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BLS 09-13 FOR RELEASE: Friday, February 20, 2009

Consumer prices in the Phoenix-Mesa metropolitan area advanced 3.1 percent from one year prior and 0.6 percent in the second half of 2008 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden said higher prices for housing, transportation, and food and beverages contributed strongly to the all items index increase during the past year. Local Consumer Price Index data are not seasonally adjusted.

The housing index rose 2.2 percent for the year and 1.0 percent for the past six months. Prices for the shelter component of housing advanced 1.5 percent and the fuels and utilities component rose 4.5 percent for the year. During the past six months, costs for shelter edged down 0.1 percent, but costs for fuels and utilities increased 4.7 percent. Within fuels and utilities index, utility (piped) gas service prices declined 3.2 percent for the year and 3.0 percent for the past six months. Electricity prices increased 5.2 percent for the year and 10.9 percent for the past six months.

Prices paid for food and beverages rose 5.3 percent since last year. During this period, the food at home index advanced 6.9 percent and the food away from home index increased 3.6 percent. For the past six months, the overall food and beverages index rose 2.8 percent. Food at home prices were up 4.2 percent over the past six months and food away from home increased 2.0 percent.

Transportation prices increased 3.6 percent during the past year, but decreased 2.6 percent since the first half of 2008. Gasoline prices have significantly contributed to the overall movement of transportation prices. Gasoline prices were up 11.0 percent over the past year, but decreased 8.2 percent in the past six months.

Over the year, medical care prices rose 4.2 percent. Between the first half and second half of 2008, prices for medical care moved up 1.3 percent.

Over the year, apparel prices decreased 2.3 percent and were 4.4 percent lower over the past six months. Prices for recreation increased 2.7 percent since the second half of 2007 and 1.7 percent since the first half of 2008.

Education and communication prices advanced 3.2 percent during the past year and 2.4 percent during the past six months. Other goods and services rose 5.0 percent on an annual basis and 3.3 percent since six months ago.

The Phoenix area's Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) advanced to 119.616 (1982-84=100) during the second half of 2008. This means a market basket of goods and services that cost $100.00 in 1982-84 would have cost $119.62 during the last six months of 2008. Local area CPI data are not seasonally adjusted.

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Last Modified Date: February 20, 2009