces the table of average errors based on 1975
data which was included in the CPI report through
December 1976.

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 annual percent

Average standard errors of percent changes in the
CPI based on 1976 data
Standard error
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

Quarterly
change

Annual
change

.04
.10
.08
.06
.15
.07
.14
.16
.09

.05
.11
.14
.10
.27
.12
.19
.26
.16

.10
.22
.31
.18
.25
.20
.27
.64
.33

.11

.12

.18

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.

26

Bureau of Labor Statistics
Regional Offices

,\O»* W

REGION II
PUERTO RICO J r ^ <
9
*
»
• ^ > O \
U S

VIRGIN ISLANDS

Region I
1603 JFK Federal Building
Government Center
Boston, Mass. 02203
Phone:(617)223-6761

Region IV
1371 Peachtree Street, NE.
Atlanta, Ga. 30309
Phone:(404)881-4418

Regions VII and VIII*
911 Walnut Street
Kansas City, Mo. 64106
Phone:(816)374-2481

Region II
Suite 3400
1515 Broadway
New York, N.Y 10036
Phone:(212)399-5405

Region V
9th Floor
Federal Office Building
230 S. Dearborn Street
Chicago, III. 60604
Phone:(312)353-1880

Regions IX and X**
450 Golden Gate Avenue
Box 36017
San Francisco, Calif. 94102
Phone:(415)556-4678

Region III
3535 Market Street
P.O. Box 13309
Philadelphia, Pa. 19101
Phone:(215)596-1154

Region VI
Second Floor
555 Griffin Square Building
Dallas, Tex. 75202
Phone: (214) 749-3516




* Regions VII and VIII are serviced
by Kansas City
**Regions IX and X are serviced
by San Francisco

'