Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until USDL-10-0011

8:30 a.m. (EST) Friday, January 15, 2010 

Technical information: (202) 691-7000 • Reed.Steve@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/cpi 

Media Contact: (202) 691-5902 • PressOffice@bls.gov 

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX – DECEMBER 2009 

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the December Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) 

rose 0.1 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the index 

increased 2.7 percent before seasonal adjustment. 

The seasonally adjusted increase in the all items index was broad based, with the indexes for food, 

energy, and all items less food and energy all posting modest increases. Within the latter group, a sharp 

rise in the index for used cars and trucks was the largest contributor to the 0.1 percent increase, while the 

indexes for airline fares, apparel, and lodging away from home rose as well. In contrast, the indexes for 

rent and owners’ equivalent rent were unchanged and the index for new vehicles declined. 

Grocery store food indexes showed broad-based increases, leading to the food index rising 0.2 percent, 

its largest one-month advance in over a year. The energy index also rose 0.2 percent; this was its 

smallest increase in five months. The indexes for fuel oil and gasoline rose, but the electricity index was 

unchanged and the natural gas index declined. 

 

-0.8

-0.6

-0.4

-0.2

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Dec'08 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'09

Chart 1. One-month percent change in CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), seasonally adjusted, Dec. 2008 - Dec. 2009

Percent change

 -0.8

 0.3

 0.4

 -0.1

 0.0 0.1

 0.7

 0.0

 0.4

 0.2 0.3

 0.4

 0.1
- 2 -

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), not seasonally adjusted, Dec. 2008 - Dec. 2009

Percent change

All items All items less food and energy

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

Dec'08 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'09

Table A. Percent changes in CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average

Seasonally adjusted changes from preceding month Unadjusted

12-mos.

ended

Dec. 2009

June

2009

July

2009

Aug.

2009

Sep.

2009

Oct.

2009

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

All items ................................................. .7 .0 .4 .2 .3 .4 .1 2.7 

Food .................................................... .0 -.3 .1 -.1 .1 .1 .2 -.5 

Food at home .................................... .0 -.5 .0 -.3 .0 .0 .3 -2.4 

Food away from home 1 .................... .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .2 .1 1.9 

Energy ................................................. 7.4 -.4 4.6 .6 1.5 4.1 .2 18.2 

Energy commodities .......................... 16.2 -.4 8.5 1.1 1.9 6.3 .5 46.5 

Gasoline (all types) .......................... 17.3 -.8 9.1 1.0 1.6 6.4 .2 53.5 

Fuel oil ............................................. 4.8 -1.5 6.2 1.5 6.3 9.0 1.1 6.5 

Energy services ................................. -1.2 -.3 .0 .1 .9 1.4 -.1 -5.4 

Electricity ......................................... -1.9 -.6 -.1 .6 .6 1.4 .0 -.5 

Utility (piped) gas service ................ 1.3 .9 .4 -1.7 1.9 1.5 -.7 -18.1 

All items less food and energy ............ .2 .1 .1 .2 .2 .0 .1 1.8 

Commodities less food and energy

commodities ................................ .3 .2 -.3 .3 .4 .2 .2 3.0 

New vehicles ................................... .7 .5 -1.3 .4 1.6 .6 -.3 4.9 

Used cars and trucks ....................... .9 .0 1.9 1.6 3.4 2.0 2.5 9.2 

Apparel ............................................ .7 .6 -.1 .1 -.4 -.3 .4 1.9 

Medical care commodities ............... .1 -.1 .5 .6 .2 .0 -.1 3.3 

Services less energy services ........... .1 .0 .2 .1 .1 .0 .1 1.4 

Shelter ............................................. .1 -.2 .1 .0 .0 -.2 .0 .3 

Transportation services ................... -.1 .5 .6 .7 .4 .6 .3 3.9 

Medical care services ...................... .2 .3 .2 .4 .2 .4 .2 3.4 

1 Not seasonally adjusted.
- 3 -

Year in Review 

For the 12 month period ending December 2009, the CPI-U rose 2.7 percent, compared to 0.1 percent 

for 2008. The larger increase was primarily due to the energy index, which rose 18.2 percent during 

2009 after falling 21.3 percent in 2008. The energy upturn was caused by the gasoline index, which rose 

53.5 percent in 2009 after declining 43.1 percent in 2008. The household energy index, in contrast, 

declined 4.9 percent during 2009 with the index for natural gas falling 18.1 percent and the electricity 

index declining 0.5 percent. The food index, which rose 5.9 percent in 2008, fell 0.5 percent for the 12 

months ending December 2009, the first December-to-December decline since 1961. The index for food 

away from home rose 1.9 percent while the food at home index fell 2.4 percent. Within food at home, all 

six major grocery food groups posted declines in 2009 after rising in 2008. The dairy and related 

products group declined the most, falling 7.6 percent, its largest annual decline since 1938. 

The index for all items less food and energy rose 1.8 percent during 2009, the same increase as in 2008. 

This identical increase was the result of offsetting factors. Pushing the index higher were vehicle prices, 

which rose in 2009 after declining in 2008. The indexes for new vehicles rose 4.9 percent in 2009 and 

the index for used cars and trucks increased 9.2 percent. Additionally, the apparel index turned up in 

2009, rising 1.9 percent after declining in each of the previous two years. The medical care index rose 

more rapidly in 2009, increasing 3.4 percent after a 2.6 percent increase the previous year, and the 

tobacco index increased 30.1 percent in 2009 after rising 6.3 percent in 2008. Largely offsetting these 

accelerations was the shelter index, which posted its smallest annual increase since its inception in 1953. 

It increased only 0.3 percent after increasing 1.9 percent in 2008, with the indexes for both rent and 

owners’ equivalent rent increasing 0.7 percent. Also, the indexes for recreation and for household 

furnishings and operations both declined in 2009 after rising in 2008. 

Consumer Price Index Data for December 2009 

Food 

The food index rose 0.2 percent in December after rising 0.1 percent in each of the previous two months. 

The food at home index increased 0.3 percent, its largest increase since October 2008. Among the major 

grocery store food groups, the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs was unchanged while the other 

five groups all posted increases. The index for cereals and bakery products rose 0.6 percent, while the 

dairy and related products index increased 0.5 percent after declining 0.7 percent in November. The 

indexes for fruits and vegetables and for other food at home both rose 0.3 percent while the index for 

nonalcoholic beverages increased 0.2 percent. The index for food away from home increased in 

December, rising 0.1 percent after increasing 0.2 percent in November. 

 

Energy 

The energy index, which increased 4.1 percent in November, rose 0.2 percent in December. The index 

for energy commodities increased 0.5 percent, with the gasoline index rising 0.2 percent after increasing 

6.4 percent in November. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices declined 1.5 percent in 

December.) The index for household energy was unchanged in December. The fuel oil index rose 1.1 

percent after a 9.0 percent increase in the previous month, but the index for natural gas fell 0.7 percent. 

The index for electricity, which increased 1.4 percent in November, was unchanged in December. 
- 4 -

All items less food and energy 

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.1 percent in December after being unchanged in 

November. The index for used cars and trucks rose 2.5 percent in December, accounting for almost half 

of the increase in the all items less food and energy index. The index for airline fares also continued to 

rise, increasing 2.4 percent in December after advancing 3.8 percent in November. Also increasing were 

the apparel index, which rose 0.4 percent, and the medical care index, which rose 0.1 percent. The 

shelter index, which declined 0.2 percent in November, was unchanged in December. The indexes for 

rent and owners’ equivalent rent were both unchanged after declining in November, while the index for 

lodging away from home rose 0.5 percent in December. The index for new vehicles declined in 

December, falling 0.3 percent after increasing in each of the previous three months. The recreation index 

also declined in December, falling 0.4 percent as televisions, sporting goods and toys were among many 

recreation components that posted declines. 

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures 

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 2.7 percent over the last 12 

months to an index level of 215.949 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index decreased 0.2 percent 

prior to seasonal adjustment. 

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 3.4 

percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 211.703 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index 

decreased 0.1 percent prior to seasonal adjustment. 

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 2.8 percent over the 

last 12 months. For the month, the index declined 0.2 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please 

note that the indexes for the post-2007 period are subject to revision.

The Consumer Price Index for January 2010 is scheduled to be released on Friday, February 19, 

2010, at 8:30 a.m. (EST). 

Effective with the release of CPI data for January 2010 scheduled for Friday, February 19, the BLS will 

introduce several item structure and other publication changes into the CPI. See page 5 for further information. 
- 5 -

Item Structure and publication changes for January 2010 

Effective with the release of CPI data for January 2010 scheduled for Friday, February 19, the BLS will 

introduce several item structure and other publication changes into the CPI. 

Shelter. The expenditure weight for second homes will be moved from Lodging away from home to a 

new, unpriced stratum under the Owners’ equivalent rent expenditure class. As such, the expenditure 

class index for Owners’ equivalent rent will now include both primary and secondary homes, and the 

title of that expenditure class index will change from Owners’ equivalent rent of primary residences to 

Owners’ equivalent rent of residences. Both the expenditure class (Owners’ equivalent rent of 

residences), and the Owners’ equivalent rent of primary residence stratum within it, will be published. 

Current Structure 

Lodging away from home 

 Housing at school, excluding board 

 Other lodging away from home including hotels and motels 

Owners’ equivalent rent of primary residence 

 Owners’ equivalent rent of primary residence* 

New Structure 

Lodging away from home 

 Housing at school, excluding board 

 Other lodging away from home, including hotels and motels 

Owners’ equivalent rent of residences 

 Owners’ equivalent rent of primary residence 

 Unsampled owners’ equivalent rent of secondary residences* 

Medical care commodities. The item structure for Medical care commodities will change: 

Current Structure 

Medical care commodities 

 Prescription drugs 

 Prescription drugs 

 Unsampled rent or repair of medical equipment* 

 Nonprescription drugs and medical supplies 

 Internal and respiratory OTC drugs 

 Nonprescription medical equipment and supplies 

New Structure 

Medical Care Commodities 

 Medicinal drugs 

 Prescription drugs 

 Nonprescription drugs 

 Medical equipment and supplies 

 Medical equipment and supplies 

 Unsampled rent or repair of medical equipment* 
- 6 -

Telephone services. The item structure for telephone services will also change: 

Current structure 

Telephone services 

 Land-line telephone services, local charges 

 Land-line telephone services, long distance 

 Wireless telephone services 

New structure 

Telephone services 

 Wireless telephone services 

 Land-line telephone services 

Indexes that are deemed continuous will have the same reference base previously used. New index series 

will have a December 2009 = 100 reference base. Unpublished series are indicated with a *. 

Other publication changes

The index for State and local registration and license will be retitled State motor vehicle registration and 

license fees. 

A new index for Intracity mass transit will be published. Indexes for Land-line interstate toll calls and 

Land-line intrastate toll calls will be discontinued. 

Expenditure Weight Update

Effective with the release of the January 2010 CPI on February 19, 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics 

(BLS) will update the consumption expenditure weights in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban 

Consumers (CPI-U) and Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) 

to the 2007-08 period. The updated expenditure weights for these indexes will replace the 2005-2006 

weights that were introduced effective with the January 2008 CPI release. As originally announced by 

BLS in December 1998, CPI expenditure weights will continue to be updated at two-year intervals. 

Facilities for Sensory Impaired

Information from this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. 

Voice phone: 202-691-5200, Federal Relay Services: 1-800-877-8339. 

Brief Explanation of the CPI 

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change in prices over time of goods and 

services purchased by households. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes CPIs for two population 

groups: (1) the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which covers households 

of wage earners and clerical workers that comprise approximately 32 percent of the total population and 

(2) the CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) and the Chained CPI for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-
- 7 -

U), which cover approximately 87 percent of the total population and include in addition to wage 

earners and clerical worker households, groups such as professional, managerial, and technical workers, 

the self-employed, short-term workers, the unemployed, and retirees and others not in the labor force. 

The CPIs are based on prices of food, clothing, shelter, and fuels, transportation fares, charges for 

doctors’ and dentists’ services, drugs, and other goods and services that people buy for day-to-day 

living. Prices are collected each month in 87 urban areas across the country from about 4,000 housing 

units and approximately 25,000 retail establishments-department stores, supermarkets, hospitals, filling 

stations, and other types of stores and service establishments. All taxes directly associated with the 

purchase and use of items are included in the index. Prices of fuels and a few other items are obtained 

every month in all 87 locations. Prices of most other commodities and services are collected every 

month in the three largest geographic areas and every other month in other areas. Prices of most goods 

and services are obtained by personal visits or telephone calls of the Bureau’s trained representatives. 

In calculating the index, price changes for the various items in each location are averaged together with 

weights, which represent their importance in the spending of the appropriate population group. Local 

data are then combined to obtain a U.S. city average. For the CPI-U and CPI-W separate indexes are 

also published by size of city, by region of the country, for cross-classifications of regions and 

population-size classes, and for 27 local areas. Area indexes do not measure differences in the level of 

prices among cities; they only measure the average change in prices for each area since the base period. 

For the C-CPI-U data are issued only at the national level. It is important to note that the CPI-U and 

CPI-W are considered final when released, but the C-CPI-U is issued in preliminary form and subject to 

two annual revisions. 

The index measures price change from a designed reference date. For the CPI-U and the CPI-W the 

reference base is 1982-84 equals 100.0. The reference base for the C-CPI-U is December 1999 equals 

100. An increase of 16.5 percent from the reference base, for example, is shown as 116.5. This change 

can also be expressed in dollars as follows: the price of a base period market basket of goods and 

services in the CPI has risen from $10 in 1982-84 to $11.65. 

For further details visit the CPI home page on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/cpi/ or contact our CPI 

Information and Analysis Section on (202) 691-7000. 

Note on Sampling Error in the Consumer Price Index 

The CPI is a statistical estimate that is subject to sampling error because it is based upon a sample of 

retail prices and not the complete universe of all prices. BLS calculates and publishes estimates of the 

1-month, 2-month, 6-month and 12-month percent change standard errors annually, for the CPI-U. 

These standard error estimates can be used to construct confidence intervals for hypothesis testing. For 

example, the estimated standard error of the 1 month percent change is 0.04 percent for the U.S. All 

Items Consumer Price Index. This means that if we repeatedly sample from the universe of all retail 

prices using the same methodology, and estimate a percentage change for each sample, then 95% of 

these estimates would be within 0.08 percent of the 1 month percentage change based on all retail prices. 

For example, for a 1-month change of 0.2 percent in the All Items CPI for All Urban Consumers, we are 

95 percent confident that the actual percent change based on all retail prices would fall between 0.12 and 

0.28 percent. For the latest data, including information on how to use the estimates of standard error, 

see “Variance Estimates for Price Changes in the Consumer Price Index, January-December 2008”. 
- 8 -

These data are available on the CPI home page (http://www.bls.gov/cpi), or by using the following link 

http://www.bls.gov/cpi/cpivar2008.pdf 

Calculating Index Changes 

Movements of the indexes from one month to another are usually expressed as percent changes rather 

than changes in index points, because index point changes are affected by the level of the index in 

relation to its base period while percent changes are not. The example below illustrates the computation 

of index point and percent changes. 

 Percent changes for 3-month and 6-month periods are expressed as annual rates and are computed 

according to the standard formula for compound growth rates. These data indicate what the percent 

change would be if the current rate were maintained for a 12-month period. 

Index Point Change

CPI 202.416 

Less previous index 201.800 

Equals index point change .616 

Percent Change

Index point difference .616 

Divided by the previous index 201.800 

Equals 0.003 

Results multiplied by one hundred 0.003x100 

Equals percent change 0.3

Regions Defined 

The states in the four regions shown in Tables 3 and 6 are listed below. 

The Northeast--Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, 

and Vermont. 

The Midwest--Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, 

and Wisconsin. 

The South--Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, 

Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. 

The West--Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, 

Washington, and Wyoming. 
- 9 -

A Note on Seasonally Adjusted and Unadjusted Data 

Because price data are used for different purposes by different groups, the Bureau of Labor Statistics 

publishes seasonally adjusted as well as unadjusted changes each month. 

For analyzing general price trends in the economy, seasonally adjusted changes are usually preferred 

since they eliminate the effect of changes that normally occur at the same time and in about the same 

magnitude every year--such as price movements resulting from changing climatic conditions, production 

cycles, model changeovers, holidays, and sales. 

The unadjusted data are of primary interest to consumers concerned about the prices they actually pay. 

Unadjusted data also are used extensively for escalation purposes. Many collective bargaining contract 

agreements and pension plans, for example, tie compensation changes to the Consumer Price Index 

before adjustment for seasonal variation. 

Seasonal factors used in computing the seasonally adjusted indexes are derived by the X-12-ARIMA 

Seasonal Adjustment Method. Seasonally adjusted indexes and seasonal factors are computed annually. 

Each year, the last 5 years of seasonally adjusted data are revised. Data from January 2004 through 

December 2008 were replaced in January 2009. Exceptions to the usual revision schedule were: the 

updated seasonal data at the end of 1977 replaced data from 1967 through 1977; and, in January 2002, 

dependently seasonally adjusted series were revised for January 1987-December 2001 as a result of a 

change in the aggregation weights for dependently adjusted series. For further information, please see 

“Aggregation of Dependently Adjusted Seasonally Adjusted Series,” in the October 2001 issue of the 

CPI Detailed Report. 

The seasonal movement of all items and 54 other aggregations is derived by combining the seasonal 

movement of 73 selected components. Each year the seasonal status of every series is reevaluated based 

upon certain statistical criteria. If any of the 73 components change their seasonal adjustment status 

from seasonally adjusted to not seasonally adjusted, not seasonally adjusted data will be used in the 

aggregation of the dependent series for the last 5 years, but the seasonally adjusted indexes will be used 

before that period. Note: 47 of the 73 components are seasonally adjusted for 2009. 

Seasonally adjusted data, including the all items index levels, are subject to revision for up to five years 

after their original release. For this reason, BLS advises against the use of these data in escalation 

agreements. 

Effective with the calculation of the seasonal factors for 1990, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has used an 

enhanced seasonal adjustment procedure called Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment for some 

CPI series. Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment allows for better estimates of seasonally 

adjusted data. Extreme values and/or sharp movements which might distort the seasonal pattern are 

estimated and removed from the data prior to calculation of seasonal factors. Beginning with the 

calculation of seasonal factors for 1996, X-12-ARIMA software was used for Intervention Analysis 

Seasonal Adjustment. 

For the seasonal factors introduced in January 2009, BLS adjusted 29 series using Intervention Analysis 

Seasonal Adjustment, including selected food and beverage items, motor fuels, electricity and vehicles. 

For example, this procedure was used for the Motor fuel series to offset the effects of events such as 

damage to oil refineries from Hurricane Katrina. 
- 10 -

For a complete list of Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment series and explanations, please refer to 

the article “Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment”, located on our website at 

http://www.bls.gov/cpi/cpisapage.htm. 

For additional information on seasonal adjustment in the CPI, please write to the Bureau of Labor 

Statistics, Division of Consumer Prices and Price Indexes, Washington, DC 20212 or contact Jeff 

Wilson at (202) 691-6968, or by e-mail at Wilson.Jeff@bls.gov. If you have general questions about the 

CPI, please call our information staff at (202) 691-7000. 

Recalculated Seasonally Adjusted Indexes to be Available on February 17, 2010 

Each year with the release of the January CPI, seasonal adjustment factors are recalculated to reflect 

price movements from the just-completed calendar year. This routine annual recalculation may result in 

revisions to seasonally adjusted indexes for the previous 5 years. BLS will make available recalculated 

seasonally adjusted indexes, as well as recalculated seasonal adjustment factors, for the period January 

2005 through December 2009, on Wednesday, February 17, 2010. This date is two working days before 

the scheduled release of the January 2010 CPI on Friday, February 19, 2010. 

The revised indexes and seasonal factors will be available on the internet. The address is 

http://www.bls.gov/cpi/cpisapage.htm. Look under Seasonal Adjustment in the CPI and select Revised 

Seasonally Adjusted Indexes and Factors, 2005-2009. 

For further information please contact David Levin by electronic mail at: Levin.David@bls.gov or by 

telephone at: (202) 691-5261. 
Table 1. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and

service group

(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

CPI-U

Relative

importance,

December

2008

Unadjusted

indexes

Unadjusted

percent change to

Dec. 2009 from—

Seasonally adjusted

percent change from—

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2008

Nov.

2009

Sep. to

Oct.

Oct. to

Nov.

Nov. to

Dec.

Expenditure category

All items ........................................................................................ 100.000 216.330 215.949 2.7 -0.2 0.3 0.4 0.1 

All items (1967=100) .................................................................... -

 648.028 646.887 - - - - -

Food and beverages .................................................................. 15.757 217.733 218.049 -.4 .1 .1 .1 .2 

Food ......................................................................................... 14.629 217.265 217.637 -.5 .2 .1 .1 .2 

Food at home ......................................................................... 8.156 212.816 213.359 -2.4 .3 .0 .0 .3 

Cereals and bakery products ............................................... 1.150 250.600 251.019 -.8 .2 .0 .1 .6 

Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .............................................. 1.898 201.202 201.003 -3.8 -.1 -.2 .3 .0 

Dairy and related products 1 ................................................ .910 193.914 194.792 -7.6 .5 1.0 -.7 .5 

Fruits and vegetables ........................................................... 1.194 269.832 273.189 -3.0 1.2 -.7 .1 .3 

Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials ................ .982 161.358 161.216 -.9 -.1 -.2 -.3 .2 

Other food at home .............................................................. 2.022 189.640 189.921 -.1 .1 .3 -.2 .3 

Sugar and sweets .............................................................. .300 198.227 198.712 2.8 .2 .3 .7 .4 

Fats and oils ....................................................................... .241 196.473 197.391 -4.5 .5 -.4 -.3 1.0 

Other foods ........................................................................ 1.481 203.671 203.832 .0 .1 .4 -.3 .2 

Other miscellaneous foods 1 2 ......................................... .433 121.263 122.422 -1.1 1.0 .0 -.7 1.0 

Food away from home 1 ......................................................... 6.474 224.633 224.789 1.9 .1 .1 .2 .1 

Other food away from home 1 2 ........................................... .314 157.027 156.990 1.9 .0 -.2 .0 .0 

Alcoholic beverages ................................................................. 1.127 222.485 222.082 1.9 -.2 .3 .4 .0 

Housing ...................................................................................... 43.421 215.808 215.523 -.3 -.1 .1 .0 .0 

Shelter ...................................................................................... 33.200 248.211 247.863 .3 -.1 .0 -.2 .0 

Rent of primary residence 3 ................................................... 5.957 248.886 248.999 .7 .0 -.1 -.1 .0 

Lodging away from home 2 .................................................... 2.478 125.426 122.638 -5.0 -2.2 .4 -1.5 .5 

Owners’ equivalent rent of primary residence 3 4 5 ................ 24.433 256.731 256.727 .7 .0 .0 -.1 .0 

Tenants’ and household insurance 1 2 ................................... .333 122.243 123.812 3.2 1.3 .0 .0 1.3 

Fuels and utilities ..................................................................... 5.431 208.955 208.760 -3.0 -.1 1.2 1.5 .0 

Household energy .................................................................. 4.460 185.165 184.886 -4.9 -.2 1.3 1.8 .0 

Fuel oil and other fuels ......................................................... .301 260.250 262.649 2.5 .9 6.0 7.3 1.7 

Gas (piped) and electricity 3 ................................................. 4.159 189.166 188.724 -5.4 -.2 .9 1.4 -.1 

Water and sewer and trash collection services 2 ................... .971 164.962 165.204 5.6 .1 .8 .2 .3 

Household furnishings and operations ..................................... 4.790 127.265 127.119 -1.1 -.1 -.5 -.3 .0 

Household operations 1 2 ....................................................... .781 150.135 150.172 -.3 .0 -.2 .0 .0 

Apparel ....................................................................................... 3.691 122.465 119.357 1.9 -2.5 -.4 -.3 .4 

Men’s and boys’ apparel .......................................................... .923 113.636 110.633 -.1 -2.6 -.6 -.8 -.1 

Women’s and girls’ apparel ...................................................... 1.541 111.460 108.304 2.7 -2.8 -.6 -.8 .9 

Infants’ and toddlers’ apparel ................................................... .183 116.312 112.695 .1 -3.1 -1.5 -.4 -.5 

Footwear .................................................................................. .688 130.594 128.492 3.5 -1.6 .2 .7 .1 

Transportation ............................................................................ 15.314 188.587 188.318 14.4 -.1 1.4 2.3 .4 

Private transportation ............................................................... 14.189 184.099 183.766 15.3 -.2 1.4 2.3 .3 

New and used motor vehicles 2 ............................................. 6.931 96.039 96.421 5.5 .4 1.7 .8 .3 

New vehicles ........................................................................ 4.480 138.831 138.857 4.9 .0 1.6 .6 -.3 

Used cars and trucks ........................................................... 1.628 134.173 137.406 9.2 2.4 3.4 2.0 2.5 

Motor fuel ............................................................................... 3.164 228.050 224.730 50.7 -1.5 1.6 6.2 .4 

Gasoline (all types) .............................................................. 2.964 227.665 224.260 53.5 -1.5 1.6 6.4 .2 

Motor vehicle parts and equipment 1 ..................................... .382 134.234 134.781 1.3 .4 .2 .4 .4 

Motor vehicle maintenance and repair 1 ................................ 1.188 245.511 245.417 2.5 .0 .4 .0 .0 

Public transportation ................................................................ 1.125 244.226 245.203 3.2 .4 .9 2.6 1.4 

Medical care ............................................................................... 6.390 379.575 379.516 3.4 .0 .2 .3 .1 

Medical care commodities ........................................................ 1.625 308.546 308.221 3.3 -.1 .2 .0 -.1 

Medical care services ............................................................... 4.765 401.392 401.452 3.4 .0 .2 .4 .2 

Professional services ............................................................. 2.702 321.473 321.827 2.5 .1 .2 .2 .1 

Hospital and related services 3 .............................................. 1.545 581.603 581.968 7.1 .1 .2 .8 .5 

See footnotes at end of table.
Table 1. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and

service group-Continued

(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

CPI-U

Relative

importance,

December

2008

Unadjusted

indexes

Unadjusted

percent change to

Dec. 2009 from—

Seasonally adjusted

percent change from—

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2008

Nov.

2009

Sep. to

Oct.

Oct. to

Nov.

Nov. to

Dec.

Expenditure category

Recreation 2 ............................................................................... 5.741 113.820 113.212 -0.4 -0.5 -0.4 -0.2 -0.4 

Video and audio 2 .................................................................... 1.822 100.199 99.873 -1.7 -.3 -.6 .3 -.1 

Education and communication 2 ................................................ 6.301 128.845 128.883 2.4 .0 .2 .0 .2 

Education 2 .............................................................................. 3.107 195.649 195.672 4.7 .0 .3 .2 .4 

Educational books and supplies ............................................. .221 495.660 496.580 6.9 .2 .2 .9 .3 

Tuition, other school fees, and childcare ................................ 2.886 562.623 562.610 4.5 .0 .3 .2 .4 

Communication 2 ..................................................................... 3.194 84.768 84.809 .1 .0 .0 -.3 .1 

Information and information processing 1 2 ............................ 3.022 81.688 81.728 -.2 .0 .0 -.4 .0 

Telephone services 1 2 ......................................................... 2.408 102.528 102.707 1.0 .2 -.1 -.4 .2 

Information technology, hardware and services 1 6 ............. .614 9.467 9.423 -4.9 -.5 .4 -.4 -.5 

Personal computers and peripheral equipment 1 7 ............ .214 78.077 77.960 -11.9 -.1 .3 -.2 -.1 

Other goods and services .......................................................... 3.386 376.702 377.330 8.0 .2 .3 .4 .2 

Tobacco and smoking products 1 ............................................ .776 781.538 783.794 30.1 .3 .3 1.0 .3 

Personal care ........................................................................... 2.610 205.575 205.823 1.5 .1 .2 .2 .1 

Personal care products 1 ....................................................... .651 161.753 162.275 .5 .3 -.1 -.3 .3 

Personal care services 1 ........................................................ .647 228.358 228.343 .9 .0 .1 .0 .0 

Miscellaneous personal services ........................................... 1.074 348.792 348.697 2.6 .0 .9 .6 .1 

Commodity and service group

Commodities ................................................................................ 39.556 173.061 172.572 5.5 -.3 .5 .9 .2 

Food and beverages .................................................................. 15.757 217.733 218.049 -.4 .1 .1 .1 .2 

Commodities less food and beverages ...................................... 23.799 149.245 148.441 9.4 -.5 .8 1.4 .2 

Nondurables less food and beverages ..................................... 13.289 187.776 185.689 14.8 -1.1 -.8 2.8 -.1 

Apparel ................................................................................... 3.691 122.465 119.357 1.9 -2.5 -.4 -.3 .4 

Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .................... 9.598 232.649 231.169 19.8 -.6 -.9 3.9 -.2 

Durables ................................................................................... 10.510 111.159 111.477 2.5 .3 1.1 .4 .3 

Services ....................................................................................... 60.444 259.323 259.055 .9 -.1 .1 .1 .1 

Rent of shelter 4 ......................................................................... 32.867 258.704 258.303 .3 -.2 .0 -.2 .1 

Tenants’ and household insurance 1 2 ....................................... .333 122.243 123.812 3.2 1.3 .0 .0 1.3 

Gas (piped) and electricity 3 ....................................................... 4.159 189.166 188.724 -5.4 -.2 .9 1.4 -.1 

Water and sewer and trash collection services 2 ....................... .971 164.962 165.204 5.6 .1 .8 .2 .3 

Household operations 1 2 ........................................................... .781 150.135 150.172 -.3 .0 -.2 .0 .0 

Transportation services .............................................................. 5.567 255.935 256.014 3.9 .0 .4 .6 .3 

Medical care services ................................................................. 4.765 401.392 401.452 3.4 .0 .2 .4 .2 

Other services ............................................................................ 11.002 306.740 306.436 2.1 -.1 .1 .1 .1 

Special indexes

All items less food ........................................................................ 85.371 216.207 215.703 3.3 -.2 .3 .5 .1 

All items less shelter .................................................................... 66.800 206.286 205.888 3.9 -.2 .4 .7 .2 

All items less medical care ........................................................... 93.610 208.250 207.860 2.7 -.2 .3 .4 .1 

Commodities less food ................................................................. 24.926 151.847 151.052 9.0 -.5 .7 1.3 .2 

Nondurables less food ................................................................. 14.416 189.852 187.864 13.8 -1.0 -.7 2.6 -.1 

Nondurables less food and apparel ............................................. 10.726 230.622 229.250 17.9 -.6 -.8 3.4 .0 

Nondurables ................................................................................. 29.046 203.035 202.064 6.6 -.5 -.3 1.3 .2 

Services less rent of shelter 4 ...................................................... 27.577 280.014 279.896 1.6 .0 .3 .4 .2 

Services less medical care services ............................................ 55.679 248.075 247.793 .7 -.1 .2 .1 .1 

Energy .......................................................................................... 7.624 204.026 202.301 18.2 -.8 1.5 4.1 .2 

All items less energy .................................................................... 92.376 219.291 219.048 1.4 -.1 .2 .0 .1 

All items less food and energy ................................................... 77.746 220.384 220.025 1.8 -.2 .2 .0 .1 

Commodities less food and energy commodities ..................... 21.461 143.871 143.383 3.0 -.3 .4 .2 .2 

Energy commodities ............................................................... 3.465 231.226 228.186 46.5 -1.3 1.9 6.3 .5 

Services less energy services .................................................. 56.285 266.488 266.237 1.4 -.1 .1 .0 .1 

Purchasing power of the consumer dollar (1982-84=$1.00) ........ -

 $ .462 $ .463 - - - - -

Purchasing power of the consumer dollar (1967=$1.00) ............. -

 $ .154 $ .155 - - - - -

1 Not seasonally adjusted. 2 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base. 3 This index series was calculated using a Laspeyres estimator. All other

item stratum index series were calculated using a geometric means estimator. 4 Indexes on a December 1982=100 base. 5 This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 2010.

 The expenditure class will include weight from secondary residences, and

will be re-titled Owners’ equivalent rent of residences. The item stratum

Owners’ equivalent rent of primary residences, which prior to January, 2010 is

identical to the EC, will be published as well. 6 Indexes on a December 1988=100 base. 7 Indexes on a December 2007=100 base. - Data not available.

NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
Table 2. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): Seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by expenditure category

and commodity and service group

(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

CPI-U

Seasonally adjusted indexes Seasonally adjusted annual rate percent

change for

3 months ended— 6 months

ended—

Sep.

2009

Oct.

2009

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Mar.

2009

June

2009

Sep.

2009

Dec.

2009 June

2009

Dec.

2009

Expenditure category

All items .............................................................................. 215.791 216.385 217.250 217.541 2.2 3.3 2.5 3.3 2.7 2.9 

Food and beverages ......................................................... 217.670 217.830 218.011 218.399 -.7 -1.3 -.8 1.3 -1.0 .3 

Food ................................................................................ 217.257 217.377 217.511 217.921 -.8 -1.5 -1.1 1.2 -1.1 .1 

Food at home ................................................................ 213.298 213.338 213.257 213.869 -3.6 -4.0 -3.1 1.1 -3.8 -1.0 

Cereals and bakery products ...................................... 251.711 251.814 252.151 253.590 -2.8 -3.6 .2 3.0 -3.2 1.6 

Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..................................... 200.583 200.128 200.815 200.845 -4.3 -4.0 -7.2 .5 -4.1 -3.4 

Dairy and related products 1 ....................................... 193.353 195.360 193.914 194.792 -19.5 -10.6 -1.7 3.0 -15.2 .6 

Fruits and vegetables .................................................. 270.064 268.276 268.645 269.445 -2.8 .4 -8.5 -.9 -1.2 -4.8 

Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials ....... 162.981 162.638 162.133 162.492 1.9 -4.3 .0 -1.2 -1.3 -.6 

Other food at home ..................................................... 190.598 191.178 190.887 191.514 1.3 -3.7 -.1 1.9 -1.2 .9 

Sugar and sweets ..................................................... 197.000 197.535 198.855 199.588 6.6 -1.0 .4 5.4 2.8 2.8 

Fats and oils .............................................................. 199.971 199.118 198.430 200.387 -10.6 -5.7 -2.2 .8 -8.2 -.7 

Other foods ............................................................... 204.773 205.645 205.047 205.494 2.3 -3.9 .2 1.4 -.8 .8 

Other miscellaneous foods 1 2 ................................ 122.099 122.112 121.263 122.422 -4.4 -.6 -.4 1.1 -2.5 .3 

Food away from home 1 ............................................... 224.003 224.224 224.633 224.789 2.8 1.7 1.5 1.4 2.3 1.5 

Other food away from home 1 2 .................................. 157.302 157.056 157.027 156.990 .9 3.7 3.8 -.8 2.3 1.5 

Alcoholic beverages ........................................................ 221.709 222.394 223.175 223.283 .3 1.4 2.9 2.9 .9 2.9 

Housing ............................................................................. 216.770 216.964 216.918 216.991 -.5 -.6 -.4 .4 -.6 .0 

Shelter ............................................................................. 249.655 249.678 249.122 249.202 .6 1.6 -.3 -.7 1.1 -.5 

Rent of primary residence 3 .......................................... 249.132 248.868 248.682 248.646 2.6 1.4 -.4 -.8 2.0 -.6 

Lodging away from home 2 ........................................... 134.342 134.890 132.806 133.421 -19.1 3.6 -.5 -2.7 -8.5 -1.6 

Owners’ equivalent rent of primary residence 3 4 5 ...... 256.911 256.900 256.582 256.535 2.5 1.4 -.4 -.6 1.9 -.5 

Tenants’ and household insurance 1 2 ......................... 122.170 122.184 122.243 123.812 2.4 1.2 3.6 5.5 1.8 4.6 

Fuels and utilities ............................................................ 207.172 209.580 212.681 212.768 -8.5 -14.0 1.6 11.3 -11.3 6.3 

Household energy ......................................................... 183.627 185.931 189.255 189.220 -10.9 -18.1 .2 12.8 -14.6 6.3 

Fuel oil and other fuels ................................................ 233.497 247.530 265.477 269.859 -39.5 -12.3 16.6 78.4 -27.1 44.2 

Gas (piped) and electricity 3 ....................................... 188.979 190.725 193.374 193.089 -8.5 -18.5 -.8 9.0 -13.6 4.0 

Water and sewer and trash collection services 2 .......... 163.402 164.675 164.990 165.478 3.0 6.7 7.7 5.2 4.9 6.4 

Household furnishings and operations ............................ 128.455 127.790 127.445 127.490 1.6 .0 -3.0 -3.0 .8 -3.0 

Household operations 1 2 ............................................. 150.437 150.184 150.135 150.172 .6 -2.4 1.2 -.7 -.9 .2 

Apparel .............................................................................. 120.931 120.505 120.097 120.524 5.3 1.5 2.5 -1.3 3.3 .6 

Men’s and boys’ apparel ................................................. 112.991 112.329 111.473 111.343 17.3 -6.7 -3.5 -5.7 4.6 -4.6 

Women’s and girls’ apparel ............................................. 109.688 109.020 108.138 109.087 1.4 6.9 4.9 -2.2 4.1 1.3 

Infants’ and toddlers’ apparel .......................................... 116.350 114.644 114.155 113.603 .1 7.8 2.4 -9.1 3.9 -3.5 

Footwear ......................................................................... 127.603 127.894 128.799 128.948 3.2 3.0 3.7 4.3 3.1 4.0 

Transportation ................................................................... 184.750 187.276 191.582 192.384 8.8 19.9 13.9 17.6 14.2 15.7 

Private transportation ...................................................... 180.352 182.877 187.044 187.697 11.1 22.3 13.2 17.3 16.5 15.3 

New and used motor vehicles 2 .................................... 93.605 95.229 96.038 96.339 3.1 5.4 1.6 12.2 4.2 6.8 

New vehicles ............................................................... 135.574 137.777 138.654 138.288 7.0 6.6 -1.8 8.3 6.8 3.1 

Used cars and trucks .................................................. 128.153 132.456 135.093 138.485 -15.3 7.2 14.6 36.4 -4.7 25.0 

Motor fuel ...................................................................... 223.273 226.932 241.049 242.124 37.4 88.1 44.3 38.3 60.7 41.3 

Gasoline (all types) ..................................................... 223.146 226.688 241.196 241.693 47.4 91.6 42.8 37.6 68.1 40.2 

Motor vehicle parts and equipment 1 ............................ 133.406 133.650 134.234 134.781 4.3 -.6 -2.5 4.2 1.8 .8 

Motor vehicle maintenance and repair 1 ....................... 244.493 245.393 245.511 245.417 4.7 .9 3.0 1.5 2.8 2.3 

Public transportation ....................................................... 239.281 241.437 247.709 251.194 -17.1 -8.8 23.5 21.5 -13.1 22.4 

Medical care ...................................................................... 378.555 379.229 380.284 380.726 4.0 3.6 3.6 2.3 3.8 3.0 

Medical care commodities .............................................. 308.016 308.780 308.873 308.691 5.0 3.2 4.3 .9 4.1 2.6 

Medical care services ..................................................... 400.180 400.797 402.252 402.959 3.6 3.8 3.4 2.8 3.7 3.1 

Professional services .................................................... 321.405 322.067 322.625 323.022 1.7 3.7 2.6 2.0 2.7 2.3 

Hospital and related services 3 ..................................... 575.812 577.133 581.557 584.470 8.8 6.0 7.3 6.2 7.4 6.7 

See footnotes at end of table.
Table 2. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): Seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by expenditure category

and commodity and service group-Continued

(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

CPI-U

Seasonally adjusted indexes Seasonally adjusted annual rate percent

change for

3 months ended— 6 months

ended—

Sep.

2009

Oct.

2009

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Mar.

2009

June

2009

Sep.

2009

Dec.

2009 June

2009

Dec.

2009

Expenditure category

Recreation 2 ...................................................................... 114.585 114.155 113.937 113.536 1.8 0.3 0.0 -3.6 1.0 -1.8

Video and audio 2 ........................................................... 100.824 100.191 100.491 100.423 -2.1 1.1 -4.2 -1.6 -.5 -2.9 

Education and communication 2 ....................................... 128.074 128.285 128.226 128.513 2.9 2.9 2.2 1.4 2.9 1.8 

Education 2 ..................................................................... 192.711 193.313 193.780 194.536 5.0 5.7 4.2 3.8 5.3 4.0 

Educational books and supplies ................................... 490.667 491.662 495.958 497.406 4.7 8.6 8.7 5.6 6.6 7.2 

Tuition, other school fees, and childcare ...................... 553.955 555.733 556.799 559.016 5.0 5.5 3.9 3.7 5.2 3.8 

Communication 2 ............................................................ 85.040 85.054 84.771 84.818 .8 .2 .3 -1.0 .5 -.4 

Information and information processing 1 2 .................. 81.969 81.978 81.688 81.728 .7 -.5 .3 -1.2 .1 -.4 

Telephone services 1 2 ............................................... 102.968 102.891 102.528 102.707 1.2 .8 3.1 -1.0 1.0 1.0 

Information technology, hardware and services 1 6 .... 9.467 9.501 9.467 9.423 -1.4 -5.6 -10.4 -1.8 -3.5 -6.2 

Personal computers and peripheral equipment 1 7 ... 77.997 78.213 78.077 77.960 -10.1 -12.1 -23.8 -.2 -11.1 -12.8 

Other goods and services ................................................. 374.442 375.427 377.051 377.645 13.5 10.9 4.6 3.5 12.2 4.0 

Tobacco and smoking products 1 ................................... 771.089 773.758 781.538 783.794 61.2 45.9 14.0 6.8 53.4 10.3 

Personal care .................................................................. 204.919 205.394 205.839 206.060 1.6 .8 1.4 2.2 1.2 1.8 

Personal care products 1 .............................................. 162.372 162.257 161.753 162.275 3.3 -1.0 .2 -.2 1.1 .0 

Personal care services 1 ............................................... 228.286 228.465 228.358 228.343 3.0 -.7 1.3 .1 1.1 .7 

Miscellaneous personal services .................................. 344.770 347.750 349.831 350.097 .4 2.1 1.9 6.3 1.2 4.1 

Commodity and service group

Commodities ....................................................................... 171.666 172.529 174.046 174.400 4.5 7.9 4.2 6.5 6.2 5.3 

Food and beverages ......................................................... 217.670 217.830 218.011 218.399 -.7 -1.3 -.8 1.3 -1.0 .3 

Commodities less food and beverages ............................. 147.347 148.472 150.490 150.818 8.0 14.2 7.3 9.8 11.0 8.5 

Nondurables less food and beverages ........................... 186.349 184.873 190.103 189.831 13.9 21.0 17.2 7.7 17.4 12.4 

Apparel .......................................................................... 120.931 120.505 120.097 120.524 5.3 1.5 2.5 -1.3 3.3 .6 

Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .......... 231.087 228.965 237.827 237.433 16.8 30.7 21.2 11.4 23.5 16.2 

Durables .......................................................................... 109.714 110.882 111.316 111.631 .2 3.5 -.9 7.2 1.8 3.1 

Services .............................................................................. 259.617 259.979 260.154 260.354 .8 .3 1.3 1.1 .5 1.2 

Rent of shelter 4 ................................................................ 260.233 260.293 259.821 260.009 .1 1.4 -.1 -.3 .8 -.2 

Tenants’ and household insurance 1 2 ............................. 122.170 122.184 122.243 123.812 2.4 1.2 3.6 5.5 1.8 4.6 

Gas (piped) and electricity 3 ............................................. 188.979 190.725 193.374 193.089 -8.5 -18.5 -.8 9.0 -13.6 4.0 

Water and sewer and trash collection services 2 .............. 163.402 164.675 164.990 165.478 3.0 6.7 7.7 5.2 4.9 6.4 

Household operations 1 2 ................................................. 150.437 150.184 150.135 150.172 .6 -2.4 1.2 -.7 -.9 .2 

Transportation services ..................................................... 253.146 254.265 255.797 256.652 2.4 .4 7.4 5.7 1.4 6.5 

Medical care services ....................................................... 400.180 400.797 402.252 402.959 3.6 3.8 3.4 2.8 3.7 3.1 

Other services ................................................................... 305.795 305.965 306.142 306.447 2.9 2.2 2.5 .9 2.6 1.7 

Special indexes

All items less food ............................................................... 215.582 216.253 217.238 217.509 2.7 4.1 3.1 3.6 3.4 3.4 

All items less shelter ........................................................... 204.951 205.779 207.221 207.600 2.9 4.2 3.9 5.3 3.6 4.6 

All items less medical care .................................................. 207.735 208.320 209.170 209.452 2.0 3.3 2.4 3.3 2.7 2.9 

Commodities less food ........................................................ 149.975 151.091 153.080 153.403 7.6 13.6 7.1 9.5 10.6 8.3 

Nondurables less food ........................................................ 188.493 187.110 191.970 191.841 12.7 19.6 16.1 7.3 16.1 11.6 

Nondurables less food and apparel .................................... 229.166 227.347 235.089 234.996 15.0 27.5 19.3 10.6 21.1 14.9 

Nondurables ........................................................................ 202.076 201.442 204.139 204.512 5.7 8.5 7.4 4.9 7.1 6.1 

Services less rent of shelter 4 ............................................. 278.770 279.601 280.784 281.453 .7 -1.6 3.7 3.9 -.5 3.8 

Services less medical care services ................................... 248.397 248.834 249.009 249.344 .2 -.4 1.4 1.5 -.1 1.5 

Energy ................................................................................. 200.959 203.889 212.326 212.819 7.9 22.1 21.1 25.8 14.8 23.4 

All items less energy ........................................................... 219.012 219.367 219.450 219.722 1.7 1.8 .9 1.3 1.7 1.1 

All items less food and energy .......................................... 220.053 220.453 220.527 220.774 2.2 2.4 1.3 1.3 2.3 1.3 

Commodities less food and energy commodities ........... 142.624 143.240 143.505 143.737 3.8 4.1 .9 3.2 3.9 2.0 

Energy commodities ..................................................... 225.260 229.490 243.900 245.156 29.1 79.3 42.6 40.3 52.1 41.4 

Services less energy services ......................................... 266.830 267.058 266.992 267.240 1.5 1.8 1.4 .6 1.7 1.0 

1 Not seasonally adjusted. 2 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base. 3 This index series was calculated using a Laspeyres estimator. All other

item stratum index series were calculated using a geometric means

estimator. 4 Indexes on a December 1982=100 base. 5 This index series will undergo a change in composition in January,

2010. The expenditure class will include weight from secondary residences,

and will be re-titled Owners’ equivalent rent of residences. The item stratum

Owners’ equivalent rent of primary residences, which prior to January, 2010

is identical to the EC, will be published as well. 6 Indexes on a December 1988=100 base. 7 Indexes on a December 2007=100 base.

NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
Table 3. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): Selected areas, all items index 

(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

CPI-U

All items 

Pricing

schedule 1

Indexes Percent change to

Dec.2009 from—

Percent change to

Nov.2009 from—

Sep.

2009

Oct.

2009

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2008

Oct.

2009

Nov.

2009

Nov.

2008

Sep.

2009

Oct.

2009

U.S. city average ............................................ M 215.969 216.177 216.330 215.949 2.7 -0.1 -0.2 1.8 0.2 0.1 

Region and area size2

Northeast urban .............................................. M 231.200 231.304 231.708 231.462 2.8 .1 -.1 2.0 .2 .2 

Size A - More than 1,500,000 ..................... M 233.695 233.415 233.785 233.475 2.5 .0 -.1 1.8 .0 .2 

Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 3 ................ M 136.691 137.348 137.646 137.597 3.6 .2 .0 2.4 .7 .2 

Midwest urban ................................................ M 205.601 205.706 206.247 205.613 3.0 .0 -.3 2.2 .3 .3 

Size A - More than 1,500,000 ..................... M 206.459 206.625 207.277 206.399 3.0 -.1 -.4 2.1 .4 .3 

Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 3 ................ M 131.812 131.724 131.952 131.742 2.9 .0 -.2 2.3 .1 .2 

Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than

50,000) ............................................... M 201.918 202.499 203.047 202.738 3.8 .1 -.2 2.6 .6 .3 

South urban .................................................... M 208.912 209.292 209.738 209.476 2.9 .1 -.1 2.0 .4 .2 

Size A - More than 1,500,000 ..................... M 211.212 211.152 211.424 210.971 2.2 -.1 -.2 1.3 .1 .1 

Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 3 ................ M 132.722 133.035 133.342 133.252 3.2 .2 -.1 2.3 .5 .2 

Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than

50,000) ............................................... M 210.911 212.423 213.372 213.159 4.3 .3 -.1 3.2 1.2 .4 

West urban ..................................................... M 220.294 220.447 219.728 219.307 2.2 -.5 -.2 1.2 -.3 -.3 

Size A - More than 1,500,000 ..................... M 224.412 224.372 223.489 223.058 2.0 -.6 -.2 1.2 -.4 -.4 

Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 3 ................ M 133.128 133.618 133.335 133.132 2.6 -.4 -.2 1.4 .2 -.2 

Size classes

A 4 .............................................................. M 197.724 197.670 197.697 197.246 2.4 -.2 -.2 1.6 .0 .0 

B/C 3 ........................................................... M 133.165 133.489 133.663 133.535 3.1 .0 -.1 2.1 .4 .1 

D ................................................................. M 208.503 209.139 209.567 209.192 3.4 .0 -.2 2.3 .5 .2 

Selected local areas5

Chicago-Gary-Kenosha, IL-IN-WI ................... M 211.345 211.708 212.206 211.185 2.5 -.2 -.5 1.5 .4 .2 

Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CA ... M 225.226 225.264 224.317 223.643 1.8 -.7 -.3 .9 -.4 -.4 

New York-Northern N.J.-Long Island,

NY-NJ-CT-PA ......................................... M 238.568 238.380 238.777 238.427 2.3 .0 -.1 1.8 .1 .2 

Boston-Brockton-Nashua, MA-NH-ME-CT ..... 1 236.596 -

 236.589 - - - - 1.8 .0 -

Cleveland-Akron, OH ...................................... 1 201.836 - 201.471 - - - - 1.7 -.2 -

Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ..................................... 1 201.802 -

 201.958 - - - - 1.0 .1 -

Washington-Baltimore, DC-MD-VA-WV 6 ...... 1 140.945 - 140.718 - - - - 1.6 -.2 -

Atlanta, GA ..................................................... 2 -

 201.068 - 200.456 1.8 -.3 - - - -

Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, MI .............................. 2 -

 205.079 - 203.880 3.0 -.6 - - - -

Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .................... 2 - 191.608 - 190.932 2.7 -.4 - - - -

Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ............................. 2 -

 222.416 - 222.943 2.1 .2 - - - -

Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City,

PA-NJ-DE-MD ........................................ 2 -

 224.787 - 224.800 3.0 .0 - - - -

San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA ........... 2 -

 226.051 - 224.239 2.6 -.8 - - - -

Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, WA .................... 2 - 226.277 - 225.596 1.4 -.3 - - - -

1 Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all areas; 

 most other goods and services priced as indicated: 

 M - Every month. 

 1 - January, March, May, July, September, and November. 

 2 - February, April, June, August, October, and December. 2 Regions defined as the four Census regions. See technical notes. 3 Indexes on a December 1996=100 base. 4 Indexes on a December 1986=100 base. 5 In addition, the following metropolitan areas are published semiannually

and appear in Tables 34 and 39 of the January and July issues of the CPI

Detailed Report: Anchorage, AK; Cincinnati-Hamilton, OH-KY-IN;

Denver-Boulder-Greeley, CO; Honolulu, HI; Kansas City, MO-KS;

Milwaukee-Racine, WI; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI; Phoenix-Mesa, AZ;

Pittsburgh, PA; Portland-Salem, OR-WA; St. Louis, MO-IL; San Diego, CA;

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL. 6 Indexes on a November 1996=100 base. - Data not available.

 

NOTE: Local area indexes are byproducts of the national CPI program. 

Each local index has a smaller sample size than the national index and is,

therefore, subject to substantially more sampling and other measurement

error. As a result, local area indexes show greater volatility than the national

index, although their long-term trends are similar. Therefore, the Bureau of

Labor Statistics strongly urges users to consider adopting the national

average CPI for use in their escalator clauses. 

NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
Table 4. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category

and commodity and service group

(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

CPI-W

Relative

importance,

December

2008

Unadjusted

indexes

Unadjusted

percent change to

Dec. 2009 from—

Seasonally adjusted

percent change from—

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2008

Nov.

2009

Sep. to

Oct.

Oct. to

Nov.

Nov. to

Dec.

Expenditure category

All items ........................................................................................ 100.000 212.003 211.703 3.4 -0.1 0.3 0.5 0.2 

All items (1967=100) .................................................................... -

 631.491 630.600 - - - - -

Food and beverages .................................................................. 16.942 216.853 217.186 -.5 .2 .1 .1 .2 

Food ......................................................................................... 15.865 216.305 216.679 -.7 .2 .1 .0 .2 

Food at home ......................................................................... 9.201 211.488 212.041 -2.5 .3 .1 -.1 .3 

Cereals and bakery products ............................................... 1.249 251.376 251.570 -.9 .1 .1 .2 .5 

Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .............................................. 2.315 200.709 200.623 -3.8 .0 -.1 .3 .1 

Dairy and related products 1 ................................................ .992 192.695 193.546 -7.8 .4 1.1 -.7 .4 

Fruits and vegetables ........................................................... 1.266 267.049 270.279 -3.1 1.2 -.7 -.1 .4 

Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials ................ 1.167 160.619 160.745 -.9 .1 -.1 -.4 .3 

Other food at home .............................................................. 2.212 188.868 189.197 -.2 .2 .3 -.2 .3 

Sugar and sweets .............................................................. .304 197.031 197.258 2.7 .1 .2 .8 .2 

Fats and oils ....................................................................... .274 197.400 198.165 -4.5 .4 -.2 -.4 1.0 

Other foods ........................................................................ 1.634 203.664 203.972 .0 .2 .4 -.4 .3 

Other miscellaneous foods 1 2 ......................................... .472 121.647 122.796 -1.1 .9 .1 -.8 .9 

Food away from home 1 ......................................................... 6.664 224.815 224.940 1.9 .1 .1 .2 .1 

Other food away from home 1 2 ........................................... .233 156.853 156.830 2.1 .0 -.1 .0 .0 

Alcoholic beverages ................................................................. 1.077 223.445 223.168 2.2 -.1 .3 .6 .0 

Housing ...................................................................................... 41.313 212.327 212.142 -.1 -.1 .1 .0 .0 

Shelter ...................................................................................... 31.224 242.159 241.991 .5 -.1 .0 -.2 .0 

Rent of primary residence 3 ................................................... 8.279 247.361 247.465 .6 .0 -.1 -.1 .0 

Lodging away from home 2 .................................................... 1.209 127.061 124.222 -4.4 -2.2 .5 -1.2 .1 

Owners’ equivalent rent of primary residence 3 4 5 ................ 21.430 232.635 232.603 .7 .0 .0 -.1 .0 

Tenants’ and household insurance 1 2 ................................... .306 122.830 124.415 3.4 1.3 .1 .1 1.3 

Fuels and utilities ..................................................................... 6.030 207.530 207.329 -3.1 -.1 1.0 1.4 .0 

Household energy .................................................................. 4.996 182.994 182.701 -4.9 -.2 1.1 1.7 .0 

Fuel oil and other fuels ......................................................... .283 262.340 265.130 1.9 1.1 6.2 7.0 1.6 

Gas (piped) and electricity 3 ................................................. 4.713 187.572 187.125 -5.3 -.2 .8 1.4 -.1 

Water and sewer and trash collection services 2 ................... 1.035 165.509 165.808 5.7 .2 .8 .2 .3 

Household furnishings and operations ..................................... 4.059 123.448 123.187 -.9 -.2 -.5 -.3 .0 

Household operations 1 2 ....................................................... .360 152.747 152.486 -.2 -.2 -.2 -.4 -.2 

Apparel ....................................................................................... 3.979 122.228 118.984 1.7 -2.7 -.6 -.4 .2 

Men’s and boys’ apparel .......................................................... 1.024 114.091 110.856 -.3 -2.8 -1.0 -1.0 -.4 

Women’s and girls’ apparel ...................................................... 1.568 111.039 107.819 2.3 -2.9 -1.1 -.8 .8 

Infants’ and toddlers’ apparel ................................................... .249 119.272 115.754 .7 -2.9 -1.7 -.3 -.4 

Footwear .................................................................................. .840 130.682 128.637 3.6 -1.6 .3 .4 .2 

Transportation ............................................................................ 17.067 186.928 186.839 16.1 .0 1.6 2.5 .6 

Private transportation ............................................................... 16.284 183.680 183.565 16.7 -.1 1.6 2.5 .6 

New and used motor vehicles 2 ............................................. 7.627 94.338 95.072 6.2 .8 2.1 1.1 .7 

New vehicles ........................................................................ 4.057 139.952 139.962 5.0 .0 1.6 .7 -.3 

Used cars and trucks ........................................................... 2.863 134.977 138.242 9.3 2.4 3.4 2.0 2.6 

Motor fuel ............................................................................... 4.029 228.871 225.584 50.7 -1.4 1.8 6.2 .5 

Gasoline (all types) .............................................................. 3.770 228.598 225.223 53.6 -1.5 1.7 6.3 .5 

Motor vehicle parts and equipment 1 ..................................... .482 134.346 134.892 1.2 .4 .2 .4 .4 

Motor vehicle maintenance and repair 1 ................................ 1.242 247.972 247.812 2.5 -.1 .4 .1 -.1 

Public transportation ................................................................ .784 242.698 243.453 3.5 .3 .9 2.4 1.2 

Medical care ............................................................................... 5.355 380.295 380.302 3.5 .0 .1 .3 .1 

Medical care commodities ........................................................ 1.320 299.972 299.777 3.3 -.1 .2 .1 -.1 

Medical care services ............................................................... 4.035 403.695 403.791 3.6 .0 .1 .4 .2 

Professional services ............................................................. 2.234 324.382 324.763 2.6 .1 .2 .2 .1 

Hospital and related services 3 .............................................. 1.338 580.048 580.567 7.5 .1 .1 .9 .5 

See footnotes at end of table.
Table 4. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category

and commodity and service group-Continued

(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

CPI-W

Relative

importance,

December

2008

Unadjusted

indexes

Unadjusted

percent change to

Dec. 2009 from—

Seasonally adjusted

percent change from—

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2008

Nov.

2009

Sep. to

Oct.

Oct. to

Nov.

Nov. to

Dec.

Expenditure category

Recreation 2 ............................................................................... 5.454 110.401 109.851 -0.6 -0.5 -0.4 -0.2 -0.3 

Video and audio 2 .................................................................... 1.982 100.681 100.400 -1.4 -.3 -.6 .3 .0 

Education and communication 2 ................................................ 6.221 124.100 124.156 1.9 .0 .1 -.1 .2 

Education 2 .............................................................................. 2.527 192.776 192.760 4.6 .0 .3 .4 .3 

Educational books and supplies ............................................. .219 498.627 499.478 6.9 .2 .1 .8 .3 

Tuition, other school fees, and childcare ................................ 2.308 542.174 542.036 4.3 .0 .4 .3 .3 

Communication 2 ..................................................................... 3.694 87.468 87.541 .1 .1 .0 -.4 .1 

Information and information processing 1 2 ............................ 3.568 85.331 85.404 -.1 .1 .0 -.4 .1 

Telephone services 1 2 ......................................................... 2.965 102.413 102.585 .9 .2 -.1 -.4 .2 

Information technology, hardware and services 1 6 ............. .604 9.969 9.935 -4.5 -.3 .2 -.3 -.3 

Personal computers and peripheral equipment 1 7 ............ .202 77.926 77.821 -11.7 -.1 .1 .0 -.1 

Other goods and services .......................................................... 3.668 403.178 403.970 11.3 .2 .2 .5 .2 

Tobacco and smoking products 1 ............................................ 1.267 786.541 789.173 30.3 .3 .3 1.0 .3 

Personal care ........................................................................... 2.401 203.245 203.454 1.3 .1 .2 .2 .1 

Personal care products 1 ....................................................... .662 161.784 162.231 .6 .3 .0 -.3 .3 

Personal care services 1 ........................................................ .580 228.614 228.614 .9 .0 .1 .0 .0 

Miscellaneous personal services ........................................... .947 350.046 349.851 2.1 -.1 .6 .4 .1 

Commodity and service group

Commodities ................................................................................ 42.689 175.563 175.127 6.6 -.2 .6 1.0 .3 

Food and beverages .................................................................. 16.942 216.853 217.186 -.5 .2 .1 .1 .2 

Commodities less food and beverages ...................................... 25.747 153.273 152.532 11.3 -.5 .9 1.6 .3 

Nondurables less food and beverages ..................................... 14.587 195.926 193.667 17.5 -1.2 -.9 2.9 .1 

Apparel ................................................................................... 3.979 122.228 118.984 1.7 -2.7 -.6 -.4 .2 

Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .................... 10.609 246.085 244.413 23.4 -.7 -1.1 4.1 .0 

Durables ................................................................................... 11.160 111.575 112.165 3.3 .5 1.4 .6 .5 

Services ....................................................................................... 57.311 254.663 254.519 .9 -.1 .1 .1 .1 

Rent of shelter 4 ......................................................................... 30.918 233.436 233.241 .5 -.1 .0 -.1 .0 

Tenants’ and household insurance 1 2 ....................................... .306 122.830 124.415 3.4 1.3 .1 .1 1.3 

Gas (piped) and electricity 3 ....................................................... 4.713 187.572 187.125 -5.3 -.2 .8 1.4 -.1 

Water and sewer and trash collection services 2 ....................... 1.035 165.509 165.808 5.7 .2 .8 .2 .3 

Household operations 1 2 ........................................................... .360 152.747 152.486 -.2 -.2 -.2 -.4 -.2 

Transportation services .............................................................. 5.512 255.871 256.007 4.1 .1 .5 .4 .3 

Medical care services ................................................................. 4.035 403.695 403.791 3.6 .0 .1 .4 .2 

Other services ............................................................................ 10.432 293.624 293.470 1.8 -.1 .0 .0 .1 

Special indexes

All items less food ........................................................................ 84.135 211.055 210.639 4.1 -.2 .4 .6 .2 

All items less shelter .................................................................... 68.776 203.301 202.951 4.7 -.2 .5 .8 .2 

All items less medical care ........................................................... 94.645 205.106 204.800 3.4 -.1 .3 .5 .2 

Commodities less food ................................................................. 26.824 155.650 154.918 11.0 -.5 .9 1.6 .3 

Nondurables less food ................................................................. 15.664 197.644 195.487 16.4 -1.1 -.9 2.7 .1 

Nondurables less food and apparel ............................................. 11.686 243.061 241.513 21.4 -.6 -1.0 3.8 .0 

Nondurables ................................................................................. 31.530 206.876 205.823 7.8 -.5 -.3 1.4 .2 

Services less rent of shelter 4 ...................................................... 26.392 247.237 247.174 1.4 .0 .3 .4 .2 

Services less medical care services ............................................ 53.275 243.991 243.838 .7 -.1 .2 .1 .1 

Energy .......................................................................................... 9.024 204.196 202.398 20.0 -.9 1.5 4.2 .3 

All items less energy .................................................................... 90.976 213.895 213.780 1.7 -.1 .2 .1 .1 

All items less food and energy ................................................... 75.111 213.787 213.572 2.2 -.1 .2 .1 .1 

Commodities less food and energy commodities ..................... 22.513 145.595 145.253 4.0 -.2 .5 .3 .3 

Energy commodities ............................................................... 4.311 231.371 228.303 47.5 -1.3 2.0 6.2 .6 

Services less energy services .................................................. 52.598 261.979 261.871 1.5 .0 .1 .0 .1 

Purchasing power of the consumer dollar (1982-84=$1.00) ........ -

 $ .472 $ .472 - - - - -

Purchasing power of the consumer dollar (1967=$1.00) ............. -

 $ .158 $ .159 - - - - -

1 Not seasonally adjusted. 2 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base. 3 This index series was calculated using a Laspeyres estimator. All other

item stratum index series were calculated using a geometric means estimator. 4 Indexes on a December 1984=100 base 5 This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 2010.

 The expenditure class will include weight from secondary residences, and

will be re-titled Owners’ equivalent rent of residences. The item stratum

Owners’ equivalent rent of primary residences, which prior to January, 2010 is

identical to the EC, will be published as well. 6 Indexes on a December 1988=100 base. 7 Indexes on a December 2007=100 base. - Data not available.

NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
Table 5. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): Seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by

expenditure category and commodity and service group

(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

CPI-W

Seasonally adjusted indexes Seasonally adjusted annual rate percent

change for

3 months ended— 6 months

ended—

Sep.

2009

Oct.

2009

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Mar.

2009

June

2009

Sep.

2009

Dec.

2009 June

2009

Dec.

2009

Expenditure category

All items .............................................................................. 211.136 211.842 212.929 213.280 2.6 4.2 3.1 4.1 3.4 3.6 

Food and beverages ......................................................... 216.778 217.027 217.157 217.591 -1.1 -1.4 -1.0 1.5 -1.2 .3 

Food ................................................................................ 216.317 216.531 216.578 217.034 -1.1 -1.6 -1.2 1.3 -1.4 .1 

Food at home ................................................................ 212.018 212.185 211.957 212.652 -3.9 -3.9 -3.3 1.2 -3.9 -1.1 

Cereals and bakery products ...................................... 252.195 252.524 252.985 254.226 -2.9 -3.6 .0 3.3 -3.3 1.6 

Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..................................... 199.912 199.773 200.285 200.521 -4.4 -4.5 -7.5 1.2 -4.4 -3.2 

Dairy and related products 1 ....................................... 192.048 194.120 192.695 193.546 -20.8 -10.0 -1.8 3.2 -15.6 .7 

Fruits and vegetables .................................................. 268.099 266.270 266.091 267.226 -4.1 1.5 -8.1 -1.3 -1.3 -4.8 

Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials ....... 162.444 162.244 161.516 162.041 2.4 -4.7 -.4 -1.0 -1.2 -.7 

Other food at home ..................................................... 189.934 190.529 190.114 190.777 1.3 -3.5 -.1 1.8 -1.2 .8 

Sugar and sweets ..................................................... 195.992 196.328 197.971 198.337 6.4 -1.0 .6 4.9 2.6 2.7 

Fats and oils .............................................................. 200.499 200.113 199.349 201.266 -11.1 -5.1 -2.8 1.5 -8.1 -.7 

Other foods ............................................................... 204.911 205.775 204.972 205.549 2.5 -3.8 .2 1.3 -.7 .7 

Other miscellaneous foods 1 2 ................................ 122.496 122.676 121.647 122.796 -4.1 -1.0 -.1 1.0 -2.6 .4 

Food away from home 1 ............................................... 224.102 224.382 224.815 224.940 2.7 1.5 1.7 1.5 2.1 1.6 

Other food away from home 1 2 .................................. 157.132 156.909 156.853 156.830 1.1 2.7 5.4 -.8 1.9 2.3 

Alcoholic beverages ........................................................ 222.073 222.843 224.207 224.315 -.1 2.3 2.4 4.1 1.1 3.3 

Housing ............................................................................. 212.863 213.063 213.168 213.172 -.1 -.9 -.2 .6 -.5 .2 

Shelter ............................................................................. 242.930 242.918 242.551 242.550 1.5 1.4 -.3 -.6 1.5 -.5 

Rent of primary residence 3 .......................................... 247.669 247.420 247.158 247.122 2.4 1.3 -.5 -.9 1.9 -.7 

Lodging away from home 2 ........................................... 135.480 136.095 134.437 134.604 -18.4 3.9 .6 -2.6 -7.9 -1.0 

Owners’ equivalent rent of primary residence 3 4 5 ...... 232.761 232.770 232.516 232.468 2.5 1.3 -.3 -.5 1.9 -.4 

Tenants’ and household insurance 1 2 ......................... 122.644 122.761 122.830 124.415 2.5 1.4 3.7 5.9 2.0 4.8 

Fuels and utilities ............................................................ 206.356 208.463 211.374 211.468 -8.6 -13.5 1.7 10.3 -11.1 5.9 

Household energy ......................................................... 182.153 184.089 187.167 187.131 -10.8 -17.4 .4 11.4 -14.1 5.7 

Fuel oil and other fuels ................................................ 235.480 250.133 267.530 271.789 -37.4 -15.2 14.4 77.5 -27.1 42.5 

Gas (piped) and electricity 3 ....................................... 187.880 189.323 191.886 191.653 -9.0 -17.5 -.3 8.3 -13.3 3.9 

Water and sewer and trash collection services 2 .......... 163.808 165.178 165.484 166.028 3.0 6.7 7.7 5.5 4.8 6.6 

Household furnishings and operations ............................ 124.592 124.011 123.581 123.523 1.2 .9 -2.3 -3.4 1.1 -2.8 

Household operations 1 2 ............................................. 153.648 153.368 152.747 152.486 1.1 -1.5 2.6 -3.0 -.2 -.2 

Apparel .............................................................................. 120.949 120.228 119.712 119.916 5.4 1.6 3.3 -3.4 3.5 -.1 

Men’s and boys’ apparel ................................................. 114.131 113.038 111.949 111.545 18.2 -7.2 -1.4 -8.8 4.7 -5.2 

Women’s and girls’ apparel ............................................. 109.649 108.460 107.620 108.450 .7 5.4 7.8 -4.3 3.0 1.6 

Infants’ and toddlers’ apparel .......................................... 119.258 117.261 116.909 116.428 .3 10.5 1.9 -9.2 5.3 -3.8 

Footwear ......................................................................... 127.912 128.352 128.802 129.058 4.3 3.8 2.7 3.6 4.1 3.2 

Transportation ................................................................... 182.716 185.612 190.266 191.389 8.8 22.9 15.4 20.4 15.6 17.8 

Private transportation ...................................................... 179.519 182.415 186.999 188.056 10.1 24.4 15.1 20.4 17.0 17.7 

New and used motor vehicles 2 .................................... 91.560 93.467 94.479 95.177 -.7 5.7 4.0 16.8 2.5 10.2 

New vehicles ............................................................... 136.675 138.886 139.797 139.402 7.4 6.3 -1.6 8.2 6.8 3.2 

Used cars and trucks .................................................. 128.878 133.216 135.889 139.404 -15.6 7.6 14.6 36.9 -4.7 25.3 

Motor fuel ...................................................................... 223.652 227.788 241.798 243.107 37.7 87.8 43.1 39.6 60.8 41.3 

Gasoline (all types) ..................................................... 223.578 227.480 241.747 242.970 47.5 91.6 41.2 39.5 68.1 40.3 

Motor vehicle parts and equipment 1 ............................ 133.504 133.764 134.346 134.892 3.6 -.6 -2.3 4.2 1.5 .9 

Motor vehicle maintenance and repair 1 ....................... 246.850 247.811 247.972 247.812 4.7 .8 2.8 1.6 2.7 2.2 

Public transportation ....................................................... 237.928 240.111 245.825 248.728 -15.7 -7.1 22.7 19.4 -11.5 21.1 

Medical care ...................................................................... 379.213 379.750 380.969 381.493 4.1 3.8 3.8 2.4 3.9 3.1 

Medical care commodities .............................................. 299.487 300.144 300.393 300.215 5.3 3.1 4.0 1.0 4.2 2.5 

Medical care services ..................................................... 402.384 402.852 404.459 405.275 3.7 4.0 3.8 2.9 3.9 3.3 

Professional services .................................................... 324.248 324.921 325.479 325.907 2.0 3.7 2.7 2.1 2.9 2.4 

Hospital and related services 3 ..................................... 573.743 574.505 579.457 582.536 9.2 6.5 8.0 6.3 7.9 7.1 

See footnotes at end of table.
Table 5. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): Seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by

expenditure category and commodity and service group-Continued

(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

CPI-W

Seasonally adjusted indexes Seasonally adjusted annual rate percent

change for

3 months ended— 6 months

ended—

Sep.

2009

Oct.

2009

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Mar.

2009

June

2009

Sep.

2009

Dec.

2009 June

2009

Dec.

2009

Expenditure category

Recreation 2 ...................................................................... 111.147 110.717 110.513 110.155 1.9 0.4 -1.0 -3.5 1.1 -2.3 

Video and audio 2 ........................................................... 101.243 100.681 100.943 100.906 -2.2 1.9 -3.8 -1.3 -.2 -2.6 

Education and communication 2 ....................................... 123.601 123.757 123.682 123.919 2.2 2.2 2.2 1.0 2.2 1.6 

Education 2 ..................................................................... 189.872 190.521 191.213 191.859 4.5 5.3 4.3 4.3 4.9 4.3 

Educational books and supplies ................................... 493.984 494.705 498.822 500.439 4.5 9.2 8.7 5.3 6.8 7.0 

Tuition, other school fees, and childcare ...................... 533.704 535.632 537.333 539.156 4.4 4.9 3.9 4.1 4.7 4.0 

Communication 2 ............................................................ 87.807 87.785 87.470 87.547 .8 .2 .7 -1.2 .5 -.2 

Information and information processing 1 2 .................. 85.676 85.651 85.331 85.404 .7 -.3 .7 -1.3 .2 -.3 

Telephone services 1 2 ............................................... 102.896 102.818 102.413 102.585 1.0 .7 2.9 -1.2 .9 .8 

Information technology, hardware and services 1 6 .... 9.975 9.995 9.969 9.935 -1.1 -5.3 -9.9 -1.6 -3.2 -5.8 

Personal computers and peripheral equipment 1 7 ... 77.835 77.939 77.926 77.821 -9.5 -12.1 -23.7 -.1 -10.8 -12.7 

Other goods and services ................................................. 400.504 401.414 403.435 404.317 19.5 16.6 6.0 3.9 18.0 4.9 

Tobacco and smoking products 1 ................................... 776.198 778.650 786.541 789.173 60.9 47.8 13.5 6.9 54.2 10.1 

Personal care .................................................................. 202.795 203.135 203.463 203.748 1.2 .6 1.4 1.9 .9 1.6 

Personal care products 1 .............................................. 162.312 162.242 161.784 162.231 3.1 -.9 .4 -.2 1.1 .1 

Personal care services 1 ............................................... 228.480 228.683 228.614 228.614 2.9 -.7 1.2 .2 1.1 .7 

Miscellaneous personal services .................................. 347.345 349.308 350.699 351.197 -.2 2.0 2.2 4.5 .9 3.4 

Commodity and service group

Commodities ....................................................................... 173.885 174.960 176.765 177.274 4.8 9.6 5.4 8.0 7.2 6.7 

Food and beverages ......................................................... 216.778 217.027 217.157 217.591 -1.1 -1.4 -1.0 1.5 -1.2 .3 

Commodities less food and beverages ............................. 150.983 152.366 154.809 155.335 8.8 17.1 9.4 12.0 12.9 10.7 

Nondurables less food and beverages ........................... 194.337 192.499 197.997 198.135 17.5 27.7 17.4 8.0 22.5 12.6 

Apparel .......................................................................... 120.949 120.228 119.712 119.916 5.4 1.6 3.3 -3.4 3.5 -.1 

Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .......... 244.219 241.553 251.487 251.550 21.8 37.4 23.1 12.6 29.3 17.7 

Durables .......................................................................... 109.657 111.148 111.782 112.394 -2.0 4.2 1.1 10.4 1.0 5.6 

Services .............................................................................. 254.679 255.014 255.269 255.421 1.1 .1 1.3 1.2 .6 1.2 

Rent of shelter 4 ................................................................ 234.254 234.207 233.955 234.021 1.0 1.3 .0 -.4 1.2 -.2 

Tenants’ and household insurance 1 2 ............................. 122.644 122.761 122.830 124.415 2.5 1.4 3.7 5.9 2.0 4.8 

Gas (piped) and electricity 3 ............................................. 187.880 189.323 191.886 191.653 -9.0 -17.5 -.3 8.3 -13.3 3.9 

Water and sewer and trash collection services 2 .............. 163.808 165.178 165.484 166.028 3.0 6.7 7.7 5.5 4.8 6.6 

Household operations 1 2 ................................................. 153.648 153.368 152.747 152.486 1.1 -1.5 2.6 -3.0 -.2 -.2 

Transportation services ..................................................... 253.079 254.314 255.433 256.080 3.6 1.7 6.4 4.8 2.7 5.6 

Medical care services ....................................................... 402.384 402.852 404.459 405.275 3.7 4.0 3.8 2.9 3.9 3.3 

Other services ................................................................... 293.119 293.183 293.238 293.633 2.5 1.8 2.3 .7 2.1 1.5 

Special indexes

All items less food ............................................................... 210.036 210.827 212.095 212.428 3.3 5.3 3.9 4.6 4.3 4.3 

All items less shelter ........................................................... 201.826 202.802 204.433 204.917 3.1 5.4 4.6 6.3 4.3 5.4 

All items less medical care .................................................. 204.253 204.958 206.033 206.375 2.5 4.2 3.0 4.2 3.4 3.6 

Commodities less food ........................................................ 153.374 154.747 157.172 157.688 8.4 16.5 9.1 11.7 12.4 10.4 

Nondurables less food ........................................................ 196.084 194.368 199.584 199.746 16.3 25.7 16.6 7.7 20.9 12.0 

Nondurables less food and apparel .................................... 241.279 238.966 247.953 248.052 19.7 34.0 21.3 11.7 26.7 16.4 

Nondurables ........................................................................ 205.775 205.065 207.993 208.407 7.3 11.2 7.6 5.2 9.2 6.4 

Services less rent of shelter 4 ............................................. 246.381 247.071 248.031 248.631 .4 -1.8 3.5 3.7 -.7 3.6 

Services less medical care services ................................... 244.068 244.456 244.706 244.943 .5 -.4 1.3 1.4 .1 1.4 

Energy ................................................................................. 201.160 204.183 212.732 213.373 9.5 25.8 21.9 26.6 17.4 24.2 

All items less energy ........................................................... 213.292 213.715 213.885 214.202 1.9 2.1 1.1 1.7 2.0 1.4 

All items less food and energy .......................................... 213.059 213.524 213.720 214.009 2.6 2.9 1.6 1.8 2.7 1.7 

Commodities less food and energy commodities ........... 143.992 144.772 145.230 145.626 3.7 5.4 2.2 4.6 4.5 3.4 

Energy commodities ..................................................... 225.279 229.848 244.063 245.494 31.6 80.9 41.7 41.0 54.3 41.4 

Services less energy services ......................................... 261.962 262.166 262.150 262.346 2.1 1.8 1.4 .6 2.0 1.0 

1 Not seasonally adjusted. 2 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base. 3 This index series was calculated using a Laspeyres estimator. All other

item stratum index series were calculated using a geometric means

estimator. 4 Indexes on a December 1984=100 base 5 This index series will undergo a change in composition in January,

2010. The expenditure class will include weight from secondary residences,

and will be re-titled Owners’ equivalent rent of residences. The item stratum

Owners’ equivalent rent of primary residences, which prior to January, 2010

is identical to the EC, will be published as well. 6 Indexes on a December 1988=100 base. 7 Indexes on a December 2007=100 base.

NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
Table 6. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): Selected areas, all items index 

(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

CPI-W

All items 

Pricing

schedule 1

Indexes Percent change to

Dec.2009 from—

Percent change to

Nov.2009 from—

Sep.

2009

Oct.

2009

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2008

Oct.

2009

Nov.

2009

Nov.

2008

Sep.

2009

Oct.

2009

U.S. city average ............................................ M 211.322 211.549 212.003 211.703 3.4 0.1 -0.1 2.3 0.3 0.2 

Region and area size2

Northeast urban .............................................. M 228.158 228.193 229.048 228.794 3.3 .3 -.1 2.4 .4 .4 

Size A - More than 1,500,000 ..................... M 229.067 228.720 229.541 229.180 2.9 .2 -.2 2.2 .2 .4 

Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 3 ................ M 137.400 137.959 138.527 138.522 4.2 .4 .0 2.8 .8 .4 

Midwest urban ................................................ M 200.658 200.781 201.553 200.999 3.6 .1 -.3 2.7 .4 .4 

Size A - More than 1,500,000 ..................... M 200.566 200.730 201.626 200.820 3.5 .0 -.4 2.5 .5 .4 

Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 3 ................ M 131.497 131.420 131.823 131.639 3.6 .2 -.1 2.8 .2 .3 

Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than

50,000) ............................................... M 199.416 200.053 200.748 200.471 4.2 .2 -.1 2.9 .7 .3 

South urban .................................................... M 205.726 206.121 206.859 206.716 3.7 .3 -.1 2.5 .6 .4 

Size A - More than 1,500,000 ..................... M 208.677 208.577 209.161 208.788 2.8 .1 -.2 1.7 .2 .3 

Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 3 ................ M 131.284 131.621 132.129 132.136 4.0 .4 .0 2.8 .6 .4 

Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than

50,000) ............................................... M 210.922 212.368 213.396 213.184 5.0 .4 -.1 3.7 1.2 .5 

West urban ..................................................... M 214.490 214.718 214.228 213.919 2.8 -.4 -.1 1.6 -.1 -.2 

Size A - More than 1,500,000 ..................... M 217.000 217.002 216.286 215.988 2.5 -.5 -.1 1.5 -.3 -.3 

Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 3 ................ M 132.773 133.244 133.149 132.983 3.4 -.2 -.1 1.9 .3 -.1 

Size classes

A 4 .............................................................. M 195.957 195.895 196.187 195.779 2.9 -.1 -.2 1.9 .1 .1 

B/C 3 ........................................................... M 132.450 132.764 133.139 133.072 3.8 .2 -.1 2.6 .5 .3 

D ................................................................. M 206.341 207.120 207.739 207.417 4.1 .1 -.2 2.8 .7 .3 

Selected local areas5

Chicago-Gary-Kenosha, IL-IN-WI ................... M 204.278 204.511 205.136 204.196 2.9 -.2 -.5 1.5 .4 .3 

Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CA ... M 217.302 217.474 216.618 216.233 2.5 -.6 -.2 1.2 -.3 -.4 

New York-Northern N.J.-Long Island,

NY-NJ-CT-PA ......................................... M 233.502 233.084 233.893 233.448 2.7 .2 -.2 2.3 .2 .3 

Boston-Brockton-Nashua, MA-NH-ME-CT ..... 1 235.744 -

 236.859 - - - - 2.2 .5 -

Cleveland-Akron, OH ...................................... 1 192.800 - 192.871 - - - - 2.1 .0 -

Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ..................................... 1 204.298 -

 205.297 - - - - 1.9 .5 -

Washington-Baltimore, DC-MD-VA-WV 6 ...... 1 140.701 - 140.608 - - - - 2.1 -.1 -

Atlanta, GA ..................................................... 2 -

 199.736 - 199.331 2.1 -.2 - - - -

Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, MI .............................. 2 -

 200.324 - 199.614 3.5 -.4 - - - -

Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .................... 2 - 189.304 - 188.842 3.1 -.2 - - - -

Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ............................. 2 -

 220.358 - 221.067 2.4 .3 - - - -

Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City,

PA-NJ-DE-MD ........................................ 2 -

 224.573 - 224.732 3.3 .1 - - - -

San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA ........... 2 -

 221.708 - 220.121 3.0 -.7 - - - -

Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, WA .................... 2 - 221.339 - 220.905 2.1 -.2 - - - -

1 Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all areas; 

 most other goods and services priced as indicated: 

 M - Every month. 

 1 - January, March, May, July, September, and November. 

 2 - February, April, June, August, October, and December. 2 Regions defined as the four Census regions. See technical notes. 3 Indexes on a December 1996=100 base. 4 Indexes on a December 1986=100 base. 5 In addition, the following metropolitan areas are published semiannually

and appear in Tables 34 and 39 of the January and July issues of the CPI

Detailed Report: Anchorage, AK; Cincinnati-Hamilton, OH-KY-IN;

Denver-Boulder-Greeley, CO; Honolulu, HI; Kansas City, MO-KS;

Milwaukee-Racine, WI; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI; Phoenix-Mesa, AZ;

Pittsburgh, PA; Portland-Salem, OR-WA; St. Louis, MO-IL; San Diego, CA;

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL. 6 Indexes on a November 1996=100 base. - Data not available.

 

NOTE: Local area indexes are byproducts of the national CPI program. 

Each local index has a smaller sample size than the national index and is,

therefore, subject to substantially more sampling and other measurement

error. As a result, local area indexes show greater volatility than the national

index, although their long-term trends are similar. Therefore, the Bureau of

Labor Statistics strongly urges users to consider adopting the national

average CPI for use in their escalator clauses. 

NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
Table 7. Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U): U.S. city average, by expenditure

category and commodity and service group

(December 1999=100, unless otherwise noted)

C-CPI-U Relative

importance,

2005-2006

 Unadjusted

 indexes

 Unadjusted

 percent change to

 Dec. 2009 from—

 Nov.

 2009

 Dec.

 2009

 Dec.

 2008

 Nov.

 2009

Expenditure category

All items ...................................................................................... 100.000 124.231 123.965 2.8 -0.2

Food and beverages ................................................................ 14.726 127.616 127.781 -.5 .1 

Food ....................................................................................... 13.648 127.538 127.738 -.6 .2 

Food at home ....................................................................... 7.557 122.249 122.526 -2.6 .2 

Food away from home .......................................................... 6.091 134.427 134.522 1.8 .1 

Alcoholic beverages ............................................................... 1.077 128.961 128.685 1.8 -.2 

Housing .................................................................................... 42.421 127.729 127.519 -.5 -.2 

Shelter .................................................................................... 32.409 130.640 130.413 .2 -.2 

Fuels and utilities .................................................................... 5.004 153.587 153.402 -3.7 -.1 

Household furnishings and operations ................................... 5.008 94.161 94.020 -1.6 -.1 

Apparel ..................................................................................... 3.988 90.350 88.004 1.5 -2.6 

Transportation .......................................................................... 17.393 126.788 126.638 15.7 -.1 

Private transportation ............................................................. 16.285 127.413 127.216 16.7 -.2 

Public transportation ............................................................... 1.108 119.391 119.889 3.0 .4 

Medical care ............................................................................. 6.085 147.213 147.164 3.1 .0 

Medical care commodities ...................................................... 1.615 130.309 130.145 3.2 -.1 

Medical care services ............................................................. 4.470 153.430 153.430 3.1 .0 

Recreation ................................................................................ 5.935 103.789 103.062 -2.0 -.7 

Education and communication ................................................. 6.196 111.299 111.307 1.7 .0 

Education ............................................................................... 2.771 180.676 180.697 4.6 .0 

Communication ...................................................................... 3.425 73.623 73.626 -.6 .0 

Other goods and services ........................................................ 3.257 135.123 135.340 6.9 .2 

Commodity and service group

Services ...................................................................................... 58.427 133.887 133.707 .7 -.1 

Commodities .............................................................................. 41.573 112.420 112.053 5.8 -.3 

Durables ................................................................................... 11.817 81.824 81.993 1.6 .2 

Nondurables ............................................................................... 29.756 128.273 127.584 7.5 -.5 

All items less food and energy ................................................. 77.561 119.113 118.867 1.5 -.2 

Energy ........................................................................................ 8.790 174.226 172.737 21.2 -.9 

Indexes for 2009 are initial estimates. Indexes for 2008 are interim adjustments.

NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
Table 1A. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, by expenditure

category and commodity and service group

(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

CPI-U Annual

average

2008

Annual

average

2009

Percent

change

from 2008

to 2009

Expenditure category

All items ............................................................................................................ 215.303 214.537 -0.4 

All items (1967=100) ........................................................................................ 644.951 642.658 -

Food and beverages ....................................................................................... 214.225 218.249 1.9 

Food ............................................................................................................. 214.106 217.955 1.8 

Food at home ............................................................................................. 214.125 215.124 .5 

Cereals and bakery products .................................................................... 244.853 252.567 3.2 

Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ................................................................... 204.653 203.805 -.4 

Dairy and related products ....................................................................... 210.396 197.013 -6.4 

Fruits and vegetables ............................................................................... 278.932 272.945 -2.1 

Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials ..................................... 160.045 163.034 1.9 

Other food at home ................................................................................... 184.166 191.220 3.8 

Sugar and sweets ................................................................................... 186.577 196.933 5.6 

Fats and oils ........................................................................................... 196.751 201.224 2.3 

Other foods ............................................................................................. 198.103 205.497 3.7 

Other miscellaneous foods 1 ................................................................ 119.924 122.393 2.1 

Food away from home ................................................................................ 215.769 223.272 3.5 

Other food away from home 1 .................................................................. 150.640 155.852 3.5 

Alcoholic beverages ..................................................................................... 214.484 220.751 2.9 

Housing .......................................................................................................... 216.264 217.057 .4 

Shelter .......................................................................................................... 246.666 249.354 1.1 

Rent of primary residence .......................................................................... 243.271 248.812 2.3 

Lodging away from home 1 ........................................................................ 143.664 134.243 -6.6 

Owners’ equivalent rent of primary residence 2 3 ....................................... 252.426 256.610 1.7 

Tenants’ and household insurance 1 .......................................................... 118.843 121.487 2.2 

Fuels and utilities .......................................................................................... 220.018 210.696 -4.2 

Household energy ...................................................................................... 200.808 188.113 -6.3 

Fuel oil and other fuels ............................................................................. 334.405 239.778 -28.3 

Gas (piped) and electricity ........................................................................ 202.212 193.563 -4.3 

Household furnishings and operations ......................................................... 127.800 128.701 .7 

Apparel ........................................................................................................... 118.907 120.078 1.0 

Men’s and boys’ apparel ............................................................................... 113.032 113.628 .5 

Women’s and girls’ apparel .......................................................................... 107.460 108.091 .6 

Infants’ and toddlers’ apparel ....................................................................... 113.762 114.489 .6 

Footwear ....................................................................................................... 124.157 126.854 2.2 

Transportation ................................................................................................ 195.549 179.252 -8.3 

Private transportation ................................................................................... 191.039 174.762 -8.5 

New and used motor vehicles 1 .................................................................. 93.291 93.486 .2 

New vehicles ............................................................................................ 134.194 135.623 1.1 

Used cars and trucks ................................................................................ 133.951 126.973 -5.2 

Motor fuel .................................................................................................... 279.652 201.978 -27.8 

Gasoline (all types) ................................................................................... 277.457 201.555 -27.4 

Motor vehicle parts and equipment ............................................................ 128.747 134.050 4.1 

Motor vehicle maintenance and repair ....................................................... 233.859 243.337 4.1 

Public transportation ..................................................................................... 250.549 236.348 -5.7 

Medical care ................................................................................................... 364.065 375.613 3.2 

Medical care commodities ............................................................................ 296.045 305.108 3.1 

Medical care services ................................................................................... 384.943 397.299 3.2 

Professional services .................................................................................. 310.968 319.372 2.7 

Hospital and related services ..................................................................... 533.953 567.879 6.4 

Recreation 1 ................................................................................................... 113.254 114.272 .9 

Video and audio 1 ......................................................................................... 102.632 101.276 -1.3 

See footnotes at end of table.
Table 1A. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, by expenditure

category and commodity and service group-Continued

(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

CPI-U Annual

average

2008

Annual

average

2009

Percent

change

from 2008

to 2009

Expenditure category

Education and communication 1 ..................................................................... 123.631 127.393 3.0 

Education 1 ................................................................................................... 181.277 190.857 5.3 

Educational books and supplies ................................................................. 450.187 482.072 7.1 

Tuition, other school fees, and childcare .................................................... 522.098 548.971 5.1 

Communication 1 .......................................................................................... 84.185 84.954 .9 

Information and information processing 1 ................................................... 81.352 81.944 .7 

Telephone services 1 ................................................................................ 100.451 102.392 1.9 

Information technology, hardware and services 4 .................................... 10.061 9.672 -3.9 

Personal computers and peripheral equipment 5 ................................... 94.944 82.304 -13.3 

Other goods and services ............................................................................... 345.381 368.586 6.7 

Tobacco and smoking products .................................................................... 588.682 730.316 24.1 

Personal care ............................................................................................... 201.279 204.587 1.6 

Personal care products ............................................................................... 159.290 162.578 2.1 

Personal care services ............................................................................... 223.669 227.588 1.8 

Miscellaneous personal services ................................................................ 338.921 344.469 1.6 

Commodity and service group

Commodities ..................................................................................................... 174.764 169.698 -2.9 

Food and beverages ....................................................................................... 214.225 218.249 1.9 

Commodities less food and beverages .......................................................... 153.034 144.395 -5.6 

Nondurables less food and beverages ......................................................... 196.192 178.959 -8.8 

Apparel ....................................................................................................... 118.907 120.078 1.0 

Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel ........................................ 248.809 219.592 -11.7 

Durables ....................................................................................................... 110.877 109.859 -.9 

Services ............................................................................................................ 255.498 259.154 1.4 

Rent of shelter 2 ............................................................................................. 257.152 259.924 1.1 

Transportation services .................................................................................. 244.074 251.031 2.9 

Other services ................................................................................................ 295.780 303.992 2.8 

Special indexes

All items less food ............................................................................................. 215.528 214.008 -.7 

All items less shelter ......................................................................................... 205.453 203.301 -1.0 

All items less medical care ............................................................................... 207.777 206.555 -.6 

Commodities less food ..................................................................................... 155.310 147.071 -5.3 

Nondurables less food ...................................................................................... 197.297 181.453 -8.0 

Nondurables less food and apparel .................................................................. 244.443 218.687 -10.5 

Nondurables ..................................................................................................... 205.901 198.548 -3.6 

Services less rent of shelter 2 ........................................................................... 273.000 278.064 1.9 

Services less medical care services ................................................................. 244.987 248.122 1.3 

Energy .............................................................................................................. 236.666 193.126 -18.4 

All items less energy ......................................................................................... 214.751 218.433 1.7 

All items less food and energy ........................................................................ 215.572 219.235 1.7 

Commodities less food and energy commodities ......................................... 140.246 142.041 1.3 

Energy commodities ................................................................................... 284.352 205.281 -27.8 

Services less energy services ...................................................................... 261.017 265.875 1.9 

Purchasing power of the consumer dollar (1982-84=$1.00) ............................ $ .465 $ .466 -

Purchasing power of the consumer dollar (1967=$1.00) .................................. $ .155 $ .156 -

1 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base. 2 Indexes on a December 1982=100 base. 3 This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 2010. The expenditure class will include weight from

secondary residences, and will be re-titled Owners’ equivalent rent of residences. The item stratum Owners’ equivalent rent of

primary residences, which prior to January, 2010 is identical to the EC, will be published as well. 4 Indexes on a December 1988=100 base. 5 Indexes on a December 2007=100 base. - Data not available.
Table 4A. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city

average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group

(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

CPI-W Annual

average

2008

Annual

average

2009

Percent

change

from 2008

to 2009

Expenditure category

All items ............................................................................................................ 211.053 209.630 -0.7 

All items (1967=100) ........................................................................................ 628.661 624.423 -

Food and beverages ....................................................................................... 213.546 217.480 1.8 

Food ............................................................................................................. 213.376 217.118 1.8 

Food at home ............................................................................................. 213.017 213.908 .4 

Cereals and bakery products .................................................................... 245.472 253.214 3.2 

Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ................................................................... 204.255 203.394 -.4 

Dairy and related products ....................................................................... 209.773 195.679 -6.7 

Fruits and vegetables ............................................................................... 276.759 270.562 -2.2 

Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials ..................................... 159.324 162.598 2.1 

Other food at home ................................................................................... 183.637 190.519 3.7 

Sugar and sweets ................................................................................... 185.494 195.702 5.5 

Fats and oils ........................................................................................... 197.512 202.003 2.3 

Other foods ............................................................................................. 198.303 205.573 3.7 

Other miscellaneous foods 1 ................................................................ 120.348 122.753 2.0 

Food away from home ................................................................................ 215.613 223.383 3.6 

Other food away from home 1 .................................................................. 149.731 155.607 3.9 

Alcoholic beverages ..................................................................................... 214.579 221.325 3.1 

Housing .......................................................................................................... 211.839 213.144 .6 

Shelter .......................................................................................................... 239.128 242.637 1.5 

Rent of primary residence .......................................................................... 242.196 247.401 2.1 

Lodging away from home 1 ........................................................................ 143.164 135.163 -5.6 

Owners’ equivalent rent of primary residence 2 3 ....................................... 228.758 232.499 1.6 

Tenants’ and household insurance 1 .......................................................... 119.136 121.935 2.3 

Fuels and utilities .......................................................................................... 217.883 209.595 -3.8 

Household energy ...................................................................................... 197.537 186.229 -5.7 

Fuel oil and other fuels ............................................................................. 331.784 243.003 -26.8 

Gas (piped) and electricity ........................................................................ 200.265 191.981 -4.1 

Water and sewer and trash collection services 1 ....................................... 152.419 161.584 6.0 

Household furnishings and operations ......................................................... 123.635 124.632 .8 

Household operations 1 .............................................................................. 150.130 152.818 1.8 

Apparel ........................................................................................................... 118.735 119.847 .9 

Men’s and boys’ apparel ............................................................................... 113.490 114.340 .7 

Women’s and girls’ apparel .......................................................................... 107.489 107.602 .1 

Infants’ and toddlers’ apparel ....................................................................... 116.266 117.202 .8 

Footwear ....................................................................................................... 124.102 127.183 2.5 

Transportation ................................................................................................ 195.692 176.729 -9.7 

Private transportation ................................................................................... 192.492 173.491 -9.9 

New and used motor vehicles 1 .................................................................. 92.146 91.308 -.9 

New vehicles ............................................................................................ 135.338 136.711 1.0 

Used cars and trucks ................................................................................ 134.731 127.687 -5.2 

Motor fuel .................................................................................................... 280.817 202.695 -27.8 

Gasoline (all types) ................................................................................... 278.728 202.375 -27.4 

Motor vehicle parts and equipment ............................................................ 128.776 134.133 4.2 

Motor vehicle maintenance and repair ....................................................... 236.353 245.795 4.0 

Public transportation ..................................................................................... 247.865 234.661 -5.3 

Medical care ................................................................................................... 364.208 376.064 3.3 

Medical care commodities ............................................................................ 287.970 296.724 3.0 

Medical care services ................................................................................... 386.317 399.165 3.3 

Professional services .................................................................................. 313.446 322.127 2.8 

Hospital and related services ..................................................................... 530.193 565.029 6.6 

See footnotes at end of table.
Table 4A. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city

average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group-Continued

(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

CPI-W Annual

average

2008

Annual

average

2009

Percent

change

from 2008

to 2009

Expenditure category

Recreation 1 ................................................................................................... 110.143 111.015 0.8 

Video and audio 1 ......................................................................................... 102.654 101.602 -1.0 

Education and communication 1 ..................................................................... 119.827 123.017 2.7 

Education 1 ................................................................................................... 178.892 188.143 5.2 

Educational books and supplies ................................................................. 452.880 485.025 7.1 

Tuition, other school fees, and childcare .................................................... 504.163 529.316 5.0 

Communication 1 .......................................................................................... 86.807 87.662 1.0 

Information and information processing 1 ................................................... 84.828 85.571 .9 

Telephone services 1 ................................................................................ 100.502 102.341 1.8 

Information technology, hardware and services 4 .................................... 10.567 10.178 -3.7 

Personal computers and peripheral equipment 5 ................................... 94.863 82.104 -13.4 

Other goods and services ............................................................................... 357.906 391.628 9.4 

Tobacco and smoking products .................................................................... 591.100 735.056 24.4 

Personal care ............................................................................................... 199.170 202.490 1.7 

Personal care products ............................................................................... 159.410 162.557 2.0 

Personal care services ............................................................................... 223.978 227.804 1.7 

Miscellaneous personal services ................................................................ 340.533 346.500 1.8 

Commodity and service group

Commodities ..................................................................................................... 177.618 171.452 -3.5 

Food and beverages ....................................................................................... 213.546 217.480 1.8 

Commodities less food and beverages .......................................................... 157.481 147.327 -6.4 

Nondurables less food and beverages ......................................................... 205.279 185.579 -9.6 

Apparel ....................................................................................................... 118.735 119.847 .9 

Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel ........................................ 263.756 230.503 -12.6 

Durables ....................................................................................................... 111.217 109.610 -1.4 

Services ............................................................................................................ 250.272 254.267 1.6 

Rent of shelter 2 ............................................................................................. 230.555 233.917 1.5 

Tenants’ and household insurance 1 .............................................................. 119.136 121.935 2.3 

Gas (piped) and electricity .............................................................................. 200.265 191.981 -4.1 

Water and sewer and trash collection services 1 ........................................... 152.419 161.584 6.0 

Household operations 1 .................................................................................. 150.130 152.818 1.8 

Transportation services .................................................................................. 242.563 250.960 3.5 

Medical care services ..................................................................................... 386.317 399.165 3.3 

Other services ................................................................................................ 284.319 291.572 2.6 

Special indexes

All items less food ............................................................................................. 210.452 208.128 -1.1 

All items less shelter ......................................................................................... 203.102 199.860 -1.6 

All items less medical care ............................................................................... 204.626 202.810 -.9 

Commodities less food ..................................................................................... 159.538 149.780 -6.1 

Nondurables less food ...................................................................................... 206.047 187.718 -8.9 

Nondurables less food and apparel .................................................................. 258.423 228.679 -11.5 

Nondurables ..................................................................................................... 210.333 201.628 -4.1 

Services less rent of shelter 2 ........................................................................... 241.567 245.814 1.8 

Services less medical care services ................................................................. 240.275 243.796 1.5 

Energy .............................................................................................................. 237.414 192.594 -18.9 

All items less energy ......................................................................................... 208.719 212.652 1.9 

All items less food and energy ........................................................................ 208.147 212.126 1.9 

Commodities less food and energy commodities ......................................... 141.084 143.099 1.4 

Energy commodities ................................................................................... 284.270 205.325 -27.8 

Services less energy services ...................................................................... 255.598 261.022 2.1 

Purchasing power of the consumer dollar (1982-84=$1.00) ............................ $ .474 $ .477 -

Purchasing power of the consumer dollar (1967=$1.00) .................................. $ .159 $ .160 -

1 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base. 2 Indexes on a December 1984=100 base 3 This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 2010. The expenditure class will include weight from

secondary residences, and will be re-titled Owners’ equivalent rent of residences. The item stratum Owners’ equivalent rent of

primary residences, which prior to January, 2010 is identical to the EC, will be published as well. 4 Indexes on a December 1988=100 base. 5 Indexes on a December 2007=100 base. - Data not available.