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BLS 09-39 |
The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported consumer prices in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton area increased 0.5 percent for the two months ending April 2009. Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden said that the increase in the all items index was primarily due to higher prices for transportation. From April 2008 to April 2009, overall prices advanced 1.2 percent and the all items less food and energy index rose 3.2 percent. Local Consumer Price Index (CPI) data are not seasonally adjusted.
The transportation index rose 2.5 percent during the past two months, mainly due to a 6.4 percent increase in gasoline prices. Over the year, the transportation index declined 7.9 percent and gasoline prices dropped 35.2 percent.
The housing index rose 0.3 percent for the two months ending April 2009, and was 4.0 percent higher over the year. Shelter, the primary component of housing, decreased 0.3 percent over the past two months, but increased 3.9 percent compared to one year ago. Within the shelter category, the rent of primary residence index increased 0.2 percent from February to April and was up 4.7 percent over the latest 12-month period. The owners’ equivalent rent of primary residence index inched down 0.1 percent since February, but advanced 5.1 percent since April 2008. Shelter also includes lodging away from home, an unpublished subcategory. Fuels and utilities, another component of housing, increased 2.0 percent during the past two months and was 9.9 percent higher during the past 12 months. Within the fuels and utilities index, prices for electricity increased 1.9 percent from February to April and utility (piped) gas services advanced 0.4 percent. Compared to one year ago, prices for electricity moved up 11.4 percent and prices for utility (piped) gas services rose 15.4 percent. Prices for household furnishings and operations advanced 3.2 percent over the past two months and 0.9 percent over the past year.
The food and beverages index decreased 1.0 percent from February to April, but increased 3.0 percent over the year. Grocery prices, as measured by the food at home index, moved down 1.6 percent over the past two months, but were 2.7 percent higher than a year ago. Food away from home prices inched down 0.1 percent from February to April, but advanced 4.6 percent for the latest 12-month period.
Medical care prices increased 0.6 percent for the two months ending in April and moved up 2.8 percent over the year.
Apparel prices increased 1.1 percent for the latest two-month period, but were 2.2 percent lower over the past year.
Among the remaining major expenditure categories, prices for education and communication declined 0.3 percent, but prices for recreation moved up 0.6 percent for the latest two-month period. Over the past year, education and communication prices advanced 3.5 percent and recreation prices rose 1.8 percent. The other goods and services index increased 1.9 percent from February to April and rose 3.5 percent over the latest 12-month period.
The All Items, Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area measured 225.918 (1982-84=100). This means a market basket of goods and services that cost $100.00 in 1982-84 would have cost $225.92 in April 2009.
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Last Modified Date: May 15, 2009
