[Federal Register: October 27, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 208)]
[Notices]
[Page 63179-63212]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27oc06-121]
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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
2005 Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowance Survey Report:
Caribbean and Washington, DC, Areas
AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice publishes the ``2005 Nonforeign Area Cost-of-
Living Allowance Survey Report: Caribbean and Washington, DC, Areas.''
The Federal Government uses the results of surveys such as these to set
cost-of-living allowance (COLA) rates for General Schedule, U.S. Postal
Service, and certain other Federal employees in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam
and the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin
Islands. This report contains the results of the COLA surveys conducted
by the Office of Personnel Management in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, and the Washington, DC area during the spring of 2005.
DATES: Comments on this report must be received on or before December
26, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Send or deliver comments to Jerome D. Mikowicz, Acting
Deputy Associate Director for Pay and Performance Policy, Strategic
Human Resources Policy Division, Office of Personnel Management, Room
7H31, 1900 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20415-8200; fax: (202) 606-
4264; or e-mail: COLA@opm.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald L. Paquin, (202) 606-2838; fax:
(202) 606-4264; or e-mail: COLA@opm.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 591.229 of title 5, Code of Federal
Regulations, requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to
publish nonforeign area cost-of-living allowance (COLA) survey summary
reports in the Federal Register. We are publishing the complete ``2005
Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowance Survey Report: Caribbean and
Washington, DC, Areas'' with this notice. The report contains the
results of the COLA surveys we conducted in Puerto Rico, the U.S.
Virgin Islands, and the Washington, DC area during the spring of 2005.
Survey Results
Using an index scale with Washington, DC area living costs equal to
100, we computed index values of relative prices in the Puerto Rico and
U.S. Virgin Islands COLA areas. Then we added an adjustment factor of
7.0 to the Puerto Rico price index and 9.0 to the U.S. Virgin Islands
price index and rounded the results to the nearest whole percentage
point. According to the results, the COLA rate for the U.S. Virgin
Islands should increase from 23 percent, which is the current rate, to
25 percent; and the COLA rate for Puerto Rico should decrease from 10.5
percent, which is the current rate, to 9.5 percent. Section 591.228(c)
limits decreases to 1 percentage point in a 12-month period. In a
proposed rule published with this notice, OPM proposes to adjust COLA
rate rates based on the results of the 2005 Caribbean surveys.
[[Page 63180]]
Office of Personnel Management.
Linda M. Springer,
Director.
2005 Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowance Survey Report: Caribbean
and Washington, DC Areas
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
1. Introduction
1.1 Report Objectives
2. Preparing for the Survey
2.1 COLA Advisory Committees
2.2 Pre-Survey Meetings
2.3 Survey Item Selection
2.3.1 Special Considerations
2.4 Outlet Selection
2.5 Geographic Coverage
3. Conducting the Survey
3.1 Pricing Period
3.2 Non-Housing Price Data Collection
3.2.1 Data Collection Teams
3.2.2 Data Collection Process
3.3 Housing (Rental) Price Data Collection
4. Analyzing the Results
4.1 Data Review
4.2 Special Price Computations
4.2.1 K-12 Private Education
4.2.2 Health Insurance
4.2.3 Water Utilities
4.2.4 Energy Utilities Model
4.2.5 Rental Data Hedonic Models
4.3 Averaging Prices by Item and Area
4.4 Computing Price Indexes
4.4.1 Geometric Means
4.4.2 Special Private Education Computations
4.5 Applying Consumer Expenditure Weights
5. Final Results
6. Post Survey Meetings
List of Appendices
Appendix 1: Publication in the Federal Register of Prior Survey
Results: 1990-2005
Appendix 2: Estimated DC Area Middle Income Annual Consumer
Expenditures
Appendix 3: COLA Survey Items and Descriptions
Appendix 4: COLA Rental Survey Data Collection Elements
Appendix 5: Utility Usage and Calculations
Appendix 6: Hedonic Rental Data Equations and Results
Appendix 7: Final Living-Cost Results for COLA Areas
Executive Summary
The Government pays cost-of-living allowances (COLAs) to Federal
employees in nonforeign areas in consideration of living costs
significantly higher than those in the Washington, DC area. The Office
of Personnel Management (OPM) conducts living-cost surveys to set the
COLA rates. The methodology for conducting these surveys is prescribed
in regulation at subpart B of part 591 of title 5 of the Code of
Federal Regulations.
This report provides the results of the COLA surveys OPM conducted
in the spring of 2005 in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the
Washington, DC area. The report details our comparison of living costs
in the Caribbean areas with living costs in the Washington, DC area.
For the surveys, we contacted about 850 outlets and collected
approximately 4,000 non-rental prices on more than 250 items
representing typical consumer purchases. We also collected about 1,800
rental prices. We then combined the data using consumer expenditure
information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The final results are
living-cost indexes, shown in Table 1. These indexes compare living
costs in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to those in the
Washington, DC area. The index for the DC area (not shown) is 100.00
because it is, by law, the reference area. The living-cost indexes
shown in Table 1 include the adjustment factor prescribed at 5 CFR
591.227.
Table 1.--Final Living-Cost Comparison Indexes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allowance area Index
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puerto Rico.................................................. 103.32
U.S. Virgin Islands.......................................... 128.21
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Introduction
1.1 Report Objectives
This report provides the results of the 2005 ``Caribbean''
nonforeign area cost-of-living allowance (COLA) survey conducted by the
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in the spring of 2005. (Appendix 1
lists prior survey reports and their publication dates.) In addition to
providing the results, the report describes how we prepared for and
conducted the survey and analyzed the results. The results show
comparative living-cost differences between the Caribbean COLA areas,
i.e., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), and the
Washington, DC area. By law, Washington, DC, is the base or
``reference'' area for the COLA program.
2. Preparing for the Survey
2.1 COLA Advisory Committees
Before conducting the Caribbean survey, OPM established COLA
Advisory Committees (CACs) in Puerto Rico, St. Croix (USVI), and St.
Thomas/St. John (USVI). The settlement of Caraballo, et al. v. United
States, No. 1997-0027 (D.V.I.), August 17, 2000, provides for employee
involvement in the administration of the COLA program. As in previous
surveys, we found it valuable to involve employee and agency
representatives in planning and conducting the surveys and reviewing
the results.
Each CAC is composed of approximately 12 agency and employee
representatives from the survey area and 2 OPM representatives. The
functions of the CACs include the following:
--Advising and assisting OPM in planning COLA surveys;
--Providing or arranging for data collection observers during COLA
surveys;
--Advising and assisting OPM in reviewing survey data;
--Advising OPM on its COLA program administration, including survey
methodology;
--Assisting OPM in disseminating information to affected employees
about the surveys and the COLA program; and
--Advising OPM on special situations or conditions, such as hurricanes
and earthquakes, as they relate to OPM's authority to conduct interim
surveys or implement some other change in response to conditions caused
by a natural disaster or similar emergency.
2.2 Pre-Survey Meetings
To help us prepare for the COLA surveys, the CACs held 3-day
meetings in Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and St. Croix. The CACs reviewed
the preliminary outlet and item lists developed by OPM for the surveys.
The committee members researched the outlets and availability and
appropriateness of the items in each area and made recommendations to
us concerning the survey. We incorporated these recommendations into
the survey design.
We found the work of the CACs to be extremely helpful and
informative. The CACs' knowledge of the local area, the popularity of
items and outlets, and other information about the COLA area, were
invaluable in helping us plan the survey.
2.3 Survey Item Selection
As described in Sections 2.1 and 2.2, we consulted with the CACs as
we selected survey items. We identified items to reflect a wide array
of items consumers typically purchase. To determine what consumers
purchase, OPM uses the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2002/2003
Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES). We aggregated CES expenditures into
the following nine major expenditure groups (MEGs):
--Food,
--Shelter and Utilities,
--Household Furnishings and Supplies,
--Apparel,
[[Page 63181]]
--Transportation,
--Medical,
--Recreation,
--Education and Communication, and
--Miscellaneous.
We further subdivided each MEG into primary expenditure groups
(PEGs). In all, there were 45 PEGs. For example, we subdivided Food
into the following nine PEGs:
--Cereals and Bakery Products;
--Meats, Poultry, Fish, and Eggs;
--Dairy Products;
--Fresh Fruits and Vegetables;
--Processed Foods;
--Other Food at Home;
--Nonalcoholic Beverages;
--Food Away from Home; and
--Alcoholic Beverages.
To select survey items, we chose a sufficient number of items to
represent each PEG and reduce overall price index variability. To do
this, we applied the following guidelines: Each survey item should be:
--Relatively important (i.e., represent a fairly large expenditure)
within the PEG;
--Relatively easy to find in both COLA and DC areas;
--Relatively common, i.e., what people typically buy;
--Relatively stable over time, e.g., not a fad item; and
--Subject to similar supply and demand functions.
In all, we selected over 250 non-housing items to survey. Appendix
2 shows how OPM organized the CES data into MEGs and PEGs, identifies
the Detailed Expenditure Categories (DECs) for which we chose survey
items, and shows estimated DC area middle income annual consumer
expenditures for each DEC and higher level of aggregations.
Appendix 3 lists the items we surveyed and their descriptions. Each
of these items is specifically described with an exact brand, model,
type, and size whenever practical. Thus, we priced exactly the same
items or the same quality and quantity of items in both the COLA and DC
areas. For example, we priced a 10.5-ounce can of Campbell's Chicken
Noodle Soup in both the COLA and DC areas because it is typical of
canned soups, and consumers commonly purchase it.
2.3.1 Special Considerations
Automobile Insurance: We were not able to compare exactly the same
level of automobile insurance coverage in all areas. State and local
jurisdictions regulate car insurance, and the coverage offered varies
among the Caribbean COLA areas and the Washington, DC area. Therefore,
we surveyed different levels of automobile insurance coverage in Puerto
Rico as compared with the USVI. However, we surveyed both levels of
coverage, to the extent possible, in the Washington, DC area. When we
made the price comparisons, we based the comparisons on comparable
levels of coverage in the COLA survey area and in the DC area. Table 2
shows the coverage we surveyed.
Table 2.--Automobile Insurance Coverage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puerto Rico and
Coverage DC area limits USVI and DC area limits
and deductibles and deductibles
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bodily Injury................ $100,000/ $25,000/$50,000.
$300,000.
Property Damage.............. $25,000......... $25,000.
Medical...................... $10,000......... $5,000.
Uninsured Motorist *......... $100,000/ $25,000/$50,000.
$300,000.
Comprehensive................ $100 Deductible. $250 Deductible.
Collision.................... $250 Deductible. $500 Deductible.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Not available in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. Therefore, we
excluded the cost of Uninsured Motorist coverage from Washington, DC
area policies before comparing prices and computing the price index.
Health Insurance: It is not practical to compare the prices of
exactly the same quality and quantity of health insurance between the
COLA and Washington, DC areas because the same array of plans is not
offered in each area, and a significant proportion of Federal employees
in both the COLA and DC areas subscribe to plans not available
nationwide. To compare the employee health benefits premiums of these
often highly different plans, OPM would have to adjust for differences
in benefits and coverage. Research conducted by the parties prior to
the Caraballo settlement indicated this would not be feasible.
Therefore, OPM uses the non-Postal Service employee's share of the
Federal Employees Health Benefits premiums by plan for each plan
offered in each area. OPM maintains these data in its Central Personnel
Data File (CPDF), including the number of white-collar Federal
employees enrolled in each plan. As described in Section 4.2.3, we used
these data to compute the average ``price'' of health insurance for
Federal employees in the COLA and DC areas.
Housing: For housing items, OPM surveys rental rates for specific
kinds or classes of housing and collects detailed information about
each housing unit. OPM surveys the following classes of housing:
--Four bedroom, single family unit, not to exceed 3200 square feet;
--Three bedroom, single family unit, not to exceed 2600 square feet;
--Two bedroom, single family unit, not to exceed 2200 square feet;
--Three bedroom apartment unit, not to exceed 2000 square feet;
--Two bedroom apartment unit, not to exceed 1800 square feet; and
--One bedroom apartment unit, not to exceed 1400 square feet.
For each housing unit we surveyed, we obtained approximately 80
characteristics about the unit. For example, we determined the number
of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, whether there was a garage, air
conditioning, security systems, and recreational activities. Appendix 4
lists the types of detailed information we collected. We did not
collect homeowner data, such as mortgage payments, maintenance
expenses, or insurance. Under the Caraballo settlement, the parties
agreed to adopt a rental equivalence approach similar to the one BLS
uses for the Consumer Price Index. Rental equivalence compares the
shelter value (rental value) of owned homes, rather than total owner
costs, because the latter are influenced by the investment value of the
home (i.e., influenced by what homeowners hope to realize as a profit
when they sell their homes). As a rule, living-cost surveys do not
compare how consumers invest their money.
In the 2005 survey, OPM surveyed rents and used them to estimate
homeowner rental values (i.e., rental equivalence). In late 2004 and
2005, OPM conducted special research, the General Population Rental
Equivalence
[[Page 63182]]
Survey (GPRES), to obtain additional rent and rental equivalence
information. The goal was to determine whether OPM should adjust the
rent index before using it to estimate homeowner rental values. The
analyses showed that no adjustments should be made. Therefore, OPM's
use of the rents to estimate rental equivalence is appropriate. OPM
published the GPRES results in a Federal Register notice on July 31,
2006, at 71 FR 43228.
Although we surveyed rental rates for the same classes of housing
in each area, the type, style, size, quality, and other 80-plus
characteristics of each unit varied within each area and between the
COLA and DC areas. As described in Section 4.2.6, we used special
statistical analyses to hold these characteristics constant between the
COLA and Washington, DC areas to make rental price comparisons.
2.4 Outlet Selection
Just as it is important to select commonly purchased items and
survey the same items in both the DC area and COLA areas, it is
important to select outlets frequented by consumers and find comparable
outlets in both the COLA and DC areas. To identify comparable outlets,
OPM categorizes outlets by type (e.g., grocery store, convenience
store, discount store, hardware store, auto dealer, and catalog outlet)
and then surveys only specific items at each outlet type. For example,
OPM surveys grocery items at supermarkets in all areas because most
people purchase their groceries at such stores and because supermarkets
exist in nearly all areas. Selecting comparable outlets is particularly
important because significant price variations may occur between
dissimilar outlets (e.g., comparing the price of milk at a supermarket
with the price of milk at a convenience store).
We used the above classification criteria and existing data
sources, including previous COLA surveys, phone books, and various
business listings, to develop initial outlet lists for the survey. We
provided these lists to the CACs and consulted with them on outlet
selection. The committees helped us refine the outlet lists and
identify other/additional outlets where local consumers generally
purchase the survey items.
We also priced some items by catalog, and when we did, we priced
the same items by catalog in the COLA areas and in the DC area. We
priced 11 items by catalog in the Caribbean and DC areas. All catalog
prices included any charges for shipping and handling and all
applicable taxes, including excise taxes.
In all, we surveyed prices from approximately 850 outlets. In the
COLA survey areas, we attempted to survey three popular outlets of each
type, to the extent practical. For some outlet types, such as local
phone service, there were not three outlets. In some areas, there were
not a sufficient number of businesses to find three outlets of each
particular type. In the Washington, DC area, we attempted to survey
nine popular outlets of each type, three in each of the DC survey areas
described in Table 3.
There was one major exception to this in the 2005 survey. In the
pre-survey meetings, the Puerto Rico CAC recommended against surveying
Amigo, one of the Puerto Rico grocery store chains. The CAC believed
Amigo was not equivalent to the other two major chains--Grande and
Pueblo. Therefore, we dropped Amigo from the Puerto Rico survey and
dropped Shoppers Food Warehouse, which we believed was equivalent to
Amigo, from the DC area survey. On the other hand, at the USVI CACs'
advice, we surveyed several additional grocery stores in the USVI in
anticipation that data collection and item matching would be more
difficult there. We surveyed four grocery stores on St. Croix and five
on St. Thomas and St. John. Because OPM compares average prices, it
does not make any difference how many stores we survey provided we find
the same types of stores in the COLA and DC areas.
2.5 Geographic Coverage
Table 3 shows the Caribbean COLA and DC survey area boundaries.
Table 3.--Survey and Data Collection Areas
------------------------------------------------------------------------
COLA areas and reference
areas Survey area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puerto Rico.................. San Juan/Caguas area and eastern Puerto
Rico.*
U.S. Virgin Islands.......... St. Croix, St. Thomas/St. John area.*
Washington, DC-DC............ District of Columbia.
Washington, DC-MD............ Montgomery County and Prince Georges
County.
Washington, DC-VA............ Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince
William County, City of Alexandria, City
of Fairfax, City of Falls Church, City
of Manassas, and City of Manassas Park.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: For selected items, such as golf and air travel, these survey
areas include additional geographic locations beyond these
jurisdictions.
* OPM collects housing data in eastern Puerto Rico and on St. John. OPM
also collected non-housing data from selected outlets on St. John.
OPM collected non-housing prices in outlets throughout the
Caribbean areas described in Table 3. To collect rental data, OPM
contracted with Delta-21 Resources, Incorporated, a research
organization with expertise in housing and rental data collection.
Delta-21 surveyed rental rates in locations within these areas.
To collect non-rental data in the DC area, OPM divides the area
into three survey areas, as shown in Table 3. OPM collects non-rental
prices in outlets throughout these areas. As stated in the footnote to
Table 3, we surveyed certain items, such as golf, in areas beyond the
counties and cities specified in Table 3. Another example is air
travel. We surveyed the cost of air travel from Ronald Reagan
Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport,
and Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) and surveyed the
price of a 5-mile taxi ride originating at these airports. Both Dulles
and BWI are outside the counties and cities shown in Table 3.
Nevertheless, DC area residents commonly use both airports.
Delta-21 surveyed rental prices as specified in the COLA areas and
throughout the DC area. (Note: OPM does not divide the DC area into
three separate survey areas for rental data collection but rather
treats the area as a single survey area.) In selecting the locations
and sample sizes within each location, OPM used 2000 census data
showing the relative number of Federal employees and housing units by
zip code. In doing this, we often merged several zip codes to identify
a single location. We allocated the rental sample objectively,
requiring Delta to attempt to obtain more rental observations in
locations with a relatively large number of Federal employees and
housing units and fewer observations in locations with a relatively
small number of Federal employees and housing units. Although the
process provided a rational way to
[[Page 63183]]
allocate the sample, Delta was limited ultimately by how many units
were available for rent within a location. Under the contract, Delta
surveyed only units available for rent. It did not survey all renter-
occupied housing.
3. Conducting the Survey
3.1 Pricing Period
OPM collected data from early March through May 2005. We collected
non-housing price data concurrently in the Caribbean areas in March and
collected the bulk of the DC area data in April and May. Delta-21
collected rental data sequentially in St. Croix, St. Thomas/St. John,
Puerto Rico, and in the Washington, DC area beginning on March 1, 2005,
and ending on May 31, 2005.
3.2 Non-Housing Price Data Collection
3.2.1 Data Collection Teams
In both the COLA and Washington, DC areas, OPM central office staff
collected non-housing price data. In the COLA areas, data collection
observers designated by the local CAC accompanied the OPM data
collectors. Data collection observers were extremely helpful and
advised and assisted the data collectors in contacting outlets,
matching items, and selecting substitutes. The observers also advised
us on other living-cost and compensation issues relating to their
areas.
Because of logistical considerations, cost, and the fact OPM
central office staff is very knowledgeable about the DC area, we did
not use CAC data collection observers in the Washington, DC area.
However, we made all of the DC area data available to the CACs. This
included both the rental and non-rental data. The non-rental data
showed the individual prices by item, store, and survey location as
well as averages. The rental data included a photograph and a rough
sketch of the layout of the rental unit. We also provided the CACs with
maps showing where each rental unit is located.
3.2.2 Data Collection Process
The data collector/observer teams obtained most of the data by
visiting stores, auto dealers, and other outlets. The teams also priced
some items, such as car insurance, tax preparation fees, bank interest,
and private education tuition, by telephone. As noted in Section 2.4,
we surveyed some items via catalog, including all shipping costs and
any applicable taxes in the price. We also collected other data, such
as sales tax rates and airline fares, from Web sites on the Internet.
For all items subject to sales and/or excise taxes, we added the
appropriate amount of tax to the price before computing COLA rates. In
the DC area, sales tax rates varied by jurisdiction, and some sales tax
rates even varied by item within a location, such as restaurant meals
in the Washington, DC area. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
currently have no general sales or business tax passed on to the
consumer separately at the time of sale.
The data collectors collected the price of the item at the time of
the visit to the outlet. Therefore, with certain exceptions, the data
collectors collected the sale price if the item was on sale, and we
used sale prices in the COLA calculations. The exceptions include
coupon prices, going-out-of-business prices, clearance prices, and
area-wide distress sales, which we do not use because they are atypical
and/or seasonal. We also do not collect automobile ``sale'' or
negotiated prices. Instead, we obtain the sticker (i.e., non-
negotiated) price for the model and specified options. The prices are
the manufacturer's suggested retail price (including options),
destination charges, additional shipping charges, appropriate dealer-
added items or options, dealer mark-up, and taxes, including sales tax
and licensing and title fees.
3.3 Housing (Rental) Price Data Collection
As noted in Section 2.5, OPM contracted for the collection of
rental data with Delta-21, which collected data in the Caribbean areas
and in the DC area. These data included rental prices, comprehensive
information about the size and type of dwelling, number and types of
rooms, and other important amenities that might influence the rental
price. Appendix 4 lists the data elements Delta-21 collected.
The contractor identified units for rent from various sources,
including rental property managers, realtor brokers, listing services,
newspaper ads, grocery store bulletin boards, and casual drive-by
observation. The contractor then visited each rental unit, took a
photograph of the unit, made a sketch of the floor plan based on
exterior dimensions and shape, and noted the unit's longitude and
latitude coordinates. We used longitude and latitude to (1) determine
the distance of the rental unit from major commercial and Government
centers, (2) to correlate census tract data (e.g., median income) for
the tract in which the unit was located, and (3) to map each unit's
location. As discussed in Section 4.2.5, we used certain census tract
data elements along with the data Delta-21 collected to determine the
relative price of rents.
4. Analyzing the Results
4.1 Data Review
During and after the data collection process, the data collectors
reviewed the data for errors and omissions. This involved reviewing the
data item-by-item and comparing prices across outlets within an area to
spot data entry errors, mismatches, and other mistakes.
After all of the data had been collected in both the COLA areas and
the Washington, DC area, we again reviewed the data by item across all
of the areas. One purpose was to spot errors not previously detected,
but the principal reason was to look at substitute items.
A substitute is an item similar to but not exactly the same as the
specified survey item. For example, one of the items OPM specified was
the 2.4GHz AT&T model 1465ESP cordless telephone. The data collectors
in the Caribbean areas, however, discovered some stores did not carry
this model. Therefore, the data collectors priced the 2.4GHz AT&T model
1477 instead. We then priced the same model in the DC area and used the
substitute price information in place of the prices of the originally
specified item.
4.2 Special Price Computations
After completing our data review, we made special price
computations for five survey items: K-12 private education, Federal
Employees Health Benefits premiums, water utilities, energy utility
prices, and rental prices. For each of these, we used special processes
to calculate appropriate estimates for each survey area.
4.2.1 K-12 Private Education
One of the items OPM surveys is the average annual tuition for
private education, grades K-12. As in previous surveys, we found
tuition rates varied by grade level. Therefore, we computed an overall
average tuition ``price'' for each school surveyed by averaging the
tuition rates grade-by-grade. Section 4.4.2 below describes the
additional special ``use factor'' OPM applied to the average tuition
rates in the price comparison process.
4.2.2 Health Insurance
As noted in Section 2.3.1, OPM surveyed the non-Postal employees'
premium for the various Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plans
offered in each survey area. Using enrollment information from the
CPDF, we computed two weighted average premium costs--one for self-only
[[Page 63184]]
coverage and another for family coverage--for white-collar Federal
employees in each of the COLA areas and in the Washington, DC area. As
shown in Table 4, we then computed an overall weighted average premium
for each survey area by applying the number of white-collar Federal
employees nationwide enrolled in self-only and family plans. We used
the overall weighted average premiums as ``prices'' in the price
averaging process described in Section 4.3 below.
Table 4.--2005 Average FEHB Premiums for Full-Time Permanent Employees
[Non-Postal employees' share]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bi-weekly
Self Family weighted
Location premium premium average
premium
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puerto Rico.......................... 29.54 63.71 49.99
St. Croix............................ 52.20 116.42 90.64
St. Thomas........................... 54.65 121.17 94.46
District of Columbia................. 48.11 110.14 85.23
Maryland............................. 47.48 108.71 84.12
Virginia............................. 48.43 110.73 85.71
Nationwide Enrollment................ 624,309 930,567 ...........
Enrollment Percentage................ 40.15% 59.85% ...........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.2.3 Water Utilities
OPM surveys water utility rates in each of the COLA and Washington,
DC, survey areas. To compute the ``price'' of water utilities, we
assumed the average monthly water consumption in each area was 7,600
gallons. We derived this estimate from earlier COLA research, and it
reflects the average consumption across all of the COLA areas and the
Washington, DC, area. We used this quantity along with the rates
charged to compute the average monthly water utility cost by survey
area. These average monthly costs were the water utility ``prices'' we
used in the price averaging process described in Section 4.3 below.
Not long after we conducted the survey, the Puerto Rico Aqueduct
and Sewer Authority significantly increased water utility rates.
Because of the significance of this increase, we re-priced water
utilities in Puerto Rico and used the higher prices.
4.2.4 Energy Utilities Model
For energy utilities (i.e., electricity, gas, and oil), OPM
collects from local utility companies and suppliers in the COLA and DC
survey areas the price of various energy utilities used for lighting,
cooking, cooling, and other household needs. We use these prices in a
heating and cooling engineering model that estimates how many kilowatt
hours of electricity, cubic feet of gas, and/or gallons of fuel oil are
needed to maintain a specific model home at a constant ambient
temperature of 72 degrees in each area.
The engineering model was developed by an economic consulting
company under special research conducted jointly for OPM and the
plaintiffs' representatives after the Caraballo settlement. The model
uses local home construction information and climatic data from the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and also includes the
amount of electricity needed to run standard household appliances and
lighting. For each survey area, we calculated the cost of heating and
cooling the model home using the different heating fuels and
electricity for lighting and appliances. Although some homes use
additional energy sources, such as wood, coal, kerosene, and solar
energy, we did not price or include these in the calculations because,
based on the results of the 2000 census, relatively few homes use these
as primary energy sources.
For the Caribbean areas, we surveyed the price of electricity to
compute home energy costs because the 2000 census indicated electricity
is the primary energy source in more than 95 percent of the homes in
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the DC area, we surveyed
the costs of all three fuels (gas, oil, and electricity). We used
percentages based on the usage of the different fuels to compute a
weighted average utility fuel cost for the DC area. Appendix 5 shows
the energy requirements, relative usage percentages, and total costs by
area. We used these total costs as the ``price'' of utilities in the
COLA rate calculations.
4.2.5 Rental Data Hedonic Models
As discussed in Sections 2.5 and 3.3, OPM hired a contractor to
collect rental data, including rents and the characteristics of each
rental unit. As described in Section 3.3, we collated these rental data
with census tract information published by the Bureau of the Census
using the longitude and latitude of the rental properties. We used
census tracts, which are relatively small geographically, as surrogates
for neighborhoods. We believe the census tract characteristics, such as
the percentage of school age children, reflect the character and
quality of the neighborhoods in which the rental units are found.
OPM uses hedonic regression analysis, which is a type of multiple
linear regression analysis, to compare rents in the COLA areas with
rents in the DC area. Multiple linear regression is a type of
statistical analysis used to determine how the dependent variable (in
this case rent) is influenced by the independent variables (in this
case the characteristics of the neighborhood and rental unit). In
regression analyses, it is very important to choose the independent
variables with great care, making certain only those meeting certain
statistically significant thresholds are used in the analysis. To
select the independent variables, OPM uses a special procedure
developed jointly by OPM and economists advising OPM and the Caraballo
plaintiffs' representatives. We call this the Variable Selection
Protocol (VSP).
VSP is a multi-step procedure that uses objective criteria to
eliminate independent variables with little statistical significance in
the regression. It also removes variables with inexplicable signs and
variables that negatively affect the precision of the rent indexes. An
example of an inexplicable sign is clothes washer. It had a positive
sign in the 2005 Caribbean regression when the landlord did not provide
it. In essence, this was the same as saying on average when the
landlord did not provide a clothes washer, the property rented for more
[[Page 63185]]
than when the landlord provided a clothes washer. Since this is not the
expected relationship, VSP dropped the variable.
How VSP drops variables that negatively affect the precision of
rent indexes is a bit more complicated to explain. The key variable in
the regression is the survey area, i.e., Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St.
Thomas/St. John, and the Washington, DC area. As with all variables in
the regression, these variables have parameter estimates; but the
survey area parameter estimates are especially important because they
become the rent indexes for each of the survey areas. Therefore, it is
important that the survey area parameter estimates be as accurate as
practicable. The accuracy is measured by the standard error of the
survey area parameter estimate. In the last steps of VSP, the protocol
tests each of the variables in the model and drops variables that if
retained would raise the standard errors of the survey area parameter
estimates.
Using VSP, we selected variables with the greatest statistical
significance. The variables are listed below and are shown in the
regression output in Appendix 6.
Age of unit (i.e., number of years since built or extensively
remodeled);
Age squared;
Exceptional view (yes/no);
External condition (above average/average or below);
Microwave (yes/no);
Number of square feet combined (i.e., ``crossed'') with unit type;
Number of bathrooms
Number of bedrooms;
Percent school age children in census tract;
Percent with BA degree or higher in census tract;
Percent with BA degree squared;
Unit Type (detached house, row/townhouse, duplex/triplex/quadplex, high
rise apartment, garden apartment, and other apartments); and
Survey area (Puerto Rico, St. Thomas/St. John, St. Croix, or the DC
area).
As is common in this type of analysis and as was done in the
research leading to the Caraballo settlement, OPM uses semi-logarithmic
regressions. As noted above in this section, the regression produces
parameter estimates for each independent variable, including survey
area. When the regression uses the Washington, DC area as the base, the
regression produces parameter estimates for each of the COLA survey
areas: Puerto Rico, St. Thomas/St. John, and St. Croix. The exponent of
the survey area parameter estimate (i.e., after the estimate is
converted from natural logarithms) multiplied by 100 (following the
convention used to express indexes) is the survey area's rent index.
This index reflects the difference in rents in each of the COLA survey
areas relative to the Washington, DC area, while holding constant
important neighborhood and rental unit characteristics captured in the
survey and census data.
OPM makes a technical adjustment in the above calculations to
correct for a slight bias caused by the use of logarithms because the
exponent of the average of the logarithms of a series of numbers is
always less than the average of the numbers. Therefore, we added one-
half of the standard deviation of the survey area parameter estimate
before converting from natural logarithms. (See Arthur Goldberger,
``Best Linear Unbiased Prediction in the Generalized Linear Regression
Model,'' Journal of the American Statistical Association, 1962.) Table
6 shows the resulting rent indexes. We used these indexes as ``prices''
in the price averaging process described in Section 4.3.
Table 6.--Rent Indexes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rent
Area index
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puerto Rico.................................................. 68.17
St. Croix, USVI.............................................. 93.67
St. Thomas/St. John, USVI.................................... 107.55
Washington, DC Area.......................................... *100.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*By definition, the index of the base area is always 100.00.
Appendix 6 shows the regression equation in SAS code and the
regression results. (SAS is a proprietary statistical analysis computer
software package.)
4.3 Averaging Prices by Item and Area
After OPM collects, reviews, and makes special adjustments in the
data, OPM averages the prices of each item by COLA survey area. For
example, we priced aspirin at three different pharmacies in Puerto Rico
and averaged these prices to compute a single average price for aspirin
in Puerto Rico. If we collected more than one price for a particular
matched item within the same outlet (e.g., priced equivalent brands),
we used the lowest price by item and outlet to compute the average.
(The concept is that if the item and brands are equivalent, consumers
will choose the one with the lowest price.) We repeated this item-by-
item averaging process for each area.
For Washington, DC area prices, we first averaged prices within
each of the three DC survey areas described in Section 2.5. Then we
computed a simple average of the three DC area survey averages to
derive a single DC area average price for each survey item.
4.4 Computing Price Indexes
OPM computes a price index for each of the items found in both the
COLA survey area and in the Washington, DC area. To do this with 2005
survey data, we divided the COLA survey area average price by the DC
area average price and, following the convention used to express
indexes, multiplied the result by 100. For the vast majority of survey
items, we next applied consumer expenditure weights to combine price
indexes. For a few items, however, OPM first applied special processes
as described in Sections 4.4.1 and 4.4.2 below.
4.4.1 Geometric Means
As described in Section 2.3, OPM selects survey items to represent
specified detailed expenditure categories (DECs). Generally, OPM
surveys only one item per DEC, but in some cases, it surveys multiple
items at a single DEC. In these cases, it computes the geometric mean
of the price indexes to derive a single price index for the DEC. (A
geometric mean is the nth root of the product of n different numbers
and is often used in price index computations.) For example, we
surveyed two prescription drugs--Amoxicillin and Nexium in the 2005
Caribbean survey. These two different prescription drugs represent a
single DEC called ``prescription drugs.'' To derive a single price
index for the DEC, we computed the geometric mean of the price index
for Amoxicillin and the price index for Nexium.
4.4.2 Special Private Education Computations
As noted in Section 4.2.1, OPM surveys K-12 private education in
the COLA and DC areas and computes an average tuition ``price''
reflecting all grade levels. Because not everyone sends children to
private school, OPM makes an additional special adjustment for K-12
education by applying ``use factors.'' These use factors reflect the
relative extent to which Federal employees make use of private
education in the COLA and DC areas. For example, Table 8 shows a use
factor of 4.1066 for Puerto Rico. We computed this by dividing 54.33
percent (the percentage of Federal employees in Puerto Rico with at
least 1 child in a private school) by 13.23 percent (the percentage of
DC area Federal employees with at least 1 child in a private school).
OPM obtained the percentages from the results of the 1992/93 Federal
Employee Housing and
[[Page 63186]]
Living Patterns Survey, which is the most current comprehensive data
available. Table 7 below shows the use factors and the adjusted price
indexes for each COLA survey area.
Table 7.--Summary of Private Education Use Factors and Indexes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employees w/children in
private schools Price index w/
COLA survey area ---------------------------- Use factor Price index use factor
Local area DC area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puerto Rico......................... 54.33 13.23 4.1066 62.67 257.374
St. Croix........................... 57.27 13.23 4.3288 51.37 222.551
St. Thomas.......................... 51.90 13.23 3.9229 49.53 194.291
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.5 Applying Consumer Expenditure Weights
Next, OPM applies consumer expenditure weights to aggregate price
indexes by expenditure group. As noted in Section 2.3, OPM uses the
results of the BLS 2002/2003 Consumer Expenditure Survey to estimate
the amounts middle income level consumers in the DC area spend on
various items. Using expenditure weights, OPM combines the price
indexes according to their relative importance. For example, shelter is
the most important expenditure in terms of the COLA survey and
represents about 30 percent of total consumer expenditures. On the
other hand, the purchase of newspapers at newsstands represents less
than 1/10th of 1 percent of total expenditures.
Beginning at the lowest level of expenditure aggregation (e.g.,
sub-PEG), we computed the relative importance of each survey item
within the level of aggregation, multiplied the price index times its
expenditure percentage, and summed the cross products for all of the
items within the level of aggregation to compute a weighted price index
for the level. We repeated this process at each higher level of
aggregation (e.g., PEG and MEG). Appendix 7 shows these calculations
for each COLA survey area at the PEG and MEG level.
The above process resulted in an overall price index for Puerto
Rico (shown in Appendix 7) but not for the U.S. Virgin Islands, which
has two separate COLA survey areas. To compute an overall price index
for the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), OPM computes weights based on the
number of General Schedule (GS) and equivalent Federal employees
stationed on St. Croix compared with the number stationed on St. Thomas
and St. John. OPM then multiplies each of the MEG indexes for St. Croix
and St. Thomas/St. John by their respective GS employment weights and
sums the cross products to produce an overall price index for the USVI.
(See Appendix 7.) Table 8 shows the weights we used.
Table 8.--St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John Employment Weights
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GS Weight
Area employment (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Croix, USVI.................................. 284 42.26
St. Thomas/St. John, USVI........................ 388 57.74
----------------------
Total........................................ 672 100.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Final Results
To compute the overall living-cost index, OPM adds to the price
index a non-price adjustment factor. The parties in Caraballo
negotiated these factors to reflect differences in living costs not
captured by the surveys, and OPM adopted these factors in regulation as
part of the new methodology. The factors for Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands are seven and nine index points respectively. The
resulting living-cost indexes are shown in Table 9.
Table 9.--Final Living-Cost Comparison Indexes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allowance area Index
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puerto Rico.................................................. 103.32
U.S. Virgin Islands.......................................... 128.21
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Post Survey Meetings
In July 2005, the St. Thomas, St. Croix, and Puerto Rico CACs held
1-day meetings to review the survey results. We provided the committee
members with various reports showing the data we collected, examples of
how we reviewed these data, the data we used in our analyses, and the
results at the PEG and MEG level, as shown in Appendix 7. We explained
how we analyzed the rental data and used expenditure weights to combine
price indexes to reflect overall living costs.
Appendix 1.--Publication in the Federal Register of Prior Survey
Results: 1990-2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Citation Contents
------------------------------------------------------------------------
70 FR 44989.................. Report on 2004 living-cost surveys
conducted in Hawaii and Guam.
69 FR 12002.................. Report on 2003 living-cost surveys
conducted in Alaska.
69 FR 6020................... Report on 2002 living-cost surveys
conducted in Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands.
65 FR 44103.................. Report on 1998 living-cost surveys
conducted in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam,
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin
Islands.
63 FR 56432.................. Report on 1997 living-cost surveys
conducted in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam,
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin
Islands.
62 FR 14190.................. Report on 1996 living-cost surveys
conducted in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam,
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin
Islands.
61 FR 4070................... Report on winter 1995 living-cost surveys
conducted in Alaska.
60 FR 61332.................. Report on summer 1994 living-cost surveys
conducted in Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico,
and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
59 FR 45066.................. Report on winter 1994 living-cost surveys
conducted in Alaska.
58 FR 45558.................. Report on summer 1992 and winter 1993
living-cost surveys conducted in Alaska,
Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.
Virgin Islands.
58 FR 27316.................. Report on summer 1993 living-cost surveys
conducted in Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico,
and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
57 FR 58556.................. Report on summer 1991 and winter 1992
living-cost surveys conducted in Alaska,
Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.
Virgin Islands.
[[Page 63187]]
56 FR 7902................... Report on summer 1990 living-cost surveys
conducted in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam,
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin
Islands.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix 2.--Estimated DC Area Middle Income Annual Consumer Expenditures
[Asterisks show Detailed Expenditure Categories (DECs) for which OPM surveyed items.]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level Code Group Category name Expenditures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.................. TOTALEXP................. .................. Total Expenditure........... $50,478.63
2.................. FOODTOTL................. MEG............... Food 6,295.89
3.................. CERBAKRY................. PEG............... Cereals and bakery 469.08
products.
4.................. CEREAL................... .................. Cereals and cereal 166.15
products.
5.................. 010110................... .................. Flour.................. 9.36
5.................. 010120................... .................. Prepared flour mixes... 15.24
5.................. 010210................... .................. Ready-to-eat and cooked 92.05
cereals *.
5.................. 010310................... .................. Rice *................. 20.51
5.................. 010320................... .................. Pasta, cornmeal and 28.98
other cereal products
*.
4.................. BAKERY................... .................. Bakery products......... 302.94
5.................. BREAD.................... .................. Bread.................. 86.62
6.................. 020110................... .................. White bread *......... 36.93
6.................. 020210................... .................. Bread, other than 49.69
white *.
5.................. CRAKCOOK................. .................. Crackers and cookies... 69.88
6.................. 020510................... .................. Cookies *............. 45.17
6.................. 020610................... .................. Crackers.............. 24.70
5.................. 020810................... .................. Frozen and refrigerated 23.52
bakery products *.
5.................. OTHBAKRY................. .................. Other bakery products.. 122.92
6.................. 020310................... .................. Biscuits and rolls *.. 41.87
6.................. 020410................... .................. Cakes and cupcakes *.. 38.56
6.................. 020620................... .................. Bread and cracker 3.34
products.
6.................. 020710................... .................. Sweetrolls, coffee 28.98
cakes, doughnuts.
6.................. 020820................... .................. Pies, tarts, turnovers 10.17
3.................. ANIMAL................... PEG............... Meats, poultry, fish, and 763.51
eggs.
4.................. BEEF..................... .................. Beef.................... 191.96
5.................. 030110................... .................. Ground beef *.......... 74.89
5.................. ROAST.................... .................. Roast.................. 32.98
6.................. 030210................... .................. Chuck roast *......... 9.82
6.................. 030310................... .................. Round roast *......... 7.66
6.................. 030410................... .................. Other roast........... 15.51
5.................. STEAK.................... .................. Steak.................. 70.41
6.................. 030510................... .................. Round steak *......... 11.50
6.................. 030610................... .................. Sirloin steak *....... 21.63
6.................. 030710................... .................. Other steak........... 37.29
5.................. 030810................... .................. Other beef............. 13.67
4.................. PORK..................... .................. Pork.................... 117.76
5.................. 040110................... .................. Bacon *................ 19.09
5.................. 040210................... .................. Pork chops *........... 27.43
5.................. HAM...................... .................. Ham.................... 27.97
6.................. 040310................... .................. Ham, not canned *..... 26.30
6.................. 040610................... .................. Canned ham *.......... 1.67
5.................. 040510................... .................. Sausage................ 19.55
5.................. 040410................... .................. Other pork............. 23.72
4.................. OTHRMEAT................. .................. Other meats............. 92.84
5.................. 050110................... .................. Frankfurters *......... 19.84
5.................. LNCHMEAT................. .................. Lunch meats (cold cuts) 62.16
6.................. 050210................... .................. Bologna, liverwurst, 16.80
salami *.
6.................. 050310................... .................. Other lunchmeats...... 45.37
5.................. LAMBOTHR................. .................. Lamb, organ meats and 10.84
others.
6.................. 050410................... .................. Lamb and organ meats.. 5.95
6.................. 050900................... .................. Mutton, goat and game. 4.89
4.................. POULTRY.................. .................. Poultry................. 158.21
5.................. CHICKEN.................. .................. Fresh and frozen 125.84
chickens.
6.................. 060110................... .................. Fresh and frozen whole 34.20
chicken *.
6.................. 060210................... .................. Fresh and frozen 91.63
chicken parts *.
5.................. 060310................... .................. Other poultry.......... 32.37
4.................. FISHSEA.................. .................. Fish and seafood........ 168.07
5.................. 070110................... .................. Canned fish and seafood 23.42
*.
5.................. 070230................... .................. Fresh fish and 99.54
shellfish *.
5.................. 070240................... .................. Frozen fish and 45.11
shellfish *.
4.................. 080110................... .................. Eggs.................... 34.67
3.................. DAIRY.................... PEG............... Dairy products........... 348.56
4.................. MILKCRM.................. .................. Fresh milk and cream.... 128.13
[[Page 63188]]
5.................. 090110................... .................. Fresh milk, all types * 115.34
5.................. 090210................... .................. Cream.................. 12.78
4.................. OTHDAIRY................. .................. Other dairy products.... 220.43
5.................. 100110................... .................. Butter................. 19.44
5.................. 100210................... .................. Cheese *............... 105.53
5.................. 100410................... .................. Ice cream and related 64.36
products *.
5.................. 100510................... .................. Miscellaneous dairy 31.10
products.
3.................. FRUITVEG................. PEG............... Fruits and vegetables.... 385.44
4.................. FRSHFRUT................. .................. Fresh fruits............ 194.98
5.................. 110110................... .................. Apples *............... 36.70
5.................. 110210................... .................. Bananas *.............. 33.87
5.................. 110310................... .................. Oranges *.............. 19.74
5.................. 110510................... .................. Citrus fruits, 15.47
excluding oranges.
5.................. 110410................... .................. Other fresh fruits..... 89.20
4.................. FRESHVEG................. .................. Fresh vegetables........ 190.46
5.................. 120110................... .................. Potatoes *............. 35.89
5.................. 120210................... .................. Lettuce *.............. 24.14
5.................. 120310................... .................. Tomatoes *............. 36.87
5.................. 120410................... .................. Other fresh vegetables. 93.56
3.................. PROCFOOD................. PEG............... Processed Foods.......... 778.76
4.................. PROCFRUT................. .................. Processed fruits........ 136.45
5.................. FRZNFRUT................. .................. Frozen fruits and fruit 14.23
juices.
6.................. 130110................... .................. Frozen orange juice *. 7.17
6.................. 130121................... .................. Frozen fruits......... 3.39
6.................. 130122................... .................. Frozen fruit juices... 3.67
5.................. 130310................... .................. Canned fruits *........ 17.39
5.................. 130320................... .................. Dried fruit............ 6.56
5.................. 130211................... .................. Fresh fruit juice...... 26.62
5.................. 130212................... .................. Canned and bottled 71.65
fruit juice *.
4.................. PROCVEG.................. .................. Processed vegetables.... 87.29
5.................. 140110................... .................. Frozen vegetables *.... 29.28
5.................. CANDVEG.................. .................. Canned and dried 58.01
vegetables and juices.
6.................. 140210................... .................. Canned beans *........ 14.02
6.................. 140220................... .................. Canned corn........... 7.68
6.................. 140230................... .................. Canned miscellaneous 17.88
vegetables.
6.................. 140320................... .................. Dried peas............ 0.29
6.................. 140330................... .................. Dried beans........... 2.45
6.................. 140340................... .................. Dried miscellaneous 8.11
vegetables.
6.................. 140310................... .................. Dried processed 0.31
vegetables.
6.................. 140410................... .................. Frozen vegetable 0.05
juices.
6.................. 140420................... .................. Fresh and canned 7.22
vegetable juices.
4.................. MISCFOOD................. .................. Miscellaneous foods..... 555.03
5.................. FRZNPREP................. .................. Frozen prepared foods.. 108.93
6.................. 180210................... .................. Frozen meals *........ 30.41
6.................. 180220................... .................. Other frozen prepared 78.52
foods.
5.................. 180110................... .................. Canned and packaged 37.66
soups *.
5.................. SNACKS................... .................. Potato chips, nuts, and 113.33
other snacks.
6.................. 180310................... .................. Potato chips and other 87.21
snacks *.
6.................. 180320................... .................. Nuts.................. 26.12
5.................. CONDMNTS................. .................. Condiments and 93.03
seasonings.
6.................. 180410................... .................. Salt, spices, other 22.78
seasonings *.
6.................. 180420................... .................. Olives, pickles, 8.89
relishes.
6.................. 180510................... .................. Sauces and gravies *.. 42.23
6.................. 180520................... .................. Baking needs and 19.14
miscellaneous
products.
5.................. OTHRPREP................. .................. Other canned and 157.25
packaged prepared
foods.
6.................. 180611................... .................. Prepared salads....... 18.28
6.................. 180612................... .................. Prepared desserts *... 11.91
6.................. 180620................... .................. Baby food *........... 27.52
6.................. 180710................... .................. Miscellaneous prepared 99.28
foods.
6.................. 180720................... .................. Vitamin supplements... 0.26
5.................. 190904................... .................. Food prepared by 44.83
consumer on out-of-
town trips.
3.................. OTHRFOOD................. PEG............... Other food at home....... 193.31
4.................. SWEETS................... .................. Sugar and other sweets.. 117.73
5.................. 150110................... .................. Candy and chewing gum * 77.44
5.................. 150211................... .................. Sugar *................ 16.18
5.................. 150212................... .................. Artificial sweeteners * 3.14
5.................. 150310................... .................. Jams, preserves, other 20.98
sweets *.
4.................. FATSOILS................. .................. Fats and oils........... 75.57
5.................. 160110................... .................. Margarine *............ 9.66
5.................. 160211................... .................. Fats and oils *........ 22.52
5.................. 160212................... .................. Salad dressings *...... 23.99
[[Page 63189]]
5.................. 160310................... .................. Nondairy cream and 8.56
imitation milk.
5.................. 160320................... .................. Peanut butter.......... 10.85
3.................. NALCBEVG................. PEG............... Nonalcoholic beverages... 233.77
4.................. 170110................... .................. Cola *.................. 80.16
4.................. 170210................... .................. Other carbonated drinks. 43.68
4.................. COFFEE................... .................. Coffee.................. 32.17
5.................. 170310................... .................. Roasted coffee *....... 21.36
5.................. 170410................... .................. Instant and freeze 10.80
dried coffee.
4.................. 170510................... .................. Noncarbonated fruit 17.37
flavored drinks *.
4.................. 170520................... .................. Tea..................... 13.85
4.................. 200112................... .................. Nonalcoholic beer....... 0.82
4.................. 170530................... .................. Other nonalcoholic 45.73
beverages and ice.
3.................. FOODAWAY................. PEG............... Food away from home...... 2,737.32
4.................. RESTRANT................. .................. Meals at restaurants, 2,320.19
carry-outs and other.
5.................. LUNCH.................... .................. Lunch.................. 873.65
6.................. 190111................... .................. Lunch at fast food, 506.19
take-out, delivery,
etc. *.
6.................. 190112................... .................. Lunch at full service 247.12
restaurants *.
6.................. 190113................... .................. Lunch at vending 10.25
machines/mobile
vendors.
6.................. 190114................... .................. Lunch at employer and 110.10
school cafeterias.
5.................. DINNER................... .................. Dinner................. 845.00
6.................. 190211................... .................. Dinner at fast food, 287.84
take-out, delivery,
etc. *.
6.................. 190212................... .................. Dinner at full service 550.87
restaurants *.
6.................. 190213................... .................. Dinner at vending 3.33
machines/mobile
vendors.
6.................. 190214................... .................. Dinner at employer and 2.95
school cafeterias.
5.................. SNKNABEV................. .................. Snacks and nonalcoholic 360.78
beverages.
6.................. 190311................... .................. Snacks/nonalcoholic 244.08
bev. at fast food,
etc. *.
6.................. 190312................... .................. Snacks/nonalcoholic 41.71
bev. at full svc
restaurants.
6.................. 190313................... .................. Snacks/nonalcoholic 62.77
bev. at vending mach.
etc..
6.................. 190314................... .................. Snacks/nonalcoholic 12.23
bev. cafeterias.
5.................. BRKFBRUN................. .................. Breakfast and brunch... 240.76
6.................. 190321................... .................. Breakfast & brunch at 130.52
fast food, take-out,
etc. *.
6.................. 190322................... .................. Breakfast & brunch at 100.86
full service
restaurants *.
6.................. 190323................... .................. Breakfast & brunch at 2.48
vending machines.
6.................. 190324................... .................. Breakfast & brunch at 6.89
cafeterias.
4.................. NONRESME................. .................. Non Restaurant Meals.... 417.13
5.................. 190901................... .................. Board (including at 22.99
school).
5.................. 190902................... .................. Catered affairs........ 57.90
5.................. 190903................... .................. Food on out-of-town 227.85
trips.
5.................. 790430................... .................. School lunches......... 78.00
5.................. 800700................... .................. Meals as pay........... 30.38
3.................. ALCBEVG.................. PEG............... Alcoholic beverages..... 386.15
4.................. ALCHOME.................. .................. At home................ 246.23
5.................. 200111................... .................. Beer and ale *........ 139.90
5.................. 200210................... .................. Whiskey............... 16.41
5.................. 200310................... .................. Wine *................ 59.74
5.................. 200410................... .................. Other alcoholic 30.18
beverages.
4.................. ALCAWAY.................. .................. Away from home......... 139.92
5.................. BEERNALE................. .................. Beer and ale.......... 56.70
6.................. 200511................... .................. Beer and ale at fast 11.54
food, take-out, etc..
6.................. 200512................... .................. Beer and ale at full 37.05
service restaurants
*.
6.................. 200513................... .................. Beer and ale at 0.25
vending machines,
etc..
6.................. 200516................... .................. Beer and ale at 7.86
catered affairs.
5.................. WINE..................... .................. Wine.................. 22.78
6.................. 200521................... .................. Wine at fast food, 4.86
take-out, delivery,
etc..
6.................. 200522................... .................. Wine at full service 17.02
restaurants *.
6.................. 200523................... .................. Wine at vending 0.00
machines and mobile
vendors.
6.................. 200526................... .................. Wine at catered 0.91
affairs.
5.................. OTHALCBV................. .................. Other alcoholic 60.44
beverages.
6.................. 200531................... .................. Other alcoholic bev. 4.80
at fast food, take-
out, etc..
6.................. 200532................... .................. Other alcoholic bev. 24.64
at full svc.
restaurants.
6.................. 200533................... .................. Other alcoholic bev. 0.00
at vending machines.
6.................. 200536................... .................. Other alcoholic bev. 3.46
at catered affairs.
6.................. 200900................... .................. Alcoholic beverages 27.53
purchased on trips.
2.................. SHEL&UTL................. MEG............... Shelter and Utilities 17,855.36
3.................. SHELTER.................. PEG............... Shelter.................. 15,892.77
4.................. RNTLEQ................... .................. Rental Equivalence 12,571.68
(estimated monthly X
12).
4.................. RENTXX................... .................. Rented Dwelling (rent 2,790.60
minus tenants ins.) *.
4.................. 350110................... .................. Tenants Insurance 28.36
(tenants ins X 2) *.
4.................. OTHLODGE................. .................. Other Lodging (Other 502.14
minus housing at
school).
3.................. ENERUT................... PEG............... Energy Utilities *....... 1,601.23
3.................. WATERX................... PEG............... Water and other public 361.36
services *.
[[Page 63190]]
2.................. HHF&SUPP................. MEG............... Household Furnishings and 3,051.71
Supplies
3.................. HHOPER................... PEG............... Household operations..... 748.24
4.................. HHPERSRV................. .................. Personal services....... 494.17
5.................. 340210................... .................. Babysitting and child 71.82
care *.
6.................. 340211................... .................. Child care in own home 25.44
6.................. 340212................... .................. Child care outside own 46.38
home.
5.................. 340906................... .................. Care for elderly, 145.28
invalids, handicapped,
etc..
5.................. 340910................... .................. Adult day care centers. 3.33
5.................. 670310................... .................. Day-care centers, 273.75
nursery, and
preschools *.
4.................. HHOTHXPN................. .................. Other household expenses 254.06
5.................. 340310................... .................. Housekeeping services * 53.30
5.................. 340410................... .................. Gardening, lawn care 68.10
service *.
5.................. 340420................... .................. Water softening service 4.60
5.................. 340520................... .................. Household laundry and 1.46
dry cleaning, sent out.
5.................. 340530................... .................. Coin-operated household 5.79
laundry & dry cleaning.
5.................. 340914................... .................. Services for termite/ 16.10
pest control.
5.................. 340915................... .................. Home security system 18.60
service fee.
5.................. 340903................... .................. Other home services.... 12.33
5.................. 330511................... .................. Termite/pest control 1.05
products.
5.................. 340510................... .................. Moving, storage, 42.65
freight express *.
5.................. 340620................... .................. Appliance repair, 13.74
including service
center.
5.................. 340630................... .................. Reupholstering, 9.70
furniture repair.
5.................. 340901................... .................. Repairs/rentals of lawn/ 4.58
garden equip..
5.................. 340907................... .................. Appliance rental....... 0.77
5.................. 340908................... .................. Rental of office 0.73
equipment for non-
business use.
5.................. 340913................... .................. Repair of miscellaneous 0.54
household equip..
5.................. 990900................... .................. Rental and installation 0.00
of dishwashers &
disposals.
3.................. HKPGSUPP................. PEG............... Housekeeping supplies.... 659.37
4.................. LAUNDRY.................. .................. Laundry and cleaning 147.93
supplies.
5.................. 330110................... .................. Soaps and detergents *. 83.46
5.................. 330210................... .................. Other laundry cleaning 64.47
products.
4.................. HKPGOTHR................. .................. Other household products 362.13
5.................. 330310................... .................. Cleansing & toilet 74.28
tissue, paper towels/
nap. *.
5.................. 330510................... .................. Miscellaneous household 108.87
products.
5.................. 330610................... .................. Lawn and garden 178.99
supplies *.
4.................. POSTAGE.................. .................. Postage and stationery.. 149.31
5.................. 330410................... .................. Stationery, stationery 63.54
supplies, giftwraps *.
5.................. 340110................... .................. Postage................ 83.73
6.................. STAMP.................... .................. Stamp *............... 79.21
6.................. PARPST................... .................. Parcel Post *......... 4.52
5.................. 340120................... .................. Delivery services...... 2.04
3.................. TEX&RUGS................. PEG............... Textiles and Area Rugs... 168.54
4.................. HHTXTILE................. .................. Household textiles...... 142.15
5.................. 280110................... .................. Bathroom linens *...... 23.02
5.................. 280120................... .................. Bedroom linens *....... 70.60
5.................. 280130................... .................. Kitchen and dining room 12.92
linens.
5.................. 280210................... .................. Curtains and draperies. 15.88
5.................. 280220................... .................. Slipcovers, decorative 5.40
pillows.
5.................. 280230................... .................. Sewing materials for 12.81
slipcovers, curtains,
etc..
5.................. 280900................... .................. Other linens........... 1.51
4.................. FLOORCOV................. .................. Floor coverings......... 26.40
5.................. RNTCARPT................. .................. Wall-to-wall carpeting 2.67
(renter).
6.................. 230134................... .................. Wall-to-wall carpet 1.02
(renter).
6.................. 320163................... .................. Wall-to-wall carpet 1.65
(replacement)(renter).
5.................. 320111................... .................. Floor coverings, 23.72
nonpermanent *.
3.................. FURNITUR................. PEG............... Furniture................ 542.10
4.................. 290110................... .................. Mattress and springs *.. 79.01
4.................. 290120................... .................. Other bedroom furniture. 90.09
4.................. 290210................... .................. Sofas................... 141.93
4.................. 290310................... .................. Living room chairs *.... 45.85
4.................. 290320................... .................. Living room tables...... 20.16
4.................. 290410................... .................. Kitchen, dining room 74.53
furniture *.
4.................. 290420................... .................. Infants' furniture...... 9.59
4.................. 290430................... .................. Outdoor furniture....... 15.83
4.................. 290440................... .................. Wall units, cabinets and 65.09
other occasional
furniture.
3.................. MAJAPPL.................. PEG............... Major appliances......... 178.87
4.................. 230116................... .................. Dishwashers (built-in), 12.58
disposals, range hoods.
5.................. 230117................... .................. Dishwasher - owned home 1.26
5.................. 230118................... .................. Dishwasher rented home. 11.31
4.................. 300110................... .................. Refrigerators, freezers 52.04
*.
5.................. 300111................... .................. Refrigerators, freezers 6.39
(renter).
[[Page 63191]]
5.................. 300112................... .................. Refrigerators, freezers 45.65
(owned home).
4.................. 300210................... .................. Washing machines *...... 22.98
5.................. 300211................... .................. Washing machines 2.99
(renter).
5.................. 300212................... .................. Washing machines (owned 19.99
home).
4.................. 300220................... .................. Clothes dryers.......... 16.68
5.................. 300221................... .................. Clothes dryers (renter) 2.91
5.................. 300222................... .................. Clothes Dryer (owned 13.78
home).
4.................. 300310................... .................. Cooking stoves, ovens *. 23.86
5.................. 300311................... .................. Cooking stoves, ovens 2.04
(renter).
5.................. 300312................... .................. Cooking stoves, ovens 21.81
(owned home).
4.................. 300320................... .................. Microwave ovens......... 9.73
5.................. 300321................... .................. Microwave ovens 2.03
(renter).
5.................. 300322................... .................. Microwave ovens (owned 7.70
home).
4.................. 300330................... .................. Portable dishwasher..... 0.70
5.................. 300331................... .................. Portable dishwasher 0.34
(renter).
5.................. 300332................... .................. Portable dishwasher 0.36
(owned home).
4.................. 300410................... .................. Window air conditioners. 40.31
5.................. 300411................... .................. Window air conditioners 1.57
(renter).
5.................. 300412................... .................. Window air conditioners 6.62
(owned home).
5.................. 320511................... .................. Electric floor cleaning 24.41
equipment *.
5.................. 320512................... .................. Sewing machines........ 3.22
5.................. 300900................... .................. Miscellaneous household 4.48
appliances.
3.................. SMAPPHWR................. PEG............... Small appliances, 124.04
miscellaneous housewares.
4.................. HOUSWARE................. .................. Housewares.............. 93.41
5.................. 320310................... .................. Plastic dinnerware..... 1.51
5.................. 320320................... .................. China and other 18.87
dinnerware *.
5.................. 320330................... .................. Flatware............... 4.17
5.................. 320340................... .................. Glassware.............. 7.31
5.................. 320350................... .................. Silver serving pieces.. 2.84
5.................. 320360................... .................. Other serving pieces... 2.08
5.................. 320370................... .................. Nonelectric cookware *. 31.21
5.................. 320380................... .................. Tableware, nonelectric 25.42
kitchenware.
4.................. SMLLAPPL................. .................. Small appliances........ 30.64
5.................. 320521................... .................. Small electric kitchen 22.93
appliances *.
5.................. 320522................... .................. Portable heating and 7.71
cooling equipment.
3.................. MISCHHEQ................. PEG............... Miscellaneous household 630.55
equipment.
4.................. 320120................... .................. Window coverings........ 17.09
4.................. 320130................... .................. Infants' equipment...... 15.58
4.................. 320140................... .................. Laundry and cleaning 22.42
equip.
4.................. 320150................... .................. Outdoor equipment *..... 28.38
4.................. 320210................... .................. Clocks.................. 8.20
4.................. 320220................... .................. Lamps and lighting 11.65
fixtures.
4.................. 320231................... .................. Other household 169.49
decorative items.
4.................. 320232................... .................. Telephones and 44.27
accessories *.
4.................. 320410................... .................. Lawn and garden 71.89
equipment *.
4.................. 320420................... .................. Power tools *........... 59.20
4.................. 320901................... .................. Office furniture for 10.48
home use *.
4.................. 320902................... .................. Hand tools *............ 12.41
4.................. 320903................... .................. Indoor plants, fresh 60.03
flowers *.
4.................. 320904................... .................. Closet and storage items 11.49
4.................. 340904................... .................. Rental of furniture..... 6.66
4.................. 430130................... .................. Luggage................. 6.28
4.................. 690210................... .................. Telephone answering 1.70
devices.
4.................. 690220................... .................. Calculators............. 1.55
4.................. 690230................... .................. Business equipment for 0.67
home use.
4.................. 320430................... .................. Other hardware.......... 13.11
4.................. 690242................... .................. Smoke alarms (owned 1.32
home).
4.................. 690241................... .................. Smoke alarms (renter)... 0.07
4.................. 690243................... .................. Smoke alarms (owned 0.00
vacation).
4.................. 690245................... .................. Other household 10.42
appliances (owned home).
4.................. 690244................... .................. Other household 1.94
appliances (renter).
4.................. 320905................... .................. Miscellaneous household 44.27
equipment and parts.
2.................. APPAREL.................. MEG............... Apparel and services 1,894.51
3.................. MENBOYS.................. PEG............... Men and boys............. 426.37
4.................. MENS..................... .................. Men, 16 and over........ 356.27
5.................. 360110................... .................. Men's suits *.......... 29.16
5.................. 360120................... .................. Men's sportcoats, 8.37
tailored jackets.
5.................. 360210................... .................. Men's coats and jackets 36.38
*.
5.................. 360311................... .................. Men's underwear *...... 19.56
5.................. 360312................... .................. Men's hosiery.......... 16.47
5.................. 360320................... .................. Men's nightwear........ 3.57
[[Page 63192]]
5.................. 360330................... .................. Men's accessories...... 30.14
5.................. 360340................... .................. Men's sweaters and 12.53
vests.
5.................. 360350................... .................. Men's active sportswear 14.26
5.................. 360410................... .................. Men's shirts *......... 92.32
5.................. 360511................... .................. Men's pants *.......... 70.83
5.................. 360512................... .................. Men's shorts, shorts 12.00
sets.
5.................. 360901................... .................. Men's uniforms......... 4.10
5.................. 360902................... .................. Men's costumes......... 6.60
4.................. BOYS..................... .................. Boys, 2 to 15........... 70.10
5.................. 370110................... .................. Boys' coats and jackets 5.67
5.................. 370120................... .................. Boys' sweaters......... 2.84
5.................. 370130................... .................. Boys' shirts *......... 10.74
5.................. 370211................... .................. Boys' underwear........ 3.19
5.................. 370212................... .................. Boys' nightwear........ 2.55
5.................. 370213................... .................. Boys' hosiery.......... 3.28
5.................. 370220................... .................. Boys' accessories...... 3.78
5.................. 370311................... .................. Boys' suits, 2.11
sportcoats, vests.
5.................. 370312................... .................. Boys' pants *.......... 20.67
5.................. 370313................... .................. Boys' shorts, shorts 6.58
sets.
5.................. 370903................... .................. Boys' uniforms......... 2.44
5.................. 370904................... .................. Boys' active sportswear 3.13
5.................. 370902................... .................. Boys' costumes......... 3.11
3.................. WMNSGRLS................. PEG............... Women and girls......... 726.18
4.................. WOMENS................... .................. Women, 16 and over..... 589.41
5.................. 380110................... .................. Women's coats and 43.46
jackets *.
5.................. 380210................... .................. Women's dresses....... 46.95
5.................. 380311................... .................. Women's sportcoats, 4.29
tailored jackets.
5.................. 380312................... .................. Women's vests and 39.22
sweaters *.
5.................. 380313................... .................. Women's shirts, tops, 124.57
blouses *.
5.................. 380320................... .................. Women's skirts........ 13.81
5.................. 380331................... .................. Women's pants *....... 102.91
5.................. 380332................... .................. Women's shorts, shorts 15.85
sets.
5.................. 380340................... .................. Women's active 26.76
sportswear.
5.................. 380410................... .................. Women's sleepwear..... 29.27
5.................. 380420................... .................. Women's undergarments. 41.84
5.................. 380430................... .................. Women's hosiery....... 25.45
5.................. 380510................... .................. Women's suits......... 29.07
5.................. 380901................... .................. Women's accessories... 26.79
5.................. 380902................... .................. Women's uniforms...... 8.34
5.................. 380903................... .................. Women's costumes...... 10.84
4.................. GIRLS.................... .................. Girls, 2 to 15......... 136.77
5.................. 390110................... .................. Girls' coats and 7.12
jackets.
5.................. 390120................... .................. Girls' dresses and 15.64
suits *.
5.................. 390210................... .................. Girls' shirts, 38.23
blouses, sweaters *.
5.................. 390221................... .................. Girls' skirts and 28.04
pants *.
5.................. 390222................... .................. Girls' shorts, shorts 9.87
sets.
5.................. 390230................... .................. Girls' active 8.91
sportswear.
5.................. 390310................... .................. Girls' underwear and 8.21
sleepwear.
5.................. 390321................... .................. Girls' hosiery........ 6.05
5.................. 390322................... .................. Girls' accessories.... 5.53
5.................. 390901................... .................. Girls' uniforms....... 4.13
5.................. 390902................... .................. Girls' costumes....... 5.04
3.................. INFANT................... PEG............... Children under 2....... 98.15
4.................. 410110................... .................. Infant coat, jacket, 2.88
snowsuit.
4.................. 410120................... .................. Infant dresses, 28.72
outerwear.
4.................. 410130................... .................. Infant underwear *.... 54.63
4.................. 410140................... .................. Infant nightwear, 4.56
loungewear *.
4.................. 410901................... .................. Infant accessories.... 7.36
3.................. FOOTWEAR................. PEG............... Footwear................ 361.44
4.................. 400110................... .................. Men's footwear *....... 116.54
4.................. 400210................... .................. Boys' footwear......... 50.37
4.................. 400310................... .................. Women's footwear *..... 150.52
4.................. 400220................... .................. Girls' footwear........ 44.01
3.................. OTHAPPRL................. PEG............... Other apparel products 282.37
and services.
4.................. 420110................... .................. Material for making 8.54
clothes.
4.................. 420120................... .................. Sewing patterns and 10.97
notions.
4.................. 430110................... .................. Watches *.............. 15.10
4.................. 430120................... .................. Jewelry *.............. 111.63
4.................. 440110................... .................. Shoe repair and other 1.36
shoe service.
4.................. 440120................... .................. Coin-operated apparel 51.21
laundry/dry cleaning *.
4.................. 440130................... .................. Alteration, repair and 6.71
tailoring of apparel.
[[Page 63193]]
4.................. 440140................... .................. Clothing rental........ 4.10
4.................. 440150................... .................. Watch and jewelry 6.81
repair.
4.................. 440210................... .................. Apparel laundry & 65.60
cleaning not coin-
operated *.
4.................. 440900................... .................. Clothing storage....... 0.33
2.................. TRANS.................... MEG............... Transportation 8,255.95
3.................. MOTVEHCO................. PEG............... Motor Vehicle Costs...... 4,513.14
4.................. VEHPURCH................. .................. Vehicle purchases (net 3,724.79
outlay).
5.................. NEWCARS.................. .................. Cars and trucks, new *. 1,848.01
6.................. 450110................... .................. New cars.............. 1,010.59
6.................. 450210................... .................. New trucks............ 837.42
5.................. USEDCARS................. .................. Cars and trucks, used.. 1,819.71
6.................. 460110................... .................. Used cars............. 1,039.13
6.................. 460901................... .................. Used trucks........... 780.58
5.................. OTHVEHCL................. .................. Other vehicles......... 57.07
6.................. 450220................... .................. New motorcycles....... 25.25
6.................. 450900................... .................. New aircraft.......... 0.00
6.................. 460902................... .................. Used motorcycles...... 31.82
6.................. 460903................... .................. Used aircraft......... 0.00
4.................. VEHFINCH................. .................. Vehicle finance charges. 464.39
5.................. 510110................... .................. Automobile finance 236.42
charges *.
5.................. 510901................... .................. Truck finance charges.. 209.55
5.................. 510902................... .................. Motorcycle and plane 3.01
finance charges.
5.................. 850300................... .................. Other vehicle finance 15.42
charges.
4.................. LEASVEH.................. .................. Leased vehicles......... 189.11
5.................. 450310................... .................. Car lease payments..... 97.53
5.................. 450313................... .................. Cash downpayment (car 6.32
lease).
5.................. 450314................... .................. Termination fee (car 0.10
lease).
5.................. 450410................... .................. Truck lease payments... 82.58
5.................. 450413................... .................. Cash downpayment (truck 1.92
lease).
5.................. 450414................... .................. Termination fee (truck 0.66
lease).
4.................. VEHXP&LV................. .................. Other Vehicle Expenses 134.85
and Licenses.
5.................. 520110................... .................. State & Local 74.33
Registration *.
6.................. 520111................... .................. Vehicle reg. state.... 66.78
6.................. 520112................... .................. Vehicle reg. local.... 7.55
5.................. 520310................... .................. Driver's license....... 5.81
5.................. 520410................... .................. Vehicle inspection 8.22
(added to S&L
registration).
5.................. PARKING.................. .................. Parking fees........... 18.60
6.................. 520531................... .................. Parking fees in home 15.60
city, excluding
residence.
6.................. 520532................... .................. Parking fees, out-of- 3.00
town trips.
5.................. 520541................... .................. Tolls.................. 8.35
5.................. 520542................... .................. Tolls on out-of-town 3.36
trips.
5.................. 520550................... .................. Towing charges......... 5.22
5.................. 620113................... .................. Automobile service 10.95
clubs.
3.................. GASOIL................... PEG............... Gasoline and motor oil... 1,381.31
4.................. 470111................... .................. Gasoline *.............. 1,252.70
4.................. 470112................... .................. Diesel fuel............. 12.91
4.................. 470113................... .................. Gasoline on out-of-town 101.98
trips.
4.................. 470114................... .................. Gasohol................. 0.00
4.................. 470211................... .................. Motor oil............... 12.69
4.................. 470212................... .................. Motor oil on out-of-town 1.03
trips.
3.................. CARP&R................... PEG............... Maintenance and repairs.. 781.44
4.................. CARPAR................... .................. Maintenance and Repair 178.68
Parts.
5.................. 470220................... .................. Coolant, additives, 5.01
brake, transmission
fluids.
5.................. 480110................... .................. Tires - purchased, 102.66
replaced, installed *.
5.................. 480213................... .................. Parts, equipment, and 56.66
accessories *.
5.................. 480214................... .................. Vehicle audio equipment, 7.11
excluding labor.
5.................. 480212................... .................. Vehicle products........ 7.23
4.................. CARREP................... .................. Maintenance and Repair 602.76
Service *.
5.................. 490000................... .................. Misc. auto repair, 33.31
servicing.
5.................. 490110................... .................. Body work and painting.. 29.25
5.................. 490211................... .................. Clutch, transmission 57.68
repair.
5.................. 490212................... .................. Drive shaft and rear-end 8.48
repair.
5.................. 490221................... .................. Brake work, including 65.88
adjustments.
5.................. 490231................... .................. Repair to steering or 17.83
front-end.
5.................. 490232................... .................. Repair to engine cooling 24.69
system.
5.................. 490311................... .................. Motor tune-up........... 47.42
5.................. 490312................... .................. Lube, oil change, and 75.38
oil filters.
5.................. 490313................... .................. Front-end alignment, 14.38
wheel balance and
rotation.
5.................. 490314................... .................. Shock absorber 6.83
replacement.
5.................. 490316................... .................. Gas tank repair, 3.96
replacement.
5.................. 490318................... .................. Repair tires and other 46.63
repair work.
[[Page 63194]]
5.................. 490319................... .................. Vehicle air conditioning 17.89
repair.
5.................. 490411................... .................. Exhaust system repair... 15.45
5.................. 490412................... .................. Electrical system repair 35.66
5.................. 490413................... .................. Motor repair, 90.59
replacement.
5.................. 490900................... .................. Auto repair service 11.45
policy.
3.................. 500110................... PEG............... Vehicle insurance *...... 898.90
3.................. RENTVEH.................. PEG............... Rented vehicles.......... 27.38
3.................. PUBTRANS................. PEG............... Public transportation.... 653.77
4.................. 530110................... .................. Airline fares *......... 401.70
4.................. 530210................... .................. Intercity bus fares..... 26.64
4.................. 530510................... .................. Intercity train fares... 23.41
4.................. 530901................... .................. Ship fares.............. 58.98
4.................. LOCTRANS................. .................. Local Transportation 143.04
(Not a CES item).
5.................. 530311................... .................. Intracity mass transit 81.26
fares.
5.................. 530312................... .................. Local trans. on out-of- 16.87
town trips.
5.................. 530411................... .................. Taxi fares and 9.92
limousine service on
trips.
5.................. 530412................... .................. Taxi fares and 30.95
limousine service *.
5.................. 530902................... .................. School bus............. 4.03
2.................. MEDICAL.................. MEG............... Medical 2,349.45
3.................. HEALTINS................. PEG............... Health insurance *....... 1,200.79
4.................. COMHLTIN................. .................. Commercial health 239.84
insurance.
5.................. 580111................... .................. Traditional fee for 78.16
service health plan
(not BCBS).
5.................. 580113................... .................. Preferred provider 161.68
health plan (not BCBS).
4.................. BCBS..................... .................. Blue Cross, Blue Shield. 356.45
5.................. 580112................... .................. Traditional fee for 62.69
service health plan
(BCBS).
5.................. 580114................... .................. Preferred provider 118.30
health plan (BCBS).
5.................. 580312................... .................. Health maintenance 124.28
organization (BCBS).
5.................. 580904................... .................. Commercial Medicare 45.03
supplement (BCBS).
5.................. 580906................... .................. Other health insurance 6.15
(BCBS).
4.................. 580311................... .................. Health maintenance 301.65
organization (not BCBS).
4.................. 580901................... .................. Medicare payments....... 146.35
4.................. COMEDOTH................. .................. Commercial Medicare 156.49
suppl & health
insurance.
5.................. 580903................... .................. Commercial Medicare 88.03
supplement (not BCBS).
5.................. 580905................... .................. Other health insurance 68.46
(not BCBS).
3.................. MEDSERVS................. PEG............... Medical services......... 707.61
4.................. 560110................... .................. Physician's services *.. 181.00
4.................. 560210................... .................. Dental services *....... 252.69
4.................. 560310................... .................. Eyecare services........ 50.18
4.................. 560400................... .................. Service by professionals 46.56
other than physician.
4.................. 560330................... .................. Lab tests, x-rays....... 35.40
4.................. 570110................... .................. Hospital room *......... 43.75
4.................. 570210................... .................. Hospital service other 65.77
than room.
4.................. 570240................... .................. Medical care in 0.00
retirement community.
4.................. 570220................... .................. Care in convalescent or 15.11
nursing home.
4.................. 570902................... .................. Repair of medical 0.00
equipment.
4.................. 570230................... .................. Other medical care 17.15
services.
3.................. DRUGS&ME................. PEG............... Drugs and Medical 441.05
Supplies.
4.................. DRUGS.................... .................. Drugs................... 346.85
5.................. 550210................... .................. Nonprescription drugs * 49.88
5.................. 550410................... .................. Nonprescription 30.82
vitamins.
5.................. 540000................... .................. Prescription drugs *... 266.14
4.................. MEDSUPPL................. .................. Medical supplies........ 94.20
5.................. 550110................... .................. Eyeglasses and contact 52.60
lenses *.
5.................. 550340................... .................. Hearing aids........... 8.94
5.................. 550310................... .................. Topicals and dressings 23.57
*.
5.................. 550320................... .................. Medical equipment for 2.89
general use.
5.................. 550330................... .................. Supportive and 4.55
convalescent medical
equipment.
5.................. 570901................... .................. Rental of medical 0.44
equipment.
5.................. 570903................... .................. Rental of supportive, 1.22
convalescent equipment.
2.................. RECREATN................. MEG............... Recreation 2,850.41
3.................. FEESADM.................. PEG............... Fees and admissions...... 606.30
4.................. 610900................... .................. Recreation expenses, out- 32.13
of-town trips.
4.................. 620111................... .................. Social, recreation, 106.53
civic club membership *.
4.................. 620121................... .................. Fees for participant 91.47
sports *.
4.................. 620122................... .................. Participant sports, out- 27.09
of-town trips.
4.................. 620211................... .................. Movie, theater, opera, 129.68
ballet *.
4.................. 620212................... .................. Movie, other admissions, 56.76
out-of-town trips.
4.................. 620221................... .................. Admission to sporting 37.01
events.
4.................. 620222................... .................. Admission to sports 18.92
events, out-of-town
trips.
4.................. 620310................... .................. Fees for recreational 74.57
lessons *.
4.................. 620903................... .................. Other entertainment 32.13
services, out-of-town
trips.
[[Page 63195]]
3.................. TVAUDIO.................. PEG............... Television, radios, sound 361.69
equipment.
4.................. TELEVSN.................. .................. Televisions............. 186.16
5.................. 310110................... .................. Black and white tv..... 0.90
5.................. 310120................... .................. Color TV - console..... 37.90
5.................. 310130................... .................. Color TV - portable, 46.70
table model *.
5.................. 310210................... .................. VCR's and video disc 25.53
players *.
5.................. 310220................... .................. Video cassettes, tapes, 43.39
and discs *.
5.................. 310230................... .................. Video game hardware and 27.73
software.
5.................. 340610................... .................. Repair of tv, radio, 3.11
and sound equipment.
5.................. 340902................... .................. Rental of televisions.. 0.90
4.................. AUDIO.................... .................. Radios, sound equipment. 175.53
5.................. 310311................... .................. Radios................. 3.65
5.................. 310312................... .................. Phonographs............ 0.00
5.................. 310313................... .................. Tape recorders and 7.66
players.
5.................. 310320................... .................. Sound components and 19.50
component systems *.
5.................. 310331................... .................. Miscellaneous sound 7.64
equipment.
5.................. 310332................... .................. Sound equipment 11.33
accessories.
5.................. 310334................... .................. Satellite dishes....... 0.76
5.................. 310341................... .................. CD, tape, record and 9.07
video mail order clubs.
5.................. 310342................... .................. Records, CDs, audio 41.52
tapes, needles *.
5.................. 340905................... .................. Rental of VCR, radio, 0.11
and sound equipment.
5.................. 610130................... .................. Musical instruments and 25.03
accessories.
5.................. 620904................... .................. Rental and repair of 1.18
musical instruments.
5.................. 620912................... .................. Rental of video 48.09
cassettes, tapes &
discs *.
3.................. PETSPLAY................. PEG............... Pets, toys, and 436.27
playground equipment.
4.................. PETS..................... .................. Pets.................... 290.79
5.................. 610310................... .................. Pet food *............. 134.54
5.................. 610320................... .................. Pet purchase, supplies, 67.85
medicine.
5.................. 620410................... .................. Pet services........... 15.87
5.................. 620420................... .................. Vet services *......... 72.53
4.................. 610110................... .................. Toys, games, hobbies, 141.49
and tricycles *.
4.................. 610120................... .................. Playground equipment.... 4.00
3.................. ENTEROTH................. PEG............... Other entertainment 646.69
supplies, equipment, and
services.
4.................. UNMTRBOT................. .................. Unmotored recreational 104.54
vehicles.
5.................. 600121................... .................. Boat without motor and 34.98
boat trailers.
5.................. 600122................... .................. Trailer and other 69.56
attachable campers.
4.................. PWRSPVEH................. .................. Motorized recreational 156.56
vehicles.
5.................. 600141................... .................. Purchase of motorized 32.89
camper.
5.................. 600142................... .................. Purchase of other 60.89
vehicle *.
5.................. 600132................... .................. Purchase of boat with 62.79
motor.
4.................. RNTSPVEH................. .................. Rental of recreational 1.60
vehicles.
5.................. 520904................... .................. Rental noncamper 0.00
trailer.
5.................. 520907................... .................. Boat and trailer rental 0.04
out-of-town trips.
5.................. 620909................... .................. Rental of campers on 0.18
out-of-town trips.
5.................. 620919................... .................. Rental of other 1.03
vehicles on out-of-
town trips.
5.................. 620906................... .................. Rental of boat......... 0.06
5.................. 620921................... .................. Rental of motorized 0.00
camper.
5.................. 620922................... .................. Rental of other RV's... 0.29
4.................. 600110................... .................. Outboard motors......... 2.57
4.................. 520901................... .................. Docking and landing fees 4.92
4.................. RECEQUIP................. .................. Sports, recreation and 220.78
exercise equipment.
5.................. 600210................... .................. Athletic gear, game 93.79
tables, exercise equip
*.
5.................. 600310................... .................. Bicycles............... 24.50
5.................. 600410................... .................. Camping equipment...... 19.39
5.................. 600420................... .................. Hunting and fishing 34.74
equipment.
5.................. 600430................... .................. Winter sports equipment 6.76
5.................. 600901................... .................. Water sports equipment. 18.22
5.................. 600902................... .................. Other sports equipment. 20.61
5.................. 620908................... .................. Rental and repair of 2.77
miscellaneous sports
equipment.
4.................. PHOTOEQ.................. .................. Photographic equipment, 135.73
supplies and services.
5.................. 610210................... .................. Film *................. 29.15
5.................. 610220................... .................. Other photographic 3.11
supplies.
5.................. 620330................... .................. Film processing *...... 42.28
5.................. 620905................... .................. Repair and rental of 0.18
photographic equipment.
5.................. 610230................... .................. Photographic equipment. 33.25
5.................. 620320................... .................. Photographer fees...... 27.77
4.................. 610901................... .................. Fireworks............... 3.25
4.................. 610902................... .................. Souvenirs............... 5.16
4.................. 610903................... .................. Visual goods............ 1.41
4.................. 620913................... .................. Pinball, electronic 10.16
video games.
3.................. PERSPROD................. PEG............... Personal care products... 362.62
[[Page 63196]]
4.................. 640110................... .................. Hair care products *.... 74.26
4.................. 640120................... .................. Nonelectric articles for 8.90
the hair.
4.................. 640130................... .................. Wigs and hairpieces..... 1.36
4.................. 640210................... .................. Oral hygiene products, 34.58
articles.
4.................. 640220................... .................. Shaving needs........... 21.06
4.................. 640310................... .................. Cosmetics, perfume, bath 171.16
preparation *.
4.................. 640410................... .................. Deodorants, feminine 38.52
hygiene, misc. pers.
care.
4.................. 640420................... .................. Electric personal care 12.79
appliances.
3.................. PERSSERV................. PEG............... Personal care services... 272.89
4.................. 650310................... .................. Personal care service *. 272.47
4.................. 650900................... .................. Repair of personal care 0.43
appliances.
3.................. READING.................. PEG............... Reading.................. 163.94
4.................. 590110................... .................. Newspapers.............. 64.70
5.................. 590111................... .................. Newspaper subscriptions 49.33
*.
5.................. 590112................... .................. Newspaper, non- 15.36
subscriptions *.
4.................. 590210................... .................. Magazines............... 31.86
5.................. 590211................... .................. Magazine subscriptions 20.28
*.
5.................. 590212................... .................. Magazines, non- 11.58
subscriptions *.
4.................. 590900................... .................. Newsletters............. 0.00
4.................. 590220................... .................. Books thru book clubs... 9.41
4.................. 590230................... .................. Books not thru book 57.67
clubs *.
4.................. 660310................... .................. Encyclopedia and other 0.30
sets of reference books.
2.................. EDU&COMM................. MEG............... Education and 2,023.31
Communication
3.................. EDUCATN.................. PEG............... Education................ 81.28
4.................. 670210................... .................. Elementary and high 65.50
school tuition *.
4.................. 660210................... .................. School books, supplies, 15.79
for elem. and H.S..
3.................. COMMICAT................. PEG............... Communications........... 1,726.83
4.................. PHONE.................... .................. Telephone services...... 1,130.84
5.................. 270101................... .................. Telephone svcs in home 744.36
city, excluding car *.
5.................. 270102................... .................. Telephone services for 362.15
mobile car phones.
5.................. 270103................... .................. Pager service.......... 2.10
5.................. 270104................... .................. Phone cards............ 22.24
4.................. 690114................... .................. Computer information 143.34
services *.
4.................. 270310................... .................. Community antenna or 452.65
cable TV *.
3.................. COMP&SVC................. PEG............... Computers and Computer 215.19
Services.
4.................. 690113................... .................. Repair of computer 3.75
systems for nonbus. use.
4.................. 690111................... .................. Computers & hardware 188.93
nonbusiness use *.
4.................. 690112................... .................. Computer software/ 22.50
accessories for nonbus.
use.
2.................. MISCMEG.................. MEG............... Miscellaneous 5,902.05
3.................. TOBACCO.................. PEG............... Tobacco products and 231.85
smoking supplies.
4.................. 630110................... .................. Cigarettes *............ 213.08
4.................. 630210................... .................. Other tobacco products.. 17.35
4.................. 630220................... .................. Smoking accessories..... 1.42
3.................. MISC..................... PEG............... Miscellaneous............ 852.67
4.................. 620925................... .................. Miscellaneous fees...... 3.31
4.................. 620926................... .................. Lotteries and pari- 60.83
mutuel losses.
4.................. 680110................... .................. Legal fees *............ 141.87
4.................. 680140................... .................. Funeral expenses *...... 51.84
4.................. 680210................... .................. Safe deposit box rental. 4.18
4.................. 680220................... .................. Checking accounts, other 32.14
bank service charges.
4.................. 680901................... .................. Cemetery lots, vaults, 17.21
maintenance fees.
4.................. 680902................... .................. Accounting fees *....... 49.48
4.................. 680903................... .................. Miscellaneous personal 51.76
services.
4.................. 710110................... .................. Credit card interest and 341.82
annual fees *.
4.................. 900002................... .................. Occupational expenses... 39.66
4.................. 790600................... .................. Expenses for other 51.98
properties.
4.................. 880210................... .................. Interest paid, home 0.00
equity line of credit.
4.................. 620115................... .................. Shopping club membership 6.58
fees.
3.................. INSPENSN................. PEG............... Personal insurance and 4,817.54
pensions.
4.................. LIFEINSR................. .................. Life and other personal 465.85
insurance *.
5.................. 700110................... .................. Life, endowment, 447.53
annuity, other
personal ins..
5.................. 002120................... .................. Other nonhealth 18.31
insurance.
4.................. PENSIONS................. .................. Pensions and Social 4,351.69
Security.
5.................. 800910................... .................. Deductions for 103.66
government retirement
*.
5.................. 800920................... .................. Deductions for railroad 3.15
retirement.
5.................. 800931................... .................. Deductions for private 401.77
pensions.
5.................. 800932................... .................. Non-payroll deposit to 433.87
retirement plans.
5.................. 800940................... .................. Deductions for Social 3,409.24
Security.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 63197]]
Appendix 3.--COLA Survey Items and Descriptions
Adhesive Bandages. One box of 40 adhesive bandages. Assorted sizes.
Clear or flexible okay to use. (Note: in Virginia, add tax to this
item.) Use: Band-Aid Bandages Sheer.
Airfare Los Angeles (LAX). Lowest cost round trip ticket to Los
Angeles, CA, 3-week advance reservation, departing and returning
midweek and including Saturday night stay. Price non-refundable ticket.
Disregard restrictions, super-saver fares, and special promotions. In
reference area, price flights from BWI for Maryland, Reagan National
for the District of Columbia, and Dulles for Virginia. Price all
flights via Internet on same day during the DC area survey. Use: Major
carrier.
Airfare Miami (MIA). Lowest cost round trip ticket to Miami, FL, 3-
week advance reservation, departing and returning midweek and including
Saturday night stay. Price non-refundable ticket. Disregard
restrictions, super-saver fares, and special promotions. In reference
area, price flights from BWI for Maryland, Reagan National for the
District of Columbia, and Dulles for Virginia. Price all flights via
Internet on same day during the DC area survey. Use: Major carrier.
Airfare Seattle (SEA). Lowest cost round trip ticket to Seattle,
WA, 3-week advance reservation, departing and returning midweek and
including Saturday night stay. Price non-refundable ticket. Disregard
restrictions, super-saver fares, and special promotions. In reference
area, price flights from BWI for Maryland, Reagan National for the
District of Columbia, and Dulles for Virginia. Price all flights via
Internet on same day during the DC area survey. Use: Major carrier.
Airfare St. Louis (STL). Lowest cost round trip ticket to St.
Louis, MO, 3-week advance reservation, departing and returning midweek
and including Saturday night stay. Price non-refundable ticket.
Disregard restrictions, super-saver fares, and special promotions. In
reference area, price flights from BWI for Maryland, Reagan National
for the District of Columbia, and Dulles for Virginia. Price all
flights via Internet on same day during the DC area survey. Use: Major
carrier.
Alternator (Ford). Price of a remanufactured 130-amp alternator for
a 2001 Ford Explorer 4.0L Fuel Injected V6 Vin:E with A/C and automatic
transmission to the consumer at a dealership. Report price net of core
charge (i.e., price after core is returned). Report core charge in
comments. If only new alternator available, report new price as match.
If price varies whether dealer installs, assume dealer installs but do
not price labor. (Use auto dealer worksheet.) Use: Dealer recommended
brand.
Alternator (Honda). Price of a remanufactured alternator for a 2001
Honda Civic LX sedan, 4 door, 1.7 liter, fuel injected, L4, 4 cylinder,
automatic transmission, to the consumer at a dealership. Report price
net of core charge (i.e., price after core is returned). Report core
charge in comments. If only new alternator available, report new price
as match. If price varies whether dealer installs, assume dealer
installs but do not price labor. (Use auto dealer worksheet.) Use:
Dealer recommended brand.
Alternator (Nissan). Price of a remanufactured alternator for a
2001 Nissan Altima SE sedan, 4 door, automatic transmission. Report
price net of core charge (i.e., price after core is returned). Report
core charge in comments. If only new alternator available, report new
price as match. If price varies whether dealer installs, assume dealer
installs but do not price labor. (Use auto dealer worksheet.) Use:
Dealer recommended brand.
Alternator (Toyota). Price of a remanufactured alternator for a
2001 Toyota Corolla LE sedan, 4 door, automatic transmission. Report
price net of core charge (i.e., price after core is returned). Report
core charge in comments. If only new alternator available, report new
price as match. If price varies whether dealer installs, assume dealer
installs but do not price labor. (Use auto dealer worksheet.) Use:
Dealer recommended brand.
Antacid. Ninety-six-count size of extra strength tablets. Use: Tums
EX 96 tablets.
Antibacterial Ointment. Half-ounce tube of antibacterial ointment.
Do not price pain reliever ointment. Use: Neosporin Original 1/2 oz.
Antibacterial Ointment. One-ounce tube of antibacterial ointment.
Do not price pain reliever ointment. Use: Neosporin Original 1 oz.
Apples. Price per pound, loose (not bagged) apples. If only bagged
apples available, report bag weight. Use: Red Delicious.
Area Rug (Catalog). Approximately 8 foot by 11 foot oval braided
rug, flat woven, 3-ply yarn, wool/nylon/rayon blend, with multi-colored
accents. JC Penney catalog number: A751-0449. Include sales tax and
shipping and handling. Use: American Traditions.
Artificial Sweetener. Fifty-count package of artificial sweetener.
Use: Equal.
Aspirin. Fifty tablets of regular strength aspirin. Use: Bayer,
Regular Strength.
Auto Finance Rate. Interest rate for a 4-year loan on a new car
with a down payment of 20 percent. Assume the loan applicant is a
current bank customer who will make payments by cash/check and not by
automatic deduction from the account. Enter 7.65 percent as $7.650. If
bank needs to know type of car, use specified Ford. Obtain interest
rate and verify phone number. Rate will be checked again during the DC
survey to see if it has changed. Use: Interest percentage rate.
Baby Food Formula. Thirty-two fluid-ounce bottle of infant formula
with iron R-T-F. Look for blue print on label. There are at least four
other types of Similac with different color print and different prices.
Use: Similac Infant Formula with Iron R-T-F.
Baby Food. Four-ounce jar strained vegetables or fruit. Use: Gerber
2nd.
Babysitter. Minimum hourly wage appropriate to area. Use:nnnnnn
Government wage data.
Baking Dish 8 x 8. Glass baking dish, 8 inch square glass, clear or
tinted. Exclude baking dish with cover or lid. Use: Anchor Hocking, 8 x
8.
Baking Dish 9 x 13. Glass baking dish, 9 x 13 x 2 inch glass, clear
or tinted. Exclude baking dish with cover or lid. Use: Pyrex, 9 x 13, 3
quart.
Bananas. Price per pound of bananas. If sold by bunch, report price
and weight of average sized bunch. Use: Available brand.
Bath Towel (Bed Bath & Beyond). Bath towel, approximately 30 inch x
54 inch, 100 percent pima cotton with pima cotton loops. Use: Wamsutta,
Regency Pima.
Bath Towel (K-Mart). Bath towel, approximately 66 inch x 35 inch
wide, 100 percent cotton, medium weight. Side hem is woven selvage.
Bottom hem may be folded. Use: Martha Stewart 3 Star Big Towel.
Bath Towel (Wal-Mart). Approximately 56 inch x 30 inch wide, 100
percent cotton, medium weight. Side hem is woven selvage. Bottom hem
may be folded. Price Springmaid Pima. Use: Springmaid.
Beer at Home (Bottles). Six-pack of 12 ounce bottles of Budweiser.
Do not price refrigerated beer unless that is the only type available.
Use: Budweiser.
Beer at Home (Cans). Six-pack of 12 ounce cans of Budweiser. Do not
price refrigerated beer unless that is the only type available. Use:
Budweiser.
Beer Away. All restaurant types. One glass of Budweiser beer. Check
sales tax and include in price. Use: Budweiser.
[[Page 63198]]
Board Game. Price standard edition, not deluxe. Use: Sorry!
Book, Paperback. Store price (not publishers list price unless that
is the store price) for top-selling fiction, paperback book. During the
DC area survey price via Amazon.com and include any additional shipping
cost to the Caribbean. Use: The Last Juror, John Grisham, The Calhouns,
Nora Roberts.
Bowling. One game of open (or non-league) 10-pin bowling on a
weekday (Monday-Friday) between the hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exclude
shoe rental. If priced by the hour, report hourly rate divided by 5
(i.e., estimated number of games per hour) and note hourly rate in
comments. Do not price duck-pin bowling. Use: Bowling.
Boys Jeans. Relaxed fit, size range 9 to 14, pre-washed jeans, not
bleached, stone-washed or designer jeans. Use: Levis 550 Relaxed Fit.
Boys Polo Shirt. Knit polo-type short sleeve shirt with collar,
solid color, Cotton/polyester, size range 8 to 14. Use: Ralph Lauren
(Macys), Polo Club (JC Penney/Sears).
Boys T-Shirt. Screen-printed t-shirt for boys ages 8 thru 10 (sizes
7 to 14). Pullover with crew neck, short sleeves, cotton or polyester/
cotton blend. Do not price team logo shirts. Use: Green Dog Blues
(Macys), Canyon River Blues (JC Penney/Sears), Osh Gosh or equivalent.
Bread, Wheat, Butter Top. Loaf of sliced wheat bread, 20 to 24
ounces. Holsum Integral is an equivalent brand. Do not price store
brand. Use: Home Pride.
Bread, White. Loaf of sliced white bread, 22 to 24 ounces. Wonder
is an equivalent brand. Do not price store brand. Use: Holsum.
Breakfast Full Service. Two to four strips of bacon or sausages,
two eggs, toast, hash browns, coffee, and small juice. Check sales tax
and include in price. At Denny's, price the Two-Egg Breakfast. At IHOP,
price the Quick Two-Egg Breakfast. Use: Bacon and eggs.
Cable TV Service. One month of cable service. Include converter and
universal remote fees. Do not price value packages or premium channels;
i.e., Showtime, HBO, Cinemax. Do not report hook-up charges. Itemize
taxes and fees as percent rates or amounts and add to price. Note in
comments whether digital or analog service. Use: Local provider.
Camera Film. Four-pack, 35 millimeter, 24 exposure, 400 ASA
(speed). Use: Kodak Max 400.
Candy Bar. One regular size candy bar, weight approximately 1.55 to
2.13 ounces. Do not price king-size or multi-pack. Use: Snickers.
Canned Chopped Ham. Twelve-ounce can of processed luncheon meat. Do
not price turkey, light, or smoked varieties. Use: SPAM.
Canned Green Beans. Fourteen to 15-ounce can of plain-cut green
beans. Use: Del Monte.
Canned Ham. Three-pound canned ham. Use: Hormel, Black Label.
Canned Peaches. Fifteen to 16-ounce can of sliced peaches. Use: Del
Monte.
Canned Soup. Regular size (approximately 10.7 ounces) can of
condensed soup. Not hearty, reduced-fat or salt-free varieties. Use:
Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup.
Canned Tuna. Chunk light tuna, packed in spring water
(approximately 6 ounces). Do not price fancy style or albacore. Use:
Star Kist.
Cellular Phone 500 Minute Plan. Cellular phone service with 500
anytime minutes per month. Price via Internet all areas at the same
time during the DC area survey. Call for fee information. Itemize taxes
and fees and add to price. Use: Major provider.
Cellular Phone 600 Minute Plan. Cellular phone service with 600
anytime minutes per month. Price via Internet all areas at the same
time during the DC area survey. Call for fee information. Itemize taxes
and fees and add to price. Use: Major provider.
Cereal. Raisin bran cereal, approximately 20-ounce box. Use:
Kellogg's Raisin Bran.
Charcoal Grill. Charcoal grill, heavy gauge, porcelain-enameled,
steel lid, approximately 22.5 inches diameter. Use: Weber 1 Touch
Silver 22\1/2\- inch, model 741001.
Cheese. Twelve-ounce package cheese, 16 slices. Okay to price
yellow or white, but do not price reduced-fat or fat-free varieties.
Use: Kraft Singles, American.
Chicken Breast, Skinless, Boneless. Price per pound of USDA grade
boneless, skinless, fresh chicken breasts. Price store brand if
available, otherwise record brand. Use: Store brand.
Chicken, Whole Fryer, Fresh. Price per pound of USDA graded, whole
fryer, fresh chicken. If multiple brands available, match the lowest
priced item and note in comments. If only frozen chicken available,
price as substitute. Use: Available brand.
Chuck Roast, Bone-in. Price per pound, fresh (not frozen or
previously frozen) bone-in beef chuck pot roast. Price USDA Select or
un-graded if available. If not available, note USDA grade in comments.
Use average size package; i.e., not family-pack, value-pack, super-
saver pack, or equivalent. If multiple brands available (e.g., Angus),
match the lowest priced item and note in comments. Use: Available
brand.
Cigarettes. One pack filter kings. Include State and/or Federal
tobacco tax in price if normally part of the price. Report sales tax in
the same manner as any other taxable item. Use: Marlboro.
Claw Hammer. Twenty-ounce, straight claw hammer with shock
reduction grip. Head and handle forged in one piece. Use: Estwing (E3-
20S).
Coffee, Ground. Thirteen-ounce can. Do not price decaffeinated or
special roasts. Use: Maxwell House, Original.
Compact Disc. Current best-selling CD. Do not price double CDs.
Use: Breakaway, Kelly Clarkson, Genius Loves Company, Ray Charles.
Contact Lenses. One box of disposable contact lenses, three pairs
in the box. A pair lasts 2 weeks. Use: Bausch & Lomb, Acuvue II.
Cookies. Approximately 16-ounce package of chocolate chip cookies.
Use: Nabisco Chips Ahoy.
Cooking Oil. Forty-eight fluid ounce plastic bottle of vegetable
oil. Use: Crisco.
Cordless Phone 2.4 GHz. Cordless phone with Caller ID and digital
answering machine. Use: GE 27998GE6 (Wal-Mart), AT&T 1465ESP (K-Mart).
Cordless Phone 900 MHz (K-Mart). Cordless phone, 900 MHz. Use:
Uniden EZi996 (Wal-Mart), GE 26998GE1 (K-Mart).
Credit Card Gold Interest & Annual Fee. Obtain credit card interest
rate of a gold card and apply it to the national average balance
($8,562) plus any annual fees charged by the bank. Price standard plan
without airline miles or other special offers. (Use bank worksheet).
Use: Gold VISA/MasterCard.
Cremation. Direct cremation. Includes removal of remains, local
transportation to crematory, necessary body care and minimal services
of the staff. Include crematory fee. Do not include price of urn. Ask
if crematory fee, Medical Examiner fee, and minimum basic container are
included. Ask if anything other than basic service, such as a funeral
service, is included. Use: Cremation.
Cured Ham, Boneless. Price per pound of a boneless cured ham. If
multiple brands available, match the lowest priced item and note in
comments. Use: Hormel, Cure 81.
Curved Claw Hammer. Sixteen-ounce, curved claw hammer with jacketed
graphite handle and nylon vinyl grip. Use: Stanley (51-505).
Day Care. One month of day care for a 3-year-old child, 5 days a
week, about 10 hours per day. If monthly rate is not available, (1)
obtain weekly rate, (2) record rate in the comments section,
[[Page 63199]]
and (3) multiply weekly rate by 4.33 to obtain monthly rate. Use: Day
care.
Dental Clean and Check-Up. Current adult patient charge for routine
exam, including two bite-wing x-rays and cleaning of teeth with light
scaling and polishing. No special treatment of gums or teeth. Do not
price an initial visit or specialist or oral surgeon. (Dental codes:
0120, 0272, 1110.) Use: Dentist.
Dental Crown. Cost of a full crown on a lower molar, porcelain
fused to a high noble metal. Include price of preparation or
restoration of tooth to accept crown. Price for an adult. (Dental code:
2750.) Use: Dentist.
Dental Filling. Lower molar, two surfaces resin-based composite
filling. Price for an adult. (Dental code: 2392.) Use: Dentist.
Dining Table Set (Catalog). Solid hardwood butcher-block top dining
table with six coordinating slat-back chairs, plus two bonus side
chairs free. Table measures 42 inches by 60 inches. JC Penney catalog
number: A796-1323. Include sales tax and shipping and handling. Use: 5-
piece casual dining set.
Dinner Full Service--Filet Mignon. Extra fine dining, fine dining,
and Outback-type restaurants. Filet mignon (6 to 10 ounce) with one or
two small side dishes (e.g., rice or potato), salad and coffee. Do not
include tip. Check sales tax and include in price. Use: Filet mignon.
Dinner Full Service--Steak, Large. Extra fine dining, fine dining,
and Outback-type restaurants. NY strip steak (10 to 16 ounce) with one
or two small side dishes (e.g., rice or potato), salad and coffee. Do
not include tip. Check sales tax and include in price. Use: Steak
dinner, large.
Dinner Full Service--Steak, Medium. Casual and pancake house
restaurants. Approximately 8 to 12 ounce steak, with one or two small
side dishes (e.g., rice or potato), side salad or salad bar, and
coffee. Meal should not include dessert. If 8 to 12 ounce unavailable,
price closest size and note in comments. Check sales tax and include in
price. Use: Steak dinner, medium.
Dish Set. Patterned tableware, 16 to 20 piece set. Use: Corelle
Chutney 20 piece set (Wal-Mart), Martha Stewart Everyday 16 piece
striped set (K-Mart).
Disposable Diapers. Grocery and discount stores. Pampers: Forty-
eight count package, Stage 2 (child 12 to 18 pounds), Jumbo disposable
diapers with koala fit grips. If Stage 2 is not available, price a
different stage Pampers Jumbo diaper, report as match, and note stage
in comments. Huggies: Forty-eight count package, Step 2 (child 12 to 18
pounds), Jumbo, Ultratrim disposable diapers with stretch waist. If
Step 2 is not available, price a different step Huggies Jumbo diaper,
report as match, and note step in comments. Use: Pampers, Baby Dry,
Jumbo, Stage 2; Huggies, Ultratrim, Jumbo, Step 2.
Doctor Office Visit. Typical fee for office visit for an adult when
medical advice or simple treatment is needed. Do not price initial
visit. Exclude regular physical examination, injections, medications,
or lab tests. Use general practitioner not pediatrician or other
specialist. Medical code: 99213. Use: Doctor.
Drill, Cord. Variable speed, \3/8\-inch electric drill, keyless
chuck, approximately 5 amp. Use: Black & Decker (DR220K).
Drill, Cordless. Variable speed, reversible, \3/8\-inch keyless
chuck, 14.4 volt, electric drill with fast recharge, with battery
charger. Use: DeWalt (DC728KA).
Dry Clean Man's Suit. Dry cleaning of a two-piece man's suit of
typical fabric. Do not price for silk, suede or other unusual
materials. Use: Dry cleaning.
DVD Movie. Current best-selling DVD movie. Use: Friday Night
Lights, The Village (K-Mart); Ray, Mulan II (Wal-Mart).
DVD Player. Progressive scan one-disc DVD player with remote
control. Note: Model numbers may vary slightly. Use: Panasonic DVD-S27
(K-Mart), RCA DRC233N (Wal-Mart), Sony DVPNS575P/S.
Education, Private K-12. Cost of tuition and all access fees,
materials fees, books, and registration fees that are not included in
tuition. If price varies by grade, record in comments price for each
grade. Note any annual, recurring fees; i.e., registration, computer,
activity, etc. If pricing at church-affiliated schools, note any rate
differences for church members versus others. Use: Private School K-12.
Eggs (White, Large). One dozen large white Grade A eggs. If
multiple brands available, match the lowest priced item and note in
comments. Use: Available brand.
Electric Bill. Total utility rates for electricity from utility
function model, including all taxes and surcharges, etc. Also try to
obtain a bill from a local resident for comparison purposes. Obtain
rates for the last 12 months to include any seasonal rate changes and
energy charges, which vary monthly. Use: Local provider.
Electric Vacuum. Electric vacuum cleaner with 2-amp motor. Use: K-
Mart: Eureka Boss Superbroom (164D6); Wal-Mart: Eureka Boss SuperLite
(402A).
Eye Round Roast, Boneless. Price per pound, fresh (not frozen or
previously frozen) boneless eye round roast. Price USDA Select or un-
graded if available. If not available, note USDA grade in comments. Use
average size package, i.e., not family-pack, value-pack, super-saver
pack, or equivalent. If multiple brands available (e.g., Angus), match
the lowest priced item and note in comments. Use: Available brand.
Fast Food Breakfast. Ham or Bacon, Egg & Cheese Bagel value meal,
includes hash browns and coffee. Check sales tax and include in price.
Use: Ham or Bacon, Egg & Cheese Bagel (medium).
Fast Food Dinner Burger. Hamburger, fries (or other side), and soft
drink. Check sales tax and include in price. Use: Wendy's: Classic
Single Combo (medium); McDonald's: Big Mac Value Meal (medium).
Fast Food Dinner Pizza. Medium cheese pizza (without extra cheese)
with salad and small soft drink. Check sales tax and include in price.
Use: Medium cheese pizza.
Fast Food Lunch Burger. Hamburger, fries (or other side), and soft
drink. Check sales tax and include in price. Use: Wendy's: Classic
Single Combo (medium); McDonald's: Big Mac Value Meal (medium).
Fast Food Lunch Pizza. Personal size cheese pizza (without extra
cheese) or one slice of cheese pizza. Include price of a small soft
drink. Do not include price of salad or other side dishes. Check sales
tax and include in price. Use: Cheese pizza.
FEGLI (Life Insurance). Federal life insurance. This item is not
surveyed locally because it is constant across all areas. Use: FEGLI.
FEHB Insurance. Self only and family. This item is not surveyed
locally. OPM estimates insurance prices from employee premiums and
enrollment data from Central Personnel Data File. Use: FEHB.
FERS/CSRS Contributions. Federal retirement contributions. This
item is not surveyed locally because it is constant across all areas.
Use: FERS/CSRS.
Filing Cabinet. Two-drawer file cabinet. One drawer has lock. File
drawers accommodate hanging files. Use: K-Mart: Home Essentials; Wal-
Mart: Space Solutions Ready File (10002).
Film Processing 1 Hour. One-hour color film processing for 24
exposure, 35 mm prints. Use: K-Mart: In-store processing, 4 x 6 double
prints; Wal-Mart: In-store processing, 3 x 5 or 4 x 6 single prints.
Ford Explorer 4WD. Purchase price of a 2005 Ford Explorer XLT, 4-
wheel drive, 4 door, 4.6 liter, 8 cylinder, 5-speed automatic overdrive
transmission, model number U73/225A. Please note
[[Page 63200]]
the price of any special option packages. (Use auto dealer worksheet.)
Use: 2005 Ford Explorer XLT.
Ford License, Registration, Taxes, and Inspection. License,
registration, periodic taxes (e.g., road or personal property tax, but
NOT one-time taxes such as sales tax), and inspection (e.g., safety and
emissions) on the Ford specified for survey. (Use auto dealer
worksheet.) Use: Specified Ford.
Fresh Mahi-Mahi (Dorado). Price per pound of fresh Mahi-Mahi
fillet. Do not price previously frozen (PF) or specially prepared
varieties. Do not price family-pack, value-pack, super-save pack, or
equivalent. If multiple brands available, match the lowest priced item
and note in comments. Use: Available brand.
Fresh Salmon. Price per pound of Atlantic farm-raised salmon
skinless filet, fresh. Use: Available brand Atlantic farm-raised.
Frozen Fish Fillet. Price of one box of frozen ocean whitefish
crispy battered fillets. Use: Gorton's Crispy Battered Fillets (10
count), Gorton's Beer Batter Fish Fillets (10 count), Mrs. Paul's
Crispy Battered Fillets (6 count).
Frozen Meal. Price of frozen dinner. Use: Healthy Choice Chicken
Teriyaki (11 ounce), Lean Cuisine Chicken Glazed (8.5 ounce).
Frozen Orange Juice. Twelve-fluid-ounce can of orange juice
concentrate (makes 48 fluid ounces). Do not price calcium fortified,
pulp-free, country style, etc. Use: Minute Maid.
Frozen Peas. Nine-ounce package of frozen petite or baby peas, no
sauce or onions. Use: Green Giant Baby Sweet Peas.
Frozen Waffles. Ten-count box of frozen waffles per package. Do not
price fat-free or whole wheat varieties. Use: Eggo (10 count).
Fruit Drink. Ten pack of fruit drink, not juice, any flavor. Capri
Sun 10 count is an equivalent brand. Use: Hi-C fruit punch drink 10-
pack.
Fruit Juice. Sixty-four-ounce bottle of cranberry juice. Use: Ocean
Spray Cranberry Juice.
Gas. Price per gallon for self-service unleaded regular gasoline.
Use: Major brand.
Gelatin. Three-ounce box gelatin dessert. Use: JELL-O.
General Admission Evening Film. Adult price for evening showing,
current release (currently advertised on television). Report weekend
evening price if different from weekday. Use: Movie.
Girls Dress. Girls print chiffon dress. Simple lines, short
sleeves. Machine washable. Use: JC Penney/Sears: Store brand; Macys:
Tommy Hilfiger.
Girls Dress (Catalog). Floral design. Ruffle sleeves and hemline.
Polyester. Machine wash, line dry. Include sales tax and shipping and
handling. Use: JC Penney Hype Spring Fantasy Dress (catalog number
A380-9913).
Girls Jeans. Slim fit in the seat and thighs with flared legs and
traditional 5-pocket styling, for girls ages 8 to 10 (size 7 to 14).
Use: JC Penney/Sears: Levis 517; Macys: Ralph Lauren.
Girls Polo Type Top. Girls polo cotton blend, striped or solid
pattern. Price sizes 7 to14 or S, M, and L in girls sizes. Use: JC
Penney/Sears: Lands End; Macys: Ralph Lauren.
Gold Ball Earrings(Jewelry Store): One pair 6mm, 14K hollow, gold
ball earrings for pierced ears. If not available, but 4, 5, 7 or 8mm
are available, record each separately as a substitute. Do not price
gold filled. Use: Store brand.
Golf, Resort. Eighteen holes of golf on weekend with cart, tee-time
approximately 2 p.m. Do not price par 3 courses. If only nine holes
available, double price. If only daily rate available (unlimited number
of holes), report the Saturday or Sunday rate. Price local resident fee
(not hotel guest fee). Price outside of local jurisdiction if
necessary. Use: Golf, resort.
Ground Beef. Price per pound, fresh (not frozen or previously
frozen) ground beef or ground chuck. Use average size package; i.e.,
not family-pack, value-pack, super-saver pack, or equivalent. If
multiple brands available (e.g., Angus), match the lowest priced item
and note in comments. Use: Available brand, 7 percent fat and 20
percent fat.
Hamburger Buns. Eight-count package of sliced enriched white
hamburger buns. Holsum is an equivalent brand. Do not price store
brand. Use: Wonder.
Hand-Held Vacuum. Cordless hand-held 9.6 volt cyclonic vacuum with
crevice tool and upholstery brush. Use: Black and Decker 9.6 volt
Cyclonic DustBuster.
Health Club Membership. One-year regular, individual membership for
existing member. Do not price special offers. If no yearly rate, price
month and prorate. Service must include free weights, cardiovascular
equipment, and aerobic classes. Note if pool, tennis, racquetball, or
other service included. Use: Gold's Gym type.
Honda Civic. Purchase price of a 2005 Honda Civic LX sedan, 4 door,
1.7 liter, 4 cylinder, automatic transmission without side air bags,
ES1655PW. Please note the price of any special option
packages. (Use auto dealer worksheet.) Use: 2005 Honda Civic LX sedan.
Honda License, Registration, Taxes, and Inspection. License,
registration, periodic taxes (e.g., road or personal property tax, but
NOT one-time taxes such as sales tax), and inspection (e.g., safety and
emissions) on the Honda specified for survey. (Use auto dealer
worksheet.) Use: Specified Honda.
Hospital Room. Daily charge for private and semi-private rooms.
Include food and routine care. Exclude cost of operating room, surgery,
medicine, lab fees, etc. Do not price specialty rooms; e.g., those in
cardiac care units. Use: Private and semi-private room.
Hot Dogs, Beef Franks. Sixteen-ounce package, 10 count, USDA
graded, all beef franks. Do not price chicken, turkey, extra lean, or
fat free frankfurters. Use: Oscar Mayer Beef Franks.
Housekeeping (Hourly Wage). Local hourly wage for a housekeeper or
janitor. BLS code 37-2012. Try to obtain from the local department of
labor. Use: Government Wage Data.
Ice Cream Cup. One scoop, vanilla ice cream in a cup. Do not price
frozen yogurt or soft-serve ice cream. Use: Baskin Robbins type and Ben
& Jerry's type.
Ice Cream. Fifty-six-ounce (1.75 quart) vanilla flavored ice cream.
Do not price ice milk, fat free, or frozen yogurt. Use: Edys Grand Ice
Cream.
Infants Sleeper. One-piece sleeping garment with legs, covering the
body including the feet. Stretch cotton/polyester terry. Washable. Can
be packaged or hanging. Size: Newborn. Use: Carters Starters.
Insurance, Ford and Honda. Annual premium for Ford and Honda
surveyed. Thirty-five-year-old married male, currently insured, no
accidents/violations. Commute is 15 miles one-way/day, annual 15,000
miles. Bodily injury 100/300; property damage 25; medical 15 or
personal injury protection 50; uninsured motorist 100/300;
comprehensive deductible 100; and collision deductible 250. If this
level of coverage is not available, price the policy with the closest
coverage. Ford car value: $32,045; Honda car value: $16,095. Use:
National company, if available.
Insurance, Ford and Honda (VI and DC Only). Annual minimum premium
for Ford and Honda surveyed. Thirty-five-year-old married male,
currently insured, no accidents/violations. Commute is 15 miles one-
way/day, annual 15,000 miles. Bodily injury 25/30; property damage 25;
medical 5 or personal injury protection 25, uninsured motorist 25/30;
comprehensive deductible 250; and collision deductible 500. If this
level of coverage is not
[[Page 63201]]
available, price the policy with the closest coverage. Ford car value:
$32,045; Honda car value: $16,095. Use: National company, if available.
Internet Service. Monthly charge for unlimited Internet access.
Itemize taxes and fees and add to price. Use: Local cable provider and
local DSL provider.
Jelly. Eighteen-ounce jar of grape jam or jelly. Use: Smuckers
Concord Grape.
Jet Ski. 2005 Yamaha jet ski WaveRunner XLT1200, 155 hp, 3
clylinder, 3 seater. (If only Sea-Doo GTI LE RFI is available, record
as a substitute). Use: Yamaha WaveRunner XLT1200.
Jewelry Earring Set. A box set of fake diamond earrings and
necklace. Use: JC Penney/Sears: Store brand; Macys: Sterling Silver
Collection.
Ketchup. Twenty-four ounce plastic squeeze bottle. Use: Heinz.
Kitchen Range (Electric coil). Thirty-inch, free-standing electric
range with coil burners and standard size (small) glass window on oven
door. Model numbers may vary slightly by dealer. Use: Kenmore 91032 and
General Electric JBP25DJWH.
Kitchen Range (Gas). Thirty-inch, free-standing, self-cleaning
oven. Large window. Four burners, stainless steel. Use: General
Electric JGBP33SEHSS.
Kitchen Range (Smooth Top). Thirty-inch, free-standing, smooth-top,
self-cleaning, with stainless steel front, large window. Four radiant
burners and a warmer. Use: General Electric JBP80SHSS.
Laptop Computer. Laptop with Intel Pentium 4, 512MB DDR, DVD-ROM/
CD-RW, XGA, Windows XP. (Include tax and shipping and handling, if
applicable.) Use: HP/Compaq Presario RS 3320US (DT 3.0HT, 60GB hard
drive) and Toshiba Satellite P30 (3.2GHz, 80GB hard drive).
Laundry Soap. One hundred fluid ounces of liquid household laundry
detergent. Use: Wisk.
Lawn Care (Hourly Wage). Local wage for gardener/grounds keeper.
BLS code 37-3011. Try to obtain from the local department of labor.
Use: Government Wage Data.
Lawn Mower, Self-Propelled. Twenty-one to 22 inch, self-propelled
approximately 6.5 horsepower gas lawn mower. Use: Craftsman 37482 rear
bag mower and Toro 20012 high-wheel recycler.
Lawn Trimmer, Gas. Gas powered, approximately 18-inch wide cut.
Straight or curved shaft okay. Bump or automatic line feed. Note: Model
numbers may vary slightly by dealer. Use: Homelite UT20778 (25cc 2-
cycle engine) and Craftsman 79612 (34cc 4-cycle engine).
LD Call Chicago. Cost of a 10-minute call using regional carrier,
received on a weekday in Chicago at 8 p.m. (Chicago time); direct dial.
Itemize taxes and fees and add to price. Use: AT&T/Sprint.
LD Call Los Angeles. Cost of a 10-minute call using regional
carrier, received on a weekday in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. (LA time);
direct dial. Itemize taxes and fees and add to price. Use: AT&T/Sprint.
LD Call New York. Cost of a 10-minute call using regional carrier,
received on a weekday in New York at 8 p.m. (NY time); direct dial.
Itemize taxes and fees and add to price. Use: AT&T/Sprint.
Lettuce, Iceberg. One head of iceberg lettuce. Use: Available
brand.
Lettuce, Romaine. Price of 1 pound of romaine lettuce, not hearts.
If only sold by each, note an average weight in comments. Use:
Available brand.
Lipstick. One tube, any color. Use: Maybelline Moisture Whip and
Revlon Super Lustrous.
Living Room Chair (Catalog). Channel back rocker recliner. Lumbar
area offers heat and massage. Arm lifts to access storage compartment
and cup holder. Reflex foam seat cushion. Fabrics are stain-resistant.
Microfiber, polyester. Chenille, olefin/acrylic. Velvet, polyester/
olefin. Include sales tax and shipping and handling. Use: JC Penney
Channel Back Rocker Recliner, catalog number A792-9654.
Lunch, Full Service. Pancake house and casual restaurants.
Cheeseburger platter with fries and small soft drink. Check sales tax
and include in price. Use: Cheeseburger platter.
Lunch Meat, All Beef. Eight-ounce package, all-beef variety, sliced
bologna. Use: Oscar Mayer Beef Bologna.
Magazine Subscription. One-year home-delivery price of a magazine.
This is priced during the DC area survey via the Internet. Include any
special mailing cost to the Caribbean. Use: Time.com.
Magazine. Store price (not publisher list price unless that is the
store price) for a single copy. Use: InStyle.
Man's Athletic Shoe (Shoe Store). Man's walking shoe, soft leather
upper. Full-length Phylon midsole with low-pressure Air-Sole units in
heel and forefoot. Composition rubber outsole. Use: Reebok Classic.
Man's Boat Shoe. Full leather, slip-on boat shoe. Use: Timberland.
Man's Dress Shirt. White or solid color long sleeve button cuff
dress shirt, 100 percent cotton or cotton blend. Use: Calvin Klein
Satin Poplin; JC Penney/Sears: Dockers; Macys: Polo Ralph Lauren.
Man's Dress Shoe, Leather Sole. Full leather lining, oak tanned/
buffed leather outsoles, polished leather uppers, steel shank. Use:
Bostonian Akron.
Man's Dress Shoe, Rubber Sole. Leather oxford with cushioned insole
and heel pad. Shoe has combination leather and rubber sole. Use:
Rockport.
Man's Jacket (Catalog). Man's lightweight jacket with stand-up
collar, fabric strap, zip front, one chest pocket, and two front slant
pockets. Rib-knit cuffs. Cotton/polyester with nylon lining, washable.
Price regular size. Include sales tax and shipping and handling. Use:
JC Penney Latch Collar Jacket-Regular, catalog number A518-5206.
Man's Jeans. Relaxed-fit jeans, five pocket, zip-fly, cotton,
straight leg. Use: Tommy Hilfiger Relaxed-Fit; JC Penney/Sears/Macys:
Levis Red Tab 550.
Man's Khaki Pants. Man's casual khakis, any color, relaxed fit or
classic fit, flat-front or pleated, cotton twill. Use: Kenneth Cole
Slubbed Sateen; JC Penney/Sears/Macys: Dockers.
Man's Leather Dress Shoe (catalog). Full-grain leather captoe
oxford, leather upper, leather outsole, with leather lining and a
comfort heel cup. Slip-resistant sole. Include sales tax and shipping
and handling. Use: Florsheim Lexington Captoe, JC Penney catalog number
A014-9043.
Man's Regular Haircut. Regular haircut for short to medium length
hair. Use: Hair salon cut.
Man's Sport Watch. Water-resistant strap, digital compass, 100-hour
chronograph, INDIGLO night-light, water-resistant up to 100 meters,
digital display, alarm, countdown timer, strap/watch colors may vary.
Different models represent different color of face or strap. If
available, also price same watch without digital compass as a
substitute. Use: Timex Expedition Digital Compass.
Man's Suit (Catalog). Six-button, double-breasted worsted wool suit
coat, flap pockets, chest pocket, dry clean only. Regular size with
full acetate lining. Price coat as a separate, not combo with trousers.
Include sales tax and shipping and handling. Use: Stafford Suit Coat,
JC Penney catalog number A957-0249.
Man's Undershirt. One package of three men's T-shirts, white, 100
percent cotton undershirts with short sleeves, regular size. Use: Tommy
Hilfiger Crewneck; JC Penney/Sears: Hanes V-neck; Macys: Jockey V-neck.
Man's Wedding Band. Men's 14K gold 4mm plain wedding band, size 10
or less, non-comfort fit. Do not price gold filled rings. Use: Store
brand.
Margarine. One pound (four sticks) of regular margarine. Do not
price reduced fat variety. Use: Parkay.
[[Page 63202]]
Mattress and Foundation (Catalog). Full-size mattress and
foundation. Nine layers of soft materials. Continuous support
innerspring. Triple beam foundation. Approximate mattress thickness: 12
inches. Mattress cover of cotton/polyester damask in bridal white.
Foundations are unitized steel with wood frames. Include sales tax and
shipping and handling. Use: Serta, Lindsey Castle Pillowtop, JC Penney
catalog numbers: A799-7662 and A799-7663.
Mayonnaise. Thirty-two-ounce jar of mayonnaise. Do not price light
or fat free. Use: Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise.
Measuring Tape. Twenty-five-foot tape measure with blade armor
coating. Use: Stanley 25 Ft. FatMax (33-725H).
Milk, Low Fat. One-half gallon, 1.5 or 2 percent milk. If multiple
brands available, match the lowest priced item and note in comments.
Use: Available brand.
Mover Driver (Hourly Wage). Local government hourly rate for a
light truck driver. BLS code 53-3033. Try to obtain from the local
department of labor. Use: Government wage data.
Moving (Hourly Wage). Local hourly wage for a mover/material
handler. BLS code 53-7062. Try to obtain from the local department of
labor. Use: Government wage data.
Newspaper Subscription, Local. One-year of home delivery of the
largest selling daily local paper (including Sunday edition)
distributed in the area. Do not include tip. Use: Major local
newspaper.
Newspaper, Newsstand, Local. Price of a local newspaper at a
newsstand (in box), weekday issue. If a newsstand box is not available,
price at a newsstand and indicate whether price includes tax. Use:
Newspaper, newsstand, local.
Newspaper, Newsstand, NY Times. Price of the New York Times
newspaper at a newsstand (in box), weekday issue. If a newsstand box is
not available, price at a newsstand and indicate whether price includes
tax. Use: New York Times, weekday.
Nissan License, Registration, Taxes, and Inspection. License,
registration, periodic taxes (e.g., road or personal property tax, but
NOT one-time taxes such as sales tax), and inspection (e.g., safety and
emissions) on the Nissan specified for survey. Use: Specified Nissan.
Nissan Altima. Purchase price of a 2005 Nissan Altima, 3.5 SE 4-
door sedan with 5-speed automatic transmission, model number 05915.
Please note the price of any special option packages. (Use auto dealer
worksheet.) Use: 2005 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE (for Puerto Rico and DC area
only).
Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever (50 count). Fifty geltabs of
acetaminophen 500 mg. Use: Tylenol Extra Strength Geltabs (50 count).
Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever (100 count). One hundred geltabs of
acetaminophen 500 mg. Use: Tylenol Extra Strength Geltabs (100 count).
Oranges. Price per pound of loose, large, Navel oranges. If only
bagged oranges are available, also report the weight of the bag. Use:
Available brand.
Oregano Leaves. Three-quarter-ounce bottle of oregano leaves. Use:
McCormick.
Parcel Post. Cost to mail a 5-pound package to Chicago, Los
Angeles, and New York using regular mail delivery service. Use: United
States Postal Service.
Pen. Ten-pack round stick medium point pen. Do not price crystal or
clear type pens. Use: BIC and Paper Mate.
Pet Food. Twenty-two-pound bag of adult dry dog food. Use: Pedigree
Complete Nutrition.
Piano Lessons. Monthly fee for half-hour beginner private piano
lessons for an adult, one lesson per week. Price through a music studio
if possible. If only per-lesson price is available, prorate using \1/
2\-hour lesson price times 52 divided by 12. If only 1-hour lesson is
available, prorate accordingly. Use: Piano lessons.
Plant Food. Twenty-four-ounce container of granulated all purpose
plant food. Use: Miracle Gro.
Pork Chops Center Cut, Boneless. Price per pound for fresh (not
frozen or previously frozen) pork chops, center cut, boneless, loin
chops. Use average size package, i.e., not family-pack, value-pack,
super-saver pack, or equivalent. If multiple brands available, match
the lowest priced brand and note in comments. Use: Available brand.
Portable CD Player. Portable ATRAC3plus, ATRAC3, MP3 and CD-R/RW,
with headphones, anti-skip technology, 2-line dot matrix display, 85-
hour battery life. Note: Color may vary. Use: Sony Walkman (D-NE300).
Potato Chips. One, 5- to 6-ounce container of regular potato chips.
Do not price fat free. Use: Pringles.
Potatoes. Price per pound of loose potatoes. If only bag potatoes
available, report smallest size bag as substitute and note weight. Use:
Russet or Idaho Baking.
Prescription Drug 1. Nexium, 30 capsules, 40 mg. Do not price
generic. Use: Nexium (40 mg).
Prescription Drug 2. Generic Amoxicil (i.e., Amoxicillin), 30
capsules, 250 mg. Use: Amoxicillin.
Printer, Color, Photo. Color inkjet all-in-one printer, flatbed
scanner, copier with media slots. Prints up to 4800 dpi., 12 ppm color,
17 ppm black and white, 8 MB memory. USB cable is not included.
(Include tax and shipping and handling, if applicable.) Use: HP PSC
1350 All-In-One.
Red Roses. One-dozen long stemmed, fresh-cut red roses wrapped in
floral paper, purchased in store, not delivered. Do not price boxed or
roses arranged in vase. Also price roses, each, and record in comments.
Use: Dozen red roses.
Refrigerator (Side-by-Side). Side-by-side refrigerator,
approximately 25 cubic feet, with chilled water, cubed ice or crushed
ice dispenser (but no dispenser lock). Up-front manual temperature
controls. Note: Model usually carried by Home Depot and Sears. Use:
General Electric GSS25JFPWW.
Refrigerator (Top Mount). Top mount refrigerator with reversible
doors, glass shelves, and crisper drawers. Door contains one or more
covered compartments and adjustable bins. Freezer has wire shelf and
door bins Use: Whirlpool ET1MTEXMQ (includes ice maker) and Maytag
MTB1953HEW (no ice maker).
Rental Data. Rental index from hedonic regressions. Use: Monthly
rental data from OPM.
Renter Insurance. One-year renters insurance (HO-4) coverage for
$25,000 (low), $30,000 (middle), and $35,000 (upper) of contents. In
COLA area, policy must cover hurricane, earthquake, and other
catastrophic damage. Note amount of liability coverage in comments;
price minimum liability coverage if it varies. Assume concrete
structure. Use: Major carrier.
Rice. White rice, not instant type. Use: Uncle Ben's Converted Rice
Original 5-lb bag long grain enriched; Goya 3-lb bag medium grain.
Salt. Twenty-six-ounce box of iodized salt. Sterling is an
equivalent brand. Use: Morton.
Shampoo. Fifteen-ounce bottle for normal hair. Use: VO5.
Sheets. Sheets, 250 and 300 thread count cotton or cotton polyester
blend. Queen-size fitted or flat sheet, not a set. Use: Martha Stewart
Everyday 4 Star, 250 thread count (K-Mart), Springmaid, 300 thread
count (Wal-Mart), and Wamsutta Egyptian Sateen, 300 thread count (Bed
Bath and Beyond).
Shop Rate. Hourly shop rate for a mechanic at Ford, Honda, Nissan,
and Toyota dealerships. (Use auto dealer worksheet.) Use: Dealer shop
rate.
Soy Milk. One half gallon vanilla soy milk. Use: White Wave Silk
Soy Milk.
Sirloin Steak, Boneless. Price per pound, fresh (not frozen or
previously frozen) boneless beef top sirloin steak. Price USDA Select
or un-graded if
[[Page 63203]]
available. If not available, note USDA grade in comments. Use average
size package; i.e., not family-pack, value-pack, super-saver pack, or
equivalent. If multiple brands available (e.g., store brand and
``Angus''), match the lowest priced item and note in comments. Use:
Available brand.
Sliced Bacon. Sixteen-ounce package USDA grade, regular slice. Use:
Oscar Mayer.
Snack Cake. One 10-count box of cream-filled type cake deserts.
Use: Hostess Twinkies.
Soft Drink. Twelve-pack of Coca-Cola 12-ounce cans. Use: Coca-Cola
12-pack (cans).
Spaghetti, Dry (National Brand). Sixteen-ounce box or bag of pasta
spaghetti. Use: Muellers.
Stamp. Cost of mailing a 1-ounce, first-class letter. Use: USPS.
Stand Mixer. Stand mixer with tilt-up head, 10 speeds, and
stainless steel bowl. Includes flat beater, dough hook, wire whip. Use:
JC Penney/Sears/Macys/Bed Bath and Beyond: KitchenAid 325 watt
(KSM150PSWW); Wal-Mart: KitchenAid 250 watt (K45SSWH).
Sugar. Five-pound bag of granulated cane or beet name brand sugar.
Do not price superfine, store brand, or generic. Use: National brand.
Tax Preparation. Flat rate for preparing individual tax Federal
1040 (long form), Schedule A, plus State or local equivalents. (Note:
Some areas only have local income taxes.) Note number of forms in
comments. Assume typical itemized deductions. If only hourly rate
available, obtain estimate of the time necessary to prepare forms,
prorate, and report as a substitute. Use: H&R Block type.
Taxi Fare. Cab fare, one way, from major airport to destination 5
miles away. Price fare for one passenger with two suitcases. In
reference area, price rides from BWI for Maryland, Reagan National for
the District of Columbia, and Dulles for Virginia. Use: Taxi fare.
Telephone Service. Monthly cost for unmeasured touchtone service.
Exclude options such as call waiting, call forwarding, or fees for
equipment rental. Itemize taxes and fees and add to price. Use: Local
provider.
Television 13''. 13-inch color TV with remote. Note: Model numbers
may vary slightly. Use: K-Mart: RCA E13320.
Television 27''. Flat-screen, 27 inch, stereo, color TV with
remote. Note: Model numbers may vary slightly. Use: Sony KV-27FS120 and
Panasonic CT27SL14; Wal-Mart: Philips 27PT6441.
Tennis Balls. One can of three pressurized tennis balls designed
for recreational play. Do not price premium type balls. Use: Wilson
Championship.
Tire Regular (Ford). One tire, size P235/75 R15 service description
105S load rating SL, ``original equipment'' quality, black sidewall for
a 2001 Ford Explorer XLT. Do not include mounting, balancing, or road
hazard warranty. Use: Goodyear Wrangler RT/S (Goodyear, Sears),
Michelin XCX/APT (Sears).
Tire Regular (Honda). One tire, size P185/70 R14, ``original
equipment'' quality for a 2001 Honda Civic LX sedan. Do not include
mounting, balancing, or road hazard warranty. Use: Goodyear Integrity
(Goodyear), Bridgestone Weatherforce (Goodyear, Sears).
Toilet Tissue. Twelve-count single-roll type package of toilet
tissue. Use: Angel Soft.
Tomatoes. Price per pound of medium-size tomatoes. If only
available in cellophane pack, note price and weight of average size
package. Do not price organic, hydro, plum, or extra fancy tomatoes.
Use: Available brand.
Top Round Steak, Boneless. Price per pound, fresh (not frozen or
previously frozen) boneless beef top round steak. Price USDA Select or
un-graded, if available. If not available, note USDA grade in comments.
Use average size package; i.e., not family-pack, value-pack, super-
saver pack, or equivalent. If multiple brands available (e.g., store
brand and ``Angus''), match the lowest priced item and note in
comments. Use: Available brand.
Toyota License, Registration, Taxes, & Inspection. License,
registration, periodic taxes (e.g., road or personal property tax, but
NOT one-time taxes such as sales tax), and inspection (e.g., safety and
emissions) on the Toyota specified for survey. Use: Specified Toyota.
Toyota. Purchase price of a 2005 Toyota Corolla LE 4-door sedan,
model number 1822, with 4-speed automatic transmission. Please note the
price of any special option packages. (Use auto dealer worksheet.) Use:
2005 Toyota Corolla LE (for U.S. Virgin Islands and DC area only).
Veterinary Services. Routine annual exam for a small dog
(approximately 25 to 30 pounds). Do not price booster shots,
medication, or other extras such as nail clipping, ear cleaning, etc.
Use: Veterinary services.
Video Rental. Minimum rental rate to rent Finding Nemo on DVD,
rented on a Saturday night. Use: Finding Nemo DVD.
Wash, Single Load. One load, regular size wash using a front
loading washing machine. Approximate capacity 2.8 cubic feet or 18
pounds. Exclude cost of drying. Use: Coin laundry.
Washing Machine (Front Load). Front load washer, white, 3.34 cubic
feet, 27 inch width, 14 cycles, 4 wash temperatures, with LED touchpad
controls. Use: Maytag MAH55FLBWW, Maytag Neptune MAH6500AWW.
Washing Machine (Top Load). Top load washer, 3.2 cubic feet. Use:
Kenmore Elite 24952, General Electric WDSR2080DWW.
Water Bill. Average monthly consumption in gallons and dollars
(e.g., cost for first -- gallons; cost for over -- gallons), sewage and
related charges, and customer service charge. Use: Water bill.
Will Preparation. Hourly rate for a lawyer (not a paralegal) to
prepare a simple will. If only flat rate available, record flat rate
amount and divide by average number of hours it would take to prepare
will. Note in comments. Use: Legal service.
Wine At Home. Chardonnay wine, 750 milliliter, any vintage. Use:
Turning Leaf.
Wine Away. Casual, fine dining, extra fine dining, and Outback type
restaurants. One glass of the least expensive house white wine. Check
sales tax and include in price. Use: House wine.
Woman's Athletic Shoe. Woman's walking shoe, soft leather upper.
Full-length Phylon midsole with low-pressure Air-Sole units in heel and
forefoot. Composition rubber outsole. Use: Reebok Classic.
Woman's Blouse. Button front blouse with minimum or no trim.
Washable. May or may not have shoulder pads. Price regular size. Do not
price in Woman's or Plus size. Note brand in comments. Use: Laura Scott
(Sears), Liz Baker (JC Penney), Charter Club (Macys).
Woman's Blue Jeans. Blue jeans. Machine washable, five pockets with
zipper fly, loose fit, straight leg or tapered. Price regular size. Do
not price in Woman's or Plus size sections. Do not price elastic waist.
Use: Calvin Klein (Macys), Lee original relaxed fit (JC Penney/Sears).
Woman's Casual Khakis. Woman's casual khakis, any color, flat front
or pleated pants, machine washable, all cotton. Price regular size. Do
not price in Woman's or Plus size sections. Use: Style & Company
(Macys), Lands End (JC Penney/Sears).
Woman's Cut and Style. Wash, cut, and styled blow dry for medium
length hair. Exclude curling iron if extra. Price hair salons in major
department stores and malls where available. Use: Medium length hair.
[[Page 63204]]
Woman's Dress. Price regular size. Do not price in Woman's or Plus
size. Use: Tommy Hilfiger Seersucker, striped, v-neck front and back,
button details, cotton. Macys: Nine West Triple-Tiered Dress, black,
velvet bodice trimmed in silk charmeuse with a bow at empire waist,
spaghetti straps, side zip, silk/rayon, silk lining. JC Penney/Sears:
Store brand, patterned, rayon, misses print dress, simple lines, no
lace or special stitching.
Woman's Dress (Catalog). Price regular size. Do not price in
Woman's or Plus size. Include sales tax and shipping and handling. Use:
JC Penney: Print Button-Front Dress, Misses, catalog number A208-3311,
vintage print dress, floral design, scoop neck, button front, cap
sleeves, princess seams and back darts. Nordstrom: Donna Ricco Print-
Overlay Surplice, sleeveless print dress, faux wrap with side drape,
secure closure, sheer silk chiffon layered over silk charmeuse, and a
bias-cut skirt. Spiegel: Houndstooth-print dress, catalog number 627
K7053, jewel neckline, waist-cinching attached tie belt, 3/4-length
slightly-belled sleeves, back zipper, cotton twill with spandex
stretch. Cold Water Creek: Double-V print dress, catalog number H14725,
cotton sateen with spandex, back zip, polyester-lined.
Woman's Jacket (Catalog). Price regular size. Do not price in
Woman's or Plus size. Include sales tax and shipping and handling. Use:
JC Penney: Floral Embroidered Jacket, catalog number A816-5016.
Nordstrom: Microfiber Anorak, water-repellent jacket with hideaway hood
that zips into collar, zip pocket at left chest, adjustable drawstring
waist, unlined, polyester/nylon.
Woman's Pump Shoes. Plain pump (not open toed or open back style)
with tapered approximately one and a half to two-inch heel. Heel color
matches shoe color (e.g., not stacked/wooden type). Shoe has leather
uppers. Rest is man-made materials. No extra ornamentation or extra
thick heels. Do not price leather sole shoe. Use: Naturalizer; Laura
Scott (JC Penney/Sears); Liz Claiborne (Macys).
Woman's Suit. Woman's two-piece polyester suit with plain jacket
and plain pants or skirt. Price regular size. Do not price in Woman's
or Plus size. Use: Le Suit.
Woman's Sweater. No buttons or collar, 100 percent cotton or cotton
blend. Price regular size. Do not price in Woman's or Plus size. Use:
Tommy Hilfiger Cricket, long sleeve, v-neck, stripe ribbed trim; Sag
Harbor (JC Penney/Sears), short sleeve; Style & Company (Macys), short
sleeve.
Woman's Sweater (Catalog). Striped Sweater, 3/4-length sleeves.
Cotton/rayon. Dry clean. Include sales tax and shipping and handling.
Use: Striped Sweater, Spiegel catalog number 627 T8062.
Woman's Wallet. Clutch/checkbook style wallet, split-grain cowhide
leather. Do not price eel skin, snake skin, or other varieties. Use:
Liz Claiborne.
Appendix 4.--COLA Rental Survey Data Collection Elements
Survey Year: Year of survey.
Comparable ID Code: A unique five-character code is applied to each
rental observation (i.e., comparable). Position One is the letter
corresponding to the COLA survey area in which the comparable is
located (e.g., A, B, C, D). Position Two is the letter corresponding to
the location in the COLA survey area in which the comparable is
located. Position Three is the letter corresponding to the class of
housing (i.e., A, B, C, D, E, F) as shown in the table below. Positions
Four and Five contain the sequential numbers 01-99 that identify the
order in which the comparable was collected relative to the other
comparable in the same area, location, and class.
Housing Classes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Description
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A............................................ Four bedroom, single
family unit not to
exceed 3200 square feet.
B............................................ Three bedroom, single
family unit not to
exceed 2600 square feet.
C............................................ Two bedroom, single
family unit not to
exceed 2200 square feet.
D............................................ Three bedroom apartment
unit not to exceed 2000
square feet.
E............................................ Two bedroom apartment
unit not to exceed 1800
square feet.
F............................................ One bedroom apartment
unit not to exceed 1400
square feet.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Community Name: The name of the community in which the comparable
is located.
Comparable's Address: The complete address of the physical location
of the comparable, including city, State, and zip code.
Data Source: The name and title (such as owner, agent, landlord, or
tenant) of the person providing rental survey data and rental rates.
Note: The respondent might not provide and cannot be compelled to
provide this or any other survey information.
Address of Data Source: The Data Source's mailing address, phone
number(s), and e-mail address, if available.
Year Constructed: The year the structure was built or last
remodeled, provided the remodeling affected about half of the structure
or more.
Finished Living Space: Total square feet of finished living area,
including finished basement space.
Basement: Whether there is a basement (finished or unfinished). Y =
Yes or N = No.
Bedrooms: The total number of rooms that currently are or could be
used as bedrooms.
Bathrooms: Total number of baths, where \1/2\ bath contains toilet
and sink; \3/4\ bath contains toilet, sink, and shower; and full bath
contains toilet, sink, shower, and tub.
Balcony: An elevated structure, sometimes called a ``terrace,''
that is either covered or uncovered and usually made of wood or cement.
It is distinguished from a deck because it does not have a ground-level
exit. A = Covered, B = Uncovered, C = None.
Deck: A wooden structure either covered or uncovered that is
elevated or at ground level. An elevated deck is distinguished from a
balcony because a deck has a ground-level exit (e.g., stairs). A =
Covered, B = Uncovered, C = None.
Patio: A cement, brick, or stone structure either covered or
uncovered built at ground level. A ground-level wooden structure is a
deck, not a patio. A = Covered, B = Uncovered, C = None.
External Condition: The external condition of the rental unit.
Above average condition means the unit is new or in like new condition
(e.g., recently remodeled, refurbished, or restored). Average condition
means the unit shows signs of age but is in good repair (e.g., the
paint is not peeling; no broken windows, sagging fences, or missing
gutters; the yard is maintained; there are no disabled vehicles,
appliances, or
[[Page 63205]]
trash around the property). Below average condition means the unit is
habitable but needs repair and the property needs maintenance and/or
trash removal. A = Above Average, B = Average, C = Below Average.
Neighborhood Condition: The condition of the neighborhood in which
the rental unit is located. A desirable neighborhood generally has
above average and average homes. Commercial services are separate
(e.g., clustered in strip malls or business parks). There are parks
and/or open public spaces. Roads and parks are well-maintained and
clean. An average neighborhood generally has homes in average condition
with a balance of homes in above average and below average condition.
Commercial services are separate. Roads and parks are in good condition
but may need cleaning or maintenance. An undesirable neighborhood
generally has homes in poor condition. Commercial units may be
intermingled with residential units. Roads are often poorly maintained
and have litter. There are few parks, and/or parks are poorly
maintained. A = Desirable, B = Average, C = Undesirable.
Central Air Conditioning: A ducted system designed to cool all or
essentially all of the living area of a house or apartment. Y = Yes or
N = No.
Multi-Room Air Conditioning: A non-window unit designed to cool
more than one room but not usually the entire house or apartment. Y =
Yes and number of units or N = No.
Window Air Conditioning: An air conditioning unit, designed to cool
one room, usually placed in a window. Y = Yes and number of units or N
= No.
Garage: A covered area attached to or near the house that can be
secured for parking one or more cars. If the landlord charges an extra
fee for garage parking, garage is coded as ``none,'' and the monthly
parking fee is reported separately. A = Single, B = Double, C = Triple
or More, D = None.
Heated Garage: A garage of any type that typically is heated during
the winter. Y = Yes or N = No.
Carport: A covered area attached to or near the house that cannot
be secured for parking one or more cars. If the landlord charges an
extra fee for carport parking, carport is coded as ``no,'' and the
monthly parking fee is reported separately. Y = Yes or N = No.
Reserved Parking Space: A specific parking space assigned to a
rental unit. The space may be located outside or in a common carport or
garage. If the landlord charges an extra fee for reserved parking,
reserved parking is coded as ``no,'' and the monthly parking fee is
reported separately. Y = Yes or N = No.
Security: Security measures relating to the rental unit. A gated
community usually has one entry into the housing area, and prominent
walls (brick, block, fencing, wire, or other type barriers) that
delineate the borders of the community. Access control restricts
pedestrian and/or vehicular access via key, keypad, barcode, or other
entry device to the community or apartment building. Guards are
security personnel who monitor entrance/exit of vehicular and
pedestrian traffic in/out of the community or apartment building. Alarm
systems are security systems that may or may not be monitored by an
outside company. Y = Yes or N = No for each type of security feature.
Type of unit: Types of units are coded A through H. Unit types A,
B, C, and D are single-family dwellings; and unit types E, F, and G are
apartments. A single-family dwelling has at least two doorway entrances
that provide direct access between the living area and outdoors,
usually at or near ground level. A sliding glass door is considered a
doorway entrance if it allows direct access to the outdoors and to
ground level. An apartment is a unit other than a single-family
dwelling that has at least one doorway entrance that provides access
between the living area and outdoors. Such access may be through a
lobby, hallway, shared stairwell, or other common area but cannot be
through the living area of other units. Sliding glass doors on
balconies are not doorway entrances. Ground-level or essentially
ground-level units in an apartment structure are not single-family
dwellings. Apartments have their own bathroom and kitchen facilities.
Units in an operating motel are not apartment units, even if they do
contain their own bathroom and kitchen facilities.
Rental Unit Types
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit type Description
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A............................................ Detached single-family
house.
B............................................ Duplex: One of two single-
family units in a
freestanding building.
C............................................ Triplex or Quadplex: One
of three or four single-
family units in a
freestanding building.
D............................................ Town or Row House: One of
five or more single-
family units in a
freestanding building.
E............................................ In-Home Apartment: An
apartment in a private
residence.
F............................................ Garden or Walk-Up
Apartment: An apartment
in a structure of three
stories or less.
G............................................ High Rise Apartment: An
apartment in a structure
of four stories or more.
H............................................ Other types of dwellings.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lot Size: Size of lot in square feet. (Detached houses only).
End Unit: End unit. (Town and row houses only.) Y = Yes or N = No.
Number of floors: Number of floors in the apartment structure.
(Walk-up and high rise apartments only.)
Furnishings Provided: Whether the landlord provides most or all
interior furnishings in the comparable. Y = Yes or N = No
Appliances Provided: Whether the landlord provides a refrigerator,
range, oven, microwave, dish washer, clothes washer, clothes dryer,
and/or free-standing freezer. Y = Yes or N = No for each type of
appliance.
Services Paid by Landlord: Whether the landlord pays for water,
sewer/septic, garbage, lawn care, cable television, satellite dish
(digital or analog), electricity, heating energy, firewood, and/or snow
removal. Y = Yes or N = No for each item.
Sewer: A = Public, B = Septic or Leach Field, C = None.
Water Source: A = Public, B = Well, C = Cistern, D = None.
Pets Allowed: Whether the landlord allows dogs and/or cats. Y = Yes
or N = No. If the landlord charges an extra monthly fee, pets allowed
is coded as ``no,'' and the monthly pet fees are reported separately.
Deposits are not reported.
Exceptional View: Whether the unit has a view of a park, ocean,
mountain, valley, golf course, etc. that is unusually beautiful for the
area and may increase the rental value of the property. Note:
Properties with direct access to such an amenity (e.g., are on a beach
or golf course) are not to be surveyed. Y = Yes or N = No.
[[Page 63206]]
Miscellaneous Amenities: Whether any of the following amenities are
available: fireplace, paved roads, streetlights, and sidewalks. Y = Yes
or N = No for each.
Recreational Facilities: Whether there is a pool, tennis court,
clubhouse, exercise room, and/or other facilities available to all of
the residents of the community, complex, or building for no additional
membership fees. Y = Yes or N = No for each.
Vacant: Whether the unit is vacant at time of survey. If unit is
vacant, how long the unit has been vacant and on the rental market is
also reported. Y = Yes or N = No.
Monthly Rent: The monthly rent or lease amount to the nearest U.S.
dollar. Deposits or additional fees reported separately (e.g., parking,
homeowner association, and pet fees) are not included.
Additional Fees: Additional periodic or scheduled fees or charges
that the tenant pays; e.g., condo or Home Owner Association fees. Y =
Yes or N = No. If yes, the fee is reported. Annual fees are prorated
and reported as monthly. Deposits, first or last months' rent,
utilities, tenant's insurance, and discretionary fees (e.g., cable TV
and community pool memberships) are not reported.
Source of Rental Listing: How the rental unit was identified. A =
Local Newspaper, B = Internet, C = Agent/Broker, D = Drive By/Sign
Posted, E = Other.
Date of Rental Listing: Date the rental data for the unit were
collected, or if for a different time period, the date associated with
the data and rent.
Latitude and Longitude of the Unit: Housing unit latitude and
longitude recorded in degrees and decimal degrees.
Comment(s): Any comment or note of significance that helps clarify
the above data elements as they apply to the comparable.
Appendix 5--Utility Usage and Calculations
2005 Energy Requirements and Prices
Table A5-1.--Caribbean Areas
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All electric home
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month KHW Puerto Rico USVI
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan.............................. 2,318 $322.14 $511.92
Feb.............................. 2,225 302.47 491.58
Mar.............................. 2,649 387.42 584.31
Apr.............................. 2,746 353.22 483.36
May.............................. 2,980 383.18 568.24
Jun.............................. 3,086 396.34 588.28
Jul.............................. 3,197 410.07 609.26
Aug.............................. 3,226 444.98 602.90
Sep.............................. 2,938 376.86 583.86
Oct.............................. 2,921 374.68 605.58
Nov.............................. 2,546 356.92 551.58
Dec.............................. 2,348 338.14 508.86
--------------------------------------
Total Cost................... 33,180 4,446.42 6,689.72
Avg Monthly Cost............. ........... 370.54 557.48
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table A5-2.--Washington, DC, Area
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All electric home Home with gas heat Home with oil heat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KHW Total KHW Total
Month KWH Cost Therms Cost \1\ Cost cost Gallons Cost \1\ Cost cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan..................................... 3,326 $263.52 126 $177.30 362 $31.84 $209.15 72 $159.18 1,007 $85.54 $244.72
Feb..................................... 2,688 262.40 101 143.44 320 31.48 174.91 56 123.81 891 89.55 213.36
Mar..................................... 1,812 177.83 68 93.71 322 31.69 125.39 27 59.69 938 94.16 153.85
Apr..................................... 966 74.36 34 51.66 316 26.23 77.88 2 4.42 909 70.52 74.94
May..................................... 1,170 88.15 34 54.88 544 43.15 98.04 0 0.00 1,166 87.87 87.87
Jun..................................... 1,377 132.98 32 55.10 784 72.59 127.69 0 0.00 1,369 132.15 132.15
Jul..................................... 1,648 165.46 34 56.13 1,022 99.78 155.91 0 0.00 1,636 162.85 162.85
Aug..................................... 1,566 157.85 33 55.12 957 93.56 148.68 0 0.00 1,555 155.40 155.40
Sep..................................... 1,246 124.07 32 50.50 653 62.26 112.76 0 0.00 1,241 122.53 122.53
Oct..................................... 975 93.81 35 53.06 315 30.02 83.09 1 2.21 941 89.78 91.99
Nov..................................... 1,797 145.72 67 102.74 311 28.07 130.81 28 61.90 911 78.08 139.98
Dec..................................... 2,797 231.32 106 147.80 344 32.63 180.43 58 128.23 952 85.23 213.45
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Cost.......................... ...... 1,917.47 ........ 1,041.44 ...... 583.30 1,624.74 ....... 539.44 ...... 1,253.66 1,793.09
Avg Monthly Cost.................... ...... 159.79 ........ 86.79 ...... 48.61 135.39 ....... ........ ...... ........ 149.42
Relative Usage.......................... ...... 33.20% ........ ........ ...... ....... 60.74% ....... ........ ...... ........ 6.06%
Weighted Avg Cost....................... ...... $53.05 ........ ........ ...... ....... $82.24 ....... ........ ...... ........ $9.06
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Energy Utility Cost (sum of the weighted average cost of Electric + Gas + Oil Heat)................................................. 144.34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ KWH required for lighting, appliances, and furnace. Model used gas for stove and oven with gas heat.
Appendix 6--Hedonic Rental Data Equations and Results
SAS Regression Program Using Proc Freq
Data temp;
set opm.all--areas--with--census;
survey--area = 'XX';
location = substr(compnumber,1,1);
if location = 'A' then survey--area = 'SC';
if location = 'B' then survey--area = 'ST';
if location = 'C' then survey--area = 'PR';
if location = 'D' then survey--area = 'DC';
age = 2005-yrbuilt;
agesq = age**2;
[[Page 63207]]
baths = fullbaths + halfbaths*.5 + threeqtrbaths*.75;
if unittype = 'A' then typeunit = 'ZDetached (A)';
if unittype = 'D' then typeunit = 'Town/Row (D)';
if unittype in ('B' 'C') then typeunit = 'Plex (BC)';
if unittype in ('E' 'H') then typeunit = 'OtherInHome (EH) ';
if unittype = 'F' then typeunit = 'Garden (F)';
if unittype = 'G' then typeunit = 'High Rise (G)';
AptOtherInHome = 0;
if unittype in ('E' 'H') then AptOtherInHome = 1;
SqftXApt--Other--InHome = 0;
if unittype in ('E' 'H') then SqftXApt--Other--InHome = sqfootage;
Plexed = 0;
if unittype in ('B' 'C') then Plexed = 1;
SqftXPlexed = 0;
if unittype in ('B' 'C') then SqftXPlexed = sqfootage;
HighRise = 0;
if unittype = 'G' then HighRise = 1;
SqftXHighRise = 0;
if unittype = 'G' then SqftXHighRise = sqfootage;
Garden = 0;
if unittype = 'F' then Garden = 1;
SqftXGarden= 0;
if unittype = 'F' then SqftXGarden = sqfootage;
Townrow = 0;
if unittype = 'D' then Townrow = 1;
SqftXTownrow = 0;
if unittype = 'D' then SqftXTownrow = sqfootage;
SqftXDetached = 0;
if unittype in ('A') then SqftXDetached = sqfootage;
hasmicrowave = 0;
exceptional--view = 0;
if excview = 'Y' then exceptional--view = 1;
if microwave = 'Y' then hasmicrowave = 1;
external--condition = 0;
if extrcond = 'A' then external--condition = 1;
pctallbasq = pctallba--**2;
ST--CROIX = 0;
if survey--area = 'SC' then ST--CROIX = 1;
ST--THOMAS = 0;
if survey--area = 'ST' then ST--THOMAS = 1;
Puerto--Rico = 0;
if survey--area = 'PR' then Puerto--Rico = 1;
Wash--DC = 0;
lrent = log(rent);
run;
PROC REG DATA = temp;
MODEL lrent = SqftXApt--Other--InHome SqftXPlexed SqftXGarden
SqftXHighRise SqftXTownrow SqftXDetached AptOtherInHome Plexed
HighRise Garden
Townrow age agesq baths bedrooms hasmicrowave external--condition
exceptional--view pctallba--pctallbasq pctschoolage
ST--CROIX ST--THOMAS Puerto--Rico;
Title1 '2005 CARIBBEAN RENTAL DATA';
Title2 'RENTAL ANALYSIS Federal Register MODEL';
run;
SAS Regression Output From Proc Freq
2005 Caribbean Rental Data.--Rental Analysis Federal Register Model
[The REG Procedure Model: MODEL1 Dependent Variable: lrent]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Observations Read.................................... 1815
Number of Observations Used.................................... 1815
------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analysis of Variance
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source DF Sum of squares Mean square F Value Pr > F
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model....................................................... 24 346.73868 14.44745 321.07 < .0001
Error....................................................... 1790 80.54676 0.04500
------------------------------------
Corrected Total......................................... 1814 427.28544
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Root MSE................................... 0.21213 R-Square........................... 0.8115
Dependent Mean............................. 7.10830 Adj R-Sq........................... 0.8090
Coeff Var.................................. 2.98423
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parameter Estimates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parameter Standard
Variable DF estimate error t Value Pr > [t]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intercept............................... 1 6.62494 0.05446 121.66 < .0001
SqftXApt--Other--InHome................. 1 0.00095295 0.00009853 9.67 < .0001
SqftXPlexed............................. 1 0.00026758 0.00005370 4.98 < .0001
SqftXGarden............................. 1 0.00026216 0.00005074 5.17 < .0001
SqftXHighRise........................... 1 0.00039949 0.00004163 9.60 < .0001
SqftXTownrow............................ 1 -9.03293E-7 0.00003901 -0.02 0.9815
SqftXDetached........................... 1 0.00017163 0.00002080 8.25 < .0001
AptOtherInHome.......................... 1 -0.82482 0.07898 -10.44 < .0001
Plexed.................................. 1 -0.25498 0.06672 -3.82 0.0001
HighRise................................ 1 -0.23650 0.04997 -4.73 < .0001
Garden.................................. 1 -0.13519 0.05508 -2.45 0.0142
Townrow................................. 1 0.21238 0.06091 3.49 0.0005
age..................................... 1 -0.00469 0.00077154 -6.08 < .0001
agesq................................... 1 0.00006550 0.00000819 8.00 < .0001
baths................................... 1 0.13097 0.01076 12.18 < 0001
BEDROOMS................................ 1 0.09847 0.00919 10.71 < .0001
hasmicrowave............................ 1 0.10119 0.01227 8.25 < .0001
external--condition..................... 1 0.15923 0.02201 7.23 < .0001
exceptional--view....................... 1 0.26800 0.02529 10.60 < .0001
PCTAllBA--.............................. 1 0.19366 0.11555 1.68 0.0939
pctallbasq.............................. 1 0.20591 0.12432 1.66 0.0978
PctSchoolAge............................ 1 -0.73645 0.11733 -6.28 < .0001
ST--CROIX............................... 1 -0.07718 0.02348 -3.29 0.0010
[[Page 63208]]
ST--THOMAS.............................. 1 0.06129 0.02291 2.68 0.0075
Puerto--Rico............................ 1 -0.39106 0.01564 -25.01 < .0001
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix 7.--Final Living-Cost Results for the Caribbean COLA Areas
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MEG weight PEG weight
Major expenditure group (MEG) Primary expenditure group (PEG) (percent) (percent) PEG index MEG index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puerto Rico
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Food........................................ ....................................... 13.35 .............. .............. 103.54
Cereals and bakery products............ 0.87 6.52 107.96 ..............
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs......... 1.62 12.11 103.44 ..............
Dairy products......................... 0.64 4.77 129.91 ..............
Fruits and vegetables.................. 0.80 6.00 107.12 ..............
Processed foods........................ 1.55 11.58 114.54 ..............
Other food at home..................... 0.34 2.56 103.01 ..............
Nonalcoholic beverages................. 0.46 3.43 115.71 ..............
Food away from home.................... 5.91 44.23 93.76 ..............
Alcoholic beverages.................... 1.17 8.79 113.82 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
2. Shelter and Utilities....................... ....................................... 35.59 .............. .............. 86.44
Shelter................................ 31.86 89.50 69.96 ..............
Energy utilities....................... 3.06 8.59 256.71 ..............
Water and other public services........ 0.68 1.91 92.50 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
3. Household Furnishings and Supplies.......... ....................................... 5.44 .............. .............. 97.46
Household operations................... 1.14 21.00 60.24 ..............
Housekeeping supplies.................. 1.18 21.71 100.92 ..............
Textiles and area rugs................. 0.34 6.30 106.78 ..............
Furniture.............................. 0.95 17.51 109.31 ..............
Major appliances....................... 0.37 6.76 106.81 ..............
Small appliances, misc. housewares..... 0.27 4.96 105.62 ..............
Misc. household equipment.............. 1.18 21.76 112.91 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
4. Apparel and Services........................ ....................................... 4.11 .............. .............. 106.06
Men and boys........................... 0.94 22.85 104.12 ..............
Women and girls........................ 1.73 42.11 118.19 ..............
Children under 2....................... 0.17 4.11 79.44 ..............
Footwear............................... 0.73 17.81 88.89 ..............
Other apparel products and svcs........ 0.54 13.12 102.20 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
5. Transportation.............................. ....................................... 15.78 .............. .............. 111.28
Motor vehicle costs.................... 8.54 54.10 108.89 ..............
Gasoline and motor oil................. 2.82 17.85 89.59 ..............
Maintenance and repairs................ 1.49 9.42 90.07 ..............
Vehicle insurance...................... 1.83 11.62 154.29 ..............
Public transportation.................. 1.11 7.02 142.20 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
6. Medical..................................... ....................................... 4.65 .............. .............. 67.07
Health insurance....................... 2.50 53.86 58.79 ..............
Medical services....................... 1.29 27.75 57.64 ..............
Drugs and medical supplies............. 0.86 18.39 105.53 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
7. Recreation.................................. ....................................... 4.61 .............. .............. 98.61
Fees and admissions.................... 1.04 22.50 91.98 ..............
Television, radios, sound equipment.... 0.69 15.01 106.48 ..............
Pets, toys, and playground equip....... 0.74 16.13 93.42 ..............
Other entertainment supplies, etc...... 0.64 13.80 108.47 ..............
Personal care products................. 0.66 14.30 104.46 ..............
Personal care services................. 0.55 11.84 80.83 ..............
Reading................................ 0.30 6.41 115.02 ..............
----------------
[[Page 63209]]
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
8. Education and Communication................. ....................................... 4.30 .............. .............. 110.77
Education.............................. 0.22 5.23 257.37 ..............
Communications......................... 3.72 86.50 102.06 ..............
Computers and computer svcs............ 0.36 8.28 109.22 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
9. Miscellaneous............................... ....................................... 12.16 .............. .............. 99.33
Tobacco products, etc.................. 0.41 3.37 91.91 ..............
Miscellaneous.......................... 1.53 12.58 96.85 ..............
Personal insurance and pensions........ 10.22 84.05 100.00 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
Overall Price Index............................ MEG Total........................... 100.00 .............. .............. 96.32
Plus Adjustment Factor......................... ....................................... .............. .............. .............. 7.00
Index Plus Adjustment Factor................... ....................................... .............. .............. .............. 103.32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Croix
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Food........................................ ....................................... 13.35 .............. .............. 114.20
Cereals and bakery products............ 0.87 6.52 123.59 ..............
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs......... 1.62 12.11 123.89 ..............
Dairy products......................... 0.64 4.77 148.44 ..............
Fruits and vegetables.................. 0.80 6.00 106.19 ..............
Processed foods........................ 1.55 11.58 134.21 ..............
Other food at home..................... 0.34 2.56 112.17 ..............
Nonalcoholic beverages................. 0.46 3.43 118.58 ..............
Food away from home.................... 5.91 44.23 107.57 ..............
Alcoholic beverages.................... 1.17 8.79 86.66 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
2. Shelter and Utilities....................... ....................................... 35.59 .............. .............. 126.46
Shelter................................ 31.86 89.50 98.78 ..............
Energy utilities....................... 3.06 8.59 386.23 ..............
Water and other public services........ 0.68 1.91 254.81 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
3. Household Furnishings and Supplies.......... ....................................... 5.44 .............. .............. 114.56
Household operations................... 1.14 21.00 55.84 ..............
Housekeeping supplies.................. 1.18 21.71 122.60 ..............
Textiles and area rugs................. 0.34 6.30 130.69 ..............
Furniture.............................. 0.95 17.51 142.39 ..............
Major appliances....................... 0.37 6.76 118.37 ..............
Small appliances, misc. housewares..... 0.27 4.96 110.74 ..............
Misc. household equipment.............. 1.18 21.76 135.83 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
4. Apparel and Services........................ ....................................... 4.11 .............. .............. 101.55
Men and boys........................... 0.94 22.85 107.81 ..............
Women and girls........................ 1.73 42.11 108.25 ..............
Children under 2....................... 0.17 4.11 121.87 ..............
Footwear............................... 0.73 17.81 79.41 ..............
Other apparel products and services.... 0.54 13.12 92.83 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
5. Transportation.............................. ....................................... 15.78 .............. .............. 113.50
Motor vehicle costs.................... 8.54 54.10 111.23 ..............
Gasoline and motor oil................. 2.82 17.85 92.74 ..............
Maintenance and repairs................ 1.49 9.42 83.02 ..............
Vehicle insurance...................... 1.83 11.62 125.60 ..............
Public transportation.................. 1.11 7.02 204.73 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
6. Medical..................................... ....................................... 4.65 .............. .............. 100.68
Health insurance....................... 2.50 53.86 106.59 ..............
Medical services....................... 1.29 27.75 75.57 ..............
Drugs and medical supplies............. 0.86 18.39 121.23 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
[[Page 63210]]
7. Recreation.................................. ....................................... 4.61 .............. .............. 106.28
Fees and admissions.................... 1.04 22.50 95.63 ..............
Television, radios, sound equipment.... 0.69 15.01 112.34 ..............
Pets, toys, and playground equip....... 0.74 16.13 107.40 ..............
Other entertainment supplies, etc...... 0.64 13.80 109.60 ..............
Personal care products................. 0.66 14.30 116.54 ..............
Personal care services................. 0.55 11.84 91.26 ..............
Reading................................ 0.30 6.41 124.39 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
8. Education and Communication................. ....................................... 4.30 .............. .............. 103.04
Education.............................. 0.22 5.23 222.55 ..............
Communications......................... 3.72 86.50 95.29 ..............
Computers and computer services........ 0.36 8.28 108.60 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
9. Miscellaneous............................... ....................................... 12.16 .............. .............. 103.45
Tobacco products, etc.................. 0.41 3.37 50.84 ..............
Miscellaneous.......................... 1.53 12.58 140.60 ..............
Personal insurance and pensions........ 10.22 84.05 100.00 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Thomas/St. John
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Food........................................ ....................................... 13.35 .............. .............. 118.16
Cereals and bakery products............ 0.87 6.52 124.14 ..............
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs......... 1.62 12.11 120.40 ..............
Dairy products......................... 0.64 4.77 169.39 ..............
Fruits and vegetables.................. 0.80 6.00 111.56 ..............
Processed foods........................ 1.55 11.58 145.53 ..............
Other food at home..................... 0.34 2.56 124.58 ..............
Nonalcoholic beverages................. 0.46 3.43 116.22 ..............
Food away from home.................... 5.91 44.23 109.43 ..............
Alcoholic beverages.................... 1.17 8.79 94.19 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
2. Shelter and Utilities....................... ....................................... 35.59 .............. .............. 138.16
Shelter................................ 31.86 89.50 111.85 ..............
Energy utilities....................... 3.06 8.59 386.23 ..............
Water and other public services........ 0.68 1.91 254.81 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
3. Household Furnishings and Supplies.......... ....................................... 5.44 .............. .............. 112.17
Household operations................... 1.14 21.00 55.68 ..............
Housekeeping supplies.................. 1.18 21.71 122.15 ..............
Textiles and area rugs................. 0.34 6.30 128.61 ..............
Furniture.............................. 0.95 17.51 134.05 ..............
Major appliances....................... 0.37 6.76 116.73 ..............
Small appliances, misc. housewares..... 0.27 4.96 110.74 ..............
Misc. household equipment.............. 1.18 21.76 133.27 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
4. Apparel and Services........................ ....................................... 4.11 .............. .............. 108.04
Men and boys........................... 0.94 22.85 107.81 ..............
Women and girls........................ 1.73 42.11 108.25 ..............
Children under 2....................... 0.17 4.11 138.20 ..............
Footwear............................... 0.73 17.81 102.75 ..............
Other apparel products and services.... 0.54 13.12 105.51 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
5. Transportation.............................. ....................................... 15.78 .............. .............. 122.90
Motor vehicle costs.................... 8.54 54.10 119.22 ..............
Gasoline and motor oil................. 2.82 17.85 124.59 ..............
Maintenance and repairs................ 1.49 9.42 76.56 ..............
Vehicle insurance...................... 1.83 11.62 129.01 ..............
Public transportation.................. 1.11 7.02 199.11 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
[[Page 63211]]
6. Medical..................................... ....................................... 4.65 .............. .............. 117.93
Health insurance....................... 2.50 53.86 111.09 ..............
Medical services....................... 1.29 27.75 124.53 ..............
Drugs and medical supplies............. 0.86 18.39 128.02 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
7. Recreation.................................. ....................................... 4.61 .............. .............. 107.17
Fees and admissions.................... 1.04 22.50 75.62 ..............
Television, radios, sound equipment.... 0.69 15.01 118.66 ..............
Pets, toys, and playground equipment... 0.74 16.13 111.52 ..............
Other entertainment supplies, etc...... 0.64 13.80 109.60 ..............
Personal care products................. 0.66 14.30 141.87 ..............
Personal care services................. 0.55 11.84 92.33 ..............
Reading................................ 0.30 6.41 124.85 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
8. Education and Communication................. ....................................... 4.30 .............. .............. 102.59
Education.............................. 0.22 5.23 194.29 ..............
Communications......................... 3.72 86.50 95.29 ..............
Computers and computer services........ 0.36 8.28 121.02 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
9. Miscellaneous............................... ....................................... 12.16 .............. .............. 102.30
Tobacco products, etc.................. 0.41 3.37 57.80 ..............
Miscellaneous.......................... 1.53 12.58 129.60 ..............
Personal insurance and pensions........ 10.22 84.05 100.00 ..............
----------------
PEG Total........................... .............. 100.00 .............. ..............
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix 7.--Final Living-Cost Results for the Caribbean COLA Area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Thomas/
Primary expenditure group St. Croix St. John U.S. Virgin
Major expenditure group (MEG) (PEG) index index Islands Wtd
(percent) (percent) index
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Virgin Islands
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employment Weights................. ........................... 42.26 57.74 ..............
1. Food........................ ........................... 114.20 118.16 116.49
Cereals and bakery products 123.59 124.14 123.91
Meats, poultry, fish, and 123.89 120.40 121.88
eggs.
Dairy products............. 148.44 169.39 160.54
Fruits and vegetables...... 106.19 111.56 109.29
Processed foods............ 134.21 145.53 140.75
Other food at home......... 112.17 124.58 119.34
Nonalcoholic beverages..... 118.58 116.22 117.22
Food away from home........ 107.57 109.43 108.64
Alcoholic beverages........ 86.66 94.19 91.01
2. Shelter and Utilities....... ........................... 126.46 138.16 133.22
Shelter.................... 98.78 111.85 106.33
Energy utilities........... 386.23 386.23 386.23
Water and other public 254.81 254.81 254.81
services.
3. Household Furnishings and ........................... 114.56 112.17 113.18
Supplies.
Household operations....... 55.84 55.68 55.75
Housekeeping supplies...... 122.60 122.15 122.34
Textiles and area rugs..... 130.69 128.61 129.49
Furniture.................. 142.39 134.05 137.57
Major appliances........... 118.37 116.73 117.42
Small appliances, misc. 110.74 110.74 110.74
housewares.
Misc. household equipment.. 135.83 133.27 134.35
4. Apparel and Services........ ........................... 101.55 108.04 105.30
Men and boys............... 107.81 107.81 107.81
Women and girls............ 108.25 108.25 108.25
Children under 2........... 121.87 138.20 131.30
Footwear................... 79.41 102.75 92.88
Other apparel products and 92.83 105.51 100.15
services.
5. Transportation.............. ........................... 113.50 122.90 118.93
Motor vehicle costs........ 111.23 119.22 115.84
[[Page 63212]]
Gasoline and motor oil..... 92.74 124.59 111.13
Maintenance and repairs.... 83.02 76.56 79.29
Vehicle insurance.......... 125.60 129.01 127.57
Public transportation...... 204.73 199.11 201.49
6. Medical..................... ........................... 100.68 117.93 110.64
Health insurance........... 106.59 111.09 109.19
Medical services........... 75.57 124.53 103.84
Drugs and medical supplies. 121.23 128.02 125.15
7. Recreation.................. ........................... 106.28 107.17 106.80
Fees and admissions........ 95.63 75.62 84.08
Television, radios, sound 112.34 118.66 115.99
equipment.
Pets, toys, and playground 107.40 111.52 109.77
equipment.
Other entertainment 109.60 109.60 109.60
supplies, etc.
Personal care products..... 116.54 141.87 131.17
Personal care services..... 91.26 92.33 91.88
Reading.................... 124.39 124.85 124.66
8. Education and Communication. ........................... 103.04 102.59 102.78
Education.................. 222.55 194.29 206.23
Communications............. 95.29 95.29 95.29
Computers and computer 108.60 121.02 115.77
services.
9. Miscellaneous............... ........................... 103.45 102.30 102.79
Tobacco products, etc...... 50.84 57.80 54.86
Miscellaneous.............. 140.60 129.60 134.25
Personal insurance and 100.00 100.00 100.00
pensions.
Overall Price Index................ ........................... .............. .............. 119.21
Plus Adjustment Factor............. ........................... .............. .............. 9.00
Preliminary COLA Index............. ........................... .............. .............. 128.21
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[FR Doc. E6-17951 Filed 10-26-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-39-P