The Consumer Price Index August 1971 - St. Louis Fed · 2018. 11. 7. · THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR AUGUST 1971 The Consumer Price Index rose 0.3 percent in August to 122.2 percent

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABORJ. D. Hodgson, Secretary

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICSGeoffrey H. Moore, Commissioner

OFFICE OF PRICES

AND LIVING CONDITIONS

Joel Popkin, Assistant Commissioner

the consumer price index

a monthly reporton consumer price movementsincluding statistical tablesand technical notes.

Consumer Price IndexesCommodities and Services

1967=100135

130

125

120

115

110

105

100

95

90

85

-

RELATIVE IMPORTANCE

ALL ITEMS INDEX (as of December 1970)

ALLSE

FOOD

NOND

DURA

Durables*

NondurableLess Food*

RVICES

URABLES LESS FOC

3LE COMMODITIES

37.157

21.99%

D 23.817

17.057

Food*

All Jt

/'y

All Services

Vems y J

V /t

//'//

r y/^' /

y/

^ y

1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR 'Seasonally adjustedBUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS Latest Data: August 197

Digitized for FRASER http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/ Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXFOR

AUGUST 1971

The Consumer Price Index rose 0.3 percent in August to 122.2 percent of its 1967base. Prices for gasoline, household and medical care services, and some food items increasedin August, but prices for fresh vegetables, automobiles, and clothing declined. The Augustindex was 4.5 percent higher than it was a year ago. Because the August index is based onprices collected both before and after the announcement of the wage-price freeze on August 15,the index does not reflect the effect of the freeze.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the increase in the August index was 0.4 percent.Food prices increased 0.1 percent, the same as in July. The advance of 0.5 percent in theindex of nonfood commodities was larger than in July. Charges for services rose 0.5 percent,the same as in the 2 preceding months.

TABLE A. Percent changes in CPI and components, selected periods

Month

August 1970SeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

January 1971 —FebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugust

Changes from preceding month

All items

Unadj.

0.2.5.5.3.5

.1

.2

.3

.3

.5

.6

.2

.3

Seas,adj.

0.3.5.5.3.5

.3

.2

.2

.3

.6

.5

.2

.4

Food

Unadj.

0.1-.2_ o

-.5.3

.2

.3

.9

.7

.3

.8

.5

.2

Seas,adj.

0.0.3.0.1

-.1

.0

.5

.9

.9

.2

.5

.1

.1

Commoditiesless food

Unadj.

0.1.7

1.0.5.3

-.3.0.3.3.7.4

-.1.3

Seas,adj.

0.3.5.4.4.7

.2-.1.2.2.7.3.1.5

Serv-icesUnadj.

0.6.7.5.6.6

.6

.2

.0

.2

.6

.5

.5

.5

Changes in all itemsat seasonally adjustedcompound annual rate

From3 mos.ago

3.94.55.25.65.3

4.54.02.82.84.25.34.94.4

From6 mos.ago

4.95.25.04.74.9

4.94.84.13.64.14.03.94.3

From12 mos.ago

5.65.75.85.65.5

5.24.84.64.34.44.54.44.5

The seasonally adjusted annual rate of change in the CPI during the 6 months endingin August was 4.3 percent, compared with 4.8 percent for the 6 months ending in February, and4.9 percent in the 6 months ending in August of 1970. The moderation in the rate of advanceresulted from a slower rise in prices of services, much of which was due to the earlierdecline in mortgage interest rates. Food prices rose at a faster rate than for the 6 monthsending in February 1971 and in August of 1970. However, the rate of increase in food pricesin August was not as large as in July. The rate of change for prices of nonfood commoditiesduring the 6 months ending in August was 4.0 percent, compared with 2.8 percent for the 6months ending in July, and 4.4 percent for the 6 months ending in August 1970. (See chartson pages 7, 8, 9, and 10.)


The Wage Price Freeze

On August 15, the President announced a number of economic policy changes. A majoraction in the domestic area was a 90-day freeze on prices, wages, and rents. A set of taxactions also was proposed, including repeal by Congress of the excise tax on automobiles;restoration of a tax credit for investment in machinery and equipment at 10 percent for thefirst year and 5 percent thereafter; and acceleration, by 1 year, of the liberalization ofpersonal tax exemptions and deductions now scheduled for January 1973. The revenue lossassociated with these proposed measures would be offset by cutting about $4-3/4 billion fromFederal expenditures in fiscal year 1972. To strengthen the Nation's position in the worldeconomy, a temporary 10 percent surcharge was imposed on dutiable imports and convertibilityof dollars into gold was suspended. A Cost of Living Council was established both toadminister the freeze and to recommend policies to be followed after the 90-day freeze ends.

The bulk of the items included in the CPI are covered by the wage-price freeze.However, not all of the items included in the index are priced every month in all 56 cities.About one-half of the market basket purchased by urban wage earners and clerical workers ispriced every month; another 40 percent is collected every 3 months on a rotating basis,and the remainder, including items such as rent, property taxes, and college tuition, arepriced every 6 to 12 months. Changes in these prices before the freeze may show'up asincreases in the index in subsequent months.

In addition to the consequences of not pricing every item every month in everyplace, the movement of the indexes in future months will reflect the fact that some itemshave been exempted from the freeze. These items are: raw agricultural products; mortgageinterest rates; sales, property, and other taxes; and some imported goods subject to thenew import surcharge which may be passed along to the retail level. Also some prices ineffect at the beginning of the freeze may have been below seasonal highs which, under certainconditions, are the permissible ceiling prices and, therefore, may rise or fall under thepermissible ceiling in subsequent months. Raw agricultural items—fresh fruits, vegetables,and eggs—account for 2.2 percent of the CPI market basket. Mortgage interest rates, FHA,VA, and conventional, represent 4.2 percent of the CPI market basket. Rate changes, forthe most part, are included in the index when they become established in the market ratherthan when they are announced.

Prices for the August CPI were collected throughout the month, many of them beforethe President's announcement on August 15. Food prices, which represent approximately 17 -percent of the CPI market basket, usually are collected in all 56 cities during the firstweek of every month. For the August index, prices were collected in grocery stores onAugust 3, 4, and 5. In addition, a large proportion of prices of nonfood commodities andservices were collected during the first 2 weeks of August. Even when prices werecollected after the effective date of the freeze, price changes recorded could have occurredbefore August 15. For example, prices collected on August 20 may not have changed sinceAugust 15, but still may have been higher or lower than they were previously. Moreover,some prices in effect at the beginning of the freeze may have been below their permissibleceiling.

Food

The index for food purchased in grocery stores—which was based entirely on pricescollected in the first week of August as noted previously—was unchanged for the first timesince January. The index for fruits and vegetables declined—also for the first time sinceJanuary—as large supplies of vegetables from summer crops caused widespread price decreases.Fresh fruit prices, on the other hand, rose contraseasonally* Apple and banana prices rosemore than seasonally and grape prices declined much less than is usual for August. Pricesof processed fruit and vegetables continued to advance strongly, particularly frozen orangejuice and dried beans. Prices of dried beans this August were more than 21 percent higherthan in August 1970 due to a smaller-than-average crop for 1971.


The cereal and bakery products price index recorded its first monthly decreasesince early 1968, primarily because of lower prices for white bread and corn flakes. Com-petitive pressure forced bread prices down in some parts of the country. Reports of recordcorn output this season contributed to the decline in corn flake prices. Corn productionwas increased this year mainly to offset actual and predicted declines in supplies causedby a blight epidemic in the 1970 crop. Corn prices continued to advance this spring becauseof the drought and a possibility of another corn blight. Subsequently, the weather improvedand the threat of a blight disappeared, leading to expectation of a record harvest for thisyear.

The index for dairy products showed no change in August as increases for butter,fresh milk purchased in grocery stores, and evaporated milk offset decreases for skim milk,cheese, and ice cream.

The meats, poultry, and fish index increased 0.6 percent, smaller than usual forAugust. Prices of frying chicken declined seasonally, and beef prices increased less thanthey usually do. The increase in pork prices, however, was larger than usual reflectingreductions in production and cold storage holdings in July. Pork prices moved up on aseasonally adjusted basis for the first time in 5 months. The steady uptrend in fish pricescontinued due to smaller supplies of shrimp, haddock, and Maine sardines.

Among other foods purchased in grocery stores, egg prices rose 4.3 percent,considerably less than usual for August. Egg prices this August were 6 percent lower thana year ago as production was up from last summer and supplies of other high protein foodswere larger.

Prices of restaurant meals and snacks rose 0.5 percent, the same as in June andJuly. Rising food prices earlier this year and higher wage costs were factors contributingto these increases.

Commodities less food

The index of nonfood commodities rose 0.3 percent instead of declining seasonally.The seasonally adjusted increase of 0.5 percent was the largest monthly increase this year,except for the 0.7 percent recorded in May. The faster rise in August was primarily dueto the largest increase in gasoline prices in more than a year. On the other hand, Augustsales caused a seasonal decline in prices of apparel commodities, especially women's andgirls1 clothing. In addition, the indexes for new and used cars declined.

Gasoline prices rose 3.7 percent in August. After declining in February, March,and April, prices rose in May and June, but declined again in July because of pressureexerted by the major oil companies to maintain volume sales. With the August increase, theindex for gasoline was at a level slightly higher than it was in January of this year, and3.1 percent above August 1970.

The index for tires, which had moved down slightly in the first 6 months of thisyear, rose strongly for the second consecutive month—-0.9 percent in August following 1.2percent in July. Wholesale tire prices were raised 3.4 percent in July.

Automobile prices declined in August—slightly less than seasonally for used carsand slightly more than usual for new cars. The refunding of the excise tax by one U.S.automobile company in advance of Congressional approval of the proposal to eliminate theexcise tax on new cars accounted for about one-third of the 0.8 percent decline in theindex for new cars. The new car index was affected slightly by the price increaseannounced by a large foreign automobile manufacturer after the President's announcement ofAugust 15.


The index for apparel commodities declined 0.3 percent, slightly more than is usualfor August. Women's and girls1 apparel prices recorded larger-than-seasonal decline of 0.9percent as end-of-season sales continued, particularly for bathing suits and summer skirts.Hosiery and glove prices were also lower. Prices increased, however, for dresses madeprimarily of manmade fibers, which were on sale in July. Dress prices traditionally rise forfall and winter items and new stock for fall wear was available in many outlets in August.Men's and boys' apparel prices decreased 0.3 percent instead of edging up as they usually doin August. Seasonal clearance sales in men's slacks, and sport and dress shirts accountedfor much of the decline. Footwear prices, which had declined 0.7 percent in July because ofclearance sales, rose 0.5 percent in August.

The index for household durables rose 0.2 percent, instead of decreasing slightlyas it usually does in August. Furniture and bedding prices averaged unchanged for thesecond consecutive month as lower prices for seasonal items on sale such as folding aluminumchairs were offset by higher prices for upholstered furniture and bedding. Prices of floorcoverings, which had decreased slightly in July, rose 0.5 percent in August. Broadloomcarpets, which were on sale in July, returned to regular prices and prices for hard surfacefloorings rose, because of higher costs for vinyl roll goods. Prices declined for vinylasbestos floor tiles because of sales in many outlets. Prices of appliances, includingradio and television sets, averaged unchanged, after moving up in the preceding 4 months.

Following an increase of 1.3 percent in July, prices of tobacco products rose 0.8percent in August. Higher taxes on cigarettes accounted for much of the rise in both months.In August, cigar prices also rose.

Services

Charges for consumer services rose 0.5 percent in August, the same as in the pre-ceding 2 months. Most of the August increase was due to higher charges for household andmedical care services. Charges for household services increased 0.8 percent, about thesame as in the preceding 3 months. The mortgage interest rate index, which had declined inthe first 6 months of 1971, rose 0.6 percent, the second consecutive monthly rise due toupward movements in rates for conventional mortgages, The increase of 1.3 percent in resi-dential property taxes was larger than in June or July and reflected annual changes in Boston,Seattle, and other cities. Changes in property, sales, and other taxes, which are exemptfrom the freeze, accounted for about 10 percent of the 0.3 percent rise in the August CPI.

Utility rates were higher in August—for gas, electricity, and telephone. Chargesfor home maintenance and repair services rose 0.8 percent in August, the same as in July;increases were particularly large for interior painting, house roof reshingling, and furnacerepairing. Since these services are priced quarterly in all cities on a rotating basis theAugust index reflects changes from May to August in the 17 cities in which prices werecollected. The index for rent rose 0.3 percent in August; increases occurred in New York,Detroit, Milwaukee, Buffalo, and Washington, D. C.

The index for medical care services rose 0.5 percent in August, slightly less thanin July. The rise of 0.6 percent for hospital charges in August continued to reflect theeffects of higher wages that resulted from labor contracts negotiated at mid-year. In July,hospital charges advanced 1.2 percent. Physicians' fees rose 0.7 percent, the largestincrease since March, as a result of higher operating expenses including malpracticeinsurance costs. Dentists' fees rose 0.3 percent, a much smaller increase than occurredin July.

The rise in the transportation services index remained moderate. In sharp contrastwith increases of about 3 percent in January and February of this year, the auto insuranceindex increased a slight 0.1 percent in August, the same as in July. Charges for auto


repairs rose 0.5 percent in August. Although this was not as large as most monthlyincreases this year, the uptrend in auto repair charges has been steady over the past year;higher costs for replacement parts and labor have contributed to the rise. After holdingsteady in June and July, due to offsetting influences, parking fees rose 1.3 percent inAugust; both municipal and private parking lot fees increased in a number of cities.Local-transit fares, which advanced at a rapid pace in 1970 and in the first 4 months of1971, have been holding almost steady since. In August, they rose a slight 0.1 percent. Inapparel services, charges for drycleaning held steady after declining in July, but tailoringcharges rose 0.5 percent, the largest increase since February. Charges for men's haircutrose 0.6 percent in August, the largest monthly increase in a year. Movie admission charges,which have been increasing at a slower rate since early this year, declined in August forthe first time since November 1970.

Seasonally adjusted monthly percent changes in the index and some of its majorcomponents for the past 3 months, 3-month changes for the past half year, and 6-month changesfor the past year are given in the following tabulation:

All items

FoodFood at homeFood away from hpme

Commodities less foodNondurables less food

Apparel commoditiesGasoline and motor oil

DurablesNew carsHousehold durables

Services*Rent*Household less rentMedical careTransportationOther services

1 month change

Aug.

0.4

.10.5

.5

.5-.13.4.1

-.1.4

.5

.3

.8

.5

.4

.2

1971

July

0.2

.1

.2

.4

.1

.20

-.6.2.3.2

.5

.2

.7

.6

.2

.2

June

0.5

.5

.3

.5

.3

.30.7.6.4.5

.5

.4

.8

.5

.8

.3

3-month change ending:1971

August May

1.1

.7

.51.4

.9

.9-.13.5.9.7

1.1

1.51.02.21.71.5.7

1.0

2.02.31.1

1.0.8

1.1-2.11.0-.3.4

.71.0-.61.91.8.7

6-month

August

2.1

2.72.82.5

2.01.71.01.31.9.4

1.5

2.21.91.63.63.41.4

change ending:1971

February

2.4

.9

.42.5

2.21.92.12.02.76.61.2

3.22.82.73.75.13.1

* Not seasonally adjusted.


A NOTE ABOUT CALCULATING INDEX CHANGES

Effective with the February 1970 release, and continuing thereafter, percent changesexpressed as annual rates will be computed according to the standard formula for compoundgrowth rates. These data indicate what the percent change would be if the current rate weremaintained for a 12-month period.

Movements of the indexes from one date to another are usually expressed as percentchanges rather than changes in the index points because index point changes are affected bythe level of the index in relation to its base period while percent changes are not. Thefollowing example illustrates the computation of index point and percent changes:

Index Point Change

August 1971 CPI (1967=100) 122.2less July index 121.8index point difference = 0.4

Percent Change

Index point difference dividedby the index for the previousperiod:

122.2 - 121.8 x 1 0 0 . 0

121.8

Effective with the July 1970 release, and continuing thereafter, seasonally adjustedpercent changes in the U.S. All Items Index will be based on seasonal adjustment factors andseasonally adjusted indexes carried to two decimal places. This procedure will help toeliminate rounding error in the percent changes.


- 7 -

ALL ITEMS INDEX AND

130125120115110105100

95

90

85

IMH-

iw-

ITS RflTE OF1967 = 100

CHANGE 1962 - 71

CPI flLL ITEMS INDEX

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflNtSEflSONflLLY flDJUSTEO)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflNCflNNUflL'RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTEO)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN

RUG122.2

RUG4.4

0.60.50.40.30.20.10.0-0.1

1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABORBUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS


- 8 -

TOTflL FOOD INDEX flND ITS RflTE OF CHflNGE( 1967 - 100 )

1962 - 71

135 i—130 -

120115110105100

95

90

85

2

10

8

6

4

2

0

-2

-4

CPI TOTflL FOOD INDEX

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPF1N(SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN(flNNUflL RflTE.. SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)


RUG5.4

RUG120.0

RUG3.5

—.—————————

1 .61.41.21 .00 . 80 . 60 . 40 . 20 . 0

-0.2-0.4-0.6

8

6

4

2

0

-2

1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971

U1IITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABORBUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS


— 9 —

COMMODITIES LESS FOOD INDEX flND ITS RflTE OF CHflNGE 1962 -SEMI- ( 1967 = 100 )L 0 6135

130125120

115

110

105

100

95

90

85

CPI COMMODITIES LESS FOOD IN

, l , , i .

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN(SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN(flNNUflL RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flOJUSTED)

/, I

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN(flNNUflL RflTE, SEflSONflLLY flDJUSTED)


,1..!. . i . . l I . . i «

RUG4.0

RUG4.2

————————

0 . 70 . 60 . 50 . 40 . 30 . 20 .10 . 0

-0.1-0.2-0.3

HAH-—I 6

1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971



SERVICES INDEX flND

- 10 -

ITS RflTE OF1967 = 100

CHflNGE 1962 - 71

130125120115110

105

100

95

90

65

H0[;10

8

6

4

2

0

CPI SERVICES INDEX


PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN(flNNUfll RflTE)

PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN(flNNUflL RflTE)


RUG5.5

1*11.00.90.80.70.60.50.40.30.20.10.0-0.1

1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971



- 11 -

TABLE 1. Consumer Price Index—United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, August 1971

(Unadjusted, unless otherwise indicated)

GroupIndexes (1967*100)

(unless otherwise specified)August

1971

122.2142.1

120.0118.1114.5118.7116.0123.6116.7127.1

125.1129.5115.8134.4116.3117.8115.7119.1

119.0119.6118.2121.5

120.1118.1112.9112.5107.9139.1

123.1130.0117.5119.7121.8

119.2120.1120.5

122.9121.8117.3118.3118.6117.2119.1

117.4113.4

129.4131.9128.6139.2121.6139.4135.1

$0,818.704

July1971

121.8141.7

119.8118.1114.8118.0116.0126.0115.7126.5

124.5128.8115.4133.5115.5117.5114.7118.9

119.3119.9119.3120.9

119.5117.4113.8113.5104.1139.0

122.6129.3117.1119.6121.2

119.1120.0119.3

122.4121.4117.0118.1118.3116.7119.5

117.5113.2

128.8131.2127.9138.3120.8138-.5134.4

$0,821.706

May1971

120.8140.5

118.2116.3114.1115.8115.1121.4115.5125.3

123.2127.2114.7131.6114.4117.2114.4118.1

120.2121.2120.4121.7

118.8117.0113.9112.8104.0136.4

121.6128.1116.5118.9119.9

118.4120.0118.6

121.6120.4116.6117.2117.4116.6120.5

116.6112.7

127.5129.8126.7137.0119.3136.0132.9

$0,828.712

August1970

116.9136.0

115.9114.5109.8117.8112.1114.9113.9121.0

119.9124.9110.5130.0108.0110.1107.3113.9

115.4116.5114.3117.8

112.7111.0105.5106.3104.7129.4

117.2122.0113.7114.2116.8

-

117.2116.7112.6113.8114.5113.0115.6

112.2110.4

122.7124.9122.3135.9112.8127.4125.8

$0,855.735

1 Monthago

0 . 3-

.20

- . 3.60

-1.9.9.5

.5

.5

. 3

.7

.7

. 3

.9

.2

- . 3- . 3- . 9

.5

.5

.6- . 8- . 93 .7

. 1

.4

.5

. 3

. 1

.5

. 1

. 11.0

.4

. 3

. 3

.2

. 3

.4- . 3

- . 1.2

.5

.5

. 5

.7

.7

.6

.5

- .4 .-

3 Monthsago

1.2-

1.51.5

.42 . 5

. 81.81.01.4

1.51.81.02 . 11.7

. 51.1

.8

-1.0-1.3-1.8

- . 2

1.1.9

- . 9- . 33 .82 .0

1.21.5

.9

.71.6

.7

. 11.6

1.11.2

.6

.91.0

. 5-1.2

.7

.6

1.51.61.51.61.92 . 5

-1.7

-1.2-

1 Yearago

4 . 5-

3 .53 . 14 . 3

. 83 .57.62 . 55 .0

4 . 33.74 . 83 .47.77 .07 .84 .6

3 . 12 . 73 .43 . 1

6.66 .47 .05 . 83 . 17.5

5 .06 .63 .34 . 84 . 3

-

4 .94 . 44 . 24 . 03 .63.73 .0

4 . 62 .7

5 .55.65 .22 .47 .89 .47 .4

-4.3-

Percent change to August 1971 from:

All itemsAll items (1957-59=100)

f O O Q O L nOIIftG ^ — • mm^^ M s a v a > ~ M i i i i l l

Cereals and bakery productsMeats, poultry, and fishDairy productsFruits and vegetablesOther foods at home •

Food away from home

Shelter 1/

Homeownership lj •

Fuel and utilities 2/Fuel oil and coalGas and electricity

Household furnishings and operation

Apparel and upkeep 4/Men's and boys'Women's and girls'

Transportation

New carsUsed carsGasoline

Publie

Health and recreationMedical carePersonal careReading and recreationOther goods and services

Seasonally Adjustedj,

FoodApparel and upkeepTransportation

Special Groups:

All items less foodAll items less medical careCommodities less foodCommoditiesNondurablesNondurables less foodApparel commodities

DurablesHousehold durables

ServicesServices less rentServices less medical careInsurance and finance J

utilities and public transportationHousekeeping and home maintenance services —Medical care services

Purchasing Power of Consumer Dollar:

1967-$1.001957-59=$!.00

1/ Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately.2/ Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance and repairs.3/ Also includes telephone, water, and sewerage service not shown separately.4/ Also includes infants' wear, sewing materials, jewelry, and apparel upkeep services not shown separately.

Note: Index applies to month as a whole, not to any specific date.


- 12 -

TABLE 2. Consumer Price Index—The United States and selected areas for urban wage earners and clerical workers, all itemsmost recent index and percent changes from selected dates

Area 1/ PricingSchedule 2/

Indexes

1967=100 1957-59=100Otherbases

Percent change from:

U.S. City Average

ChicagoDetroitLos Angeles-Long BeachN.Y.-Northeastern N.J.Philadelphia -*

Boston —HoustonMinneapolis-St. PaulPittsburgh

BuffaloCleveland -Dallas -k—Milwaukee -San Diego -Seattle —Washington

AtlantaBaltimoreCincinnatiHonoluluKansas CitySt. LouisSan Francisco-Oakland - - - -

122.2

121.6122.9119.6126.9123.7

122.9121.3121.9121.8

122.9123.3122.8121.5120.9117.7123.6

122.3123.5120.7118.5120.6119.9119.9

August 1971 July1971

142.1

138.1141.2140.6151.1144.5

0.3

.6

.9

.4

.10

July 1971

147.2138.8141.3140.1

August 1971

139.1

137.2

138.3144.0

3/ 135.1

3/ 132.7

4/ 127.0

June 1971

140.7143.4137.0

143.1140.0142.7

5/ 127.7

May1971

1.2

1.71.31.4.2

April1971

1.01.51.3.7

May1971

1.21.12.02.01.21.91.1

March1971

1.61.1.8

1.51.21.4.7

Augus t1970

4.5

3.84.34.75.9

4.7

July1970

5.63.83.44.1

August1970

5.62.73.54.64.32.74.5

June1970

5.06.04.43.63.84.43.8

1/ Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) exceptfor New York and Chicago where the more extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used. Area definitions are those estab-lished for the 1960 Census and do not include revisions made since I960*

If Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all cities; most other goods and services priced asindicated:

M - Every month.1 -January, April, July, and October.2 - February, May, August, and November.3 - March, June, September, and December.

_3/ November 1963=100.kj February 1965=100.5/ December 1963=100.

Note: The Consumer Price Index cannot be used for measuring difference in living costs among areas; it indicatesprice change within areas. Estimates of differences in living costs among areas are found in the family budgets.


- 13 -

TABLE 3. Consumer Price Index--The United States and selected areas 1/ for urban wage earners and clerical workers,major groups percent change from July 1971 to August 1971

GroupU.S. CityAverage Chicago Detroit

Los Angeles-Long Beach

New York-NortheasternNew Jersey

Philadelphia

All items

FoodHousingApparel and upkeepTransportationHealth and recreationMedical carePersonal careReading and recreationOther goods and services —

\l See footnote 1, table 2.2/ Not available.

0.3

.2

.5- .3

.5

.4•5.3.1.5

0.6

.2

.8

.91.0.1.4

(2/).2

- .2

0.9

.4

.4

.43.6.6.6

(2/).4.4

0.4

0.5

- .61.4.1.2

(2/).1.3

0.1

.1

.2- .1

.2

.2

.5(2/)- .3

.1

0.0

.3- .1- .7- .1

0.1

(2/).1

(2/)

TABLE 4. Consumer Price Index--United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers for selected groups,seasonally adjusted

(1967=100)

GroupIndexes

August1971

July1971

May1971

Percent changes to: August 1971From: ____

1 Month

Ago

3 Months

Ago

FoodFood at homeMeats, poultry, and fishDairy productsFruits and vegetables —Other foods at home

Fuel and utilities UFuel oil and coal

Apparel and upkeep 2/Men's and boys'Women's and girls'Footwear

TransportationPrivate 'New cars

Commodities -Commodities less food

Nondurables -Nondurables less food •Apparel commodities •

Durables

119.2117.2116.8116.0121.8116.5

116.4118.5

120.1120.3120.0121.6

120.5118.5115.0

118.2117.7118.4117.7120.2117.5

119.1117.2117.1116.1120.7117.6

115.6118.1

120.0120.7120.3121.4

119.3117.3115.1

117.9117.1118.1117.1120.3117.4

118.4116.6116.5115.3118.7117.6

114.3117.3

120.0121.0120.0121.5

118.6116.9114.2

117.2116.6117.5116.6120.3116.5

0.10

- .3- .1

.9- .9

.7

.3

.1- .3- .2

.2

- .1

.3

.5

.3

.5- .1

.1

0.7.5.3.6

2.6- .9

1.81.0

.1- .6

0.1

1.61.4

.9

.9

.8

.9

.1

.9

V Also includes telephone, water, and sewerage service not shown separately.2/ Also includes infants' wear, sewing materials, jewelry, and apparel upkeep services not shown separately.


TABLE 5. Consumer Price Index--United States and selected areas \J for urban wage earners and clerical workers, commodity groups,August 1971 index and percent changes from May 1971

GroupU.S.

City ChicagoLos Angeles-Long Beach

New York-NortheasterrNew Jersey

Philadelphia

All items

FoodFood at homeCereals and bakery productsHeats, poultry, and fishDairy productsFruits and vegetablesOther foods at home

Food away from home

Housinc — — — — — — — — — — — —Shelter — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

HomeownershipFuel and utilitiesFuel oil and coalGas and electricity


Apparel and upkeepMen's and boys' TWomen's and girls'

Transportation


All items

FoodFood at homeCereals and bakery productsMeats, poultry, and fishDairy productsFruits and vegetablesOther foods at home

Food away from home

HousingShelter — — — — — — — — — — — — —RentHomeownership

Fuel and utilitiesFuel oil and coalGas and electricity


Apparel and upkeepMen's and boys'Women's and girls'

TransportationPrivatePublic


122.2

120.0118.1114.5118.7116.0123.6116.7127.1

125.1129.5115.8134.4116.3117.8115.7119.1

119.0119.6118.2121.5

120.1118.1139.1

123.1130.0117.5119.7121.8

1.2

1.51.5.42.5.81.81.01.4

1.51.81.02.11.7.51.1

1.01.31.8- .2

1.1.9

2.0

1.21.5.9.71.6

(Indexes 1967=100 unless otherwise specified)

121.6

120.7119.5119.0119.9115.4123.6119.1125.3

120.4124.0(2/)129.9111.5113.2109.2115.0

116.0115.2116.2117.8

127.3122.0161.1

123.4129.7(2/)119.5124.2

122.9

119.4118.5116.0121.0113.4121.8116.1124.0

128.8137.8117.2141.9111.2113.9112.0112.8

115.4116.5111.7120.0

116.8114.2148.8

124.6135.4(2/)121.3118.0

119.6

115.8114.6111.8116.4114.2116.4112.6119.0

124.1127.0(2/)130.0121.9

124.3115.3

117.9115.8120.9120.3

116.5116.7113.4

118.3127.5(2/)111.1116.6

126.9

124.9122.1115.3123.9118.5128.7120.4133.8

130.0134.6120.1145.2119.7120.2113.7123.9

118.9122.2114.3119.5

130.6125.9148.8

127.3137.4116.9123.8125.6

Percent changes from May 1971 to August 1971

0.8

2.53.22.94.01.54.32.5

.2

1.0(2/)1.2

.4

.3

.2

.6

- 1.2- 2.1- 2.8

2.0

.4

.4

.5

.3

.9( 2 / )

.5- .2

3/

1.7

1.61.91.02.4

- 1.03.02.5

.9

2.23.0

.43.2

.9

.71.4

.2

- .3- .9- .1- .9

1.31.4

.7

1.82.1

(2/)1.8

.6

1.3 1.4

1.01.01.21.6

.4

. 3

.51.4

1.71.6

(2/)1.85 . 3

-4 . 0

. 7

- .4- .9

1.31.6

2 . 32 . 41.0

. 3

.7(2/)- .1

. 3

1.71.4

. 22 . 2

. 41.61.62 .6

2 . 21.8

3/ .72 . 25 .51.53 . 61.1

- 1.4- 2.9- 1.0- 1.8

1.2. 7

3 . 1

1.71.61.8

. 42 . 9

1.81.8

. 72 .61.42 . 31.22 . 1

- .6- .1(2/)- .4

- 3.1- 5.0- 3.9

- .2

- 3.7- 4.6- 3.0- 3.5

.91.0

.5

1.43 . 5

(2/)1.4

(2/)

123.7

121.8119.6118.8118.9119.5123.1118.1131.4

124.7131.8(2/)134.9111.0111.9112.9120.1

116.7116.0115.7120.5

124.4121.7140.7

127.8140.0(2/)123.9(2/)

0.2

See footnotes at end of table.


- 15 -

TABLE 5. Consumer Price Index--United States and selected areas \J for urban wage earners and clerical workers, commodity groups,August 1971 index and percent changes from May 1971—Continued

Group Buffalo Cleveland Dallas Milwaukee San Diego Seattle Washington

All items

FoodFood at homeCereals and bakery productsMeats, poultry, and fishDairy productsFruits and vegetablesOther foods at home

Food away from home

Housins ———————————— ———__Shelter

HomeownershipFuel and utilities

Fuel oil and coalGas and electricity


Apparel and upkeepMen's and boys'Women's and girls'

TransportationPrivatePublic

Health and recreationNterM ral nan* — — — — — — — — —

Personal careReading and recreationOther goods and services

All items

pOO(jFood at home

Cereals and bakery productsMeats, poultry, and fishDairy productsFruits and vegetablesOther foods at home —

Food away from home

HousingShelterRentHomeownership

Fuel and utilitiesFuel oil and coalGas and electricity


Apparel and upkeepMen's and boys'Women's and girls'Footwear

Transportation

Public


122.9

122.0120.8118.6120.5117.5127.9119.2128.8

126.0125.8115.5127.7132.1119.9136.7122.4

122.5135.3118.3121.4

119.2118.4127.2

121.6123.9116.6122.8120.5

(Indexes 1967=100 unless otherwise specified)

1.61.51.43.61.6

1.91.21.61.26.21.05.51.0

2.0- .45.42.0

1.9

1.01.9

- .7.6

1.4

123.3

119.0118.0111.8117.4119.9124.6116.1125.1

122.4124.0111.8126.1119.1

120.0118.2

121.6120.0121.9125.4

125.7122.1149.8

129.7143.5118.2121.4128.4

122.8

119.5116.1113.9115.9111:4123.2115.3131.7

125.9131.2111.7140.0114.8

109.6120.0

119.5124.7116.4122.2

120.3118.3145.1

124.5129.8120.5119.8124.8

121.5

117.6115.9117.0117.7113.2118.5112.9124.0

124.5129.2115.2133.7115.0118.4117.3118.3

121.8121.0119.3126.7

120.5117.9152.1

121.3127.7117.7120.5118.2

120.9

118,2115.2112.4119.1113.5116.0111.4125.6

128.0137.5131.0140.3112.9

109.4111.4

118.2120.4121.8117.3

116.4116.0123.1

116.9122.6111.2113.9117.0

Percent changes from May 1971 to August 1971

1.1

- .3- .42.2

- .3- .12.22.0

1.72.6

.52.9

1.3

- .7- .5

1.92.0

2.03.4

.20

3.4

2.0

1.91.81.02.5

.24.61.41.9

1.92.5

03.4

.3

.61.0

1.2.7

1.3

3.43.6

.4

1.8.5

6.8

1.61.8

.93.41.5

t3.9

1.1

3.15.01.75.9

000

.3

1.61.24.0

.2

4.75.2

.5

.71.61.3

.5

.9

.81.8

.3

.31.01.01.0

1.31.0

.71.26.2

.1

.3

.2

.8- .71.3

2.02.11.1

.91.3

- .2.4

1.3

117.7

117.0114.9110.4115.4115.5116.5114.8123.9

120.6125.9107.0131.2110.4118.7106.1114.1

115.5116.9114.8117.5

109.5109.6109.3

118.6124.1113.4116.5117.5

1.9

.91.01.32.3

.7

.7

.8

.7

2.73.8

- .34.81.6

05.0

.8

1.4.2

3.9- .3

2.93.3

.8

2.31.4

- .2.2

6.7

123.5

122.2118.6116.2115.7110.5130.7120.7131.4

123.0126.5115.6132.8109.6117.5112.7120.3

122.6123.6124.1123.2

124.6120.6146.8

125.6138.5115.7119.1124.2

1.1

1.82.2

- .92.7

.66.01.3

.8

1.61.91.62.2

.60

1.3.4

- .6.1

- .11.8

.2

.2

.5

1.01.6

.2

.8

.6

JV See footnote 1, table 2.2/ Not available3_/ Change from June 1971.


- 16 -

TABLE 6. Consumer Price Index--United States and selected areas for urban wage earners and clerical workers, food and its subgroups,August 1971 indexes and percent changes from July 1971

Area \J Totalfood Total

Cerealsand

bakeryproducts

Food

Meats,poultry,and fish

at home

Dairyproducts

Fruitsand

vegetables

Otherfoods

at home

Foodawayfromhome

KIndexes 1967=100 unless otherwise specified)

U.S. City Average

AtlantaBaltimoreBostonBuffaloChicagoCincinnatiClevelandDallasDetroitHonoluluHoustonKansas CityLos Angeles-Long BeachMilwaukeeMinneapolis-St. Paul —N.Y. Northeastern N.J.PhiladelphiaPittsburghSt. LouisSan DiegoSan Francisco-Oakland -SeattleWashington

U.S. City Average

AtlantaBaltimoreBostonBuffaloChicagoCincinnatiClevelandDallasDetroitHonoluluHoustonKansas CityLos Angeles-Long Beach -MilwaukeeMinneapolis-St. PaulN.Y. Northeastern N.J. -PhiladelphiaPittsburghSt. LouisSan Diego .San Francisco-Oakland —SeattleWashington

120.0

0.2

.2

.5

.2

.5

.2

.41.1

.6

.42.7

.3

.600

.2

.1

.3- .2

.3- .1- .5

.3

.7

118.1

119.3122.6119.2122.0120.7119.7119.0119.5119.4119.6120.5120.3115.8117.6122.1124.9121.8120.1120.0118.2116.6117.0122.2

116.8121.2117.6120.8119.5118.5118.0116.1118.5117.0116.5118.2114.6115.9120.5122.1119.6118.4118.0115.2114.8114.9118.6

0.0

.3

.5

.1

.5

.2

.41.2.6.6

3.40.8

- .3- .3

.3- .1

.3- .3

.3- .5- .8

.2

114.5

114.0118.7111.8118.6119.0114.2111.8113.9116.0105.6112.2116.5111.8117.0123.4115.3118.8113.7120.1112.4 .109.9110.4116.2

118.7

114.4121.5121.4120.5119.9117.1117.4115.9121.0119.0115.8117.5116.4117.7120.8123.9118.9116.3115.8119.1116.6115.4115.7

116.0

116.6118.0115.2117.5115.4117.4119.9111.4113.4114.9115.1123.8114.2113.2118.4118.5119.5119.5118.4113.5114.7115.5110.5

123.6

128.5127.3123.0127.9123.6124.1124.6123.2121.8130.0124.0118.1116.4118.5122.8128.7123.1125.4128.3116.0116.1116.5130.7

Percent changes July 1971 to August 1971

- 0.3

1.5- .8- .2

.5- .8- .9

0- 1.0

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

- 1.00.8

- .4- 1.0- .5

0.6

.11.1

.61.3

.92.31.4

.81.63.2

- .22.2

.41.1

.4

.6

.2- .2

1.6- .9

.51.6

.9

.5

.10

.2- .3

01.2

- .1.4.5.3

- .1.1

- .80

.1

.60

1.60

.2

.3

.2

- .5- .9- .9

.13.31.52.4

.7- .9

8.21.4

- .92.83.7

02.4

- .92.32.92.94.42.11.1

116.7

115.1120.0112.6119.2119.1118.7116.1115.3116.1112.6115.9116.2112.6112.9118.3120.4118.1118.7111.4111.4114.3114.8120.7

0.9

.3

.51.0

.51.7

.60

.91.03.31.41.6

- .3.4.9

1.31.61.8

.7

.5- .6

.71.3

127.1

127.3127.9125.1128.8125.3124.3125.1131.7124.0126.9134.3127.2119.0124.0129.4133.8131130129125.6122.7123.9131.4

0.5

.1

.6

.6

.50

.2- .2

.5

.1

.71.3

.3

.91.1

.2

.61.0

.3

.21.0

.1

.6

.5

_!/ See footnote 1, table 2.


- 17 -

TABLE 7. Consumer Price Index--United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, food items August 1971indexes and percent changes from selected dates

(1967=100 unless otherwise specified)

Item or Group

IndexAueust 1971

Unadjusted

120.0

127.1126.9128.2118.1

114.5101.2131.1105.6109.9112.9118.7110.0

121.2119.1118.7118.4126.8

125.3125.0128.1124.1

129.9126.0

127.1114.3145.5106.9113.1111.1111.4102.9107.496.6116.4

124.2115.7106.6119.8117.6114.2112.1111.7113.5112.6131.9119.9142.4129.1136.3116.0115.2118.1120.3121.2106.5122.0

105.7

Seasonallyadjusted

119.2---

117.2_-------_-

116.8116.4125.2123.6

_--

128.9

124.3125.5_

144.5103.4108.0

--

103.4-

92.9115.6_

114.2_----

109.3--

132.2-

142.1__

116.0115.4

----

122.0105.9

Percent changeJuly

Unadjusted

0.2.5.6.20

- .3- .1

.2- 3.1

.3- .9.3.1.7.3.6.7.2.7

- 1.30

1.4.5.7

- .3- .2.6

2.14.74.2.5

- .11.7- .1

.3

.6

.9

.7

.3

.2- 1.1

0

- .52.2.4.7.9.40

1.50.10.2.7.7

- .1.1

to August 19711971Seasonallyadjusted

0.1---0----------

- .30

- O4- .2

---

- .1- .7- 1.1

-.8

1.03.4--

- 1.6-

- 1.8

- .5-

- .5-----.1--.7-.1--

- .10----0

.1

from--August 1970

Unadjusted

3.55.05.0

4.93.14.31.99.73.23.52.15.94.14.86.1.8

- .84.55.34.36.55.27.92.62.3.5

10.7- 9.7- 6.1- 6.3- 8.7- 9.4- 6.9

- 17.9

- .15.7

- 1.2- 5.7

.5

.3- .24.35.34.9

- 1.111.23.512.811.117.0

3.53.63.14.26.8

.45.1.8

Total foodFood away from home

Restaurant mealsSnacks -

Food at homeCereals and bakery products

FlourCracker mealCorn flakesRiceBread, white --Bread, whole wheatCookies --Layer cakeCinnamon rolls

Meats, poultry, and fishMeats

Beef and vealSteak, roundSteak, sirloinSteak, porterhouseRump roastRib roast •Chuck roastHamburgerBeef liverVeal cutlets

PorkChopsLoin roastPork sausageHam, whole --Picnics -Bacon

Other meatsLamb chopsFrankfurtersHam, cannedBologna sausageSalami sausageLiverwurst

PoultryFrying chicken --Chicken breastsTurkey -

Fish -Shrimp, frozenFish, fresh or frozen --Tuna fish, cannedSardines, canned

Dairy productsMilk, fresh, groceryMilk, fresh, deliveredMilk, fresh, skimMilk, evaporatedIce creamCheese, American process -Butter


- 18 -

TABLE 7» Consumer Price Index--United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, food items August 1971indexes and percent changes from selected dates--Continued


Item or Group

Inde 'ercent change to August 1971 from--August

Unadiusted

123.6127.4139.0

99.5135.3128.2175.9169.7(1/)119.0

127.7115.2(1/)109.4

162.7125.690.0124.0105.2129.0122.0117.9119.1117.4114.1133.6114.8116.6107.6116.2128.1118.7116.7109.7

116.4110.0121.6120.3113.2121.7131.7113.4122.0121.8125.2108.0126.7127.5113.5114.8106.3117.6111.9110.9111.8118.9114.1

1971

Seasonallyadiusted

121.8

124.5114.798.0130.1-

143.6165.4

(1/)135.7116.5105.6-

120.0

153.2124.2_

125.1--

146.5----

133.6

-----

116.5109.5

_-------_--

-----

---_

July 1971

Unadjusted

- 1.9- 3.62.12.25.11.14.6

- 1.0(1/)

- 11.9- 4.73.7(1/)

- 14.1- .62.7

- 17.8- 1.120.1- .6

- 20.9.9.1.4.5

2.5.9.8

.4

.32.7.4.9

4.3

.7- .21.6.5.51.1.3.100.2

- .5.2.2

.41.0- .1.4

- .4.1.71.3

- .3

Seasonallyadjusted

0.91.3.8

1.9.2-

- 8.319.0(1/)

- 7.41.71.4-

- 6.2- 3.620.1

-

- 2.0--

- 5.2----1.9------

- .9- 7.9

_---------------------_

August 1970

Unadjusted

7.67.37.1- .913.2

4.612.528.4(1/)15.5

- 7.5- 5.4(1/)

- 7.644.918.711.16.611.110.318.68.0

9.97.13.39.27.65.96.34.221.34.62.5

- 6.0

8.8

6.79.53.64.26.91.6

1.72.1

- 1.04.21.85.85.23.52.1.6

3.42.7- .14.77.95.3

Fruits and vegetablesFresh fruits and vegetables

Apples -BananasOrange s -Orange juice, freshGrapefruitGrape s i / -Strawberries 1/ -Watermelon 1/PotatoesOnions -Asparagus JV -CabbageCarrot sCeleryCucumbersLettuce -Peppers, greenSp inach •Tomatoes

Processed fruits and vegetablesFruit cocktail, canned -Pears, cannedGrapefruit-pineapple juice, canned —Orange juice concentrate, frozenLemonade concentrate, frozenBeets, canned -Peas, green, cannedTomatoes, cannedDried beans -Broccoli, frozen

Other food at homeEggsFats and oils:Margar ineSalad dressing, Italian -Salad or cooking oil

Sugar and sweetsSugarGrape jelly -Chocolate barSyrup, chocolate flavored

Nonalcoholic beveragesCoffee, can and bagCoffee, instantTeaCola drinkCarbonated fruit drink

Prepared and partially prepared foodsBean soup, cannedChicken soup, cannedSpaghetti, canned ---Mashed potatoes, instantPotatoes, french fried, frozenBaby foods, cannedSweet pickle relishPret zel s - - -r —

1/ Priced only in season.


- 19 -

TABLE 8. Consumer Price Index--United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers* indexes for selecteditems and groups, August 1971 and percent changes from selected dates

(1967=100 unless otherwise.specified)

Item and groupOtherindexbases

Indexes

August 1971

Percent change to August 1971from

August 1970

Housing —Shelter 1/ •Rent •Homeownership costs 2/Mortgage interest ratesProperty taxesProperty insurance ratesMaintenance and repairs

Commodities 3/Exterior house paintInterior house paint

ServicesRepainting living and dining roomsReshingling house roofResiding house »Sink replacementFurnace repair

Fuel and utilities •Fuel oil and coalFuel oil, #2 •

Gas and electricityGasElectricity

Other utilities:Residential telephone servicesRer .dential water and sewerage services i-

Hous' .old furnishings and operation 4/r•usefurnishingsTextiles =

Sheets, percale or muslinCurtains, tailored, polyesterBedspreads, chiefly cottonDrapery fabric, cotton or rayon/acetatePillows, bed, polyester, acrylic, or kapokSlipcover, throws, ready made chiefly cotton

Furniture and bedding •Bedroom furniture, chest and dresserLiving room suites, good and inexpensive qualityLounge chairs, upholsteredDining room chairsSofas, upholsteredSofas, dual purposeBedding, mattress and box springsAluminum folding chair 5/Cribs •

Floor coveringsBroadloom, carpeting, manmade-fibersVinyl sheet goods - —Vinyl asbestos tile

Appliances (JWashing machines, electric, automaticVacuum cleaners, canister typeRefrigerators or refrigerator-freezers electric •Ranges, free standing, gas or electricClothes dryers, electric, automaticAir conditioners, demountableRoom heaters, electric, portable 5_/ •Garbage disposal units

Other housefurnishings:Dinnerware, chinawareFlatware, stainless steel «Table lamps, with shadeLawn mowers, power, rotary typeElectric drills, hand held

Housekeeping supplies:Laundry soaps and detergentsPaper napkinsToilet tissue

Housekeeping services:Domestic service, general houseworkBaby sitter servicePostal chargesLaundry, flatwork, finished serviceLicensed day care service, preschool childWashing machine repairs

Mar. 70

Mar. 70

June 70

125.1129.5115.8134.4118.1132.2121.5135.8120.6115.3115.2142.4151.3148.8132.1143.0145.9116.3117.8116.4115.7116.8114.6

110.3135.0119.1114.8111.1110.2111.5107.0118.9106.4112.4119.6104.5116.2125.1102.9117.5116.5104.0112.8118.0106.8102.7115.9116.4105.7109.9104.3108.2111.4113.2111.0(5/)110.2

118.9121.5122.3115.2106.3

111.1128.1122.6

134.9130.7146.6134.6119.0137.3

124.5128.8115.4133.5117.4130.5121.5134.7119.9115.7114.2141.2149.6147.2131.1142.2144.5115.5117.5116.1114.7116.1113.5

108.9135.0118.9114.7111.3112.0110.7106.7119.3106.5112.2119.6104.5115.7124.3103.2116.8116.4103.9115.7118.9106.3102.1114.9116.9105.7109.7104.3108.3111.7113.1111.4(5/)110.1

118.4120.4121.9116.9105.9

110.6127.6124.0

134.5130.5146.6133.9118.0137.3

0.5.5.3.7.6

1.30.8.6

- .3.9.8

1.11.1

1.0.7.3.3.9.6

1.0

1.30.2.1

- .21.6.7.3

- .3- .1

.200.4.6

- .3.6.1.1'

2.5- .8

.5

.6

.9- .4

0.20

- .1- .3

.1- .4(5/).1

.4

.9

.31.5.4

.5

.41.1

.3

.20.5

4.33.74.83.4

- 11.37.86.38.44.71.93.49.912.014.26.710.48.67.77.06.67.87.48.2

7.19.94.63.02.4

- .72.0.3

3.86.02.83.53.62.15.72.73.2.9

4.44.93.91.6- .27.03.81.42.21.82.32.14.13.5(5/).2

5.91.35.41.3

- .4

4.05.92.9

5.25.925.37.63.49.2


- 20 -

TABLE 84 Consumer Price Index--United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, indexes for selecteditems and groups, August 1971 and percent changes from selected dates--Continued

(1967-100 unless otherwise specified)

Item and groupOtherindexbases

Indexes

August 1971 July 1971

'ercent change to August 1971from;

July 1971 August 1970

Apparel and upkeep 1JApparel commodities

Apparel commodities less footwear ' <Men's and boys'

Men's:Topcoats, wool or all-weather coats,polyester blends 5/

Suits, year round weightSuits, tropical weight 5/Jackets, lightweightSlacks, wool or wool blends -Slacks, cotton or manmade blends --Trousers, work, cotton or polyester/cottonShirts, work, cotton or polyester/cottonShirts, business, polyester/cottonT-shirts, chiefly cottonSocks, cotton or manmade fibersHandkerchiefs, cotton or polyester/cotton

Boy's:Coat8, all purpose, cotton or cotton blend jj/ -Sport coats, wool or wool, blend $JDungarees, cotton or cotton blendUndershorts, cotton

Women's and girls'Women's:

Coats, heavyweight, wool or wool blend 5/ - - —Car coats, heavyweight, cotton Jj/Sweaters, wool or acrylic J§/Skirts, wool, wool blend or manmade fibers 5/ -Skirts, cotton or polyester/cotton ^_Blouses, cotton or manmade fibersDresses, street, chiefly •anmade fiberDresses, street, wool or wool blend j/ *•Slips, nylon <Panties, acetate or nylon tricotGirdles, manmade blendBrassieres, nylon laceHose, or panty hose, nylon seamlessAnklets, or knee-length socks, various fibers -Gloves, fabric, nylon or cottonHandbags, rayon faille or plastic

Girls';Raincoats, vinyl,cotton, or polyester blends 5/Skirts, wool, wool blends, or acrylic _5/Dresses, cotton, manmade fibers or blendsSlacks, cotton or chiefly cotton _5/Slips, polyester blendsHandbags, plastic

FootwearMen's:

Shoes, street oxfordShoes, work, high •

Women's:Shoes, street, pumpShoes, evening, pumpShoes, casualHouseslippers, scuff -

Children's:Shoes, oxford -Sneakers, boys1, oxford type ~Dress shoes, girls', strap or pump

Miscellaneous apparel:Diapers, cotton gauze Or disposableYard goods, polyester blendWrist watches, men's and women's

Apparel services:Drycleaning, men's suits and women's dressesAutomatic laundry serviceLaundry, men's shirts —Tailoring charge, hem adjustmentShoe repair, women's heel lift -

119.0119.1118.6119.6

127.7(5/)112.1115.4130.9113.7114.0112.4119.0114.9115.2

(5/)(5/)122.7119.9118.2

(5/)(5/)(5/)(5/)102.9119.1126.8(5/)111.1115.7116.8121.298.6

114.8109.7134.2

(5/)(5/)107.4(5/)109.8126.9121.5

119.2119.5

122.9119.6123.5123.5

122.4119.4126.4

112.5121.9113.7

116.8113.2119.2129.0112.4

119.3119.5119.3119.9

127.1125.1112.2117.3131.0113.5113.9113.1119.4114.9115.2

(5/)(5/)122.6119.1119.3

(5/)(5/)(5/)(5/)114.7121.8124.5

lTo.9115.7116.3121.299.2

115.6110.5132.1

(5/)(5/)105.2(5/)110.4129.7120.9

119.4118.9

122.0118.8122.9122.5

122.1119.4124.4

112.3122.4113.3

116.8112.9119.1128.3112.3

- 0.3- .3- .6- .3

.5(5/)- .1

- 1.6- .1

.2

.1- .6- .3

00

(5/)(J5/).1.7

- .9

(5/)(5/)(5/)(5/)

10.3- 2.21.8C5/).20.40

- .6- .7- .71.6

(5/)(5/)2.1(5/)

- .5- 2.2

.5

- .2.5

.7

.7

.5

.20

1.6

.2- .4

.4

0.3.1.5.1

3.13.03.02.7

(5/)3.6(5/)- .61.04.73.54.0.8

- .2- .12.1

(5/)(5/)4.5.8

3.4

(5/)(5/)(5/)(5/)

- 6.1.6

- 2.2(5/)1.83.04.34.4

- 1.3.2

1.29.3

(5/)<5/>1.6(5/>2.3.4

3.1

4.14.5

1.81.01.13.3

4.04.66.0

2.42.32.6

3.12.03.16.13.9


- 21 -

TABLE 8. Consumer Price Index--United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, indexes for selecteditems and groups, August 1971 and percent changes from selected dates--Continued


Item and group Otherindexbase 8

Indexes

August" 1971

120.1118.1112.9112.5107.9121.0117.3131.0142.9123.7136.7139.1144.0131.7127.4129.6132.9

123.1130.0105.6110.295.3

114.2101.3123.8112.2111.3101.780.0

123.8102.3108.1127.3112.0108.2116.694.8

131.2132.7132.0130.9133.4125.7124.3128.0127.9129.3127.4125.6

121.9117.2

163.5165.8160.0156.7126.4117.5114.5107.7116.8119.0106.9124.0106.0124.2111.5120.6123.2118.8119.2122.2110.8

July iy71

119.5117.4113.8113.5104.1120.5116.2130.3142.7123.8134.9139.0143.8131.7127.4129.6132.9

122.6129.3105.5110.095.4

114.3101.2123.2111.8111.2101.680.4

123.9101.2108.1126.8111.7108.2115.994.6

130.3132.2131.6129.0132.6125.1123.6125.0127.5128.7127.3125.1

120.5115.7

162.5164.8159.0157.8125.9117.1114.2107.2115.4117.5107.3123.8105.7124.8111.7120.2122.5118.5119.2122.0110.3

Percent- changefrom:

July iy/i

0 . 5.6

- .8- .9

3 .7. 4.9. 5. 1

- .11.3

.1

.10000

. 4

.5

. 1

.2- .1- .1

. 1

.5

.4

. 1

. 1- .5- .1

1.10

.4

.30

.6

.2

.7

. 4

. 31.5

.6

.5

.62 .4

.3

.5

.1

. 4

1.21.3

.6

.6

.6- .7

. 4

. 3

.3

.51.21.3

- .4 ,. 2. 3

- .5- .2

. 3

.6

. 30

.2

.5

to August 1971

August 1970

6.66 .47 .05 .83 . 15 . 43.8 '7 . 8

11.64 .98.57 .55 .6

11.910.610.813.0

5 .06.61.13 . 1

- 3.1-5.5

. 47 .53 .72 . 5

- .513.8

5 .91.74 . 46 .24 . 72 .57 .2

- .6

7 .07 .36 .66 .37 .24 .57 .07 .96 .36.56.65.5

6.65 .2

11.812.211.3

8 .26 .83 . 33 . 3

.78 .33 .25 .02 . 3

.63 . 32 . 43 .32 .54 . 13 .84 . 63 . 2

TransportationPrivate 8/

Automobiles, new >Automobiles, usedGasoline, regular and premiumMotor oil, premium --Tires, new, tubelessAuto repairs and maintenance _9_/Auto insurance rates --Auto registrationParking fees, private and municipal

Public -.-Local transit fares -Taxicab faresRailroad fares, coachAirplane fares, chiefly coachBus fares, intercity -

Health and recreationMedical care ---Drugs and prescriptionsOver-the-counter itemsMultiple vitamin concentratesAspirin compoundsLiquid tonicsAdhesive bandages, packageCold tablets or capsulesCough syrup •*

PrescriptionsAnti-infectives -Sedatives and hypnoticsAtaracticsAnti-gpasmodicsCough preparationsCardiovasculars and anti-hypertensives —Analgesics, internalAnti-obesityHormones

Professional services:Physicians' feesGeneral physician, office visitsGeneral physician, house visitsObstetrical casesPediatric care, office visitsPsychiatrist, office visitsHerniorrhaphy, adultTonsillectomy and adenoidectomy

Dentists1 fees «---Fillings, adult, amalgam, one surfaceExtractions, adultDentures, full upper -

Other professional services:Examination, prescription, and dispensing ofeyeglasses

Routine laboratory testsHospital service charges:Daily service chargesSemiprivate roomsPrivate rooms

Operating room chargesX-ray, diagonstic series, upper G.I.

Personal careToilet goods

Toothpaste, standard dentifriceToilet soap, hard milled ,Hand lotions, liquid •Shaving cream, aerosolFace powder, pressedDeodorants, aerosol —Cleansing tissues .-•Home permanent wave kits

Personal care servicesMen's haircutsBeauty shop servicesWomen's haircuts . —Shampoo and wave sets, plainPermanent waves, cold


- 22 -

TABLE 8. Consumer Price Index--United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, indexes for selecteditems and groups, August 1971 and percent changes from selected dates--Continued

(1967=100 unless otherwise Specified)

Item and groupOtherindexhdRPfi

Indexes

August 1971

119.7106.999.9122.198.493.6105.889.3108.4104.6125.3110.0112.2114.0111.9110.3126.1138.2138.4137.8142.5116.1128.898.1117.7

130.5126.3120.7

121.8127.9129.6129.6107.3117.4113.3107.0123.9126.8

118.3110.9133.9

120.3117.3116.2133.6134.5122.8

July 1971

119.6106.899.9122.298.494.1104.989.3108.6104.5125.8110.5111.8113.9111.6109.6126.1138.8138.6139.2141.9116.3128.698.2117.4

130.4126.3120.7

121.2126.9128.5128.6106.3117.0113.3106.3123.0126.2

117.7110.8133.6

120.0117.0115.1132.5134.3122.6

Percent change to August 1971fro»:

July 1971

0.1.10

- .10

- .5.90

- .2.1

- .4- .5.4.1.3.60

- .4- .1- 1.0

.4- .2

.2- .1

.3

.100

.5

.8

.9

.8

.9

.30.7.7.5

.5

.1

.2

.3

.31.0.8.1.2

August 1970

4.82.0

.42.6

- .7- .36.2

- 2.71.41.54.9- .63.64.82.74.75.34.54.74.56.85.55.61.95.8

8.1

7.33.3

4.34.14.44.21.64.23.61.25.45.9

4.34.66.8

4.74.24.14.38.64.5

Reading and recreation 10_/Recreational goodsTV sets, portable and consoleTV replacement tubesRadios, portable and table modelTape recorders, portablePhonograph records, stereophonicMovie cameras, Super 8, zoom lensFilm, 35mm, colorGolf balls, liquid center or solid coreBasketballs, rubber or vinyl coverFishing rods, fresh water spincastingBowling ballsBicycles, boys'Tricycles --Dog food, canned or boxed

Recreational servicesIndoor movie admissionsAdultChildren's

Drive-in movie admissions, adult-Bowling fees, eveningGolf green feesTV repair, color picture tube replacementFilm developing, color

Reading and education:Newspapers, street sale and deliveryMagazines, single copy and subscriptionPiano lessons, beginner

Other goods and servicesTobacco products

Cigarettes, nonfilter tip, regular sizeCigarettes, filter tip, king sizeCigars, domestic, regular size

Alcoholic beveragesBeerWhiskey, spirit blended and straight bourbonWine, dessert and tableAway from home

Financial and miscellaneous personal expenses:Funeral services, adultBank service charges, checking accountsLegal services, short form will

Other special groups:

All items less shelterCommodities less foodNondurables less food and apparelHousehold services less rentTransportation servicesOther services

1/ Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separat ly.2/ Also includes home purchase costs not shown separately.3/ Also includes pine shelving, furnace air filters, packaged diry cement mix, and shrubbery not shown separately.kf Also includes Venetian blinds, window shades, nails, carpet sweepers, utility pails, air deodorizers, steel wool scouringpads, envelopes, reupholstering, and moving expenses.%! Priced only in season.§f Also includes radios and television sets, shown separately under reading and recreation.U Also includes men's sweaters, sport shirts, women's and girls' lightweight coats, women's slacks, cocktail dresses, bathingsuits, girls' robes, cotton and polyester blend skirts, shorts, earrings, and zippers not shown separately.SJ/ Also includes storage batteries and drivers' license fees not shown separately.j)/ Includes prices for water pump replacement, motor tune-up, automatic transmission repair, exhaust system repair, frontend alignment, and chassis lubrication.10/ Also includes outboard motors, nondurable toys, college tuition fees, paperback books, and college texbooks, not shownseparately.


- 23 -

Reliability of Percent Changes in the CPI

A system of "replicated" samples introduced into the index structure in the 1964revision permits an estimate of sampling error for the CPI. 1/ The table below showsstandard errors for monthly, quarterly, and annual percent changes in the CPI for allitems and for nine commodity groupings based on 1970 averages. The figures may be inter-preted as follows: the chances are about 95 out of 100 that the percent change in theCPI as computed differs from the corresponding "complete coverage" change by less thantwice the standard error.

Because the CPI is rounded to one decimal place, some ambiguity may arise ininterpreting small index changes. The table below indicates, for example, that a month-to-month change of 0.1 percent in the all-items CPI is significant. Because of rounding,however, a change of this size in the published index might result from a much smallerchange ln the unrounded value. Hence, any particular change of 0.1 percent may or maynot be significant. On the other hand, a published change of 0.2 percent is almost alwayssignificant, regardless of the time period to which it relates.

Average Standard Errors of Percent Changes in theCPI Based on 1970 Data

ComponentMonthlyChange

.04

.08

.11

.06

.15

.10

.12

.13

.11

.10

Standard Error

QuarterlyChange

.06

.13

.21

.10

.26

.16

.15

.23

.17

.16

AnnualChange

.09

.18

.36

.19

.29

.19

.29

.34

.23

.41

All ItemsFood at homeFood away from homeHousingApparel —TransportationMedical carePersonal careReading and recreation —Other goods and services -

This replaces the table of average errors based on 1969 data which was includedin the CPI report through December 1970.

1/ The method of deriving these estimates is described in a paper by MarvinWilkerson, "Measurement of Sampling Error in the Consumer Price Index," Journal of theAmerican Statistical Association, September 1967.


- 24 -

Brief Explanation of the CPI

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures average changes in prices of goodsand services usually bought by urban wage earners and clerical workers, both familiesand single persons living alone. It is based on prices of about 400 items which wereselected to represent the movement of prices of all goods and services purchased bywage earners and clerical workers. Prices for these items are obtained in urban por-tions of 39 Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSA's) and 17 smaller cities,which were chosen to represent all urban places in the United States, includingAlaska and Hawaii. They are collected from grocery and department stores, hospitals,filling stations, and other types of stores and service establishments which wageearners and clerical workers patronize.

Prices of foods, fuels, and a few other items are obtained every month inall 56 locations. Prices of most other commodities and servipes are collected everymonth in the 5 largest SMSA's and every 3 months in other SMSA's and cities. Mailquestionnaires are used to obtain local transit fares, public utility rates, news-paper prices, fuel prices, and certain other items which change in price infrequently.Prices of most other goods and services are obtained by personal visits of theBureau's trained representatives.

In calculating the index, price changes for the various items in eachlocation are averaged together with weights which represent their importance in thespending of all wage earners and clerical workers. SMSA and city data are then com-bined in the total index with weights based on the 1960 populations of SMSA's andcities they represent. Index numbers are computed on the base 1967=100 an(* a r e

also available on the base of 1957-59=100.

The national index (the United States city average) includes prices fromthe 23 SMSA's for which separate indexes are published in this report, as well asfrom the following additional locations:

Alabama - FlorenceAlaska - AnchorageCalifornia - Bakersfield*Colorado - Denver*Connecticut - Hartford*Florida - Orlando*Indiana - Indianapolis*Indiana - LogansportIllinois - Champaign-Urbana*Iowa - Cedar Rapids*Kansas - Wichita*

Louisiana - Baton Rouge*Maine - Portland*Massachusetts - SouthbridgeMichigan - NilesMinnesota - CrookstonMississippi - VicksburgNew Jersey - MillvilleNew York -KingstonNorth Carolina - Durham*North Dakota - Devils LakeOhio - Dayton*

Ohio - FindlayOklahoma - MangumOregon - Klamath FallsPennsylvania - Lancaster*South Carolina - UnionTennessee - Nashville*Texas - Austin*Texas - McAllenUtah - OremVirginia - MartinsvilleWisconsin - Green Bay*

*Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area

Comparisons of indexes for individual SMSA's show only that prices in onelocation changed more or less than in another. The SMSA indexes cannot be used tomeasure differences in price levels or in living costs between areas.

A description of the index and historical tables of index numbers for theUnited States city average and for 23 large SMSA's are available on request to theBureau of Labor Statistics, Washington, D. C. 20212 or any of its regional offices*


Bureau of Labor Statistics Regional Offices

REGION 1 — Boston

Mr. Wendell D. MacdonaldRegional DirectorU.S. Department of LaborBureau of Labor Statistics16Q3-A Federal Office BuildingBoston, Massachusetts 02203Phone: 223-6727(Area Code 617)

ConnecticutMaineMassachusettsNew HampshireRhode IslandVermont

REGION IV —Atlanta

Mr. Brunswick A. BagdonRegional DirectorU.S. Department of LaborBureau of Labor Statistics1371 Peachtree Street NE.Atlanta, Georgia 30309Phone: 526-5416(Area Code 404)

Alabama MississippiFlorida North CarolinaGeorgia South CarolinaKentucky Tennessee

REGION II — New York

Mr. Herbert BienstockRegional DirectorU.S. Department of LaborBureau of Labor Statistics341 Ninth Avenue, Rm. 1025New York, New York 10001Phone: 971-5401(Area Code 212)

New JerseyNew YorkPuerto RicoVirgin Islands

REGION V — Chicago

Mr. William E. RiceRegional DirectorU.S. Department of LaborBureau of Labor Statistics219 S. Dearborn StreetChicago, Illinois 60604Phone: 353-7226(Area Code 312)

Illinois MinnesotaIndiana OhioMichigan Wisconsin

REGION III —Philadelphia

Mr. Frederick W.MuellerRegional DirectorU.S. Department of LaborBureau of Labor StatisticsF nn Square Building, Room 4061317 Filbert SheetPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19107Phone: 597-7816(Area Code 215)

DelawareDistrict of ColumbiaMarylandPennsylvaniaVirginiaWest Virginia

REGION VI - Dallas

Mr. Jack F. StricklandRegional DirectorU.S. Department of Labor11OO Commerce St., Rm. 6B7Dallas, Tex. 75202Phone: 749-3641

(Area Code 214)

Arkansas OklahomaLouisiana TexasNew Mexico

REGIONS VII and VIII — Kansas City REGIONS IX and X - San Francisco

Mr. Elliott A. BrowarRegional DirectorU.S. Department of LaborBureau of Labor StatisticsFederal Office Building911 Walnut StreetKansas City, MissouriPhone: 374-2378(Area Code 816)

Region VII

IowaKansasMissouriNebraska

64106

Region VIII

ColoradoMontanaNorth DakotaSouth DakotaUtahWyoming

Mr. Charles A. RoumassetRegional DirectorU.S. Department of LaborBureau of Labor Statistics450 Golden Gate AvenueBox 36017San Francisco, California 94102Phone: 556-3178(Area Code 415)

Region IX Region X

Anzona AlaskaCalifornia IdahoHawaii OregonNevada Washington


Documents

The Consumer Price Index August 1971 - St. Louis Fed · 2018. 11. 7. · THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR AUGUST 1971 The Consumer Price Index rose 0.3 percent in August to 122.2 percent