TEXT
Table 1. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service
Table 2. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): Seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by expenditure category and
Table 4. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and
Table 5. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and
Table 3. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Selected areas, all items index
Table 6. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: Selected areas, all items index

 
 
 
 
FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
    Patrick C. Jackman (202) 606-7000      USDL-96-184
CPI QUICKLINE:         (202) 606-6994      TRANSMISSION OF MATERIAL IN
FOR CURRENT AND HISTORICAL                 THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED
    INFORMATION:       (202) 606-7828      UNTIL 8:30 A.M. (EDT)
MEDIA CONTACT:         (202) 606-5902      Tuesday, May 14, 1996
 
                   CONSUMER PRICE INDEX:  APRIL 1996
 
     The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased
0.4 percent before seasonal adjustment in April to a level of 156.3
(1982-84=100), the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of
Labor reported today.  For the 12-month period ended in April, the CPI-U
increased 2.9 percent.
 
     The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical
Workers (CPI-W) rose 0.5 percent in April, prior to seasonal adjustment.
The April 1996 CPI-W level of 153.6 was 2.9 percent higher than the
index in April 1995.
 
CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
 
     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U rose 0.4 percent in
April, the same as in March.  The energy index registered its fifth
consecutive increase--up 3.2 percent in April--after declining
throughout most of 1995, and accounted for about three-fifths of the
April advance in the overall CPI-U.  The index for petroleum-based
energy increased 5.2 percent in April, its largest advance since a 7.5
percent increase in October 1990, and the index for energy services rose
1.4 percent.  The food index rose 0.3 percent in April, following an
increase of 0.6 percent in March.  The index for fruits and vegetables--
up 1.0 percent in April--continued to advance, but by substantially less
than in March.  Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U rose 0.1 percent
after increasing 0.3 percent in March, reflecting downturns in the
indexes for apparel and upkeep, entertainment, telephone services, and
tobacco products.
 
Table A.  Percent changes in CPI for Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
                                 Seasonally adjusted                 Un-
                                                        Compound   adjusted
    Expenditure       Changes from preceding month     annual rate  12-mos.
     Category            1995             1996        3-mos. ended   ended
                    Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr.  Apr. '96   Apr. '96
 
All Items            .3    .1   .2   .4   .2  .4    .4     3.9        2.9
 Food and beverages  .3    .0   .1   .1   .1  .5    .3     4.0        2.6
 Housing             .3    .2   .3   .3   .2  .3    .3     2.9        3.0
 Apparel and upkeep  .3    .0   .1   .7  -.9  .6   -.4    -2.7         .1
 Transportation      .1   -.4   .1   .7   .5  .7   1.1     9.8        2.9
 Medical care        .2    .3   .4   .4   .2  .3    .3     2.9        3.7
 Entertainment       .3    .4   .4   .3   .8  .1   -.1     3.4        3.5
 Other goods
  and services       .4    .4   .2   .2   .4  .4    .3     4.6        4.4
Special Indexes:
 Energy              .3   -.9  1.1  1.9   .4 1.4   3.2    22.0        5.9
 
 Food                .3    .0   .1   .1   .1  .6    .3     4.3        2.6
 All items less
  food and energy    .3    .1   .1   .3   .2  .3    .1     2.7        2.7
 
 
     During the first 4 months of 1996, the CPI-U rose at a 4.1 percent
seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR).  This compares with a 2.5
percent increase for all of 1995.  Energy costs, which declined last
year, have increased at a 22.9 percent rate, with petroleum-based energy
advancing at a 45.3 SAAR.  The food index has risen at a 3.4 percent
annual rate in the first 4 months.  Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U
advanced at a 3.0 percent rate in the first 4 months of 1996, the same
rate as the increase for all of 1995.
 
     The food and beverage index rose 0.3 percent in April.  The index
for grocery store foods, which increased 0.9 percent in March, rose 0.3
percent in April.  Fruit and vegetable prices continued to advance, but
by substantially less than in March.  A 1.0 percent increase in the
index for fruits and vegetables accounted for about three-fifths of the
increase in the April grocery store food index.  The index for fresh
fruits rose 5.1 percent, while that for fresh vegetables declined 3.3
percent.  (Prior to seasonal adjustment, fresh vegetable prices rose 1.6
percent.)  Among the other major grocery store foods, the index for
dairy products increased 0.4 percent, and the index for cereal and
bakery products rose 0.2 percent.  The index for meats, poultry, fish,
and eggs declined 0.2 percent for the second consecutive month.  Within
the latter group, the index for beef declined for the fifth consecutive
month--down 0.2 percent in April--and, coupled with declines in the
indexes for poultry and for fish and seafood, more than offset increases
in the indexes for pork and for eggs.  The other two components of the
food and beverage index--restaurant meals and alcoholic beverages--each
increased 0.3 percent in April.
 
     The housing component rose 0.3 percent in April, the same as in
March.  Shelter costs increased 0.2 percent for the third consecutive
month.  Within shelter, renters' costs and homeowners' costs each
increased 0.2 percent, and  maintenance and repair costs rose 0.4
percent.  The index for fuel and utilities, which increased 0.2 percent
in March, rose 0.6 percent in April.  The index for household fuels rose
1.6 percent in April, following a 0.3 percent decline in March.  The
index for natural gas turned back up in April, increasing 2.1 percent.
The index for electricity increased 1.1 percent, and the index for fuel
oil rose 5.1 percent.  The index for other utilities and public services
declined 0.6 percent, reflecting a decrease in the index for telephone
services--charges for local telephone calls declined 2.4 percent.  The
index for household furnishings and operation rose 0.1 percent in April,
following a 0.2 percent rise in March.
 
     The transportation index advanced 1.1 percent in April.  The index
for motor fuels increased 5.4 percent and accounted for about 85 percent
of the overall transportation increase.  Since beginning its upward trek
in December, the index for gasoline has risen 15.3 percent.  Despite the
sharp increases since November, gasoline prices as of April were still
6.6 percent below their peak level of December 1990.  Automobile
purchase costs continued their pattern of very little movement, evident
since the introduction of the 1996 models.  The indexes for new car
prices and for automobile finance charges each increased 0.1 percent in
April. The index for used cars declined 1.3 percent. The index for
public transportation increased 1.0 percent.
 
     The index for apparel and upkeep, which increased 0.6 percent in
March, declined 0.4 percent in April.  (Prior to seasonal adjustment,
clothing prices rose 0.1 percent.)
 
     Medical care costs rose 0.3 percent in April to a level 3.7 percent
above a year ago.  The index for medical care commodities--prescription
drugs, non-prescription drugs, and medical supplies--increased 0.4
percent in April.  The index for medical care services rose 0.2 percent
in April.  Charges for professional services and hospital and related
services increased 0.3 and 0.2 percent, respectively.
     Entertainment costs fell 0.1 percent in April. The indexes for
sporting goods and equipment and for fees for participant sports
declined 0.6 and 1.0 percent, respectively, more than offsetting a 0.7
percent increase in the index for admissions to movies, theaters,
concerts, and sporting  events.
 
     The index for other goods and services advanced 0.3 percent in
April, following an increase of 0.4 percent in March. The index for
tobacco and smoking products, which rose 0.7 percent in March, fell 0.2
percent in April, accounting for the slightly smaller rise in this major
group.
 
CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W)
 
     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and
Clerical Workers rose 0.4 percent in April.
 
Table B.  Percent changes in CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical
Workers (CPI-W)
                                  Seasonally adjusted                Un-
                                                         Compound  adjusted
    Expenditure        Changes from preceding month    annual rate  12-mos.
     Category            1995              1996        3-mos. ended  ended
                    Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr.   Apr. '96  Apr. '96
All Items            .3    .1   .2   .4   .2   .5   .4    4.3       2.9
 Food and beverages  .3    .1   .1   .1   .1   .5   .3    4.1       2.6
 Housing             .3    .1   .3   .3   .1   .3   .3    3.0       2.9
 Apparel and upkeep  .3   -.2   .2   .7  -.7   .6  -.2    -.9        .4
 Transportation      .1   -.3   .4   .9   .3   .9  1.1    9.5       3.1
 Medical care        .2    .3   .4   .4   .2   .2   .3    2.9       3.8
 Entertainment       .1    .4   .3   .4   .8   .0  -.1    2.9       3.3
 Other goods
  and services       .4    .4   .1   .2   .4   .3   .3    4.3       4.2
Special Indexes:
 Energy              .2   -.8  1.0  2.1   .2  1.8  3.3   23.4       6.3
 Food                .3    .0   .2   .1   .1   .6   .3    4.1       2.6
 All items less
  food and energy    .3    .2   .2   .3   .2   .3   .1    2.5       2.7
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Consumer Price Index data for May are scheduled for release on
Wednesday, June 12, 1996, at 8:30 A.M. (EDT).
 
 
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)
 
 
                                              Relative   Unadjusted indexes       Unadjusted             Seasonally adjusted
                                             importance,                       percent change to         percent change from-
                                              December     Mar.      Apr.       Apr. 1996 from-     Jan. to    Feb. to    Mar. to
                                                1995       1996      1996    Apr. 1995  Mar. 1996     Feb.       Mar.       Apr.
 
            Expenditure category
 
All items ..................................   100.000     155.7     156.3        2.9        0.4        0.2        0.4        0.4
All items (1967=100) .......................      -        466.5     468.2        -          -          -          -          -
 
  Food and beverages .......................    17.332     152.1     152.7        2.6         .4         .1         .5         .3
    Food ...................................    15.766     151.6     152.3        2.6         .5         .1         .6         .3
      Food at home .........................     9.880     152.5     153.3        2.7         .5         .0         .9         .3
        Cereals and bakery products ........     1.473     172.0     173.3        3.8         .8        -.1         .5         .2
        Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .....     2.936     142.6     141.8        3.0        -.6         .0        -.2        -.2
        Dairy products .....................     1.169     136.7     137.0        3.7         .2        1.0        -.2         .4
        Fruits and vegetables ..............     1.936     183.7     188.4        2.9        2.6        -.1        4.0        1.0
        Other food at home .................     2.365     142.4     142.8        1.3         .3        -.2         .5         .4
          Sugar and sweets .................      .327     142.3     142.2        4.0        -.1         .1         .4        -.1
          Fats and oils ....................      .248     140.1     139.9        2.0        -.1        -.2         .5        -.2
          Nonalcoholic beverages ...........      .763     129.7     129.9       -2.3         .2        -.7         .3         .5
          Other prepared food ..............     1.027     154.6     155.3        3.1         .5         .0         .7         .6
      Food away from home ..................     5.886     151.2     151.6        2.2         .3         .3         .1         .3
    Alcoholic beverages ....................     1.566     157.4     157.9        2.8         .3         .5         .3         .3
 
  Housing ..................................    41.346     151.7     151.8        3.0         .1         .2         .3         .3
    Shelter ................................    28.289     170.1     170.1        3.3         .0         .2         .2         .2
      Renters' costs 1/ ....................     7.988     180.4     179.7        3.2        -.4         .2         .3         .2
        Rent, residential ..................     5.762     160.6     160.9        2.5         .2         .3         .1         .2
        Other renters' costs ...............     2.227     219.7     216.1        4.9       -1.6         .2         .9         .4
      Homeowners' costs 1/ .................    20.102     175.0     175.3        3.4         .2         .2         .2         .2
        Owners' equivalent rent 1/ .........    19.716     175.3     175.6        3.4         .2         .2         .2         .3
        Household insurance 1/ .............      .386     159.1     159.4        1.4         .2         .4         .3         .3
      Maintenance and repairs 2/ ...........      .199     137.5     138.0        2.8         .4         .5         .4         .4
        Maintenance and repair services 2/ .      .122     143.8     143.8        3.5         .0         .6         .6         .0
        Maintenance and repair
            commodities 2/ .................      .077     129.0     130.0        1.9         .8         .2         .2         .8
    Fuel and other utilities ...............     7.014     125.2     125.4        2.7         .2         .6         .2         .6
      Fuels ................................     3.792     111.9     112.9        3.3         .9         .7        -.3        1.6
        Fuel oil and other household fuel
            commodities ....................      .356      99.3     102.1       15.5        2.8         .2        2.2        3.5
        Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
            services).......................     3.436     118.2     118.9        2.0         .6         .8        -.6        1.4
      Other utilities and public
          services 2/ ......................     3.222     156.4     155.4        2.1        -.6         .3        1.0        -.6
    Household furnishings and operation ....     6.043     124.6     124.8        1.8         .2        -.2         .2         .1
      Housefurnishings .....................     3.445     111.7     111.9         .6         .2        -.4         .0         .3
      Housekeeping supplies ................     1.116     140.9     141.4        4.0         .4        -.2         .9         .0
      Housekeeping services ................     1.482     146.6     146.6        2.6         .0         .2         .2         .1
 
  Apparel and upkeep .......................     5.516     134.8     134.9         .1         .1        -.9         .6        -.4
    Apparel commodities ....................     4.967     131.6     131.7         .0         .1       -1.0         .6        -.4
      Men's and boys' apparel ..............     1.303     129.1     129.0        1.6        -.1         .2         .8        -.4
      Women's and girls' apparel............     2.195     129.9     130.2       -1.5         .2       -2.5         .2        -.3
      Infants' and toddlers' apparel 2/ ....      .195     133.3     133.7        5.2         .3        2.2        -.8         .3
      Footwear .............................      .732     128.1     128.2         .8         .1        1.4         .8        -.7
      Other apparel commodities ............      .542     154.7     153.5        -.6        -.8       -2.1        2.1        -.8
    Apparel services 2/ ....................      .550     158.9     158.8         .7        -.1         .2         .3        -.1
 
  Transportation ...........................    16.953     141.2     143.1        2.9        1.3         .5         .7        1.1
    Private transportation .................    15.430     138.3     140.3        3.0        1.4         .2         .8        1.1
      New vehicles .........................     5.027     143.6     143.5        1.7        -.1         .3         .1         .1
        New cars ...........................     4.015     141.5     141.3        1.4        -.1         .3         .1         .1
      Used cars ............................     1.342     157.3     157.4         .4         .1         .7         .8       -1.3
      Motor fuel ...........................     2.908     101.4     108.6        9.1        7.1        -.2        3.6        5.4
        Gasoline ...........................      -        101.1     108.2        9.0        7.0        -.3        3.7        5.3
      Maintenance and repairs ..............     1.535     156.9     157.2        2.6         .2         .1         .2         .1
      Other private transportation .........     4.618     172.5     173.0        1.2         .3         .4        -.3         .5
        Other private transportation
            commodities ....................      .608     105.3     105.1         .6        -.2         .1         .1        -.1
        Other private transportation
            services .......................     4.010     188.3     189.0        1.3         .4         .5        -.4         .5
    Public transportation ..................     1.523     178.9     179.3        1.5         .2        3.3         .2        1.0
 
  Medical care .............................     7.362     226.6     227.0        3.7         .2         .2         .3         .3
    Medical care commodities ...............     1.282     208.9     209.6        2.9         .3         .2         .2         .4
    Medical care services ..................     6.081     230.7     231.1        3.9         .2         .2         .3         .2
      Professional medical services ........     3.465     206.5     207.0        3.8         .2         .2         .2         .3
 
  Entertainment ............................     4.367     158.4     158.6        3.5         .1         .8         .1        -.1
    Entertainment commodities ..............     1.975     142.7     142.8        3.4         .1         .8         .1        -.1
    Entertainment services .................     2.392     177.0     177.2        3.4         .1         .7         .0         .0
 
  Other goods and services .................     7.123     213.0     213.3        4.4         .1         .4         .4         .3
    Tobacco and smoking products ...........     1.610     230.8     230.5        3.4        -.1         .4         .7        -.2
    Personal care 2/ .......................     1.170     149.4     149.7        2.3         .2         .1         .1         .2
      Toilet goods and personal care
          appliances 2/ ....................      .613     144.0     144.2        1.4         .1         .3        -.1         .1
      Personal care services 2/ ............      .557     155.3     155.7        3.3         .3         .1         .1         .3
    Personal and educational expenses ......     4.342     244.1     244.6        5.4         .2         .5         .5         .4
      School books and supplies ............      .258     225.2     225.5        6.0         .1         .4         .6         .4
      Personal and educational services ....     4.084     245.7     246.3        5.3         .2         .5         .4         .4
 
        Commodity and service group
 
All items ..................................   100.000     155.7     156.3        2.9         .4         .2         .4         .4
  Commodities ..............................    42.916     139.2     140.2        2.6         .7         .0         .7         .5
    Food and beverages .....................    17.332     152.1     152.7        2.6         .4         .1         .5         .3
    Commodities less food and beverages ....    25.584     131.3     132.5        2.6         .9        -.1         .8         .7
      Nondurables less food and beverages ..    15.075     132.6     134.7        3.7        1.6        -.1        1.1         .9
        Apparel commodities ................     4.967     131.6     131.7         .0         .1       -1.0         .6        -.4
        Nondurables less food, beverages,
            and apparel ....................    10.108     136.2     139.3        5.5        2.3         .4        1.6        1.6
      Durables .............................    10.509     129.5     129.5        1.1         .0         .2         .2        -.1
  Services .................................    57.084     172.6     172.7        3.1         .1         .4         .2         .3
    Rent of shelter 1/ .....................    27.671     177.0     177.0        3.3         .0         .2         .3         .2
    Household services less rent of
        shelter 1/ .........................     8.681     139.6     139.6        2.1         .0         .4         .2         .4
    Transportation services ................     7.068     178.5     179.0        1.6         .3        1.0        -.1         .6
    Medical care services ..................     6.081     230.7     231.1        3.9         .2         .2         .3         .2
    Other services .........................     7.583     199.2     199.5        4.2         .2         .6         .3         .3
 
              Special indexes
 
All items less food ........................    84.234     156.5     157.0        3.0         .3         .3         .4         .4
All items less shelter .....................    71.711     151.6     152.4        2.8         .5         .2         .5         .5
All items less homeowners' costs 1/ ........    79.898     156.9     157.5        2.8         .4         .2         .4         .4
All items less medical care ................    92.638     151.7     152.3        2.8         .4         .2         .4         .4
Commodities less food ......................    27.150     132.4     133.5        2.6         .8        -.1         .8         .6
Nondurables less food ......................    16.641     134.0     136.0        3.6        1.5        -.1        1.0         .9
Nondurables less food and apparel ..........    11.674     137.3     140.1        5.1        2.0         .1        1.3        1.4
Nondurables ................................    32.407     142.5     143.9        3.1        1.0         .1         .8         .6
Services less rent of shelter 1/ ...........    29.414     180.4     180.6        2.9         .1         .6         .1         .3
Services less medical care services ........    51.004     167.2     167.3        3.0         .1         .4         .2         .3
Energy .....................................     6.700     106.1     110.0        5.9        3.7         .4        1.4        3.2
All items less energy ......................    93.300     162.3     162.5        2.7         .1         .2         .3         .2
  All items less food and energy ...........    77.534     164.9     165.0        2.7         .1         .2         .3         .1
    Commodities less food and
        energy commodities .................    23.885     141.9     142.0        1.6         .1        -.1         .4        -.1
      Energy commodities ...................     3.264     101.4     108.1        9.9        6.6        -.2        3.5        5.2
    Services less energy services ..........    53.648     178.1     178.2        3.2         .1         .3         .2         .3
Purchasing power of the consumer dollar:
  1982-84=$1.00 2/ .........................      -        $.642     $.640       -2.7        -.3        -.5        -.5        -.3
  1967=$1.00 2/ ............................      -         .214      .214        -          -          -          -          -
 
 
 
   1/     Indexes on a December 1982=100 base.
   2/     Not seasonally adjusted.
   -      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)
 
 
                                                  Seasonally adjusted indexes             Seasonally adjusted annual rate
                                                                                                percent change for
                                                                                        3 months ended-           6 months ended-
                                                 Jan.    Feb.    Mar.    Apr.    July    Oct.    Jan.    Apr.     Oct.      Apr.
                                                 1996    1996    1996    1996    1995    1995    1996    1996     1995      1996
 
              Expenditure category
 
 All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        2.4     2.6     2.6     3.9      2.5       3.3
 
   Food and beverages .........................   150.7   150.9   151.7   152.2     1.9     3.5     1.1     4.0      2.7       2.5
     Food .....................................   150.3   150.5   151.4   151.9     1.9     3.5      .8     4.3      2.7       2.5
       Food at home ...........................   150.5   150.5   151.9   152.4     1.9     4.1      .3     5.1      3.0       2.7
         Cereals and bakery products ..........   171.8   171.7   172.5   172.8     3.2     3.4     6.5     2.3      3.3       4.4
         Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......   142.1   142.1   141.8   141.5     1.5     9.0     3.5    -1.7      5.2        .9
         Dairy products .......................   135.4   136.8   136.5   137.1     2.1     2.1     5.5     5.1      2.1       5.3
         Fruits and vegetables ................   175.1   174.9   181.9   183.7     3.0     3.2   -12.2    21.1      3.1       3.1
         Other food at home ...................   141.5   141.2   141.9   142.5      .9      .6     1.1     2.9       .7       2.0
           Sugar and sweets ...................   141.4   141.5   142.1   142.0     4.2     2.9     7.4     1.7      3.5       4.5
           Fats and oils ......................   139.3   139.0   139.7   139.4     2.7     2.3     2.9      .3      2.5       1.6
           Nonalcoholic beverages .............   129.5   128.6   129.0   129.7    -3.3    -2.4    -3.9      .6     -2.8      -1.7
           Other prepared food ................   153.1   153.1   154.2   155.2     2.4     1.9     2.7     5.6      2.1       4.1
       Food away from home ....................   150.6   151.1   151.2   151.6     2.2     2.4     1.6     2.7      2.3       2.1
     Alcoholic beverages ......................   155.9   156.7   157.1   157.5     1.6     3.2     2.3     4.2      2.4       3.3
 
   Housing ....................................   150.8   151.1   151.5   151.9     2.7     3.0     3.2     2.9      2.9       3.1
     Shelter ..................................   168.6   168.9   169.3   169.7     3.7     3.2     3.6     2.6      3.4       3.1
       Renters' costs 1/ ......................   176.7   177.1   177.7   178.1     3.3     2.8     3.5     3.2      3.0       3.3
         Rent, residential ....................   160.0   160.4   160.6   160.9     2.6     2.0     3.1     2.3      2.3       2.7
         Other renters' costs .................   210.3   210.7   212.5   213.3     4.8     4.5     4.5     5.8      4.7       5.2
       Homeowners' costs 1/ ...................   174.3   174.6   175.0   175.4     3.8     3.5     3.5     2.5      3.7       3.0
         Owners' equivalent rent 1/ ...........   174.7   175.0   175.3   175.8     3.8     3.5     3.7     2.5      3.7       3.1
         Household insurance 1/ ...............   158.1   158.8   159.3   159.7      .5    -1.5     2.6     4.1      -.5       3.3
       Maintenance and repairs 2/ .............   136.3   137.0   137.5   138.0     2.7     3.6      .0     5.1      3.2       2.5
         Maintenance and repair services 2/ ...   142.1   143.0   143.8   143.8     2.3     5.8      .8     4.9      4.1       2.8
         Maintenance and repair commodities 2/    128.6   128.8   129.0   130.0     3.5      .6     -.9     4.4      2.0       1.7
     Fuel and other utilities .................   125.0   125.7   126.0   126.8      .6     1.6     2.9     5.9      1.1       4.4
       Fuels ..................................   112.0   112.8   112.5   114.3     -.7     2.2     3.3     8.5       .7       5.8
         Fuel oil and other household fuel
             commodities ......................    95.5    95.7    97.8   101.2     4.6    -3.6    40.0    26.1       .5      32.9
         Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
             services).........................   118.9   119.9   119.2   120.9    -1.3     2.7      .0     6.9       .7       3.4
       Other utilities and public services 2/ .   154.4   154.9   156.4   155.4     2.1     1.3     2.4     2.6      1.7       2.5
     Household furnishings and operation ......   124.4   124.1   124.4   124.5     1.3     3.3     2.0      .3      2.3       1.1
       Housefurnishings .......................   111.9   111.4   111.4   111.7      .0     2.9      .7     -.7      1.4        .0
       Housekeeping supplies ..................   140.5   140.2   141.4   141.4     4.5     5.0     4.1     2.6      4.8       3.3
       Housekeeping services ..................   145.7   146.0   146.3   146.5     2.5     3.1     2.5     2.2      2.8       2.4
 
   Apparel and upkeep .........................   133.1   131.9   132.7   132.2     -.9      .9     3.1    -2.7       .0        .2
     Apparel commodities ......................   129.7   128.4   129.2   128.7     -.9     1.3     2.8    -3.0       .2       -.2
       Men's and boys' apparel ................   127.3   127.6   128.6   128.1    -1.6     1.6     3.5     2.5       .0       3.0
       Women's and girls' apparel .............   128.5   125.3   125.6   125.2      .6    -1.6     5.8    -9.9      -.5      -2.4
       Infants' and toddlers' apparel 2/ ......   131.5   134.4   133.3   133.7   -12.3    28.7     1.5     6.9      6.2       4.2
       Footwear ...............................   124.6   126.4   127.4   126.5    -2.2     4.2    -5.0     6.2      1.0        .5
       Other apparel commodities ..............   153.0   149.8   153.0   151.8    -1.6     -.8     3.2    -3.1     -1.2        .0
     Apparel services 2/.......................   158.2   158.5   158.9   158.8    -1.3     -.5     3.1     1.5      -.9       2.3
 
   Transportation .............................   140.0   140.7   141.7   143.3     2.0    -1.4     1.4     9.8       .3       5.5
     Private transportation ...................   137.8   138.1   139.2   140.8      .3     -.9     3.9     9.0      -.3       6.4
       New vehicles ...........................   142.1   142.5   142.7   142.9     1.4     2.0      .8     2.3      1.7       1.6
         New cars .............................   140.0   140.4   140.6   140.7      .9     1.4     1.2     2.0      1.2       1.6
       Used cars ..............................   158.7   159.8   161.1   159.0    -5.0     -.8     7.1      .8     -2.9       3.9
       Motor fuel .............................   101.2   101.0   104.6   110.3     1.2   -14.5    16.5    41.1     -7.0      28.2
         Gasoline .............................   100.9   100.6   104.3   109.8     1.2   -14.6    16.6    40.2     -7.0      27.9
       Maintenance and repairs ................   156.5   156.6   156.9   157.1     2.6     2.9     3.4     1.5      2.8       2.5
       Other private transportation ...........   171.6   172.3   171.7   172.5     -.5     3.8     -.5     2.1      1.6        .8
         Other private transportation
             commodities ......................   105.0   105.1   105.2   105.1     1.9      .8     -.8      .4      1.3       -.2
         Other private transportation
             services .........................   187.4   188.3   187.6   188.6     -.9     4.4     -.6     2.6      1.7       1.0
     Public transportation ....................   169.6   175.2   175.6   177.3    18.5    -3.9   -22.4    19.4      6.7      -3.7
 
   Medical care ...............................   225.4   225.8   226.4   227.0     3.9     3.9     4.2     2.9      3.9       3.5
     Medical care commodities .................   207.7   208.1   208.5   209.4     1.6     2.8     3.9     3.3      2.2       3.6
     Medical care services ....................   229.3   229.7   230.3   230.8     4.4     4.2     4.3     2.6      4.3       3.5
       Professional medical services ..........   205.2   205.6   206.1   206.8     4.3     3.6     4.2     3.2      4.0       3.7
 
   Entertainment ..............................   156.9   158.1   158.3   158.2     2.6     3.7     4.2     3.4      3.2       3.8
     Entertainment commodities ................   141.3   142.5   142.7   142.5     2.3     3.2     4.7     3.4      2.8       4.0
     Entertainment services ...................   175.3   176.6   176.6   176.6     3.1     4.0     3.7     3.0      3.5       3.4
 
   Other goods and services ...................   212.2   213.1   214.0   214.6     4.6     5.1     3.5     4.6      4.8       4.0
     Tobacco and smoking products .............   228.4   229.4   231.1   230.7     4.7     5.4     -.9     4.1      5.1       1.6
     Personal care 2/ .........................   149.1   149.3   149.4   149.7     1.7     4.4     1.6     1.6      3.0       1.6
       Toilet goods and personal care
           appliances 2/ ......................   143.7   144.1   144.0   144.2     1.4     4.9    -1.9     1.4      3.1       -.3
       Personal care services 2/ ..............   155.0   155.2   155.3   155.7     1.9     4.3     5.3     1.8      3.1       3.6
     Personal and educational expenses ........   242.5   243.7   244.8   245.8     5.4     5.0     5.6     5.6      5.2       5.6
       School books and supplies ..............   222.1   222.9   224.3   225.2     3.4     6.3     8.5     5.7      4.9       7.1
       Personal and educational services ......   243.9   245.1   246.2   247.3     5.4     5.0     5.4     5.7      5.2       5.6
 
          Commodity and service group
 
 All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        2.4     2.6     2.6     3.9      2.5       3.3
   Commodities ................................   138.1   138.1   139.1   139.8     1.2     1.5     2.9     5.0      1.3       4.0
     Food and beverages .......................   150.7   150.9   151.7   152.2     1.9     3.5     1.1     4.0      2.7       2.5
     Commodities less food and beverages ......   130.4   130.3   131.3   132.2      .6      .3     4.1     5.6       .5       4.9
       Nondurables less food and beverages ....   131.6   131.5   132.9   134.1      .9    -1.2     7.3     7.8      -.2       7.6
         Apparel commodities ..................   129.7   128.4   129.2   128.7     -.9     1.3     2.8    -3.0       .2       -.2
         Nondurables less food, beverages,
             and apparel ......................   135.3   135.8   138.0   140.2     1.5    -2.4     8.4    15.3      -.5      11.8
       Durables ...............................   129.0   129.2   129.5   129.4      .3     1.3     1.9     1.2       .8       1.6
   Services ...................................   171.4   172.1   172.4   172.9     3.4     3.1     2.4     3.5      3.2       3.0
     Rent of shelter 1/ .......................   175.6   176.0   176.5   176.8     3.6     3.3     3.5     2.8      3.4       3.1
     Household services less rent
         of shelter 1/ ........................   139.4   140.0   140.3   140.8     1.2     2.3     1.2     4.1      1.7       2.6
     Transportation services ..................   175.7   177.5   177.3   178.3     3.9     2.3    -5.3     6.1      3.1        .2
     Medical care services ....................   229.3   229.7   230.3   230.8     4.4     4.2     4.3     2.6      4.3       3.5
     Other services ...........................   198.3   199.4   199.9   200.4     3.8     4.2     4.8     4.3      4.0       4.5
 
                Special indexes
 
 All items less food ..........................   155.3   155.7   156.3   156.9     2.4     2.4     2.9     4.2      2.4       3.5
 All items less shelter .......................   150.5   150.8   151.5   152.2     2.2     2.2     2.2     4.6      2.2       3.4
 All items less homeowners' costs 1/ ..........   155.6   155.9   156.6   157.3     2.1     2.4     2.3     4.4      2.2       3.4
 All items less medical care ..................   150.5   150.8   151.4   152.0     2.5     2.2     2.7     4.0      2.3       3.4
 Commodities less food ........................   131.6   131.5   132.5   133.3      .9      .3     4.1     5.3       .6       4.7
 Nondurables less food ........................   133.0   132.9   134.2   135.4     1.2     -.9     6.9     7.4       .2       7.2
 Nondurables less food and apparel ............   136.6   136.8   138.6   140.6     2.1    -1.2     8.0    12.2       .4      10.1
 Nondurables ..................................   141.3   141.4   142.5   143.3     1.2      .9     4.4     5.8      1.0       5.1
 Services less rent of shelter 1/ .............   179.2   180.2   180.4   181.0     3.0     3.2     1.6     4.1      3.1       2.8
 Services less medical care services ..........   165.9   166.6   167.0   167.5     3.2     3.2     2.0     3.9      3.2       2.9
 Energy .......................................   106.1   106.5   108.0   111.5      .0    -5.6     8.7    22.0     -2.8      15.2
 All items less energy ........................   161.2   161.5   162.0   162.3     2.6     3.1     2.3     2.8      2.8       2.5
   All items less food and energy .............   163.8   164.2   164.7   164.9     2.8     3.0     2.2     2.7      2.9       2.5
     Commodities less food and energy
         commodities ..........................   140.9   140.8   141.3   141.2      .9     2.3     2.3      .9      1.6       1.6
       Energy commodities .....................   100.7   100.5   104.0   109.4     1.6   -13.6    19.1    39.3     -6.3      28.8
     Services less energy services ............   176.7   177.3   177.7   178.2     3.5     3.3     2.5     3.4      3.4       3.0
 
 
 
    1/     Indexes on a December 1982=100 base.
    2/     Not seasonally adjusted.
    -      Data not available.
    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)
 
 
                                              Relative   Unadjusted indexes       Unadjusted             Seasonally adjusted
                                             importance,                       percent change to         percent change from-
                                              December     Mar.      Apr.       Apr. 1996 from-     Jan. to    Feb. to    Mar. to
                                                1995       1996      1996    Apr. 1995  Mar. 1996     Feb.       Mar.       Apr.
 
            Expenditure category
 
All items ..................................   100.000     152.9     153.6        2.9        0.5        0.2        0.5        0.4
All items (1967=100) .......................      -        455.6     457.6        -          -          -          -          -
 
  Food and beverages .......................    19.262     151.5     152.2        2.6         .5         .1         .5         .3
    Food ...................................    17.581     151.1     151.7        2.6         .4         .1         .6         .3
      Food at home .........................    11.206     151.6     152.4        2.8         .5         .0         .9         .3
        Cereals and bakery products ........     1.682     171.6     173.0        3.8         .8        -.1         .4         .2
        Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .....     3.453     142.3     141.5        3.1        -.6        -.1        -.2        -.1
        Dairy products .....................     1.300     136.6     136.8        3.8         .1        1.0        -.1         .4
        Fruits and vegetables ..............     2.052     182.7     187.7        3.1        2.7        -.2        4.5         .8
        Other food at home .................     2.719     142.1     142.4        1.4         .2        -.1         .5         .4
          Sugar and sweets .................      .369     142.3     142.2        4.1        -.1         .1         .6        -.1
          Fats and oils ....................      .285     139.9     139.7        1.9        -.1        -.2         .4        -.2
          Nonalcoholic beverages ...........      .885     129.2     129.4       -2.0         .2        -.8         .3         .6
          Other prepared food ..............     1.180     154.4     155.1        3.2         .5         .1         .6         .6
      Food away from home ..................     6.374     151.1     151.6        2.3         .3         .3         .1         .3
    Alcoholic beverages ....................     1.681     156.8     157.3        2.7         .3         .5         .3         .2
 
  Housing ..................................    38.888     148.5     148.6        2.9         .1         .1         .3         .3
    Shelter ................................    25.976     165.1     165.2        3.2         .1         .1         .3         .2
      Renters' costs 1/ ....................     8.091     157.0     156.6        3.0        -.3         .3         .3         .2
        Rent, residential ..................     6.616     160.3     160.6        2.5         .2         .3         .1         .2
        Other renters' costs ...............     1.475     219.6     215.6        4.8       -1.8         .8         .9         .1
      Homeowners' costs 1/ .................    17.695     159.6     159.8        3.3         .1         .1         .3         .3
        Owners' equivalent rent 1/ .........    17.366     159.8     160.1        3.4         .2         .1         .3         .3
        Household insurance 1/ .............      .329     145.9     146.0        1.0         .1         .5         .1         .2
      Maintenance and repairs 2/ ...........      .189     136.3     136.8        2.3         .4         .1         .4         .4
        Maintenance and repair services 2/ .      .105     145.8     145.9        2.8         .1         .3         .6         .1
        Maintenance and repair
            commodities 2/ .................      .085     124.1     125.0        1.7         .7         .2         .2         .7
    Fuel and other utilities ...............     7.247     125.0     125.2        3.0         .2         .6         .5         .6
      Fuels ................................     3.887     111.5     112.3        3.6         .7         .7         .0        1.5
        Fuel oil and other household fuel
            commodities ....................      .327      99.1     101.6       15.1        2.5         .3        2.1        3.2
        Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
            services).......................     3.560     117.9     118.5        2.5         .5         .8        -.2        1.4
      Other utilities and public
          services 2/ ......................     3.360     157.0     156.1        2.2        -.6         .4        1.0        -.6
    Household furnishings and operation ....     5.666     123.2     123.4        1.6         .2        -.2         .2         .1
      Housefurnishings .....................     3.367     110.2     110.5         .5         .3        -.3         .1         .1
      Housekeeping supplies ................     1.149     141.3     141.7        4.0         .3        -.1         .7         .0
      Housekeeping services ................     1.150     149.6     149.7        2.6         .1         .1         .1         .3
 
  Apparel and upkeep .......................     5.533     133.9     134.2         .4         .2        -.7         .6        -.2
    Apparel commodities ....................     5.017     130.9     131.2         .4         .2        -.8         .6        -.1
      Men's and boys' apparel ..............     1.310     128.9     128.6        1.7        -.2         .2         .9        -.4
      Women's and girls' apparel............     2.148     128.6     129.5        -.8         .7       -2.3         .1         .2
      Infants' and toddlers' apparel 2/ ....      .251     134.7     134.8        5.6         .1        2.3        -.4         .1
      Footwear .............................      .812     128.8     129.0         .9         .2        1.3        1.0        -.5
      Other apparel commodities ............      .495     153.7     153.0        -.3        -.5       -1.8        2.4        -.3
    Apparel services 2/ ....................      .516     158.2     158.2         .6         .0         .2         .2         .0
 
  Transportation ...........................    19.020     140.9     143.0        3.1        1.5         .3         .9        1.1
    Private transportation .................    17.847     138.8     141.0        3.1        1.6         .1         .9        1.1
      New vehicles .........................     4.958     144.5     144.5        1.8         .0         .2         .2         .1
        New cars ...........................     3.591     141.0     140.9        1.4        -.1         .3         .1         .1
      Used cars ............................     2.432     158.3     158.5         .7         .1         .8         .6       -1.0
      Motor fuel ...........................     3.584     101.4     108.6        9.1        7.1        -.5        3.9        5.1
        Gasoline ...........................      -        101.2     108.3        9.1        7.0        -.5        3.9        5.0
      Maintenance and repairs ..............     1.619     157.9     158.2        2.7         .2         .1         .2         .1
      Other private transportation .........     5.255     168.1     168.6        1.0         .3         .2        -.2         .6
        Other private transportation
            commodities ....................      .767     104.4     104.2         .5        -.2         .2        -.1        -.1
        Other private transportation
            services .......................     4.488     184.1     184.8        1.1         .4         .2        -.3         .7
    Public transportation ..................     1.173     177.2     177.5        3.0         .2        2.4         .8         .7
 
  Medical care .............................     6.262     226.0     226.4        3.8         .2         .2         .2         .3
    Medical care commodities ...............     1.055     206.5     207.0        2.8         .2         .0         .1         .4
    Medical care services ..................     5.208     230.4     230.7        3.9         .1         .2         .2         .3
      Professional medical services ........     2.965     207.6     208.1        3.8         .2         .4         .1         .3
 
  Entertainment ............................     4.029     156.1     156.3        3.3         .1         .8         .0        -.1
    Entertainment commodities ..............     2.053     141.7     141.8        3.1         .1         .9         .0        -.1
    Entertainment services .................     1.976     176.9     177.1        3.4         .1         .6         .1         .0
 
  Other goods and services .................     7.006     209.9     210.1        4.2         .1         .4         .3         .3
    Tobacco and smoking products ...........     2.135     230.7     230.3        3.2        -.2         .4         .7         .0
    Personal care 2/ .......................     1.132     149.3     149.6        2.1         .2         .1         .1         .2
      Toilet goods and personal care
          appliances 2/ ....................      .635     144.6     144.7        1.1         .1         .1         .0         .1
      Personal care services 2/ ............      .497     155.2     155.7        3.3         .3         .1         .1         .3
    Personal and educational expenses ......     3.739     239.5     240.1        5.4         .3         .5         .3         .5
      School books and supplies ............      .227     226.3     226.5        6.0         .1         .3         .5         .4
      Personal and educational services ....     3.512     240.9     241.5        5.4         .2         .5         .3         .6
 
        Commodity and service group
 
All items ..................................   100.000     152.9     153.6        2.9         .5         .2         .5         .4
  Commodities ..............................    47.052     139.1     140.2        2.7         .8         .0         .7         .5
    Food and beverages .....................    19.262     151.5     152.2        2.6         .5         .1         .5         .3
    Commodities less food and beverages ....    27.790     131.4     132.8        2.7        1.1         .0         .8         .6
      Nondurables less food and beverages ..    16.074     132.2     134.5        3.9        1.7         .0        1.1        1.1
        Apparel commodities ................     5.017     130.9     131.2         .4         .2        -.8         .6        -.1
        Nondurables less food, beverages,
            and apparel ....................    11.057     135.7     139.1        5.6        2.5         .4        1.6        1.7
      Durables .............................    11.716     129.3     129.4        1.1         .1         .3         .0        -.1
  Services .................................    52.948     169.8     170.0        3.2         .1         .3         .2         .4
    Rent of shelter 1/ .....................    25.430     158.9     159.0        3.2         .1         .2         .3         .3
    Household services less rent of
        shelter 1/ .........................     8.531     128.4     128.4        2.4         .0         .5         .4         .3
    Transportation services ................     7.279     176.4     176.9        1.8         .3         .5         .1         .5
    Medical care services ..................     5.208     230.4     230.7        3.9         .1         .2         .2         .3
    Other services .........................     6.501     195.9     196.3        4.2         .2         .5         .2         .3
 
              Special indexes
 
All items less food ........................    82.419     153.2     153.9        2.9         .5         .2         .4         .5
All items less shelter .....................    74.024     149.8     150.6        2.8         .5         .2         .5         .5
All items less homeowners' costs 1/ ........    82.305     143.7     144.4        2.8         .5         .2         .5         .5
All items less medical care ................    93.738     149.5     150.2        2.9         .5         .2         .5         .4
Commodities less food ......................    29.471     132.4     133.8        2.8        1.1         .0         .8         .6
Nondurables less food ......................    17.756     133.6     135.8        3.9        1.6         .0        1.1        1.0
Nondurables less food and apparel ..........    12.739     136.9     139.9        5.3        2.2         .2        1.5        1.4
Nondurables ................................    35.336     142.1     143.6        3.2        1.1         .1         .9         .6
Services less rent of shelter 1/ ...........    27.518     160.7     161.0        2.9         .2         .4         .1         .4
Services less medical care services ........    47.740     164.6     164.8        3.0         .1         .3         .2         .3
Energy .....................................     7.470     105.8     109.8        6.3        3.8         .2        1.8        3.3
All items less energy ......................    92.530     159.5     159.8        2.6         .2         .2         .4         .2
  All items less food and energy ...........    74.949     161.7     161.9        2.7         .1         .2         .3         .1
    Commodities less food and
        energy commodities .................    25.560     141.4     141.6        1.7         .1         .1         .4        -.1
      Energy commodities ...................     3.911     101.5     108.3        9.7        6.7        -.4        3.7        4.9
    Services less energy services ..........    49.388     175.5     175.6        3.1         .1         .3         .3         .2
Purchasing power of the consumer dollar:
  1982-84=$1.00 2/ .........................      -        $.654     $.651       -2.8        -.5        -.3        -.5        -.5
  1967=$1.00 2/ ............................      -         .219      .219        -          -          -          -          -
 
 
 
   1/     Indexes on a December 1984=100 base.
   2/     Not seasonally adjusted.
   -      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): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and
 commodity and service group
 
 (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)
 
 
                                                  Seasonally adjusted indexes             Seasonally adjusted annual rate
                                                                                                percent change for
                                                                                        3 months ended-           6 months ended-
                                                 Jan.    Feb.    Mar.    Apr.    July    Oct.    Jan.    Apr.     Oct.      Apr.
                                                 1996    1996    1996    1996    1995    1995    1996    1996     1995      1996
 
              Expenditure category
 
 All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        1.9     2.7     2.7     4.3      2.3       3.5
 
   Food and beverages .........................   150.3   150.5   151.3   151.8     1.9     3.5     1.3     4.1      2.7       2.7
     Food .....................................   149.8   150.0   150.9   151.3     1.6     3.8     1.1     4.1      2.7       2.6
       Food at home ...........................   149.8   149.8   151.1   151.6     1.9     4.4      .5     4.9      3.1       2.7
         Cereals and bakery products ..........   171.6   171.4   172.1   172.5     2.9     3.6     6.5     2.1      3.3       4.3
         Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......   141.8   141.7   141.4   141.2     1.5     9.3     3.5    -1.7      5.3        .9
         Dairy products .......................   135.2   136.5   136.3   136.9     1.8     2.1     6.1     5.1      2.0       5.6
         Fruits and vegetables ................   174.5   174.2   182.1   183.6     2.7     3.2   -12.3    22.5      2.9       3.7
         Other food at home ...................   141.0   140.8   141.5   142.1      .9      .9     1.1     3.2       .9       2.1
           Sugar and sweets ...................   141.2   141.3   142.2   142.1     4.2     2.9     7.1     2.6      3.6       4.8
           Fats and oils ......................   139.2   138.9   139.5   139.2     2.4     2.4     3.2      .0      2.4       1.6
           Nonalcoholic beverages .............   129.0   128.0   128.4   129.2    -3.3    -1.8    -3.3      .6     -2.6      -1.4
           Other prepared food ................   152.8   153.0   153.9   154.9     2.7     1.9     2.7     5.6      2.3       4.1
       Food away from home ....................   150.6   151.0   151.1   151.6     1.9     2.7     1.9     2.7      2.3       2.3
     Alcoholic beverages ......................   155.3   156.1   156.5   156.8     1.1     3.2     2.6     3.9      2.1       3.3
 
   Housing ....................................   147.6   147.8   148.3   148.7     2.5     3.1     3.0     3.0      2.8       3.0
     Shelter ..................................   164.0   164.2   164.7   165.1     3.3     3.3     3.5     2.7      3.3       3.1
       Renters' costs 1/ ......................   154.6   155.1   155.6   155.9     2.7     2.9     2.9     3.4      2.8       3.2
         Rent, residential ....................   159.7   160.1   160.3   160.6     2.3     2.3     3.1     2.3      2.3       2.7
         Other renters' costs .................   209.2   210.8   212.8   213.1     4.2     5.2     2.1     7.7      4.7       4.9
       Homeowners' costs 1/ ...................   159.0   159.1   159.6   160.0     3.9     3.4     3.6     2.5      3.7       3.1
         Owners' equivalent rent 1/ ...........   159.3   159.4   159.8   160.3     3.9     3.6     3.6     2.5      3.8       3.1
         Household insurance 1/ ...............   145.2   145.9   146.0   146.3      .3    -1.6     2.5     3.1      -.7       2.8
       Maintenance and repairs 2/ .............   135.5   135.7   136.3   136.8     3.0     3.0     -.6     3.9      3.0       1.6
         Maintenance and repair services 2/ ...   144.6   145.0   145.8   145.9     2.8     4.3      .6     3.6      3.6       2.1
         Maintenance and repair commodities 2/    123.6   123.8   124.1   125.0     3.6     1.0    -2.2     4.6      2.3       1.1
     Fuel and other utilities .................   124.4   125.1   125.7   126.5      .7     2.0     2.6     6.9      1.3       4.7
       Fuels ..................................   111.2   112.0   112.0   113.7     -.7     2.6     3.3     9.3       .9       6.3
         Fuel oil and other household fuel
             commodities ......................    95.3    95.6    97.6   100.7     4.2    -3.1    39.4    24.7       .5      31.8
         Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
             services).........................   118.2   119.1   118.9   120.6    -1.4     3.1      .3     8.4       .9       4.3
       Other utilities and public services 2/ .   154.8   155.4   157.0   156.1     1.8     1.3     2.4     3.4      1.6       2.9
     Household furnishings and operation ......   122.9   122.7   123.0   123.1     2.0     2.7     1.3      .7      2.3       1.0
       Housefurnishings .......................   110.3   110.0   110.1   110.2      .7     1.8      .0     -.4      1.3       -.2
       Housekeeping supplies ..................   140.8   140.7   141.7   141.7     4.2     4.7     4.7     2.6      4.5       3.6
       Housekeeping services ..................   148.8   149.0   149.1   149.5     3.1     3.9     1.6     1.9      3.5       1.8
 
   Apparel and upkeep .........................   131.9   131.0   131.8   131.6    -1.2     1.2     2.8     -.9       .0        .9
     Apparel commodities ......................   128.9   127.9   128.7   128.6    -1.6     1.6     2.8     -.9       .0        .9
       Men's and boys' apparel ................   127.1   127.3   128.5   128.0    -1.6     1.3     4.2     2.9      -.2       3.5
       Women's and girls' apparel .............   127.5   124.6   124.7   124.9     1.0    -2.2     6.5    -7.9      -.6      -1.0
       Infants' and toddlers' apparel 2/ ......   132.3   135.3   134.7   134.8   -12.5    33.7    -1.5     7.8      8.1       3.0
       Footwear ...............................   125.3   126.9   128.2   127.5    -1.9     4.5    -5.5     7.2      1.3        .6
       Other apparel commodities ..............   150.3   147.6   151.1   150.7    -3.4      .5      .5     1.1     -1.4        .8
     Apparel services 2/.......................   157.6   157.9   158.2   158.2    -1.0    -1.3     3.4     1.5     -1.1       2.4
 
   Transportation .............................   140.1   140.5   141.7   143.3      .6    -1.4     3.8     9.5      -.4       6.6
     Private transportation ...................   138.4   138.6   139.8   141.4      .0    -1.4     4.8     9.0      -.7       6.8
       New vehicles ...........................   143.2   143.5   143.8   143.9     1.7     2.0     1.4     2.0      1.8       1.7
         New cars .............................   139.7   140.1   140.2   140.3      .9     1.2     1.4     1.7      1.0       1.6
       Used cars ..............................   159.8   161.0   161.9   160.3    -4.7     -.8     7.6     1.3     -2.7       4.4
       Motor fuel .............................   101.2   100.7   104.6   109.9      .8   -13.5    16.5    39.1     -6.6      27.3
         Gasoline .............................   101.1   100.6   104.5   109.7     1.6   -14.2    17.0    38.6     -6.6      27.4
       Maintenance and repairs ................   157.4   157.6   157.9   158.0     2.9     2.6     3.6     1.5      2.7       2.6
       Other private transportation ...........   167.6   167.9   167.5   168.5    -1.0     3.7     -.7     2.2      1.3        .7
         Other private transportation
             commodities ......................   104.2   104.4   104.3   104.2     1.9      .8     -.8      .0      1.4       -.4
         Other private transportation
             services .........................   183.5   183.9   183.4   184.7    -1.3     4.0     -.7     2.6      1.3       1.0
     Public transportation ....................   169.6   173.7   175.1   176.3    12.5    -1.8   -12.4    16.8      5.1       1.1
 
   Medical care ...............................   224.7   225.1   225.6   226.3     3.9     4.1     4.2     2.9      4.0       3.5
     Medical care commodities .................   205.6   205.7   206.0   206.8     1.8     2.6     4.4     2.4      2.2       3.4
     Medical care services ....................   228.9   229.4   229.9   230.5     4.4     4.4     4.1     2.8      4.4       3.5
       Professional medical services ..........   206.2   207.0   207.2   207.9     4.3     3.6     4.0     3.3      3.9       3.7
 
   Entertainment ..............................   154.7   155.9   155.9   155.8     2.1     3.5     4.5     2.9      2.8       3.7
     Entertainment commodities ................   140.3   141.6   141.6   141.4     1.5     2.9     4.7     3.2      2.2       3.9
     Entertainment services ...................   175.5   176.5   176.6   176.6     3.1     3.8     4.5     2.5      3.4       3.5
 
   Other goods and services ...................   208.9   209.7   210.4   211.1     4.0     5.6     2.9     4.3      4.8       3.6
     Tobacco and smoking products .............   228.4   229.4   230.9   230.8     4.5     5.4    -1.0     4.3      5.0       1.6
     Personal care 2/ .........................   149.1   149.2   149.3   149.6     1.1     5.0     1.1     1.3      3.0       1.2
       Toilet goods and personal care
           appliances 2/ ......................   144.4   144.6   144.6   144.7      .6     5.1    -1.9      .8      2.8       -.6
       Personal care services 2/ ..............   154.9   155.1   155.2   155.7     1.6     5.1     4.5     2.1      3.3       3.3
     Personal and educational expenses ........   238.0   239.1   239.8   241.1     5.0     5.8     5.6     5.3      5.4       5.4
       School books and supplies ..............   223.6   224.2   225.4   226.3     3.2     6.9     9.1     4.9      5.0       7.0
       Personal and educational services ......   239.3   240.4   241.1   242.5     5.0     5.8     5.4     5.5      5.4       5.4
 
          Commodity and service group
 
 All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        1.9     2.7     2.7     4.3      2.3       3.5
   Commodities ................................   138.1   138.1   139.1   139.8     1.2     1.5     3.3     5.0      1.3       4.1
     Food and beverages .......................   150.3   150.5   151.3   151.8     1.9     3.5     1.3     4.1      2.7       2.7
     Commodities less food and beverages ......   130.5   130.5   131.6   132.4      .6      .0     4.4     6.0       .3       5.2
       Nondurables less food and beverages ....   131.1   131.1   132.6   134.1      .6    -1.2     7.3     9.5      -.3       8.4
         Apparel commodities ..................   128.9   127.9   128.7   128.6    -1.6     1.6     2.8     -.9       .0        .9
         Nondurables less food, beverages,
             and apparel ......................   134.9   135.5   137.7   140.1     1.8    -3.0     8.4    16.3      -.6      12.3
       Durables ...............................   129.0   129.4   129.4   129.3      .3      .9     2.2      .9       .6       1.6
   Services ...................................   168.7   169.2   169.6   170.2     2.9     3.2     2.7     3.6      3.1       3.1
     Rent of shelter 1/ .......................   157.9   158.2   158.6   159.0     3.4     3.1     3.6     2.8      3.3       3.2
     Household services less rent
         of shelter 1/ ........................   128.0   128.7   129.2   129.6     1.0     2.2     1.3     5.1      1.6       3.2
     Transportation services ..................   174.6   175.5   175.6   176.5     1.9     2.8    -1.8     4.4      2.3       1.3
     Medical care services ....................   228.9   229.4   229.9   230.5     4.4     4.4     4.1     2.8      4.4       3.5
     Other services ...........................   195.1   196.0   196.4   197.0     3.6     4.5     4.9     4.0      4.1       4.4
 
                Special indexes
 
 All items less food ..........................   152.1   152.4   153.0   153.7     1.9     2.4     3.2     4.3      2.2       3.7
 All items less shelter .......................   148.7   149.0   149.8   150.5     1.6     2.2     2.5     4.9      1.9       3.7
 All items less homeowners' costs 1/ ..........   142.6   142.9   143.6   144.3     1.7     2.3     2.6     4.9      2.0       3.7
 All items less medical care ..................   148.4   148.7   149.4   150.0     1.9     2.5     2.7     4.4      2.2       3.6
 Commodities less food ........................   131.7   131.7   132.8   133.6      .6      .3     4.4     5.9       .5       5.1
 Nondurables less food ........................   132.5   132.5   134.0   135.3      .9     -.9     6.9     8.7       .0       7.8
 Nondurables less food and apparel ............   136.1   136.4   138.4   140.4     2.1    -1.5     7.7    13.2       .3      10.4
 Nondurables ..................................   140.9   141.1   142.3   143.2     1.2      .9     4.4     6.7      1.0       5.5
 Services less rent of shelter 1/ .............   159.8   160.5   160.7   161.3     2.6     3.6     1.8     3.8      3.1       2.8
 Services less medical care services ..........   163.5   164.0   164.4   164.9     2.8     3.3     2.2     3.5      3.0       2.8
 Energy .......................................   105.7   105.9   107.8   111.4      .0    -5.6     9.6    23.4     -2.8      16.3
 All items less energy ........................   158.4   158.7   159.3   159.6     2.1     3.1     2.3     3.1      2.6       2.7
   All items less food and energy .............   160.8   161.1   161.6   161.8     2.3     2.8     2.8     2.5      2.6       2.6
     Commodities less food and energy
         commodities ..........................   140.5   140.6   141.1   141.0      .6     2.3     2.3     1.4      1.4       1.9
       Energy commodities .....................   100.9   100.5   104.2   109.3     1.2   -12.5    18.0    37.7     -5.9      27.5
     Services less energy services ............   174.4   174.9   175.4   175.8     3.3     3.3     2.6     3.2      3.3       2.9
 
 
 
    1/     Indexes on a December 1984=100 base.
    2/     Not seasonally adjusted.
    -      Data not available.
    NOTE:  Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
 
 
Table 3. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Selected areas, all items index
 
(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)
 
 
                                                                 Indexes                Percent change to       Percent change to
                  Area                     Pricing                                       Apr. 1996 from-         Mar. 1996 from-
                                          schedule    Jan.    Feb.    Mar.    Apr.    Apr.    Feb.    Mar.    Mar.    Jan.    Feb.
                                             1/       1996    1996    1996    1996    1995    1996    1996    1995    1996    1996
 
 
 
U.S. city average ......................      M        154.4   154.9   155.7   156.3     2.9     0.9     0.4     2.8     0.8     0.5
 
        Region and area size 2/
 
Northeast urban.........................      M        161.4   162.2   162.8   162.9     2.9      .4      .1     3.0      .9      .4
  Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        162.2   163.0   163.7   163.6     2.9      .4     -.1     3.2      .9      .4
  Size B -  500,000 to 1,200,000 .......      M        158.7   159.2   160.2   160.6     2.8      .9      .2     2.8      .9      .6
  Size C -  50,000 to 500,000 ..........      M        159.8   160.6   160.8   161.3     2.7      .4      .3     2.7      .6      .1
 
North Central urban ....................      M        150.2   150.8   151.7   152.3     2.8     1.0      .4     3.0     1.0      .6
  Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        151.0   151.7   152.6   152.9     2.6      .8      .2     2.8     1.1      .6
  Size B -  360,000 to 1,200,000 .......      M        148.6   149.5   150.4   151.2     2.9     1.1      .5     2.9     1.2      .6
  Size C -  50,000 to 360,000 ..........      M        152.2   152.4   153.1   153.9     2.9     1.0      .5     3.2      .6      .5
  Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
            (less than 50,000) .........      M        146.5   146.9   147.7   149.0     3.5     1.4      .9     3.5      .8      .5
 
South urban ............................      M        151.1   151.5   152.4   153.2     3.2     1.1      .5     3.0      .9      .6
  Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        150.4   150.6   151.5   152.4     2.8     1.2      .6     2.4      .7      .6
  Size B -  450,000 to 1,200,000 .......      M        153.2   154.1   155.0   155.6     3.1     1.0      .4     3.1     1.2      .6
  Size C -  50,000 to 450,000 ..........      M        151.1   151.4   152.2   153.1     3.9     1.1      .6     3.8      .7      .5
  Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
            (less than 50,000) .........      M        149.9   150.1   151.6   152.4     3.6     1.5      .5     3.4     1.1     1.0
 
West urban .............................      M        155.3   155.8   156.4   157.1     2.5      .8      .4     2.4      .7      .4
  Size A -  More than 1,250,000 ........      M        155.4   155.9   156.6   157.3     2.1      .9      .4     2.0      .8      .4
  Size C -  50,000 to 330,000 ..........      M        159.8   160.8   161.4   162.2     4.0      .9      .5     4.0     1.0      .4
 
Size classes
  A 3/ .................................      M        139.5   140.0   140.7   141.1     2.6      .8      .3     2.6      .9      .5
  B ....................................      M        153.9   154.7   155.5   156.1     3.0      .9      .4     2.9     1.0      .5
  C ....................................      M        154.4   154.8   155.5   156.3     3.5     1.0      .5     3.5      .7      .5
  D ....................................      M        150.9   151.1   152.1   153.0     3.6     1.3      .6     3.4      .8      .7
 
          Selected local areas
 
Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI......      M        154.6   155.2   156.3   156.4     2.2      .8      .1     2.4     1.1      .7
Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ......      M        155.7   156.2   157.3   157.7     1.9     1.0      .3     1.7     1.0      .7
N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT      M        164.8   165.7   166.5   166.0     2.9      .2     -.3     3.5     1.0      .5
Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton, PA-NJ-DE-MD ..      M        160.3   161.2   162.0   162.1     2.7      .6      .1     2.5     1.1      .5
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA .....      M        152.9   153.2   152.9   153.9     1.6      .5      .7     1.2      .0     -.2
 
Baltimore, MD ..........................      1        151.6    -      153.0    -       -       -       -        1.8      .9    -
Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ...........      1        162.2    -      162.8    -       -       -       -        2.8      .4    -
Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH .............      1        149.0    -      150.9    -       -       -       -        2.4     1.3    -
Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ..............      1        152.0    -      152.4    -       -       -       -        2.5      .3    -
St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL ........      1        147.2    -      148.9    -       -       -       -        3.0     1.2    -
Washington, DC-MD-VA ...................      1        156.8    -      158.4    -       -       -       -        2.1     1.0    -
 
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ..................      2         -      146.2    -      148.5     2.4     1.6    -       -       -       -
Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI ..................      2         -      151.3    -      152.3     2.8      .7    -       -       -       -
Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .........      2         -      141.5    -      143.1     3.7     1.1    -       -       -       -
Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA ...........      2         -      151.1    -      152.8     2.6     1.1    -       -       -       -
 
 
 
   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 map in technical notes.
   3/     Indexes on a December 1986=100 base.
   -      Data not available.
   NOTE:  Local area CPI 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.
 
 
Table 6. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: Selected areas, all items index
 
(1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)
 
 
                                                                 Indexes                Percent change to       Percent change to
                  Area                     Pricing                                       Apr. 1996 from-         Mar. 1996 from-
                                          schedule    Jan.    Feb.    Mar.    Apr.    Apr.    Feb.    Mar.    Mar.    Jan.    Feb.
                                             1/       1996    1996    1996    1996    1995    1996    1996    1995    1996    1996
 
 
 
U.S. city average ......................      M        151.7   152.2   152.9   153.6     2.9     0.9     0.5     2.8     0.8     0.5
 
        Region and area size 2/
 
Northeast urban.........................      M        158.8   159.4   160.1   160.3     2.9      .6      .1     3.0      .8      .4
  Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        158.5   159.2   160.0   160.0     3.0      .5      .0     3.2      .9      .5
  Size B -  500,000 to 1,200,000 .......      M        156.5   156.9   158.1   158.5     2.8     1.0      .3     2.7     1.0      .8
  Size C -  50,000 to 500,000 ..........      M        161.4   162.0   162.1   162.9     2.7      .6      .5     2.5      .4      .1
 
North Central urban ....................      M        147.0   147.5   148.3   149.0     2.8     1.0      .5     2.8      .9      .5
  Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        147.1   147.7   148.6   149.0     2.5      .9      .3     2.7     1.0      .6
  Size B -  360,000 to 1,200,000 .......      M        145.0   145.7   146.6   147.3     2.7     1.1      .5     2.8     1.1      .6
  Size C -  50,000 to 360,000 ..........      M        149.6   149.8   150.4   151.3     3.0     1.0      .6     3.3      .5      .4
  Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
            (less than 50,000) .........      M        144.7   144.9   145.7   147.1     3.4     1.5     1.0     3.3      .7      .6
 
South urban ............................      M        149.7   150.0   150.8   151.8     3.3     1.2      .7     2.9      .7      .5
  Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        148.6   148.7   149.5   150.6     2.9     1.3      .7     2.3      .6      .5
  Size B -  450,000 to 1,200,000 .......      M        149.6   150.3   151.1   151.9     3.1     1.1      .5     2.9     1.0      .5
  Size C -  50,000 to 450,000 ..........      M        151.1   151.3   152.0   153.0     3.9     1.1      .7     3.8      .6      .5
  Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
            (less than 50,000) .........      M        150.4   150.4   152.1   152.9     3.8     1.7      .5     3.7     1.1     1.1
 
West urban .............................      M        152.2   152.7   153.4   154.2     2.6     1.0      .5     2.4      .8      .5
  Size A -  More than 1,250,000 ........      M        150.9   151.2   152.1   152.9     2.2     1.1      .5     2.0      .8      .6
  Size C -  50,000 to 330,000 ..........      M        156.6   157.6   158.2   159.1     4.1     1.0      .6     3.9     1.0      .4
 
Size classes
  A 3/ .................................      M        138.5   138.9   139.7   140.2     2.6      .9      .4     2.6      .9      .6
  B ....................................      M        151.1   151.8   152.6   153.3     3.0     1.0      .5     2.8     1.0      .5
  C ....................................      M        153.5   153.9   154.4   155.4     3.5     1.0      .6     3.4      .6      .3
  D ....................................      M        150.2   150.3   151.4   152.4     3.7     1.4      .7     3.5      .8      .7
 
          Selected local areas
 
Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI......      M        149.7   150.2   151.3   151.5     2.2      .9      .1     2.4     1.1      .7
Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ......      M        150.4   150.9   151.9   152.4     1.9     1.0      .3     1.7     1.0      .7
N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT      M        160.9   161.7   162.5   162.2     3.0      .3     -.2     3.4     1.0      .5
Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton, PA-NJ-DE-MD ..      M        159.7   160.5   161.3   161.3     2.5      .5      .0     2.4     1.0      .5
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA .....      M        150.5   150.5   150.7   151.9     1.7      .9      .8     1.2      .1      .1
 
Baltimore, MD ..........................      1        150.3    -      151.8    -       -       -       -        1.8     1.0    -
Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ...........      1        161.1    -      161.7    -       -       -       -        3.1      .4    -
Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH .............      1        141.5    -      143.1    -       -       -       -        2.4     1.1    -
Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ..............      1        150.0    -      150.3    -       -       -       -        2.5      .2    -
St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL ........      1        146.5    -      148.0    -       -       -       -        2.8     1.0    -
Washington, DC-MD-VA ...................      1        153.9    -      155.4    -       -       -       -        2.0     1.0    -
 
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ..................      2         -      145.9    -      148.6     2.8     1.9    -       -       -       -
Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI ..................      2         -      146.5    -      147.6     2.8      .8    -       -       -       -
Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .........      2         -      140.8    -      142.3     3.4     1.1    -       -       -       -
Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA ...........      2         -      144.7    -      146.5     2.7     1.2    -       -       -       -
 
 
 
   1/     Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all areas; most other goods and services priced as
          indicated:
            M - Every month.
            1 - January, March, May, July, September, and November.
            2 - February, April, June, August, October, and December.
   2/     Regions defined as the four Census regions.  See map in technical notes.
   3/     Indexes on a December 1986=100 base.
   -      Data not available.
   NOTE:  Local area CPI 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.