FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Patrick C. Jackman (202) 606-7000 USDL-97-127 CPI QUICKLINE: (202) 606-6994 TRANSMISSION OF MATERIAL IN FOR CURRENT AND HISTORICAL THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED INFORMATION: (202) 606-7828 UNTIL 8:30 A.M. (EDT) MEDIA CONTACT: (202) 606-5902 Tuesday, April 15, 1997 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://stats.bls.gov/cpihome.htm CONSUMER PRICE INDEX: MARCH 1997 The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent before seasonal adjustment in March to a level of 160.0 (1982- 84=100), the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. For the 12-month period ended in March, the CPI-U increased 2.8 percent. The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) rose 0.1 percent in March, prior to seasonal adjustment. The March 1997 CPI-W level of 157.0 was 2.7 percent higher than the index in March 1996. CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U rose 0.1 percent in March, following an increase of 0.3 percent in February. The food index, which advanced 0.3 percent in February, was unchanged in March. Grocery store food prices decreased 0.2 percent, reflecting declines in the indexes for meats, poultry, fish and eggs, and for dairy products. The energy index registered its first decrease since August, declining 1.7 percent. The index for petroleum-based energy fell 2.2 percent, and the index for energy services declined 1.3 percent. Excluding food and energy, the CPI- U rose 0.2 percent, the same as in February. Airline fares increased 4.5 percent in March, following declines of 3.2 and 2.6 percent in January and February, respectively. This advance was essentially offset by a downturn in the index for apparel and upkeep and a smaller increase in shelter costs. Table A. Percent changes in CPI for Urban Consumers (CPI-U) Seasonally adjusted Un- Compound adjusted Expenditure Changes from preceding month annual rate 12-mos. Category 1996 1997 3-mos. ended ended Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Mar. '97 Mar. '97 All Items .3 .3 .3 .3 .1 .3 .1 1.8 2.8 Food and beverages .5 .5 .4 .0 -.2 .3 .0 .5 3.3 Housing .2 .3 .3 .2 .3 .3 .0 2.3 2.8 Apparel and upkeep .5 .2 .3 .1 .4 .2 -.3 1.2 -.2 Transportation .5 .3 .3 .6 -.2 -.1 .1 -.8 2.6 Medical care .3 .2 .3 .2 .2 .2 .4 3.0 3.0 Entertainment .1 .3 .2 .3 .0 .2 .2 1.5 2.3 Other goods and services .1 .3 .4 .1 .4 .5 .5 5.4 3.9 Special Indexes: Energy .2 1.1 1.2 1.5 .8 .3 -1.7 -2.8 4.8 Food .5 .5 .4 .0 -.3 .3 .0 .3 3.3 All items less food and energy .3 .2 .2 .2 .1 .2 .2 2.4 2.5 For the first three months of 1997, the CPI-U advanced at a 1.8 percent seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). This compares with an increase of 3.3 percent in all of 1996. Changes in the food and energy components, which had accelerated in 1996 after acting as moderating influences throughout most of the preceding five years, were largely responsible for the deceleration thus far in 1997. Grocery store food prices declined at a 1.3 percent SAAR in the first three months, reflecting price decreases for meats and dairy products, groups which had risen substantially in 1996. The energy index, which increased 8.6 percent in 1996, declined at a 2.8 percent SAAR in the first quarter of 1997. Petroleum-based energy costs decreased at a 8.0 percent SAAR, while charges for energy services increased at a 3.3 percent annual rate. The CPI-U excluding food and energy advanced at a 2.4 percent SAAR in the first three months of 1997, about the same rate as the 2.6 percent rise for all of 1996. The rates for selected groups during the past eight and 1/4 years are shown below. SAAR Percent change 12 months 3 ended in December months ended in March 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 All Items 4.6 6.1 3.1 2.9 2.7 2.7 2.5 3.3 1.8 Food and beverages 5.5 5.3 2.5 1.6 2.7 2.7 2.1 4.2 .5 Housing 3.9 4.5 3.4 2.6 2.7 2.2 3.0 2.9 2.3 Apparel and upkeep 1.0 5.1 3.4 1.4 .9 -1.6 .1 -.2 1.2 Transportation 4.0 10.4 -1.5 3.0 2.4 3.8 1.5 4.4 -.8 Medical care 8.5 9.6 7.9 6.6 5.4 4.9 3.9 3.0 3.0 Entertainment 5.1 4.3 3.9 2.8 2.8 2.3 3.3 2.9 1.5 Other goods and services 8.2 7.6 8.0 6.5 2.7 4.2 4.3 3.6 5.4 Special Indexes Energy 5.1 18.1 -7.4 2.0 -1.4 2.2 -1.3 8.6 -2.8 Food 5.6 5.3 1.9 1.5 2.9 2.9 2.1 4.3 .3 All items less food and energy 4.4 5.2 4.4 3.3 3.2 2.6 3.0 2.6 2.4 The food and beverage index was unchanged in March. The index for grocery store food prices, which increased 0.5 percent in February, fell 0.2 percent in March. The downturn in March reflects declines in the indexes for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs and for dairy products, coupled with a sharp deceleration in the index for fruits and vegetables. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs declined for the third consecutive month--down 0.9 percent in March. Price declines were registered for beef, pork, poultry, and eggs; prices for fish and seafood increased 1.3 percent. The 0.1 percent decrease in the index for dairy products was the fifth consecutive month that this component did not increase. During the last five months, the index for dairy products fell 2.1 percent after registering increases totaling 8.5 percent in the preceding five-month period. The index for fruits and vegetables, which increased 3.0 percent in February, rose 0.1 percent in March. The index for fresh vegetable prices, which increased 8.9 percent in February, declined 1.8 in March. The index for fresh fruits increased 1.4 percent. The indexes for cereal and bakery products and for other food at home rose 0.3 and 0.1 percent, respectively. The other two components of the food and beverage index-- restaurant meals and alcoholic beverages-- increased 0.3 percent and declined 0.1 percent, respectively. The housing component, which rose 0.3 percent in February, was unchanged in March. Each of the three major housing groups--shelter, fuel and other utilities, and household furnishings and operations--contributed to the moderation. Shelter costs increased 0.2 percent, following a 0.3 percent rise in February. In March, within shelter, renters' costs rose 0.3 percent; homeowners' costs, 0.2 percent; and maintenance and repair costs, 0.1 percent. The index for fuel and other utilities turned down in March, declining 0.8 percent after increasing 0.3 percent in February. The index for household fuels fell 1.5 percent, reflecting a sharp declines in prices for fuel oil and natural gas--down 3.6 and 4.2 percent, respectively. Prior to the March decline, charges for natural gas had increased 17.3 percent in the preceding 11-month period. Charges for electricity rose 0.2 percent in March. The index for household furnishings and operation, which increased 0.2 percent in February, was unchanged in March. The transportation component, which declined in each of the first two months of 1997, rose 0.1 percent in March. Public transportation costs rose 2.2 percent in March. The index for airline fares, which fell 3.2 percent in January and 2.6 percent in February, rose 4.5 percent in March, reflecting, in part, the reimposition of the 10 percent federal tax on airline fares effective March 7. The index for gasoline, which was unchanged in February, declined 2.1 percent in March. As of March, the index for gasoline prices was 7.3 percent below its peak level of December 1990. New vehicle purchase costs advanced somewhat more in March than in recent months; the index for new vehicle prices rose 0.1 percent, and automobile finance charges increased 1.2 percent. The index for used cars increased 1.2 percent in March. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, used car prices were unchanged.) The index for apparel and upkeep turned down in March, declining 0.3 percent after registering increases in each of the six preceding months. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, clothing prices rose 2.2 percent in March, reflecting the continued introduction of higher-priced spring-summer wear.) Medical care costs rose 0.4 percent in March to a level 3.0 percent above a year ago. The index for medical care commodities--prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and medical supplies--increased 0.5 percent. The index for medical care services rose 0.3 percent. Charges for professional services and hospital and related services increased 0.5 and 0.2 percent, respectively. Entertainment costs rose 0.2 percent in March, the same as in February. Increases in the indexes for club memberships and for fees for participant sports--up 0.7 and 1.1 percent, respectively--were largely responsible for the March advance. The index for other goods and services rose 0.5 percent in March, principally as a result of increases in the indexes for tobacco and smoking products and for personal expenses, in particular personal financial services. CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers rose 0.1 percent in March. Table B. Percent changes in CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) Seasonally adjusted Compound Un- adjust Expenditure Changes from preceding month annual ed rate 12- Category 1996 1997 3-mos. mos. ended ended Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Mar. '97 Mar.'97 All Items .3 .4 .3 .3 .1 .2 .1 1.5 2.7 Food and beverages .4 .5 .4 .1 -.2 .2 .1 .3 3.3 Housing .1 .3 .3 .2 .3 .2 .1 2.4 2.7 Apparel and upkeep .5 .2 .3 .1 .4 .4 -.3 1.8 -.1 Transportation .4 .4 .3 .6 .0 .0 -.1 -.3 2.3 Medical care .3 .2 .3 .2 .2 .2 .3 2.8 3.0 Entertainment .1 .3 .3 .3 .0 .1 .1 1.0 2.2 Other goods and services .2 .3 .4 .0 .6 .4 .5 5.9 3.9 Special Indexes: Energy .1 1.2 1.4 1.5 .9 .3 -1.8 -2.8 4.6 Food .4 .6 .3 .1 -.3 .3 .1 .3 3.3 All items less food and energy .2 .2 .2 .2 .2 .2 .2 2.5 2.4 After seasonal adjustment, the level of the CPI-U for All Items was 159.9 in March; the seasonally adjusted CPI-W for All Items was 157.0. Beginning with January 1997 data, BLS is reporting the level of the seasonally adjusted U.S. City Average All Items CPI-U and CPI-W in this monthly news release. Effective with the release of January 1998 data in February 1998, the seasonally adjusted All Items indexes will be fully integrated into the releases, appearing in tables 2 and 5 and in the text where relevant. Like other seasonally adjusted CPI data, the All Items index levels are subject to revision for up to five years after their original release. For this reason, BLS advises against the use of these data in escalation agreements. Consumer Price Index data for April are scheduled for release on Thursday, May 15, 1997, at 8:30 A.M. (EDT). 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 also are used extensively for escalation purposes. Many collective bargaining contract agreements and pension plans, for example, tie compensation changes to the Consumer Price Index unadjusted for seasonal variation. Seasonal factors used in computing the seasonally adjusted indexes are derived by the X-11-ARIMA Seasonal Adjustment Method (1988). The updated seasonal data at the end of 1977 replaced data from 1967 through 1977. Subsequent annual updates have replaced 5 years of seasonal data, e.g., data from 1992 through 1996 were replaced at the end of 1996. The seasonal movement of all items and 47 other aggregations is derived by combining the seasonal movement of 60 selected components. Each year the seasonal status of every series is reevaluated based upon certain statistical criteria. If any of the 60 components change their seasonal adjustment status from seasonally adjusted to not seasonally adjusted, not seasonally adjusted data will be used for the last 5 years, but the seasonally adjusted indexes will be used before that period. Effective with the calculation of the seasonal factors for 1990, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has used an enhanced seasonal adjustment procedure called Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment for some CPI series. Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment allows for better estimates of seasonally adjusted data. Extreme values and/or sharp movements which might distort the seasonal pattern are estimated and removed from the data prior to calculation of seasonal factors. Beginning with the calculation of seasonal factors for 1996, X-12-ARIMA software was used for Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment. For the fuel oil and the motor fuels indexes, this procedure was used to offset the effects that extreme price volatility would otherwise have had on the estimates of seasonally adjusted data for those series. For some women's apparel indexes and the girls' apparel index, the procedure was used to offset the effects of changes in pricing methodology. For the tobacco and smoking products index, this procedure was used to offset the effects of increases in excise taxes and wholesale tobacco prices. For some alcoholic beverage series, Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment was used to offset the effects of excise tax increases. For the nonalcoholic beverages index, the procedure was used to offset the effects of a large increase in coffee prices due to adverse weather. For the water and sewerage maintenance index, the procedure was used to account for a data collection anomaly. A description of Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment, as well as a list of unusual events modeled and seasonal factors for these items, may be obtained by writing the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Consumer Prices and Price Indexes, Washington, DC 20212 or by calling Claire McAnaw Gallagher on (202) 606-6968. Over-the-month percent changes in the U.S. City Average Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for All Items and for All Items less food and energy, seasonally adjusted, using former and recalculated seasonal factors for 1996. All Items 1996 Former Recalculated Differen ce January .4 .4 .0 February .2 .3 .1 March .4 .3 -.1 April .4 .3 -.1 May .3 .3 .0 June .1 .1 .0 July .3 .3 .0 August .1 .2 .1 September .3 .3 .0 October .3 .3 .0 November .3 .3 .0 December .3 .3 .0 All Items less food and energy 1996 Former Recalculated Differen ce January .3 .2 -.1 February .2 .2 .0 March .3 .2 -.1 April .1 .2 .1 May .2 .2 .0 June .2 .2 .0 July .3 .2 -.1 August .1 .1 .0 September .3 .3 .0 October .2 .2 .0 November .2 .2 .0 December .1 .2 .1 Table 1. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Relative Unadjusted indexes Unadjusted Seasonally adjusted importance, percent change to percent change from- December Feb. Mar. Mar. 1997 from- Dec. to Jan. to Feb. to 1996 1997 1997 Mar. 1996 Feb. 1997 Jan. Feb. Mar. Expenditure category All items .................................. 100.000 159.6 160.0 2.8 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.1 All items (1967=100) ....................... - 478.2 479.3 - - - - - Food and beverages ....................... 17.484 156.9 157.1 3.3 .1 -.2 .3 .0 Food ................................... 15.913 156.5 156.6 3.3 .1 -.3 .3 .0 Food at home ......................... 10.040 157.7 157.7 3.4 .0 -.6 .5 -.2 Cereals and bakery products ........ 1.479 176.7 176.7 2.7 .0 -.2 .1 .3 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..... 3.002 148.8 147.8 3.6 -.7 -.4 -.2 -.9 Dairy products 1/ .................. 1.245 146.2 146.1 6.9 -.1 -.5 -1.1 -.1 Fruits and vegetables 2/ ........... 1.974 187.4 189.3 3.0 1.0 -2.0 3.0 .1 Other food at home ................. 2.340 145.4 145.5 2.2 .1 .1 .2 .1 Sugar and sweets ................. .331 147.2 146.3 2.8 -.6 .6 .0 -.6 Fats and oils .................... .246 142.7 142.4 1.6 -.2 -.1 .1 -.1 Nonalcoholic beverages ........... .724 128.5 129.5 -.2 .8 .2 -.5 1.3 Other prepared food .............. 1.039 160.6 160.3 3.7 -.2 -.1 .8 -.4 Food away from home .................. 5.873 155.6 156.0 3.2 .3 .3 .2 .3 Alcoholic beverages .................... 1.571 161.8 162.1 3.0 .2 .2 .2 -.1 Housing 2/ ............................... 41.203 155.8 155.9 2.8 .1 .3 .3 .0 Shelter ................................ 28.194 174.6 175.2 3.0 .3 .3 .3 .2 Renters' costs 3/ 4/.................. 7.994 185.3 186.8 3.5 .8 .6 .3 .3 Rent, residential .................. 5.731 164.8 165.1 2.8 .2 .2 .1 .3 Other renters' costs 4/ ............ 2.263 226.4 231.7 5.5 2.3 1.4 .9 .3 Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/............... 20.000 179.5 179.8 2.7 .2 .2 .3 .2 Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ......... 19.616 179.9 180.1 2.7 .1 .2 .3 .1 Household insurance 3/ 4/ .......... .383 163.8 163.3 2.6 -.3 .2 .9 -.5 Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ........ .200 142.3 142.4 3.6 .1 .0 .6 .1 Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/ ................. .123 148.4 148.4 3.2 .0 .1 .1 .0 Maintenance and repair commodities 1/ 4/ .............. .077 133.9 134.3 4.1 .3 -.1 1.1 .3 Fuel and other utilities 2/ ............ 7.102 131.0 129.9 3.8 -.8 .7 .3 -.8 Fuels ................................ 3.878 119.2 117.2 4.7 -1.7 1.0 .5 -1.5 Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities .................... .424 109.6 105.5 6.2 -3.7 -1.2 -1.9 -3.3 Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)....................... 3.453 125.3 123.4 4.4 -1.5 1.4 .7 -1.3 Other utilities and public services 4/ ...................... 3.224 160.2 160.5 2.6 .2 .3 .0 .1 Household furnishings and operation 2/ . 5.908 125.2 125.4 .6 .2 -.2 .2 .0 Housefurnishings 4/ .................. 3.332 111.2 111.1 -.5 -.1 -.4 .2 -.3 Housekeeping supplies ................ 1.093 142.5 142.8 1.3 .2 .4 .1 .0 Housekeeping services 4/ ............. 1.482 149.9 150.6 2.7 .5 -.5 .1 .5 Apparel and upkeep ....................... 5.330 131.9 134.5 -.2 2.0 .4 .2 -.3 Apparel commodities 4/ ................. 4.786 128.2 131.0 -.5 2.2 .5 .2 -.4 Men's and boys' apparel .............. 1.280 127.3 129.2 .1 1.5 1.0 -.9 -.2 Women's and girls' apparel............ 2.102 126.1 130.1 .2 3.2 .6 .7 -.6 Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ .... .186 127.2 129.7 -2.7 2.0 .8 -.5 2.0 Footwear ............................. .718 126.3 127.0 -.9 .6 -.8 .2 -.4 Other apparel commodities 4/.......... .500 146.9 149.5 -3.4 1.8 .1 .7 -.3 Apparel services 1/ 4/ ................. .545 162.2 162.4 2.2 .1 .1 .3 .1 Transportation ........................... 17.140 144.8 144.9 2.6 .1 -.2 -.1 .1 Private transportation ................. 15.499 141.9 141.5 2.3 -.3 .1 .2 -.2 New vehicles ......................... 4.955 145.4 145.4 1.3 .0 -.2 .0 .1 New cars ........................... 3.952 142.9 142.9 1.0 .0 -.2 .0 .1 Used cars ............................ 1.278 154.4 154.4 -1.8 .0 .1 .5 1.2 Motor fuel ........................... 3.171 108.1 106.4 4.9 -1.6 .6 .0 -2.1 Gasoline ........................... - 107.4 105.8 4.6 -1.5 .7 .0 -2.1 Maintenance and repairs .............. 1.533 161.2 161.5 2.9 .2 .4 -.1 .2 Other private transportation 4/....... 4.562 177.1 177.4 2.8 .2 -.1 .5 .3 Other private transportation commodities 4/.................. .589 105.4 105.1 -.2 -.3 -.2 .3 -.3 Other private transportation services 4/ .................... 3.973 194.1 194.5 3.3 .2 -.1 .6 .4 Public transportation .................. 1.642 182.4 188.1 5.1 3.1 -2.9 -2.0 2.2 Medical care ............................. 7.346 232.7 233.4 3.0 .3 .2 .2 .4 Medical care commodities ............... 1.273 213.9 214.7 2.8 .4 .2 .3 .5 Medical care services .................. 6.073 237.1 237.7 3.0 .3 .2 .2 .3 Professional medical services ........ 3.472 213.2 214.2 3.7 .5 .4 .1 .5 Entertainment 4/ ......................... 4.352 161.8 162.1 2.3 .2 .0 .2 .2 Entertainment commodities 4/ ........... 1.957 144.3 144.5 1.3 .1 -.3 .1 .0 Entertainment services 4/ .............. 2.395 182.1 182.7 3.2 .3 .2 .3 .3 Other goods and services 2/ .............. 7.145 220.7 221.4 3.9 .3 .4 .5 .5 Tobacco and smoking products ........... 1.601 237.4 238.2 3.2 .3 .4 .6 .4 Personal care 1/ ....................... 1.145 151.5 151.8 1.6 .2 .7 -.1 .2 Toilet goods and personal care appliances 1/ .................... .588 143.3 143.6 -.3 .2 .6 -.2 .2 Personal care services 1/ ............ .557 160.7 161.2 3.8 .3 .9 .0 .3 Personal and educational expenses 4/ ... 4.398 255.0 255.8 4.8 .3 .3 .6 .5 School books and supplies ............ .264 235.3 235.4 4.5 .0 -.1 .4 .3 Personal and educational services 4/ . 4.134 256.7 257.6 4.8 .4 .4 .6 .5 Table 1. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group - Continued (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Relative Unadjusted indexes Unadjusted Seasonally adjusted importance, percent change to percent change from- December Feb. Mar. Mar. 1997 from- Dec. to Jan. to Feb. to 1996 1997 1997 Mar. 1996 Feb. 1997 Jan. Feb. Mar. Commodity and service group All items .................................. 100.000 159.6 160.0 2.8 .3 .1 .3 .1 Commodities .............................. 42.873 141.8 142.0 2.0 .1 .0 .2 -.2 Food and beverages ..................... 17.484 156.9 157.1 3.3 .1 -.2 .3 .0 Commodities less food and beverages .... 25.389 132.6 132.9 1.2 .2 .2 .1 -.3 Nondurables less food and beverages .. 15.147 134.6 135.0 1.8 .3 .1 .3 -.8 Apparel commodities 4/ ............. 4.786 128.2 131.0 -.5 2.2 .5 .2 -.4 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .................... 10.362 141.0 140.2 2.9 -.6 .3 .1 -.6 Durables ............................. 10.242 129.8 129.9 .3 .1 -.2 .1 .0 Services ................................. 57.127 177.7 178.2 3.2 .3 .2 .2 .2 Rent of shelter 3/ ..................... 27.577 181.6 182.3 3.0 .4 .3 .3 .3 Household services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/....................... 8.698 145.0 144.3 3.4 -.5 .6 .4 -.3 Transportation services ................ 7.148 183.4 184.9 3.6 .8 -.7 -.1 .8 Medical care services .................. 6.073 237.1 237.7 3.0 .3 .2 .2 .3 Other services ......................... 7.631 206.7 207.3 4.1 .3 .3 .4 .4 Special indexes All items less food ........................ 84.087 160.2 160.6 2.6 .2 .2 .2 .1 All items less shelter ..................... 71.806 155.3 155.6 2.6 .2 .1 .2 .0 All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/...... 80.000 160.8 161.2 2.7 .2 .1 .2 .1 All items less medical care ................ 92.654 155.5 155.9 2.8 .3 .1 .3 .0 Commodities less food ...................... 26.960 133.8 134.1 1.3 .2 .1 .1 -.2 Nondurables less food ...................... 16.718 136.2 136.6 1.9 .3 .1 .2 -.7 Nondurables less food and apparel .......... 11.932 142.1 141.4 3.0 -.5 .1 .1 -.7 Nondurables ................................ 32.631 145.9 146.2 2.6 .2 .1 .3 -.4 Services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/ ........ 29.550 186.4 186.7 3.5 .2 .1 .2 .3 Services less medical care services ........ 51.054 172.2 172.7 3.3 .3 .2 .2 .3 Energy ..................................... 7.049 113.1 111.2 4.8 -1.7 .8 .3 -1.7 All items less energy ...................... 92.951 165.9 166.5 2.6 .4 .1 .2 .2 All items less food and energy ........... 77.038 168.3 169.0 2.5 .4 .1 .2 .2 Commodities less food and energy commodities ................. 23.364 142.2 143.0 .8 .6 .1 .1 .1 Energy commodities ................... 3.596 108.6 106.6 5.1 -1.8 .4 -.2 -2.2 Services less energy services .......... 53.674 183.1 183.8 3.2 .4 .1 .3 .3 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar: 1982-84=$1.00 1/ ......................... - $.626 $.625 -2.6 -.2 -.5 -.3 -.2 1967=$1.00 1/ ............................ - .209 .209 - - - - - 1/ Not seasonally adjusted. 2/ This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998. 3/ Indexes on a December 1982=100 base. 4/ This index series will no longer appear in its present form after December, 1997. See Table X for a comparable index series. - Data not available. NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date. Table 2. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): Seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Seasonally adjusted indexes Seasonally adjusted annual rate percent change for 3 months ended- 6 months ended- Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. June Sept. Dec. Mar. Sept. Mar. 1996 1997 1997 1997 1996 1996 1996 1997 1996 1997 Expenditure category All items .................................... - - - - 2.9 3.1 3.3 1.8 3.0 2.5 Food and beverages ......................... 156.6 156.3 156.8 156.8 4.3 5.0 3.4 .5 4.7 1.9 Food ..................................... 156.4 156.0 156.5 156.5 4.3 5.3 3.4 .3 4.8 1.8 Food at home ........................... 157.7 156.7 157.5 157.2 5.1 6.4 3.6 -1.3 5.7 1.2 Cereals and bakery products .......... 176.6 176.3 176.4 177.0 3.3 2.6 3.9 .9 2.9 2.4 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ....... 149.3 148.7 148.4 147.1 5.8 9.5 5.8 -5.8 7.6 -.1 Dairy products 1/ .................... 148.6 147.8 146.2 146.1 9.4 21.3 5.3 -6.6 15.2 -.8 Fruits and vegetables 2/.............. 185.9 182.2 187.7 187.8 6.5 1.3 .6 4.2 3.9 2.4 Other food at home ................... 144.4 144.5 144.8 145.0 2.3 2.3 2.2 1.7 2.3 2.0 Sugar and sweets ................... 146.0 146.9 146.9 146.0 4.6 4.8 1.9 .0 4.7 1.0 Fats and oils ...................... 142.0 141.9 142.1 142.0 3.2 3.5 .3 .0 3.3 .1 Nonalcoholic beverages ............. 127.7 127.9 127.3 129.0 -1.8 -1.9 -.9 4.1 -1.8 1.6 Other prepared food ................ 159.6 159.4 160.6 160.0 5.0 4.2 4.9 1.0 4.6 2.9 Food away from home .................... 154.9 155.3 155.6 156.0 2.9 3.2 3.4 2.9 3.1 3.1 Alcoholic beverages ...................... 161.1 161.4 161.8 161.6 3.4 3.6 3.6 1.2 3.5 2.4 Housing 2/ ................................. 154.7 155.2 155.6 155.6 2.4 3.2 3.2 2.3 2.8 2.8 Shelter .................................. 172.9 173.4 174.0 174.3 2.6 3.1 2.8 3.3 2.9 3.1 Renters' costs 3/ 4/.................... 181.7 182.8 183.4 183.9 3.0 3.6 2.7 4.9 3.3 3.8 Rent, residential .................... 164.0 164.4 164.6 165.1 3.0 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.9 2.7 Other renters' costs 4/ .............. 218.0 221.1 223.1 223.7 2.5 6.5 2.2 10.9 4.5 6.5 Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/ ................ 178.6 179.0 179.5 179.8 2.5 2.8 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.7 Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ........... 179.0 179.3 179.9 180.1 2.5 2.7 3.0 2.5 2.6 2.7 Household insurance 3/ 4/ ............ 162.5 162.9 164.3 163.5 3.0 4.3 .7 2.5 3.7 1.6 Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ .......... 141.5 141.5 142.3 142.4 3.8 3.2 4.7 2.6 3.5 3.6 Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/ 148.0 148.2 148.4 148.4 2.2 8.0 1.6 1.1 5.1 1.4 Maintenance and repair commodities 1/ 4/ ................ 132.6 132.5 133.9 134.3 6.0 -4.2 9.9 5.2 .8 7.6 Fuel and other utilities 2/............... 130.3 131.2 131.6 130.5 2.9 5.1 6.1 .6 4.0 3.3 Fuels .................................. 117.6 118.8 119.4 117.6 2.2 7.3 9.0 .0 4.7 4.4 Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities ...................... 109.5 108.2 106.1 102.6 -2.9 13.1 50.9 -22.9 4.8 7.8 Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)......................... 123.6 125.3 126.2 124.6 3.0 6.5 4.7 3.3 4.7 4.0 Other utilities and public services 4/ . 159.6 160.0 160.0 160.2 3.4 2.6 3.1 1.5 3.0 2.3 Household furnishings and operation 2/ ... 125.2 124.9 125.1 125.1 1.0 1.3 1.0 -.3 1.1 .3 Housefurnishings 4/ .................... 111.4 111.0 111.2 110.9 -.4 .0 .4 -1.8 -.2 -.7 Housekeeping supplies .................. 141.7 142.3 142.5 142.5 .6 1.4 .9 2.3 1.0 1.6 Housekeeping services 4/ ............... 150.3 149.6 149.7 150.5 3.9 3.8 3.0 .5 3.9 1.8 Apparel and upkeep ......................... 131.8 132.3 132.6 132.2 -2.4 -2.1 2.5 1.2 -2.3 1.8 Apparel commodities 4/ ................... 128.0 128.6 128.8 128.3 -2.8 -2.5 2.2 .9 -2.6 1.6 Men's and boys' apparel ................ 128.2 129.5 128.3 128.0 -.9 -2.2 3.8 -.6 -1.6 1.6 Women's and girls' apparel ............. 124.9 125.7 126.6 125.8 -3.5 -4.1 5.6 2.9 -3.8 4.3 Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ...... 126.9 127.9 127.2 129.7 -12.0 7.3 -13.0 9.1 -2.8 -2.6 Footwear ............................... 127.4 126.4 126.7 126.2 -.9 -.6 2.2 -3.7 -.8 -.8 Other apparel commodities 4/............ 146.7 146.8 147.9 147.5 -4.9 -1.3 -9.0 2.2 -3.1 -3.6 Apparel services 1/ 4/ ................... 161.5 161.7 162.2 162.4 2.0 1.8 2.8 2.2 1.9 2.5 Transportation ............................. 145.7 145.4 145.3 145.4 4.0 2.0 5.4 -.8 3.0 2.2 Private transportation ................... 142.3 142.4 142.7 142.4 3.2 1.4 4.6 .3 2.3 2.4 New vehicles ........................... 144.7 144.4 144.4 144.6 2.3 3.7 -.6 -.3 3.0 -.4 New cars ............................. 142.2 141.9 141.9 142.0 2.0 3.7 -1.4 -.6 2.9 -1.0 Used cars .............................. 155.0 155.1 155.8 157.7 -10.5 .5 -3.8 7.2 -5.2 1.5 Motor fuel ............................. 111.1 111.8 111.8 109.5 8.3 -5.9 25.8 -5.6 1.0 9.0 Gasoline ............................. 110.5 111.3 111.3 109.0 7.9 -6.6 25.5 -5.3 .4 9.0 Maintenance and repairs ................ 160.7 161.3 161.2 161.5 2.6 4.6 2.5 2.0 3.6 2.3 Other private transportation 4/......... 175.3 175.2 176.1 176.7 4.5 3.7 .0 3.2 4.1 1.6 Other private transportation commodities 4/.................... 105.0 104.8 105.1 104.8 1.1 -.8 -.8 -.8 .2 -.8 Other private transportation services 4/ ...................... 192.1 192.0 193.1 193.9 5.0 4.3 .2 3.8 4.6 2.0 Public transportation .................... 191.2 185.6 181.9 185.9 14.3 6.0 13.1 -10.6 10.1 .5 Medical care ............................... 231.5 231.9 232.3 233.2 3.4 2.8 2.8 3.0 3.1 2.9 Medical care commodities ................. 212.4 212.8 213.5 214.5 3.7 1.9 1.7 4.0 2.8 2.9 Medical care services .................... 235.6 236.0 236.4 237.2 3.3 3.0 2.9 2.7 3.2 2.8 Professional medical services .......... 211.6 212.4 212.7 213.7 3.1 3.9 3.5 4.0 3.5 3.8 Entertainment 4/ ........................... 161.1 161.1 161.4 161.7 2.6 1.8 3.3 1.5 2.2 2.4 Entertainment commodities 4/ ............. 144.4 144.0 144.2 144.2 1.4 1.4 2.5 -.6 1.4 1.0 Entertainment services 4/ ................ 180.8 181.1 181.6 182.1 3.7 2.3 3.9 2.9 3.0 3.4 Other goods and services 2/................. 219.4 220.3 221.3 222.3 3.6 3.6 3.2 5.4 3.6 4.3 Tobacco and smoking products ............. 235.3 236.2 237.6 238.5 1.9 3.5 1.9 5.6 2.7 3.7 Personal care 1/ ......................... 150.5 151.6 151.5 151.8 .5 3.2 -.8 3.5 1.9 1.3 Toilet goods and personal care appliances 1/ ...................... 142.8 143.6 143.3 143.6 -.3 3.4 -6.2 2.3 1.5 -2.1 Personal care services 1/ .............. 159.2 160.7 160.7 161.2 1.6 3.4 5.2 5.1 2.5 5.2 Personal and educational expenses 4/ ..... 252.7 253.5 255.0 256.3 5.2 3.8 4.6 5.8 4.5 5.2 School books and supplies .............. 232.5 232.2 233.2 234.0 4.0 6.3 5.3 2.6 5.2 4.0 Personal and educational services 4/ ... 254.1 255.0 256.5 257.8 5.1 3.6 4.5 6.0 4.4 5.2 Table 2. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): Seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group - Continued (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Seasonally adjusted indexes Seasonally adjusted annual rate percent change for 3 months ended- 6 months ended- Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. June Sept. Dec. Mar. Sept. Mar. 1996 1997 1997 1997 1996 1996 1996 1997 1996 1997 Commodity and service group All items .................................... - - - - 2.9 3.1 3.3 1.8 3.0 2.5 Commodities ................................ 141.8 141.8 142.1 141.8 2.0 2.3 3.8 .0 2.2 1.9 Food and beverages ....................... 156.6 156.3 156.8 156.8 4.3 5.0 3.4 .5 4.7 1.9 Commodities less food and beverages ...... 132.8 133.0 133.1 132.7 .6 .3 4.0 -.3 .5 1.8 Nondurables less food and beverages .... 135.2 135.3 135.7 134.6 2.4 -.9 7.8 -1.8 .8 2.9 Apparel commodities 4/ ............... 128.0 128.6 128.8 128.3 -2.8 -2.5 2.2 .9 -2.6 1.6 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel ...................... 141.8 142.2 142.3 141.4 3.8 -.9 10.8 -1.1 1.5 4.7 Durables ............................... 129.7 129.5 129.6 129.6 .0 1.2 .0 -.3 .6 -.2 Services ................................... 176.8 177.2 177.6 178.0 3.5 3.5 3.2 2.7 3.5 3.0 Rent of shelter 3/ ....................... 180.3 180.8 181.3 181.8 3.0 3.0 2.9 3.4 3.0 3.2 Household services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/...................... 144.3 145.1 145.7 145.2 3.8 4.0 3.4 2.5 3.9 3.0 Transportation services .................. 184.1 182.9 182.7 184.1 6.5 4.7 3.6 .0 5.6 1.8 Medical care services .................... 235.6 236.0 236.4 237.2 3.3 3.0 2.9 2.7 3.2 2.8 Other services ........................... 205.4 206.1 206.9 207.8 4.3 3.0 4.2 4.8 3.6 4.5 Special indexes All items less food .......................... 159.6 159.9 160.2 160.3 2.6 2.6 3.6 1.8 2.6 2.7 All items less shelter ....................... 155.1 155.2 155.5 155.5 2.9 2.9 3.7 1.0 2.9 2.4 All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/........ 160.3 160.5 160.8 160.9 2.8 3.1 3.6 1.5 3.0 2.5 All items less medical care .................. 154.9 155.1 155.5 155.5 2.9 2.9 3.4 1.6 2.9 2.5 Commodities less food ........................ 134.1 134.2 134.4 134.1 .9 .6 4.0 .0 .8 2.0 Nondurables less food ........................ 136.7 136.8 137.1 136.2 2.7 -.9 7.7 -1.5 .9 3.0 Nondurables less food and apparel ............ 142.8 142.9 143.1 142.1 3.5 2.0 8.6 -1.9 2.8 3.2 Nondurables .................................. 146.0 146.1 146.5 145.9 3.1 2.0 5.4 -.3 2.5 2.5 Services less rent of shelter 3/ ............. 185.7 185.9 186.2 186.7 3.8 4.0 3.7 2.2 3.9 3.0 Services less medical care services .......... 171.3 171.7 172.0 172.5 3.4 3.6 3.3 2.8 3.5 3.1 Energy ....................................... 113.7 114.6 114.9 112.9 4.9 1.1 16.2 -2.8 3.0 6.3 All items less energy ........................ 165.4 165.5 165.9 166.2 2.7 3.2 2.5 1.9 3.0 2.2 All items less food and energy ............. 167.7 167.9 168.3 168.7 2.5 2.7 2.4 2.4 2.6 2.4 Commodities less food and energy commodities .......................... 141.9 142.0 142.2 142.3 .0 1.1 .9 1.1 .6 1.0 Energy commodities ..................... 111.1 111.5 111.3 108.8 7.1 -4.1 28.7 -8.0 1.4 8.8 Services less energy services ............ 182.2 182.4 182.9 183.4 3.4 3.4 3.1 2.7 3.4 2.9 1/ Not seasonally adjusted. 2/ This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998. 3/ Indexes on a December 1982=100 base. 4/ This index series will no longer appear in its present form after December, 1997. See Table X for a comparable index series. - Data not available. NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date. Table 3. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Selected areas, all items index (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Indexes Percent change to Percent change to Area Pricing Mar. 1997 from- Feb. 1997 from- schedule Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Mar. Jan. Feb. Feb. Dec. Jan. 1/ 1996 1997 1997 1997 1996 1997 1997 1996 1996 1997 U.S. city average ...................... M 158.6 159.1 159.6 160.0 2.8 0.6 0.3 3.0 0.6 0.3 Region and area size 2/ Northeast urban......................... M 165.7 166.2 166.9 167.3 2.8 .7 .2 2.9 .7 .4 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 166.2 166.8 167.7 168.1 2.7 .8 .2 2.9 .9 .5 Size B - 500,000 to 1,200,000 3/..... M 164.3 164.2 164.2 164.8 2.9 .4 .4 3.1 -.1 .0 Size C - 50,000 to 500,000 3/........ M 164.6 164.7 165.3 165.6 3.0 .5 .2 2.9 .4 .4 North Central urban .................... M 155.3 155.5 155.9 155.9 2.8 .3 .0 3.4 .4 .3 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 155.5 156.0 156.5 156.6 2.6 .4 .1 3.2 .6 .3 Size B - 360,000 to 1,200,000 3/..... M 154.5 154.3 154.4 154.6 2.8 .2 .1 3.3 -.1 .1 Size C - 50,000 to 360,000 3/........ M 157.7 157.8 158.3 158.1 3.3 .2 -.1 3.9 .4 .3 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... M 151.9 152.2 152.1 152.1 3.0 -.1 .0 3.5 .1 -.1 South urban ............................ M 155.1 155.7 156.1 156.5 2.7 .5 .3 3.0 .6 .3 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 154.0 154.9 155.2 155.4 2.6 .3 .1 3.1 .8 .2 Size B - 450,000 to 1,200,000 3/..... M 158.2 158.5 158.9 159.7 3.0 .8 .5 3.1 .4 .3 Size C - 50,000 to 450,000 3/........ M 154.4 155.0 155.6 155.7 2.3 .5 .1 2.8 .8 .4 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... M 154.4 154.8 155.5 156.0 2.9 .8 .3 3.6 .7 .5 West urban ............................. M 158.7 159.6 160.1 160.8 2.8 .8 .4 2.8 .9 .3 Size A - More than 1,250,000 ........ M 158.7 159.6 160.1 160.9 2.7 .8 .5 2.7 .9 .3 Size C - 50,000 to 330,000 3/........ M 163.9 164.9 165.4 166.3 3.0 .8 .5 2.9 .9 .3 Size classes A 4/ ................................. M 142.9 143.6 144.1 144.4 2.6 .6 .2 2.9 .8 .3 B 3/ ................................. M 159.0 159.2 159.5 160.1 3.0 .6 .4 3.1 .3 .2 C 3/ ................................. M 158.6 159.1 159.6 159.8 2.8 .4 .1 3.1 .6 .3 D .................................... M 155.5 155.9 156.2 156.4 2.8 .3 .1 3.4 .5 .2 Selected local areas Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI...... M 159.7 160.4 161.1 161.0 3.0 .4 -.1 3.8 .9 .4 Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ...... M 158.3 159.1 159.2 159.8 1.6 .4 .4 1.9 .6 .1 N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT M 168.5 169.1 170.1 170.7 2.5 .9 .4 2.7 .9 .6 Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton, PA-NJ-DE-MD 5/ ......................... M 164.3 165.1 165.8 166.1 2.5 .6 .2 2.9 .9 .4 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA 5/ .. M 156.0 157.0 157.9 159.2 4.1 1.4 .8 3.1 1.2 .6 Baltimore, MD 6/ ....................... 1 - 155.8 - 157.1 2.7 .8 - - - - Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ........... 1 - 167.7 - 168.1 3.3 .2 - - - - Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH ............. 1 - 153.8 - 155.4 3.0 1.0 - - - - Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL .............. 1 - 158.1 - 158.5 4.0 .3 - - - - St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL 7/ ..... 1 - 151.5 - 152.2 2.2 .5 - - - - Washington, DC-MD-VA 6/ ................ 1 - 161.6 - 161.9 2.2 .2 - - - - Dallas-Fort Worth, TX .................. 2 150.0 - 150.7 - - - - 3.1 .5 - Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI .................. 2 154.3 - 155.4 - - - - 2.7 .7 - Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX ......... 2 143.6 - 144.5 - - - - 2.1 .6 - Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA 7/ ........ 2 155.4 - 156.2 - - - - 3.4 .5 - 1/ Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all areas; most other goods and services priced as indicated: M - Every month. 1 - January, March, May, July, September, and November. 2 - February, April, June, August, October, and December. 2/ Regions defined as the four Census regions. See map in technical notes. 3/ Starting in January, 1998, a new Size Class B/C will be introduced, composed of current Size Class B and Size Class C cities. There will be no individual Size Class B or Size Class C. 4/ Indexes on a December 1986=100 base. 5/ Indexes for the cities of Philadelphia and San Francisco will no longer be published on a monthly basis starting in January, 1998. Beginning in February, 1998 they will be published on a bi-monthly basis. 6/ Indexes for the cities of Washington and Baltimore will no longer be published separately after December, 1997. Beginning in January, 1998 the two cities will be published as a Washington-Baltimore combined metropolitan area. 7/ Indexes for the cities of Pittsburgh and St. Louis will no longer be published on a bi-monthly basis after December, 1997. Beginning in July, 1998 they will be published semi-annually, each January and July. - Data not available. NOTE: Local area CPI indexes are byproducts of the national CPI program. Each local index has a smaller sample size than the national index and is, therefore, subject to substantially more sampling and other measurement error. As a result, local area indexes show greater volatility than the national index, although their long-term trends are similar. Therefore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics strongly urges users to consider adopting the national average CPI for use in their escalator clauses. Table 4. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Relative Unadjusted indexes Unadjusted Seasonally adjusted importance, percent change to percent change from- December Feb. Mar. Mar. 1997 from- Dec. to Jan. to Feb. to 1996 1997 1997 Mar. 1996 Feb. 1997 Jan. Feb. Mar. Expenditure category All items .................................. 100.000 156.8 157.0 2.7 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 All items (1967=100) ....................... - 467.0 467.8 - - - - - Food and beverages ....................... 19.436 156.4 156.5 3.3 .1 -.2 .2 .1 Food ................................... 17.749 156.0 156.1 3.3 .1 -.3 .3 .1 Food at home ......................... 11.387 156.8 156.7 3.4 -.1 -.6 .3 -.1 Cereals and bakery products ........ 1.688 176.4 176.4 2.8 .0 -.1 -.1 .4 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..... 3.535 148.4 147.4 3.6 -.7 -.5 -.3 -.8 Dairy products 1/ .................. 1.387 146.0 145.8 6.7 -.1 -.6 -1.1 -.1 Fruits and vegetables 2/ ........... 2.086 186.1 188.2 3.0 1.1 -1.7 2.7 .3 Other food at home ................. 2.691 145.0 145.1 2.1 .1 .0 .2 .1 Sugar and sweets ................. .373 147.2 146.2 2.7 -.7 .5 .2 -.7 Fats and oils .................... .282 142.3 142.2 1.6 -.1 -.3 .1 .1 Nonalcoholic beverages ........... .841 128.0 128.9 -.2 .7 .0 -.4 1.1 Other prepared food .............. 1.194 160.4 160.1 3.7 -.2 -.1 .7 -.5 Food away from home .................. 6.362 155.7 156.0 3.2 .2 .3 .2 .3 Alcoholic beverages .................... 1.687 161.1 161.5 3.0 .2 .1 .1 .1 Housing 2/ ............................... 38.747 152.4 152.5 2.7 .1 .3 .2 .1 Shelter ................................ 25.867 169.4 169.9 2.9 .3 .2 .3 .2 Renters' costs 3/ 4/.................. 8.079 160.9 161.9 3.1 .6 .4 .3 .3 Rent, residential .................. 6.580 164.4 164.7 2.7 .2 .2 .1 .2 Other renters' costs 4/ ............ 1.499 224.9 229.9 4.7 2.2 1.3 .6 .3 Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/............... 17.599 163.7 163.9 2.7 .1 .2 .3 .2 Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ......... 17.277 164.0 164.3 2.8 .2 .2 .3 .2 Household insurance 3/ 4/ .......... .322 148.5 148.1 1.5 -.3 .4 .7 -.3 Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ........ .189 140.7 140.9 3.4 .1 .0 .4 .1 Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/ ................. .105 150.3 150.3 3.1 .0 -.1 .2 .0 Maintenance and repair commodities 1/ 4/ .............. .084 128.3 128.7 3.7 .3 .2 .8 .3 Fuel and other utilities 2/ ............ 7.344 130.7 129.6 3.7 -.8 .8 .3 -.8 Fuels ................................ 3.979 118.5 116.5 4.5 -1.7 1.1 .5 -1.4 Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities .................... .391 109.4 105.3 6.3 -3.7 -1.2 -2.0 -3.5 Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)....................... 3.588 124.8 122.9 4.2 -1.5 1.4 .7 -1.2 Other utilities and public services 4/ ...................... 3.365 160.9 161.2 2.7 .2 .3 .1 .1 Household furnishings and operation 2/ . 5.536 123.7 123.9 .6 .2 -.2 .1 .0 Housefurnishings 4/ .................. 3.261 109.8 109.8 -.4 .0 -.5 .1 -.1 Housekeeping supplies ................ 1.129 143.1 143.5 1.6 .3 .4 .1 .1 Housekeeping services 4/ ............. 1.145 152.9 153.3 2.5 .3 -.3 .1 .3 Apparel and upkeep ....................... 5.348 131.1 133.8 -.1 2.1 .4 .4 -.3 Apparel commodities 4/ ................. 4.838 127.6 130.5 -.3 2.3 .5 .4 -.3 Men's and boys' apparel .............. 1.286 127.2 128.8 -.1 1.3 .9 -.9 -.2 Women's and girls' apparel............ 2.053 124.8 129.2 .5 3.5 .6 1.1 -.4 Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ .... .240 128.1 130.7 -3.0 2.0 .3 -.3 2.0 Footwear ............................. .799 127.2 127.9 -.7 .6 -.7 .1 -.5 Other apparel commodities 4/.......... .461 145.7 149.5 -2.7 2.6 .4 1.0 -.9 Apparel services 1/ 4/ ................. .510 161.3 161.5 2.1 .1 .2 .3 .1 Transportation ........................... 19.190 144.4 144.2 2.3 -.1 .0 .0 -.1 Private transportation ................. 17.934 142.4 141.9 2.2 -.4 .1 .1 -.1 New vehicles ......................... 4.893 146.7 146.6 1.5 -.1 -.1 -.1 .2 New cars ........................... 3.533 142.5 142.5 1.1 .0 -.2 -.1 .2 Used cars ............................ 2.320 155.7 155.7 -1.6 .0 .1 .4 1.3 Motor fuel ........................... 3.921 108.2 106.3 4.8 -1.8 .6 -.1 -2.2 Gasoline ........................... - 107.5 105.7 4.4 -1.7 .5 -.2 -2.2 Maintenance and repairs .............. 1.616 162.1 162.5 2.9 .2 .4 -.2 .4 Other private transportation 4/....... 5.185 172.6 172.8 2.8 .1 .1 .4 .3 Other private transportation commodities 4/.................. .742 104.3 104.1 -.3 -.2 -.2 .1 .0 Other private transportation services 4/ .................... 4.442 190.0 190.2 3.3 .1 .2 .5 .3 Public transportation .................. 1.256 180.3 185.1 4.5 2.7 -2.7 -2.2 1.7 Medical care ............................. 6.251 232.1 232.8 3.0 .3 .2 .2 .3 Medical care commodities ............... 1.047 211.4 212.1 2.7 .3 .1 .4 .3 Medical care services .................. 5.204 236.8 237.4 3.0 .3 .2 .0 .4 Professional medical services ........ 2.973 214.3 215.4 3.8 .5 .2 .2 .5 Entertainment 4/ ......................... 4.015 159.2 159.6 2.2 .3 .0 .1 .1 Entertainment commodities 4/ ........... 2.036 143.1 143.4 1.2 .2 -.3 .1 .0 Entertainment services 4/ .............. 1.979 182.2 182.8 3.3 .3 .2 .1 .4 Other goods and services 2/ .............. 7.012 217.4 218.0 3.9 .3 .6 .4 .5 Tobacco and smoking products ........... 2.117 237.0 237.7 3.0 .3 .6 .5 .4 Personal care 1/ ....................... 1.107 151.4 151.6 1.5 .1 .8 -.1 .1 Toilet goods and personal care appliances 1/ .................... .610 144.2 144.3 -.2 .1 .6 -.1 .1 Personal care services 1/ ............ .497 160.8 161.2 3.9 .2 .9 .0 .2 Personal and educational expenses 4/ ... 3.788 250.8 251.6 5.1 .3 .5 .6 .5 School books and supplies ............ .232 236.9 237.1 4.8 .1 -.1 .3 .3 Personal and educational services 4/ . 3.556 252.3 253.0 5.0 .3 .6 .6 .5 Table 4. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group - Continued (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Relative Unadjusted indexes Unadjusted Seasonally adjusted importance, percent change to percent change from- December Feb. Mar. Mar. 1997 from- Dec. to Jan. to Feb. to 1996 1997 1997 Mar. 1996 Feb. 1997 Jan. Feb. Mar. Commodity and service group All items .................................. 100.000 156.8 157.0 2.7 .1 .1 .2 .1 Commodities .............................. 47.057 141.8 142.0 2.1 .1 .0 .2 -.1 Food and beverages ..................... 19.436 156.4 156.5 3.3 .1 -.2 .2 .1 Commodities less food and beverages .... 27.621 132.9 133.1 1.3 .2 .2 .2 -.3 Nondurables less food and beverages .. 16.215 134.5 134.8 2.0 .2 .1 .2 -.7 Apparel commodities 4/ ............. 4.838 127.6 130.5 -.3 2.3 .5 .4 -.3 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .................... 11.377 140.8 139.9 3.1 -.6 .3 .1 -.8 Durables ............................. 11.407 129.5 129.6 .2 .1 -.1 .1 .0 Services ................................. 52.943 174.9 175.2 3.2 .2 .2 .2 .2 Rent of shelter 3/ ..................... 25.329 163.0 163.5 2.9 .3 .4 .2 .2 Household services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/....................... 8.553 133.3 132.6 3.3 -.5 .7 .4 -.4 Transportation services ................ 7.314 181.3 182.3 3.3 .6 -.3 -.1 .6 Medical care services .................. 5.204 236.8 237.4 3.0 .3 .2 .0 .4 Other services ......................... 6.542 203.5 204.1 4.2 .3 .4 .3 .4 Special indexes All items less food ........................ 82.251 156.8 157.1 2.5 .2 .2 .2 .1 All items less shelter ..................... 74.133 153.5 153.7 2.6 .1 .1 .1 .0 All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/...... 82.401 147.3 147.5 2.6 .1 .1 .2 .0 All items less medical care ................ 93.749 153.2 153.5 2.7 .2 .1 .2 .0 Commodities less food ...................... 29.308 134.0 134.2 1.4 .1 .1 .1 -.3 Nondurables less food ...................... 17.901 136.0 136.4 2.1 .3 .1 .3 -.9 Nondurables less food and apparel .......... 13.064 141.8 141.1 3.1 -.5 .1 .2 -.8 Nondurables ................................ 35.651 145.7 146.0 2.7 .2 .1 .2 -.3 Services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/ ........ 27.613 166.2 166.3 3.5 .1 .2 .3 .2 Services less medical care services ........ 47.738 169.6 169.9 3.2 .2 .3 .2 .2 Energy ..................................... 7.901 112.7 110.7 4.6 -1.8 .9 .3 -1.8 All items less energy ...................... 92.099 163.0 163.5 2.5 .3 .1 .2 .2 All items less food and energy ........... 74.350 164.8 165.5 2.4 .4 .2 .2 .2 Commodities less food and energy commodities ................. 24.996 141.7 142.5 .8 .6 .1 .2 .1 Energy commodities ................... 4.312 108.6 106.5 4.9 -1.9 .4 -.3 -2.3 Services less energy services .......... 49.354 180.4 181.0 3.1 .3 .2 .2 .3 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar: 1982-84=$1.00 1/ ......................... - $.638 $.637 -2.6 -.2 -.2 -.3 -.2 1967=$1.00 1/ ............................ - .214 .214 - - - - - 1/ Not seasonally adjusted. 2/ This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998. 3/ Indexes on a December 1984=100 base. 4/ This index series will no longer appear in its present form after December, 1997. See Table X for a comparable index series. - Data not available. NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date. Table 5. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Seasonally adjusted indexes Seasonally adjusted annual rate percent change for 3 months ended- 6 months ended- Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. June Sept. Dec. Mar. Sept. Mar. 1996 1997 1997 1997 1996 1996 1996 1997 1996 1997 Expenditure category All items .................................... - - - - 2.6 2.6 3.9 1.5 2.6 2.7 Food and beverages ......................... 156.3 156.0 156.3 156.4 4.0 5.1 3.9 .3 4.5 2.1 Food ..................................... 155.9 155.5 155.9 156.0 4.3 5.1 3.9 .3 4.7 2.1 Food at home ........................... 156.9 156.0 156.5 156.3 5.1 6.4 3.7 -1.5 5.8 1.0 Cereals and bakery products .......... 176.3 176.2 176.0 176.7 3.5 2.3 4.2 .9 2.9 2.5 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ....... 149.1 148.3 147.9 146.7 5.8 9.5 6.4 -6.3 7.6 -.1 Dairy products 1/ .................... 148.5 147.6 146.0 145.8 9.4 20.6 5.9 -7.1 14.9 -.8 Fruits and vegetables 2/.............. 185.0 181.8 186.7 187.2 6.5 1.5 -.4 4.8 4.0 2.2 Other food at home ................... 144.1 144.1 144.4 144.5 2.6 2.3 2.5 1.1 2.4 1.8 Sugar and sweets ................... 145.9 146.6 146.9 145.9 4.6 4.5 1.9 .0 4.6 1.0 Fats and oils ...................... 141.8 141.4 141.6 141.8 3.5 2.3 1.1 .0 2.9 .6 Nonalcoholic beverages ............. 127.4 127.4 126.9 128.3 -1.5 -1.6 -.6 2.9 -1.5 1.1 Other prepared food ................ 159.5 159.3 160.4 159.6 4.8 4.2 5.4 .3 4.5 2.8 Food away from home .................... 154.9 155.4 155.7 156.2 2.9 2.9 4.0 3.4 2.9 3.7 Alcoholic beverages ...................... 160.6 160.8 160.9 161.0 2.8 4.1 3.8 1.0 3.5 2.4 Housing 2/ ................................. 151.4 151.9 152.2 152.3 2.7 2.7 3.2 2.4 2.7 2.8 Shelter .................................. 168.2 168.6 169.1 169.5 2.9 2.7 2.9 3.1 2.8 3.0 Renters' costs 3/ 4/.................... 158.9 159.6 160.0 160.4 3.1 2.8 2.8 3.8 3.0 3.3 Rent, residential .................... 163.7 164.1 164.3 164.7 3.0 2.5 3.0 2.5 2.8 2.7 Other renters' costs 4/ .............. 217.6 220.5 221.8 222.4 3.0 5.0 2.0 9.1 4.0 5.5 Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/ ................ 162.9 163.2 163.7 164.1 2.8 2.5 3.0 3.0 2.6 3.0 Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ........... 163.2 163.5 164.0 164.4 2.8 2.5 3.0 3.0 2.6 3.0 Household insurance 3/ 4/ ............ 147.3 147.9 148.9 148.4 1.9 2.8 -1.3 3.0 2.3 .8 Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ .......... 140.1 140.1 140.7 140.9 3.6 1.5 6.2 2.3 2.5 4.2 Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/ 150.1 150.0 150.3 150.3 2.5 7.6 1.9 .5 5.0 1.2 Maintenance and repair commodities 1/ 4/ ................ 127.1 127.3 128.3 128.7 4.9 -6.2 11.8 5.1 -.8 8.4 Fuel and other utilities 2/............... 129.8 130.8 131.2 130.2 2.6 4.8 6.1 1.2 3.7 3.6 Fuels .................................. 116.8 118.1 118.7 117.0 1.8 6.9 8.7 .7 4.3 4.6 Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities ...................... 109.5 108.2 106.0 102.3 -3.3 13.6 52.1 -23.8 4.8 7.6 Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)......................... 123.1 124.8 125.7 124.2 2.4 6.1 5.0 3.6 4.2 4.3 Other utilities and public services 4/ . 160.1 160.6 160.7 160.9 3.4 2.6 3.1 2.0 3.0 2.5 Household furnishings and operation 2/ ... 123.8 123.5 123.6 123.6 1.0 1.0 1.3 -.6 1.0 .3 Housefurnishings 4/ .................... 110.2 109.7 109.8 109.7 -.4 .0 1.1 -1.8 -.2 -.4 Housekeeping supplies .................. 142.3 142.9 143.1 143.2 .9 1.7 1.1 2.6 1.3 1.8 Housekeeping services 4/ ............... 153.0 152.5 152.6 153.0 3.8 3.5 2.7 .0 3.6 1.3 Apparel and upkeep ......................... 130.8 131.3 131.8 131.4 -2.1 -2.4 2.2 1.8 -2.3 2.0 Apparel commodities 4/ ................... 127.4 128.0 128.5 128.1 -2.5 -2.8 1.9 2.2 -2.6 2.1 Men's and boys' apparel ................ 128.0 129.2 128.1 127.8 -2.2 -1.9 4.5 -.6 -2.0 1.9 Women's and girls' apparel ............. 123.7 124.5 125.9 125.4 -2.5 -5.7 5.3 5.6 -4.1 5.5 Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ...... 128.1 128.5 128.1 130.7 -13.0 7.3 -12.4 8.4 -3.4 -2.6 Footwear ............................... 128.5 127.6 127.7 127.0 -.3 .0 2.2 -4.6 -.2 -1.2 Other apparel commodities 4/............ 145.7 146.3 147.7 146.3 -.5 -2.6 -9.3 1.7 -1.6 -4.0 Apparel services 1/ 4/ ................... 160.5 160.8 161.3 161.5 2.0 1.8 2.0 2.5 1.9 2.3 Transportation ............................. 145.2 145.2 145.2 145.1 2.9 1.4 5.7 -.3 2.1 2.7 Private transportation ................... 142.8 143.0 143.2 143.0 2.3 1.1 5.2 .6 1.7 2.9 New vehicles ........................... 145.8 145.7 145.6 145.9 2.2 3.6 -.3 .3 2.9 .0 New cars ............................. 141.9 141.6 141.5 141.8 1.7 4.0 -1.1 -.3 2.9 -.7 Used cars .............................. 156.3 156.4 157.1 159.1 -10.4 .8 -3.5 7.4 -5.0 1.8 Motor fuel ............................. 111.4 112.1 112.0 109.5 8.3 -6.2 27.7 -6.6 .8 9.2 Gasoline ............................. 111.0 111.6 111.4 109.0 7.1 -6.3 27.8 -7.0 .2 9.0 Maintenance and repairs ................ 161.5 162.2 161.9 162.5 2.6 4.6 2.3 2.5 3.6 2.4 Other private transportation 4/......... 170.9 171.1 171.8 172.3 4.4 3.8 -.5 3.3 4.1 1.4 Other private transportation commodities 4/.................... 104.1 103.9 104.0 104.0 .4 -.8 -.4 -.4 -.2 -.4 Other private transportation services 4/ ...................... 187.8 188.1 189.0 189.6 5.1 4.6 -.4 3.9 4.9 1.7 Public transportation .................... 189.1 184.0 179.9 182.9 10.7 6.6 15.0 -12.5 8.6 .3 Medical care ............................... 230.8 231.2 231.6 232.4 3.4 2.8 2.8 2.8 3.1 2.8 Medical care commodities ................. 209.9 210.1 211.0 211.7 3.5 1.9 1.9 3.5 2.7 2.7 Medical care services .................... 235.4 235.9 236.0 236.9 3.3 3.0 3.1 2.6 3.2 2.8 Professional medical services .......... 213.0 213.5 213.9 215.0 3.1 4.1 3.8 3.8 3.6 3.8 Entertainment 4/ ........................... 158.8 158.8 159.0 159.2 2.6 1.8 3.3 1.0 2.2 2.2 Entertainment commodities 4/ ............. 143.3 142.9 143.1 143.1 1.1 1.4 2.6 -.6 1.3 1.0 Entertainment services 4/ ................ 181.0 181.4 181.6 182.3 4.1 2.5 3.8 2.9 3.3 3.4 Other goods and services 2/................. 215.6 216.8 217.7 218.7 3.3 3.4 3.0 5.9 3.4 4.4 Tobacco and smoking products ............. 234.8 236.1 237.2 238.2 1.7 2.8 1.9 5.9 2.3 3.9 Personal care 1/ ......................... 150.4 151.6 151.4 151.6 .8 3.2 -1.1 3.2 2.0 1.1 Toilet goods and personal care appliances 1/ ...................... 143.5 144.4 144.2 144.3 .0 3.1 -5.9 2.2 1.5 -1.9 Personal care services 1/ .............. 159.4 160.8 160.8 161.2 2.1 3.1 5.7 4.6 2.6 5.2 Personal and educational expenses 4/ ..... 247.9 249.2 250.6 251.8 4.9 4.0 4.6 6.4 4.5 5.5 School books and supplies .............. 234.2 234.0 234.8 235.6 3.4 7.1 6.0 2.4 5.2 4.2 Personal and educational services 4/ ... 249.2 250.6 252.0 253.3 4.9 3.8 4.6 6.7 4.4 5.7 Table 5. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group - Continued (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Seasonally adjusted indexes Seasonally adjusted annual rate percent change for 3 months ended- 6 months ended- Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. June Sept. Dec. Mar. Sept. Mar. 1996 1997 1997 1997 1996 1996 1996 1997 1996 1997 Commodity and service group All items .................................... - - - - 2.6 2.6 3.9 1.5 2.6 2.7 Commodities ................................ 141.9 141.9 142.2 142.0 2.0 2.0 4.3 .3 2.0 2.3 Food and beverages ....................... 156.3 156.0 156.3 156.4 4.0 5.1 3.9 .3 4.5 2.1 Commodities less food and beverages ...... 133.1 133.3 133.5 133.1 .6 .0 4.6 .0 .3 2.3 Nondurables less food and beverages .... 135.2 135.4 135.7 134.7 2.8 -1.2 8.4 -1.5 .8 3.3 Apparel commodities 4/ ............... 127.4 128.0 128.5 128.1 -2.5 -2.8 1.9 2.2 -2.6 2.1 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel ...................... 141.8 142.2 142.4 141.2 3.5 -1.2 12.1 -1.7 1.2 5.0 Durables ............................... 129.4 129.3 129.4 129.4 -.3 1.9 -.9 .0 .8 -.5 Services ................................... 173.9 174.3 174.7 175.1 3.3 3.3 3.3 2.8 3.3 3.0 Rent of shelter 3/ ....................... 161.9 162.5 162.9 163.2 2.8 3.0 2.5 3.3 2.9 2.9 Household services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/...................... 132.6 133.5 134.0 133.4 3.1 4.1 3.4 2.4 3.6 2.9 Transportation services .................. 181.4 180.8 180.6 181.6 5.3 5.0 2.7 .4 5.2 1.6 Medical care services .................... 235.4 235.9 236.0 236.9 3.3 3.0 3.1 2.6 3.2 2.8 Other services ........................... 202.1 203.0 203.7 204.6 4.1 3.3 4.3 5.0 3.7 4.7 Special indexes All items less food .......................... 156.2 156.5 156.8 156.9 2.4 2.1 3.9 1.8 2.2 2.9 All items less shelter ....................... 153.3 153.5 153.7 153.7 2.7 2.7 4.0 1.0 2.7 2.5 All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/........ 146.9 147.1 147.4 147.4 2.8 2.5 3.9 1.4 2.7 2.6 All items less medical care .................. 152.8 153.0 153.3 153.3 2.7 3.0 3.8 1.3 2.8 2.5 Commodities less food ........................ 134.4 134.6 134.8 134.4 .6 .3 4.6 .0 .5 2.3 Nondurables less food ........................ 136.7 136.9 137.3 136.1 2.1 .3 7.7 -1.7 1.2 2.9 Nondurables less food and apparel ............ 142.6 142.8 143.1 141.9 3.2 1.7 9.2 -1.9 2.5 3.5 Nondurables .................................. 145.9 146.0 146.3 145.8 3.1 2.0 6.0 -.3 2.6 2.8 Services less rent of shelter 3/ ............. 165.4 165.7 166.2 166.5 3.8 4.3 3.5 2.7 4.0 3.1 Services less medical care services .......... 168.6 169.1 169.4 169.7 3.4 3.4 3.1 2.6 3.4 2.9 Energy ....................................... 113.6 114.6 114.9 112.8 5.3 .0 17.5 -2.8 2.6 6.9 All items less energy ........................ 162.5 162.6 162.9 163.3 2.5 2.8 2.8 2.0 2.7 2.4 All items less food and energy ............. 164.3 164.6 164.9 165.3 2.2 2.5 2.2 2.5 2.4 2.3 Commodities less food and energy commodities .......................... 141.5 141.6 141.9 142.1 -.6 1.1 .9 1.7 .3 1.3 Energy commodities ..................... 111.5 112.0 111.7 109.1 7.5 -4.8 29.6 -8.3 1.2 9.0 Services less energy services ............ 179.6 180.0 180.3 180.9 3.5 3.2 2.9 2.9 3.3 2.9 1/ Not seasonally adjusted. 2/ This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998. 3/ Indexes on a December 1984=100 base. 4/ This index series will no longer appear in its present form after December, 1997. See Table X for a comparable index series. - Data not available. NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date. Table 6. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: Selected areas, all items index (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Indexes Percent change to Percent change to Area Pricing Mar. 1997 from- Feb. 1997 from- schedule Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Mar. Jan. Feb. Feb. Dec. Jan. 1/ 1996 1997 1997 1997 1996 1997 1997 1996 1996 1997 U.S. city average ...................... M 155.9 156.3 156.8 157.0 2.7 0.4 0.1 3.0 0.6 0.3 Region and area size 2/ Northeast urban......................... M 163.2 163.5 164.2 164.5 2.7 .6 .2 3.0 .6 .4 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 162.6 163.1 163.9 164.2 2.6 .7 .2 3.0 .8 .5 Size B - 500,000 to 1,200,000 3/..... M 162.0 162.0 161.9 162.6 2.8 .4 .4 3.2 -.1 -.1 Size C - 50,000 to 500,000 3/........ M 166.3 166.3 166.8 167.0 3.0 .4 .1 3.0 .3 .3 North Central urban .................... M 151.9 152.1 152.4 152.4 2.8 .2 .0 3.3 .3 .2 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 151.5 151.9 152.3 152.3 2.5 .3 .0 3.1 .5 .3 Size B - 360,000 to 1,200,000 3/..... M 150.7 150.5 150.5 150.5 2.7 .0 .0 3.3 -.1 .0 Size C - 50,000 to 360,000 3/........ M 155.1 155.2 155.6 155.3 3.3 .1 -.2 3.9 .3 .3 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... M 150.3 150.5 150.3 150.1 3.0 -.3 -.1 3.7 .0 -.1 South urban ............................ M 153.7 154.2 154.5 154.8 2.7 .4 .2 3.0 .5 .2 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 152.3 153.1 153.2 153.4 2.6 .2 .1 3.0 .6 .1 Size B - 450,000 to 1,200,000 3/..... M 154.5 154.7 155.0 155.6 3.0 .6 .4 3.1 .3 .2 Size C - 50,000 to 450,000 3/........ M 154.5 154.9 155.5 155.5 2.3 .4 .0 2.8 .6 .4 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... M 155.0 155.3 155.8 156.1 2.6 .5 .2 3.6 .5 .3 West urban ............................. M 155.4 156.3 156.8 157.4 2.6 .7 .4 2.7 .9 .3 Size A - More than 1,250,000 ........ M 153.8 154.7 155.2 155.9 2.5 .8 .5 2.6 .9 .3 Size C - 50,000 to 330,000 3/........ M 160.7 161.7 162.1 163.1 3.1 .9 .6 2.9 .9 .2 Size classes A 4/ ................................. M 141.9 142.5 143.0 143.2 2.5 .5 .1 3.0 .8 .4 B 3/ ................................. M 156.2 156.3 156.5 157.0 2.9 .4 .3 3.1 .2 .1 C 3/ ................................. M 157.9 158.2 158.7 158.8 2.8 .4 .1 3.1 .5 .3 D .................................... M 154.9 155.3 155.4 155.4 2.6 .1 .0 3.4 .3 .1 Selected local areas Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI...... M 154.6 155.3 155.9 155.6 2.8 .2 -.2 3.8 .8 .4 Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ...... M 152.7 153.6 153.6 154.2 1.5 .4 .4 1.8 .6 .0 N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT M 164.7 165.1 166.2 166.6 2.5 .9 .2 2.8 .9 .7 Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton, PA-NJ-DE-MD 5/ ......................... M 163.6 164.4 164.9 165.3 2.5 .5 .2 2.7 .8 .3 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA 5/ .. M 153.1 154.1 155.0 156.2 3.6 1.4 .8 3.0 1.2 .6 Baltimore, MD 6/ ....................... 1 - 154.6 - 155.9 2.7 .8 - - - - Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ........... 1 - 166.6 - 166.8 3.2 .1 - - - - Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH ............. 1 - 146.2 - 147.5 3.1 .9 - - - - Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL .............. 1 - 156.0 - 156.2 3.9 .1 - - - - St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL 7/ ..... 1 - 150.6 - 151.1 2.1 .3 - - - - Washington, DC-MD-VA 6/ ................ 1 - 158.9 - 159.1 2.4 .1 - - - - Dallas-Fort Worth, TX .................. 2 150.2 - 150.8 - - - - 3.4 .4 - Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI .................. 2 149.4 - 150.3 - - - - 2.6 .6 - Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX ......... 2 143.0 - 143.6 - - - - 2.0 .4 - Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA 7/ ........ 2 148.8 - 149.6 - - - - 3.4 .5 - 1/ Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all areas; most other goods and services priced as indicated: M - Every month. 1 - January, March, May, July, September, and November. 2 - February, April, June, August, October, and December. 2/ Regions defined as the four Census regions. See map in technical notes. 3/ Starting in January, 1998, a new Size Class B/C will be introduced, composed of current Size Class B and Size Class C cities. There will be no individual Size Class B or Size Class C. 4/ Indexes on a December 1986=100 base. 5/ Indexes for the cities of Philadelphia and San Francisco will no longer be published on a monthly basis starting in January, 1998. Beginning in February, 1998 they will be published on a bi-monthly basis. 6/ Indexes for the cities of Washington and Baltimore will no longer be published separately after December, 1997. Beginning in January, 1998 the two cities will be published as a Washington-Baltimore combined metropolitan area. 7/ Indexes for the cities of Pittsburgh and St. Louis will no longer be published on a bi-monthly basis after December, 1997. Beginning in July, 1998 they will be published semi-annually, each January and July. - Data not available. NOTE: Local area CPI indexes are byproducts of the national CPI program. Each local index has a smaller sample size than the national index and is, therefore, subject to substantially more sampling and other measurement error. As a result, local area indexes show greater volatility than the national index, although their long-term trends are similar. Therefore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics strongly urges users to consider adopting the national average CPI for use in their escalator clauses.