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BLS 09-38 |
Prices Increased 0.8 Percent over the Past Two Months
The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today that the April 2009 All Items Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose area increased 0.8 percent over the past two months. This compares to a 1.7 percent increase for the December to February period. Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden noted that higher transportation and housing prices contributed significantly to the recent increase in consumer prices. Over the past year, Bay Area consumer prices also advanced 0.8 percent. Local Consumer Price Index data are not seasonally adjusted.
The housing index, which comprises 47 percent of the San Francisco area’s all items index, increased 0.5 percent since February and 2.6 percent compared to 12 months ago. Shelter, household fuels and utilities, and household furnishings and operations are all components of the housing index. Shelter increased 0.5 percent over the past two months and increased 2.7 percent over the past year. Household fuels and utilities prices advanced 1.9 percent since February, yet prices were unchanged since April 2008. Within household fuels and utilities, the utility (piped) gas service index declined 3.3 percent, but electricity prices advanced 4.0 percent during the past two months. Since April 2008, the utility (piped) gas service index dropped 29.1 percent, but electricity prices rose 11.0 percent. Meanwhile, household furnishings and operations inched up 0.1 percent since February and increased 3.4 percent from a year ago.
Transportation prices in the San Francisco area increased by 1.3 percent between February and April. Over the past 12 months, transportation prices declined by 10.2 percent. The transportation index accounts for approximately 15 percent of the all items index. Within the transportation index, gasoline prices advanced 4.0 percent over the past two months, but fell 39.4 percent over the past year.
The San Francisco area’s food and beverages index, which accounts for nearly 15 percent of the San Francisco all items index, increased by 0.4 percent since February and advanced 2.3 percent compared to 12 months ago. The food at home index, which measures grocery prices, decreased 0.6 percent over the past two months, but rose 0.6 percent from a year ago. Food away from home prices advanced 1.9 percent since February and 4.5 percent since April 2008. Additionally, prices for alcoholic beverages decreased 2.3 percent over the past two months, but advanced 1.6 percent over the past year.
Medical care prices increased 0.5 percent since February and 4.5 percent since April 2008. The apparel index rose 4.5 percent over the past two months and advanced 12.0 percent over the past year.
The San Francisco area’s education and communication index increased 0.5 percent since February and has advanced 4.3 percent since April 2008.
Among the remaining major expenditure categories, the recreation index edged down 0.1 percent, but the other goods and services index increased 2.1 percent between February and April. Over the past year, recreation prices crept up 0.1 percent and other goods and services prices rose 5.6 percent.
The all items less food and energy special aggregate index increased 0.6 percent since February. Over the past 12 months, the index has advanced 3.3 percent. Additionally, the special aggregate energy index increased 3.0 percent over the past two months, but stood 28.0 percent lower than in April 2008.
The All Items Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area, stands at 223.854 (1982-84=100). This means a market basket of goods and services that cost $100.00 in 1982-84 would have cost $223.85 in April 2009.
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Last Modified Date: May 15, 2009
