News United States

Department 

of Labor

 

Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212 

FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION:

Patrick C. Jackman (202) 691-7000 USDL-04-2147

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INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.bls.gov/cpi/ Tuesday, October 19, 2004

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX: SEPTEMBER 2004

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent in September, before 

seasonal adjustment, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The September

level of 189.9 (1982-84=100) was 2.5 percent higher than in September 2003.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) also increased 0.2

percent in September, prior to seasonal adjustment. The September level of 185.4 was 2.4 percent higher than in 

September 2003.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent in

September on a not seasonally adjusted basis. The September level of 110.6 (December 1999=100) was 2.1 

percent higher than in September 2003. Please note that the indexes for the post-2002 period are subject to revision.

CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U increased 0.2 percent in September, following a 0.1 percent 

increase in August. Energy costs declined for the third consecutive month--down 0.4 percent in September--after

advancing sharply in the first half of the year. Within energy, the index for household fuels decreased 0.9 percent, 

while the index for motor fuelrose 0.1 percent. The index for food was unchanged in September, as a 0.2 percent 

decline in the index for food at home was offset by a 0.3 percent increase in the index for food away from home. The 

index for all items less food and energy advanced 0.3 percent in September, following increases of 0.1 percent in each 

of the preceding three months. While each of the non-food major groups, including the non-energy portions of 

housing and transportation, contributed to the larger advance in September, the sharp upturn in the lodging away from 

home component accounted for about three-fourths of the acceleration in the index for all items excluding food and 

energy.

Table A. Percent changes in CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)

Seasonally adjusted UnCompound adjusted

Expenditure Changes from preceding month annual rate 12-mos.

Category 1

9

2004 3-mos. ended ended

Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Sep. ’04 Sep. ’04 

All Items .5 .2 .6 .3 -.1 .1 .2 .6 ’98‘97Jan.’ 2.5

 Food and beverages .2 .2 .9 .2 .2 .1 .0 1.3 3.3

 Housing .3 .4 .4 .3 .2 .2 .2 2.3 2.8

 Apparel .9 .0 .3 .2 -.8 -.2 .0 -4.2 -.7

 Transportation 1.1 .1 1.7 .8 -.8 -.3 .2 -3.8 2.2

 Medical care .6 .4 .3 .3 .3 .2 .3 3.5 4.4

 Recreation .3 .2 -.2 .3 -.2 -.2 .2 -.7 .8

 Education and

 communication .1 .3 .0 .2 -.1 .1 .4 1.8 1.8

 Other goods and

 services .2 .1 .1 .1 .3 .2 .3 3.2 2.1

 Special Indexes

 Energy 1.9 .1 4.6 2.6 -1.9 -.3 -.4 -9.8 6.7

 Food .2 .2 .9 .2 .3 .1 .0 1.3 3.3

 All Items less

 food and energy .4 .3 .2 .1 .1 .1 .3 1.8 2.0
Consumer prices increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 0.6 percent in the third quarter of 

2004, following increases in the first and second quarters at annual rates of 5.1 and 4.8 percent, respectively. This 

brings the year-to-date annual rate to 3.5 percent and compares with an increase of 1.9 percent in all of 2003. The 

index for energy, which advanced at annual rates of 38.6 and 33.5 percent in the first two quarters, declined at a 9.8 

percent rate in the third quarter of 2004. Thus far this year, energy costs have risen at an 18.6 percent SAAR after 

increasing 6.9 percent in all of 2003. In the first nine months of 2003, petroleum-based energy costs increased at a 

31.7 percent rate and charges for energy services increased at a 6.2 percent rate. The food index rose at a 2.6 

percent SAAR in the first nine months of 2004. The index for grocery store food prices increased at a 1.9 percent 

rate. Among the six major grocery store food groups, the index for dairy products registered the largest increase 

during this span--up at a 7.3 percent rate--although it declined in each month during the third quarter. The index for 

fruits and vegetables recorded the largest decline--down at a 0.8 percent annual rate.

 The CPI-U excluding food and energy advanced at a 1.8 percent SAAR in the third quarter, following 

increases at rates of 2.9 and 2.3 percent in the first two quarters of 2004. The advance at a 2.3 percent SAAR for 

the first nine months of 2004 compares with a 1.1 percent rise in all of 2003. With the exception of the recreation 

component, each of the major groups--including alcoholic beverages and the non-energy portion of the housing and 

transportation groups--advanced at a faster rate in the first 9 months of 2004 than in all of 2003. Most of the overall 

acceleration, however, was accounted for by a larger increase in the indexes for shelter, an upturn in the index for new 

and used vehicles, and a smaller decline in the index for apparel. The annual rates for selected groups for the last 

seven and three-quarter years are shown below. 

Percentage change 12 months SAAR 9

 ended in December mos. ended

in Sep.

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

All items 1.7 1.6 2.7 3.4 1.6 2.4 1.9 3.5

 Food and beverages 1.6 2.3 2.0 2.8 2.8 1.5 3.5 2.5

 Housing 2.4 2.3 2.2 4.3 2.9 2.4 2.2 3.3

 Apparel 1.0 -.7 -.5 -1.8 -3.2 -1.8 -2.1 -.1

 Transportation -1.4 -1.7 5.4 4.1 -3.8 3.8 .3 7.0

 Medical care 2.8 3.4 3.7 4.2 4.7 5.0 3.7 4.4

 Recreation 1.5 1.2 .8 1.7 1.5 1.1 1.1 .9

 Education and

 communication 3.0 .7 1.6 1.3 3.2 2.2 1.6 1.8

 Other goods and services 5.2 8.8 5.1 4.2 4.5 3.3 1.5 2.4

Special indexes

 Energy -3.4 -8.8 13.4 14.2 -13.0 10.7 6.9 18.6

 Energy commodities -6.9 -15.1 29.5 15.7 -24.5 23.7 6.9 31.7

 Energy services .2 -3.3 1.2 12.7 -1.5 .4 6.9 6.2

 All items less energy 2.1 2.4 2.0 2.6 2.8 1.8 1.5 2.4

 Food 1.5 2.3 1.9 2.8 2.8 1.5 3.6 2.6

 All items less

 food and energy 2.2 2.4 1.9 2.6 2.7 1.9 1.1 2.3
The food and beverages index was unchanged in September. The index for food at home decreased 0.2

percent, the same as in August. The index for dairy products declined for the third consecutive month, down 2.0 

percent in September. Milk prices also declined for the third consecutive month--down 3.4 percent in September--

but were 8.7 percent higher than in September 2003. Also contributing to the decrease in the food at home index 

were declines in the indexes for other food at home and for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs--down 0.5 and 0.3 percent, 

respectively. Within the latter index, declines in prices for eggs, for beef, and for poultry more than offset price 

increases for pork and for fish and seafood. The index for fruits and vegetables increased 0.7 percent. The indexes 

for fresh fruits and for fresh vegetables rose 0.6 and 1.5 percent, respectively, while the index for processed fruits and 

vegetables fell 0.5 percent. The two other major grocery store food groups-- nonalcoholic beverages and cereals and 

bakery products--rose 0.3 and 0.1 percent, respectively. The other two components of the food and beverage index-

-food away from home and alcoholic beverages--increased 0.3 and 0.5 percent, respectively.

The index for housing rose 0.2 percent in September, the same as in each of the preceding two months. 

Shelter costs, which increased 0.1 percent in August, advanced 0.4 percent in September. The index for lodging 

away from home increased 2.9 percent in September, following a 1.7 percent decrease in August. The indexes for

rent and owners' equivalent rent each increased 0.1 percent after advancing 0.3 percent in August. The index for fuels 

and utilities fell 0.5 percent in September. The index for fuel oil rose 2.1 percent in September and was 29.0 percent 

higher than a year earlier. The index for electricity was unchanged, while the index for natural gas decreased 3.1

percent. During the last 12 months, these indexes have advanced 1.6 and 6.2 percent, respectively. The index for 

household furnishings and operations was unchanged in September, following declines in the preceding two months. 

The transportation index rose 0.2 percent in September, following declines in each of the preceding two 

months. The index for gasoline, which declined in July and August, increased 0.1 percent in September. (Prior to 

seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices fell 0.4 percent in September.) The index for used cars and trucks advanced for 

the third consecutive month--up 2.0 percent in September. Despite the recent advances, used car and truck prices 

are 1.8 percent lower than a year ago. Partially offsetting these increases, the index for new vehicles declined 0.2

percent in September. (About 17 percent of the new car sample in September was represented by 2005 models.) 

New vehicle prices are 1.1 percent lower than in September 2003. The index for public transportation decreased 1.1

percent, reflecting a 1.6 percent decline in airline fares. 

The index for apparel, which declined in each of the preceding two months, was unchanged in September. 

(Prior to seasonal adjustment, apparel prices rose 4.0 percent, reflecting the introduction of fall-winter wear. The 

proportion of fall-winter clothing introduced in this September was about the same as in recent years.)

Medical care costs rose 0.3 percent in September to a level 4.4 percent higher than a year ago. The index for 

medical care commodities--prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and medical supplies--increased 0.4 percent. 

The index for medical care services rose 0.3 percent in September. Charges for professional services and for hospital 

and related services increased 0.1 and 0.6 percent, respectively. 

The index for recreation turned up in September, advancing 0.2 percent after registering declines of the same 

magnitude in July and August. Increases in the indexes for cable and satellite television and radio services and for 

admissions to movies, theaters, concerts, and sporting events--up 0.6 and 0.8 percent, respectively--were largely 

responsible for the September increase. 

The index for education and communication increased 0.4 percent in September. Educational costs rose 0.6

percent, reflecting increases in the indexes for college tuition and for elementary and high school tuition--up 0.8 and 

0.9 percent, respectively. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, charges for college tuition and fees rose 2.9 percent in 

September and were 8.9 percent higher than a year ago.) The index for communication costs increased 0.3 percent. 

The index for telephone services rose 0.3 percent, reflecting a 1.9 percent increase in long distance charges. The 

index for personal computers and peripheral equipment declined 0.7 percent.
The index for other goods and services rose 0.3 percent in September. The index for tobacco and smoking 

products increased 0.3 percent. The index for personal care increased 0.2 percent. Within personal care, the index 

for miscellaneous personal services--legalservices, funeral expenses, laundry and dry cleaning and other apparel 

services, and financial services--rose 0.3 percent in September.

CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W)

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers increased 0.2 percent 

in September.

Table B. Percent changes in CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W)

Seasonally adjusted UnCompound adjusted

Expenditure Changes from preceding month annual rate 12-mos.

Category 1

9

2004 3-mos. ended ended

Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Sep. ’04 Sep. ’04 

All Items .5 .2 .7 .3 -.1 .1 .2 .7 ’98‘97Jan.’ 2.4

 Food and beverages .2 .2 .9 .2 .3 .1 .0 1.3 3.4

 Housing .2 .3 .3 .4 .3 .2 .1 2.4 2.7

 Apparel .8 -.1 .2 .0 -.7 -.4 .3 -3.3 -.3

 Transportation 1.3 -.1 2.1 .7 -.9 -.2 .4 -2.9 2.2

 Medical care .6 .4 .3 .3 .3 .2 .4 3.8 4.5

 Recreation .3 .0 .0 .2 -.3 -.2 .2 -1.1 .7

 Education and

 communication .1 .2 -.2 .2 -.1 .0 .4 1.1 1.0

 Other goods and

 services .2 .2 .1 .1 .4 .2 .3 3.6 2.1

 Special Indexes

 Energy 2.2 -.1 5.0 2.7 -2.0 -.5 -.3 -10.5 6.9

 Food .2 .1 1.0 .1 .3 .1 -.1 1.3 3.3

 All Items less

 food and energy .3 .2 .1 .2 .1 .1 .3 1.9 1.8

Consumer Price Index data for October are scheduled for release on Wednesday, November 17, 2004, at 

8:30 A.M. (EST). 
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. For a recorded message of Summary CPI data, call (202) 

691-5200.

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-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 in 87 

urban areas across the country from about 50,000 housing units and approximately 23,000 retail establishmentsdepartment 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 CPIU 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.
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 115.7

Less previous index 111.2

Equals index point change 4.5

Percent Change

Index point difference 4.5

Divided by the previous index 111.2

Equals 0.040

Results multiplied by one hundred 0.040x100

Equals percent change 4.0

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. 
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 unadjusted for seasonal variation.

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

Adjustment Method. The updated seasonal data at the end of 1977 replaced data from 1967 through 1977. 

Subsequent annual updates have replaced 5 years of seasonal data, e.g., data from 1999 through 2003 were replaced 

at the end of 2003. 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 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 2004.

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 fuel oil, natural gas, motor fuels, and educational books and supplies indexes, this procedure was used to 

offset the effects that extreme price volatility would otherwise have had on the estimates of seasonally adjusted data for 

those series. For the Nonalcoholic beverages index, the procedure was used to offset the effects of labor and supply 

problems for coffee. The procedure was used to account for unusual butter fat supply reductions, decreases in milk 

supply, and large swings in soybean oil inventories affecting the Fats and oils series. For the Water and sewerage 

maintenance index, the procedure was used to account for a data collection anomaly and dry weather in California. For 

Dairy products, it mitigated the effects of significant changes in milk production levels and higher demand for cheese. 
For Electricity, it was used to offset an increase in demand due to warmer than expected weather, increased rates to 

conserve supplies, and declining natural gas inventories. For New vehicles, New cars, and New trucks, the procedure 

was used to offset the effects of a model changeover combined with financing incentives.

 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 Daniel Chow on (202) 691-6968 

by e-mail at Chow.Daniel@bls.gov. If you have general questions about the CPI, please call our information staff at 

(202) 691-7000.
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

2003

Unadjusted

indexes

Unadjusted

percent change to

Sep. 2004 from—

Seasonally adjusted

percent change from—

Aug.

2004

Sep.

2004

Sep.

2003

Aug.

2004

June to

July

July to

Aug.

Aug. to

Sep.

Expenditure category

All items ...................................................................................... 100.000 189.5 189.9 2.5 0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.2 

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

 567.6 568.7 - - - - -

Food and beverages ................................................................ 15.384 187.3 187.2 3.3 -.1 .2 .1 .0 

Food ....................................................................................... 14.383 186.8 186.7 3.3 -.1 .3 .1 .0 

Food at home ....................................................................... 8.256 186.7 186.1 3.3 -.3 .2 -.2 -.2 

Cereals and bakery products ............................................. 1.202 207.2 206.4 1.4 -.4 .1 .0 .1 

Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ............................................ 2.320 183.7 183.4 7.2 -.2 .8 .0 -.3 

Dairy and related products ................................................. .842 184.9 181.6 6.6 -1.8 -.6 -1.8 -2.0 

Fruits and vegetables ......................................................... 1.221 224.0 226.0 .7 .9 -.2 .2 .7 

Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials .............. .905 140.3 140.3 .8 .0 .3 .0 .3 

Other food at home ............................................................ 1.765 166.2 165.2 1.3 -.6 .2 .1 -.5 

Sugar and sweets ............................................................. .305 164.4 163.5 .7 -.5 .4 .6 -.4 

Fats and oils ..................................................................... .251 169.7 170.4 8.1 .4 -.2 -1.3 .4 

Other foods ....................................................................... 1.210 180.9 179.4 .0 -.8 .3 .2 -.7 

Other miscellaneous foods 1 2 ....................................... .308 111.5 110.5 -.5 -.9 -1.4 1.9 -.9 

Food away from home 1 ....................................................... 6.127 188.4 188.9 3.3 .3 .4 .3 .3 

Other food away from home 2 ............................................ .332 125.4 125.9 3.4 .4 -.1 .2 .1 

Alcoholic beverages 1 ............................................................ 1.001 192.5 193.4 2.9 .5 -.1 .2 .5 

Housing .................................................................................... 42.089 191.2 191.0 2.8 -.1 .2 .2 .2 

Shelter .................................................................................... 32.878 220.3 220.2 3.0 .0 .2 .1 .4 

Rent of primary residence 3 ................................................. 6.157 211.9 212.4 2.8 .2 .2 .3 .1 

Lodging away from home 2 .................................................. 2.954 130.6 127.2 7.3 -2.6 1.1 -1.7 2.9 

Owners’ equivalent rent of primary residence 3 4 ................. 23.383 225.7 226.1 2.4 .2 .1 .3 .1 

Tenants’ and household insurance 1 2 ................................. .385 116.3 116.6 .6 .3 -.1 .2 .3 

Fuels and utilities .................................................................... 4.741 167.7 166.7 4.4 -.6 .4 .8 -.5 

Fuels ..................................................................................... 3.830 150.5 149.3 4.1 -.8 .4 .9 -.9 

Fuel oil and other fuels ....................................................... .231 157.4 161.6 23.8 2.7 3.0 5.3 1.9 

Gas (piped) and electricity 3 ............................................... 3.599 157.6 156.0 3.0 -1.0 .2 .6 -1.0 

Water and sewer and trash collection services 2 ................. .910 125.3 125.7 6.3 .3 .6 .4 .4 

Household furnishings and operations ................................... 4.470 124.8 125.0 -.2 .2 -.3 -.2 .0 

Household operations 1 2 ..................................................... .704 126.1 126.1 3.1 .0 .6 .5 .0 

Apparel ..................................................................................... 3.975 116.5 121.2 -.7 4.0 -.8 -.2 .0 

Men’s and boys’ apparel ........................................................ 1.024 113.8 116.2 -.9 2.1 .0 -1.3 -.3 

Women’s and girls’ apparel .................................................... 1.704 107.5 114.4 -1.0 6.4 -1.1 -.3 -.6 

Infants’ and toddlers’ apparel ................................................. .195 115.0 119.5 -3.7 3.9 .4 -1.4 1.9 

Footwear ................................................................................ .778 117.3 121.7 1.2 3.8 -1.8 1.6 2.0 

Transportation .......................................................................... 16.881 162.9 162.9 2.2 .0 -.8 -.3 .2 

Private transportation ............................................................. 15.817 159.1 159.4 2.6 .2 -.9 -.3 .3 

New and used motor vehicles 2 ........................................... 7.912 93.4 93.9 -1.3 .5 .0 .1 .5 

New vehicles ...................................................................... 4.817 134.9 134.9 -1.1 .0 -.7 -.3 -.2 

Used cars and trucks 1 ....................................................... 2.007 133.8 136.5 -1.8 2.0 1.1 1.3 2.0 

Motor fuel ............................................................................. 3.249 162.0 161.2 9.6 -.5 -4.0 -1.5 .1 

Gasoline (all types) ............................................................. 3.222 161.2 160.5 9.6 -.4 -4.2 -1.4 .1 

Motor vehicle parts and equipment 1 ................................... .369 109.0 109.3 1.5 .3 .6 .2 .3 

Motor vehicle maintenance and repair ................................. 1.349 200.8 200.7 2.3 .0 .4 .2 -.2 

Public transportation ............................................................... 1.064 209.7 205.3 -2.8 -2.1 .4 -1.4 -1.1 

Medical care ............................................................................. 6.074 311.6 312.3 4.4 .2 .3 .2 .3 

Medical care commodities ...................................................... 1.499 270.0 270.9 2.3 .3 .0 .1 .4 

Medical care services ............................................................. 4.575 323.1 323.7 5.0 .2 .4 .2 .3 

Professional services ........................................................... 2.749 273.3 273.3 4.2 .0 .3 .5 .1 

Hospital and related services 3 ............................................ 1.489 418.8 420.3 5.2 .4 .6 -.4 .6 

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

2003

Unadjusted

indexes

Unadjusted

percent change to

Sep. 2004 from—

Seasonally adjusted

percent change from—

Aug.

2004

Sep.

2004

Sep.

2003

Aug.

2004

June to

July

July to

Aug.

Aug. to

Sep.

Expenditure category

Recreation 2 ............................................................................. 5.872 108.5 108.6 0.8 0.1 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 

Video and audio 2 ................................................................... 1.736 104.1 104.0 .5 -.1 .1 -.3 .3 

Education and communication 2 .............................................. 5.948 111.7 112.9 1.8 1.1 -.1 .1 .4 

Education 2 ............................................................................. 2.841 145.1 147.9 6.6 1.9 .4 .6 .6 

Educational books and supplies ........................................... .219 353.3 352.8 4.3 -.1 -.1 1.0 -.9 

Tuition, other school fees, and childcare .............................. 2.623 418.3 427.4 6.9 2.2 .4 .7 .6 

Communication 2 .................................................................... 3.107 86.1 86.2 -2.7 .1 -.6 -.5 .3 

Information and information processing 1 2 .......................... 2.925 84.0 84.1 -3.0 .1 -.2 -.6 .1 

Telephone services 1 2 ....................................................... 2.315 95.0 95.3 -2.2 .3 -.2 -.6 .3 

Information technology, hardware and services 1 5 ........... .610 14.7 14.7 -5.8 .0 -.7 -.7 .0 

Personal computers and peripheral equipment 1 2 .......... .230 15.1 15.0 -8.0 -.7 -1.3 -1.3 -.7 

Other goods and services ........................................................ 3.776 305.5 306.3 2.1 .3 .3 .2 .3 

Tobacco and smoking products 1 ........................................... .806 481.6 482.9 3.0 .3 .9 .2 .3 

Personal care ......................................................................... 2.970 181.9 182.3 1.8 .2 .1 .2 .2 

Personal care products 1 ...................................................... .680 152.8 153.5 .1 .5 -.3 -.4 .5 

Personal care services 1 ...................................................... .650 198.9 199.1 1.9 .1 .3 .7 .1 

Miscellaneous personal services .......................................... 1.448 295.2 295.9 3.7 .2 .3 .3 .3 

Commodity and service group

Commodities .............................................................................. 40.117 154.2 154.9 1.9 .5 -.5 -.1 .1 

Food and beverages ................................................................ 15.384 187.3 187.2 3.3 -.1 .2 .1 .0 

Commodities less food and beverages .................................... 24.733 135.6 136.7 1.0 .8 -.9 -.3 .1 

Nondurables less food and beverages ................................... 13.458 156.1 157.8 3.1 1.1 -.3 -.6 -1.1 

Apparel ................................................................................. 3.975 116.5 121.2 -.7 4.0 -.8 -.2 .0 

Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .................. 9.483 184.4 184.4 4.5 .0 -1.9 -.4 .1 

Durables ................................................................................. 11.275 113.7 114.1 -1.4 .4 -.3 .0 .4 

Services ...................................................................................... 59.883 224.5 224.5 2.9 .0 .3 .1 .3 

Rent of shelter 4 ....................................................................... 32.494 229.4 229.3 3.0 .0 .3 .0 .3 

Tenants’ and household insurance 1 2 ..................................... .385 116.3 116.6 .6 .3 -.1 .2 .3 

Gas (piped) and electricity 3 ..................................................... 3.599 157.6 156.0 3.0 -1.0 .2 .6 -1.0 

Water and sewer and trash collection services 2 ..................... .910 125.3 125.7 6.3 .3 .6 .4 .4 

Household operations 1 2 ......................................................... .704 126.1 126.1 3.1 .0 .6 .5 .0 

Transportation services ............................................................ 6.319 220.8 220.1 1.5 -.3 .5 -.1 .0 

Medical care services ............................................................... 4.575 323.1 323.7 5.0 .2 .4 .2 .3 

Other services .......................................................................... 10.896 261.9 263.8 2.6 .7 .1 .2 .5 

Special indexes

All items less food ...................................................................... 85.617 189.9 190.4 2.4 .3 -.1 .0 .2 

All items less shelter ................................................................... 67.122 179.5 180.1 2.3 .3 -.2 .0 .1 

All items less medical care ......................................................... 93.926 183.2 183.6 2.5 .2 -.1 .0 .2 

Commodities less food ............................................................... 25.734 137.7 138.8 1.1 .8 -.9 -.3 .2 

Nondurables less food ................................................................ 14.459 158.2 159.9 3.0 1.1 -.4 -.4 -1.0 

Nondurables less food and apparel ............................................ 10.484 184.3 184.4 4.4 .1 -1.7 -.6 .2 

Nondurables ............................................................................... 28.842 171.9 172.8 3.2 .5 -.2 -.3 -.6

Services less rent of shelter 4 .................................................... 27.389 235.6 235.9 2.9 .1 .1 .4 .1 

Services less medical care services ........................................... 55.308 216.2 216.1 2.8 .0 .2 .2 .2 

Energy ........................................................................................ 7.080 155.3 154.3 6.7 -.6 -1.9 -.3 -.4 

All items less energy .................................................................. 92.920 194.7 195.2 2.2 .3 .1 .1 .3 

All items less food and energy ................................................. 78.537 196.8 197.4 2.0 .3 .1 .1 .3 

Commodities less food and energy commodities ................... 22.254 138.1 139.4 -.6 .9 -.3 -.1 .2 

Energy commodities ............................................................. 3.480 162.5 162.0 10.3 -.3 -3.7 -1.0 .2 

Services less energy services ................................................ 56.283 231.4 231.6 3.0 .1 .3 .1 .3 

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

 $ .528 $ .527 - - - - -

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

 $ .176 $ .176 - - - - -

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 Indexes on a December 1988=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—

June

2004

July

2004

Aug.

2004

Sep.

2004

Dec.

2003

Mar.

2004

June

2004

Sep.

2004

Mar.

2004

Sep.

2004

Expenditure category

All items ...................................................................................... 189.4 189.3 189.4 189.7 -0.4 5.1 4.8 0.6 2.3 2.7 

Food and beverages ................................................................ 186.9 187.3 187.5 187.5 5.6 1.5 4.9 1.3 3.6 3.1 

Food ....................................................................................... 186.4 186.9 187.0 187.0 5.9 1.3 5.1 1.3 3.6 3.2 

Food at home ....................................................................... 186.9 187.3 187.0 186.6 7.7 -.2 6.7 -.6 3.7 3.0 

Cereals and bakery products ............................................. 206.0 206.2 206.3 206.6 .8 2.2 1.6 1.2 1.5 1.4 

Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ............................................ 182.5 183.9 183.9 183.4 23.6 -3.7 8.5 2.0 9.1 5.2 

Dairy and related products ................................................. 189.9 188.7 185.3 181.6 4.5 .0 47.9 -16.4 2.2 11.2 

Fruits and vegetables ......................................................... 227.5 227.0 227.4 228.9 5.2 -2.2 -2.6 2.5 1.4 -.1

Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials .............. 139.9 140.3 140.3 140.7 1.2 .6 -.9 2.3 .9 .7 

Other food at home ............................................................ 165.5 165.8 165.9 165.1 .5 4.2 1.5 -1.0 2.3 .2 

Sugar and sweets ............................................................. 162.7 163.3 164.2 163.5 .7 .7 -.2 2.0 .7 .9 

Fats and oils ..................................................................... 172.0 171.7 169.4 170.0 3.9 20.3 14.4 -4.6 11.8 4.5 

Other foods ....................................................................... 179.7 180.2 180.6 179.4 -.2 2.0 -1.1 -.7 .9 -.9 

Other miscellaneous foods 1 2 ....................................... 110.9 109.4 111.5 110.5 -4.3 7.1 -2.8 -1.4 1.3 -2.1 

Food away from home 1 ....................................................... 187.0 187.8 188.4 188.9 3.3 3.3 2.6 4.1 3.3 3.4 

Other food away from home 2 ............................................ 125.2 125.1 125.4 125.5 4.4 5.0 3.3 1.0 4.7 2.1 

Alcoholic beverages 1 ............................................................ 192.4 192.2 192.5 193.4 1.7 4.5 3.4 2.1 3.1 2.7 

Housing .................................................................................... 189.6 190.0 190.3 190.7 1.3 3.5 4.1 2.3 2.4 3.2 

Shelter .................................................................................... 218.8 219.3 219.5 220.4 2.5 3.4 3.2 3.0 2.9 3.1 

Rent of primary residence 3 ................................................. 210.9 211.4 212.1 212.4 2.1 2.3 3.7 2.9 2.2 3.3 

Lodging away from home 2 .................................................. 125.6 127.0 124.9 128.5 7.9 8.1 3.9 9.6 8.0 6.7 

Owners’ equivalent rent of primary residence 3 4 ................. 225.0 225.3 225.9 226.1 2.0 2.5 3.1 2.0 2.3 2.5 

Tenants’ and household insurance 1 2 ................................. 116.2 116.1 116.3 116.6 -5.4 2.8 3.9 1.4 -1.4 2.6 

Fuels and utilities .................................................................... 162.7 163.3 164.6 163.7 -3.8 5.5 15.0 2.5 .8 8.6 

Fuels ..................................................................................... 145.3 145.9 147.2 145.9 -5.9 5.6 16.7 1.7 -.3 8.9 

Fuel oil and other fuels ....................................................... 153.3 157.9 166.2 169.3 -1.2 25.6 27.7 48.8 11.4 37.8 

Gas (piped) and electricity 3 ............................................... 152.1 152.4 153.3 151.7 -6.1 4.2 16.2 -1.0 -1.1 7.2 

Water and sewer and trash collection services 2 ................. 123.9 124.6 125.1 125.6 5.5 6.8 6.7 5.6 6.2 6.2 

Household furnishings and operations ................................... 125.5 125.1 124.9 124.9 -.6 1.9 .0 -1.9 .6 -1.0 

Household operations 1 2 ..................................................... 124.7 125.5 126.1 126.1 1.0 3.3 3.6 4.6 2.1 4.1 

Apparel ..................................................................................... 121.4 120.4 120.1 120.1 -2.3 2.0 2.0 -4.2 -.2 -1.2 

Men’s and boys’ apparel ........................................................ 118.6 118.6 117.1 116.8 1.0 .3 1.4 -5.9 .7 -2.4 

Women’s and girls’ apparel .................................................... 114.2 113.0 112.7 112.0 -1.4 2.5 3.6 -7.5 .5 -2.1

Infants’ and toddlers’ apparel ................................................. 117.7 118.2 116.6 118.8 -12.6 3.4 -8.4 3.8 -5.0 -2.5 

Footwear ................................................................................ 119.0 116.9 118.8 121.2 -2.6 1.7 -1.7 7.6 -.5 2.9 

Transportation .......................................................................... 165.0 163.6 163.1 163.4 -11.0 14.9 10.9 -3.8 1.1 3.3 

Private transportation ............................................................. 161.3 159.8 159.4 159.9 -12.0 16.3 11.7 -3.4 1.2 3.9 

New and used motor vehicles 2 ........................................... 93.8 93.8 93.9 94.4 -6.1 -.4 -.4 2.6 -3.3 1.1 

New vehicles ...................................................................... 137.6 136.7 136.3 136.0 -1.4 .9 .9 -4.6 -.3 -1.9 

Used cars and trucks 1 ....................................................... 130.6 132.1 133.8 136.5 -21.1 .6 -1.8 19.3 -10.9 8.2 

Motor fuel ............................................................................. 169.9 163.1 160.7 160.9 -37.0 87.1 51.7 -19.6 8.6 10.4 

Gasoline (all types) ............................................................. 169.3 162.2 160.0 160.1 -36.9 86.6 52.3 -20.0 8.5 10.4 

Motor vehicle parts and equipment 1 ................................... 108.2 108.8 109.0 109.3 .0 .4 1.5 4.1 .2 2.8 

Motor vehicle maintenance and repair ................................. 199.9 200.7 201.2 200.7 3.3 .8 3.3 1.6 2.0 2.4 

Public transportation ............................................................... 208.8 209.6 206.6 204.3 -.9 1.7 -3.4 -8.3 .4 -5.9 

Medical care ............................................................................. 309.9 310.9 311.6 312.6 4.2 5.8 3.8 3.5 5.0 3.7 

Medical care commodities ...................................................... 269.4 269.3 269.7 270.9 .8 2.9 3.2 2.2 1.8 2.7 

Medical care services ............................................................. 321.0 322.3 323.1 324.0 5.3 6.8 4.1 3.8 6.1 3.9 

Professional services ........................................................... 271.3 272.0 273.3 273.6 3.5 7.0 2.9 3.4 5.2 3.1

Hospital and related services 3 ............................................ 418.1 420.4 418.8 421.2 6.9 5.5 5.5 3.0 6.2 4.3 

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—

June

2004

July

2004

Aug.

2004

Sep.

2004

Dec.

2003

Mar.

2004

June

2004

Sep.

2004

Mar.

2004

Sep.

2004

Expenditure category

Recreation 2 ............................................................................. 108.9 108.7 108.5 108.7 0.7 2.2 1.1 -0.7 1.5 0.2 

Video and audio 2 ................................................................... 104.3 104.4 104.1 104.4 .0 .4 1.2 .4 .2 .8 

Education and communication 2 .............................................. 111.6 111.5 111.6 112.1 1.5 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.6 1.8 

Education 2 ............................................................................. 143.3 143.9 144.8 145.6 6.6 6.5 6.7 6.6 6.5 6.6 

Educational books and supplies ........................................... 351.3 350.9 354.3 351.1 11.4 2.0 4.4 -.2 6.6 2.1 

Tuition, other school fees, and childcare .............................. 413.0 414.8 417.5 420.2 6.2 7.0 6.8 7.2 6.6 7.0 

Communication 2 .................................................................... 87.0 86.5 86.1 86.4 -3.6 -2.7 -2.3 -2.7 -3.1 -2.5 

Information and information processing 1 2 .......................... 84.7 84.5 84.0 84.1 -2.3 -2.3 -4.6 -2.8 -2.3 -3.7 

Telephone services 1 2 ....................................................... 95.8 95.6 95.0 95.3 -.8 -2.0 -3.7 -2.1 -1.4 -2.9 

Information technology, hardware and services 1 5 ........... 14.9 14.8 14.7 14.7 -7.5 -2.6 -7.7 -5.3 -5.1 -6.5 

Personal computers and peripheral equipment 1 2 .......... 15.5 15.3 15.1 15.0 -2.4 -9.5 -7.4 -12.3 -6.0 -9.9 

Other goods and services ........................................................ 303.9 304.8 305.5 306.3 1.2 2.8 1.3 3.2 2.0 2.3

Tobacco and smoking products 1 ........................................... 476.0 480.5 481.6 482.9 1.5 2.7 2.0 5.9 2.1 4.0 

Personal care ......................................................................... 181.3 181.5 181.9 182.3 1.1 2.7 1.3 2.2 1.9 1.8 

Personal care products 1 ...................................................... 153.8 153.4 152.8 153.5 .0 2.9 -1.8 -.8 1.4 -1.3 

Personal care services 1 ...................................................... 196.9 197.5 198.9 199.1 -2.2 3.1 2.3 4.5 .4 3.4 

Miscellaneous personal services .......................................... 293.6 294.4 295.2 296.2 3.8 4.1 3.5 3.6 4.0 3.5 

Commodity and service group

Commodities .............................................................................. 155.8 155.0 154.8 155.0 -3.6 7.4 6.4 -2.0 1.7 2.1 

Food and beverages ................................................................ 186.9 187.3 187.5 187.5 5.6 1.5 4.9 1.3 3.6 3.1 

Commodities less food and beverages .................................... 138.1 136.9 136.5 136.7 -9.1 11.0 7.3 -4.0 .4 1.5 

Nondurables less food and beverages ................................... 158.4 158.0 157.0 155.2 -.3 13.7 8.2 -7.8 6.5 -.1 

Apparel ................................................................................. 121.4 120.4 120.1 120.1 -2.3 2.0 2.0 -4.2 -.2 -1.2 

Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .................. 188.4 184.9 184.1 184.3 -15.0 28.9 19.0 -8.4 4.7 4.4 

Durables ................................................................................. 114.5 114.2 114.2 114.6 -4.4 .7 -1.7 .3 -1.9 -.7 

Services ...................................................................................... 222.8 223.4 223.7 224.3 2.0 3.5 3.7 2.7 2.8 3.2 

Rent of shelter 4 ....................................................................... 228.1 228.7 228.8 229.5 2.4 3.6 3.6 2.5 3.0 3.0 

Tenants’ and household insurance 1 2 ..................................... 116.2 116.1 116.3 116.6 -5.4 2.8 3.9 1.4 -1.4 2.6 

Gas (piped) and electricity 3 ..................................................... 152.1 152.4 153.3 151.7 -6.1 4.2 16.2 -1.0 -1.1 7.2 

Water and sewer and trash collection services 2 ..................... 123.9 124.6 125.1 125.6 5.5 6.8 6.7 5.6 6.2 6.2 

Household operations 1 2 ......................................................... 124.7 125.5 126.1 126.1 1.0 3.3 3.6 4.6 2.1 4.1 

Transportation services ............................................................ 220.1 221.1 220.8 220.8 1.3 2.0 1.5 1.3 1.7 1.4 

Medical care services ............................................................... 321.0 322.3 323.1 324.0 5.3 6.8 4.1 3.8 6.1 3.9 

Other services .......................................................................... 261.0 261.3 261.8 263.0 2.0 2.8 2.5 3.1 2.4 2.8 

Special indexes

All items less food ...................................................................... 189.9 189.8 189.8 190.2 -1.3 5.5 4.8 .6 2.1 2.7 

All items less shelter ................................................................... 180.0 179.7 179.7 179.9 -1.6 5.8 5.5 -.2 2.1 2.6 

All items less medical care ......................................................... 183.2 183.1 183.1 183.4 -.4 4.8 5.0 .4 2.1 2.7 

Commodities less food ............................................................... 140.1 138.9 138.5 138.8 -8.5 10.8 6.8 -3.7 .7 1.5 

Nondurables less food ................................................................ 160.5 159.9 159.2 157.6 -.3 12.9 7.8 -7.0 6.1 .1 

Nondurables less food and apparel ............................................ 188.2 185.0 183.9 184.2 -13.1 26.8 17.9 -8.2 4.9 4.0 

Nondurables ............................................................................... 173.3 172.9 172.4 171.4 3.2 6.9 7.5 -4.3 5.0 1.4 

Services less rent of shelter 4 .................................................... 233.5 233.8 234.7 235.0 2.1 2.5 4.6 2.6 2.3 3.6 

Services less medical care services ........................................... 214.5 214.9 215.3 215.7 2.1 2.7 3.8 2.3 2.4 3.0 

Energy ........................................................................................ 156.4 153.4 153.0 152.4 -22.2 38.6 33.5 -9.8 3.8 9.7 

All items less energy .................................................................. 194.5 194.7 194.8 195.3 1.7 2.7 2.7 1.7 2.2 2.2 

All items less food and energy ................................................. 196.6 196.8 196.9 197.5 .8 2.9 2.3 1.8 1.9 2.1 

Commodities less food and energy commodities ................... 139.7 139.3 139.1 139.4 -2.8 1.4 .3 -.9 -.7 -.3 

Energy commodities ............................................................. 169.7 163.5 161.8 162.2 -35.2 82.5 50.2 -16.5 8.8 11.9 

Services less energy services ................................................ 230.0 230.6 230.9 231.7 2.5 3.4 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 

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 Indexes on a December 1988=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

Sep.2004 from—

Percent change to

Aug.2004 from—

June

2004

July

2004

Aug.

2004

Sep.

2004

Sep.

2003

July

2004

Aug.

2004

Aug.

2003

June

2004

July

2004

U.S. city average ............................................ M 189.7 189.4 189.5 189.9 2.5 0.3 0.2 2.7 -0.1 0.1 

Region and area size2

Northeast urban .............................................. M 201.1 201.0 201.0 201.2 3.2 .1 .1 3.4 .0 .0 

Size A - More than 1,500,000 ..................... M 203.3 203.0 203.1 203.2 3.0 .1 .0 3.3 -.1 .0 

Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 3 ................ M 118.7 119.2 118.9 119.2 3.7 .0 .3 3.9 .2 -.3 

Midwest urban ................................................ M 183.3 183.2 183.3 183.6 2.3 .2 .2 2.5 .0 .1 

Size A - More than 1,500,000 ..................... M 185.3 185.4 185.6 185.9 2.1 .3 .2 2.4 .2 .1 

Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 3 ................ M 116.8 116.3 116.5 116.8 2.5 .4 .3 2.6 -.3 .2 

Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than

50,000) ............................................... M 176.9 177.1 176.3 176.4 2.4 -.4 .1 2.4 -.3 -.5 

South urban .................................................... M 182.9 182.6 182.6 182.8 2.5 .1 .1 2.6 -.2 .0 

Size A - More than 1,500,000 ..................... M 184.3 183.7 183.7 184.0 2.2 .2 .2 2.2 -.3 .0 

Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 3 ................ M 117.0 116.9 116.9 116.9 2.7 .0 .0 3.1 -.1 .0 

Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than

50,000) ............................................... M 180.5 180.1 180.0 181.2 2.8 .6 .7 2.3 -.3 -.1 

West urban ..................................................... M 193.3 192.9 193.0 193.8 2.2 .5 .4 2.0 -.2 .1 

Size A - More than 1,500,000 ..................... M 195.9 195.4 195.5 196.4 2.1 .5 .5 2.0 -.2 .1 

Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 3 ................ M 117.9 117.9 118.1 118.4 2.4 .4 .3 2.3 .2 .2 

Size classes

A 4 .............................................................. M 173.4 173.1 173.2 173.6 2.4 .3 .2 2.5 -.1 .1 

B/C 3 ........................................................... M 117.3 117.3 117.3 117.4 2.7 .1 .1 3.0 .0 .0 

D ................................................................. M 181.8 181.3 181.0 181.8 2.5 .3 .4 2.2 -.4 -.2 

Selected local areas5

Chicago-Gary-Kenosha, IL-IN-WI ................... M 189.1 189.2 190.2 190.0 2.1 .4 -.1 3.1 .6 .5 

Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CA ... M 193.7 193.4 193.1 194.5 3.3 .6 .7 3.3 -.3 -.2 

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

NY-NJ-CT-PA ......................................... M 206.0 205.5 205.7 205.9 3.2 .2 .1 3.3 -.1 .1 

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

 208.9 - 209.8 1.5 .4 - - - -

Cleveland-Akron, OH ...................................... 1 - 181.7 - 183.8 3.0 1.2 - - - -

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

 179.1 - 179.7 1.5 .3 - - - -

Washington-Baltimore, DC-MD-VA-WV 6 ...... 1 - 120.2 - 120.8 3.1 .5 - - - -

Atlanta, GA ..................................................... 2 185.7 -

 184.1 - - - - 1.3 -.9 -

Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, MI .............................. 2 185.8 -

 186.8 - - - - 1.7 .5 -

Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .................... 2 169.3 - 169.1 - - - - 3.0 -.1 -

Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ............................. 2 185.6 -

 185.1 - - - - 2.3 -.3 -

Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City,

PA-NJ-DE-MD ........................................ 2 198.0 -

 199.1 - - - - 4.2 .6 -

San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA ........... 2 199.0 -

 198.7 - - - - 1.2 -.2 -

Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, WA .................... 2 195.3 - 194.6 - - - - .1 -.4 -

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

2003

Unadjusted

indexes

Unadjusted

percent change to

Sep. 2004 from—

Seasonally adjusted

percent change from—

Aug.

2004

Sep.

2004

Sep.

2003

Aug.

2004

June to

July

July to

Aug.

Aug. to

Sep.

Expenditure category

All items ...................................................................................... 100.000 185.0 185.4 2.4 0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.2 

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

 551.0 552.4 - - - - -

Food and beverages ................................................................ 17.151 186.9 186.8 3.4 -.1 .3 .1 .0 

Food ....................................................................................... 16.061 186.4 186.2 3.3 -.1 .3 .1 -.1

Food at home ....................................................................... 9.637 186.1 185.5 3.4 -.3 .1 -.1 -.3 

Cereals and bakery products ............................................. 1.364 207.0 206.3 1.4 -.3 .2 .0 .1 

Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ............................................ 2.908 183.7 183.4 7.3 -.2 .6 .1 -.2 

Dairy and related products ................................................. .955 184.9 181.4 6.6 -1.9 -.8 -1.7 -2.0 

Fruits and vegetables ......................................................... 1.344 222.2 223.9 .2 .8 -.2 .3 .6 

Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials .............. 1.076 139.6 139.7 .9 .1 .2 .1 .3 

Other food at home ............................................................ 1.991 165.8 164.8 1.2 -.6 .1 .2 -.5 

Sugar and sweets ............................................................. .321 163.8 163.1 .6 -.4 .4 .7 -.3 

Fats and oils ..................................................................... .303 169.9 170.3 8.1 .2 -.1 -1.5 .1 

Other foods ....................................................................... 1.366 181.4 179.7 -.2 -.9 .2 .3 -.7 

Other miscellaneous foods 1 2 ....................................... .350 112.0 111.0 -.3 -.9 -1.5 2.1 -.9 

Food away from home 1 ....................................................... 6.424 188.2 188.8 3.3 .3 .4 .3 .3 

Other food away from home 2 ............................................ .252 125.2 125.8 3.1 .5 .0 .2 .2 

Alcoholic beverages 1 ............................................................ 1.090 192.8 194.0 3.4 .6 -.3 .3 .6 

Housing .................................................................................... 39.114 186.6 186.5 2.7 -.1 .3 .2 .1 

Shelter .................................................................................... 30.151 213.4 213.4 2.8 .0 .3 .1 .2 

Rent of primary residence 3 ................................................. 8.065 211.0 211.6 2.8 .3 .2 .3 .2 

Lodging away from home 2 .................................................. 1.722 131.6 127.7 6.6 -3.0 1.8 -1.0 1.7 

Owners’ equivalent rent of primary residence 3 4 ................. 20.026 204.7 205.1 2.3 .2 .2 .1 .1 

Tenants’ and household insurance 1 2 ................................. .337 116.5 116.8 .9 .3 -.2 .2 .3 

Fuels and utilities .................................................................... 5.079 167.2 166.2 4.5 -.6 .4 .8 -.6 

Fuels ..................................................................................... 4.146 149.3 148.2 4.1 -.7 .3 .8 -.8 

Fuel oil and other fuels ....................................................... .216 156.8 161.1 24.5 2.7 3.3 5.4 2.2 

Gas (piped) and electricity 3 ............................................... 3.930 156.8 155.3 3.1 -1.0 .1 .6 -1.0 

Water and sewer and trash collection services 2 ................. .933 125.4 125.8 6.3 .3 .6 .4 .4 

Household furnishings and operations ................................... 3.884 120.4 120.6 -.3 .2 -.6 -.1 .2 

Household operations 1 2 ..................................................... .318 128.0 127.6 3.4 -.3 .4 .4 -.3 

Apparel ..................................................................................... 4.357 115.9 120.6 -.3 4.1 -.7 -.4 .3 

Men’s and boys’ apparel ........................................................ 1.120 113.3 115.6 -.8 2.0 .0 -1.4 -.1 

Women’s and girls’ apparel .................................................... 1.727 106.9 114.0 -.4 6.6 -1.0 -.5 -.4 

Infants’ and toddlers’ apparel ................................................. .250 117.6 122.3 -3.3 4.0 .2 -1.2 2.1 

Footwear ................................................................................ 1.011 116.3 120.4 .7 3.5 -1.3 1.4 1.9 

Transportation .......................................................................... 19.145 161.4 161.6 2.2 .1 -.9 -.2 .4 

Private transportation ............................................................. 18.348 158.6 159.1 2.4 .3 -.9 -.2 .4 

New and used motor vehicles 2 ........................................... 9.305 92.2 92.9 -1.6 .8 .2 .2 .8 

New vehicles ...................................................................... 4.864 136.0 136.0 -1.2 .0 -.6 -.4 -.1 

Used cars and trucks 1 ....................................................... 3.487 134.6 137.3 -1.8 2.0 1.2 1.2 2.0 

Motor fuel ............................................................................. 3.967 162.4 161.7 9.6 -.4 -4.0 -1.6 .2 

Gasoline (all types) ............................................................. 3.936 161.7 161.0 9.5 -.4 -4.0 -1.7 .1 

Motor vehicle parts and equipment 1 ................................... .456 108.4 108.7 1.4 .3 .4 .2 .3 

Motor vehicle maintenance and repair ................................. 1.365 202.7 202.7 2.4 .0 .3 .4 -.2 

Public transportation ............................................................... .797 208.0 203.1 -2.5 -2.4 .6 -1.3 -1.5 

Medical care ............................................................................. 4.969 311.0 311.7 4.5 .2 .3 .2 .4 

Medical care commodities ...................................................... 1.142 263.8 264.8 2.1 .4 .0 .2 .5 

Medical care services ............................................................. 3.827 323.2 323.9 5.2 .2 .4 .2 .4 

Professional services ........................................................... 2.256 275.8 275.9 4.3 .0 .3 .5 .1 

Hospital and related services 3 ............................................ 1.254 414.9 416.4 5.2 .4 .5 -.4 .6 

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

2003

Unadjusted

indexes

Unadjusted

percent change to

Sep. 2004 from—

Seasonally adjusted

percent change from—

Aug.

2004

Sep.

2004

Sep.

2003

Aug.

2004

June to

July

July to

Aug.

Aug. to

Sep.

Expenditure category

Recreation 2 ............................................................................. 5.697 106.1 106.2 0.7 0.1 -0.3 -0.2 0.2 

Video and audio 2 ................................................................... 1.928 103.4 103.3 .6 -.1 .1 -.3 .2 

Education and communication 2 .............................................. 5.645 109.9 110.8 1.0 .8 -.1 .0 .4 

Education 2 ............................................................................. 2.299 143.6 146.3 6.2 1.9 .5 .6 .5 

Educational books and supplies ........................................... .215 354.7 354.8 4.5 .0 -.1 1.1 -.8 

Tuition, other school fees, and childcare .............................. 2.084 405.8 414.0 6.4 2.0 .5 .5 .6 

Communication 2 .................................................................... 3.345 87.6 87.8 -2.7 .2 -.5 -.5 .3 

Information and information processing 1 2 .......................... 3.194 86.2 86.3 -2.8 .1 -.2 -.6 .1 

Telephone services 1 2 ....................................................... 2.622 95.2 95.5 -2.2 .3 -.3 -.6 .3 

Information technology, hardware and services 1 5 ........... .572 15.3 15.2 -5.6 -.7 -.6 .0 -.7 

Personal computers and peripheral equipment 1 2 .......... .205 14.9 14.8 -7.5 -.7 -1.3 -.7 -.7 

Other goods and services ........................................................ 3.923 313.5 314.4 2.1 .3 .4 .2 .3 

Tobacco and smoking products 1 ........................................... 1.248 482.6 483.9 3.0 .3 1.0 .2 .3 

Personal care ......................................................................... 2.675 180.5 180.9 1.7 .2 .1 .2 .2 

Personal care products 1 ...................................................... .737 153.1 154.0 .0 .6 -.3 -.5 .6 

Personal care services 1 ...................................................... .610 199.5 199.7 1.8 .1 .3 .7 .1 

Miscellaneous personal services .......................................... 1.152 295.4 296.2 3.9 .3 .3 .3 .4 

Commodity and service group

Commodities .............................................................................. 44.582 154.9 155.7 2.0 .5 -.4 -.1 .3 

Food and beverages ................................................................ 17.151 186.9 186.8 3.4 -.1 .3 .1 .0 

Commodities less food and beverages .................................... 27.430 137.1 138.2 1.1 .8 -.9 -.3 .4 

Nondurables less food and beverages ................................... 14.671 159.5 161.2 3.4 1.1 -.4 -.6 -1.2 

Apparel ................................................................................. 4.357 115.9 120.6 -.3 4.1 -.7 -.4 .3 

Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .................. 10.315 190.2 190.1 4.9 -.1 -2.0 -.6 .1 

Durables ................................................................................. 12.759 113.1 113.7 -1.6 .5 -.3 .1 .7 

Services ...................................................................................... 55.418 220.2 220.3 2.8 .0 .3 .2 .1 

Rent of shelter 4 ....................................................................... 29.813 205.5 205.5 2.8 .0 .2 .1 .3 

Tenants’ and household insurance 1 2 ..................................... .337 116.5 116.8 .9 .3 -.2 .2 .3 

Gas (piped) and electricity 3 ..................................................... 3.930 156.8 155.3 3.1 -1.0 .1 .6 -1.0 

Water and sewer and trash collection services 2 ..................... .933 125.4 125.8 6.3 .3 .6 .4 .4 

Household operations 1 2 ......................................................... .318 128.0 127.6 3.4 -.3 .4 .4 -.3 

Transportation services ............................................................ 6.241 221.0 220.5 1.7 -.2 .4 .0 .0 

Medical care services ............................................................... 3.827 323.2 323.9 5.2 .2 .4 .2 .4 

Other services .......................................................................... 10.020 254.4 256.0 2.2 .6 .1 .1 .5 

Special indexes

All items less food ...................................................................... 83.939 184.5 185.1 2.3 .3 -.1 .0 .3 

All items less shelter ................................................................... 69.849 176.6 177.3 2.3 .4 -.2 .0 .2 

All items less medical care ......................................................... 95.031 179.6 180.0 2.3 .2 -.1 .0 .2 

Commodities less food ............................................................... 28.520 139.0 140.2 1.2 .9 -.8 -.3 .4 

Nondurables less food ................................................................ 15.761 161.5 163.2 3.4 1.1 -.2 -.6 -1.1 

Nondurables less food and apparel ............................................ 11.405 189.6 189.7 4.7 .1 -1.9 -.6 .1 

Nondurables ............................................................................... 31.823 173.6 174.5 3.4 .5 -.2 -.2 -.6

Services less rent of shelter 4 .................................................... 25.605 209.3 209.5 2.8 .1 .2 .2 .2 

Services less medical care services ........................................... 51.592 212.2 212.3 2.7 .0 .2 .2 .1 

Energy ........................................................................................ 8.114 155.1 154.2 6.9 -.6 -2.0 -.5 -.3 

All items less energy .................................................................. 91.886 189.5 190.2 2.0 .4 .2 .1 .3 

All items less food and energy ................................................. 75.825 190.5 191.4 1.8 .5 .1 .1 .3 

Commodities less food and energy commodities ................... 24.337 138.0 139.5 -.5 1.1 -.2 .0 .4 

Energy commodities ............................................................. 4.183 162.8 162.3 10.3 -.3 -3.6 -1.3 .3 

Services less energy services ................................................ 51.488 227.1 227.4 2.8 .1 .3 .1 .3 

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

 $ .541 $ .539 - - - - -

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

 $ .181 $ .181 - - - - -

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 Indexes on a December 1988=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—

June

2004

July

2004

Aug.

2004

Sep.

2004

Dec.

2003

Mar.

2004

June

2004

Sep.

2004

Mar.

2004

Sep.

2004

Expenditure category

All items ...................................................................................... 185.0 184.9 185.0 185.3 -1.1 5.4 4.9 0.7 2.1 2.8 

Food and beverages ................................................................ 186.4 186.9 187.0 187.0 5.9 1.3 5.1 1.3 3.6 3.2 

Food ....................................................................................... 185.9 186.4 186.6 186.5 6.1 1.1 5.1 1.3 3.6 3.2 

Food at home ....................................................................... 186.3 186.5 186.4 185.9 7.8 -.2 7.2 -.9 3.7 3.1 

Cereals and bakery products ............................................. 205.9 206.3 206.2 206.5 .0 2.6 1.6 1.2 1.3 1.4 

Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ............................................ 182.7 183.8 184.0 183.6 24.1 -3.5 8.8 2.0 9.5 5.3 

Dairy and related products ................................................. 190.2 188.7 185.4 181.6 3.6 -.9 51.3 -16.9 1.3 12.1 

Fruits and vegetables ......................................................... 224.9 224.4 225.1 226.4 4.0 -2.4 -3.1 2.7 .7 -.3 

Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials .............. 139.4 139.7 139.8 140.2 1.4 .0 .0 2.3 .7 1.2 

Other food at home ............................................................ 165.1 165.3 165.6 164.7 .0 4.2 1.5 -1.0 2.1 .2 

Sugar and sweets ............................................................. 161.9 162.5 163.6 163.1 -.7 1.0 -.7 3.0 .1 1.1 

Fats and oils ..................................................................... 172.3 172.2 169.7 169.9 3.3 20.0 16.1 -5.5 11.4 4.8 

Other foods ....................................................................... 180.1 180.4 181.0 179.7 -.4 1.8 -1.1 -.9 .7 -1.0 

Other miscellaneous foods 1 2 ....................................... 111.4 109.7 112.0 111.0 -3.5 7.1 -2.8 -1.4 1.6 -2.1 

Food away from home 1 ....................................................... 186.8 187.6 188.2 188.8 3.3 3.1 2.6 4.4 3.2 3.5 

Other food away from home 2 ............................................ 125.0 125.0 125.3 125.5 4.7 3.3 3.3 1.6 4.0 2.4 

Alcoholic beverages 1 ............................................................ 192.7 192.2 192.8 194.0 2.6 5.0 3.2 2.7 3.8 3.0 

Housing .................................................................................... 185.0 185.5 185.9 186.1 .9 3.6 4.0 2.4 2.2 3.2 

Shelter .................................................................................... 212.1 212.7 213.0 213.5 1.9 3.3 3.1 2.7 2.6 2.9 

Rent of primary residence 3 ................................................. 210.1 210.6 211.2 211.6 1.8 2.7 3.7 2.9 2.2 3.3 

Lodging away from home 2 .................................................. 125.5 127.8 126.5 128.7 5.8 9.8 1.0 10.6 7.8 5.7 

Owners’ equivalent rent of primary residence 3 4 ................. 204.1 204.6 204.9 205.1 2.0 2.6 2.8 2.0 2.3 2.4 

Tenants’ and household insurance 1 2 ................................. 116.5 116.3 116.5 116.8 -4.7 2.8 4.6 1.0 -1.0 2.8 

Fuels and utilities .................................................................... 162.1 162.7 164.0 163.0 -3.8 6.1 14.5 2.2 1.0 8.2 

Fuels ..................................................................................... 144.2 144.7 145.9 144.8 -5.6 5.7 16.5 1.7 -.1 8.8 

Fuel oil and other fuels ....................................................... 152.4 157.4 165.9 169.6 -2.9 24.8 29.0 53.4 10.1 40.7 

Gas (piped) and electricity 3 ............................................... 151.4 151.6 152.5 151.0 -5.9 4.8 16.0 -1.1 -.7 7.1 

Water and sewer and trash collection services 2 ................. 124.0 124.7 125.2 125.7 5.2 7.9 6.0 5.6 6.5 5.8 

Household furnishings and operations ................................... 121.2 120.5 120.4 120.6 -1.3 2.3 -.7 -2.0 .5 -1.3 

Household operations 1 2 ..................................................... 127.0 127.5 128.0 127.6 1.3 5.3 5.2 1.9 3.3 3.5 

Apparel ..................................................................................... 120.7 119.9 119.4 119.7 -1.7 3.0 .7 -3.3 .7 -1.3 

Men’s and boys’ apparel ........................................................ 118.3 118.3 116.6 116.5 2.1 1.7 -.3 -5.9 1.9 -3.2 

Women’s and girls’ apparel .................................................... 113.9 112.8 112.2 111.8 -1.4 4.0 2.9 -7.2 1.2 -2.3 

Infants’ and toddlers’ apparel ................................................. 120.2 120.5 119.0 121.5 -12.4 7.4 -10.8 4.4 -3.0 -3.5 

Footwear ................................................................................ 117.6 116.1 117.7 119.9 -3.3 .3 -2.0 8.1 -1.5 2.9 

Transportation .......................................................................... 163.3 161.9 161.5 162.1 -13.2 16.0 11.5 -2.9 .4 4.1 

Private transportation ............................................................. 160.7 159.2 158.9 159.6 -13.6 16.7 12.3 -2.7 .4 4.5 

New and used motor vehicles 2 ........................................... 92.2 92.4 92.6 93.3 -9.4 -.4 -.9 4.9 -5.0 2.0 

New vehicles ...................................................................... 138.6 137.8 137.3 137.1 -1.4 .6 .6 -4.3 -.4 -1.9 

Used cars and trucks 1 ....................................................... 131.4 133.0 134.6 137.3 -21.2 .9 -1.8 19.2 -10.8 8.2 

Motor fuel ............................................................................. 170.6 163.8 161.1 161.5 -36.9 85.8 53.4 -19.7 8.3 11.0 

Gasoline (all types) ............................................................. 170.0 163.2 160.5 160.7 -36.8 85.7 53.6 -20.2 8.3 10.8 

Motor vehicle parts and equipment 1 ................................... 107.8 108.2 108.4 108.7 .4 .4 1.5 3.4 .4 2.4 

Motor vehicle maintenance and repair ................................. 201.7 202.3 203.1 202.7 3.5 .8 3.2 2.0 2.1 2.6 

Public transportation ............................................................... 206.7 207.9 205.1 202.1 -.8 3.3 -4.0 -8.6 1.3 -6.3 

Medical care ............................................................................. 309.3 310.2 310.9 312.2 4.4 6.1 3.8 3.8 5.2 3.8 

Medical care commodities ...................................................... 263.3 263.2 263.6 264.8 .6 2.6 2.8 2.3 1.6 2.5 

Medical care services ............................................................. 321.2 322.4 323.2 324.6 5.4 7.1 4.2 4.3 6.3 4.3 

Professional services ........................................................... 273.8 274.5 275.8 276.2 3.7 7.4 2.7 3.6 5.5 3.1

Hospital and related services 3 ............................................ 414.2 416.4 414.9 417.3 6.8 5.7 5.5 3.0 6.2 4.3 

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—

June

2004

July

2004

Aug.

2004

Sep.

2004

Dec.

2003

Mar.

2004

June

2004

Sep.

2004

Mar.

2004

Sep.

2004

Expenditure category

Recreation 2 ............................................................................. 106.6 106.3 106.1 106.3 0.8 2.3 0.8 -1.1 1.5 -0.2 

Video and audio 2 ................................................................... 103.6 103.7 103.4 103.6 .4 .4 1.6 .0 .4 .8 

Education and communication 2 .............................................. 110.0 109.9 109.9 110.3 .7 1.5 .7 1.1 1.1 .9 

Education 2 ............................................................................. 142.0 142.7 143.5 144.2 5.7 6.8 5.5 6.3 6.3 5.9 

Educational books and supplies ........................................... 352.2 351.8 355.8 353.1 10.7 2.1 4.3 1.0 6.3 2.7 

Tuition, other school fees, and childcare .............................. 401.1 403.3 405.4 407.9 5.4 7.1 5.9 7.0 6.2 6.4 

Communication 2 .................................................................... 88.5 88.1 87.7 88.0 -3.5 -2.2 -2.7 -2.2 -2.9 -2.5 

Information and information processing 1 2 .......................... 86.9 86.7 86.2 86.3 -2.2 -1.8 -4.5 -2.7 -2.0 -3.6 

Telephone services 1 2 ....................................................... 96.1 95.8 95.2 95.5 -.8 -2.0 -3.3 -2.5 -1.4 -2.9 

Information technology, hardware and services 1 5 ........... 15.4 15.3 15.3 15.2 -7.2 -2.5 -7.4 -5.1 -4.9 -6.3 

Personal computers and peripheral equipment 1 2 .......... 15.2 15.0 14.9 14.8 -2.5 -9.7 -7.5 -10.1 -6.2 -8.8 

Other goods and services ........................................................ 311.6 312.9 313.5 314.4 1.2 2.5 1.3 3.6 1.8 2.5

Tobacco and smoking products 1 ........................................... 476.9 481.6 482.6 483.9 1.4 2.3 2.3 6.0 1.8 4.1 

Personal care ......................................................................... 179.9 180.1 180.5 180.9 .9 2.7 .9 2.2 1.8 1.6 

Personal care products 1 ...................................................... 154.3 153.9 153.1 154.0 .0 2.6 -1.8 -.8 1.3 -1.3 

Personal care services 1 ...................................................... 197.5 198.1 199.5 199.7 -2.4 2.9 2.5 4.5 .2 3.5 

Miscellaneous personal services .......................................... 293.5 294.4 295.4 296.5 3.3 4.2 3.9 4.2 3.7 4.0 

Commodity and service group

Commodities .............................................................................. 156.4 155.7 155.5 155.9 -4.4 7.6 6.7 -1.3 1.4 2.6 

Food and beverages ................................................................ 186.4 186.9 187.0 187.0 5.9 1.3 5.1 1.3 3.6 3.2 

Commodities less food and beverages .................................... 139.4 138.2 137.8 138.3 -10.7 11.9 7.8 -3.1 .0 2.2 

Nondurables less food and beverages ................................... 162.0 161.3 160.3 158.4 .0 15.2 8.9 -8.6 7.3 -.3 

Apparel ................................................................................. 120.7 119.9 119.4 119.7 -1.7 3.0 .7 -3.3 .7 -1.3 

Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .................. 194.6 190.8 189.6 189.8 -15.8 32.1 20.3 -9.5 5.5 4.4 

Durables ................................................................................. 113.5 113.2 113.3 114.1 -6.4 .4 -1.7 2.1 -3.1 .2 

Services ...................................................................................... 218.6 219.2 219.6 219.9 1.7 3.4 3.7 2.4 2.5 3.1 

Rent of shelter 4 ....................................................................... 204.4 204.9 205.1 205.7 2.2 3.2 3.2 2.6 2.7 2.9 

Tenants’ and household insurance 1 2 ..................................... 116.5 116.3 116.5 116.8 -4.7 2.8 4.6 1.0 -1.0 2.8 

Gas (piped) and electricity 3 ..................................................... 151.4 151.6 152.5 151.0 -5.9 4.8 16.0 -1.1 -.7 7.1 

Water and sewer and trash collection services 2 ..................... 124.0 124.7 125.2 125.7 5.2 7.9 6.0 5.6 6.5 5.8 

Household operations 1 2 ......................................................... 127.0 127.5 128.0 127.6 1.3 5.3 5.2 1.9 3.3 3.5 

Transportation services ............................................................ 220.5 221.4 221.4 221.4 1.3 2.4 1.6 1.6 1.8 1.6 

Medical care services ............................................................... 321.2 322.4 323.2 324.6 5.4 7.1 4.2 4.3 6.3 4.3 

Other services .......................................................................... 253.9 254.1 254.3 255.5 1.4 2.7 1.9 2.5 2.1 2.2 

Special indexes

All items less food ...................................................................... 184.7 184.5 184.5 185.0 -2.6 6.1 5.1 .7 1.7 2.9 

All items less shelter ................................................................... 177.2 176.8 176.8 177.1 -2.5 6.2 6.1 -.2 1.7 2.9 

All items less medical care ......................................................... 179.7 179.6 179.6 179.9 -1.4 5.4 5.1 .4 1.9 2.7 

Commodities less food ............................................................... 141.3 140.1 139.7 140.3 -10.0 11.4 7.7 -2.8 .1 2.3 

Nondurables less food ................................................................ 163.7 163.3 162.3 160.5 .0 14.7 7.7 -7.6 7.1 -.2 

Nondurables less food and apparel ............................................ 193.9 190.2 189.0 189.1 -14.2 29.5 19.6 -9.5 5.4 4.0 

Nondurables ............................................................................... 174.9 174.5 174.2 173.1 3.1 7.6 7.4 -4.1 5.3 1.5 

Services less rent of shelter 4 .................................................... 207.4 207.9 208.3 208.7 2.2 2.2 4.6 2.5 2.2 3.5 

Services less medical care services ........................................... 210.7 211.2 211.6 211.9 2.0 2.7 3.7 2.3 2.3 3.0 

Energy ........................................................................................ 156.7 153.5 152.8 152.4 -23.2 41.1 34.9 -10.5 4.1 9.9 

All items less energy .................................................................. 189.4 189.7 189.8 190.3 1.3 2.4 2.6 1.9 1.8 2.2 

All items less food and energy ................................................. 190.5 190.7 190.9 191.4 .2 2.8 1.9 1.9 1.5 1.9 

Commodities less food and energy commodities ................... 139.3 139.0 139.0 139.5 -3.9 1.4 .0 .6 -1.3 .3 

Energy commodities ............................................................. 170.3 164.1 162.0 162.5 -35.7 82.4 51.9 -17.1 8.3 12.2 

Services less energy services ................................................ 226.0 226.7 227.0 227.6 2.2 3.5 2.7 2.9 2.8 2.8 

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 Indexes on a December 1988=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

Sep.2004 from—

Percent change to

Aug.2004 from—

June

2004

July

2004

Aug.

2004

Sep.

2004

Sep.

2003

July

2004

Aug.

2004

Aug.

2003

June

2004

July

2004

U.S. city average ............................................ M 185.3 184.9 185.0 185.4 2.4 0.3 0.2 2.6 -0.2 0.1 

Region and area size2

Northeast urban .............................................. M 197.5 197.3 197.2 197.7 3.0 .2 .3 3.4 -.2 -.1 

Size A - More than 1,500,000 ..................... M 198.3 198.0 198.1 198.4 2.8 .2 .2 3.3 -.1 .1 

Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 3 ................ M 118.8 119.1 118.7 119.2 3.6 .1 .4 3.7 -.1 -.3 

Midwest urban ................................................ M 178.2 178.0 178.2 178.6 2.3 .3 .2 2.4 .0 .1 

Size A - More than 1,500,000 ..................... M 179.4 179.5 179.8 180.2 2.2 .4 .2 2.5 .2 .2 

Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 3 ................ M 116.0 115.5 115.7 115.9 2.4 .3 .2 2.4 -.3 .2 

Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than

50,000) ............................................... M 174.1 173.7 173.4 173.7 2.2 .0 .2 2.1 -.4 -.2 

South urban .................................................... M 179.7 179.3 179.4 179.7 2.5 .2 .2 2.6 -.2 .1 

Size A - More than 1,500,000 ..................... M 181.9 181.2 181.2 181.4 2.2 .1 .1 2.4 -.4 .0 

Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 3 ................ M 115.3 115.2 115.3 115.4 2.7 .2 .1 2.9 .0 .1 

Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than

50,000) ............................................... M 180.0 179.4 179.5 180.7 2.7 .7 .7 2.3 -.3 .1 

West urban ..................................................... M 188.6 188.0 188.0 188.8 2.1 .4 .4 2.1 -.3 .0 

Size A - More than 1,500,000 ..................... M 189.7 188.9 188.9 189.9 2.0 .5 .5 1.9 -.4 .0 

Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 3 ................ M 117.6 117.4 117.6 117.8 2.2 .3 .2 2.4 .0 .2 

Size classes

A 4 .............................................................. M 171.7 171.3 171.4 171.8 2.3 .3 .2 2.5 -.2 .1 

B/C 3 ........................................................... M 116.4 116.2 116.2 116.5 2.6 .3 .3 2.7 -.2 .0 

D ................................................................. M 179.7 179.0 178.8 179.7 2.3 .4 .5 2.0 -.5 -.1 

Selected local areas5

Chicago-Gary-Kenosha, IL-IN-WI ................... M 182.5 182.4 183.2 183.1 1.8 .4 -.1 2.7 .4 .4 

Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CA ... M 187.4 186.8 186.5 187.8 3.2 .5 .7 3.3 -.5 -.2 

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

NY-NJ-CT-PA ......................................... M 200.4 200.1 200.3 200.6 2.9 .2 .1 3.2 .0 .1 

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

 207.9 - 208.8 1.3 .4 - - - -

Cleveland-Akron, OH ...................................... 1 - 172.8 - 174.8 3.1 1.2 - - - -

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

 179.4 - 180.0 1.9 .3 - - - -

Washington-Baltimore, DC-MD-VA-WV 6 ...... 1 - 119.7 - 120.4 3.0 .6 - - - -

Atlanta, GA ..................................................... 2 184.0 -

 182.5 - - - - 1.7 -.8 -

Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, MI .............................. 2 180.4 -

 181.5 - - - - 2.3 .6 -

Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .................... 2 167.6 - 167.4 - - - - 3.0 -.1 -

Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ............................. 2 183.4 -

 182.9 - - - - 2.6 -.3 -

Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City,

PA-NJ-DE-MD ........................................ 2 197.3 -

 198.0 - - - - 4.7 .4 -

San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA ........... 2 195.4 -

 195.0 - - - - 1.4 -.2 -

Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, WA .................... 2 190.4 - 189.6 - - - - .7 -.4 -

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,

2001-2002

 Unadjusted

 indexes

 Unadjusted

 percent change to

 Sep. 2004 from—

 Aug.

 2004

 Sep.

 2004

 Sep.

 2003

 Aug.

 2004

Expenditure category

All items ...................................................................................... 100.000 110.3 110.6 2.1 0.3 

Food and beverages ................................................................ 15.076 111.6 111.6 3.0 .0 

Food ....................................................................................... 14.086 111.6 111.6 3.1 .0 

Food at home ....................................................................... 8.062 110.6 110.2 2.9 -.4 

Food away from home .......................................................... 6.023 113.0 113.3 3.3 .3 

Alcoholic beverages ............................................................... .990 111.5 112.1 3.0 .5 

Housing .................................................................................... 41.793 115.0 114.9 2.6 -.1 

Shelter .................................................................................... 32.380 116.5 116.4 2.9 -.1 

Fuels and utilities .................................................................... 4.643 128.9 128.2 4.2 -.5 

Household furnishings and operations ................................... 4.771 95.0 95.1 -.8 .1 

Apparel ..................................................................................... 4.317 87.8 91.5 -.8 4.2 

Transportation .......................................................................... 17.315 107.6 107.6 1.5 .0 

Private transportation ............................................................. 16.206 107.8 108.0 1.9 .2 

Public transportation ............................................................... 1.109 104.0 101.4 -3.4 -2.5 

Medical care ............................................................................. 5.783 121.9 122.2 4.3 .2 

Medical care commodities ...................................................... 1.466 115.0 115.4 2.1 .3 

Medical care services ............................................................. 4.317 124.4 124.6 5.0 .2 

Recreation ................................................................................ 5.978 103.3 103.3 -.1 .0 

Education and communication ................................................. 6.004 99.2 100.1 .6 .9 

Education ............................................................................... 2.560 133.5 136.0 6.5 1.9 

Communication ...................................................................... 3.444 78.6 78.8 -3.5 .3 

Other goods and services ........................................................ 3.734 114.3 114.5 2.1 .2 

Commodity and service group

Services ...................................................................................... 58.567 117.0 117.0 2.7 .0 

Commodities .............................................................................. 41.433 101.8 102.3 1.3 .5 

Durables ................................................................................... 12.521 86.0 86.3 -1.8 .3 

Nondurables ............................................................................... 28.912 109.3 109.9 2.7 .5 

All items less food and energy ................................................. 78.985 108.0 108.4 1.6 .4 

Energy ........................................................................................ 6.929 136.4 135.5 6.4 -.7 

Indexes for 2004 are initial estimates. Indexes for 2003 are interim adjustments.

NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.