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-96-70
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. (EST)
MEDIA CONTACT:         (202) 606-5902      Wednesday, February 28, 1996
 
                  CONSUMER PRICE INDEX:  JANUARY 1996
 
     The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased
0.6 percent before seasonal adjustment in January to a level of 154.4
(1982-84=100), the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of
Labor reported today.  For the 12-month period ended in January, the CPI-
U increased 2.7 percent.
 
     The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical
Workers (CPI-W) rose 0.5 percent
in January, prior to seasonal adjustment.  The January 1996 CPI-W level
of 151.7 was 2.6 percent higher than the index in January 1995.
 
CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
 
     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U rose 0.4 percent in
January, following an increase of 0.2 percent in December.  The energy
index registered its second consecutive large increase, advancing 1.9
percent in January after increasing 1.1 percent in December.  The index
for petroleum-based energy rose 4.2 percent in January, following an
increase of 2.0 percent in December.  The food index increased 0.1
percent, the same as in December.  Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U
rose 0.3 percent, following increases of 0.1 percent in each of the 2
preceding months.  Larger increases in the indexes for apparel and
upkeep and for shelter, coupled with the substantially smaller decline
in the index for airline fares, were responsible for the acceleration in
this index from December to January.
 
 
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
                    July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan.   Jan. '96  Jan. '96
All Items            .1    .2   .1   .3   .1   .2   .4    2.6       2.7
 Food and beverages  .1    .2   .3   .3   .0   .1   .1    1.1       2.4
 Housing             .3    .3   .1   .3   .2   .3   .3    3.2       2.9
 Apparel and upkeep  .3    .2  -.2   .3   .0   .1   .7    3.1        .5
 Transportation     -.6   -.4  -.1   .1  -.4   .1   .7    1.4       1.9
 Medical care        .3    .4   .4   .2   .3   .4   .4    4.2       4.0
 Entertainment       .3    .4   .3   .3   .4   .4   .3    4.2       3.2
 Other goods
  and services       .3    .5   .4   .4   .4   .2   .2    3.5       4.4
Special Indexes:
 Energy            -1.0   -.4 -1.3   .3  -.9  1.1  1.9    8.7        .8
 Food                .1    .2   .3   .3   .0   .1   .1     .8       2.4
 All items less
  food and energy    .2    .2   .2   .3   .1   .1   .3    2.2       3.0
 
NOTE:  Seasonal factors have been recalculated to reflect developments
in 1995.  For this reason, some of the seasonally adjusted figures shown
above and elsewhere differ from those previously published.  See
technical note on page 7 of this release for details.
 
 
     The food and beverages index rose 0.1 percent in January.  The
grocery store food index, which increased 0.1 percent in December, was
unchanged in January.  (Prior to seasonal adjustment, grocery store food
prices rose 1.1  percent in January.) Smaller than seasonal increases in
prices for fruits and vegetables--down 1.0 percent after seasonal
adjustment--offset generally small increases in most other major grocery
store food groups.  The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose
0.1 percent in January, as increases in prices for poultry and eggs
offset declines in the indexes for beef, pork, and for fish and seafood.
The indexes for dairy products and other food at home increased 0.2 and
0.1 percent, respectively.  The index for cereal and bakery products
rose 0.9 percent in January, its largest advance since a similar
increase in January 1991.  Prices for bakery products rose 1.4 percent,
reflecting a jump in flour prices.  The other two components of the food
and beverage index--restaurant meals and alcoholic beverages--increased
0.1 and 0.4 percent, respectively, in January.  A jump in wine prices--
up 1.8 percent--reflecting a return to regular prices after late year
inventory clearance was largely responsible for the advance in the
alcoholic beverage index.
 
     The housing component rose 0.3 percent in January, the same as in
December.  Shelter costs  rose 0.4 percent in January after increasing
0.2 percent in December.  Within shelter, renters' costs and homeowners'
costs rose 0.7 and 0.2 percent, respectively, while maintenance and
repair costs decreased 0.2 percent.  The rise in renters' costs reflects
a 1.8 percent increase in the index for lodging while out of town;
residential rents rose 0.3 percent.  The index for fuel and utilities
rose 0.5 percent in January, following a 0.2 percent increase in
December.  The index for household fuels rose 0.6 percent as increases
of 8.8 percent in the index for fuel oil and 0.6 percent in the index
for natural gas more than offset a 0.4 percent decline in the index for
electricity.  The index for other utilities and public services rose 0.3
percent, largely as a result of increases of 0.6 percent in the indexes
for water and sewerage treatment and for cable television.  The index
for household furnishings and operation rose 0.2 percent in January as
price declines for appliances partially offset increases in other
housefurnishings.
 
     The transportation index, which turned up in slightly in December
after declining throughout most of the second half of 1995, advanced 0.7
percent in January.  A larger increase in the index for motor fuels and
a smaller decline in airline fares were largely responsible for the
acceleration in the transportation component.  The index for motor fuels
rose 3.8 percent as gasoline prices registered their first increase in 7
months.  (Prior to seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices rose 2.3 percent
in January.)  The index for airline fares, which fell 5.5 percent in
December, declined 0.9 percent in January.  The increase of 0.1 percent
in the index for new vehicle prices continues its pattern of very little
movement evident since the introduction of the 1996 models.  (As of
January, the proportion of 1996 models was about 70 percent of the new
car sample.)  Automobile finance charges declined for the fourth
consecutive month--down 2.5 percent in January.  The index for used cars
rose 0.8 percent in January and has increased twice as much as the new
car index during the past 12 months--up 3.6 percent.
 
     The index for apparel and upkeep increased 0.7 percent in January.
(Prior to seasonal adjustment, clothing prices fell 0.5 percent,
reflecting post-holiday discounting.)
 
     Medical care costs rose 0.4 percent in January to a level 4.0
percent above a year ago.  The index for medical care commodities--
prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, and medical supplies--
increased 0.5 percent in January.  The index for medical care services
rose 0.4 percent.  Charges for professional services and hospital and
related services increased 0.3 and 0.5 percent, respectively, in
January.
 
     Entertainment costs rose 0.3 percent in January.  Increases in the
indexes for reading materials and for fees for participant sports--up
0.9 and 1.3 percent, respectively--accounted for virtually all of the
January advance.
 
     The index for other goods and services increased 0.2 percent in
January, the same as in December.  In January, the indexes for school
books and supplies and personal financial services rose 1.0 and 1.6
percent, respectively, while the index for tobacco and smoking products
declined 0.3 percent.  (Prior to seasonal adjustment, the index for
tobacco rose 0.5 percent.)
 
 
CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W)
 
     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and
Clerical Workers also rose 0.4 percent in January.
 
 
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
                    July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan.   Jan. '96  Jan. '96
All Items            .0    .2   .1   .3   .1   .2   .4    2.7       2.6
 Food and beverages  .2    .2   .4   .3   .1   .1   .1    1.3       2.4
 Housing             .2    .3   .1   .3   .1   .3   .3    3.0       2.8
 Apparel and upkeep  .2    .0   .0   .3  -.2   .2   .7    2.8        .6
 Transportation     -.7   -.3  -.1   .1  -.3   .4   .9    3.8       2.0
 Medical care        .3    .4   .4   .2   .3   .4   .4    4.2       4.0
 Entertainment       .2    .4   .3   .1   .4   .3   .4    4.5       3.1
 Other goods
  and services       .2    .5   .5   .4   .4   .1   .2    2.9       4.2
Special Indexes:
 Energy            -1.6   -.4 -1.2   .2  -.8  1.0  2.1    9.6        .7
 Food                .1    .2   .4   .3   .0   .2   .1    1.1       2.5
 All items less
  food and energy    .2    .2   .3   .3   .2   .2   .3    2.8       2.9
 
 
 
     Consumer Price Index data for February are scheduled for release on
Friday, March 15, 1996, at 8:30 A.M. (EST).
 
 
 
As previously announced, the release of the Consumer Price Index for
January, originally scheduled for February 14, was rescheduled for
February 28.  The scheduled collection of consumer price data, which
generally consists of 3 consecutive 6-day pricing periods excluding
weekends and holidays starting at the beginning of each month, was
substantially altered for January.  No collection of prices was possible
until the end of the federal government shutdown on January 8.  From
that date through January 14, only the samples for housing and bimonthly
collected commodity and services were available for pricing, and
collection was further limited by the blizzard that closed many retail
outlets and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) offices during the week of
January 8.  The monthly pricing schedule was modified such that pricing
period 1 (PP-1) was rescheduled from January 2-9 to January 15-19.  PP-2
was rescheduled from January 10-18 to January 19-25 and PP-3 was
rescheduled from January 19-26 to January 23-31.  This resulted in
virtually complete pricing for the January index; the number of price
quotes collected and used in January 1996 was approximately 98 percent
of the corresponding number for January 1995.
 
This alteration in the collection schedule for January increased the
length of time between the December and January pricing periods by about
one-third.  This alteration of the January schedule will also have an
effect of reducing the interval between the January and February pricing
periods by a corresponding amount, with the result that the interval
between December and February pricing periods will be in line with the
historical pattern.
 
In view of the modified price collection schedule for the January CPI
and the extended interval between the December and January indexes
induced by it, the BLS attempted to assess the impact of these changes
on the January numbers.  This analysis entailed the generation and
comparison of January pricing relatives for each major group by
individual pricing period for the preceding 3 years as well as the
investigation of the impact of the modified pricing schedule on specific
groups, such as apparel, which are known to have substantial seasonal
movement between December and January.  No conclusive evidence, however,
could be found that the revised price collection schedule affected the
January CPI change.
 
 
 
 
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     Dec.      Jan.       Jan. 1996 from-     Oct. to    Nov. to    Dec. to
                                                1995       1995      1996    Jan. 1995  Dec. 1995     Nov.       Dec.       Jan.
 
            Expenditure category
 
All items ..................................   100.000     153.5     154.4        2.7        0.6        0.1        0.2        0.4
All items (1967=100) .......................      -        459.9     462.5        -          -          -          -          -
 
  Food and beverages .......................    17.332     150.3     151.4        2.4         .7         .0         .1         .1
    Food ...................................    15.766     149.9     151.0        2.4         .7         .0         .1         .1
      Food at home .........................     9.880     150.3     151.9        2.5        1.1        -.1         .1         .0
        Cereals and bakery products ........     1.473     169.5     171.5        4.2        1.2         .5         .2         .9
        Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .....     2.936     142.0     142.8        4.0         .6         .4         .4         .1
        Dairy products .....................     1.169     135.0     136.3        2.7        1.0         .4         .7         .2
        Fruits and vegetables ..............     1.936     177.9     181.5         .6        2.0       -1.6        -.7       -1.0
        Other food at home .................     2.365     140.5     141.8        1.1         .9         .0         .2         .1
          Sugar and sweets .................      .327     138.5     141.4        4.4        2.1         .1         .3        1.4
          Fats and oils ....................      .248     137.5     139.7        2.4        1.6         .4         .1         .3
          Nonalcoholic beverages ...........      .763     129.5     130.0       -2.5         .4        -.1        -.2        -.8
          Other prepared food ..............     1.027     152.1     153.1        2.5         .7        -.1         .5         .3
      Food away from home ..................     5.886     150.4     150.6        2.2         .1         .1         .1         .1
    Alcoholic beverages ....................     1.566     154.9     155.6        2.4         .5         .2         .0         .4
 
  Housing ..................................    41.346     149.7     150.6        2.9         .6         .2         .3         .3
    Shelter ................................    28.289     167.4     168.6        3.5         .7         .2         .2         .4
      Renters' costs 1/ ....................     7.988     173.2     176.6        3.5        2.0         .1         .1         .7
        Rent, residential ..................     5.762     159.6     160.0        2.5         .3         .3         .3         .3
        Other renters' costs ...............     2.227     194.2     206.5        5.9        6.3        -.4        -.1        1.6
      Homeowners' costs 1/ .................    20.102     174.0     174.3        3.5         .2         .3         .3         .2
        Owners' equivalent rent 1/ .........    19.716     174.3     174.7        3.6         .2         .3         .3         .3
        Household insurance 1/ .............      .386     158.3     158.0        1.3        -.2         .4         .5        -.3
      Maintenance and repairs 2/ ...........      .199     136.6     136.3        2.4        -.2        -.1         .3        -.2
        Maintenance and repair services 2/ .      .122     142.1     142.1        3.5         .0         .0         .2         .0
        Maintenance and repair
            commodities 2/ .................      .077     129.1     128.6         .9        -.4        -.2         .3        -.4
    Fuel and other utilities ...............     7.014     123.7     124.7        1.5         .8         .1         .2         .5
      Fuels ................................     3.792     110.9     112.2        1.4        1.2         .1         .1         .6
        Fuel oil and other household fuel
            commodities ....................      .356      89.6      97.6        9.2        8.9         .0        1.1        7.5
        Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
            services).......................     3.436     118.3     118.7         .6         .3         .2         .0        -.2
      Other utilities and public
          services 2/ ......................     3.222     153.9     154.4        1.5         .3         .1         .2         .3
    Household furnishings and operation ....     6.043     123.8     124.1        1.9         .2        -.1         .3         .2
      Housefurnishings .....................     3.445     111.1     111.4         .8         .3        -.5         .5         .3
      Housekeeping supplies ................     1.116     139.8     140.4        4.9         .4         .4         .2         .4
      Housekeeping services ................     1.482     145.3     145.7        2.3         .3         .3         .3         .0
 
  Apparel and upkeep .......................     5.516     130.6     130.0         .5        -.5         .0         .1         .7
    Apparel commodities ....................     4.967     127.1     126.5         .4        -.5        -.1         .1         .7
      Men's and boys' apparel ..............     1.303     126.0     124.7         .6       -1.0        -.2        -.1        1.1
      Women's and girls' apparel............     2.195     124.7     123.4         .3       -1.0         .2         .0        1.3
      Infants' and toddlers' apparel 2/ ....      .195     128.7     131.5        1.9        2.2       -1.0        -.8        2.2
      Footwear .............................      .732     124.1     123.4        -.5        -.6        -.2        -.4        -.6
      Other apparel commodities ............      .542     148.6     151.7        1.1        2.1         .0        1.4        -.6
    Apparel services 2/ ....................      .550     157.7     158.2         .8         .3         .1         .3         .3
 
  Transportation ...........................    16.953     139.1     139.9        1.9         .6        -.4         .1         .7
    Private transportation .................    15.430     136.6     137.4        1.9         .6        -.4         .5         .8
      New vehicles .........................     5.027     142.8     143.2        1.8         .3         .1         .1         .1
        New cars ...........................     4.015     140.7     141.1        1.5         .3         .1         .0         .1
      Used cars ............................     1.342     158.2     157.9        3.6        -.2         .3         .6         .8
      Motor fuel ...........................     2.908      96.4      98.6        -.1        2.3       -2.1        2.2        3.8
        Gasoline ...........................      -         96.0      98.2        -.2        2.3       -2.0        2.2        3.7
      Maintenance and repairs ..............     1.535     155.7     156.2        2.8         .3         .3         .1         .4
      Other private transportation .........     4.618     172.4     172.7        2.3         .2         .1        -.2        -.1
        Other private transportation
            commodities ....................      .608     105.2     105.4        1.2         .2        -.2         .0         .0
        Other private transportation
            services .......................     4.010     188.3     188.5        2.4         .1         .1        -.2        -.1
    Public transportation ..................     1.523     170.7     171.6        1.9         .5       -1.6       -4.1        -.5
 
  Medical care .............................     7.362     223.8     225.2        4.0         .6         .3         .4         .4
    Medical care commodities ...............     1.282     206.6     207.7        2.3         .5         .3         .2         .5
    Medical care services ..................     6.081     227.8     229.3        4.3         .7         .3         .4         .4
      Professional medical services ........     3.465     203.9     205.0        4.0         .5         .3         .4         .3
 
  Entertainment ............................     4.367     156.2     157.0        3.2         .5         .4         .4         .3
    Entertainment commodities ..............     1.975     140.7     141.4        2.8         .5         .5         .4         .3
    Entertainment services .................     2.392     174.6     175.5        3.6         .5         .3         .4         .2
 
  Other goods and services .................     7.123     211.1     212.0        4.4         .4         .4         .2         .2
    Tobacco and smoking products ...........     1.610     228.1     229.3        3.2         .5         .3        -.3        -.3
    Personal care 2/ .......................     1.170     148.9     149.1        2.3         .1         .3         .0         .1
      Toilet goods and personal care
          appliances 2/ ....................      .613     144.1     143.7        1.1        -.3         .3        -.5        -.3
      Personal care services 2/ ............      .557     154.3     155.0        3.7         .5         .3         .5         .5
    Personal and educational expenses ......     4.342     241.8     243.0        5.6         .5         .4         .5         .5
      School books and supplies ............      .258     219.0     223.8        5.6        2.2         .6         .4        1.0
      Personal and educational services ....     4.084     243.7     244.7        5.6         .4         .4         .5         .4
 
        Commodity and service group
 
All items ..................................   100.000     153.5     154.4        2.7         .6         .1         .2         .4
  Commodities ..............................    42.916     137.0     137.8        2.0         .6        -.1         .3         .5
    Food and beverages .....................    17.332     150.3     151.4        2.4         .7         .0         .1         .1
    Commodities less food and beverages ....    25.584     128.9     129.5        1.6         .5        -.2         .4         .8
      Nondurables less food and beverages ..    15.075     128.8     129.8        1.8         .8        -.1         .5        1.4
        Apparel commodities ................     4.967     127.1     126.5         .4        -.5        -.1         .1         .7
        Nondurables less food, beverages,
            and apparel ....................    10.108     132.7     134.5        2.5        1.4        -.5         .8        1.7
      Durables .............................    10.509     129.0     129.3        1.7         .2         .1         .2         .2
  Services .................................    57.084     170.4     171.3        3.3         .5         .2         .1         .3
    Rent of shelter 1/ .....................    27.671     174.2     175.5        3.6         .7         .3         .2         .3
    Household services less rent of
        shelter 1/ .........................     8.681     138.6     139.0        1.3         .3         .1         .2        -.1
    Transportation services ................     7.068     176.3     176.8        2.4         .3        -.3       -1.0        -.1
    Medical care services ..................     6.081     227.8     229.3        4.3         .7         .3         .4         .4
    Other services .........................     7.583     197.3     198.1        4.4         .4         .4         .5         .4
 
              Special indexes
 
All items less food ........................    84.234     154.2     155.0        2.8         .5         .1         .2         .5
All items less shelter .....................    71.711     149.6     150.3        2.4         .5         .0         .1         .4
All items less homeowners' costs 1/ ........    79.898     154.3     155.3        2.5         .6         .0         .1         .5
All items less medical care ................    92.638     149.6     150.4        2.6         .5         .1         .2         .4
Commodities less food ......................    27.150     129.9     130.6        1.8         .5        -.2         .3         .8
Nondurables less food ......................    16.641     130.4     131.3        1.9         .7        -.2         .6        1.2
Nondurables less food and apparel ..........    11.674     134.0     135.6        2.4        1.2        -.1         .7        1.3
Nondurables ................................    32.407     139.7     140.7        2.1         .7         .1         .2         .8
Services less rent of shelter 1/ ...........    29.414     178.5     179.2        3.0         .4         .2         .0         .2
Services less medical care services ........    51.004     165.0     165.9        3.1         .5         .1         .1         .2
Energy .....................................     6.700     103.3     105.0         .8        1.6        -.9        1.1        1.9
All items less energy ......................    93.300     160.2     161.0        2.9         .5         .1         .1         .3
  All items less food and energy ...........    77.534     162.7     163.4        3.0         .4         .1         .1         .3
    Commodities less food and
        energy commodities .................    23.885     140.0     140.3        1.9         .2         .1         .1         .4
      Energy commodities ...................     3.264      95.9      98.7         .8        2.9       -1.8        2.0        4.2
    Services less energy services ..........    53.648     175.7     176.6        3.4         .5         .2         .1         .3
Purchasing power of the consumer dollar:
  1982-84=$1.00 2/ .........................      -        $.651     $.648       -2.6        -.5         .0         .0        -.5
  1967=$1.00 2/ ............................      -         .217      .216        -          -          -          -          -
 
 
 
   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-
                                                 Oct.    Nov.    Dec.    Jan.    Apr.    July    Oct.    Jan.     July      Jan.
                                                 1995    1995    1995    1996    1995    1995    1995    1996     1995      1996
 
              Expenditure category
 
 All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        3.2     2.4     2.6     2.6      2.8       2.6
 
   Food and beverages .........................   150.3   150.3   150.5   150.7     3.3     1.9     3.5     1.1      2.6       2.3
     Food .....................................   150.0   150.0   150.2   150.3     3.3     1.9     3.5      .8      2.6       2.2
       Food at home ...........................   150.4   150.3   150.5   150.5     3.9     1.9     4.1      .3      2.9       2.2
         Cereals and bakery products ..........   169.1   169.9   170.2   171.8     3.7     3.2     3.4     6.5      3.4       4.9
         Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......   140.9   141.5   142.0   142.1     2.1     1.5     9.0     3.5      1.8       6.2
         Dairy products .......................   133.6   134.1   135.1   135.4     1.2     2.1     2.1     5.5      1.7       3.8
         Fruits and vegetables ................   180.9   178.0   176.8   175.1    10.5     3.0     3.2   -12.2      6.7      -4.8
         Other food at home ...................   141.1   141.1   141.4   141.5     1.7      .9      .6     1.1      1.3        .9
           Sugar and sweets ...................   138.9   139.1   139.5   141.4     3.0     4.2     2.9     7.4      3.6       5.1
           Fats and oils ......................   138.3   138.8   138.9   139.3     1.8     2.7     2.3     2.9      2.2       2.6
           Nonalcoholic beverages .............   130.8   130.7   130.5   129.5      .0    -3.3    -2.4    -3.9     -1.7      -3.2
           Other prepared food ................   152.1   152.0   152.7   153.1     3.0     2.4     1.9     2.7      2.7       2.3
       Food away from home ....................   150.0   150.2   150.4   150.6     2.5     2.2     2.4     1.6      2.3       2.0
     Alcoholic beverages ......................   155.0   155.3   155.3   155.9     2.4     1.6     3.2     2.3      2.0       2.7
 
   Housing ....................................   149.6   149.9   150.3   150.8     2.8     2.7     3.0     3.2      2.7       3.1
     Shelter ..................................   167.1   167.5   167.9   168.6     3.7     3.7     3.2     3.6      3.7       3.4
       Renters' costs 1/ ......................   175.2   175.3   175.5   176.7     4.5     3.3     2.8     3.5      3.9       3.1
         Rent, residential ....................   158.8   159.2   159.6   160.0     2.3     2.6     2.0     3.1      2.4       2.5
         Other renters' costs .................   208.0   207.2   206.9   210.3     9.8     4.8     4.5     4.5      7.3       4.5
       Homeowners' costs 1/ ...................   172.8   173.4   173.9   174.3     3.4     3.8     3.5     3.5      3.6       3.5
         Owners' equivalent rent 1/ ...........   173.1   173.7   174.2   174.7     3.4     3.8     3.5     3.7      3.6       3.6
         Household insurance 1/ ...............   157.1   157.7   158.5   158.1     3.6      .5    -1.5     2.6      2.1        .5
       Maintenance and repairs 2/ .............   136.3   136.2   136.6   136.3     3.3     2.7     3.6      .0      3.0       1.8
         Maintenance and repair services 2/ ...   141.8   141.8   142.1   142.1     5.0     2.3     5.8      .8      3.7       3.3
         Maintenance and repair commodities 2/    128.9   128.7   129.1   128.6      .3     3.5      .6     -.9      1.9       -.2
     Fuel and other utilities .................   124.1   124.2   124.4   125.0      .7      .6     1.6     2.9       .7       2.3
       Fuels ..................................   111.1   111.2   111.3   112.0      .7     -.7     2.2     3.3       .0       2.7
         Fuel oil and other household fuel
             commodities ......................    87.8    87.8    88.8    95.5      .5     4.6    -3.6    40.0      2.5      16.2
         Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
             services).........................   118.9   119.1   119.1   118.9      .7    -1.3     2.7      .0      -.3       1.4
       Other utilities and public services 2/ .   153.5   153.6   153.9   154.4      .3     2.1     1.3     2.4      1.2       1.8
     Household furnishings and operation ......   123.8   123.7   124.1   124.4     1.3     1.3     3.3     2.0      1.3       2.6
       Housefurnishings .......................   111.7   111.1   111.6   111.9      .0      .0     2.9      .7       .0       1.8
       Housekeeping supplies ..................   139.1   139.7   140.0   140.5     6.1     4.5     5.0     4.1      5.3       4.6
       Housekeeping services ..................   144.8   145.3   145.7   145.7     1.1     2.5     3.1     2.5      1.8       2.8
 
   Apparel and upkeep .........................   132.1   132.1   132.2   133.1    -1.2     -.9      .9     3.1     -1.1       2.0
     Apparel commodities ......................   128.8   128.7   128.8   129.7    -1.5     -.9     1.3     2.8     -1.2       2.0
       Men's and boys' apparel ................   126.2   126.0   125.9   127.3     -.9    -1.6     1.6     3.5     -1.3       2.6
       Women's and girls' apparel .............   126.7   126.9   126.9   128.5    -3.7      .6    -1.6     5.8     -1.6       2.1
       Infants' and toddlers' apparel 2/ ......   131.0   129.7   128.7   131.5    -5.8   -12.3    28.7     1.5     -9.1      14.3
       Footwear ...............................   126.2   125.9   125.4   124.6     1.3    -2.2     4.2    -5.0      -.5       -.5
       Other apparel commodities ..............   151.8   151.8   154.0   153.0     3.2    -1.6     -.8     3.2       .8       1.2
     Apparel services 2/.......................   157.0   157.2   157.7   158.2     1.8    -1.3     -.5     3.1       .3       1.3
 
   Transportation .............................   139.5   138.9   139.0   140.0     5.6     2.0    -1.4     1.4      3.8        .0
     Private transportation ...................   136.5   136.0   136.7   137.8     4.2      .3     -.9     3.9      2.2       1.5
       New vehicles ...........................   141.8   141.9   142.0   142.1     3.2     1.4     2.0      .8      2.3       1.4
         New cars .............................   139.6   139.8   139.8   140.0     2.6      .9     1.4     1.2      1.7       1.3
       Used cars ..............................   156.0   156.4   157.4   158.7    14.0    -5.0     -.8     7.1      4.1       3.1
       Motor fuel .............................    97.4    95.4    97.5   101.2    -1.2     1.2   -14.5    16.5       .0       -.2
         Gasoline .............................    97.1    95.2    97.3   100.9    -1.6     1.2   -14.6    16.6      -.2       -.2
       Maintenance and repairs ................   155.2   155.6   155.8   156.5     2.4     2.6     2.9     3.4      2.5       3.1
       Other private transportation ...........   171.8   172.0   171.7   171.6     6.6     -.5     3.8     -.5      3.0       1.7
         Other private transportation
             commodities ......................   105.2   105.0   105.0   105.0     2.7     1.9      .8     -.8      2.3        .0
         Other private transportation
             services .........................   187.7   187.9   187.6   187.4     7.2     -.9     4.4     -.6      3.1       1.8
     Public transportation ....................   180.7   177.8   170.5   169.6    22.1    18.5    -3.9   -22.4     20.3     -13.6
 
   Medical care ...............................   223.1   223.8   224.6   225.4     3.7     3.9     3.9     4.2      3.8       4.0
     Medical care commodities .................   205.7   206.3   206.7   207.7      .8     1.6     2.8     3.9      1.2       3.4
     Medical care services ....................   226.9   227.6   228.5   229.3     4.4     4.4     4.2     4.3      4.4       4.2
       Professional medical services ..........   203.1   203.8   204.6   205.2     3.7     4.3     3.6     4.2      4.0       3.9
 
   Entertainment ..............................   155.3   155.9   156.5   156.9     2.7     2.6     3.7     4.2      2.7       3.9
     Entertainment commodities ................   139.7   140.4   140.9   141.3     1.2     2.3     3.2     4.7      1.8       3.9
     Entertainment services ...................   173.7   174.2   174.9   175.3     3.6     3.1     4.0     3.7      3.3       3.9
 
   Other goods and services ...................   210.4   211.2   211.7   212.2     4.8     4.6     5.1     3.5      4.7       4.3
     Tobacco and smoking products .............   228.9   229.7   229.0   228.4     3.7     4.7     5.4     -.9      4.2       2.2
     Personal care 2/ .........................   148.5   148.9   148.9   149.1     1.7     1.7     4.4     1.6      1.7       3.0
       Toilet goods and personal care
           appliances 2/ ......................   144.4   144.8   144.1   143.7      .0     1.4     4.9    -1.9       .7       1.4
       Personal care services 2/ ..............   153.0   153.5   154.3   155.0     3.5     1.9     4.3     5.3      2.7       4.8
     Personal and educational expenses ........   239.2   240.2   241.4   242.5     6.2     5.4     5.0     5.6      5.8       5.3
       School books and supplies ..............   217.6   219.0   219.8   222.1     4.4     3.4     6.3     8.5      3.9       7.4
       Personal and educational services ......   240.7   241.7   242.9   243.9     6.4     5.4     5.0     5.4      5.9       5.2
 
          Commodity and service group
 
 All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        3.2     2.4     2.6     2.6      2.8       2.6
   Commodities ................................   137.1   137.0   137.4   138.1     2.4     1.2     1.5     2.9      1.8       2.2
     Food and beverages .......................   150.3   150.3   150.5   150.7     3.3     1.9     3.5     1.1      2.6       2.3
     Commodities less food and beverages ......   129.1   128.9   129.4   130.4     1.6      .6      .3     4.1      1.1       2.2
       Nondurables less food and beverages ....   129.3   129.2   129.8   131.6      .3      .9    -1.2     7.3       .6       3.0
         Apparel commodities ..................   128.8   128.7   128.8   129.7    -1.5     -.9     1.3     2.8     -1.2       2.0
         Nondurables less food, beverages,
             and apparel ......................   132.6   132.0   133.1   135.3     2.8     1.5    -2.4     8.4      2.1       2.9
       Durables ...............................   128.4   128.5   128.7   129.0     2.9      .3     1.3     1.9      1.6       1.6
   Services ...................................   170.4   170.7   170.9   171.4     4.2     3.4     3.1     2.4      3.8       2.7
     Rent of shelter 1/ .......................   174.1   174.6   175.0   175.6     3.8     3.6     3.3     3.5      3.7       3.4
     Household services less rent
         of shelter 1/ ........................   139.0   139.2   139.5   139.4      .6     1.2     2.3     1.2       .9       1.7
     Transportation services ..................   178.1   177.6   175.9   175.7     9.2     3.9     2.3    -5.3      6.5      -1.6
     Medical care services ....................   226.9   227.6   228.5   229.3     4.4     4.4     4.2     4.3      4.4       4.2
     Other services ...........................   196.0   196.7   197.6   198.3     4.9     3.8     4.2     4.8      4.4       4.5
 
                Special indexes
 
 All items less food ..........................   154.2   154.3   154.6   155.3     3.5     2.4     2.4     2.9      2.9       2.6
 All items less shelter .......................   149.7   149.7   149.9   150.5     3.0     2.2     2.2     2.2      2.6       2.2
 All items less homeowners' costs 1/ ..........   154.7   154.7   154.9   155.6     3.2     2.1     2.4     2.3      2.7       2.4
 All items less medical care ..................   149.5   149.6   149.9   150.5     3.3     2.5     2.2     2.7      2.9       2.4
 Commodities less food ........................   130.3   130.1   130.5   131.6     1.9      .9      .3     4.1      1.4       2.2
 Nondurables less food ........................   130.8   130.6   131.4   133.0      .3     1.2     -.9     6.9       .8       2.9
 Nondurables less food and apparel ............   134.0   133.9   134.8   136.6     1.2     2.1    -1.2     8.0      1.7       3.3
 Nondurables ..................................   139.8   139.9   140.2   141.3     2.0     1.2      .9     4.4      1.6       2.6
 Services less rent of shelter 1/ .............   178.5   178.8   178.8   179.2     4.4     3.0     3.2     1.6      3.7       2.4
 Services less medical care services ..........   165.1   165.3   165.5   165.9     3.8     3.2     3.2     2.0      3.5       2.6
 Energy .......................................   103.9   103.0   104.1   106.1      .0      .0    -5.6     8.7       .0       1.3
 All items less energy ........................   160.3   160.5   160.7   161.2     3.6     2.6     3.1     2.3      3.1       2.7
   All items less food and energy .............   162.9   163.1   163.3   163.8     3.8     2.8     3.0     2.2      3.3       2.6
     Commodities less food and energy
         commodities ..........................   140.1   140.2   140.4   140.9     2.0      .9     2.3     2.3      1.5       2.3
       Energy commodities .....................    96.4    94.7    96.6   100.7     -.8     1.6   -13.6    19.1       .4       1.4
     Services less energy services ............   175.6   176.0   176.2   176.7     4.5     3.5     3.3     2.5      4.0       2.9
 
 
 
    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     Dec.      Jan.       Jan. 1996 from-     Oct. to    Nov. to    Dec. to
                                                1995       1995      1996    Jan. 1995  Dec. 1995     Nov.       Dec.       Jan.
 
            Expenditure category
 
All items ..................................   100.000     150.9     151.7        2.6        0.5        0.1        0.2        0.4
All items (1967=100) .......................      -        449.5     451.9        -          -          -          -          -
 
  Food and beverages .......................    19.262     149.8     150.8        2.4         .7         .1         .1         .1
    Food ...................................    17.581     149.4     150.5        2.5         .7         .0         .2         .1
      Food at home .........................    11.206     149.5     151.0        2.6        1.0        -.1         .2         .0
        Cereals and bakery products ........     1.682     169.2     171.2        4.2        1.2         .4         .2        1.0
        Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .....     3.453     141.7     142.5        3.9         .6         .4         .4         .1
        Dairy products .....................     1.300     134.7     136.1        2.8        1.0         .5         .6         .4
        Fruits and vegetables ..............     2.052     177.0     180.0         .7        1.7       -1.5        -.6       -1.1
        Other food at home .................     2.719     140.1     141.4        1.2         .9         .1         .2         .0
          Sugar and sweets .................      .369     138.4     141.3        4.3        2.1         .1         .3        1.3
          Fats and oils ....................      .285     137.3     139.6        2.4        1.7         .4         .0         .4
          Nonalcoholic beverages ...........      .885     128.8     129.5       -2.0         .5         .2        -.3        -.7
          Other prepared food ..............     1.180     151.9     152.9        2.5         .7        -.1         .6         .2
      Food away from home ..................     6.374     150.3     150.6        2.2         .2         .1         .1         .2
    Alcoholic beverages ....................     1.681     154.3     155.0        2.2         .5         .4        -.1         .4
 
  Housing ..................................    38.888     146.7     147.5        2.8         .5         .1         .3         .3
    Shelter ................................    25.976     163.1     163.9        3.3         .5         .2         .3         .3
      Renters' costs 1/ ....................     8.091     152.5     154.4        3.0        1.2         .1         .2         .5
        Rent, residential ..................     6.616     159.3     159.7        2.6         .3         .2         .3         .3
        Other renters' costs ...............     1.475     194.1     205.5        5.2        5.9        -.5        -.3        1.3
      Homeowners' costs 1/ .................    17.695     158.7     159.0        3.5         .2         .3         .4         .2
        Owners' equivalent rent 1/ .........    17.366     159.0     159.3        3.6         .2         .3         .4         .2
        Household insurance 1/ .............      .329     145.6     145.0        1.3        -.4         .5         .4        -.3
      Maintenance and repairs 2/ ...........      .189     135.8     135.5        2.0        -.2        -.1         .1        -.2
        Maintenance and repair services 2/ .      .105     144.7     144.6        2.9        -.1         .1         .1        -.1
        Maintenance and repair
            commodities 2/ .................      .085     124.2     123.6         .9        -.5        -.3         .2        -.5
    Fuel and other utilities ...............     7.247     123.3     124.2        1.4         .7         .2         .1         .4
      Fuels ................................     3.887     110.2     111.4        1.2        1.1         .2         .0         .6
        Fuel oil and other household fuel
            commodities ....................      .327      89.5      97.4        9.1        8.8         .0        1.1        7.4
        Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
            services).......................     3.560     117.5     118.0         .5         .4         .3        -.2         .0
      Other utilities and public
          services 2/ ......................     3.360     154.3     154.8        1.6         .3         .1         .2         .3
    Household furnishings and operation ....     5.666     122.4     122.8        1.9         .3        -.1         .2         .2
      Housefurnishings .....................     3.367     109.7     110.0         .7         .3        -.5         .3         .2
      Housekeeping supplies ................     1.149     139.9     140.6        4.8         .5         .4         .2         .5
      Housekeeping services ................     1.150     148.6     149.0        2.3         .3         .3         .3        -.1
 
  Apparel and upkeep .......................     5.533     129.5     129.1         .6        -.3        -.2         .2         .7
    Apparel commodities ....................     5.017     126.2     125.8         .6        -.3        -.2         .1         .8
      Men's and boys' apparel ..............     1.310     125.8     124.8        1.1        -.8        -.2         .2        1.0
      Women's and girls' apparel............     2.148     123.3     122.3         .9        -.8        -.1         .2        1.5
      Infants' and toddlers' apparel 2/ ....      .251     129.8     132.3        1.5        1.9       -1.4        -.8        1.9
      Footwear .............................      .812     125.0     123.9        -.4        -.9        -.2        -.4        -.9
      Other apparel commodities ............      .495     145.3     149.1         .0        2.6         .2         .7        -.7
    Apparel services 2/ ....................      .516     157.1     157.6         .7         .3         .2         .3         .3
 
  Transportation ...........................    19.020     138.9     139.7        2.0         .6        -.3         .4         .9
    Private transportation .................    17.847     137.2     138.0        2.1         .6        -.3         .5         .9
      New vehicles .........................     4.958     143.7     144.2        2.1         .3         .1         .1         .2
        New cars ...........................     3.591     140.4     140.8        1.6         .3         .1         .1         .1
      Used cars ............................     2.432     159.1     158.9        3.9        -.1         .3         .6         .9
      Motor fuel ...........................     3.584      96.4      98.6         .1        2.3       -2.0        2.2        3.7
        Gasoline ...........................      -         95.9      98.2        -.1        2.4       -2.2        2.2        4.0
      Maintenance and repairs ..............     1.619     156.6     157.1        2.9         .3         .3         .2         .4
      Other private transportation .........     5.255     168.4     168.5        2.3         .1         .0        -.1        -.1
        Other private transportation
            commodities ....................      .767     104.4     104.6        1.2         .2        -.1        -.1         .0
        Other private transportation
            services .......................     4.488     184.5     184.6        2.6         .1         .1        -.1        -.1
    Public transportation ..................     1.173     169.0     169.6        2.9         .4        -.7       -2.2        -.4
 
  Medical care .............................     6.262     223.1     224.5        4.0         .6         .3         .4         .4
    Medical care commodities ...............     1.055     204.2     205.4        2.2         .6         .3         .1         .6
    Medical care services ..................     5.208     227.4     228.9        4.4         .7         .3         .4         .3
      Professional medical services ........     2.965     204.9     206.0        4.0         .5         .3         .4         .2
 
  Entertainment ............................     4.029     153.8     154.7        3.1         .6         .4         .3         .4
    Entertainment commodities ..............     2.053     139.4     140.3        2.6         .6         .5         .2         .4
    Entertainment services .................     1.976     174.6     175.5        3.7         .5         .2         .5         .4
 
  Other goods and services .................     7.006     208.1     209.0        4.2         .4         .4         .1         .2
    Tobacco and smoking products ...........     2.135     228.4     229.3        3.1         .4         .3        -.3        -.3
    Personal care 2/ .......................     1.132     148.9     149.1        2.1         .1         .2        -.1         .1
      Toilet goods and personal care
          appliances 2/ ....................      .635     144.7     144.4         .9        -.2         .2        -.5        -.2
      Personal care services 2/ ............      .497     154.2     154.9        3.6         .5         .2         .5         .5
    Personal and educational expenses ......     3.739     237.3     238.5        5.5         .5         .4         .5         .5
      School books and supplies ............      .227     220.3     225.2        5.5        2.2         .7         .4        1.1
      Personal and educational services ....     3.512     238.9     239.8        5.5         .4         .4         .5         .4
 
        Commodity and service group
 
All items ..................................   100.000     150.9     151.7        2.6         .5         .1         .2         .4
  Commodities ..............................    47.052     136.9     137.7        2.1         .6        -.1         .3         .6
    Food and beverages .....................    19.262     149.8     150.8        2.4         .7         .1         .1         .1
    Commodities less food and beverages ....    27.790     129.0     129.7        1.8         .5        -.2         .5         .9
      Nondurables less food and beverages ..    16.074     128.3     129.3        1.8         .8        -.4         .8        1.4
        Apparel commodities ................     5.017     126.2     125.8         .6        -.3        -.2         .1         .8
        Nondurables less food, beverages,
            and apparel ....................    11.057     132.1     133.9        2.3        1.4        -.5         .9        1.7
      Durables .............................    11.716     128.9     129.1        1.8         .2         .0         .2         .3
  Services .................................    52.948     167.9     168.6        3.2         .4         .2         .2         .2
    Rent of shelter 1/ .....................    25.430     156.9     157.7        3.4         .5         .3         .3         .3
    Household services less rent of
        shelter 1/ .........................     8.531     127.2     127.6        1.2         .3         .2         .2        -.1
    Transportation services ................     7.279     174.9     175.2        2.7         .2        -.1        -.3        -.1
    Medical care services ..................     5.208     227.4     228.9        4.4         .7         .3         .4         .3
    Other services .........................     6.501     194.0     194.9        4.4         .5         .3         .5         .4
 
              Special indexes
 
All items less food ........................    82.419     151.1     151.8        2.6         .5         .1         .3         .5
All items less shelter .....................    74.024     147.8     148.5        2.4         .5         .0         .2         .4
All items less homeowners' costs 1/ ........    82.305     141.5     142.4        2.4         .6         .0         .2         .4
All items less medical care ................    93.738     147.5     148.3        2.6         .5         .1         .2         .4
Commodities less food ......................    29.471     130.0     130.7        1.9         .5        -.2         .3         .9
Nondurables less food ......................    17.756     129.8     130.8        1.9         .8        -.3         .7        1.3
Nondurables less food and apparel ..........    12.739     133.4     135.1        2.3        1.3        -.4         .8        1.4
Nondurables ................................    35.336     139.3     140.4        2.2         .8         .0         .3         .8
Services less rent of shelter 1/ ...........    27.518     159.2     159.8        3.0         .4         .2         .1         .2
Services less medical care services ........    47.740     162.8     163.5        3.1         .4         .2         .2         .2
Energy .....................................     7.470     102.6     104.3         .7        1.7        -.8        1.0        2.1
All items less energy ......................    92.530     157.6     158.3        2.8         .4         .1         .2         .3
  All items less food and energy ...........    74.949     159.7     160.3        2.9         .4         .2         .2         .3
    Commodities less food and
        energy commodities .................    25.560     139.6     139.9        2.0         .2         .1         .1         .4
      Energy commodities ...................     3.911      96.0      98.8         .8        2.9       -1.9        2.1        4.0
    Services less energy services ..........    49.388     173.4     174.2        3.4         .5         .2         .2         .2
Purchasing power of the consumer dollar:
  1982-84=$1.00 2/ .........................      -        $.663     $.659       -2.7        -.6         .2         .0        -.6
  1967=$1.00 2/ ............................      -         .222      .221        -          -          -          -          -
 
 
 
   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-
                                                 Oct.    Nov.    Dec.    Jan.    Apr.    July    Oct.    Jan.     July      Jan.
                                                 1995    1995    1995    1996    1995    1995    1995    1996     1995      1996
 
              Expenditure category
 
 All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        3.3     1.9     2.7     2.7      2.6       2.7
 
   Food and beverages .........................   149.8   149.9   150.1   150.3     3.0     1.9     3.5     1.3      2.5       2.4
     Food .....................................   149.4   149.4   149.7   149.8     3.3     1.6     3.8     1.1      2.5       2.4
       Food at home ...........................   149.6   149.5   149.8   149.8     3.6     1.9     4.4      .5      2.8       2.4
         Cereals and bakery products ..........   168.9   169.6   169.9   171.6     3.9     2.9     3.6     6.5      3.4       5.1
         Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......   140.6   141.1   141.7   141.8     1.5     1.5     9.3     3.5      1.5       6.4
         Dairy products .......................   133.2   133.9   134.7   135.2     1.2     1.8     2.1     6.1      1.5       4.1
         Fruits and vegetables ................   180.3   177.6   176.5   174.5    11.1     2.7     3.2   -12.3      6.8      -4.9
         Other food at home ...................   140.6   140.7   141.0   141.0     2.0      .9      .9     1.1      1.4       1.0
           Sugar and sweets ...................   138.8   139.0   139.4   141.2     3.0     4.2     2.9     7.1      3.6       5.0
           Fats and oils ......................   138.1   138.7   138.7   139.2     1.8     2.4     2.4     3.2      2.1       2.8
           Nonalcoholic beverages .............   130.1   130.3   129.9   129.0      .3    -3.3    -1.8    -3.3     -1.5      -2.6
           Other prepared food ................   151.8   151.6   152.5   152.8     3.0     2.7     1.9     2.7      2.8       2.3
       Food away from home ....................   149.9   150.1   150.3   150.6     2.5     1.9     2.7     1.9      2.2       2.3
     Alcoholic beverages ......................   154.3   154.9   154.7   155.3     2.1     1.1     3.2     2.6      1.6       2.9
 
   Housing ....................................   146.5   146.7   147.1   147.6     2.8     2.5     3.1     3.0      2.7       3.0
     Shelter ..................................   162.6   163.0   163.5   164.0     3.6     3.3     3.3     3.5      3.4       3.4
       Renters' costs 1/ ......................   153.5   153.6   153.9   154.6     3.8     2.7     2.9     2.9      3.2       2.9
         Rent, residential ....................   158.5   158.8   159.3   159.7     2.6     2.3     2.3     3.1      2.5       2.7
         Other renters' costs .................   208.1   207.1   206.5   209.2     9.6     4.2     5.2     2.1      6.9       3.6
       Homeowners' costs 1/ ...................   157.6   158.1   158.7   159.0     3.4     3.9     3.4     3.6      3.7       3.5
         Owners' equivalent rent 1/ ...........   157.9   158.4   159.0   159.3     3.4     3.9     3.6     3.6      3.7       3.6
         Household insurance 1/ ...............   144.3   145.0   145.6   145.2     4.0      .3    -1.6     2.5      2.1        .4
       Maintenance and repairs 2/ .............   135.7   135.6   135.8   135.5     2.7     3.0     3.0     -.6      2.9       1.2
         Maintenance and repair services 2/ ...   144.4   144.5   144.7   144.6     4.0     2.8     4.3      .6      3.4       2.4
         Maintenance and repair commodities 2/    124.3   123.9   124.2   123.6     1.3     3.6     1.0    -2.2      2.5       -.6
     Fuel and other utilities .................   123.6   123.8   123.9   124.4      .3      .7     2.0     2.6       .5       2.3
       Fuels ..................................   110.3   110.5   110.5   111.2      .4     -.7     2.6     3.3      -.2       2.9
         Fuel oil and other household fuel
             commodities ......................    87.7    87.7    88.7    95.3      .5     4.2    -3.1    39.4      2.3      16.2
         Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
             services).........................   118.1   118.4   118.2   118.2      .3    -1.4     3.1      .3      -.5       1.7
       Other utilities and public services 2/ .   153.9   154.0   154.3   154.8      .8     1.8     1.3     2.4      1.3       1.8
     Household furnishings and operation ......   122.5   122.4   122.7   122.9     1.3     2.0     2.7     1.3      1.7       2.0
       Housefurnishings .......................   110.3   109.8   110.1   110.3      .0      .7     1.8      .0       .4        .9
       Housekeeping supplies ..................   139.2   139.8   140.1   140.8     6.1     4.2     4.7     4.7      5.1       4.7
       Housekeeping services ..................   148.2   148.6   149.0   148.8      .6     3.1     3.9     1.6      1.8       2.7
 
   Apparel and upkeep .........................   131.0   130.8   131.0   131.9     -.3    -1.2     1.2     2.8      -.8       2.0
     Apparel commodities ......................   128.0   127.8   127.9   128.9     -.3    -1.6     1.6     2.8      -.9       2.2
       Men's and boys' apparel ................   125.8   125.6   125.8   127.1      .3    -1.6     1.3     4.2      -.6       2.7
       Women's and girls' apparel .............   125.5   125.4   125.6   127.5    -1.3     1.0    -2.2     6.5      -.2       2.1
       Infants' and toddlers' apparel 2/ ......   132.8   130.9   129.8   132.3    -7.7   -12.5    33.7    -1.5    -10.2      14.8
       Footwear ...............................   127.1   126.9   126.4   125.3     1.6    -1.9     4.5    -5.5      -.2       -.6
       Other apparel commodities ..............   150.1   150.4   151.4   150.3     2.1    -3.4      .5      .5      -.7        .5
     Apparel services 2/.......................   156.3   156.6   157.1   157.6     1.8    -1.0    -1.3     3.4       .4       1.0
 
   Transportation .............................   138.8   138.4   138.9   140.1     5.7      .6    -1.4     3.8      3.1       1.2
     Private transportation ...................   136.8   136.4   137.1   138.4     4.8      .0    -1.4     4.8      2.4       1.6
       New vehicles ...........................   142.7   142.8   142.9   143.2     3.5     1.7     2.0     1.4      2.6       1.7
         New cars .............................   139.2   139.4   139.6   139.7     2.9      .9     1.2     1.4      1.9       1.3
       Used cars ..............................   156.9   157.3   158.3   159.8    14.2    -4.7     -.8     7.6      4.3       3.3
       Motor fuel .............................    97.4    95.5    97.6   101.2    -1.6      .8   -13.5    16.5      -.4        .4
         Gasoline .............................    97.2    95.1    97.2   101.1    -2.0     1.6   -14.2    17.0      -.2        .2
       Maintenance and repairs ................   156.0   156.5   156.8   157.4     2.4     2.9     2.6     3.6      2.6       3.1
       Other private transportation ...........   167.9   167.9   167.7   167.6     7.8    -1.0     3.7     -.7      3.3       1.4
         Other private transportation
             commodities ......................   104.4   104.3   104.2   104.2     2.7     1.9      .8     -.8      2.3        .0
         Other private transportation
             services .........................   183.8   183.9   183.7   183.5     8.5    -1.3     4.0     -.7      3.5       1.7
     Public transportation ....................   175.3   174.1   170.2   169.6    15.9    12.5    -1.8   -12.4     14.2      -7.2
 
   Medical care ...............................   222.4   223.1   223.9   224.7     3.9     3.9     4.1     4.2      3.9       4.1
     Medical care commodities .................   203.4   204.0   204.3   205.6      .4     1.8     2.6     4.4      1.1       3.5
     Medical care services ....................   226.6   227.3   228.2   228.9     4.6     4.4     4.4     4.1      4.5       4.2
       Professional medical services ..........   204.2   204.9   205.7   206.2     3.9     4.3     3.6     4.0      4.1       3.8
 
   Entertainment ..............................   153.0   153.6   154.1   154.7     2.4     2.1     3.5     4.5      2.3       4.0
     Entertainment commodities ................   138.7   139.4   139.7   140.3     1.2     1.5     2.9     4.7      1.3       3.8
     Entertainment services ...................   173.6   174.0   174.8   175.5     3.8     3.1     3.8     4.5      3.5       4.1
 
   Other goods and services ...................   207.4   208.2   208.5   208.9     4.7     4.0     5.6     2.9      4.3       4.2
     Tobacco and smoking products .............   229.0   229.8   229.2   228.4     3.8     4.5     5.4    -1.0      4.2       2.1
     Personal care 2/ .........................   148.7   149.0   148.9   149.1     1.4     1.1     5.0     1.1      1.2       3.0
       Toilet goods and personal care
           appliances 2/ ......................   145.1   145.4   144.7   144.4      .0      .6     5.1    -1.9       .3       1.5
       Personal care services 2/ ..............   153.2   153.5   154.2   154.9     3.2     1.6     5.1     4.5      2.4       4.8
     Personal and educational expenses ........   234.8   235.7   236.9   238.0     5.8     5.0     5.8     5.6      5.4       5.7
       School books and supplies ..............   218.8   220.3   221.2   223.6     3.1     3.2     6.9     9.1      3.1       8.0
       Personal and educational services ......   236.2   237.1   238.3   239.3     6.1     5.0     5.8     5.4      5.5       5.6
 
          Commodity and service group
 
 All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        3.3     1.9     2.7     2.7      2.6       2.7
   Commodities ................................   137.0   136.9   137.3   138.1     2.4     1.2     1.5     3.3      1.8       2.4
     Food and beverages .......................   149.8   149.9   150.1   150.3     3.0     1.9     3.5     1.3      2.5       2.4
     Commodities less food and beverages ......   129.1   128.8   129.4   130.5     2.2      .6      .0     4.4      1.4       2.2
       Nondurables less food and beverages ....   128.8   128.3   129.3   131.1      .6      .6    -1.2     7.3       .6       3.0
         Apparel commodities ..................   128.0   127.8   127.9   128.9     -.3    -1.6     1.6     2.8      -.9       2.2
         Nondurables less food, beverages,
             and apparel ......................   132.2   131.5   132.7   134.9     2.1     1.8    -3.0     8.4      2.0       2.6
       Durables ...............................   128.3   128.3   128.6   129.0     3.8      .3      .9     2.2      2.1       1.6
   Services ...................................   167.6   168.0   168.3   168.7     4.0     2.9     3.2     2.7      3.5       2.9
     Rent of shelter 1/ .......................   156.5   156.9   157.4   157.9     3.7     3.4     3.1     3.6      3.6       3.4
     Household services less rent
         of shelter 1/ ........................   127.6   127.9   128.1   128.0      .3     1.0     2.2     1.3       .6       1.7
     Transportation services ..................   175.4   175.3   174.7   174.6     8.2     1.9     2.8    -1.8      5.0        .5
     Medical care services ....................   226.6   227.3   228.2   228.9     4.6     4.4     4.4     4.1      4.5       4.2
     Other services ...........................   192.8   193.4   194.3   195.1     4.8     3.6     4.5     4.9      4.2       4.7
 
                Special indexes
 
 All items less food ..........................   150.9   151.0   151.4   152.1     3.3     1.9     2.4     3.2      2.6       2.8
 All items less shelter .......................   147.8   147.8   148.1   148.7     3.1     1.6     2.2     2.5      2.4       2.3
 All items less homeowners' costs 1/ ..........   141.7   141.7   142.0   142.6     3.2     1.7     2.3     2.6      2.5       2.4
 All items less medical care ..................   147.4   147.5   147.8   148.4     3.1     1.9     2.5     2.7      2.5       2.6
 Commodities less food ........................   130.3   130.1   130.5   131.7     2.2      .6      .3     4.4      1.4       2.3
 Nondurables less food ........................   130.3   129.9   130.8   132.5      .6      .9     -.9     6.9       .8       2.9
 Nondurables less food and apparel ............   133.6   133.1   134.2   136.1     1.2     2.1    -1.5     7.7      1.7       3.0
 Nondurables ..................................   139.4   139.4   139.8   140.9     2.0     1.2      .9     4.4      1.6       2.6
 Services less rent of shelter 1/ .............   159.1   159.4   159.5   159.8     4.2     2.6     3.6     1.8      3.4       2.7
 Services less medical care services ..........   162.6   162.9   163.2   163.5     4.1     2.8     3.3     2.2      3.4       2.7
 Energy .......................................   103.3   102.5   103.5   105.7     -.8      .0    -5.6     9.6      -.4       1.7
 All items less energy ........................   157.5   157.7   158.0   158.4     3.7     2.1     3.1     2.3      2.9       2.7
   All items less food and energy .............   159.7   160.0   160.3   160.8     3.9     2.3     2.8     2.8      3.1       2.8
     Commodities less food and energy
         commodities ..........................   139.7   139.8   140.0   140.5     2.9      .6     2.3     2.3      1.8       2.3
       Energy commodities .....................    96.8    95.0    97.0   100.9    -1.6     1.2   -12.5    18.0      -.2       1.6
     Services less energy services ............   173.3   173.6   174.0   174.4     4.3     3.3     3.3     2.6      3.8       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                                       Jan. 1996 from-         Dec. 1995 from-
                                          schedule    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.    Jan.    Jan.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Oct.    Nov.
                                             1/       1995    1995    1995    1996    1995    1995    1995    1994    1995    1995
 
 
 
U.S. city average ......................      M        153.7   153.6   153.5   154.4     2.7     0.5     0.6     2.5    -0.1    -0.1
 
        Region and area size 2/
 
Northeast urban.........................      M        160.3   160.5   160.5   161.4     2.7      .6      .6     2.7      .1      .0
  Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        161.1   161.3   161.1   162.2     2.9      .6      .7     2.9      .0     -.1
  Size B -  500,000 to 1,200,000 .......      M        158.5   158.3   158.6   158.7     2.1      .3      .1     2.1      .1      .2
  Size C -  50,000 to 500,000 ..........      M        158.3   158.5   158.6   159.8     2.6      .8      .8     2.3      .2      .1
 
North Central urban ....................      M        149.6   149.5   149.5   150.2     2.8      .5      .5     2.6     -.1      .0
  Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        150.3   150.2   150.3   151.0     2.5      .5      .5     2.4      .0      .1
  Size B -  360,000 to 1,200,000 .......      M        148.4   148.1   148.0   148.6     2.9      .3      .4     2.7     -.3     -.1
  Size C -  50,000 to 360,000 ..........      M        151.5   151.5   151.5   152.2     3.3      .5      .5     3.0      .0      .0
  Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
            (less than 50,000) .........      M        146.0   146.0   145.8   146.5     3.5      .3      .5     3.3     -.1     -.1
 
South urban ............................      M        150.5   150.4   150.3   151.1     3.0      .5      .5     2.9     -.1     -.1
  Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        149.9   149.7   149.5   150.4     2.6      .5      .6     2.4     -.3     -.1
  Size B -  450,000 to 1,200,000 .......      M        152.6   152.6   152.4   153.2     2.9      .4      .5     2.7     -.1     -.1
  Size C -  50,000 to 450,000 ..........      M        150.4   150.4   150.3   151.1     3.7      .5      .5     3.4     -.1     -.1
  Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
            (less than 50,000) .........      M        149.0   148.9   149.1   149.9     3.2      .7      .5     3.3      .1      .1
 
West urban .............................      M        154.6   154.4   154.3   155.3     2.2      .6      .6     2.1     -.2     -.1
  Size A -  More than 1,250,000 ........      M        154.9   154.4   154.4   155.4     1.6      .6      .6     1.4     -.3      .0
  Size C -  50,000 to 330,000 ..........      M        157.9   158.4   158.6   159.8     3.7      .9      .8     3.5      .4      .1
 
Size classes
  A 3/ .................................      M        138.8   138.7   138.6   139.5     2.4      .6      .6     2.2     -.1     -.1
  B ....................................      M        153.5   153.5   153.4   153.9     2.7      .3      .3     2.7     -.1     -.1
  C ....................................      M        153.3   153.5   153.5   154.4     3.4      .6      .6     3.2      .1      .0
  D ....................................      M        150.0   150.0   150.1   150.9     3.4      .6      .5     3.3      .1      .1
 
          Selected local areas
 
Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI......      M        154.3   154.0   153.8   154.6     1.8      .4      .5     2.2     -.3     -.1
Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ......      M        155.2   154.4   154.6   155.7      .9      .8      .7      .8     -.4      .1
N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT      M        163.6   163.8   163.7   164.8     3.1      .6      .7     3.0      .1     -.1
Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton, PA-NJ-DE-MD ..      M        160.4   159.6   159.1   160.3     2.4      .4      .8     2.4     -.8     -.3
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA .....      M        152.6   152.4   152.1   152.9     1.7      .3      .5     1.8     -.3     -.2
 
Baltimore, MD ..........................      1         -      151.1    -      151.6     2.0      .3    -       -       -       -
Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ...........      1         -      160.3    -      162.2     2.7     1.2    -       -       -       -
Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH .............      1         -      148.2    -      149.0     1.6      .5    -       -       -       -
Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ..............      1         -      150.2    -      152.0     3.2     1.2    -       -       -       -
St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL ........      1         -      145.7    -      147.2     3.0     1.0    -       -       -       -
Washington, DC-MD-VA ...................      1         -      155.2    -      156.8     2.0     1.0    -       -       -       -
 
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ..................      2        146.8    -      145.5    -       -       -       -        2.5     -.9    -
Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI ..................      2        149.8    -      150.3    -       -       -       -        3.3      .3    -
Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .........      2        141.6    -      140.9    -       -       -       -        2.2     -.5    -
Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA ...........      2        150.5    -      150.0    -       -       -       -        2.4     -.3    -
 
 
 
   1/     Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all areas; most other goods and services priced as
          indicated:
            M - Every month.
            1 - January, March, May, July, September, and November.
            2 - February, April, June, August, October, and December.
   2/     Regions defined as the four Census regions.  See 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                                       Jan. 1996 from-         Dec. 1995 from-
                                          schedule    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.    Jan.    Jan.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Oct.    Nov.
                                             1/       1995    1995    1995    1996    1995    1995    1995    1994    1995    1995
 
 
 
U.S. city average ......................      M        151.0   150.9   150.9   151.7     2.6     0.5     0.5     2.5    -0.1     0.0
 
        Region and area size 2/
 
Northeast urban.........................      M        157.8   158.0   158.0   158.8     2.6      .5      .5     2.6      .1      .0
  Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        157.5   157.7   157.6   158.5     2.7      .5      .6     2.8      .1     -.1
  Size B -  500,000 to 1,200,000 .......      M        156.4   156.2   156.5   156.5     2.1      .2      .0     2.2      .1      .2
  Size C -  50,000 to 500,000 ..........      M        160.0   160.1   160.4   161.4     2.5      .8      .6     2.4      .3      .2
 
North Central urban ....................      M        146.3   146.2   146.3   147.0     2.8      .5      .5     2.5      .0      .1
  Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        146.3   146.2   146.4   147.1     2.5      .6      .5     2.3      .1      .1
  Size B -  360,000 to 1,200,000 .......      M        144.6   144.4   144.5   145.0     2.9      .4      .3     2.8     -.1      .1
  Size C -  50,000 to 360,000 ..........      M        148.8   148.9   148.9   149.6     3.2      .5      .5     3.0      .1      .0
  Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
            (less than 50,000) .........      M        144.2   144.1   144.1   144.7     3.5      .4      .4     3.1     -.1      .0
 
South urban ............................      M        149.0   148.9   148.9   149.7     3.0      .5      .5     2.8     -.1      .0
  Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        148.0   147.8   147.8   148.6     2.6      .5      .5     2.4     -.1      .0
  Size B -  450,000 to 1,200,000 .......      M        149.0   149.0   148.9   149.6     2.7      .4      .5     2.5     -.1     -.1
  Size C -  50,000 to 450,000 ..........      M        150.4   150.4   150.3   151.1     3.7      .5      .5     3.4     -.1     -.1
  Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
            (less than 50,000) .........      M        149.3   149.2   149.5   150.4     3.3      .8      .6     3.3      .1      .2
 
West urban .............................      M        151.6   151.4   151.3   152.2     2.0      .5      .6     1.9     -.2     -.1
  Size A -  More than 1,250,000 ........      M        150.4   150.0   150.0   150.9     1.6      .6      .6     1.4     -.3      .0
  Size C -  50,000 to 330,000 ..........      M        154.8   155.4   155.5   156.6     3.4      .8      .7     3.2      .5      .1
 
Size classes
  A 3/ .................................      M        137.8   137.7   137.7   138.5     2.4      .6      .6     2.2     -.1      .0
  B ....................................      M        150.7   150.7   150.7   151.1     2.6      .3      .3     2.6      .0      .0
  C ....................................      M        152.5   152.6   152.7   153.5     3.3      .6      .5     3.1      .1      .1
  D ....................................      M        149.2   149.3   149.4   150.2     3.4      .6      .5     3.2      .1      .1
 
          Selected local areas
 
Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI......      M        149.2   149.0   149.0   149.7     1.8      .5      .5     2.2     -.1      .0
Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ......      M        149.9   149.2   149.4   150.4      .9      .8      .7      .9     -.3      .1
N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT      M        159.7   159.9   159.9   160.9     2.9      .6      .6     2.9      .1      .0
Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton, PA-NJ-DE-MD ..      M        159.7   159.2   158.7   159.7     2.1      .3      .6     2.3     -.6     -.3
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA .....      M        150.2   149.9   149.6   150.5     1.6      .4      .6     1.5     -.4     -.2
 
Baltimore, MD ..........................      1         -      149.9    -      150.3     1.8      .3    -       -       -       -
Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ...........      1         -      159.3    -      161.1     2.6     1.1    -       -       -       -
Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH .............      1         -      140.6    -      141.5     1.8      .6    -       -       -       -
Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ..............      1         -      148.2    -      150.0     3.2     1.2    -       -       -       -
St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL ........      1         -      145.0    -      146.5     3.0     1.0    -       -       -       -
Washington, DC-MD-VA ...................      1         -      152.5    -      153.9     1.8      .9    -       -       -       -
 
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ..................      2        146.5    -      145.4    -       -       -       -        2.6     -.8    -
Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI ..................      2        145.0    -      145.5    -       -       -       -        3.2      .3    -
Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .........      2        140.9    -      140.5    -       -       -       -        2.0     -.3    -
Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA ...........      2        144.2    -      143.7    -       -       -       -        2.4     -.3    -
 
 
 
   1/     Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all areas; most other goods and services priced as
          indicated:
            M - Every month.
            1 - January, March, May, July, September, and November.
            2 - February, April, June, August, October, and December.
   2/     Regions defined as the four Census regions.  See 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.