The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today that the March 2008 all items Consumer Price Index in the Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County area increased 1.0 percent in March, compared to a 0.2 percent increase for February. The annual increase for the year ending March 2008 was 3.3 percent, compared to a 3.1 percent increase for the year ending February 2008. Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden noted that the transportation index, which represents 18.5 percent of the all items index for Los Angeles, provided the largest contribution to the month over month gain. Local Consumer Price Index (CPI) data are not seasonally adjusted.

Transportation costs in Los Angeles increased by 4.3 percent in March after declining 0.6 percent in February. This was largest increase amongst the major expenditure categories in March. Not since September 1970 has the transportation index increased by more than 4.3 percent in a single month. Within transportation, gasoline prices advanced 12.5 percent over the past month and 15.9 percent over the past year.

The housing index, which comprises 46 percent of the Los Angeles area’s all items index, increased 0.4 percent in March 2008 and 3.0 percent compared to 12 months ago. Shelter, household fuels and utilities, and household furnishings and operations are all components of the housing index. Shelter advanced 0.3 percent over the month and increased 3.5 percent over the year. Household fuels and utilities increased 2.5 percent for the month and advanced 5.4 percent since March 2007. This was the largest 12-month gain since December 2006. Within household fuels and utilities, prices for the utility (piped) gas service index rose 8.5 percent and electricity prices increased 0.8 percent during March. Since March 2007, the utility (piped) gas service index rose 13.6 percent and electricity increased 0.2 percent. Meanwhile, prices for household furnishings and operations edged up 0.1 percent in March, but were 2.8 percent lower than a year ago.

The Los Angeles area food and beverages index, which accounts for 13.4 percent of the Los Angeles area’s all items index, fell 0.3 percent in March but was 3.2 percent higher than last year’s level. The food at home index, which measures grocery prices, inched down 0.1 percent in March, but increased 3.6 percent compared to a year ago. Additionally, alcoholic beverages fell 0.9 percent over the past month, but rose 1.3 percent over the past year.

Medical care prices were unchanged in March after increasing 0.6 percent in February. Over the past year, the medical care index increased 3.5 percent.

The apparel index increased 0.6 percent over the past month. However, apparel prices decreased 0.7 percent over the past year.

The Los Angeles area education and communication index increased 0.3 percent in March and 4.0 percent over the past year.

Among the remaining major expenditure categories, the recreation index advanced 0.3 percent, while the other goods and services index fell 0.2 percent between February and March. Over the past year, recreation prices were up 0.5 percent and other goods and services rose 3.4 percent.

Additionally, the all item less food and energy special aggregate index rose 0.3 percent in March, following a 0.3 percent increase in February. Over the past 12 months, the index has advanced 2.4 percent.

The All Items Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area, stands at 223.606 (1982-84=100). This means a market basket of goods and services that cost $100.00 in 1982-84 would have cost $223.61 in March 2008.

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Last Modified Date: April 17, 2008