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-96-142 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, April 12, 1996 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX: MARCH 1996 The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.5 percent before seasonal adjustment in March to a level of 155.7 (1982-84=100), the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. For the 12-month period ended in March, the CPI-U increased 2.8 percent. The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) also rose 0.5 percent in March, prior to seasonal adjustment. The March 1996 CPI-W level of 152.9 was 2.8 percent higher than the index in March 1995. CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U rose 0.4 percent in March, following increases of 0.4 and 0.2 percent in the first 2 months of 1996. Each of the three groups--food, energy, and all items less food and energy--contributed to the larger advance in March. The food index, which had risen 0.1 percent in each of the 3 preceding months, increased 0.6 percent in March. A 6.0 percent rise in the index for fresh fruits and vegetables accounted for about 85 percent of the March increase. The energy index registered its fourth consecutive increase--up 1.4 percent in March--after declining throughout most of 1995. The index for petroleum-based energy increased 3.5 percent in March, more than offsetting a 0.6 percent decline in the index for energy services. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U rose 0.3 percent after increasing 0.2 percent in March. Within this index, an upturn in the index for apparel and upkeep more than offset the deceleration in the indexes for public transportation and entertainment. 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 1995 1996 3-mos. ended ended Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Mar. '96 Mar. '96 All Items .1 .3 .1 .2 .4 .2 .4 4.0 2.8 Food and beverages .3 .3 .0 .1 .1 .1 .5 3.2 2.8 Housing .1 .3 .2 .3 .3 .2 .3 3.2 2.9 Apparel and upkeep -.2 .3 .0 .1 .7 -.9 .6 1.5 .3 Transportation -.1 .1 -.4 .1 .7 .5 .7 8.0 2.3 Medical care .4 .2 .3 .4 .4 .2 .3 3.2 3.8 Entertainment .3 .3 .4 .4 .3 .8 .1 4.7 3.8 Other goods and services .4 .4 .4 .2 .2 .4 .4 4.4 4.4 Special Indexes: Energy -1.3 .3 -.9 1.1 1.9 .4 1.4 15.8 2.8 Food .3 .3 .0 .1 .1 .1 .6 3.2 2.8 All items less food and energy .2 .3 .1 .1 .3 .2 .3 3.5 2.8 During the first 3 months of 1996, The CPI-U rose at a 4.0 percent seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). This compares with a 2.5 percent increase for all of 1995. The food index has increased at a 3.2 percent SAAR and energy at a 15.8 percent SAAR thus far in 1996. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U increased at a 3.5 percent SAAR in the first 3 months of 1996. This compares with a 3.0 percent increase in all of 1995. The indexes for apparel and upkeep and public transportation increased at a faster pace during the first quarter of 1996 than during all of 1995 and were largely responsible for the acceleration in the overall index for all items less food and energy . The rates for selected groups during the last 8 and 1/4 years are shown below. SAAR 3 months Percent change 12 months ended in March 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 All Items 4.4 4.6 6.1 3.1 2.9 2.7 2.7 2.5 4.0 Food & beverages 5.1 5.5 5.3 2.5 1.6 2.7 2.7 2.1 3.2 Housing 4.0 3.9 4.5 3.4 2.6 2.7 2.2 3.0 3.2 Apparel & upkeep 4.7 1.0 5.1 3.4 1.4 .9 -1.6 .1 1.5 Transportation 3.0 4.0 10.4 -1.5 3.0 2.4 3.8 1.5 8.0 Medical care 6.9 8.5 9.6 7.9 6.6 5.4 4.9 3.9 3.2 Entertainment 4.6 5.1 4.3 3.9 2.8 2.8 2.3 3.3 4.7 Other goods and services 7.0 8.2 7.6 8.0 6.5 2.7 4.2 4.3 4.4 Special Indexes Energy .5 5.1 18.1 -7.4 2.0 -1.4 2.2 -1.3 15.8 Food 5.2 5.6 5.3 1.9 1.5 2.9 2.9 2.1 3.2 All items less food and energy 4.7 4.4 5.2 4.4 3.3 3.2 2.6 3.0 3.5 The food and beverage index rose 0.5 percent in March. The index for grocery store foods, which registered no change in each of the preceding 2 months, increased 0.9 percent in March. The index for fresh fruits and vegetables advanced 6.0 percent; the index for fresh vegetables rose 10.0 percent and that for fresh fruits rose 2.6 percent. Among the other major grocery store foods, the indexes for cereal and bakery products and for other food at home each increased 0.5 percent, while the indexes for dairy products and for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs each declined 0.2 percent. Within the latter group, price declines for beef and for poultry offset price increases for pork, for fish and seafood, and for eggs. The drop in the beef and veal index--down 1.0 percent in March--was its fourth consecutive decline and the largest monthly fall since a 1.1 percent decrease in January 1992. The other two components of the food and beverage index--restaurant meals and alcoholic beverages--increased 0.1 and 0.3 percent, respectively, in March. The housing component rose 0.3 percent in March, following an increase of 0.2 percent in February. Shelter costs increased 0.2 percent for the second consecutive month. Within shelter, renters' costs rose 0.3 percent; homeowners' costs, 0.2 percent; and maintenance and repair costs, 0.4 percent. The index for fuel and utilities, which rose 0.6 percent in February, increased 0.2 percent in March. The index for household fuels fell 0.3 percent, as a result of a 2.7 percent decrease in the index for natural gas. Partially offsetting this decline, the index for electricity increased 0.3 percent and the index for fuel oil rose 3.0 percent. The index for other utilities and public services rose 1.0 percent, reflecting increases in the index for telephone services and water and sewerage treatment--up 0.6 and 2.6 percent, respectively. The index for household furnishings and operation rose 0.2 percent in March, following a 0.2 percent decline in February. The transportation index advanced 0.7 percent in March, following an increase of 0.5 percent in February. The index for motor fuels, which fell 0.2 percent in February after increasing 3.8 percent in January, turned back up in March, advancing 3.6 percent and accounting for 90 percent of the overall transportation increase. Despite the sharp increase thus far in 1996, gasoline prices remain well below their peak level of December 1990, 11.3 percent lower as of March. Automobile purchase costs continued their pattern of very little movement evident since the intoduction of the 1996 models. The index for new car prices increased 0.1 percent in March and the index for automobile finance charges also rose 0.1 percent, its first increase in 6 months. The index for used cars rose 0.8 percent in March. The index for public transportation increased 0.2 percent. A decline in airline fares--down 1.9 percent in March after increasing 5.9 percent in February--was more than offset by a 1.0 percent increase in other intercity transportation costs and a 4.0 percent rise in intracity transportation costs. The index for apparel and upkeep, which declined 0.9 percent in February, increased 0.6 percent in March. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, clothing prices rose 3.0 percent, reflecting seasonal price increases associated with the continued introduction of the 1996 spring- summer wear.) Medical care costs rose 0.3 percent in March to a level 3.8 percent above a year ago. The index for medical care commodities--prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, and medical supplies--increased 0.2 percent in March. The index for medical care services rose 0.3 percent in March. Charges for professional services and hospital and related services increased 0.2 and 0.6 percent, respectively. Entertainment costs rose 0.1 percent in March, following a 0.8 percent rise in February. The indexes for toys, hobbies, and music equipment and for admissions to movies, theaters, concerts, and sporting events, which increased 2.3 and 1.4 percent, respectively, in February, rose 0.1 and declined 0.1 percent, respectively, in March. The index for other goods and services advanced 0.4 percent in March, the same as in February. In March, the indexes for tobacco and smoking products and for legal service fees rose 0.7 and 0.8 percent, respectively, accounting for about one half of the overall 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 0.5 percent in March. Table B. Percent changes in CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) Seasonally adjusted Compound Changes from preceding month Annual Un- Expenditure rate adjusted Category 1995 1996 3-mos. 12-mos. ended ended Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Mar. '96 Mar.'96 All Items .1 .3 .1 .2 .4 .2 .5 4.3 2.8 Food and beverages .4 .3 .1 .1 .1 .1 .5 3.2 2.9 Housing .1 .3 .1 .3 .3 .1 .3 3.3 2.9 Apparel and upkeep .0 .3 -.2 .2 .7 -.7 .6 2.5 .5 Transportation -.1 .1 -.3 .4 .9 .3 .9 8.3 2.4 Medical care .4 .2 .3 .4 .4 .2 .2 3.1 3.8 Entertainment .3 .1 .4 .3 .4 .8 .0 4.8 3.7 Other goods and services .5 .4 .4 .1 .2 .4 .3 3.7 4.2 Special Indexes: Energy -1.2 .2 -.8 1.0 2.1 .2 1.8 17.7 3.2 Food .4 .3 .0 .2 .1 .1 .6 3.2 2.9 All items less food and energy .3 .3 .2 .2 .3 .2 .3 3.3 2.8 Consumer Price Index data for April are scheduled for release on Tuesday, May 14, 1996, at 8:30 A.M. (EDT). Table 1. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Relative Unadjusted indexes Unadjusted Seasonally adjusted importance, percent change to percent change from- December Feb. Mar. Mar. 1996 from- Dec. to Jan. to Feb. to 1995 1996 1996 Mar. 1995 Feb. 1996 Jan. Feb. Mar. Expenditure category All items .................................. 100.000 154.9 155.7 2.8 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.4 All items (1967=100) ....................... - 464.2 466.5 - - - - - Food and beverages ....................... 17.332 151.3 152.1 2.8 .5 .1 .1 .5 Food ................................... 15.766 150.8 151.6 2.8 .5 .1 .1 .6 Food at home ......................... 9.880 151.4 152.5 3.3 .7 .0 .0 .9 Cereals and bakery products ........ 1.473 172.1 172.0 4.1 -.1 .9 -.1 .5 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..... 2.936 142.4 142.6 3.0 .1 .1 .0 -.2 Dairy products ..................... 1.169 137.2 136.7 3.4 -.4 .2 1.0 -.2 Fruits and vegetables .............. 1.936 177.7 183.7 5.6 3.4 -1.0 -.1 4.0 Other food at home ................. 2.365 141.9 142.4 1.2 .4 .1 -.2 .5 Sugar and sweets ................. .327 141.6 142.3 4.3 .5 1.4 .1 .4 Fats and oils .................... .248 139.7 140.1 2.4 .3 .3 -.2 .5 Nonalcoholic beverages ........... .763 129.9 129.7 -2.4 -.2 -.8 -.7 .3 Other prepared food .............. 1.027 153.4 154.6 2.7 .8 .3 .0 .7 Food away from home .................. 5.886 150.9 151.2 2.1 .2 .1 .3 .1 Alcoholic beverages .................... 1.566 156.7 157.4 2.8 .4 .4 .5 .3 Housing .................................. 41.346 151.2 151.7 2.9 .3 .3 .2 .3 Shelter ................................ 28.289 169.4 170.1 3.4 .4 .4 .2 .2 Renters' costs 1/ .................... 7.988 178.8 180.4 3.3 .9 .7 .2 .3 Rent, residential .................. 5.762 160.4 160.6 2.5 .1 .3 .3 .1 Other renters' costs ............... 2.227 214.1 219.7 5.3 2.6 1.6 .2 .9 Homeowners' costs 1/ ................. 20.102 174.6 175.0 3.4 .2 .2 .2 .2 Owners' equivalent rent 1/ ......... 19.716 175.0 175.3 3.4 .2 .3 .2 .2 Household insurance 1/ ............. .386 158.6 159.1 1.3 .3 -.3 .4 .3 Maintenance and repairs 2/ ........... .199 137.0 137.5 2.5 .4 -.2 .5 .4 Maintenance and repair services 2/ . .122 143.0 143.8 3.6 .6 .0 .6 .6 Maintenance and repair commodities 2/ ................. .077 128.8 129.0 .6 .2 -.4 .2 .2 Fuel and other utilities ............... 7.014 125.0 125.2 2.4 .2 .5 .6 .2 Fuels ................................ 3.792 112.5 111.9 1.9 -.5 .6 .7 -.3 Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities .................... .356 97.7 99.3 11.6 1.6 7.5 .2 2.2 Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)....................... 3.436 119.1 118.2 .9 -.8 -.2 .8 -.6 Other utilities and public services 2/ ...................... 3.222 154.9 156.4 3.0 1.0 .3 .3 1.0 Household furnishings and operation .... 6.043 124.3 124.6 1.6 .2 .2 -.2 .2 Housefurnishings ..................... 3.445 111.4 111.7 .4 .3 .3 -.4 .0 Housekeeping supplies ................ 1.116 140.4 140.9 3.8 .4 .4 -.2 .9 Housekeeping services ................ 1.482 146.3 146.6 2.6 .2 .0 .2 .2 Apparel and upkeep ....................... 5.516 131.2 134.8 .3 2.7 .7 -.9 .6 Apparel commodities .................... 4.967 127.8 131.6 .2 3.0 .7 -1.0 .6 Men's and boys' apparel .............. 1.303 126.4 129.1 1.5 2.1 1.1 .2 .8 Women's and girls' apparel............ 2.195 124.6 129.9 -1.2 4.3 1.3 -2.5 .2 Infants' and toddlers' apparel 2/ .... .195 134.4 133.3 4.9 -.8 2.2 2.2 -.8 Footwear ............................. .732 125.8 128.1 1.7 1.8 -.6 1.4 .8 Other apparel commodities ............ .542 149.7 154.7 -.2 3.3 -.6 -2.1 2.1 Apparel services 2/ .................... .550 158.5 158.9 .8 .3 .3 .2 .3 Transportation ........................... 16.953 140.4 141.2 2.3 .6 .7 .5 .7 Private transportation ................. 15.430 137.5 138.3 2.3 .6 .8 .2 .8 New vehicles ......................... 5.027 143.5 143.6 2.1 .1 .1 .3 .1 New cars ........................... 4.015 141.3 141.5 1.8 .1 .1 .3 .1 Used cars ............................ 1.342 157.5 157.3 1.6 -.1 .8 .7 .8 Motor fuel ........................... 2.908 98.2 101.4 4.0 3.3 3.8 -.2 3.6 Gasoline ........................... - 97.8 101.1 4.0 3.4 3.7 -.3 3.7 Maintenance and repairs .............. 1.535 156.6 156.9 2.8 .2 .4 .1 .2 Other private transportation ......... 4.618 173.2 172.5 1.4 -.4 -.1 .4 -.3 Other private transportation commodities .................... .608 105.4 105.3 .7 -.1 .0 .1 .1 Other private transportation services ....................... 4.010 189.2 188.3 1.5 -.5 -.1 .5 -.4 Public transportation .................. 1.523 177.4 178.9 2.5 .8 -.5 3.3 .2 Medical care ............................. 7.362 226.2 226.6 3.8 .2 .4 .2 .3 Medical care commodities ............... 1.282 208.5 208.9 2.6 .2 .5 .2 .2 Medical care services .................. 6.081 230.3 230.7 4.0 .2 .4 .2 .3 Professional medical services ........ 3.465 206.1 206.5 3.7 .2 .3 .2 .2 Entertainment ............................ 4.367 158.3 158.4 3.8 .1 .3 .8 .1 Entertainment commodities .............. 1.975 142.5 142.7 3.9 .1 .3 .8 .1 Entertainment services ................. 2.392 177.0 177.0 3.7 .0 .2 .7 .0 Other goods and services ................. 7.123 212.6 213.0 4.4 .2 .2 .4 .4 Tobacco and smoking products ........... 1.610 229.8 230.8 3.7 .4 -.3 .4 .7 Personal care 2/ ....................... 1.170 149.3 149.4 2.3 .1 .1 .1 .1 Toilet goods and personal care appliances 2/ .................... .613 144.1 144.0 1.3 -.1 -.3 .3 -.1 Personal care services 2/ ............ .557 155.2 155.3 3.4 .1 .5 .1 .1 Personal and educational expenses ...... 4.342 243.7 244.1 5.2 .2 .5 .5 .5 School books and supplies ............ .258 224.7 225.2 5.9 .2 1.0 .4 .6 Personal and educational services .... 4.084 245.4 245.7 5.2 .1 .4 .5 .4 Commodity and service group All items .................................. 100.000 154.9 155.7 2.8 .5 .4 .2 .4 Commodities .............................. 42.916 138.0 139.2 2.4 .9 .5 .0 .7 Food and beverages ..................... 17.332 151.3 152.1 2.8 .5 .1 .1 .5 Commodities less food and beverages .... 25.584 129.9 131.3 2.1 1.1 .8 -.1 .8 Nondurables less food and beverages .. 15.075 130.3 132.6 2.6 1.8 1.4 -.1 1.1 Apparel commodities ................ 4.967 127.8 131.6 .2 3.0 .7 -1.0 .6 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .................... 10.108 134.6 136.2 3.9 1.2 1.7 .4 1.6 Durables ............................. 10.509 129.4 129.5 1.4 .1 .2 .2 .2 Services ................................. 57.084 172.2 172.6 3.2 .2 .3 .4 .2 Rent of shelter 1/ ..................... 27.671 176.3 177.0 3.4 .4 .3 .2 .3 Household services less rent of shelter 1/ ......................... 8.681 139.5 139.6 2.0 .1 -.1 .4 .2 Transportation services ................ 7.068 178.5 178.5 2.0 .0 -.1 1.0 -.1 Medical care services .................. 6.081 230.3 230.7 4.0 .2 .4 .2 .3 Other services ......................... 7.583 199.0 199.2 4.2 .1 .4 .6 .3 Special indexes All items less food ........................ 84.234 155.7 156.5 2.9 .5 .5 .3 .4 All items less shelter ..................... 71.711 150.8 151.6 2.6 .5 .4 .2 .5 All items less homeowners' costs 1/ ........ 79.898 155.9 156.9 2.8 .6 .5 .2 .4 All items less medical care ................ 92.638 150.9 151.7 2.8 .5 .4 .2 .4 Commodities less food ...................... 27.150 131.0 132.4 2.2 1.1 .8 -.1 .8 Nondurables less food ...................... 16.641 131.8 134.0 2.7 1.7 1.2 -.1 1.0 Nondurables less food and apparel .......... 11.674 135.9 137.3 3.7 1.0 1.3 .1 1.3 Nondurables ................................ 32.407 141.0 142.5 2.7 1.1 .8 .1 .8 Services less rent of shelter 1/ ........... 29.414 180.2 180.4 3.0 .1 .2 .6 .1 Services less medical care services ........ 51.004 166.8 167.2 3.1 .2 .2 .4 .2 Energy ..................................... 6.700 104.9 106.1 2.8 1.1 1.9 .4 1.4 All items less energy ...................... 93.300 161.6 162.3 2.9 .4 .3 .2 .3 All items less food and energy ........... 77.534 164.2 164.9 2.8 .4 .3 .2 .3 Commodities less food and energy commodities ................. 23.885 140.8 141.9 1.8 .8 .4 -.1 .4 Energy commodities ................... 3.264 98.3 101.4 4.9 3.2 4.2 -.2 3.5 Services less energy services .......... 53.648 177.6 178.1 3.3 .3 .3 .3 .2 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar: 1982-84=$1.00 2/ ......................... - $.645 $.642 -2.7 -.5 -.5 -.5 -.5 1967=$1.00 2/ ............................ - .215 .214 - - - - - 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- Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. June Sept. Dec. Mar. Sept. Mar. 1995 1996 1996 1996 1995 1995 1995 1996 1995 1996 Expenditure category All items .................................... - - - - 3.5 1.6 2.4 4.0 2.5 3.2 Food and beverages ......................... 150.5 150.7 150.9 151.7 3.6 2.7 1.9 3.2 3.1 2.6 Food ..................................... 150.2 150.3 150.5 151.4 3.6 2.7 1.9 3.2 3.1 2.6 Food at home ........................... 150.5 150.5 150.5 151.9 4.4 3.3 1.9 3.8 3.8 2.8 Cereals and bakery products .......... 170.2 171.8 171.7 172.5 3.2 3.1 4.3 5.5 3.2 4.9 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ....... 142.0 142.1 142.1 141.8 -.3 6.6 6.7 -.6 3.1 3.0 Dairy products ....................... 135.1 135.4 136.8 136.5 1.2 1.5 7.1 4.2 1.4 5.6 Fruits and vegetables ................ 176.8 175.1 174.9 181.9 19.1 2.0 -8.8 12.0 10.2 1.1 Other food at home ................... 141.4 141.5 141.2 141.9 1.1 1.7 .6 1.4 1.4 1.0 Sugar and sweets ................... 139.5 141.4 141.5 142.1 3.6 3.2 2.9 7.7 3.4 5.3 Fats and oils ...................... 138.9 139.3 139.0 139.7 .0 4.2 3.2 2.3 2.1 2.8 Nonalcoholic beverages ............. 130.5 129.5 128.6 129.0 -1.8 1.2 -4.5 -4.5 -.3 -4.5 Other prepared food ................ 152.7 153.1 153.1 154.2 3.0 1.3 2.7 4.0 2.1 3.3 Food away from home .................... 150.4 150.6 151.1 151.2 1.9 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.0 2.2 Alcoholic beverages ...................... 155.3 155.9 156.7 157.1 2.6 2.4 1.6 4.7 2.5 3.1 Housing .................................... 150.3 150.8 151.1 151.5 2.7 2.7 3.3 3.2 2.7 3.2 Shelter .................................. 167.9 168.6 168.9 169.3 3.7 2.9 3.4 3.4 3.3 3.4 Renters' costs 1/ ...................... 175.5 176.7 177.1 177.7 3.3 3.0 1.8 5.1 3.2 3.5 Rent, residential .................... 159.6 160.0 160.4 160.6 2.3 2.3 2.8 2.5 2.3 2.7 Other renters' costs ................. 206.9 210.3 210.7 212.5 5.5 5.0 .0 11.3 5.2 5.5 Homeowners' costs 1/ ................... 173.9 174.3 174.6 175.0 3.8 3.3 4.0 2.6 3.6 3.3 Owners' equivalent rent 1/ ........... 174.2 174.7 175.0 175.3 3.8 3.3 4.0 2.5 3.6 3.3 Household insurance 1/ ............... 158.5 158.1 158.8 159.3 1.8 -2.8 4.4 2.0 -.5 3.2 Maintenance and repairs 2/ ............. 136.6 136.3 137.0 137.5 2.4 1.2 3.6 2.7 1.8 3.1 Maintenance and repair services 2/ ... 142.1 142.1 143.0 143.8 1.7 2.6 5.2 4.9 2.2 5.1 Maintenance and repair commodities 2/ 129.1 128.6 128.8 129.0 2.5 -.3 .6 -.3 1.1 .2 Fuel and other utilities ................. 124.4 125.0 125.7 126.0 1.3 -.3 3.3 5.2 .5 4.3 Fuels .................................. 111.3 112.0 112.8 112.5 .4 -1.4 4.4 4.4 -.5 4.4 Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities ...................... 88.8 95.5 95.7 97.8 3.7 -.5 1.8 47.1 1.6 22.4 Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)......................... 119.1 118.9 119.9 119.2 .0 -1.3 4.8 .3 -.7 2.6 Other utilities and public services 2/ . 153.9 154.4 154.9 156.4 2.1 1.3 1.8 6.7 1.7 4.2 Household furnishings and operation ...... 124.1 124.4 124.1 124.4 .0 4.0 1.6 1.0 2.0 1.3 Housefurnishings ....................... 111.6 111.9 111.4 111.4 -.7 3.3 .0 -.7 1.3 -.4 Housekeeping supplies .................. 140.0 140.5 140.2 141.4 .0 6.9 4.7 4.1 3.4 4.4 Housekeeping services .................. 145.7 145.7 146.0 146.3 1.7 3.7 3.4 1.7 2.7 2.5 Apparel and upkeep ......................... 132.2 133.1 131.9 132.7 -2.7 .9 1.5 1.5 -.9 1.5 Apparel commodities ...................... 128.8 129.7 128.4 129.2 -2.8 .9 1.6 1.2 -.9 1.4 Men's and boys' apparel ................ 125.9 127.3 127.6 128.6 -1.6 -.6 -.3 8.9 -1.1 4.2 Women's and girls' apparel ............. 126.9 128.5 125.3 125.6 -3.1 -2.2 4.9 -4.0 -2.7 .3 Infants' and toddlers' apparel 2/ ...... 128.7 131.5 134.4 133.3 -16.2 35.5 -7.4 15.1 6.6 3.2 Footwear ............................... 125.4 124.6 126.4 127.4 -1.9 4.9 -2.5 6.5 1.4 1.9 Other apparel commodities .............. 154.0 153.0 149.8 153.0 .5 1.0 .3 -2.6 .8 -1.2 Apparel services 2/....................... 157.7 158.2 158.5 158.9 -1.8 1.3 .8 3.1 -.3 1.9 Transportation ............................. 139.0 140.0 140.7 141.7 6.8 -3.9 -1.1 8.0 1.3 3.3 Private transportation ................... 136.7 137.8 138.1 139.2 4.2 -2.9 .6 7.5 .6 4.0 New vehicles ........................... 142.0 142.1 142.5 142.7 3.5 1.7 .8 2.0 2.6 1.4 New cars ............................. 139.8 140.0 140.4 140.6 2.9 1.2 .6 2.3 2.0 1.4 Used cars .............................. 157.4 158.7 159.8 161.1 -4.0 -3.0 4.2 9.7 -3.5 6.9 Motor fuel ............................. 97.5 101.2 101.0 104.6 12.9 -20.6 -1.6 32.5 -5.3 14.2 Gasoline ............................. 97.3 100.9 100.6 104.3 16.5 -23.3 -1.2 32.0 -5.5 14.2 Maintenance and repairs ................ 155.8 156.5 156.6 156.9 2.6 3.2 2.3 2.9 2.9 2.6 Other private transportation ........... 171.7 171.6 172.3 171.7 2.4 2.8 .2 .0 2.6 .1 Other private transportation commodities ...................... 105.0 105.0 105.1 105.2 1.5 .8 -.4 .8 1.2 .2 Other private transportation services ......................... 187.6 187.4 188.3 187.6 2.6 3.0 .4 .0 2.8 .2 Public transportation .................... 170.5 169.6 175.2 175.6 35.5 -13.0 -16.6 12.5 8.6 -3.1 Medical care ............................... 224.6 225.4 225.8 226.4 3.9 4.2 3.6 3.2 4.1 3.4 Medical care commodities ................. 206.7 207.7 208.1 208.5 1.4 2.2 3.2 3.5 1.8 3.3 Medical care services .................... 228.5 229.3 229.7 230.3 4.4 4.7 3.8 3.2 4.6 3.5 Professional medical services .......... 204.6 205.2 205.6 206.1 3.9 4.0 4.0 3.0 4.0 3.5 Entertainment .............................. 156.5 156.9 158.1 158.3 2.9 3.7 4.2 4.7 3.3 4.4 Entertainment commodities ................ 140.9 141.3 142.5 142.7 2.6 3.2 4.7 5.2 2.9 4.9 Entertainment services ................... 174.9 175.3 176.6 176.6 2.8 4.3 3.7 3.9 3.6 3.8 Other goods and services ................... 211.7 212.2 213.1 214.0 4.2 4.9 4.1 4.4 4.5 4.2 Tobacco and smoking products ............. 229.0 228.4 229.4 231.1 5.5 5.2 .7 3.7 5.4 2.2 Personal care 2/ ......................... 148.9 149.1 149.3 149.4 1.9 2.2 3.9 1.3 2.1 2.6 Toilet goods and personal care appliances 2/ ...................... 144.1 143.7 144.1 144.0 1.7 .6 3.1 -.3 1.1 1.4 Personal care services 2/ .............. 154.3 155.0 155.2 155.3 2.1 3.8 5.1 2.6 3.0 3.8 Personal and educational expenses ........ 241.4 242.5 243.7 244.8 4.4 5.6 5.5 5.8 5.0 5.6 School books and supplies .............. 219.8 222.1 222.9 224.3 3.6 4.8 7.0 8.4 4.2 7.7 Personal and educational services ...... 242.9 243.9 245.1 246.2 4.3 5.7 5.3 5.5 5.0 5.4 Commodity and service group All items .................................... - - - - 3.5 1.6 2.4 4.0 2.5 3.2 Commodities ................................ 137.4 138.1 138.1 139.1 2.4 .6 1.8 5.0 1.5 3.4 Food and beverages ....................... 150.5 150.7 150.9 151.7 3.6 2.7 1.9 3.2 3.1 2.6 Commodities less food and beverages ...... 129.4 130.4 130.3 131.3 1.9 -.9 1.6 6.0 .5 3.8 Nondurables less food and beverages .... 129.8 131.6 131.5 132.9 2.2 -3.0 2.2 9.9 -.5 6.0 Apparel commodities .................. 128.8 129.7 128.4 129.2 -2.8 .9 1.6 1.2 -.9 1.4 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel ...................... 133.1 135.3 135.8 138.0 4.6 -5.5 2.1 15.6 -.6 8.6 Durables ............................... 128.7 129.0 129.2 129.5 .9 1.3 .9 2.5 1.1 1.7 Services ................................... 170.9 171.4 172.1 172.4 4.1 2.6 2.6 3.6 3.4 3.1 Rent of shelter 1/ ....................... 175.0 175.6 176.0 176.5 4.0 3.1 3.3 3.5 3.5 3.4 Household services less rent of shelter 1/ ........................ 139.5 139.4 140.0 140.3 1.5 .6 3.5 2.3 1.0 2.9 Transportation services .................. 175.9 175.7 177.5 177.3 9.3 -.9 -3.1 3.2 4.1 .0 Medical care services .................... 228.5 229.3 229.7 230.3 4.4 4.7 3.8 3.2 4.6 3.5 Other services ........................... 197.6 198.3 199.4 199.9 3.2 4.8 4.4 4.7 4.0 4.6 Special indexes All items less food .......................... 154.6 155.3 155.7 156.3 3.5 1.6 2.1 4.5 2.5 3.3 All items less shelter ....................... 149.9 150.5 150.8 151.5 3.3 1.4 1.6 4.3 2.3 3.0 All items less homeowners' costs 1/ .......... 154.9 155.6 155.9 156.6 3.2 1.3 1.8 4.5 2.2 3.1 All items less medical care .................. 149.9 150.5 150.8 151.4 3.3 1.6 2.2 4.1 2.5 3.1 Commodities less food ........................ 130.5 131.6 131.5 132.5 1.9 -.6 1.2 6.3 .6 3.7 Nondurables less food ........................ 131.4 133.0 132.9 134.2 2.5 -2.4 2.5 8.8 .0 5.6 Nondurables less food and apparel ............ 134.8 136.6 136.8 138.6 4.9 -4.1 3.0 11.8 .3 7.3 Nondurables .................................. 140.2 141.3 141.4 142.5 2.9 .0 1.7 6.7 1.4 4.2 Services less rent of shelter 1/ ............. 178.8 179.2 180.2 180.4 3.9 2.5 2.0 3.6 3.2 2.8 Services less medical care services .......... 165.5 165.9 166.6 167.0 3.5 2.7 2.5 3.7 3.1 3.1 Energy ....................................... 104.1 106.1 106.5 108.0 5.8 -10.5 1.9 15.8 -2.6 8.7 All items less energy ........................ 160.7 161.2 161.5 162.0 3.3 2.5 2.3 3.3 2.9 2.8 All items less food and energy ............. 163.3 163.8 164.2 164.7 3.0 2.8 2.2 3.5 2.9 2.9 Commodities less food and energy commodities .......................... 140.4 140.9 140.8 141.3 .9 2.0 1.7 2.6 1.4 2.2 Energy commodities ..................... 96.6 100.7 100.5 104.0 12.2 -18.9 -1.2 34.3 -4.6 15.2 Services less energy services ............ 176.2 176.7 177.3 177.7 4.3 3.0 2.5 3.4 3.6 3.0 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 Feb. Mar. Mar. 1996 from- Dec. to Jan. to Feb. to 1995 1996 1996 Mar. 1995 Feb. 1996 Jan. Feb. Mar. Expenditure category All items .................................. 100.000 152.2 152.9 2.8 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.5 All items (1967=100) ....................... - 453.2 455.6 - - - - - Food and beverages ....................... 19.262 150.7 151.5 2.9 .5 .1 .1 .5 Food ................................... 17.581 150.3 151.1 2.9 .5 .1 .1 .6 Food at home ......................... 11.206 150.5 151.6 3.3 .7 .0 .0 .9 Cereals and bakery products ........ 1.682 171.7 171.6 3.9 -.1 1.0 -.1 .4 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..... 3.453 142.1 142.3 3.0 .1 .1 -.1 -.2 Dairy products ..................... 1.300 136.9 136.6 3.6 -.2 .4 1.0 -.1 Fruits and vegetables .............. 2.052 176.5 182.7 5.8 3.5 -1.1 -.2 4.5 Other food at home ................. 2.719 141.5 142.1 1.3 .4 .0 -.1 .5 Sugar and sweets ................. .369 141.6 142.3 4.3 .5 1.3 .1 .6 Fats and oils .................... .285 139.6 139.9 2.3 .2 .4 -.2 .4 Nonalcoholic beverages ........... .885 129.4 129.2 -2.3 -.2 -.7 -.8 .3 Other prepared food .............. 1.180 153.2 154.4 2.8 .8 .2 .1 .6 Food away from home .................. 6.374 150.9 151.1 2.2 .1 .2 .3 .1 Alcoholic beverages .................... 1.681 156.1 156.8 2.7 .4 .4 .5 .3 Housing .................................. 38.888 148.0 148.5 2.9 .3 .3 .1 .3 Shelter ................................ 25.976 164.6 165.1 3.3 .3 .3 .1 .3 Renters' costs 1/ .................... 8.091 156.0 157.0 3.1 .6 .5 .3 .3 Rent, residential .................. 6.616 160.1 160.3 2.5 .1 .3 .3 .1 Other renters' costs ............... 1.475 214.0 219.6 5.3 2.6 1.3 .8 .9 Homeowners' costs 1/ ................. 17.695 159.3 159.6 3.4 .2 .2 .1 .3 Owners' equivalent rent 1/ ......... 17.366 159.5 159.8 3.4 .2 .2 .1 .3 Household insurance 1/ ............. .329 145.6 145.9 1.2 .2 -.3 .5 .1 Maintenance and repairs 2/ ........... .189 135.7 136.3 1.9 .4 -.2 .1 .4 Maintenance and repair services 2/ . .105 145.0 145.8 2.9 .6 -.1 .3 .6 Maintenance and repair commodities 2/ ................. .085 123.8 124.1 .8 .2 -.5 .2 .2 Fuel and other utilities ............... 7.247 124.6 125.0 2.5 .3 .4 .6 .5 Fuels ................................ 3.887 111.8 111.5 2.2 -.3 .6 .7 .0 Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities .................... .327 97.6 99.1 11.5 1.5 7.4 .3 2.1 Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)....................... 3.560 118.4 117.9 1.4 -.4 .0 .8 -.2 Other utilities and public services 2/ ...................... 3.360 155.4 157.0 3.1 1.0 .3 .4 1.0 Household furnishings and operation .... 5.666 122.9 123.2 1.5 .2 .2 -.2 .2 Housefurnishings ..................... 3.367 110.0 110.2 .3 .2 .2 -.3 .1 Housekeeping supplies ................ 1.149 140.7 141.3 4.0 .4 .5 -.1 .7 Housekeeping services ................ 1.150 149.4 149.6 2.4 .1 -.1 .1 .1 Apparel and upkeep ....................... 5.533 130.2 133.9 .5 2.8 .7 -.7 .6 Apparel commodities .................... 5.017 127.0 130.9 .5 3.1 .8 -.8 .6 Men's and boys' apparel .............. 1.310 126.3 128.9 1.7 2.1 1.0 .2 .9 Women's and girls' apparel............ 2.148 123.3 128.6 -.9 4.3 1.5 -2.3 .1 Infants' and toddlers' apparel 2/ .... .251 135.3 134.7 5.7 -.4 1.9 2.3 -.4 Footwear ............................. .812 126.3 128.8 1.6 2.0 -.9 1.3 1.0 Other apparel commodities ............ .495 146.9 153.7 -.6 4.6 -.7 -1.8 2.4 Apparel services 2/ .................... .516 157.9 158.2 .7 .2 .3 .2 .2 Transportation ........................... 19.020 140.0 140.9 2.4 .6 .9 .3 .9 Private transportation ................. 17.847 138.0 138.8 2.3 .6 .9 .1 .9 New vehicles ......................... 4.958 144.5 144.5 2.1 .0 .2 .2 .2 New cars ........................... 3.591 141.0 141.0 1.7 .0 .1 .3 .1 Used cars ............................ 2.432 158.6 158.3 1.8 -.2 .9 .8 .6 Motor fuel ........................... 3.584 98.1 101.4 4.2 3.4 3.7 -.5 3.9 Gasoline ........................... - 97.8 101.2 4.3 3.5 4.0 -.5 3.9 Maintenance and repairs .............. 1.619 157.6 157.9 2.9 .2 .4 .1 .2 Other private transportation ......... 5.255 168.8 168.1 1.1 -.4 -.1 .2 -.2 Other private transportation commodities .................... .767 104.6 104.4 .6 -.2 .0 .2 -.1 Other private transportation services ....................... 4.488 185.0 184.1 1.2 -.5 -.1 .2 -.3 Public transportation .................. 1.173 174.6 177.2 4.2 1.5 -.4 2.4 .8 Medical care ............................. 6.262 225.6 226.0 3.8 .2 .4 .2 .2 Medical care commodities ............... 1.055 206.1 206.5 2.5 .2 .6 .0 .1 Medical care services .................. 5.208 230.1 230.4 4.1 .1 .3 .2 .2 Professional medical services ........ 2.965 207.2 207.6 3.8 .2 .2 .4 .1 Entertainment ............................ 4.029 156.0 156.1 3.7 .1 .4 .8 .0 Entertainment commodities .............. 2.053 141.4 141.7 3.7 .2 .4 .9 .0 Entertainment services ................. 1.976 176.9 176.9 3.7 .0 .4 .6 .1 Other goods and services ................. 7.006 209.6 209.9 4.2 .1 .2 .4 .3 Tobacco and smoking products ........... 2.135 229.8 230.7 3.6 .4 -.3 .4 .7 Personal care 2/ ....................... 1.132 149.2 149.3 2.2 .1 .1 .1 .1 Toilet goods and personal care appliances 2/ .................... .635 144.6 144.6 1.2 .0 -.2 .1 .0 Personal care services 2/ ............ .497 155.1 155.2 3.3 .1 .5 .1 .1 Personal and educational expenses ...... 3.739 239.3 239.5 5.2 .1 .5 .5 .3 School books and supplies ............ .227 225.8 226.3 5.9 .2 1.1 .3 .5 Personal and educational services .... 3.512 240.7 240.9 5.2 .1 .4 .5 .3 Commodity and service group All items .................................. 100.000 152.2 152.9 2.8 .5 .4 .2 .5 Commodities .............................. 47.052 137.9 139.1 2.5 .9 .6 .0 .7 Food and beverages ..................... 19.262 150.7 151.5 2.9 .5 .1 .1 .5 Commodities less food and beverages .... 27.790 130.0 131.4 2.2 1.1 .9 .0 .8 Nondurables less food and beverages .. 16.074 129.7 132.2 2.9 1.9 1.4 .0 1.1 Apparel commodities ................ 5.017 127.0 130.9 .5 3.1 .8 -.8 .6 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .................... 11.057 134.0 135.7 3.9 1.3 1.7 .4 1.6 Durables ............................. 11.716 129.3 129.3 1.4 .0 .3 .3 .0 Services ................................. 52.948 169.4 169.8 3.2 .2 .2 .3 .2 Rent of shelter 1/ ..................... 25.430 158.4 158.9 3.3 .3 .3 .2 .3 Household services less rent of shelter 1/ ......................... 8.531 128.0 128.4 2.2 .3 -.1 .5 .4 Transportation services ................ 7.279 176.3 176.4 2.1 .1 -.1 .5 .1 Medical care services .................. 5.208 230.1 230.4 4.1 .1 .3 .2 .2 Other services ......................... 6.501 195.8 195.9 4.2 .1 .4 .5 .2 Special indexes All items less food ........................ 82.419 152.4 153.2 2.8 .5 .5 .2 .4 All items less shelter ..................... 74.024 148.9 149.8 2.7 .6 .4 .2 .5 All items less homeowners' costs 1/ ........ 82.305 142.8 143.7 2.7 .6 .4 .2 .5 All items less medical care ................ 93.738 148.7 149.5 2.7 .5 .4 .2 .5 Commodities less food ...................... 29.471 131.0 132.4 2.2 1.1 .9 .0 .8 Nondurables less food ...................... 17.756 131.3 133.6 2.8 1.8 1.3 .0 1.1 Nondurables less food and apparel .......... 12.739 135.3 136.9 3.8 1.2 1.4 .2 1.5 Nondurables ................................ 35.336 140.5 142.1 2.8 1.1 .8 .1 .9 Services less rent of shelter 1/ ........... 27.518 160.5 160.7 2.9 .1 .2 .4 .1 Services less medical care services ........ 47.740 164.2 164.6 3.1 .2 .2 .3 .2 Energy ..................................... 7.470 104.2 105.8 3.2 1.5 2.1 .2 1.8 All items less energy ...................... 92.530 158.8 159.5 2.8 .4 .3 .2 .4 All items less food and energy ........... 74.949 161.0 161.7 2.8 .4 .3 .2 .3 Commodities less food and energy commodities ................. 25.560 140.4 141.4 1.9 .7 .4 .1 .4 Energy commodities ................... 3.911 98.4 101.5 4.9 3.2 4.0 -.4 3.7 Services less energy services .......... 49.388 175.0 175.5 3.3 .3 .2 .3 .3 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar: 1982-84=$1.00 2/ ......................... - $.657 $.654 -2.7 -.5 -.6 -.3 -.5 1967=$1.00 2/ ............................ - .221 .219 - - - - - 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- Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. June Sept. Dec. Mar. Sept. Mar. 1995 1996 1996 1996 1995 1995 1995 1996 1995 1996 Expenditure category All items .................................... - - - - 3.3 1.3 2.4 4.3 2.3 3.4 Food and beverages ......................... 150.1 150.3 150.5 151.3 3.0 3.3 1.9 3.2 3.2 2.6 Food ..................................... 149.7 149.8 150.0 150.9 3.0 3.0 2.2 3.2 3.0 2.7 Food at home ........................... 149.8 149.8 149.8 151.1 3.9 3.8 1.9 3.5 3.9 2.7 Cereals and bakery products .......... 169.9 171.6 171.4 172.1 3.2 3.2 4.1 5.3 3.2 4.7 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ....... 141.7 141.8 141.7 141.4 -.6 6.6 7.1 -.8 2.9 3.0 Dairy products ....................... 134.7 135.2 136.5 136.3 1.2 2.1 6.2 4.8 1.7 5.5 Fruits and vegetables ................ 176.5 174.5 174.2 182.1 17.6 2.7 -8.4 13.3 9.9 1.9 Other food at home ................... 141.0 141.0 140.8 141.5 1.2 2.0 .6 1.4 1.6 1.0 Sugar and sweets ................... 139.4 141.2 141.3 142.2 3.3 3.2 2.9 8.3 3.3 5.6 Fats and oils ...................... 138.7 139.2 138.9 139.5 .3 3.9 2.9 2.3 2.1 2.6 Nonalcoholic beverages ............. 129.9 129.0 128.0 128.4 -1.8 2.2 -4.5 -4.5 .2 -4.5 Other prepared food ................ 152.5 152.8 153.0 153.9 3.2 1.1 2.9 3.7 2.1 3.3 Food away from home .................... 150.3 150.6 151.0 151.1 1.9 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.0 2.2 Alcoholic beverages ...................... 154.7 155.3 156.1 156.5 1.8 2.4 1.8 4.7 2.1 3.3 Housing .................................... 147.1 147.6 147.8 148.3 2.5 2.5 3.0 3.3 2.5 3.2 Shelter .................................. 163.5 164.0 164.2 164.7 3.6 3.0 3.5 3.0 3.3 3.2 Renters' costs 1/ ...................... 153.9 154.6 155.1 155.6 2.9 2.4 2.4 4.5 2.7 3.4 Rent, residential .................... 159.3 159.7 160.1 160.3 2.6 1.8 3.1 2.5 2.2 2.8 Other renters' costs ................. 206.5 209.2 210.8 212.8 5.0 4.8 -1.0 12.8 4.9 5.7 Homeowners' costs 1/ ................... 158.7 159.0 159.1 159.6 3.7 3.1 4.4 2.3 3.4 3.3 Owners' equivalent rent 1/ ........... 159.0 159.3 159.4 159.8 3.7 3.4 4.4 2.0 3.5 3.2 Household insurance 1/ ............... 145.6 145.2 145.9 146.0 1.7 -4.1 6.0 1.1 -1.2 3.5 Maintenance and repairs 2/ ............. 135.8 135.5 135.7 136.3 2.1 1.8 2.4 1.5 2.0 1.9 Maintenance and repair services 2/ ... 144.7 144.6 145.0 145.8 2.0 1.7 4.8 3.1 1.8 4.0 Maintenance and repair commodities 2/ 124.2 123.6 123.8 124.1 2.3 1.6 -.3 -.3 2.0 -.3 Fuel and other utilities ................. 123.9 124.4 125.1 125.7 1.0 -.3 3.6 5.9 .3 4.8 Fuels .................................. 110.5 111.2 112.0 112.0 .0 -1.5 4.8 5.5 -.7 5.2 Fuel oil and other household fuel commodities ...................... 88.7 95.3 95.6 97.6 3.7 -.5 1.8 46.6 1.6 22.2 Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services)......................... 118.2 118.2 119.1 118.9 .0 -1.7 4.9 2.4 -.9 3.6 Other utilities and public services 2/ . 154.3 154.8 155.4 157.0 2.4 1.0 1.8 7.2 1.7 4.5 Household furnishings and operation ...... 122.7 122.9 122.7 123.0 .0 4.4 .7 1.0 2.2 .8 Housefurnishings ....................... 110.1 110.3 110.0 110.1 -1.1 3.7 -1.4 .0 1.3 -.7 Housekeeping supplies .................. 140.1 140.8 140.7 141.7 .9 6.6 4.1 4.6 3.7 4.4 Housekeeping services .................. 149.0 148.8 149.0 149.1 1.9 3.9 3.6 .3 2.9 1.9 Apparel and upkeep ......................... 131.0 131.9 131.0 131.8 -2.4 .9 1.2 2.5 -.8 1.8 Apparel commodities ...................... 127.9 128.9 127.9 128.7 -2.2 .9 .9 2.5 -.6 1.7 Men's and boys' apparel ................ 125.8 127.1 127.3 128.5 -.6 -1.6 .6 8.9 -1.1 4.7 Women's and girls' apparel ............. 125.6 127.5 124.6 124.7 -1.9 -2.5 3.9 -2.8 -2.2 .5 Infants' and toddlers' apparel 2/ ...... 129.8 132.3 135.3 134.7 -14.8 37.7 -8.2 16.0 8.3 3.2 Footwear ............................... 126.4 125.3 126.9 128.2 -1.9 4.9 -1.9 5.8 1.4 1.9 Other apparel commodities .............. 151.4 150.3 147.6 151.1 -2.3 -.5 1.1 -.8 -1.4 .1 Apparel services 2/....................... 157.1 157.6 157.9 158.2 -1.5 .8 .8 2.8 -.4 1.8 Transportation ............................. 138.9 140.1 140.5 141.7 5.9 -4.5 .6 8.3 .6 4.4 Private transportation ................... 137.1 138.4 138.6 139.8 4.5 -4.0 .9 8.1 .1 4.4 New vehicles ........................... 142.9 143.2 143.5 143.8 3.2 1.7 1.1 2.5 2.4 1.8 New cars ............................. 139.6 139.7 140.1 140.2 2.6 1.2 1.2 1.7 1.9 1.4 Used cars .............................. 158.3 159.8 161.0 161.9 -2.7 -3.0 4.1 9.4 -2.9 6.7 Motor fuel ............................. 97.6 101.2 100.7 104.6 16.5 -22.1 -1.2 31.9 -4.7 14.2 Gasoline ............................. 97.2 101.1 100.6 104.5 16.9 -22.7 -2.0 33.6 -4.9 14.4 Maintenance and repairs ................ 156.8 157.4 157.6 157.9 2.9 3.1 2.6 2.8 3.0 2.7 Other private transportation ........... 167.7 167.6 167.9 167.5 1.9 2.7 .2 -.5 2.3 -.1 Other private transportation commodities ...................... 104.2 104.2 104.4 104.3 1.2 1.2 -.4 .4 1.2 .0 Other private transportation services ......................... 183.7 183.5 183.9 183.4 2.2 2.9 .4 -.7 2.6 -.1 Public transportation .................... 170.2 169.6 173.7 175.1 26.3 -10.6 -6.8 12.0 6.3 2.2 Medical care ............................... 223.9 224.7 225.1 225.6 3.7 4.4 3.7 3.1 4.1 3.4 Medical care commodities ................. 204.3 205.6 205.7 206.0 1.0 2.4 3.0 3.4 1.7 3.2 Medical care services .................... 228.2 228.9 229.4 229.9 4.4 4.9 3.8 3.0 4.7 3.4 Professional medical services .......... 205.7 206.2 207.0 207.2 4.1 3.8 4.2 2.9 3.9 3.6 Entertainment .............................. 154.1 154.7 155.9 155.9 3.0 3.8 3.4 4.8 3.4 4.1 Entertainment commodities ................ 139.7 140.3 141.6 141.6 2.4 3.5 3.2 5.6 2.9 4.4 Entertainment services ................... 174.8 175.5 176.5 176.6 3.1 4.0 3.7 4.2 3.6 4.0 Other goods and services ................... 208.5 208.9 209.7 210.4 4.4 5.0 3.7 3.7 4.7 3.7 Tobacco and smoking products ............. 229.2 228.4 229.4 230.9 5.5 4.7 1.2 3.0 5.1 2.1 Personal care 2/ ......................... 148.9 149.1 149.2 149.3 1.9 2.2 3.6 1.1 2.1 2.3 Toilet goods and personal care appliances 2/ ...................... 144.7 144.4 144.6 144.6 1.7 .6 2.8 -.3 1.1 1.3 Personal care services 2/ .............. 154.2 154.9 155.1 155.2 1.9 4.3 4.5 2.6 3.1 3.6 Personal and educational expenses ........ 236.9 238.0 239.1 239.8 4.5 6.0 5.4 5.0 5.2 5.2 School books and supplies .............. 221.2 223.6 224.2 225.4 3.2 5.1 7.6 7.8 4.2 7.7 Personal and educational services ...... 238.3 239.3 240.4 241.1 4.4 6.2 5.2 4.8 5.3 5.0 Commodity and service group All items .................................... - - - - 3.3 1.3 2.4 4.3 2.3 3.4 Commodities ................................ 137.3 138.1 138.1 139.1 3.0 .3 1.5 5.3 1.6 3.4 Food and beverages ....................... 150.1 150.3 150.5 151.3 3.0 3.3 1.9 3.2 3.2 2.6 Commodities less food and beverages ...... 129.4 130.5 130.5 131.6 2.5 -1.5 1.2 7.0 .5 4.1 Nondurables less food and beverages .... 129.3 131.1 131.1 132.6 3.1 -3.9 2.2 10.6 -.5 6.3 Apparel commodities .................. 127.9 128.9 127.9 128.7 -2.2 .9 .9 2.5 -.6 1.7 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel ...................... 132.7 134.9 135.5 137.7 5.5 -6.1 1.8 15.9 -.5 8.7 Durables ............................... 128.6 129.0 129.4 129.4 1.3 .6 1.3 2.5 .9 1.9 Services ................................... 168.3 168.7 169.2 169.6 3.4 2.7 3.2 3.1 3.1 3.1 Rent of shelter 1/ ....................... 157.4 157.9 158.2 158.6 3.7 3.1 3.4 3.1 3.4 3.2 Household services less rent of shelter 1/ ........................ 128.1 128.0 128.7 129.2 1.3 .0 4.2 3.5 .6 3.8 Transportation services .................. 174.7 174.6 175.5 175.6 6.2 .5 -.2 2.1 3.3 .9 Medical care services .................... 228.2 228.9 229.4 229.9 4.4 4.9 3.8 3.0 4.7 3.4 Other services ........................... 194.3 195.1 196.0 196.4 3.4 4.9 4.2 4.4 4.2 4.3 Special indexes All items less food .......................... 151.4 152.1 152.4 153.0 3.3 1.1 2.7 4.3 2.2 3.5 All items less shelter ....................... 148.1 148.7 149.0 149.8 3.1 1.1 1.9 4.7 2.1 3.3 All items less homeowners' costs 1/ .......... 142.0 142.6 142.9 143.6 3.2 1.1 2.0 4.6 2.2 3.3 All items less medical care .................. 147.8 148.4 148.7 149.4 3.1 1.4 2.2 4.4 2.2 3.3 Commodities less food ........................ 130.5 131.7 131.7 132.8 2.5 -1.2 .9 7.2 .6 4.0 Nondurables less food ........................ 130.8 132.5 132.5 134.0 2.8 -3.3 2.2 10.2 -.3 6.1 Nondurables less food and apparel ............ 134.2 136.1 136.4 138.4 5.2 -4.7 2.4 13.1 .2 7.6 Nondurables .................................. 139.8 140.9 141.1 142.3 2.6 -.3 2.0 7.3 1.2 4.7 Services less rent of shelter 1/ ............. 159.5 159.8 160.5 160.7 3.1 2.6 2.8 3.0 2.8 2.9 Services less medical care services .......... 163.2 163.5 164.0 164.4 3.6 2.5 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 Energy ....................................... 103.5 105.7 105.9 107.8 7.9 -12.2 1.6 17.7 -2.7 9.3 All items less energy ........................ 158.0 158.4 158.7 159.3 2.6 2.9 2.3 3.3 2.7 2.8 All items less food and energy ............. 160.3 160.8 161.1 161.6 2.8 2.6 2.5 3.3 2.7 2.9 Commodities less food and energy commodities .......................... 140.0 140.5 140.6 141.1 .6 2.0 1.7 3.2 1.3 2.5 Energy commodities ..................... 97.0 100.9 100.5 104.2 15.3 -20.4 -1.2 33.2 -4.2 14.7 Services less energy services ............ 174.0 174.4 174.9 175.4 3.8 2.8 3.0 3.3 3.3 3.2 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 Mar. 1996 from- Feb. 1996 from- schedule Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Mar. Jan. Feb. Feb. Dec. Jan. 1/ 1995 1996 1996 1996 1995 1996 1996 1995 1995 1996 U.S. city average ...................... M 153.5 154.4 154.9 155.7 2.8 0.8 0.5 2.7 0.9 0.3 Region and area size 2/ Northeast urban......................... M 160.5 161.4 162.2 162.8 3.0 .9 .4 2.9 1.1 .5 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 161.1 162.2 163.0 163.7 3.2 .9 .4 3.0 1.2 .5 Size B - 500,000 to 1,200,000 ....... M 158.6 158.7 159.2 160.2 2.8 .9 .6 2.2 .4 .3 Size C - 50,000 to 500,000 .......... M 158.6 159.8 160.6 160.8 2.7 .6 .1 2.9 1.3 .5 North Central urban .................... M 149.5 150.2 150.8 151.7 3.0 1.0 .6 2.8 .9 .4 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 150.3 151.0 151.7 152.6 2.8 1.1 .6 2.5 .9 .5 Size B - 360,000 to 1,200,000 ....... M 148.0 148.6 149.5 150.4 2.9 1.2 .6 3.0 1.0 .6 Size C - 50,000 to 360,000 .......... M 151.5 152.2 152.4 153.1 3.2 .6 .5 3.2 .6 .1 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... M 145.8 146.5 146.9 147.7 3.5 .8 .5 3.2 .8 .3 South urban ............................ M 150.3 151.1 151.5 152.4 3.0 .9 .6 2.8 .8 .3 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 149.5 150.4 150.6 151.5 2.4 .7 .6 2.2 .7 .1 Size B - 450,000 to 1,200,000 ....... M 152.4 153.2 154.1 155.0 3.1 1.2 .6 3.0 1.1 .6 Size C - 50,000 to 450,000 .......... M 150.3 151.1 151.4 152.2 3.8 .7 .5 3.6 .7 .2 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... M 149.1 149.9 150.1 151.6 3.4 1.1 1.0 2.7 .7 .1 West urban ............................. M 154.3 155.3 155.8 156.4 2.4 .7 .4 2.2 1.0 .3 Size A - More than 1,250,000 ........ M 154.4 155.4 155.9 156.6 2.0 .8 .4 1.8 1.0 .3 Size C - 50,000 to 330,000 .......... M 158.6 159.8 160.8 161.4 4.0 1.0 .4 3.7 1.4 .6 Size classes A 3/ ................................. M 138.6 139.5 140.0 140.7 2.6 .9 .5 2.4 1.0 .4 B .................................... M 153.4 153.9 154.7 155.5 2.9 1.0 .5 2.8 .8 .5 C .................................... M 153.5 154.4 154.8 155.5 3.5 .7 .5 3.3 .8 .3 D .................................... M 150.1 150.9 151.1 152.1 3.4 .8 .7 3.1 .7 .1 Selected local areas Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI...... M 153.8 154.6 155.2 156.3 2.4 1.1 .7 1.9 .9 .4 Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ...... M 154.6 155.7 156.2 157.3 1.7 1.0 .7 1.1 1.0 .3 N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT M 163.7 164.8 165.7 166.5 3.5 1.0 .5 3.4 1.2 .5 Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton, PA-NJ-DE-MD .. M 159.1 160.3 161.2 162.0 2.5 1.1 .5 2.2 1.3 .6 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA ..... M 152.1 152.9 153.2 152.9 1.2 .0 -.2 1.8 .7 .2 Baltimore, MD .......................... 1 - 151.6 - 153.0 1.8 .9 - - - - Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ........... 1 - 162.2 - 162.8 2.8 .4 - - - - Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH ............. 1 - 149.0 - 150.9 2.4 1.3 - - - - Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL .............. 1 - 152.0 - 152.4 2.5 .3 - - - - St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL ........ 1 - 147.2 - 148.9 3.0 1.2 - - - - Washington, DC-MD-VA ................... 1 - 156.8 - 158.4 2.1 1.0 - - - - Dallas-Fort Worth, TX .................. 2 145.5 - 146.2 - - - - 2.0 .5 - Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI .................. 2 150.3 - 151.3 - - - - 2.7 .7 - Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX ......... 2 140.9 - 141.5 - - - - 1.6 .4 - Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA ........... 2 150.0 - 151.1 - - - - 2.6 .7 - 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 Mar. 1996 from- Feb. 1996 from- schedule Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Mar. Jan. Feb. Feb. Dec. Jan. 1/ 1995 1996 1996 1996 1995 1996 1996 1995 1995 1996 U.S. city average ...................... M 150.9 151.7 152.2 152.9 2.8 0.8 0.5 2.6 0.9 0.3 Region and area size 2/ Northeast urban......................... M 158.0 158.8 159.4 160.1 3.0 .8 .4 2.7 .9 .4 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 157.6 158.5 159.2 160.0 3.2 .9 .5 2.8 1.0 .4 Size B - 500,000 to 1,200,000 ....... M 156.5 156.5 156.9 158.1 2.7 1.0 .8 2.1 .3 .3 Size C - 50,000 to 500,000 .......... M 160.4 161.4 162.0 162.1 2.5 .4 .1 2.8 1.0 .4 North Central urban .................... M 146.3 147.0 147.5 148.3 2.8 .9 .5 2.7 .8 .3 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 146.4 147.1 147.7 148.6 2.7 1.0 .6 2.4 .9 .4 Size B - 360,000 to 1,200,000 ....... M 144.5 145.0 145.7 146.6 2.8 1.1 .6 2.8 .8 .5 Size C - 50,000 to 360,000 .......... M 148.9 149.6 149.8 150.4 3.3 .5 .4 3.2 .6 .1 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... M 144.1 144.7 144.9 145.7 3.3 .7 .6 3.2 .6 .1 South urban ............................ M 148.9 149.7 150.0 150.8 2.9 .7 .5 2.8 .7 .2 Size A - More than 1,200,000 ........ M 147.8 148.6 148.7 149.5 2.3 .6 .5 2.3 .6 .1 Size B - 450,000 to 1,200,000 ....... M 148.9 149.6 150.3 151.1 2.9 1.0 .5 2.7 .9 .5 Size C - 50,000 to 450,000 .......... M 150.3 151.1 151.3 152.0 3.8 .6 .5 3.6 .7 .1 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ......... M 149.5 150.4 150.4 152.1 3.7 1.1 1.1 2.7 .6 .0 West urban ............................. M 151.3 152.2 152.7 153.4 2.4 .8 .5 2.2 .9 .3 Size A - More than 1,250,000 ........ M 150.0 150.9 151.2 152.1 2.0 .8 .6 1.7 .8 .2 Size C - 50,000 to 330,000 .......... M 155.5 156.6 157.6 158.2 3.9 1.0 .4 3.5 1.4 .6 Size classes A 3/ ................................. M 137.7 138.5 138.9 139.7 2.6 .9 .6 2.4 .9 .3 B .................................... M 150.7 151.1 151.8 152.6 2.8 1.0 .5 2.6 .7 .5 C .................................... M 152.7 153.5 153.9 154.4 3.4 .6 .3 3.3 .8 .3 D .................................... M 149.4 150.2 150.3 151.4 3.5 .8 .7 3.1 .6 .1 Selected local areas Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI...... M 149.0 149.7 150.2 151.3 2.4 1.1 .7 1.8 .8 .3 Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ...... M 149.4 150.4 150.9 151.9 1.7 1.0 .7 1.1 1.0 .3 N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT M 159.9 160.9 161.7 162.5 3.4 1.0 .5 3.3 1.1 .5 Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton, PA-NJ-DE-MD .. M 158.7 159.7 160.5 161.3 2.4 1.0 .5 1.9 1.1 .5 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA ..... M 149.6 150.5 150.5 150.7 1.2 .1 .1 1.5 .6 .0 Baltimore, MD .......................... 1 - 150.3 - 151.8 1.8 1.0 - - - - Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ........... 1 - 161.1 - 161.7 3.1 .4 - - - - Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH ............. 1 - 141.5 - 143.1 2.4 1.1 - - - - Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL .............. 1 - 150.0 - 150.3 2.5 .2 - - - - St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL ........ 1 - 146.5 - 148.0 2.8 1.0 - - - - Washington, DC-MD-VA ................... 1 - 153.9 - 155.4 2.0 1.0 - - - - Dallas-Fort Worth, TX .................. 2 145.4 - 145.9 - - - - 2.2 .3 - Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI .................. 2 145.5 - 146.5 - - - - 2.7 .7 - Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX ......... 2 140.5 - 140.8 - - - - 1.4 .2 - Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA ........... 2 143.7 - 144.7 - - - - 2.6 .7 - 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.