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BLS 08-64
FOR RELEASE:
Thursday, August 14, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO-OAKLAND-SAN JOSE AREA
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES: JULY 2008

The special aggregate index for energy increased 1.3 percent for the month and was 29.9 percent higher than in July 2007, said Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The household energy index increased 5.2 percent for the month and advanced 10.7 percent for the year. Within household fuels, the utility (piped) gas service index increased 16.4 percent for the month and contributed strongly to the increase in the overall energy index. Over the year, the utility (piped) gas index increased 38.4 percent. The electricity index was unchanged from June to July, yet was 1.0 percent lower than in July 2007. Gasoline prices declined 0.4 percent in July, but were 40.9 percent higher than a year ago.

The shelter index advanced 0.6 percent in July 2008 and was 2.0 percent higher compared to one year earlier. Over the month, the rent of primary residence and the owners' equivalent rent of primary residence indexes both advanced 0.3 percent. Over the past 12 months, these indexes moved up 4.4 and 2.9 percent, respectively. Also included in shelter, but not part of the publication structure, are price data collected for lodging away from home.

Area grocery prices were up 1.2 percent from June to July, and were 5.7 percent higher than a year ago. The food at home index now stands at 228.336. This means grocery shoppers in the greater Bay Area spent $228.34 in June for a basket of food items that cost $100.00 in 1982-84. Local area CPI data are not seasonally adjusted.

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Last Modified Date: August 14, 2008