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BLS 09-23 FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today that the February 2009 All Items Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose area increased 1.7 percent over the past two months. This compares to a 3.2 percent decrease for the October to December period. Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden noted that higher housing and transportation prices contributed significantly to the recent increase in consumer prices. Over the past year, Bay Area consumer prices were advanced 1.2 percent. Local Consumer Price Index data are not seasonally adjusted.

The housing index, which comprises 47 percent of the San Francisco area's all items index, increased 1.1 percent since December and 2.6 percent compared to 12 months ago. Shelter, household fuels and utilities, and household furnishings and operations are all components of the housing index. Shelter increased 1.0 percent over the past two months and increased 2.6 percent over the past year. Household fuels and utilities prices advanced 2.2 percent since December and 3.2 percent since February 2008. Within household fuels and utilities, prices for the utility (piped) gas service index advanced 12.8 percent, but electricity prices inched down 0.1 percent during the past two months. Since February 2008, the utility (piped) gas service index dropped 11.0 percent, but electricity prices rose 8.7 percent. Meanwhile, household furnishings and operations advanced 0.9 percent since December and 2.1 percent from a year ago.

Transportation prices in the San Francisco area increased by 3.8 percent between December and February. Over the past 12 months, transportation prices declined by 7.1 percent. The transportation index, accounts for approximately 15 percent of the all items index. Within the transportation index, gasoline prices jumped 19.1 percent over the past two months, but have fallen 31.9 percent over the past year.

The San Francisco area's food and beverages index, which accounts for roughly 15 percent of the San Francisco all items index, decreased by 0.3 percent and was the only major expenditure category to decline during the past two months. Food and beverages prices were 2.7 percent higher than last year's level. The food at home index, which measures grocery prices, declined 1.2 percent over the past two months, but rose 2.0 percent from a year ago. Food away from home prices advanced 0.6 percent since December and 3.1 percent since February 2008. Additionally, prices for alcoholic beverages edged up 0.1 percent over the past two months and advanced 4.8 percent over the past year.

Medical care prices increased 3.5 percent since December and 3.0 percent since February 2008. The apparel index rose 8.6 percent over the past two months and advanced 2.6 percent over the past year.

The San Francisco area's education and communication prices edged up 0.2 percent since December and has increased 4.5 percent compared to February 2008.

Among the remaining major expenditure categories, the recreation index increased 1.9 percent, and the other goods and services index increased 1.4 percent between December and February. Over the past year, recreation prices advanced 1.7 percent and other goods and services prices rose 5.1 percent.

The all items less food and energy special aggregate index increased 1.5 percent since December. Over the past 12 months, the index has advanced 2.8 percent. Additionally, the special aggregate energy index increased 10.5 percent over the past two months, but stood 20.4 percent lower than in February 2008.

The All Items Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area, stands at 222.166 (1982-84=100). This means a market basket of goods and services that cost $100.00 in 1982-84 would have cost $222.17 in February 2009.

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Last Modified Date: March 18, 2009