Western Information Office

Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden of the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today that grocery prices, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers food at home index, increased 1.7 percent in July. Compared to one year ago, grocery prices were 7.9 percent higher. The food at home index now stands at 233.491. This means grocery shoppers in the Seattle area spent $233.49 in July for a basket of food items that cost $100.00 in 1982-84. Local area CPI data are not seasonally adjusted.

Shelter prices increased 0.4 percent in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton area in July and were 6.6 percent higher over the year. Within shelter, the rent of primary residence index residence increased 0.7 percent for the month and rose 8.2 percent over the year. The owners' equivalent rent of primary residence index moved up 0.5 percent this month and was 6.7 percent higher than in July 2007.

The special aggregate for energy edged down 0.1 percent for the month, but was 28.2 percent higher than a year ago. The household energy index increased 0.6 percent in July and was up 1.2 percent over the past year. Gasoline prices decreased 0.4 percent over the month, but were 43.7 percent above last year's level.

Please click here for a text formatted copy of the table issued with this release.

Last Modified Date: August 14, 2008