Bureau of Labor Statistics
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BLS 08-66 |
Consumer prices in the Portland-Salem metropolitan area rose 3.9 percent from one year prior and 2.0 percent in the first half of 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden said that rising housing and transportation prices contributed strongly toward the all items annual increase.
The transportation index rose 6.8 percent for the past 12 months and moved up 5.6 percent in the first half of 2008. Average gasoline prices rose 20.4 percent over the past 12 months. Over the past six months, gasoline prices in Portland jumped 20.0 percent.
The housing index rose 3.2 percent for the year and 0.9 percent for the past six months. Prices for the shelter component of housing advanced 2.9 percent and for the fuels and utilities component advanced 4.7 percent over the year. Shelter costs increased 1.0 percent, but fuels and utilities decreased 0.5 percent during the latest six months period. Within fuels and utilities, utility (piped) gas service prices declined 8.4 percent, but electricity rates advanced 11.2 percent for the year. Prices for utility (piped) gas service and electricity decreased 5.8 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively, in the past six months.
Prices for food and beverages rose 4.3 percent over the past 12 months and 2.4 percent over the past six months. The annual and six month price increases for food and beverages exceeded the all items index for the same periods. Prices for food at home increased 5.0 percent and for food away from home increased 3.6 percent over the year. Prices for these two food groups increased 3.4 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively, over the past six months. Prices paid for alcoholic beverages rose 5.8 percent for the past 12 months and 3.1 percent for the past six months.
Annual medical care prices increased 6.4 percent since last year and 2.6 percent in the last six months. Prices for education and communication advanced 1.8 percent during the past year and 0.8 percent for the past six months.
The recreation index decreased 0.8 percent in the past 12 months, making it the only major expenditure category to experience a decline during this period. For the first half of 2008, recreation prices measured 0.4 percent higher.
Apparel prices advanced 2.0 percent for the latest twelve month period. During the first six months of 2008, apparel prices measured 0.6 percent lower.
The miscellaneous other goods and services index advanced 4.1 percent over the year. During the past six months, prices for other goods and services were 3.1 percent higher.
The Portland area's Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) advanced to 214.619 (1982-84=100) during the first half of 2008. This means a market basket of goods and services that cost $100.00 in 1982-84 would have cost $214.62 during the past six months. Local area CPI data are not seasonally adjusted.
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Last Modified Date: August 14, 2008
