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BLS 09-11 FOR RELEASE: Friday, February 20, 2009

Consumer prices in the Portland-Salem metropolitan area advanced 2.7 percent from one year prior and 0.7 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 food and housing prices contributed largely to the all items index increase. Additionally, the all items less food and energy special aggregate index increased 1.9 percent in 2008 and the special energy aggregate index was up 5.0 percent over the past year. Local Consumer Price Index data are not seasonally adjusted.

Food and beverage prices increased by 6.5 percent in 2008, up from 3.4 percent in 2007. In 2008, prices paid for food at home increased 7.1 percent, while prices paid for food away from home increased 5.7 percent. For the past six months, the overall food and beverages index rose 4.1 percent. Food at home prices were up 3.6 percent over the past six months, and food away from home prices increased 4.6 percent. Alcoholic beverages prices rose 5.6 percent since the second half of 2007 and increased 2.4 percent over the past six months.

The housing index rose 2.1 percent for the year and 1.2 percent for the past six months. Prices for the shelter component of housing advanced 2.7 percent, while the fuels and utilities component inched down 0.1 percent for the year. During the past six months costs for shelter increased 1.7 percent and costs for fuels and utilities increased 0.5 percent. Within fuels and utilities index, (utility) piped gas service prices declined 1.0 percent for the year, but rose 5.1 percent for the past six months. Electricity prices fell 3.5 percent for the year and declined 2.9 percent for the past six months.

Transportation prices increased 2.7 percent during the past year, but declined 2.7 percent since the first half of 2008. Annual gasoline prices rose 9.7 percent over the past year. In the past six months, gasoline prices have declined 8.6 percent.

Over the year, medical care prices rose 4.7 percent. Between the first half and second half of 2008, prices for medical care increased 2.0 percent.

Apparel prices fell 6.9 percent over the year and by 6.3 percent over the past six months. Prices for recreation increased 1.5 percent since the second half of 2007 and 1.1 percent over the past six months.

Education and communication prices advanced 3.4 percent during the past year, and by 2.6 percent during the past six months. Other goods and services rose 2.5 percent on an annual basis, but declined 0.5 percent since six months ago.

The Portland area's Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) advanced to 216.159 (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 $216.16 during the last six months of 2008.

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Last Modified Date: February 20, 2009