Consumer prices increase 2.9 percent in 12 months

Over the last 12 months—January 2011 to January 2012—the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 2.9 percent before seasonal adjustment.

[Chart data]

The index for energy has risen 6.1 percent over the last year and the food index 4.4 percent; both figures are slight declines from last month.

The dairy and related products index rose 9.0 percent over the year, the largest increase among the major grocery store food groups, while the fruits and vegetables index fell 0.1 percent, the only decline among the groups.

Over the last 12 months, the gasoline index has risen 9.7 percent while the household energy index has increased 1.2 percent. The indexes for fuel oil and electricity have risen over the last year, but the index for natural gas has declined.

The index for all items less food and energy has risen 2.3 percent over the last 12 months. The shelter index has risen 2.0 percent over that span, the first time its 12-month change has been that high since November 2008. The apparel index has increased 4.7 percent and the medical care index has risen 3.6 percent. The indexes for new vehicles and used cars and trucks have each risen 3.2 percent.

These data are from the BLS Consumer Price Index program. To learn more, see "Consumer Price Index — January 2012" (HTML) (PDF), USDL-12-0267.