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Consumer Price Index

Quality Adjustment in the CPI

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is calculated using prices for a fixed basket of goods and services through time. While the basket is periodically revised to reflect changing consumer expenditures, some items being priced in the sample come and go from the marketplace, making collection of these prices from month to month difficult. When an item is no longer available in the marketplace, a similar replacement item is selected. Often there are no similar items from which to choose, and as a result, a less comparable item is selected, potentially introducing quality change and an associated price differential into the index.

The hedonic quality adjustment method removes any price differential attributed to a change in quality by adding or subtracting the estimated value of that change from the price of the old item. Hedonic quality adjustments for rent and owners equivalent rent are used primarily to adjust for the age of a rental unit, and for utility adjustments.

More information on hedonic quality adjustment may be found on our page containing responses to frequently asked questions.

Publications, Research and Other Documentation

Quality Adjustment Methodology List
ELI Entry Level Item (ELI) Title Quality Adjustment Method

AA011

Men's suits Hedonic adjustments (QA model factsheet: Men's suits)

AA012

Men's sport coats and tailored jackets Hedonic adjustments

AA013

Men's outerwear Hedonic adjustments

AA021

Men's underwear, hosiery, nightwear, and swimwear Hedonic adjustments (QA model factsheet: Men's underwear)

AA022

Men's accessories none

AA023

Men's active sportswear none

AA033

Men's shirts, sweaters, and vests Hedonic adjustments

AA041

Men's pants and shorts Hedonic adjustments

AB011

Boys' outerwear Hedonic adjustments

AB012

Boys' shirts and sweaters Hedonic adjustments (QA model factsheet: Boys' shirts and sweaters)

AB013

Boys' underwear, nightwear, hosiery, accessories, & swimwear none

AB014

Boys' suits, sport coats, and pants Hedonic adjustments

AB015

Boys' active sportswear none

AC011

Women's outerwear Hedonic adjustments (QA model factsheet: Women’s Outerwear)

AC021

Women's dresses Hedonic adjustments

AC031

Women's tops Hedonic adjustments (QA model factsheet: Women's tops)

AC032

Women's skirts, pants, and shorts Hedonic adjustments

AC033

Women's suits and suit coordinates Hedonic adjustments

AC041

Women's undergarments, nightwear, shapewear, and swimwear Hedonic adjustments (QA model factsheet: Women's bras)

AC042

Women's hosiery and accessories none

AC043

Women's active sportswear none

AD011

Girls' outerwear Hedonic adjustments

AD012

Girls' dresses Hedonic adjustments

AD013

Girls' tops Hedonic adjustments (QA model factsheet: Girls' tops)

AD014

Girls' skirts, pants, and shorts Hedonic adjustments

AD015

Girls' active sportswear none

AD016

Girls' underwear, nightwear, hosiery, accessories, & swimwear none

AE011

Men's footwear Hedonic adjustments (QA model factsheet: Men's footwear and QA model factsheet: Athletic footwear)

AE021

Boys' footwear Hedonic adjustments

AE022

Girls' footwear Hedonic adjustments

AE031

Women's footwear Hedonic adjustments (QA model factsheet: Women's footwear and QA model factsheet: Athletic footwear)

AF011

Infants' & toddlers' outer/play/dress/sleep wear & accessories none

AF012

Infants' & toddlers' underwear & diapers none

AG011

Watches Hedonic adjustments (QA model factsheet: Watches)

AG021

Jewelry none

EA011

College textbooks none

EA012

Elementary and high school books and supplies none

EA013

Encyclopedias and other sets of reference books none

EB011

College tuition and fixed fees none

EB021

Elementary and high school tuition and fixed fees none

EB031

Day care and preschool none

EB041

Technical and business school tuition and fixed fees none

EC011

Postage none

EC021

Delivery services none

ED031

Wireless phone service Hedonic adjustments

ED041

Land-line telephone services Hedonic adjustments

EE011

Personal computers and peripheral equipment Cost based adjustments (Measuring Price Change in the CPI: Computers, peripherals, and smart home assistant devices)

EE021

Computer software and blank media none

EE031

Internet access and other information services Hedonic adjustments

EE041

Phones, accessories, and smartwatches Hedonic adjustments

EE042

Calculators, typewriters,& other information processing equipment none

FA011

Flour and prepared flour mixes none

FA021

Breakfast cereal & cereal bars none

FA031

Rice, pasta, cornmeal none

FB011

Bread none

FB021

Fresh biscuits, rolls, and muffins none

FB031

Cakes and cupcakes (excluding frozen) none

FB032

Cookies none

FB041

Crackers and bread & cracker products none

FB042

Sweetrolls, coffee cake and doughnuts(excluding frozen) none

FB043

Frozen bakery products and frozen/refrigerated doughs and batters none

FB044

Pies, tarts, turnovers (excluding frozen) none

FC011

Uncooked ground beef none

FC021

Uncooked beef roasts none

FC031

Uncooked beef steaks none

FC041

Uncooked other beef and veal none

FD011

Bacon, breakfast sausage and related products none

FD021

Ham none

FD031

Pork chops none

FD041

Other pork including roasts, steaks, and ribs none

FE011

Frankfurters none

FE012

Lunchmeats none

FE013

Lamb, organ meats, and game none

FF011

Chicken none

FF021

Other poultry including turkey none

FG011

Fresh fish and seafood none

FG021

Processed fish and seafood none

FH011

Eggs none

FJ011

Milk none

FJ021

Cheese and cheese products none

FJ031

Ice cream and related products none

FJ041

Other dairy and related products none

FK011

Apples none

FK021

Bananas none

FK031

Citrus fruits none

FK041

Other fresh fruits none

FL011

Potatoes none

FL021

Lettuce none

FL031

Tomatoes none

FL041

Other fresh vegetables including fresh herbs none

FM011

Canned fruits and vegetables none

FM021

Frozen fruits and vegetables none

FM031

Dried fruits and vegetables none

FN011

Carbonated drinks none

FN021

Frozen noncarbonated juices and drinks none

FN031

Non-frozen noncarbonated juices and drinks none

FP011

Coffee none

FP021

Tea none

FP022

Other beverage materials none

FR011

Sugar and artificial sweeteners none

FR021

Candy and chewing gum none

FR031

Other sweets none

FS011

Butter and margarine none

FS021

Mayonnaise, salad dressing, and sandwich spreads none

FS031

Peanut butter and other nut butters none

FS032

Other fats and oils none

FT011

Soups and soup bases none

FT021

Frozen prepared foods none

FT031

Snacks none

FT041

Salt and other seasonings and spices none

FT042

Olives, pickles, relishes none

FT043

Sauces and gravies none

FT044

Other condiments(excluding olives, pickles, relishes) none

FT051

Baby food none

FT061

Prepared salads none

FT062

Other miscellaneous foods none

FV011

Full service meals and snacks none

FV021

Limited service meals and snacks none

FV031

Food at employee sites and schools none

FV041

Food from vending machines and mobile vendors none

FV051

Board, catered events and other food away from home none

FW011

Beer, ale and other malt beverages at home none

FW021

Distilled spirits at home none

FW031

Wine at home none

FX011

Alcoholic beverages away from home none

GA011

Cigarettes none

GA021

Tobacco products other than cigarettes none

GB011

Products for the hair none

GB012

Dental and shaving products, including nonelectric articles none

GB013

Deodorant, suntan, sanitary & foot care products none

GB014

Electric personal care appliances none

GB021

Cosmetics/perfume/bath/nail preparations and implements none

GC011

Haircuts and other personal care services none

GD011

Legal services none

GD021

Funeral expenses none

GD031

Laundry and dry cleaning services none

GD041

Shoe repair and other shoe services none

GD042

Clothing, alterations, rentals and repairs none

GD043

Watch and jewelry repair none

GD051

Checking account and other bank services none

GD052

Tax return preparation and other accounting fees none

GE011

Stationery, stationery supplies, gift wrap none

GE012

Luggage none

GE013

Infants' equipment none

HA011

Rent of primary residence Age bias, structural change, Facility adjustments for parking and A/C units, Analyst adjustments (For more information, see A review of recent improvements to the CPI’s housing age-bias adjustmentUpdating the Housing Age-Bias Regression Model in the CPI, Updating the rent sample for the CPI housing survey, and the factsheet)

HB011

Lodging while at school none

HB021

Rental of lodging away from home none

HC011

Owners' equivalent rent of primary residence Age bias, structural change, Removal of the cost of landlord-provided utilities (cost of utilities) for the calculation of pure rents, Facility adjustments for parking and A/C units, Analyst adjustments (For more information, see A review of recent improvements to the CPI’s housing age-bias adjustmentUpdating the Housing Age-Bias Regression Model in the CPI, Updating the rent sample for the CPI housing survey, and the factsheet)

HD011

Tenants' and household insurance none

HE011

Fuel oil none

HE021

Other household fuels none

HF011

Electricity none

HF021

Utility (piped) gas service none

HG011

Residential water and sewerage service none

HG021

Garbage and trash collection none

HH011

Floor coverings none

HH021

Curtains and drapes none

HH022

Window coverings none

HH031

Bathroom linens none

HH032

Bedroom linens none

HH033

Kitchen and dining room linens none

HJ011

Mattresses and foundations none

HJ012

Bedroom furniture other than mattresses and springs none

HJ021

Sofas, sofa sleepers, furniture covers and decorative pillows none

HJ022

Living room chairs none

HJ023

Living room tables none

HJ024

Kitchen and dining room furniture none

HJ031

Infants furniture none

HJ032

Outdoor furniture none

HJ033

Occasional furniture none

HK011

Refrigerators and freezers Hedonic adjustments (QA model factsheet: Refrigerators)

HK012

Washers and dryers Hedonic adjustments (QA model factsheet: Clothes washers) (QA model factsheet: Clothes dryers)

HK013

Ranges and cooktops Hedonic adjustments

HK014

Microwave ovens Hedonic adjustments (QA model factsheet: Microwaves)

HK021

Floor cleaning equipment none

HK022

Small electric kitchen appliances none

HK023

Other electric appliances none

HL011

Lamps and lighting fixtures none

HL012

Household decorative items and clocks none

HL021

Indoor plants and fresh cut flowers none

HL031

Dishes none

HL032

Flatware none

HL041

Nonelectric cookware none

HL042

Nonelectric kitchenware none

HM011

Paint, wallpaper tools and supplies none

HM012

Power tools none

HM013

Miscellaneous hardware, supplies and equipment none

HM014

Non-powered hand tools none

HM021

Lawn and garden and outdoor equipment and grills none

HM022

Lawn & garden materials, other decorative items & pesticides none

HN011

Laundry and cleaning products none

HN012

Laundry and cleaning equipment none

HN021

Household paper products none

HN031

Miscellaneous household products none

HP011

Domestic services none

HP021

Gardening and lawn care services none

HP031

Moving, freight, and storage expenses none

HP041

Appliance repair none

HP042

Reupholstery of furniture none

HP043

Inside home maintenance and repair services none

MC011

Physicians' services none

MC021

Dental services none

MC031

Eyeglasses and eye care none

MC041

Services by other medical professionals none

MD011

Hospital services none

MD021

Nursing and convalescent home care none

MD022

Adult day care none

MD031

Care of invalids, the elderly, and convalescents in the home none

MF011

Prescription drugs none

MF021

Nonprescription drugs none

MG011

Dressings and first aid kits none

MG012

Medical equipment for general use none

MG013

Supportive and convalescent medical equipment none

RA011

Televisions Hedonic adjustments

RA021

Cable and satellite television service Hedonic adjustments

RA031

Other video equipment Hedonic adjustments

RA041

Prerecorded video discs/digital files/downloads and other media none

RA042

Rental of video discs and other media none

RA051

Audio media players, recorders, systems, and other equipment none

RA061

Recorded music and music subscriptions none

RB011

Pet food none

RB012

Purchase of pets, pet supplies, accessories none

RB021

Pet services none

RB022

Veterinarian services none

RC011

Outboard motors and powered sports vehicles none

RC012

Unpowered boats and trailers none

RC013

Bicycles and accessories none

RC021

General sports equipment excluding water none

RC022

Water sports equipment none

RC023

Hunting, fishing and camping gear none

RD011

Film and photographic supplies none

RD012

Photographic equipment Hedonic adjustments

RD021

Photographer's fees none

RD022

Photo processing none

RE011

Toys, games, hobbies, and playground equipment none

RE012

Video game consoles, software, and accessories none

RE021

Sewing items none

RE031

Music instruments and accessories none

RF011

Club dues and fees for participant sports/group exercises none

RF021

Admission to movies, theaters, concerts & other recurring events none

RF022

Admission to sporting events none

RF031

Fees for lessons or instructions none

RG011

Single copy newspapers and magazines none

RG012

Subscriptions to newspapers and magazines none

RG021

Books purchased through book clubs none

RG022

Books purchased at retail outlets other than book clubs none

TA011

New car and truck purchase Cost based adjustments (Quality Adjustment in the CPI: New Vehicles)

TA012

New motorcycles none

TA021

Used cars and trucks Cost based adjustments (Measuring Price Change in the CPI: Used Cars and Trucks)

TA031

Vehicle leasing Cost based adjustments (Measuring Price Change in the CPI: Leased cars and trucks)

TA041

Automobile and truck rental none

TB011

Regular unleaded gasoline none

TB012

Mid-grade unleaded gasoline none

TB013

Premium unleaded gasoline none

TB021

Automotive diesel fuel none

TB022

Alternative motor fuels none

TC011

Tires none

TC021

Vehicle parts and equipment other than tires none

TC022

Motor oil, coolant and fluids none

TD011

Motor vehicle body work none

TD021

Motor vehicle maintenance and servicing none

TD031

Motor vehicle repair none

TE011

Motor vehicle insurance none

TF011

State vehicle registration and driver's license none

TF031

Parking fees and tolls none

TF032

Automobile service clubs none

TG011

Airline fares none

TG021

Intercity bus fares none

TG022

Intercity train fares none

TG023

Ship fares none

TG031

Intracity mass transit none

TG032

Taxi fares none

TG033

Car and van pools none

 Download an XLSX version of this table here:

  • CPI Quality Adjustment Methodology List (XLSX)

Last Modified Date: October 29, 2024