TEXT Table 1. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service Table 2. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): Seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by expenditure category and Table 4. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and Table 5. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and Table 3. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Selected areas, all items index Table 6. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: Selected areas, all items index FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Patrick C. Jackman (202) 606-7000 USDL-96-378 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 Friday, September 13, 1996 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX: AUGUST 1996 The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent before seasonal adjustment in August to a level of 157.3 (1982-84=100), the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. For the 12-month period ended in August, the CPI- U increased 2.9 percent. The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) rose 0.1 percent in August, prior to seasonal adjustment. The August 1996 CPI-W level of 154.5 was 2.9 percent higher than the index in August 1995. CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U rose 0.1 percent in August, following a 0.3 percent increase in July. The energy index declined for the third consecutive month--down 0.6 percent in August and 3.2 percent for the 3-month period--after increasing 9.4 percent in the 6-month period ended in May. The index for petroleum-based energy declined 1.6 percent in August, while the index for energy services rose 0.6 percent. The food index rose 0.4 percent in August, reflecting sharp increases in prices for meats and for dairy products. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U rose 0.1 percent, following a 0.3 percent increase in July. The deceleration in August was due to a substantially smaller increase in shelter costs and a larger decline in the index for apparel and upkeep. 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 3-mos. ended ended Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Aug.'96 Aug.'96 All Items .2 .4 .4 .3 .1 .3 .1 1.8 2.9 Food and beverages .1 .5 .3 .1 .7 .5 .3 5.9 3.6 Housing .2 .3 .3 .2 .1 .4 .2 2.7 2.9 Apparel and upkeep -.9 .6 -.4 .1 -.4 -.1 -1.4 -7.1 -1.5 Transportation .5 .7 1.1 .7 -.4 -.2 -.2 -3.3 2.6 Medical care .2 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3 .2 3.0 3.4 Entertainment .8 .1 -.1 .4 .3 .1 .2 2.0 3.3 Other goods and services .4 .4 .3 .4 .2 .4 .3 3.8 4.1 Special Indexes: Energy .4 1.4 3.2 1.1 -2.2 -.4 -.6 -12.2 3.9 Food .1 .6 .3 .1 .7 .5 .4 6.5 3.6 All items less food and energy .2 .3 .1 .2 .2 .3 .1 2.2 2.6 See page 4 for the announcement of a change in the hospital and related service component of the CPI. During the first 8 months of 1996, the CPI-U rose at a 3.2 percent seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). This compares with a 2.5 percent increase for all of 1995. Increases in the food and energy components, which acted as moderating influences throughout most of the past 5 years, have been responsible for the acceleration thus far in 1996. Energy costs, which declined last year, have increased at a 7.3 percent rate, with petroleum-based energy advancing at a 10.9 percent SAAR. The food index has risen at a 4.2 percent annual rate in the first 8 months after increasing 2.1 percent in all of 1995. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U advanced at a 2.7 percent rate in the first 8 months of 1996. This compares with a 3.0 percent increase for all of 1995. The food and beverage index rose 0.3 percent in August. The index for grocery store foods increased 0.5 percent, the same as in July. Increases in the indexes for dairy products and for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs--up 2.0 and 0.9 percent, respectively--accounted for all of the August advance. The index for dairy products has risen 5.1 percent in the past 3 months and 8.9 percent since August 1995. Within the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs, price increases for beef, pork, and poultry each accelerated in August, advancing 1.7, 2.1, and 1.2 percent, respectively. During the 12-month period ended in August, beef prices have risen 1.1 percent, and pork and poultry prices have advanced 12.9 and 8.2 percent, respectively. Each of the other major grocery store food groups either declined or was unchanged in August. The index for fruits and vegetables declined 0.3 percent as a decrease in fresh fruit prices more than offset small increases in the indexes for fresh vegetables and for processed fruits and vegetables. The indexes for cereal and bakery products and other food at home were unchanged and down 0.1 percent, respectively. The other two components of the food and beverage index--restaurant meals and alcoholic beverages- -increased 0.2 and 0.3 percent, respectively, in August. The housing component, which rose 0.4 percent in July, advanced 0.2 percent in August. Shelter costs increased 0.1 percent in August, following a rise of 0.5 percent in July. Within shelter, renters' costs rose 0.1 percent, and homeowners' and maintenance and repair costs each rose 0.2 percent. The index for fuel and other utilities increased 0.4 percent in August. The index for household fuels increased 0.5 percent in August, and the index for other utilities and public services rose 0.3 percent. Among household fuels, the indexes for electricity and for fuel oil increased 0.8 and 0.9 percent, respectively, while the index for natural gas was unchanged. Within the index for other utilities and public services, the index for telephone services rose 0.2 percent, resulting from a 2.0 percent rise in charges for intrastate toll calls. The index for household furnishings and operation rose 0.2 percent in August, following a 0.1 percent increase in July. The transportation index declined for the third consecutive month-- down 0.2 percent in August--primarily as a result of another decrease in the index for motor fuels. The index for gasoline, which increased 18.2 percent in the period from November 1995 through May, has declined 7.6 percent in the past 3 months, including a 2.0 percent drop in August. As of August, the gasoline index was 11.6 percent below its peak level of December 1990. The index for new vehicle prices rose 0.1 percent in August. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, new vehicle prices fell 0.2 percent.) The index for automobile finance charges increased 1.8 percent in August and has risen 3.9 percent in the past 3 months. The index for used cars was unchanged in August, following declines in each of the 4 preceding months. The index for public transportation decreased 0.1 percent, reflecting price declines for airline fares and for other intercity transportation fares. The index for apparel and upkeep declined for the third consecutive month--down 1.4 percent in August. The slower introduction of higher priced fall-winter wear, coupled with large seasonal price declines for spring and summer wear, was responsible for the August decrease. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, clothing prices declined 0.2 percent in August.) Medical care costs rose 0.2 percent in August to a level 3.4 percent above a year ago. The index for medical care commodities-- prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, and medical supplies-- increased 0.2 percent in August. The index for medical care services also rose 0.2 percent in August. Charges for professional services and for hospital and related services each increased 0.3 percent. Entertainment costs rose 0.2 percent in August. The indexes for reading materials and for sporting goods and equipment each rose 0.5 percent and in aggregate accounted for over three-fourths of the August entertainment advance. The index for other goods and services increased 0.3 percent in August, following a 0.4 percent rise in July. Advances in the indexes for college tuition and for school books and supplies--up 1.0 and 1.2 percent, respectively--accounted for about three-fourths of the August increase in this major group. 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 August. Table B. Percent changes in CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) Seasonally adjusted Un- Compound adjusted Expenditure Changes from preceding month annual rate 12-mos. Category 1996 3-mos. ended ended Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Aug. '96 Aug '96 All Items .2 .5 .4 .3 .1 .2 .1 1.3 2.9 Food and beverages .1 .5 .3 .1 .7 .4 .4 6.2 3.6 Housing .1 .3 .3 .2 .1 .4 .2 2.7 2.9 Apparel and upkeep -.7 .6 -.2 .2 -.6 .0 -1.5 -8.2 -1.2 Transportation .3 .9 1.1 .6 -.6 -.4 -.1 -4.4 2.7 Medical care .2 .2 .3 .3 .3 .3 .1 2.8 3.3 Entertainment .8 .0 -.1 .4 .3 .0 .3 2.3 3.3 Other goods and services .4 .3 .3 .4 .1 .4 .2 3.2 3.9 Special Indexes: Energy .2 1.8 3.3 1.1 -2.0 -.9 -.5 -13.2 4.0 Food .1 .6 .3 .1 .8 .5 .3 6.5 3.7 All items less food and energy .2 .3 .1 .2 .1 .2 .1 1.7 2.5 Consumer Price Index data for September are scheduled for release on Wednesday, October 16, 1996, at 8:30 A.M. (EDT). Changing the Hospital and Related Services Component of the Consumer Price Index Effective with the release of data for January 1997, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will introduce improvements in the way in which the Hospital and related services component of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is calculated. Two complementary changes will be made: Items within the hospital and related services component will be reclassified into two main groups, or item strata--Hospital services and Nursing home services, instead of the current three--Hospital rooms, Other inpatient services, and Hospital outpatient services. The definition of the specific items selected for pricing within individual hospitals will be broadened substantially. These newly defined items will be reselected using new procedures in the majority of the hospitals from which price data currently are collected for the CPI. Additional information on these changes was published in the June 1996 CPI Detailed Report and is available on the Internet. (Go to gopher://stats.bls.gov and access /pub/special.requests/cpi/hospital.txt.) This information may also be obtained by writing to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Consumer Prices and Price Indexes, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Room 3260, Washington, DC 20212, or by telephoning Elaine Cardenas at (202) 606-6985 ext. 251. 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 July Aug. Aug. 1996 from- May to June to July to 1995 1996 1996 Aug. 1995 July 1996 June July Aug. Expenditure category All items .................................. 100.000 157.0 157.3 2.9 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1 All items (1967=100) ....................... - 470.4 471.1 - - - - - Food and beverages ....................... 17.332 153.6 154.2 3.6 .4 .7 .5 .3 Food ................................... 15.766 153.2 153.7 3.6 .3 .7 .5 .4 Food at home ......................... 9.880 154.1 154.8 4.3 .5 1.0 .5 .5 Cereals and bakery products ........ 1.473 174.8 175.0 3.7 .1 .1 .2 .0 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..... 2.936 143.9 145.6 5.0 1.2 1.5 .6 .9 Dairy products ..................... 1.169 142.0 144.6 8.9 1.8 1.5 1.5 2.0 Fruits and vegetables .............. 1.936 184.0 182.1 4.7 -1.0 2.0 .5 -.3 Other food at home ................. 2.365 142.9 143.2 1.3 .2 .1 .2 -.1 Sugar and sweets ................. .327 144.6 144.6 4.3 .0 .5 .5 -.2 Fats and oils .................... .248 140.5 140.9 2.5 .3 .7 -.6 .8 Nonalcoholic beverages ........... .763 127.5 128.5 -2.1 .8 -.6 -.1 .5 Other prepared food .............. 1.027 156.8 156.4 2.8 -.3 .6 .4 -.5 Food away from home .................. 5.886 152.8 153.1 2.5 .2 .2 .3 .2 Alcoholic beverages .................... 1.566 158.5 158.9 2.8 .3 .2 .1 .3 Housing .................................. 41.346 153.6 154.0 2.9 .3 .1 .4 .2 Shelter ................................ 28.289 171.9 172.3 3.3 .2 .2 .5 .1 Renters' costs 1/ .................... 7.988 183.0 183.4 3.7 .2 .2 .8 .1 Rent, residential .................. 5.762 162.2 162.5 2.7 .2 .2 .3 .1 Other renters' costs ............... 2.227 225.4 225.9 5.7 .2 .0 2.1 -.1 Homeowners' costs 1/ ................. 20.102 176.6 177.0 3.1 .2 .2 .3 .2 Owners' equivalent rent 1/ ......... 19.716 176.9 177.3 3.1 .2 .1 .3 .1 Household insurance 1/ ............. .386 162.0 162.3 2.3 .2 .5 .5 .1 Maintenance and repairs 2/ ........... .199 139.4 139.7 3.2 .2 .0 .4 .2 Maintenance and repair services 2/ . .122 146.3 147.1 4.8 .5 -.1 1.2 .5 Maintenance and repair commodities 2/ ................. .077 130.1 129.6 .6 -.4 .0 -.6 -.4 Fuel and other utilities ............... 7.014 129.0 129.4 2.9 .3 -.2 .5 .4 Fuels ................................ 3.792 117.4 117.9 2.9 .4 -.9 .9 .5 Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities .................... .356 92.3 92.2 6.5 -.1 -4.1 -1.6 .5 Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)....................... 3.436 125.6 126.1 2.5 .4 -.5 1.1 .6 Other utilities and public services 2/ ...................... 3.222 157.5 158.0 3.2 .3 .4 -.1 .3 Household furnishings and operation .... 6.043 124.7 124.8 1.1 .1 .1 .1 .2 Housefurnishings ..................... 3.445 111.2 111.3 -.2 .1 .1 -.3 .3 Housekeeping supplies ................ 1.116 141.1 141.1 2.2 .0 -.2 .4 .1 Housekeeping services ................ 1.482 148.6 148.6 3.3 .0 .3 .5 .0 Apparel and upkeep ....................... 5.516 128.3 128.1 -1.5 -.2 -.4 -.1 -1.4 Apparel commodities .................... 4.967 124.5 124.2 -2.0 -.2 -.5 -.1 -1.5 Men's and boys' apparel .............. 1.303 125.1 126.2 1.4 .9 -.4 -.2 .2 Women's and girls' apparel............ 2.195 118.5 118.1 -4.4 -.3 -.8 .0 -2.7 Infants' and toddlers' apparel 2/ .... .195 125.7 125.1 -2.3 -.5 -1.0 -2.6 -.5 Footwear ............................. .732 125.6 124.7 .9 -.7 .5 -.1 -.6 Other apparel commodities ............ .542 151.5 149.3 -3.9 -1.5 -.4 .7 -2.3 Apparel services 2/ .................... .550 159.9 160.3 1.9 .3 .2 .1 .3 Transportation ........................... 16.953 143.5 142.8 2.6 -.5 -.4 -.2 -.2 Private transportation ................. 15.430 140.5 139.9 2.6 -.4 -.6 -.2 -.2 New vehicles ......................... 5.027 143.2 142.9 2.1 -.2 .3 .2 .1 New cars ........................... 4.015 141.0 140.7 2.0 -.2 .4 .2 .3 Used cars ............................ 1.342 156.9 156.6 -.3 -.2 -1.1 -.1 .0 Motor fuel ........................... 2.908 108.9 106.4 5.2 -2.3 -3.6 -1.9 -2.0 Gasoline ........................... - 108.8 106.1 5.0 -2.5 -3.2 -2.7 -2.0 Maintenance and repairs .............. 1.535 158.1 158.6 2.7 .3 .2 .3 .3 Other private transportation ......... 4.618 173.5 174.1 2.2 .3 .4 .3 .5 Other private transportation commodities .................... .608 104.7 104.8 -.2 .1 .5 -.5 .1 Other private transportation services ....................... 4.010 189.7 190.4 2.5 .4 .4 .4 .5 Public transportation .................. 1.523 182.7 181.4 2.4 -.7 2.0 -.5 -.1 Medical care ............................. 7.362 228.7 229.2 3.4 .2 .3 .3 .2 Medical care commodities ............... 1.282 211.0 211.1 3.1 .0 .4 .0 .2 Medical care services .................. 6.081 232.9 233.4 3.5 .2 .2 .3 .2 Professional medical services ........ 3.465 208.7 209.2 3.6 .2 .1 .4 .3 Entertainment ............................ 4.367 159.0 159.2 3.3 .1 .3 .1 .2 Entertainment commodities .............. 1.975 142.9 143.2 3.0 .2 .2 .0 .1 Entertainment services ................. 2.392 178.0 178.0 3.5 .0 .3 .2 .1 Other goods and services ................. 7.123 214.6 216.3 4.1 .8 .2 .4 .3 Tobacco and smoking products ........... 1.610 233.3 233.4 2.6 .0 .1 .4 .0 Personal care 2/ ....................... 1.170 150.0 150.5 2.2 .3 -.5 .3 .3 Toilet goods and personal care appliances 2/ .................... .613 144.4 145.0 1.3 .4 -1.0 .3 .4 Personal care services 2/ ............ .557 156.3 156.5 3.2 .1 .1 .3 .1 Personal and educational expenses ...... 4.342 245.8 248.7 5.2 1.2 .4 .4 .5 School books and supplies ............ .258 224.7 227.6 6.8 1.3 .1 .3 1.2 Personal and educational services .... 4.084 247.6 250.5 5.2 1.2 .4 .4 .5 Commodity and service group All items .................................. 100.000 157.0 157.3 2.9 .2 .1 .3 .1 Commodities .............................. 42.916 139.5 139.5 2.3 .0 -.1 .1 -.1 Food and beverages ..................... 17.332 153.6 154.2 3.6 .4 .7 .5 .3 Commodities less food and beverages .... 25.584 130.9 130.5 1.5 -.3 -.6 -.2 -.4 Nondurables less food and beverages .. 15.075 132.3 131.6 1.8 -.5 -1.0 -.4 -.8 Apparel commodities ................ 4.967 124.5 124.2 -2.0 -.2 -.5 -.1 -1.5 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .................... 10.108 139.3 138.5 3.7 -.6 -1.2 -.6 -.4 Durables ............................. 10.509 129.1 128.9 .9 -.2 .1 -.1 .1 Services ................................. 57.084 174.8 175.3 3.2 .3 .2 .5 .2 Rent of shelter 1/ ..................... 27.671 178.9 179.3 3.3 .2 .2 .4 .3 Household services less rent of shelter 1/ ......................... 8.681 143.9 144.4 2.9 .3 -.1 .5 .3 Transportation services ................ 7.068 180.3 180.6 2.6 .2 .7 .2 .3 Medical care services .................. 6.081 232.9 233.4 3.5 .2 .2 .3 .2 Other services ......................... 7.583 200.6 201.9 4.2 .6 .3 .3 .3 Special indexes All items less food ........................ 84.234 157.7 157.9 2.7 .1 .0 .2 .1 All items less shelter ..................... 71.711 152.8 152.9 2.7 .1 .1 .2 .0 All items less homeowners' costs 1/ ........ 79.898 158.1 158.3 2.8 .1 .1 .3 .0 All items less medical care ................ 92.638 153.0 153.2 2.8 .1 .1 .3 .1 Commodities less food ...................... 27.150 132.0 131.7 1.5 -.2 -.5 -.2 -.4 Nondurables less food ...................... 16.641 133.8 133.2 1.8 -.4 -.9 -.4 -.7 Nondurables less food and apparel .......... 11.674 140.2 139.5 3.5 -.5 -.8 -.6 -.3 Nondurables ................................ 32.407 143.1 143.1 2.7 .0 -.1 .1 -.2 Services less rent of shelter 1/ ........... 29.414 183.1 183.7 3.3 .3 .2 .4 .3 Services less medical care services ........ 51.004 169.4 169.9 3.2 .3 .2 .5 .2 Energy ..................................... 6.700 112.5 111.6 3.9 -.8 -2.2 -.4 -.6 All items less energy ...................... 93.300 163.1 163.4 2.8 .2 .2 .3 .1 All items less food and energy ........... 77.534 165.5 165.8 2.6 .2 .2 .3 .1 Commodities less food and energy commodities ................. 23.885 140.3 140.3 1.0 .0 .0 .0 -.1 Energy commodities ................... 3.264 107.2 105.0 5.3 -2.1 -3.7 -2.0 -1.6 Services less energy services .......... 53.648 179.9 180.4 3.3 .3 .3 .3 .2 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar: 1982-84=$1.00 2/ ......................... - $.637 $.636 -2.8 -.2 -.2 -.2 -.2 1967=$1.00 2/ ............................ - .213 .212 - - - - - 1/ Indexes on a December 1982=100 base. 2/ Not seasonally adjusted. - 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- May June July Aug. Nov. Feb. May Aug. Feb. Aug. 1996 1996 1996 1996 1995 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 Expenditure category All items .................................... - - - - 2.1 3.2 4.5 1.8 2.6 3.1 Food and beverages ......................... 152.4 153.4 154.1 154.6 2.7 1.6 4.0 5.9 2.2 5.0 Food ..................................... 152.0 153.1 153.8 154.4 2.7 1.3 4.0 6.5 2.0 5.2 Food at home ........................... 152.4 154.0 154.8 155.5 3.3 .5 5.1 8.4 1.9 6.8 Cereals and bakery products .......... 173.8 173.9 174.3 174.3 4.4 4.3 5.0 1.2 4.3 3.1 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ....... 141.6 143.7 144.5 145.8 7.7 1.7 -1.4 12.4 4.7 5.3 Dairy products ....................... 137.8 139.9 142.0 144.8 3.7 8.3 3.0 21.9 6.0 12.0 Fruits and vegetables ................ 182.2 185.9 186.9 186.3 -.4 -6.8 17.8 9.3 -3.7 13.5 Other food at home ................... 142.6 142.8 143.1 143.0 -.3 .3 4.0 1.1 .0 2.6 Sugar and sweets ................... 143.1 143.8 144.5 144.2 2.3 7.1 4.6 3.1 4.7 3.9 Fats and oils ...................... 139.8 140.8 139.9 141.0 3.5 .6 2.3 3.5 2.0 2.9 Nonalcoholic beverages ............. 129.2 128.4 128.3 129.0 -3.6 -6.3 1.9 -.6 -4.9 .6 Other prepared food ................ 155.3 156.2 156.8 156.0 .5 2.9 5.9 1.8 1.7 3.8 Food away from home .................... 152.0 152.3 152.8 153.1 2.2 2.4 2.4 2.9 2.3 2.7 Alcoholic beverages ...................... 158.0 158.3 158.5 158.9 2.1 3.7 3.4 2.3 2.9 2.8 Housing .................................... 152.2 152.3 152.9 153.2 2.7 3.2 2.9 2.7 3.0 2.8 Shelter .................................. 170.1 170.4 171.2 171.4 3.7 3.4 2.9 3.1 3.5 3.0 Renters' costs 1/ ...................... 178.4 178.7 180.2 180.3 3.0 4.2 3.0 4.3 3.6 3.6 Rent, residential .................... 161.4 161.8 162.3 162.5 2.6 3.0 2.5 2.8 2.8 2.6 Other renters' costs ................. 212.7 212.6 217.1 216.8 4.2 6.9 3.9 7.9 5.5 5.9 Homeowners' costs 1/ ................... 175.9 176.2 176.7 177.0 4.0 2.8 3.0 2.5 3.4 2.8 Owners' equivalent rent 1/ ........... 176.3 176.5 177.1 177.3 4.0 3.0 3.0 2.3 3.5 2.6 Household insurance 1/ ............... 159.8 160.6 161.4 161.6 -1.0 2.8 2.5 4.6 .9 3.6 Maintenance and repairs 2/ ............. 138.8 138.8 139.4 139.7 2.4 2.4 5.4 2.6 2.4 4.0 Maintenance and repair services 2/ ... 144.7 144.6 146.3 147.1 4.3 3.4 4.8 6.8 3.9 5.8 Maintenance and repair commodities 2/ 130.9 130.9 130.1 129.6 -.3 .3 6.7 -3.9 .0 1.2 Fuel and other utilities ................. 127.2 126.9 127.5 128.0 .0 4.9 4.9 2.5 2.4 3.7 Fuels .................................. 114.2 113.2 114.2 114.8 -1.1 5.9 5.1 2.1 2.3 3.6 Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities ...................... 99.4 95.3 93.8 94.3 -3.6 41.1 16.4 -19.0 16.7 -2.9 Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)......................... 121.0 120.4 121.7 122.4 -.7 2.7 3.7 4.7 1.0 4.2 Other utilities and public services 2/ . 156.9 157.6 157.5 158.0 1.3 3.4 5.3 2.8 2.4 4.0 Household furnishings and operation ...... 124.3 124.4 124.5 124.7 1.3 1.3 .6 1.3 1.3 1.0 Housefurnishings ....................... 111.1 111.2 110.9 111.2 -1.1 1.1 -1.1 .4 .0 -.4 Housekeeping supplies .................. 140.8 140.5 141.1 141.3 4.7 1.4 1.7 1.4 3.1 1.6 Housekeeping services .................. 147.3 147.8 148.6 148.6 3.9 1.9 3.6 3.6 2.9 3.6 Apparel and upkeep ......................... 132.3 131.8 131.7 129.9 .3 -.6 1.2 -7.1 -.2 -3.0 Apparel commodities ...................... 128.7 128.1 128.0 126.1 .3 -.9 .9 -7.8 -.3 -3.6 Men's and boys' apparel ................ 128.2 127.7 127.4 127.6 .3 5.2 1.9 -1.9 2.7 .0 Women's and girls' apparel ............. 125.5 124.5 124.5 121.1 1.0 -4.9 .6 -13.3 -2.0 -6.6 Infants' and toddlers' apparel 2/ ...... 130.4 129.1 125.7 125.1 5.4 15.3 -11.4 -15.3 10.3 -13.4 Footwear ............................... 126.7 127.3 127.2 126.4 1.6 1.6 1.0 -.9 1.6 .0 Other apparel commodities .............. 151.3 150.7 151.8 148.3 -6.3 -5.2 4.1 -7.7 -5.7 -2.0 Apparel services 2/....................... 159.4 159.7 159.9 160.3 -.3 3.3 2.3 2.3 1.5 2.3 Transportation ............................. 144.3 143.7 143.4 143.1 -1.7 5.3 10.6 -3.3 1.7 3.4 Private transportation ................... 141.6 140.7 140.4 140.1 -1.7 6.3 10.5 -4.2 2.2 2.9 New vehicles ........................... 143.2 143.7 144.0 144.2 1.7 1.7 2.0 2.8 1.7 2.4 New cars ............................. 140.8 141.4 141.7 142.1 1.7 1.7 1.1 3.7 1.7 2.4 Used cars .............................. 157.6 155.9 155.7 155.7 1.0 9.0 -5.4 -4.7 4.9 -5.1 Motor fuel ............................. 112.8 108.7 106.6 104.5 -14.8 25.6 55.6 -26.3 3.5 7.1 Gasoline ............................. 112.5 108.9 106.0 103.9 -14.1 24.7 56.4 -27.2 3.5 6.7 Maintenance and repairs ................ 157.5 157.8 158.2 158.6 2.6 2.6 2.3 2.8 2.6 2.6 Other private transportation ........... 172.9 173.6 174.1 174.9 2.1 .7 1.4 4.7 1.4 3.0 Other private transportation commodities ...................... 104.9 105.4 104.9 105.0 -.8 .4 -.8 .4 -.2 -.2 Other private transportation services ......................... 189.1 189.9 190.6 191.5 2.4 .9 1.7 5.2 1.6 3.4 Public transportation .................... 180.8 184.4 183.5 183.4 -2.9 -5.7 13.4 5.9 -4.3 9.6 Medical care ............................... 227.7 228.3 228.9 229.4 3.7 3.6 3.4 3.0 3.6 3.2 Medical care commodities ................. 209.9 210.7 210.7 211.1 3.4 3.5 3.5 2.3 3.5 2.9 Medical care services .................... 231.6 232.1 232.9 233.4 3.8 3.7 3.3 3.1 3.8 3.2 Professional medical services .......... 207.5 207.7 208.5 209.2 3.8 3.6 3.7 3.3 3.7 3.5 Entertainment .............................. 158.8 159.2 159.3 159.6 3.7 5.8 1.8 2.0 4.7 1.9 Entertainment commodities ................ 142.8 143.1 143.1 143.3 3.8 6.1 .8 1.4 4.9 1.1 Entertainment services ................... 177.6 178.2 178.5 178.7 3.8 5.6 2.3 2.5 4.7 2.4 Other goods and services ................... 215.5 215.9 216.8 217.5 4.7 3.6 4.6 3.8 4.2 4.2 Tobacco and smoking products ............. 231.9 232.2 233.1 233.0 4.8 -.5 4.4 1.9 2.1 3.2 Personal care 2/ ......................... 150.3 149.6 150.0 150.5 4.4 1.1 2.7 .5 2.7 1.6 Toilet goods and personal care appliances 2/ ...................... 145.3 143.9 144.4 145.0 4.5 -1.9 3.4 -.8 1.3 1.3 Personal care services 2/ .............. 155.8 155.9 156.3 156.5 4.8 4.5 1.6 1.8 4.7 1.7 Personal and educational expenses ........ 246.8 247.8 248.8 250.1 4.4 6.0 5.2 5.5 5.2 5.3 School books and supplies .............. 225.4 225.6 226.2 229.0 8.9 7.3 4.6 6.5 8.1 5.5 Personal and educational services ...... 248.3 249.3 250.4 251.6 4.2 5.7 5.3 5.4 5.0 5.4 Commodity and service group All items .................................... - - - - 2.1 3.2 4.5 1.8 2.6 3.1 Commodities ................................ 140.0 139.9 140.0 139.8 .9 3.3 5.6 -.6 2.1 2.5 Food and beverages ....................... 152.4 153.4 154.1 154.6 2.7 1.6 4.0 5.9 2.2 5.0 Commodities less food and beverages ...... 132.5 131.7 131.4 130.9 -.3 4.4 6.9 -4.7 2.0 .9 Nondurables less food and beverages .... 134.7 133.3 132.8 131.8 -.9 7.3 10.1 -8.3 3.1 .5 Apparel commodities .................. 128.7 128.1 128.0 126.1 .3 -.9 .9 -7.8 -.3 -3.6 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel ...................... 141.0 139.3 138.4 137.8 -2.7 12.0 16.2 -8.8 4.4 3.0 Durables ............................... 129.2 129.3 129.2 129.3 1.3 2.2 .0 .3 1.7 .2 Services ................................... 173.5 173.9 174.7 175.0 2.9 3.3 3.3 3.5 3.1 3.4 Rent of shelter 1/ ....................... 177.3 177.6 178.3 178.8 3.5 3.2 3.0 3.4 3.4 3.2 Household services less rent of shelter 1/ ........................ 141.8 141.7 142.4 142.8 1.2 2.3 5.2 2.9 1.7 4.0 Transportation services .................. 179.4 180.7 181.0 181.6 1.1 -.2 4.4 5.0 .5 4.7 Medical care services .................... 231.6 232.1 232.9 233.4 3.8 3.7 3.3 3.1 3.8 3.2 Other services ........................... 201.2 201.9 202.5 203.2 3.7 5.6 3.7 4.0 4.7 3.8 Special indexes All items less food .......................... 157.4 157.4 157.7 157.8 1.8 3.7 4.4 1.0 2.8 2.7 All items less shelter ....................... 152.7 152.8 153.1 153.1 1.6 3.0 5.1 1.1 2.3 3.1 All items less homeowners' costs 1/ .......... 157.7 157.9 158.3 158.3 1.6 3.1 4.7 1.5 2.3 3.1 All items less medical care .................. 152.5 152.6 153.0 153.1 1.9 3.2 4.6 1.6 2.6 3.1 Commodities less food ........................ 133.6 132.9 132.6 132.1 -.3 4.4 6.5 -4.4 2.0 .9 Nondurables less food ........................ 136.0 134.8 134.3 133.4 -.9 7.2 9.7 -7.4 3.1 .8 Nondurables less food and apparel ............ 141.3 140.1 139.2 138.8 -.9 8.9 13.8 -6.9 3.9 2.9 Nondurables .................................. 143.7 143.6 143.7 143.4 .9 4.4 6.7 -.8 2.6 2.8 Services less rent of shelter 1/ ............. 181.8 182.2 182.9 183.5 2.5 3.2 3.6 3.8 2.8 3.7 Services less medical care services .......... 168.0 168.3 169.1 169.4 2.7 3.2 3.4 3.4 2.9 3.4 Energy ....................................... 112.7 110.2 109.8 109.1 -7.4 14.3 25.4 -12.2 2.9 4.9 All items less energy ........................ 162.7 163.1 163.6 163.8 2.8 2.5 3.0 2.7 2.7 2.9 All items less food and energy ............. 165.3 165.6 166.1 166.2 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.2 2.7 2.5 Commodities less food and energy commodities .......................... 141.2 141.2 141.2 141.0 1.7 1.7 1.1 -.6 1.7 .3 Energy commodities ..................... 111.4 107.3 105.2 103.5 -13.5 26.8 51.0 -25.5 4.7 6.1 Services less energy services ............ 178.8 179.4 180.0 180.4 3.2 3.0 3.4 3.6 3.1 3.5 1/ Indexes on a December 1982=100 base. 2/ Not seasonally adjusted. - Data not available. NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date. 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 July Aug. Aug. 1996 from- May to June to July to 1995 1996 1996 Aug. 1995 July 1996 June July Aug. Expenditure category All items .................................. 100.000 154.3 154.5 2.9 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 All items (1967=100) ....................... - 459.7 460.2 - - - - - Food and beverages ....................... 19.262 153.1 153.7 3.6 .4 .7 .4 .4 Food ................................... 17.581 152.8 153.4 3.7 .4 .8 .5 .3 Food at home ......................... 11.206 153.3 154.1 4.3 .5 1.0 .6 .5 Cereals and bakery products ........ 1.682 174.5 174.8 3.7 .2 .1 .2 .1 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..... 3.453 143.6 145.3 5.1 1.2 1.4 .7 .9 Dairy products ..................... 1.300 141.9 144.3 8.9 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.7 Fruits and vegetables .............. 2.052 183.4 181.8 4.8 -.9 1.9 .6 -.2 Other food at home ................. 2.719 142.6 142.8 1.4 .1 .2 .2 .0 Sugar and sweets ................. .369 144.6 144.5 4.3 -.1 .4 .5 -.1 Fats and oils .................... .285 140.2 140.6 2.3 .3 .9 -.8 .8 Nonalcoholic beverages ........... .885 127.1 128.0 -2.0 .7 -.6 -.1 .5 Other prepared food .............. 1.180 156.6 156.3 2.9 -.2 .6 .4 -.4 Food away from home .................. 6.374 152.7 153.1 2.6 .3 .2 .3 .3 Alcoholic beverages .................... 1.681 157.8 158.2 2.9 .3 .2 .1 .3 Housing .................................. 38.888 150.4 150.7 2.9 .2 .1 .4 .2 Shelter ................................ 25.976 166.9 167.3 3.2 .2 .2 .4 .1 Renters' costs 1/ .................... 8.091 159.1 159.4 3.4 .2 .3 .6 .1 Rent, residential .................. 6.616 161.9 162.2 2.8 .2 .2 .3 .1 Other renters' costs ............... 1.475 226.0 226.5 5.7 .2 .3 1.7 -.1 Homeowners' costs 1/ ................. 17.695 161.0 161.4 3.1 .2 .2 .3 .1 Owners' equivalent rent 1/ ......... 17.366 161.3 161.7 3.1 .2 .1 .3 .2 Household insurance 1/ ............. .329 147.8 148.0 1.6 .1 .2 .5 .0 Maintenance and repairs 2/ ........... .189 137.9 138.0 2.3 .1 .0 .3 .1 Maintenance and repair services 2/ . .105 148.2 149.0 4.2 .5 -.1 1.0 .5 Maintenance and repair commodities 2/ ................. .085 124.8 124.1 .0 -.6 .1 -.6 -.6 Fuel and other utilities ............... 7.247 128.7 129.2 3.1 .4 -.2 .4 .5 Fuels ................................ 3.887 117.0 117.5 3.1 .4 -.8 .9 .5 Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities .................... .327 92.1 92.1 6.5 .0 -3.9 -1.5 .5 Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)....................... 3.560 125.1 125.7 2.7 .5 -.5 1.1 .6 Other utilities and public services 2/ ...................... 3.360 158.0 158.5 3.3 .3 .4 -.1 .3 Household furnishings and operation .... 5.666 123.2 123.3 .9 .1 .2 .1 .2 Housefurnishings ..................... 3.367 109.8 110.0 -.2 .2 .2 -.2 .2 Housekeeping supplies ................ 1.149 141.6 141.8 2.5 .1 -.2 .5 .2 Housekeeping services ................ 1.150 151.1 151.2 2.9 .1 .3 .5 .1 Apparel and upkeep ....................... 5.533 127.9 127.5 -1.2 -.3 -.6 .0 -1.5 Apparel commodities .................... 5.017 124.3 123.8 -1.6 -.4 -.7 .0 -1.6 Men's and boys' apparel .............. 1.310 124.7 125.7 1.2 .8 -.6 -.2 .1 Women's and girls' apparel............ 2.148 118.1 117.4 -3.7 -.6 -1.0 .1 -2.9 Infants' and toddlers' apparel 2/ .... .251 126.8 126.7 -1.9 -.1 -1.1 -2.5 -.1 Footwear ............................. .812 126.8 126.1 1.4 -.6 .5 .2 -.4 Other apparel commodities ............ .495 150.9 147.8 -3.8 -2.1 -.8 .9 -3.7 Apparel services 2/ .................... .516 159.3 159.6 1.7 .2 .1 .2 .2 Transportation ........................... 19.020 143.3 142.6 2.7 -.5 -.6 -.4 -.1 Private transportation ................. 17.847 141.1 140.5 2.6 -.4 -.6 -.4 -.1 New vehicles ......................... 4.958 144.3 144.0 2.2 -.2 .3 .2 .2 New cars ........................... 3.591 140.6 140.3 2.0 -.2 .4 .3 .3 Used cars ............................ 2.432 158.1 157.8 -.1 -.2 -1.1 -.3 -.1 Motor fuel ........................... 3.584 108.8 106.3 5.2 -2.3 -3.2 -2.7 -1.7 Gasoline ........................... - 108.7 106.0 5.0 -2.5 -3.2 -2.5 -1.9 Maintenance and repairs .............. 1.619 158.9 159.6 2.8 .4 .3 .2 .4 Other private transportation ......... 5.255 169.2 169.7 2.2 .3 .4 .4 .5 Other private transportation commodities .................... .767 103.8 104.0 -.2 .2 .5 -.5 .2 Other private transportation services ....................... 4.488 185.7 186.3 2.6 .3 .3 .5 .5 Public transportation .................. 1.173 180.6 179.4 3.9 -.7 1.2 -.6 .0 Medical care ............................. 6.262 228.2 228.5 3.3 .1 .3 .3 .1 Medical care commodities ............... 1.055 208.5 208.5 2.9 .0 .4 .2 -.1 Medical care services .................. 5.208 232.6 233.1 3.5 .2 .3 .3 .2 Professional medical services ........ 2.965 209.9 210.4 3.5 .2 .1 .4 .2 Entertainment ............................ 4.029 156.7 157.0 3.3 .2 .3 .0 .3 Entertainment commodities .............. 2.053 141.8 142.2 2.9 .3 .1 -.1 .3 Entertainment services ................. 1.976 178.2 178.3 3.7 .1 .4 .2 .2 Other goods and services ................. 7.006 211.6 213.0 3.9 .7 .1 .4 .2 Tobacco and smoking products ........... 2.135 233.2 233.0 2.5 -.1 .1 .4 -.2 Personal care 2/ ....................... 1.132 150.0 150.4 2.0 .3 -.5 .3 .3 Toilet goods and personal care appliances 2/ .................... .635 145.0 145.6 1.3 .4 -1.0 .3 .4 Personal care services 2/ ............ .497 156.2 156.5 3.2 .2 .1 .1 .2 Personal and educational expenses ...... 3.739 241.4 244.2 5.3 1.2 .4 .5 .5 School books and supplies ............ .227 225.5 228.8 6.9 1.5 .1 .2 1.5 Personal and educational services .... 3.512 242.9 245.7 5.2 1.2 .4 .5 .4 Commodity and service group All items .................................. 100.000 154.3 154.5 2.9 .1 .1 .2 .1 Commodities .............................. 47.052 139.7 139.6 2.4 -.1 -.1 .0 -.1 Food and beverages ..................... 19.262 153.1 153.7 3.6 .4 .7 .4 .4 Commodities less food and beverages .... 27.790 131.4 130.9 1.6 -.4 -.6 -.3 -.5 Nondurables less food and beverages .. 16.074 132.4 131.6 2.1 -.6 -1.0 -.4 -.8 Apparel commodities ................ 5.017 124.3 123.8 -1.6 -.4 -.7 .0 -1.6 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .................... 11.057 139.2 138.2 3.6 -.7 -1.2 -.7 -.5 Durables ............................. 11.716 129.0 128.9 .9 -.1 .0 .0 .0 Services ................................. 52.948 172.0 172.5 3.3 .3 .2 .4 .2 Rent of shelter 1/ ..................... 25.430 160.6 161.0 3.2 .2 .3 .4 .2 Household services less rent of shelter 1/ ......................... 8.531 132.3 132.7 2.9 .3 -.1 .5 .4 Transportation services ................ 7.279 178.1 178.4 2.9 .2 .5 .3 .4 Medical care services .................. 5.208 232.6 233.1 3.5 .2 .3 .3 .2 Other services ......................... 6.501 197.4 198.7 4.2 .7 .4 .4 .3 Special indexes All items less food ........................ 82.419 154.5 154.6 2.7 .1 -.1 .1 .0 All items less shelter ..................... 74.024 151.0 151.2 2.8 .1 .1 .1 .1 All items less homeowners' costs 1/ ........ 82.305 145.0 145.1 2.8 .1 .0 .2 .1 All items less medical care ................ 93.738 150.8 151.0 2.8 .1 .1 .2 .1 Commodities less food ...................... 29.471 132.4 132.0 1.6 -.3 -.6 -.3 -.5 Nondurables less food ...................... 17.756 133.8 133.1 2.1 -.5 -.9 -.4 -.6 Nondurables less food and apparel .......... 12.739 140.0 139.2 3.5 -.6 -1.0 -.7 -.3 Nondurables ................................ 35.336 143.1 143.0 3.0 -.1 -.1 .0 -.1 Services less rent of shelter 1/ ........... 27.518 163.3 163.8 3.3 .3 .2 .5 .2 Services less medical care services ........ 47.740 166.8 167.3 3.2 .3 .2 .5 .2 Energy ..................................... 7.470 112.2 111.1 4.0 -1.0 -2.0 -.9 -.5 All items less energy ...................... 92.530 160.3 160.6 2.8 .2 .3 .2 .1 All items less food and energy ........... 74.949 162.2 162.5 2.5 .2 .1 .2 .1 Commodities less food and energy commodities ................. 25.560 140.1 140.0 1.0 -.1 -.1 .1 -.2 Energy commodities ................... 3.911 107.6 105.3 5.3 -2.1 -3.2 -2.6 -1.5 Services less energy services .......... 49.388 177.2 177.7 3.3 .3 .2 .3 .2 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar: 1982-84=$1.00 2/ ......................... - $.648 $.647 -2.9 -.2 .0 -.2 -.2 1967=$1.00 2/ ............................ - .218 .217 - - - - - 1/ Indexes on a December 1984=100 base. 2/ Not seasonally adjusted. - 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- May June July Aug. Nov. Feb. May Aug. Feb. Aug. 1996 1996 1996 1996 1995 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 Expenditure category All items .................................... - - - - 2.1 3.2 4.8 1.3 2.7 3.0 Food and beverages ......................... 151.9 153.0 153.6 154.2 3.0 1.6 3.8 6.2 2.3 5.0 Food ..................................... 151.4 152.6 153.3 153.8 3.0 1.6 3.8 6.5 2.3 5.1 Food at home ........................... 151.6 153.1 154.0 154.7 3.3 .8 4.9 8.4 2.0 6.6 Cereals and bakery products .......... 173.5 173.7 174.0 174.1 4.4 4.3 5.0 1.4 4.3 3.2 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ....... 141.2 143.2 144.2 145.5 7.4 1.7 -1.4 12.7 4.5 5.4 Dairy products ....................... 137.7 139.8 141.9 144.3 4.3 8.0 3.6 20.6 6.1 11.8 Fruits and vegetables ................ 181.8 185.2 186.3 186.0 -.2 -7.4 18.6 9.6 -3.9 14.0 Other food at home ................... 142.1 142.4 142.7 142.7 .0 .3 3.7 1.7 .1 2.7 Sugar and sweets ................... 143.1 143.7 144.4 144.2 2.0 6.8 5.2 3.1 4.4 4.1 Fats and oils ...................... 139.4 140.7 139.6 140.7 3.5 .6 1.4 3.8 2.0 2.6 Nonalcoholic beverages ............. 128.7 127.9 127.8 128.5 -2.4 -6.9 2.2 -.6 -4.7 .8 Other prepared food ................ 154.9 155.9 156.6 155.9 .3 3.7 5.1 2.6 2.0 3.8 Food away from home .................... 152.0 152.3 152.7 153.1 2.4 2.4 2.7 2.9 2.4 2.8 Alcoholic beverages ...................... 157.3 157.6 157.8 158.2 2.6 3.1 3.1 2.3 2.9 2.7 Housing .................................... 149.0 149.1 149.7 150.0 2.5 3.0 3.3 2.7 2.8 3.0 Shelter .................................. 165.5 165.8 166.5 166.7 3.5 3.0 3.2 2.9 3.2 3.1 Renters' costs 1/ ...................... 156.2 156.6 157.6 157.7 2.9 4.0 2.9 3.9 3.4 3.4 Rent, residential .................... 161.1 161.5 162.0 162.2 2.6 3.3 2.5 2.8 2.9 2.6 Other renters' costs ................. 212.9 213.6 217.3 217.0 3.8 7.3 4.0 7.9 5.5 6.0 Homeowners' costs 1/ ................... 160.4 160.7 161.2 161.4 3.9 2.6 3.3 2.5 3.2 2.9 Owners' equivalent rent 1/ ........... 160.7 160.9 161.4 161.7 4.1 2.5 3.3 2.5 3.3 2.9 Household insurance 1/ ............... 146.4 146.7 147.4 147.4 -.3 2.5 1.4 2.8 1.1 2.1 Maintenance and repairs 2/ ............. 137.5 137.5 137.9 138.0 2.1 .3 5.4 1.5 1.2 3.4 Maintenance and repair services 2/ ... 146.8 146.7 148.2 149.0 4.3 1.4 5.1 6.1 2.8 5.6 Maintenance and repair commodities 2/ 125.5 125.6 124.8 124.1 -.6 -.3 5.6 -4.4 -.5 .5 Fuel and other utilities ................. 126.8 126.5 127.0 127.6 .3 4.3 5.5 2.5 2.3 4.0 Fuels .................................. 113.4 112.5 113.5 114.1 -.7 5.5 5.1 2.5 2.4 3.8 Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities ...................... 98.9 95.0 93.6 94.1 -3.6 41.2 14.5 -18.0 16.7 -3.1 Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)......................... 120.4 119.8 121.1 121.8 -.3 2.4 4.4 4.7 1.0 4.6 Other utilities and public services 2/ . 157.5 158.2 158.0 158.5 1.3 3.7 5.5 2.6 2.5 4.0 Household furnishings and operation ...... 122.8 123.0 123.1 123.3 1.0 1.0 .3 1.6 1.0 1.0 Housefurnishings ....................... 109.7 109.9 109.7 109.9 -1.1 .7 -1.1 .7 -.2 -.2 Housekeeping supplies .................. 141.2 140.9 141.6 141.9 4.1 2.6 1.4 2.0 3.4 1.7 Housekeeping services .................. 150.1 150.6 151.4 151.5 4.1 1.1 3.0 3.8 2.6 3.4 Apparel and upkeep ......................... 131.8 131.0 131.0 129.0 .6 .6 2.5 -8.2 .6 -3.0 Apparel commodities ...................... 128.7 127.8 127.8 125.7 .6 .3 2.5 -9.0 .5 -3.4 Men's and boys' apparel ................ 128.0 127.2 127.0 127.1 .3 5.5 2.2 -2.8 2.9 -.3 Women's and girls' apparel ............. 125.3 124.0 124.1 120.5 1.0 -2.5 2.3 -14.5 -.8 -6.5 Infants' and toddlers' apparel 2/ ...... 131.5 130.1 126.8 126.7 5.7 14.1 -10.8 -13.8 9.8 -12.3 Footwear ............................... 127.5 128.1 128.4 127.9 2.6 .0 1.9 1.3 1.3 1.6 Other apparel commodities .............. 151.4 150.2 151.5 145.9 -3.6 -7.2 10.7 -13.8 -5.5 -2.3 Apparel services 2/....................... 158.8 159.0 159.3 159.6 -.8 3.4 2.3 2.0 1.3 2.2 Transportation ............................. 144.1 143.3 142.7 142.5 -1.4 6.2 10.6 -4.4 2.3 2.9 Private transportation ................... 142.2 141.3 140.7 140.5 -1.7 6.6 10.8 -4.7 2.3 2.8 New vehicles ........................... 144.2 144.7 145.0 145.3 1.7 2.0 2.0 3.1 1.8 2.5 New cars ............................. 140.4 140.9 141.3 141.7 1.4 2.0 .9 3.8 1.7 2.3 Used cars .............................. 158.9 157.2 156.8 156.7 1.0 9.7 -5.1 -5.4 5.3 -5.3 Motor fuel ............................. 112.6 109.0 106.1 104.3 -14.1 23.6 56.3 -26.4 3.0 7.3 Gasoline ............................. 112.2 108.6 105.9 103.9 -14.9 25.2 54.7 -26.5 3.3 6.7 Maintenance and repairs ................ 158.3 158.8 159.1 159.7 2.9 2.8 1.8 3.6 2.9 2.7 Other private transportation ........... 168.7 169.3 170.0 170.8 2.2 .0 1.9 5.1 1.1 3.5 Other private transportation commodities ...................... 104.0 104.5 104.0 104.2 -.4 .4 -1.5 .8 .0 -.4 Other private transportation services ......................... 185.1 185.6 186.6 187.6 2.7 .0 2.6 5.5 1.3 4.1 Public transportation .................... 178.8 181.0 180.0 180.0 2.1 -.9 12.3 2.7 .6 7.4 Medical care ............................... 227.0 227.6 228.3 228.6 3.7 3.6 3.4 2.8 3.7 3.1 Medical care commodities ................. 207.1 208.0 208.5 208.3 3.0 3.4 2.8 2.3 3.2 2.5 Medical care services .................... 231.3 231.9 232.6 233.1 3.8 3.7 3.4 3.1 3.8 3.3 Professional medical services .......... 208.6 208.8 209.7 210.1 3.6 4.2 3.1 2.9 3.9 3.0 Entertainment .............................. 156.4 156.9 156.9 157.3 3.5 6.1 1.3 2.3 4.8 1.8 Entertainment commodities ................ 141.7 141.9 141.8 142.2 3.5 6.5 .3 1.4 5.0 .8 Entertainment services ................... 177.7 178.4 178.7 179.0 3.3 5.9 2.7 3.0 4.6 2.9 Other goods and services ................... 211.9 212.2 213.1 213.6 5.2 2.9 4.3 3.2 4.0 3.8 Tobacco and smoking products ............. 231.9 232.1 233.0 232.5 5.0 -.7 4.4 1.0 2.1 2.7 Personal care 2/ ......................... 150.3 149.6 150.0 150.4 4.4 .5 3.0 .3 2.5 1.6 Toilet goods and personal care appliances 2/ ...................... 146.0 144.6 145.0 145.6 4.5 -2.2 3.9 -1.1 1.1 1.4 Personal care services 2/ .............. 155.8 156.0 156.2 156.5 4.8 4.2 1.8 1.8 4.5 1.8 Personal and educational expenses ........ 241.8 242.8 243.9 245.0 5.3 5.9 4.6 5.4 5.6 5.0 School books and supplies .............. 226.2 226.4 226.8 230.2 9.6 7.3 3.6 7.3 8.4 5.4 Personal and educational services ...... 243.2 244.2 245.4 246.4 5.0 5.7 4.7 5.4 5.4 5.1 Commodity and service group All items .................................... - - - - 2.1 3.2 4.8 1.3 2.7 3.0 Commodities ................................ 140.1 140.0 140.0 139.8 .9 3.6 5.9 -.9 2.2 2.5 Food and beverages ....................... 151.9 153.0 153.6 154.2 3.0 1.6 3.8 6.2 2.3 5.0 Commodities less food and beverages ...... 132.8 132.0 131.6 131.0 -.6 5.4 7.2 -5.3 2.3 .8 Nondurables less food and beverages .... 134.8 133.4 132.8 131.7 -2.2 9.0 11.8 -8.9 3.3 .9 Apparel commodities .................. 128.7 127.8 127.8 125.7 .6 .3 2.5 -9.0 .5 -3.4 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel ...................... 140.8 139.1 138.1 137.4 -3.3 12.7 16.6 -9.3 4.4 2.8 Durables ............................... 129.1 129.1 129.1 129.1 .6 3.5 -.9 .0 2.0 -.5 Services ................................... 170.7 171.1 171.8 172.2 3.2 2.9 3.6 3.6 3.0 3.6 Rent of shelter 1/ ....................... 159.4 159.8 160.4 160.7 3.4 3.4 3.1 3.3 3.4 3.2 Household services less rent of shelter 1/ ........................ 130.3 130.2 130.8 131.3 1.3 2.5 5.1 3.1 1.9 4.1 Transportation services .................. 177.3 178.1 178.6 179.3 2.5 .5 4.2 4.6 1.5 4.4 Medical care services .................... 231.3 231.9 232.6 233.1 3.8 3.7 3.4 3.1 3.8 3.3 Other services ........................... 197.8 198.5 199.2 199.8 4.0 5.5 3.7 4.1 4.8 3.9 Special indexes All items less food .......................... 154.2 154.1 154.3 154.3 1.9 3.8 4.8 .3 2.8 2.5 All items less shelter ....................... 150.9 151.0 151.2 151.3 1.6 3.3 5.2 1.1 2.5 3.1 All items less homeowners' costs 1/ .......... 144.7 144.7 145.0 145.1 1.7 3.4 5.1 1.1 2.6 3.1 All items less medical care .................. 150.4 150.5 150.8 150.9 2.2 3.3 4.7 1.3 2.7 3.0 Commodities less food ........................ 134.0 133.2 132.8 132.2 -.3 5.0 7.2 -5.3 2.3 .8 Nondurables less food ........................ 135.9 134.7 134.1 133.3 -1.8 8.2 10.7 -7.4 3.1 1.2 Nondurables less food and apparel ............ 141.3 139.9 138.9 138.5 -2.1 10.3 15.2 -7.7 3.9 3.1 Nondurables .................................. 143.4 143.3 143.3 143.2 .9 5.0 6.7 -.6 2.9 3.0 Services less rent of shelter 1/ ............. 162.0 162.3 163.1 163.5 2.8 2.8 3.8 3.8 2.8 3.8 Services less medical care services .......... 165.5 165.8 166.6 167.0 3.0 2.7 3.7 3.7 2.9 3.7 Energy ....................................... 112.6 110.3 109.3 108.7 -7.1 13.9 27.8 -13.2 2.9 5.4 All items less energy ........................ 159.9 160.3 160.7 160.9 2.8 2.6 3.1 2.5 2.7 2.8 All items less food and energy ............. 162.2 162.4 162.8 162.9 2.8 2.8 2.8 1.7 2.8 2.2 Commodities less food and energy commodities .......................... 141.0 140.8 140.9 140.6 1.7 2.3 1.1 -1.1 2.0 .0 Energy commodities ..................... 111.6 108.0 105.2 103.6 -13.5 25.2 52.1 -25.7 4.1 6.3 Services less energy services ............ 176.5 176.9 177.5 177.9 3.3 3.0 3.7 3.2 3.2 3.5 1/ Indexes on a December 1984=100 base. 2/ Not seasonally adjusted. - 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 Aug. 1996 from- July 1996 from- schedule May June July Aug. Aug. June July July May June 1/ 1996 1996 1996 1996 1995 1996 1996 1995 1996 1996 U.S. city average ...................... M 156.6 156.7 157.0 157.3 2.9 0.4 0.2 3.0 0.3 0.2 Region and area size 2/ Northeast urban......................... M 163.0 163.1 163.4 164.0 2.7 .6 .4 2.6 .2 .2 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 163.6 163.8 164.1 164.7 2.7 .5 .4 2.7 .3 .2 Size B - 500,000 to 1,200,000 ....... M 161.0 160.9 161.8 162.2 2.7 .8 .2 2.7 .5 .6 Size C - 50,000 to 500,000 .......... M 160.9 161.0 161.5 161.8 2.1 .5 .2 2.3 .4 .3 North Central urban .................... M 152.7 152.9 153.2 153.4 3.0 .3 .1 3.0 .3 .2 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 153.2 153.5 153.7 154.0 2.8 .3 .2 2.8 .3 .1 Size B - 360,000 to 1,200,000 ....... M 151.6 152.0 152.4 152.8 3.4 .5 .3 3.0 .5 .3 Size C - 50,000 to 360,000 .......... M 154.7 154.1 154.6 154.7 3.2 .4 .1 3.3 -.1 .3 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... M 149.2 149.8 150.4 150.4 3.2 .4 .0 3.0 .8 .4 South urban ............................ M 153.5 154.0 154.0 154.1 2.9 .1 .1 3.2 .3 .0 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 152.7 153.2 153.2 153.1 2.5 -.1 -.1 3.0 .3 .0 Size B - 450,000 to 1,200,000 ....... M 155.9 156.3 156.7 156.9 3.2 .4 .1 3.4 .5 .3 Size C - 50,000 to 450,000 .......... M 153.2 153.8 153.7 154.0 3.1 .1 .2 3.6 .3 -.1 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... M 152.9 153.0 152.5 152.6 3.2 -.3 .1 3.0 -.3 -.3 West urban ............................. M 157.6 157.5 157.9 158.0 2.8 .3 .1 2.9 .2 .3 Size A - More than 1,250,000 ........ M 157.6 157.3 158.0 158.1 2.6 .5 .1 2.6 .3 .4 Size C - 50,000 to 330,000 .......... M 162.4 162.4 162.4 162.6 3.6 .1 .1 3.6 .0 .0 Size classes A 3/ ................................. M 141.3 141.4 141.7 141.9 2.7 .4 .1 2.8 .3 .2 B .................................... M 156.6 156.9 157.4 157.6 3.1 .4 .1 3.1 .5 .3 C .................................... M 156.4 156.5 156.8 157.0 3.0 .3 .1 3.3 .3 .2 D .................................... M 153.5 153.7 153.7 154.0 3.5 .2 .2 3.1 .1 .0 Selected local areas Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI...... M 156.9 157.6 157.7 158.1 2.8 .3 .3 2.7 .5 .1 Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ...... M 157.5 156.7 157.6 157.3 1.9 .4 -.2 2.0 .1 .6 N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT M 166.4 166.5 166.7 167.2 2.7 .4 .3 2.7 .2 .1 Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton, PA-NJ-DE-MD .. M 161.8 162.3 162.8 163.6 2.5 .8 .5 2.5 .6 .3 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA ..... M 155.1 155.2 155.9 155.6 2.7 .3 -.2 2.9 .5 .5 Baltimore, MD .......................... 1 153.9 - 155.7 - - - - 2.8 1.2 - Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ........... 1 161.8 - 162.0 - - - - 2.7 .1 - Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH ............. 1 151.8 - 152.1 - - - - 2.7 .2 - Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL .............. 1 152.6 - 152.4 - - - - 2.8 -.1 - St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL ........ 1 148.1 - 149.9 - - - - 3.0 1.2 - Washington, DC-MD-VA ................... 1 159.0 - 160.1 - - - - 2.6 .7 - Dallas-Fort Worth, TX .................. 2 - 149.4 - 149.5 3.0 .1 - - - - Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI .................. 2 - 151.9 - 152.7 2.6 .5 - - - - Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX ......... 2 - 142.8 - 142.8 1.9 .0 - - - - Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA ........... 2 - 153.2 - 153.6 2.3 .3 - - - - 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/ Indexes on a December 1986=100 base. - 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 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 Aug. 1996 from- July 1996 from- schedule May June July Aug. Aug. June July July May June 1/ 1996 1996 1996 1996 1995 1996 1996 1995 1996 1996 U.S. city average ...................... M 154.0 154.1 154.3 154.5 2.9 0.3 0.1 2.9 0.2 0.1 Region and area size 2/ Northeast urban......................... M 160.6 160.6 160.9 161.4 2.7 .5 .3 2.7 .2 .2 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 160.2 160.4 160.5 161.0 2.7 .4 .3 2.8 .2 .1 Size B - 500,000 to 1,200,000 ....... M 158.9 158.7 159.7 160.0 2.8 .8 .2 2.8 .5 .6 Size C - 50,000 to 500,000 .......... M 162.7 162.5 162.9 163.2 2.1 .4 .2 2.3 .1 .2 North Central urban .................... M 149.4 149.5 149.8 149.9 3.0 .3 .1 3.0 .3 .2 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 149.3 149.6 149.7 149.9 2.8 .2 .1 2.8 .3 .1 Size B - 360,000 to 1,200,000 ....... M 147.8 148.0 148.3 148.7 3.3 .5 .3 2.9 .3 .2 Size C - 50,000 to 360,000 .......... M 152.1 151.5 151.9 151.9 3.1 .3 .0 3.3 -.1 .3 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... M 147.3 148.0 148.5 148.5 3.1 .3 .0 3.0 .8 .3 South urban ............................ M 152.1 152.6 152.6 152.7 3.0 .1 .1 3.2 .3 .0 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 151.0 151.6 151.6 151.4 2.6 -.1 -.1 3.0 .4 .0 Size B - 450,000 to 1,200,000 ....... M 152.3 152.6 152.9 153.1 3.2 .3 .1 3.4 .4 .2 Size C - 50,000 to 450,000 .......... M 153.1 153.7 153.6 153.9 3.0 .1 .2 3.4 .3 -.1 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... M 153.5 153.6 152.8 153.1 3.2 -.3 .2 3.0 -.5 -.5 West urban ............................. M 154.7 154.5 154.9 154.9 2.8 .3 .0 2.9 .1 .3 Size A - More than 1,250,000 ........ M 153.2 152.9 153.4 153.4 2.5 .3 .0 2.6 .1 .3 Size C - 50,000 to 330,000 .......... M 159.4 159.2 159.3 159.5 3.6 .2 .1 3.6 -.1 .1 Size classes A 3/ ................................. M 140.4 140.6 140.8 140.9 2.7 .2 .1 2.8 .3 .1 B .................................... M 153.8 154.0 154.4 154.6 3.1 .4 .1 3.1 .4 .3 C .................................... M 155.7 155.7 155.8 156.0 3.0 .2 .1 3.2 .1 .1 D .................................... M 152.8 153.1 153.0 153.3 3.4 .1 .2 3.1 .1 -.1 Selected local areas Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI...... M 151.9 152.6 152.7 152.9 2.8 .2 .1 2.7 .5 .1 Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ...... M 152.3 151.5 152.3 151.9 1.8 .3 -.3 2.0 .0 .5 N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT M 162.8 162.8 162.8 163.3 2.8 .3 .3 2.8 .0 .0 Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton, PA-NJ-DE-MD .. M 161.3 161.7 162.1 163.0 2.4 .8 .6 2.3 .5 .2 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA ..... M 153.0 152.9 153.4 153.0 2.5 .1 -.3 2.7 .3 .3 Baltimore, MD .......................... 1 152.8 - 154.6 - - - - 2.7 1.2 - Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ........... 1 160.8 - 160.9 - - - - 2.7 .1 - Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH ............. 1 144.0 - 144.3 - - - - 2.9 .2 - Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL .............. 1 151.0 - 150.8 - - - - 2.9 -.1 - St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL ........ 1 147.4 - 149.0 - - - - 2.6 1.1 - Washington, DC-MD-VA ................... 1 156.7 - 157.6 - - - - 2.7 .6 - Dallas-Fort Worth, TX .................. 2 - 149.6 - 149.5 3.2 -.1 - - - - Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI .................. 2 - 147.1 - 148.0 2.8 .6 - - - - Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX ......... 2 - 142.2 - 142.2 1.7 .0 - - - - Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA ........... 2 - 146.9 - 147.2 2.4 .2 - - - - 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/ Indexes on a December 1986=100 base. - 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.