Bureau of Labor Statistics
|
CONTACT: Media Interviews (415) 625-2270 (415) 625-2283 General Information (415) 625-2270 Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/ro9/news.htm |
BLS 08-68 |
Consumer prices in the Phoenix-Mesa metropolitan area rose 3.8 percent from one year prior, and 2.5 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 prices for transportation and housing contributed strongly to the overall increase during both the past year and six months.
The overall transportation index rose 7.0 percent for the past 12 months and 6.3 percent in the first half of 2008. Gasoline prices jumped 23.1 percent over the past 12 months. Over the past six months, average gasoline prices in Phoenix rose 20.9 percent.
The overall housing index increased 2.7 percent for the year. During the first half of 2008, housing prices rose 1.2 percent. Over the past 12 months, the shelter component of housing increased by 2.6 percent. Shelter prices rose 1.5 percent over past six months. For the past year, fuels and utilities prices increased 7.3 percent, but decreased 0.2 percent in the past six months. Within fuels and utilities, utility (piped) gas service prices advanced 2.0 percent and electricity rates rose 8.7 percent for the year. In the past six months utility (piped) gas service and electricity prices declined 0.3 percent and 5.1 percent, respectively. In the past year, household furnishings and operations prices advanced 0.7 percent; for the past six months the index advanced 2.2 percent.
Prices for food and beverages rose 5.3 percent over the past 12 months. During this period, grocery prices, as represented by the food at home index, increased 5.9 percent and prices for food away from home increased 4.4 percent. During the first half of 2008, the food and beverages index rose 2.4 percent. For the past six months, price for food at home and food away from home increased 2.6 and 1.6 percent, respectively. Prices for alcoholic beverages rose 2.8 percent for the past year and 2.4 percent for the past six months.
Apparel prices declined 3.1 percent for the year, but measured 2.2 percent higher during the first six months of 2008.
Medical care prices increased 5.0 percent over the past 12 months and 2.8 percent in the first half of 2008.
Prices for education and communication advanced 2.5 percent during the past twelve months. During the first half of 2008, education and communication prices advanced 0.8 percent. The recreation index increased 3.3 percent in the past twelve months and 1.0 percent in the first half of 2008.
The miscellaneous other goods and services index advanced 3.1 percent over the year. Over the past six months, prices for other goods and services were 1.7 percent higher.
The Phoenix area's Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) advanced to 118.912 (December 2001=100) during the first half of 2008. This means a market basket of goods and services that cost $100.00 in December 2001 would have cost $118.91 during the first six months of 2008. Local area CPI data are not seasonally adjusted.
__________________________________________________________________
Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired
individuals upon request.
Voice phone 202-691-5200
TDD message referral phone number: 800-877-8339
__________________________________________________________________
Please click here for a text formatted copy of the table issued with this release.
Last Modified Date: August 14, 2008
