FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Patrick C. Jackman (202) 606-7000 USDL-97-364 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 Thursday, October 16, 1997 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://stats.bls.gov/cpihome.htm CONSUMER PRICE INDEX: SEPTEMBER 1997 The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.2 percent before seasonal adjustment in September to a level of 161.2 (1982- 84=100), the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. For the 12-month period ended in September, the CPI-U increased 2.2 percent. The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) rose 0.3 percent in September, prior to seasonal adjustment. The September 1997 CPI-W level of 158.3 was 2.1 percent higher than the index in September 1996. CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U rose 0.2 percent in September, the same as in each of the preceding two months. The food index increased 0.1 percent in September. Grocery store food prices, which rose 0.6 percent in August, declined 0.1 percent in September, reflecting decreases in the indexes for fruits and vegetables and for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs. The energy index, which increased 1.7 percent in August, rose 1.3 percent in September. The index for petroleum- based energy rose 1.5 percent and the index for energy services, 1.1 percent. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U rose 0.2 percent, following an increase of 0.1 percent in August. The larger advance in September reflects an upturn in the indexes for apparel and upkeep and for airline fares. 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 1997 3-mos. ended ended Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Sept.'97 Sept.'97 All Items .1 .1 .1 .1 .2 .2 .2 2.5 2.2 Food and beverages .0 -.2 .4 .2 .3 .4 .1 3.3 2.2 Housing .0 .2 .1 .3 .2 .1 .3 2.1 2.5 Apparel and upkeep -.3 .9 .1 -.2 .2 -1.0 .3 -2.1 1.1 Transportation .1 -.4 -.8 -.3 .1 .6 .4 4.5 .8 Medical care .4 .3 .3 .2 .0 .2 .2 1.7 2.6 Entertainment .2 .1 .2 .5 .1 .2 -.2 .2 2.0 Other goods and services .5 .8 .2 .2 .3 .6 .3 4.7 4.5 Special Indexes: Energy -1.7 -1.5 -2.4 .0 -.1 1.7 1.3 11.9 2.0 Food .0 -.2 .4 .2 .3 .4 .1 3.4 2.1 All items less food and energy .2 .3 .2 .1 .2 .1 .2 1.7 2.2 See page 5 for a note on the future use of a hedonic model to adjust personal computer prices in the CPI for changes in quality. Consumer prices rose at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 2.5 percent in the third quarter. This follows increases of 1.8 and 1.0 percent at annual rates in the first and second quarters, respectively, and brings the year-to-date annual rate to 1.8 percent. This compares with an increase of 3.3 percent for all of 1996. 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. The food index has risen at a 1.7 percent SAAR thus far in 1997, following a 4.3 percent increase in 1996. All major grocery store food categories have shown marked deceleration thus far in 1997, relative to 1996, except for the other food at home group. The larger advance in this latter group is entirely due to the sharp acceleration in coffee prices, which have increased at a 33.8 percent annual rate in the first nine months of 1997 after declining 6.7 percent in all of 1996. The energy index, which increased 8.6 percent in 1996, declined at a 2.5 percent SAAR in the first nine months of 1997. The index for petroleum-based energy fell at a 5.1 percent annual rate, while energy services rose at a 0.5 percent SAAR. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U advanced at a 1.7 percent SAAR in the third quarter, following increases of 2.4 percent in each of the first two quarters of 1997. The 2.2 percent SAAR in the first nine months of 1997 compares with a 2.6 percent rise for all of 1996. Within this category, both commodities and services have advanced at a somewhat slower rate thus far in 1997 than for all of 1996. The index for commodities less food and energy has advanced at a 0.4 percent rate in 1997 compared with a 1.1 percent rise for all of 1996. The index for services less energy, which increased 3.3 percent in 1996, has risen at a 2.9 percent rate thus far in 1997. SAAR Percent change 12 months 9 ended in December months ended in Sep. 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 1.8 Housing 3.9 4.5 3.4 2.6 2.7 2.2 3.0 2.9 2.2 Apparel and upkeep 1.0 5.1 3.4 1.4 .9 -1.6 .1 -.2 .8 Transport. 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 2.5 Entertain. 5.1 4.3 3.9 2.8 2.8 2.3 3.3 2.9 1.6 Other goods and serv. 8.2 7.6 8.0 6.5 2.7 4.2 4.3 3.6 5.0 Special Indexes Energy 5.1 18.1 -7.4 2.0 -1.4 2.2 -1.3 8.6 -2.5 Food 5.6 5.3 1.9 1.5 2.9 2.9 2.1 4.3 1.7 All items less food and energy 4.4 5.2 4.4 3.3 3.2 2.6 3.0 2.6 2.2 The food and beverage index rose 0.1 percent in September. The index for grocery store food prices, which rose 0.6 percent in August, declined 0.1 percent in September. The index for fruits and vegetables fell 0.3 percent, following a 2.8 percent increase in August. The indexes for fresh vegetables and for processed fruits and vegetables declined 0.9 and 0.3 percent, respectively, more than offsetting a 0.2 percent increase in the index for fresh fruits. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs also turned down in September, declining 0.2 percent. Within this group, the index for pork fell 0.4 percent, the index for beef was unchanged, and poultry prices rose 0.8 percent. The indexes for dairy products and for cereal and bakery products each rose at the same rate in September as in August--up 0.1 and 0.2 percent, respectively. The index for other food at home increased 0.2 percent in September. An upturn in prices for sugar and sweets was partially offset by a down-turn in coffee prices, which fell 0.5 percent, following increases totaling 24.2 percent in the preceding six months. The other two components of the food and beverage index--restaurant meals and alcoholic beverages--increased 0.3 and 0.2 percent, respectively. The housing component rose 0.3 percent in September, after increasing 0.1 percent in August. Shelter costs rose 0.2 percent. Within shelter, renters' costs increased 0.4 percent and homeowners' costs, 0.1 percent. The index for fuel and other utilities, which declined 0.5 percent in August, rose 0.6 percent in September. The index for household fuels increased 1.0 percent, largely as a result of a 2.2 percent rise in the index for natural gas. Charges for electricity increased 0.5 percent, while fuel oil prices fell 0.1 percent. The index for other utilities and public services, which declined 0.2 percent in August, rose 0.3 percent in September, in part reflecting a 0.6 percent rise in cable television charges. The index for household furnishings and operation advanced 0.1 percent, its first increase since May. The transportation component advanced 0.4 percent in September, following an increase of 0.6 percent in August. The index for gasoline, which increased 5.4 percent in August after declining in each of the preceding five months, continued to advance in September, rising 1.8 percent. New vehicle purchase costs continued to show little upward movement; the index for new vehicle prices increased 0.1 percent, while automobile finance charges dropped 1.3 percent. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, new vehicle prices declined 0.2 percent.) The index for used cars declined 0.1 percent. Public transportation costs turned back up in September, reflecting the behavior of airline fares. The movement in airline fares continued to vary between large declines and increases, reflecting the prevalence of "super-saver" discount fares. The advance of 2.1 percent in September follows a decline of 4.7 percent in August. During the past 12 months, airline fares have increased 1.0 percent. The index for apparel and upkeep, which declined 1.0 percent in August, rose 0.3 percent in September. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, apparel commodity prices rose 2.6 percent, reflecting seasonal price increases for fall-winter wear.) Medical care costs rose 0.2 percent in September to a level 2.6 percent above a year ago. The index for medical care commodities-- prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and medical supplies--increased 0.1 percent. The index for medical care services rose 0.2 percent. Charges for professional services and hospital and related services increased 0.1 and 0.4 percent, respectively. Entertainment costs, which increased 0.2 percent in August, declined 0.2 percent in September. The index for admissions to movies, theaters, concerts, and sporting events declined 1.8 percent in September, following a 1.3 percent rise in August. The index for other goods and services rose 0.3 percent in September, following an increase of 0.6 percent in August. The indexes for college tuition and for school books and supplies, which increased 0.6 and 0.7 percent, respectively in August, declined 0.9 and 0.1 percent, respectively, in September. (In September, prior to seasonal adjustment, college tuition costs rose 1.8 percent, and the index for school books and supplies increased 0.6 percent.) The index for tobacco and smoking products increased 1.4 percent in September. 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 0.3 percent in September. Table B. Percent changes in CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) Seasonally adjusted Un- Compound adjust- ed Expenditure Changes from preceding month annual 12- rate mos. Category 1997 3-mos. ended ended Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Sep.'97 Sep.'97 All Items .1 .0 .0 .1 .2 .2 .3 2.6 2.1 Food and beverages .1 -.2 .4 .2 .3 .4 .1 3.1 2.1 Housing .1 .1 .1 .3 .2 .0 .3 2.1 2.4 Apparel and upkeep .3 1.0 .2 -.3 .2 -1.0 .2 -2.4 1.1 Transportation -.1 -.6 -1.0 -.4 .1 .7 .4 4.9 .5 Medical care .3 .3 .3 .2 .1 .2 .2 1.7 2.6 Entertainment .1 .1 .1 .5 .1 .4 -.2 1.0 2.0 Other goods and services .5 1.0 .1 .0 .3 .5 .5 5.4 4.6 Special Indexes: Energy -1.8 -1.9 -2.4 .0 -.2 2.0 1.2 12.8 2.0 Food .1 -.2 .3 .3 .3 .3 .1 3.1 2.1 All items less food and energy .2 .3 .2 .1 .2 .0 .2 1.5 2.1 After seasonal adjustment, the level of the CPI-U for All Items was 161.3 in September; the seasonally adjusted CPI-W for All Items was 158.2. 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 October are scheduled for release on Tuesday, November 18, 1997, at 8:30 A.M. (EST). Using a hedonic model to adjust prices of personal computers in the Consumer Price Index for changes in quality Effective with the release of data for January 1998, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will introduce an improved quality adjustment technique in the new stratum of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) called Personal Computers and Peripheral Equipment. Currently, personal computers are part of the Information Processing Equipment stratum. As previously announced, beginning with the CPI for January 1998, Information Processing Equipment will become an expenditure class entitled Information and Information Processing Other Than Telephone Services. Personal Computers and Peripheral Equipment will be one of four strata in that expenditure class. Analysts in the Producer Price Index (PPI) program have developed and implemented a regression procedure, called a hedonic model, that decomposes the price of personal computers into implicit prices for each important feature and component of the computer. This model, which has been used in the PPI since 1991, provides a way to estimate the value of changes or improvements. The CPI has used similar hedonic methods to adjust apparel prices for many years. Starting with the CPI for January 1998, when a personal computer or selected item of peripheral equipment, such as a modem, in the CPI sample improves in some way, a regression-based quality adjustment will be made. The value of the improvement, as derived from the PPI regression estimates, will be deducted from the observed price change for the product. (Conversely, if a model deteriorates, the value of the difference will be added to the price.) Additional information on these changes will be published in the June 1997 CPI Detailed Report and is available on the Internet (at http://stats.bls.gov/cpihome.htm). This information can also be obtained by writing to Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Consumer Prices and Price Indexes, Room 3260, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20212 or by telephoning Joseph Chelena at (202) 606-6982 ext. 255. 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 Aug. Sept. Sept. 1997 from- June to July to Aug. to 1996 1997 1997 Sept. 1996 Aug. 1997 July Aug. Sept. Expenditure category All items .................................. 100.000 160.8 161.2 2.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 All items (1967=100) ....................... - 481.6 483.0 - - - - - Food and beverages ....................... 17.484 158.1 158.4 2.2 .2 .3 .4 .1 Food ................................... 15.913 157.6 157.9 2.1 .2 .3 .4 .1 Food at home ......................... 10.040 158.5 158.6 1.7 .1 .3 .6 -.1 Cereals and bakery products ........ 1.479 178.6 178.1 1.9 -.3 .1 .2 .2 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..... 3.002 149.1 149.1 1.3 .0 .5 .1 -.2 Dairy products 1/ .................. 1.245 143.4 143.5 -2.2 .1 -.6 .1 .1 Fruits and vegetables 2/ ........... 1.974 187.3 188.1 2.5 .4 .5 2.8 -.3 Other food at home ................. 2.340 148.7 148.9 3.7 .1 .6 .1 .2 Sugar and sweets ................. .331 147.8 148.5 2.1 .5 .5 -.8 .5 Fats and oils .................... .246 141.4 142.0 .4 .4 -.3 .4 .7 Nonalcoholic beverages ........... .724 136.7 136.7 6.9 .0 1.6 .0 -.1 Other prepared food .............. 1.039 161.8 161.9 2.8 .1 .1 .2 .4 Food away from home .................. 5.873 157.4 157.8 2.8 .3 .3 .2 .3 Alcoholic beverages .................... 1.571 163.2 163.5 2.5 .2 .3 .3 .2 Housing 2/ ............................... 41.203 157.6 157.7 2.5 .1 .2 .1 .3 Shelter ................................ 28.194 177.5 177.2 3.0 -.2 .2 .2 .2 Renters' costs 3/ 4/.................. 7.994 189.1 186.8 3.3 -1.2 -.1 .2 .4 Rent, residential .................. 5.731 167.3 167.8 3.0 .3 .2 .3 .3 Other renters' costs 4/ ............ 2.263 233.9 222.8 3.7 -4.7 -.7 .0 .4 Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/............... 20.000 182.2 182.8 3.0 .3 .4 .3 .1 Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ......... 19.616 182.6 183.2 3.0 .3 .4 .3 .1 Household insurance 3/ 4/ .......... .383 166.3 166.8 2.8 .3 .0 .4 .7 Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ........ .200 145.5 142.6 1.9 -2.0 1.5 .1 -2.0 Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/ ................. .123 154.4 150.2 1.9 -2.7 2.5 .4 -2.7 Maintenance and repair commodities 1/ 4/ .............. .077 133.1 132.1 2.0 -.8 -.3 -.4 -.8 Fuel and other utilities 2/ ............ 7.102 131.4 132.1 1.8 .5 .2 -.5 .6 Fuels ................................ 3.878 118.6 119.7 1.1 .9 .0 -.8 1.0 Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities .................... .424 93.5 93.7 -2.0 .2 -1.9 -.7 .1 Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)....................... 3.453 126.7 128.1 1.5 1.1 .2 -.8 1.1 Other utilities and public services 4/ ...................... 3.224 162.1 162.3 2.5 .1 .5 -.2 .3 Household furnishings and operation 2/ . 5.908 125.2 125.4 .2 .2 -.2 -.3 .1 Housefurnishings 4/ .................. 3.332 110.2 110.2 -1.2 .0 -.6 -.5 -.1 Housekeeping supplies ................ 1.093 142.9 143.2 1.4 .2 .7 -.6 .1 Housekeeping services 4/ ............. 1.482 152.6 153.2 2.5 .4 .2 .4 .3 Apparel and upkeep ....................... 5.330 130.0 133.0 1.1 2.3 .2 -1.0 .3 Apparel commodities 4/ ................. 4.786 125.9 129.2 1.1 2.6 .1 -1.0 .3 Men's and boys' apparel .............. 1.280 128.9 131.4 3.1 1.9 .5 .1 .4 Women's and girls' apparel............ 2.102 120.3 126.0 1.9 4.7 -.5 -2.0 1.0 Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ .... .186 127.3 126.7 -3.6 -.5 -1.2 -3.0 -.5 Footwear ............................. .718 126.3 127.4 .6 .9 1.0 .6 -.5 Other apparel commodities 4/.......... .500 145.8 145.3 -4.3 -.3 .4 -1.2 -1.0 Apparel services 1/ 4/ ................. .545 163.6 163.7 2.1 .1 .2 .1 .1 Transportation ........................... 17.140 143.8 144.3 .8 .3 .1 .6 .4 Private transportation ................. 15.499 140.8 141.0 .7 .1 .1 .9 .4 New vehicles ......................... 4.955 143.0 142.7 -.3 -.2 .1 -.1 .1 New cars ........................... 3.952 140.4 140.0 -.7 -.3 .1 -.1 .0 Used cars ............................ 1.278 148.5 148.2 -5.6 -.2 -1.1 -.8 -.1 Motor fuel ........................... 3.171 107.6 109.3 2.9 1.6 -.2 4.9 1.7 Gasoline ........................... - 107.4 109.2 3.3 1.7 -.4 5.4 1.8 Maintenance and repairs .............. 1.533 163.3 163.5 2.2 .1 .2 .1 -.1 Other private transportation 4/....... 4.562 177.4 176.9 1.6 -.3 .5 -.1 .1 Other private transportation commodities 4/.................. .589 104.8 104.6 -.4 -.2 .7 -.6 -.2 Other private transportation services 4/ .................... 3.973 194.5 194.0 1.9 -.3 .5 .0 .2 Public transportation .................. 1.642 183.4 186.0 .8 1.4 .5 -1.9 1.2 Medical care ............................. 7.346 235.2 235.4 2.6 .1 .0 .2 .2 Medical care commodities ............... 1.273 215.5 215.3 1.9 -.1 -.1 -.1 .1 Medical care services .................. 6.073 239.8 240.0 2.7 .1 .1 .3 .2 Professional medical services ........ 3.472 216.3 216.4 3.2 .0 .1 .3 .1 Entertainment 4/ ......................... 4.352 163.0 163.0 2.0 .0 .1 .2 -.2 Entertainment commodities 4/ ........... 1.957 144.6 144.7 1.0 .1 -.1 .6 .1 Entertainment services 4/ .............. 2.395 184.3 184.2 2.8 -.1 .2 .1 -.5 Other goods and services 2/ .............. 7.145 225.7 228.1 4.5 1.1 .3 .6 .3 Tobacco and smoking products ........... 1.601 243.4 246.5 5.3 1.3 .4 .7 1.4 Personal care 1/ ....................... 1.145 152.5 152.7 1.3 .1 -.1 -.1 .1 Toilet goods and personal care appliances 1/ .................... .588 143.5 143.7 -1.0 .1 -.3 -.1 .1 Personal care services 1/ ............ .557 162.7 162.8 3.6 .1 -.1 .1 .1 Personal and educational expenses 4/ ... 4.398 261.6 264.9 5.1 1.3 .3 .7 -.1 School books and supplies ............ .264 240.0 241.5 5.0 .6 .4 .7 -.1 Personal and educational services 4/ . 4.134 263.5 266.9 5.1 1.3 .4 .7 -.1 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 Aug. Sept. Sept. 1997 from- June to July to Aug. to 1996 1997 1997 Sept. 1996 Aug. 1997 July Aug. Sept. Commodity and service group All items .................................. 100.000 160.8 161.2 2.2 .2 .2 .2 .2 Commodities .............................. 42.873 141.4 142.1 1.3 .5 .1 .4 .3 Food and beverages ..................... 17.484 158.1 158.4 2.2 .2 .3 .4 .1 Commodities less food and beverages .... 25.389 131.3 132.2 .6 .7 -.2 .3 .4 Nondurables less food and beverages .. 15.147 133.8 135.5 1.9 1.3 .0 .6 .7 Apparel commodities 4/ ............. 4.786 125.9 129.2 1.1 2.6 .1 -1.0 .3 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .................... 10.362 140.8 141.9 2.3 .8 -.1 1.5 .8 Durables ............................. 10.242 127.7 127.6 -1.2 -.1 -.3 -.3 -.1 Services ................................. 57.127 180.3 180.6 2.8 .2 .3 .1 .2 Rent of shelter 3/ ..................... 27.577 184.7 184.4 3.0 -.2 .2 .3 .2 Household services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/....................... 8.698 146.9 147.7 2.1 .5 .3 -.5 .6 Transportation services ................ 7.148 184.3 184.7 1.7 .2 .4 -.4 .3 Medical care services .................. 6.073 239.8 240.0 2.7 .1 .1 .3 .2 Other services ......................... 7.631 210.7 212.2 4.1 .7 .3 .4 -.2 Special indexes All items less food ........................ 84.087 161.3 161.8 2.1 .3 .2 .1 .3 All items less shelter ..................... 71.806 155.9 156.6 1.8 .4 .1 .2 .3 All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/...... 80.000 161.6 162.0 2.0 .2 .1 .2 .2 All items less medical care ................ 92.654 156.6 157.1 2.1 .3 .2 .2 .3 Commodities less food ...................... 26.960 132.6 133.5 .8 .7 -.1 .3 .4 Nondurables less food ...................... 16.718 135.5 137.2 2.0 1.3 .0 .5 .7 Nondurables less food and apparel .......... 11.932 142.1 143.0 2.3 .6 .1 1.6 .8 Nondurables ................................ 32.631 146.1 147.1 2.1 .7 .2 .5 .4 Services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/ ........ 29.550 188.7 189.5 2.7 .4 .3 -.2 .3 Services less medical care services ........ 51.054 174.8 175.1 2.9 .2 .3 .1 .2 Energy ..................................... 7.049 112.5 113.9 2.0 1.2 -.1 1.7 1.3 All items less energy ...................... 92.951 167.3 167.6 2.2 .2 .2 .1 .2 All items less food and energy ........... 77.038 169.6 170.0 2.2 .2 .2 .1 .2 Commodities less food and energy commodities ................. 23.364 141.2 142.0 .4 .6 -.1 -.3 .2 Energy commodities ................... 3.596 106.2 107.7 2.4 1.4 -.4 4.3 1.5 Services less energy services .......... 53.674 185.8 186.0 2.9 .1 .3 .2 .2 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar: 1982-84=$1.00 1/ ......................... - $.622 $.620 -2.2 -.3 -.2 -.2 -.3 1967=$1.00 1/ ............................ - .208 .207 - - - - - 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- June July Aug. Sept. Dec. Mar. June Sept. Mar. Sept. 1997 1997 1997 1997 1996 1997 1997 1997 1997 1997 Expenditure category All items .................................... - - - - 3.3 1.8 1.0 2.5 2.5 1.8 Food and beverages ......................... 157.4 157.9 158.6 158.7 3.4 .5 1.5 3.3 1.9 2.4 Food ..................................... 157.1 157.6 158.3 158.4 3.4 .3 1.5 3.4 1.8 2.4 Food at home ........................... 157.7 158.2 159.2 159.1 3.6 -1.3 1.3 3.6 1.2 2.4 Cereals and bakery products .......... 177.6 177.7 178.0 178.3 3.9 .9 1.4 1.6 2.4 1.5 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ....... 148.6 149.3 149.4 149.1 5.8 -5.8 4.1 1.4 -.1 2.7 Dairy products 1/ .................... 144.1 143.3 143.4 143.5 5.3 -6.6 -5.4 -1.7 -.8 -3.5 Fruits and vegetables 2/.............. 185.3 186.2 191.4 190.8 .6 4.2 -5.2 12.4 2.4 3.2 Other food at home ................... 147.7 148.6 148.7 149.0 2.2 1.7 7.7 3.6 2.0 5.6 Sugar and sweets ................... 148.1 148.8 147.6 148.4 1.9 .0 5.9 .8 1.0 3.3 Fats and oils ...................... 141.4 141.0 141.5 142.5 .3 .0 -1.7 3.1 .1 .7 Nonalcoholic beverages ............. 134.9 137.1 137.1 136.9 -.9 4.1 19.6 6.1 1.6 12.6 Other prepared food ................ 161.0 161.2 161.5 162.1 4.9 1.0 2.5 2.8 2.9 2.6 Food away from home .................... 156.6 157.1 157.4 157.8 3.4 2.9 1.5 3.1 3.1 2.3 Alcoholic beverages ...................... 162.4 162.9 163.4 163.7 3.6 1.2 2.0 3.2 2.4 2.6 Housing 2/ ................................. 156.5 156.8 156.9 157.3 3.2 2.3 2.3 2.1 2.8 2.2 Shelter .................................. 175.8 176.2 176.6 177.0 2.8 3.3 3.5 2.8 3.1 3.1 Renters' costs 3/ 4/.................... 185.4 185.3 185.7 186.4 2.7 4.9 3.3 2.2 3.8 2.7 Rent, residential .................... 166.5 166.8 167.3 167.8 2.7 2.7 3.4 3.2 2.7 3.3 Other renters' costs 4/ .............. 225.2 223.7 223.8 224.8 2.2 10.9 2.7 -.7 6.5 1.0 Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/ ................ 181.2 181.9 182.4 182.6 2.7 2.7 3.2 3.1 2.7 3.1 Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ........... 181.6 182.3 182.8 183.0 3.0 2.5 3.4 3.1 2.7 3.2 Household insurance 3/ 4/ ............ 165.1 165.1 165.7 166.8 .7 2.5 4.0 4.2 1.6 4.1 Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ .......... 143.3 145.4 145.5 142.6 4.7 2.6 2.6 -1.9 3.6 .3 Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/ 150.0 153.8 154.4 150.2 1.6 1.1 4.4 .5 1.4 2.4 Maintenance and repair commodities 1/ 4/ ................ 134.1 133.7 133.1 132.1 9.9 5.2 -.6 -5.8 7.6 -3.2 Fuel and other utilities 2/............... 130.2 130.5 129.9 130.7 6.1 .6 -.9 1.5 3.3 .3 Fuels .................................. 116.3 116.3 115.4 116.5 9.0 .0 -4.3 .7 4.4 -1.9 Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities ...................... 99.3 97.4 96.7 96.8 50.9 -22.9 -12.3 -9.7 7.8 -11.0 Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)......................... 123.5 123.8 122.8 124.1 4.7 3.3 -3.5 2.0 4.0 -.8 Other utilities and public services 4/ . 161.5 162.3 162.0 162.5 3.1 1.5 3.3 2.5 2.3 2.9 Household furnishings and operation 2/ ... 125.7 125.5 125.1 125.2 1.0 -.3 1.9 -1.6 .3 .2 Housefurnishings 4/ .................... 111.3 110.6 110.1 110.0 .4 -1.8 1.5 -4.6 -.7 -1.6 Housekeeping supplies .................. 143.0 144.0 143.1 143.3 .9 2.3 1.4 .8 1.6 1.1 Housekeeping services 4/ ............... 151.8 152.1 152.7 153.1 3.0 .5 3.5 3.5 1.8 3.5 Apparel and upkeep ......................... 133.3 133.5 132.2 132.6 2.5 1.2 3.4 -2.1 1.8 .6 Apparel commodities 4/ ................... 129.5 129.6 128.3 128.7 2.2 .9 3.8 -2.4 1.6 .6 Men's and boys' apparel ................ 129.7 130.4 130.5 131.0 3.8 -.6 5.4 4.1 1.6 4.7 Women's and girls' apparel ............. 127.4 126.8 124.3 125.5 5.6 2.9 5.2 -5.8 4.3 -.5 Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ...... 132.9 131.3 127.3 126.7 -13.0 9.1 10.2 -17.4 -2.6 -4.6 Footwear ............................... 126.0 127.3 128.1 127.4 2.2 -3.7 -.6 4.5 -.8 1.9 Other apparel commodities 4/............ 146.3 146.9 145.2 143.7 -9.0 2.2 -3.2 -6.9 -3.6 -5.1 Apparel services 1/ 4/ ................... 163.2 163.5 163.6 163.7 2.8 2.2 2.0 1.2 2.5 1.6 Transportation ............................. 143.2 143.3 144.2 144.8 5.4 -.8 -5.9 4.5 2.2 -.8 Private transportation ................... 139.9 140.0 141.2 141.7 4.6 .3 -6.8 5.2 2.4 -1.0 New vehicles ........................... 144.3 144.4 144.3 144.4 -.6 -.3 -.8 .3 -.4 -.3 New cars ............................. 141.7 141.8 141.7 141.7 -1.4 -.6 -.8 .0 -1.0 -.4 Used cars .............................. 150.9 149.2 148.0 147.8 -3.8 7.2 -16.2 -8.0 1.5 -12.2 Motor fuel ............................. 101.4 101.2 106.2 108.0 25.8 -5.6 -26.5 28.7 9.0 -2.7 Gasoline ............................. 100.9 100.5 105.9 107.8 25.5 -5.3 -26.6 30.3 9.0 -2.2 Maintenance and repairs ................ 162.8 163.2 163.4 163.2 2.5 2.0 3.3 1.0 2.3 2.1 Other private transportation 4/......... 177.2 178.1 178.0 178.2 .0 3.2 1.1 2.3 1.6 1.7 Other private transportation commodities 4/.................... 104.9 105.6 105.0 104.8 -.8 -.8 .4 -.4 -.8 .0 Other private transportation services 4/ ...................... 194.5 195.5 195.5 195.8 .2 3.8 1.2 2.7 2.0 2.0 Public transportation .................... 187.2 188.1 184.5 186.7 13.1 -10.6 2.8 -1.1 .5 .9 Medical care ............................... 234.9 235.0 235.5 235.9 2.8 3.0 2.9 1.7 2.9 2.3 Medical care commodities ................. 216.0 215.8 215.5 215.7 1.7 4.0 2.8 -.6 2.9 1.1 Medical care services .................... 239.0 239.2 239.8 240.3 2.9 2.7 3.1 2.2 2.8 2.6 Professional medical services .......... 215.5 215.7 216.3 216.6 3.5 4.0 3.4 2.1 3.8 2.7 Entertainment 4/ ........................... 162.9 163.0 163.4 163.0 3.3 1.5 3.0 .2 2.4 1.6 Entertainment commodities 4/ ............. 144.1 143.9 144.7 144.9 2.5 -.6 -.3 2.2 1.0 1.0 Entertainment services 4/ ................ 184.7 185.0 185.1 184.2 3.9 2.9 5.8 -1.1 3.4 2.3 Other goods and services 2/................. 224.9 225.6 226.9 227.5 3.2 5.4 4.8 4.7 4.3 4.7 Tobacco and smoking products ............. 240.6 241.5 243.2 246.5 1.9 5.6 3.6 10.2 3.7 6.8 Personal care 1/ ......................... 152.8 152.6 152.5 152.7 -.8 3.5 2.7 -.3 1.3 1.2 Toilet goods and personal care appliances 1/ ...................... 144.2 143.7 143.5 143.7 -6.2 2.3 1.7 -1.4 -2.1 .1 Personal care services 1/ .............. 162.6 162.5 162.7 162.8 5.2 5.1 3.5 .5 5.2 2.0 Personal and educational expenses 4/ ..... 260.0 260.9 262.8 262.5 4.6 5.8 5.9 3.9 5.2 4.9 School books and supplies .............. 238.7 239.6 241.2 241.0 5.3 2.6 8.3 3.9 4.0 6.1 Personal and educational services 4/ ... 261.4 262.4 264.3 264.0 4.5 6.0 5.7 4.0 5.2 4.9 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- June July Aug. Sept. Dec. Mar. June Sept. Mar. Sept. 1997 1997 1997 1997 1996 1997 1997 1997 1997 1997 Commodity and service group All items .................................... - - - - 3.3 1.8 1.0 2.5 2.5 1.8 Commodities ................................ 141.3 141.4 141.9 142.3 3.8 .0 -1.4 2.9 1.9 .7 Food and beverages ....................... 157.4 157.9 158.6 158.7 3.4 .5 1.5 3.3 1.9 2.4 Commodities less food and beverages ...... 131.6 131.4 131.8 132.3 4.0 -.3 -3.3 2.1 1.8 -.6 Nondurables less food and beverages .... 133.5 133.5 134.3 135.2 7.8 -1.8 -3.2 5.2 2.9 .9 Apparel commodities 4/ ............... 129.5 129.6 128.3 128.7 2.2 .9 3.8 -2.4 1.6 .6 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel ...................... 138.4 138.2 140.3 141.4 10.8 -1.1 -8.2 9.0 4.7 .0 Durables ............................... 129.0 128.6 128.2 128.1 .0 -.3 -1.8 -2.8 -.2 -2.3 Services ................................... 179.3 179.8 180.0 180.4 3.2 2.7 3.0 2.5 3.0 2.7 Rent of shelter 3/ ....................... 183.3 183.6 184.1 184.4 2.9 3.4 3.3 2.4 3.2 2.9 Household services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/...................... 145.5 145.9 145.2 146.1 3.4 2.5 .8 1.7 3.0 1.2 Transportation services .................. 185.0 185.8 185.1 185.7 3.6 .0 2.0 1.5 1.8 1.7 Medical care services .................... 239.0 239.2 239.8 240.3 2.9 2.7 3.1 2.2 2.8 2.6 Other services ........................... 210.5 211.1 211.9 211.5 4.2 4.8 5.3 1.9 4.5 3.6 Special indexes All items less food .......................... 160.7 161.0 161.2 161.7 3.6 1.8 1.0 2.5 2.7 1.8 All items less shelter ....................... 155.6 155.8 156.1 156.5 3.7 1.0 .3 2.3 2.4 1.3 All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/........ 161.1 161.3 161.6 162.0 3.6 1.5 .5 2.3 2.5 1.4 All items less medical care .................. 155.9 156.2 156.5 156.9 3.4 1.6 1.0 2.6 2.5 1.8 Commodities less food ........................ 133.0 132.9 133.3 133.8 4.0 .0 -3.2 2.4 2.0 -.4 Nondurables less food ........................ 135.2 135.2 135.9 136.9 7.7 -1.5 -2.9 5.1 3.0 1.0 Nondurables less food and apparel ............ 139.7 139.8 142.0 143.2 8.6 -1.9 -6.6 10.4 3.2 1.6 Nondurables .................................. 145.5 145.8 146.5 147.1 5.4 -.3 -1.1 4.5 2.5 1.7 Services less rent of shelter 3/ ............. 188.0 188.6 188.3 188.9 3.7 2.2 2.8 1.9 3.0 2.4 Services less medical care services .......... 173.6 174.2 174.3 174.7 3.3 2.8 2.6 2.6 3.1 2.6 Energy ....................................... 108.5 108.4 110.2 111.6 16.2 -2.8 -14.7 11.9 6.3 -2.3 All items less energy ........................ 167.2 167.5 167.7 168.0 2.5 1.9 2.4 1.9 2.2 2.2 All items less food and energy ............. 169.7 170.0 170.1 170.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 1.7 2.4 2.0 Commodities less food and energy commodities .......................... 142.5 142.4 142.0 142.3 .9 1.1 .6 -.6 1.0 .0 Energy commodities ..................... 101.3 100.9 105.2 106.8 28.7 -8.0 -24.9 23.6 8.8 -3.6 Services less energy services ............ 185.0 185.5 185.8 186.1 3.1 2.7 3.5 2.4 2.9 3.0 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 Sept. 1997 from- Aug. 1997 from- schedule June July Aug. Sept. Sept. July Aug. Aug. June July 1/ 1997 1997 1997 1997 1996 1997 1997 1996 1997 1997 U.S. city average ...................... M 160.3 160.5 160.8 161.2 2.2 0.4 0.2 2.2 0.3 0.2 Region and area size 2/ Northeast urban......................... M 167.0 167.6 167.8 168.4 2.3 .5 .4 2.3 .5 .1 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 167.7 168.2 168.4 169.2 2.3 .6 .5 2.2 .4 .1 Size B - 500,000 to 1,200,000 3/..... M 165.2 165.9 166.2 166.0 2.3 .1 -.1 2.5 .6 .2 Size C - 50,000 to 500,000 3/........ M 165.6 166.4 166.8 167.1 3.0 .4 .2 3.1 .7 .2 North Central urban .................... M 156.7 156.6 157.2 157.5 2.3 .6 .2 2.5 .3 .4 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 157.3 157.3 158.0 158.3 2.5 .6 .2 2.6 .4 .4 Size B - 360,000 to 1,200,000 3/..... M 155.7 155.8 156.3 156.2 1.9 .3 -.1 2.3 .4 .3 Size C - 50,000 to 360,000 3/........ M 158.7 158.5 158.8 159.6 2.7 .7 .5 2.7 .1 .2 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... M 152.6 152.6 152.6 153.4 1.6 .5 .5 1.5 .0 .0 South urban ............................ M 157.0 157.0 157.1 157.5 1.9 .3 .3 1.9 .1 .1 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 155.8 155.8 155.9 156.4 1.9 .4 .3 1.8 .1 .1 Size B - 450,000 to 1,200,000 3/..... M 160.4 160.5 160.8 160.6 2.1 .1 -.1 2.5 .2 .2 Size C - 50,000 to 450,000 3/........ M 156.4 156.0 156.1 156.7 1.5 .4 .4 1.4 -.2 .1 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... M 156.3 156.4 156.4 157.1 2.5 .4 .4 2.5 .1 .0 West urban ............................. M 161.0 161.1 161.5 162.1 2.2 .6 .4 2.2 .3 .2 Size A - More than 1,250,000 ........ M 161.1 161.3 161.7 162.3 2.3 .6 .4 2.3 .4 .2 Size C - 50,000 to 330,000 3/........ M 166.0 166.1 166.8 167.4 2.7 .8 .4 2.6 .5 .4 Size classes A 4/ ................................. M 144.6 144.8 145.1 145.6 2.2 .6 .3 2.3 .3 .2 B 3/ ................................. M 160.7 160.9 161.2 161.2 2.1 .2 .0 2.3 .3 .2 C 3/ ................................. M 160.2 160.1 160.5 161.0 2.3 .6 .3 2.2 .2 .2 D .................................... M 156.6 156.7 156.8 157.4 1.7 .4 .4 1.8 .1 .1 Selected local areas Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI...... M 161.7 161.7 162.5 162.1 2.4 .2 -.2 2.8 .5 .5 Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ...... M 159.4 159.5 159.7 160.5 1.5 .6 .5 1.5 .2 .1 N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT M 170.3 170.8 170.8 171.7 2.1 .5 .5 2.2 .3 .0 Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton, PA-NJ-DE-MD 5/ ......................... M 166.1 166.4 166.8 168.6 2.5 1.3 1.1 2.0 .4 .2 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA 5/ .. M 160.0 160.6 161.2 161.6 3.4 .6 .2 3.6 .8 .4 Baltimore, MD 6/ ....................... 1 - 156.9 - 156.7 .8 -.1 - - - - Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ........... 1 - 167.1 - 167.8 2.6 .4 - - - - Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH ............. 1 - 156.3 - 157.3 2.5 .6 - - - - Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL .............. 1 - 157.9 - 158.5 2.5 .4 - - - - St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL 7/ ..... 1 - 153.3 - 155.1 2.7 1.2 - - - - Washington, DC-MD-VA 6/ ................ 1 - 162.9 - 163.6 1.7 .4 - - - - Dallas-Fort Worth, TX .................. 2 151.4 - 151.2 - - - - 1.1 -.1 - Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI .................. 2 155.0 - 156.9 - - - - 2.8 1.2 - Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX ......... 2 144.8 - 145.4 - - - - 1.8 .4 - Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA 7/ ........ 2 157.4 - 157.5 - - - - 2.5 .1 - 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 Aug. Sept. Sept. 1997 from- June to July to Aug. to 1996 1997 1997 Sept. 1996 Aug. 1997 July Aug. Sept. Expenditure category All items .................................. 100.000 157.8 158.3 2.1 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.3 All items (1967=100) ....................... - 470.0 471.5 - - - - - Food and beverages ....................... 19.436 157.6 157.8 2.1 .1 .3 .4 .1 Food ................................... 17.749 157.1 157.4 2.1 .2 .3 .3 .1 Food at home ......................... 11.387 157.6 157.7 1.7 .1 .3 .4 .0 Cereals and bakery products ........ 1.688 178.2 177.7 2.0 -.3 .0 .1 .2 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..... 3.535 148.8 148.7 1.3 -.1 .5 .0 -.3 Dairy products 1/ .................. 1.387 143.0 143.2 -2.2 .1 -.6 .0 .1 Fruits and vegetables 2/ ........... 2.086 186.9 187.5 2.3 .3 .5 2.6 -.4 Other food at home ................. 2.691 148.0 148.2 3.5 .1 .6 .0 .3 Sugar and sweets ................. .373 147.8 148.4 2.1 .4 .5 -.8 .5 Fats and oils .................... .282 141.2 141.7 .4 .4 -.6 .6 .5 Nonalcoholic beverages ........... .841 135.2 135.2 6.1 .0 1.5 -.1 -.1 Other prepared food .............. 1.194 161.6 161.8 2.9 .1 .2 .2 .4 Food away from home .................. 6.362 157.4 157.8 2.9 .3 .3 .2 .3 Alcoholic beverages .................... 1.687 162.5 162.6 2.3 .1 .2 .4 .0 Housing 2/ ............................... 38.747 154.2 154.4 2.4 .1 .2 .0 .3 Shelter ................................ 25.867 172.3 172.2 3.0 -.1 .2 .2 .2 Renters' costs 3/ 4/.................. 8.079 164.3 163.1 3.2 -.7 -.1 .3 .3 Rent, residential .................. 6.580 167.0 167.5 3.0 .3 .2 .3 .3 Other renters' costs 4/ ............ 1.499 234.2 223.1 3.8 -4.7 -1.1 .3 .4 Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/............... 17.599 166.2 166.7 3.0 .3 .4 .1 .2 Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ......... 17.277 166.5 167.0 3.0 .3 .4 .2 .2 Household insurance 3/ 4/ .......... .322 150.9 151.2 2.2 .2 .1 .4 .5 Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ........ .189 143.8 141.1 2.2 -1.9 1.3 .1 -1.9 Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/ ................. .105 156.5 152.2 1.9 -2.7 2.6 .4 -2.7 Maintenance and repair commodities 1/ 4/ .............. .084 128.0 127.2 2.9 -.6 -.2 -.2 -.6 Fuel and other utilities 2/ ............ 7.344 131.2 131.9 1.9 .5 .2 -.5 .7 Fuels ................................ 3.979 118.1 119.3 1.2 1.0 .0 -.8 1.0 Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities .................... .391 93.2 93.4 -2.1 .2 -1.8 -.6 .1 Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)....................... 3.588 126.2 127.6 1.5 1.1 .2 -.7 1.1 Other utilities and public services 4/ ...................... 3.365 162.9 163.1 2.7 .1 .6 -.1 .3 Household furnishings and operation 2/ . 5.536 123.7 123.9 .2 .2 -.1 -.3 .1 Housefurnishings 4/ .................. 3.261 109.1 109.1 -.9 .0 -.5 -.5 -.1 Housekeeping supplies ................ 1.129 143.4 143.7 1.3 .2 .6 -.7 .3 Housekeeping services 4/ ............. 1.145 155.2 156.1 2.6 .6 .2 .4 .3 Apparel and upkeep ....................... 5.348 129.4 132.1 1.1 2.1 .2 -1.0 .2 Apparel commodities 4/ ................. 4.838 125.7 128.6 1.1 2.3 .2 -1.1 .2 Men's and boys' apparel .............. 1.286 128.8 131.2 3.3 1.9 .8 .0 .3 Women's and girls' apparel............ 2.053 119.6 124.6 2.0 4.2 -.4 -2.1 .7 Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ .... .240 128.4 128.3 -3.1 -.1 -1.3 -2.7 -.1 Footwear ............................. .799 127.3 128.3 .4 .8 .9 .7 -.5 Other apparel commodities 4/.......... .461 145.7 144.8 -4.4 -.6 .6 -1.7 -1.2 Apparel services 1/ 4/ ................. .510 162.7 162.8 1.9 .1 .2 .1 .1 Transportation ........................... 19.190 143.3 143.6 .5 .2 .1 .7 .4 Private transportation ................. 17.934 141.1 141.4 .5 .2 -.1 .9 .3 New vehicles ......................... 4.893 144.3 144.0 -.2 -.2 .1 -.2 .1 New cars ........................... 3.533 140.0 139.7 -.6 -.2 .1 -.1 .0 Used cars ............................ 2.320 149.9 149.7 -5.4 -.1 -1.2 -.7 -.2 Motor fuel ........................... 3.921 107.7 109.2 2.8 1.4 -.4 5.0 1.4 Gasoline ........................... - 107.6 109.2 3.2 1.5 -.4 5.5 1.6 Maintenance and repairs .............. 1.616 164.2 164.5 2.3 .2 .3 .1 .0 Other private transportation 4/....... 5.185 172.7 172.3 1.5 -.2 .5 .0 .1 Other private transportation commodities 4/.................. .742 104.0 103.8 -.3 -.2 .6 -.5 -.2 Other private transportation services 4/ .................... 4.442 190.1 189.7 1.8 -.2 .5 .1 .1 Public transportation .................. 1.256 181.6 183.5 .9 1.0 .9 -1.6 1.2 Medical care ............................. 6.251 234.6 234.7 2.6 .0 .1 .2 .2 Medical care commodities ............... 1.047 212.5 212.5 1.9 .0 .0 -.2 .2 Medical care services .................. 5.204 239.5 239.7 2.7 .1 .1 .3 .2 Professional medical services ........ 2.973 217.7 217.8 3.3 .0 .1 .3 .1 Entertainment 4/ ......................... 4.015 160.6 160.5 2.0 -.1 .1 .4 -.2 Entertainment commodities 4/ ........... 2.036 143.5 143.4 .8 -.1 .0 .6 .1 Entertainment services 4/ .............. 1.979 184.9 184.8 3.1 -.1 .2 .1 -.4 Other goods and services 2/ .............. 7.012 222.1 224.6 4.6 1.1 .3 .5 .5 Tobacco and smoking products ........... 2.117 243.0 246.1 5.3 1.3 .5 .6 1.4 Personal care 1/ ....................... 1.107 152.4 152.6 1.2 .1 -.2 .0 .1 Toilet goods and personal care appliances 1/ .................... .610 144.4 144.7 -.7 .2 -.3 -.1 .2 Personal care services 1/ ............ .497 162.8 163.0 3.7 .1 -.1 .1 .1 Personal and educational expenses 4/ ... 3.788 256.8 260.2 5.2 1.3 .3 .6 .2 School books and supplies ............ .232 241.9 243.9 5.4 .8 .4 .4 .0 Personal and educational services 4/ . 3.556 258.3 261.8 5.2 1.4 .3 .6 .2 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 Aug. Sept. Sept. 1997 from- June to July to Aug. to 1996 1997 1997 Sept. 1996 Aug. 1997 July Aug. Sept. Commodity and service group All items .................................. 100.000 157.8 158.3 2.1 .3 .2 .2 .3 Commodities .............................. 47.057 141.4 142.1 1.2 .5 .1 .4 .2 Food and beverages ..................... 19.436 157.6 157.8 2.1 .1 .3 .4 .1 Commodities less food and beverages .... 27.621 131.6 132.5 .6 .7 -.2 .4 .4 Nondurables less food and beverages .. 16.215 133.9 135.5 2.0 1.2 .1 .8 .7 Apparel commodities 4/ ............. 4.838 125.7 128.6 1.1 2.3 .2 -1.1 .2 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .................... 11.377 140.8 141.9 2.5 .8 -.2 1.8 .8 Durables ............................. 11.407 127.4 127.2 -1.5 -.2 -.3 -.3 .0 Services ................................. 52.943 177.4 177.7 2.8 .2 .3 .1 .3 Rent of shelter 3/ ..................... 25.329 165.8 165.8 3.0 .0 .2 .2 .3 Household services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/....................... 8.553 135.0 135.8 2.1 .6 .3 -.4 .6 Transportation services ................ 7.314 182.1 182.3 1.7 .1 .5 -.2 .2 Medical care services .................. 5.204 239.5 239.7 2.7 .1 .1 .3 .2 Other services ......................... 6.542 207.4 209.0 4.2 .8 .2 .4 .0 Special indexes All items less food ........................ 82.251 157.8 158.4 2.1 .4 .1 .2 .3 All items less shelter ..................... 74.133 153.9 154.6 1.8 .5 .1 .3 .3 All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/...... 82.401 147.9 148.4 1.9 .3 .1 .2 .3 All items less medical care ................ 93.749 154.2 154.7 2.0 .3 .1 .3 .3 Commodities less food ...................... 29.308 132.9 133.7 .7 .6 -.1 .4 .3 Nondurables less food ...................... 17.901 135.6 137.1 2.1 1.1 .1 .7 .8 Nondurables less food and apparel .......... 13.064 141.9 142.9 2.4 .7 .1 1.8 .8 Nondurables ................................ 35.651 146.0 147.0 2.2 .7 .3 .6 .3 Services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/ ........ 27.613 168.2 168.8 2.6 .4 .3 .0 .3 Services less medical care services ........ 47.738 172.0 172.4 2.9 .2 .4 -.1 .3 Energy ..................................... 7.901 112.2 113.5 2.0 1.2 -.2 2.0 1.2 All items less energy ...................... 92.099 164.2 164.6 2.1 .2 .2 .1 .1 All items less food and energy ........... 74.350 166.0 166.5 2.1 .3 .2 .0 .2 Commodities less food and energy commodities ................. 24.996 140.8 141.5 .4 .5 .0 -.4 .2 Energy commodities ................... 4.312 106.7 108.1 2.5 1.3 -.5 4.5 1.2 Services less energy services .......... 49.354 183.0 183.3 3.0 .2 .3 .2 .2 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar: 1982-84=$1.00 1/ ......................... - $.634 $.632 -2.0 -.3 .0 -.2 -.3 1967=$1.00 1/ ............................ - .213 .212 - - - - - 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- June July Aug. Sept. Dec. Mar. June Sept. Mar. Sept. 1997 1997 1997 1997 1996 1997 1997 1997 1997 1997 Expenditure category All items .................................... - - - - 3.9 1.5 0.5 2.6 2.7 1.5 Food and beverages ......................... 157.0 157.5 158.1 158.2 3.9 .3 1.5 3.1 2.1 2.3 Food ..................................... 156.6 157.1 157.6 157.8 3.9 .3 1.5 3.1 2.1 2.3 Food at home ........................... 157.0 157.5 158.2 158.2 3.7 -1.5 1.8 3.1 1.0 2.4 Cereals and bakery products .......... 177.4 177.4 177.5 177.9 4.2 .9 1.6 1.1 2.5 1.4 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ....... 148.3 149.1 149.1 148.7 6.4 -6.3 4.4 1.1 -.1 2.7 Dairy products 1/ .................... 143.8 143.0 143.0 143.2 5.9 -7.1 -5.4 -1.7 -.8 -3.5 Fruits and vegetables 2/.............. 185.0 186.0 190.9 190.2 -.4 4.8 -4.6 11.7 2.2 3.2 Other food at home ................... 147.0 147.9 147.9 148.3 2.5 1.1 7.1 3.6 1.8 5.3 Sugar and sweets ................... 147.9 148.7 147.5 148.2 1.9 .0 5.6 .8 1.0 3.2 Fats and oils ...................... 141.3 140.5 141.3 142.0 1.1 .0 -1.4 2.0 .6 .3 Nonalcoholic beverages ............. 133.7 135.7 135.6 135.4 -.6 2.9 17.9 5.2 1.1 11.4 Other prepared food ................ 160.7 161.0 161.4 162.1 5.4 .3 2.8 3.5 2.8 3.2 Food away from home .................... 156.6 157.1 157.4 157.8 4.0 3.4 1.0 3.1 3.7 2.1 Alcoholic beverages ...................... 161.8 162.2 162.8 162.8 3.8 1.0 2.0 2.5 2.4 2.2 Housing 2/ ................................. 153.1 153.4 153.4 153.9 3.2 2.4 2.1 2.1 2.8 2.1 Shelter .................................. 170.9 171.3 171.6 172.0 2.9 3.1 3.3 2.6 3.0 3.0 Renters' costs 3/ 4/.................... 162.0 161.9 162.4 162.9 2.8 3.8 4.1 2.2 3.3 3.1 Rent, residential .................... 166.2 166.5 167.0 167.5 3.0 2.5 3.7 3.2 2.7 3.4 Other renters' costs 4/ .............. 225.7 223.3 223.9 224.7 2.0 9.1 6.1 -1.8 5.5 2.1 Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/ ................ 165.3 165.9 166.1 166.5 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.9 3.0 2.9 Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ........... 165.6 166.2 166.5 166.8 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.9 3.0 2.9 Household insurance 3/ 4/ ............ 149.6 149.7 150.3 151.1 -1.3 3.0 3.3 4.1 .8 3.7 Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ .......... 141.7 143.6 143.8 141.1 6.2 2.3 2.3 -1.7 4.2 .3 Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/ 152.0 155.9 156.5 152.2 1.9 .5 4.6 .5 1.2 2.5 Maintenance and repair commodities 1/ 4/ ................ 128.6 128.3 128.0 127.2 11.8 5.1 -.3 -4.3 8.4 -2.3 Fuel and other utilities 2/............... 129.8 130.1 129.5 130.4 6.1 1.2 -1.2 1.9 3.6 .3 Fuels .................................. 115.6 115.6 114.7 115.8 8.7 .7 -4.7 .7 4.6 -2.0 Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities ...................... 98.9 97.1 96.5 96.6 52.1 -23.8 -12.6 -9.0 7.6 -10.8 Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)......................... 122.9 123.1 122.2 123.5 5.0 3.6 -4.1 2.0 4.3 -1.1 Other utilities and public services 4/ . 162.1 163.0 162.8 163.3 3.1 2.0 3.0 3.0 2.5 3.0 Household furnishings and operation 2/ ... 124.1 124.0 123.6 123.7 1.3 -.6 1.6 -1.3 .3 .2 Housefurnishings 4/ .................... 110.0 109.5 109.0 108.9 1.1 -1.8 1.1 -3.9 -.4 -1.5 Housekeeping supplies .................. 143.6 144.4 143.4 143.8 1.1 2.6 1.1 .6 1.8 .8 Housekeeping services 4/ ............... 154.6 154.9 155.5 156.0 2.7 .0 4.2 3.7 1.3 4.0 Apparel and upkeep ......................... 132.5 132.8 131.5 131.7 2.2 1.8 3.4 -2.4 2.0 .5 Apparel commodities 4/ ................... 129.2 129.4 128.0 128.2 1.9 2.2 3.5 -3.1 2.1 .2 Men's and boys' apparel ................ 129.4 130.4 130.4 130.8 4.5 -.6 5.1 4.4 1.9 4.7 Women's and girls' apparel ............. 126.7 126.2 123.6 124.5 5.3 5.6 4.2 -6.8 5.5 -1.4 Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ...... 133.8 132.0 128.4 128.3 -12.4 8.4 9.8 -15.5 -2.6 -3.6 Footwear ............................... 127.0 128.1 129.0 128.3 2.2 -4.6 .0 4.2 -1.2 2.1 Other apparel commodities 4/............ 146.2 147.1 144.6 142.8 -9.3 1.7 -.3 -9.0 -4.0 -4.7 Apparel services 1/ 4/ ................... 162.2 162.6 162.7 162.8 2.0 2.5 1.7 1.5 2.3 1.6 Transportation ............................. 142.3 142.4 143.4 144.0 5.7 -.3 -7.5 4.9 2.7 -1.5 Private transportation ................... 140.1 140.0 141.3 141.7 5.2 .6 -7.9 4.6 2.9 -1.8 New vehicles ........................... 145.6 145.7 145.4 145.6 -.3 .3 -.8 .0 .0 -.4 New cars ............................. 141.3 141.4 141.3 141.3 -1.1 -.3 -1.4 .0 -.7 -.7 Used cars .............................. 152.5 150.6 149.5 149.2 -3.5 7.4 -15.6 -8.4 1.8 -12.1 Motor fuel ............................. 101.6 101.2 106.3 107.8 27.7 -6.6 -25.9 26.7 9.2 -3.1 Gasoline ............................. 101.0 100.6 106.1 107.8 27.8 -7.0 -26.3 29.8 9.0 -2.2 Maintenance and repairs ................ 163.8 164.3 164.4 164.4 2.3 2.5 3.2 1.5 2.4 2.4 Other private transportation 4/......... 172.8 173.6 173.6 173.7 -.5 3.3 1.2 2.1 1.4 1.6 Other private transportation commodities 4/.................... 104.0 104.6 104.1 103.9 -.4 -.4 .0 -.4 -.4 -.2 Other private transportation services 4/ ...................... 190.2 191.1 191.2 191.4 -.4 3.9 1.3 2.5 1.7 1.9 Public transportation .................... 183.6 185.3 182.3 184.4 15.0 -12.5 1.5 1.8 .3 1.6 Medical care ............................... 234.1 234.3 234.7 235.1 2.8 2.8 3.0 1.7 2.8 2.3 Medical care commodities ................. 213.1 213.0 212.5 212.9 1.9 3.5 2.7 -.4 2.7 1.1 Medical care services .................... 238.7 238.9 239.5 240.0 3.1 2.6 3.1 2.2 2.8 2.6 Professional medical services .......... 216.8 217.0 217.7 218.0 3.8 3.8 3.4 2.2 3.8 2.8 Entertainment 4/ ........................... 160.2 160.3 161.0 160.6 3.3 1.0 2.5 1.0 2.2 1.8 Entertainment commodities 4/ ............. 142.7 142.7 143.6 143.7 2.6 -.6 -1.1 2.8 1.0 .8 Entertainment services 4/ ................ 185.1 185.4 185.6 184.8 3.8 2.9 6.3 -.6 3.4 2.8 Other goods and services 2/................. 221.0 221.6 222.7 223.9 3.0 5.9 4.3 5.4 4.4 4.8 Tobacco and smoking products ............. 240.1 241.2 242.7 246.1 1.9 5.9 3.2 10.4 3.9 6.7 Personal care 1/ ......................... 152.7 152.4 152.4 152.6 -1.1 3.2 2.9 -.3 1.1 1.3 Toilet goods and personal care appliances 1/ ...................... 145.0 144.6 144.4 144.7 -5.9 2.2 2.0 -.8 -1.9 .6 Personal care services 1/ .............. 162.7 162.6 162.8 163.0 5.7 4.6 3.8 .7 5.2 2.2 Personal and educational expenses 4/ ..... 255.2 256.0 257.5 257.9 4.6 6.4 5.5 4.3 5.5 4.9 School books and supplies .............. 241.1 242.1 243.1 243.1 6.0 2.4 9.7 3.4 4.2 6.5 Personal and educational services 4/ ... 256.6 257.3 258.8 259.2 4.6 6.7 5.3 4.1 5.7 4.7 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- June July Aug. Sept. Dec. Mar. June Sept. Mar. Sept. 1997 1997 1997 1997 1996 1997 1997 1997 1997 1997 Commodity and service group All items .................................... - - - - 3.9 1.5 .5 2.6 2.7 1.5 Commodities ................................ 141.2 141.3 141.9 142.2 4.3 .3 -2.2 2.9 2.3 .3 Food and beverages ....................... 157.0 157.5 158.1 158.2 3.9 .3 1.5 3.1 2.1 2.3 Commodities less food and beverages ...... 131.6 131.4 131.9 132.4 4.6 .0 -4.4 2.5 2.3 -1.0 Nondurables less food and beverages .... 133.2 133.3 134.3 135.2 8.4 -1.5 -4.4 6.1 3.3 .7 Apparel commodities 4/ ............... 129.2 129.4 128.0 128.2 1.9 2.2 3.5 -3.1 2.1 .2 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel ...................... 138.0 137.7 140.2 141.3 12.1 -1.7 -8.8 9.9 5.0 .1 Durables ............................... 128.5 128.1 127.7 127.7 -.9 .0 -2.8 -2.5 -.5 -2.6 Services ................................... 176.3 176.8 176.9 177.4 3.3 2.8 2.8 2.5 3.0 2.6 Rent of shelter 3/ ....................... 164.7 165.0 165.3 165.8 2.5 3.3 3.7 2.7 2.9 3.2 Household services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/...................... 133.6 134.0 133.4 134.2 3.4 2.4 .6 1.8 2.9 1.2 Transportation services .................. 182.4 183.4 183.0 183.4 2.7 .4 1.8 2.2 1.6 2.0 Medical care services .................... 238.7 238.9 239.5 240.0 3.1 2.6 3.1 2.2 2.8 2.6 Other services ........................... 207.2 207.6 208.4 208.3 4.3 5.0 5.2 2.1 4.7 3.6 Special indexes All items less food .......................... 157.0 157.2 157.5 158.0 3.9 1.8 .3 2.6 2.9 1.4 All items less shelter ....................... 153.5 153.7 154.1 154.5 4.0 1.0 -.5 2.6 2.5 1.0 All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/........ 147.4 147.6 147.9 148.3 3.9 1.4 .0 2.5 2.6 1.2 All items less medical care .................. 153.5 153.7 154.1 154.5 3.8 1.3 .5 2.6 2.5 1.6 Commodities less food ........................ 133.0 132.9 133.4 133.8 4.6 .0 -4.1 2.4 2.3 -.9 Nondurables less food ........................ 134.7 134.9 135.9 137.0 7.7 -1.7 -4.1 7.0 2.9 1.3 Nondurables less food and apparel ............ 139.2 139.3 141.8 142.9 9.2 -1.9 -7.4 11.1 3.5 1.4 Nondurables .................................. 145.2 145.6 146.5 147.0 6.0 -.3 -1.6 5.1 2.8 1.7 Services less rent of shelter 3/ ............. 167.3 167.8 167.8 168.3 3.5 2.7 1.9 2.4 3.1 2.2 Services less medical care services .......... 171.0 171.6 171.5 172.0 3.1 2.6 3.1 2.4 2.9 2.7 Energy ....................................... 108.0 107.8 110.0 111.3 17.5 -2.8 -16.0 12.8 6.9 -2.6 All items less energy ........................ 164.1 164.4 164.6 164.8 2.8 2.0 2.0 1.7 2.4 1.8 All items less food and energy ............. 166.2 166.5 166.5 166.8 2.2 2.5 2.2 1.5 2.3 1.8 Commodities less food and energy commodities .......................... 142.0 142.0 141.5 141.8 .9 1.7 -.3 -.6 1.3 -.4 Energy commodities ..................... 101.6 101.1 105.7 107.0 29.6 -8.3 -24.8 23.0 9.0 -3.8 Services less energy services ............ 182.4 182.9 183.2 183.6 2.9 2.9 3.4 2.7 2.9 3.0 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 Sept. 1997 from- Aug. 1997 from- schedule June July Aug. Sept. Sept. July Aug. Aug. June July 1/ 1997 1997 1997 1997 1996 1997 1997 1996 1997 1997 U.S. city average ...................... M 157.4 157.5 157.8 158.3 2.1 0.5 0.3 2.1 0.3 0.2 Region and area size 2/ Northeast urban......................... M 164.3 164.7 164.9 165.6 2.2 .5 .4 2.2 .4 .1 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 164.0 164.3 164.5 165.4 2.2 .7 .5 2.2 .3 .1 Size B - 500,000 to 1,200,000 3/..... M 162.8 163.5 163.7 163.4 2.3 -.1 -.2 2.3 .6 .1 Size C - 50,000 to 500,000 3/........ M 167.1 167.5 167.8 168.6 3.0 .7 .5 2.8 .4 .2 North Central urban .................... M 153.1 153.1 153.6 153.9 2.2 .5 .2 2.5 .3 .3 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 152.9 152.9 153.6 153.9 2.3 .7 .2 2.5 .5 .5 Size B - 360,000 to 1,200,000 3/..... M 151.7 151.9 152.3 152.3 1.9 .3 .0 2.4 .4 .3 Size C - 50,000 to 360,000 3/........ M 156.0 155.7 156.1 156.9 2.8 .8 .5 2.8 .1 .3 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... M 150.8 150.7 150.9 151.5 1.6 .5 .4 1.6 .1 .1 South urban ............................ M 155.4 155.3 155.5 155.9 1.8 .4 .3 1.8 .1 .1 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 153.9 153.9 154.0 154.5 1.8 .4 .3 1.7 .1 .1 Size B - 450,000 to 1,200,000 3/..... M 156.1 156.2 156.5 156.6 2.0 .3 .1 2.2 .3 .2 Size C - 50,000 to 450,000 3/........ M 156.2 155.7 155.9 156.4 1.3 .4 .3 1.3 -.2 .1 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... M 156.5 156.6 157.0 157.7 2.5 .7 .4 2.5 .3 .3 West urban ............................. M 157.5 157.6 158.0 158.6 2.0 .6 .4 2.0 .3 .3 Size A - More than 1,250,000 ........ M 156.0 156.2 156.5 157.2 2.1 .6 .4 2.0 .3 .2 Size C - 50,000 to 330,000 3/........ M 162.7 162.9 163.5 164.1 2.6 .7 .4 2.5 .5 .4 Size classes A 4/ ................................. M 143.5 143.6 143.9 144.4 2.1 .6 .3 2.1 .3 .2 B 3/ ................................. M 157.6 157.8 158.0 158.0 1.9 .1 .0 2.2 .3 .1 C 3/ ................................. M 159.2 159.1 159.4 160.0 2.2 .6 .4 2.2 .1 .2 D .................................... M 155.7 155.8 156.0 156.6 1.7 .5 .4 1.8 .2 .1 Selected local areas Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI...... M 156.0 156.0 156.7 156.4 2.1 .3 -.2 2.5 .4 .4 Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ...... M 153.8 153.8 154.0 154.7 1.3 .6 .5 1.4 .1 .1 N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT M 166.2 166.6 166.7 167.7 2.0 .7 .6 2.1 .3 .1 Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton, PA-NJ-DE-MD 5/ ......................... M 165.3 165.5 165.9 167.9 2.6 1.5 1.2 1.8 .4 .2 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA 5/ .. M 157.0 157.5 158.1 158.6 3.1 .7 .3 3.3 .7 .4 Baltimore, MD 6/ ....................... 1 - 155.6 - 155.6 .8 .0 - - - - Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ........... 1 - 165.8 - 166.2 2.5 .2 - - - - Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH ............. 1 - 148.2 - 149.2 2.3 .7 - - - - Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL .............. 1 - 155.5 - 156.1 2.3 .4 - - - - St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL 7/ ..... 1 - 152.5 - 154.0 2.6 1.0 - - - - Washington, DC-MD-VA 6/ ................ 1 - 160.2 - 161.1 1.8 .6 - - - - Dallas-Fort Worth, TX .................. 2 151.4 - 151.1 - - - - 1.1 -.2 - Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI .................. 2 149.8 - 151.6 - - - - 2.4 1.2 - Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX ......... 2 144.1 - 144.9 - - - - 1.9 .6 - Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA 7/ ........ 2 150.8 - 151.0 - - - - 2.6 .1 - 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.