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 08-70 |
Consumer prices in the Anchorage metropolitan area advanced 4.6 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 higher transportation prices contributed strongly to the all items index increase.
Transportation prices increased 10.3 percent during the past year and 5.8 percent since the second half of 2007. Annual gasoline prices soared 34.9 percent over the past year, the largest increase in gasoline prices since semiannual data first became available in 1985. In the past six months, gasoline prices increased 17.3 percent.
Prices paid for food and beverages rose 5.0 percent since last year. During this period, the food at home index advanced 6.1 percent, and the food away from home index increased 3.4 percent. For the past six months, the overall food and beverages index rose 2.1 percent. Food at home prices were up 2.5 percent over the past six months, and food away from home increased 1.0 percent. Alcoholic beverages prices edged up 0.1 percent since the first half of 2007 and 0.2 percent since the second half of 2007.
The housing index rose 2.2 percent for the year and 1.1 percent for the past six months. Prices for the shelter component of housing advanced 2.7 percent and the fuels and utilities component rose 0.3 percent for the year. During the past six months costs for shelter increased 1.4 percent, but costs for fuels and utilities decreased 0.2 percent. Within fuels and utilities index, (utility) piped gas service prices declined 1.7 percent for the year and 1.8 percent for the past six months. Electricity prices decreased 3.0 percent for the year and 1.2 percent for the past six months.
Over the year medical care prices rose 4.5 percent. Prices for medical care advanced 3.1 percent in the last six months.
Over the year, apparel prices increased 10.9 percent and over the past six months, increased 5.5 percent. Prices for recreation increased 1.6 percent since the first half of 2007 and 1.2 percent since the second half of 2007.
Education and communication prices advanced 2.1 during the past year and edged up 0.1 percent during the past six months. Other goods and services rose 7.3 percent on an annual basis and 4.5 percent since six months ago.
The Anchorage area's Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) advanced to 187.659 (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 $187.66 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
