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BLS 09-118 |
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR THE SEATTLE AREA, OCTOBER 2009
The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported consumer prices in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton area decreased 0.4 percent for the two months ending October 2009. Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden said that the decrease in the all items index was mainly due to lower prices for housing and food and beverages. From October 2008 to October 2009, overall prices increased 0.2 percent and the special index for all items less food and energy rose 1.6 percent. Local Consumer Price Index (CPI) data are not seasonally adjusted.
The housing index moved down 1.2 percent for the two months ending October 2009 and was 0.3 percent lower over the year. Shelter, the primary component of housing, decreased 1.1 percent over the past two months, but increased 0.2 percent compared to one year ago. Within the shelter category, the rent of primary residence index edged down 0.1 percent from August to October, but advanced 0.8 percent over the latest 12-month period. The owners’ equivalent rent of primary residence index declined 0.8 percent since August, but advanced 0.4 percent since October 2008. Fuels and utilities, another component of housing, decreased 2.6 percent during the past two months and 0.7 percent during the past 12 months. Within the fuels and utilities index, prices for electricity inched up 0.1 percent from August to October, but utility (piped) gas services decreased 16.1 percent. Compared to one year ago, prices for electricity moved up 1.0 percent, but prices for utility (piped) gas services decreased 13.9 percent. Prices for household furnishings and operations declined 0.9 percent over the past two months and 4.1 percent over the past year.
The food and beverages index moved down 1.7 percent from August to October and decreased 2.9 percent over the year. Grocery prices, as measured by the food at home index, dropped 1.5 percent over the past two months and were 5.6 percent lower than a year ago. Food away from home prices fell 2.3 percent from August to October and decreased 0.9 percent for the latest 12-month period.
Apparel prices increased 5.6 percent for the latest two-month period and were 3.8 percent higher over the past year.
The transportation index decreased 0.2 percent during the past two months, primarily due to a 2.7 percent decline in gasoline prices. Over the year, the transportation index increased 0.9 percent, but gasoline prices declined 10.8 percent.
Medical care prices rose 1.1 percent for the two months ending in October and 2.9 percent over the year.
Among the remaining major expenditure categories, prices for education and communication increased 2.5 percent and prices for recreation rose 0.3 percent for the latest two-month period. Over the past year, education and communication prices increased 2.8 percent, and recreation prices were up 1.3 percent. The other goods and services index rose 1.8 percent from August to October and moved up 1.9 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 226.277 (1982-84=100). This means a market basket of goods and services that cost $100.00 in 1982-84 would have cost $226.28 in October 2009.
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Last Modified Date: November 18, 2009
