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BLS 09-71 |
Consumer prices in the Phoenix-Mesa metropolitan area decreased 1.3 percent from the year prior and declined 1.9 percent in the first half of 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden noted that the decline in the transportation index contributed to an overall decrease in the annual all items index.
The housing index slipped 0.2 percent for the year and declined 1.1 percent for the past six months. Over the year, prices for the shelter component fell 1.1 percent; however, the fuels and utilities component reported a 3.9 percent increase over the same time period. In the past six months costs for shelter decreased 1.1 percent and costs for fuels and utilities slipped 0.7 percent. Within the fuels and utilities index, (utility) piped gas service prices fell 1.4 percent for the year, but rose by 1.6 percent for the past six months. Electricity prices increased 5.1 percent for the year, but fell 5.3 percent since the second half of 2008. The household furnishings and operations component increased 0.8 percent since the first half of 2008, but declined 1.5 percent since the second half of 2008.
The transportation index exhibited declines in all areas, and the index dropped 12.5 percent for the year. Overall, gasoline prices were 40.8 percent lower since the first half of 2008 and 35.5 percent since the second half of 2008.
Prices paid for food and beverages rose 2.2 percent over the course of the year. During this period, both the food at home index and the food away from home index increased by 2.5 percent. In the past six months, food at home prices slipped 1.6 percent while prices for food away from home rose 0.6 percent. The price of alcoholic beverages declined 0.5 percent for the year and 0.8 percent since the second half of 2008.
Medical care prices rose 5.2 percent for the past twelve months and 3.9 percent for the past six months.
Apparel prices reported a drop of 2.8 percent for the year, but showed a 1.7 percent increase for the second half of 2008. Yearly and semi-annual prices for recreation made gains of 3.0 and 1.3 percent, respectively.
Education and communication prices advanced 2.6 percent during the past year and increased 0.2 percent since the past six months. Other goods and services jumped by 9.7 percent on an annual basis and 6.2 percent on a semi-annual basis.
The Phoenix area’s Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) stood at 117.335 (1982-84=100) during the first half of 2009. Therefore, a market basket of goods and services that cost $100.00 in 1982-84 would have cost $117.34 in the first six months of 2009. Local area CPI data are not seasonally adjusted.
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Last Modified Date: August 14, 2009
