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BLS 09-12 FOR RELEASE: Friday, February 20, 2009

Consumer prices in the San Diego metropolitan area advanced 3.2 percent from one year prior, but inched down 0.1 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 housing and food prices contributed largely to the all items index increase. Additionally, the special energy aggregate index was up 7.8 percent over the past year. Local Consumer Price Index data are not seasonally adjusted.

The housing index rose 3.7 percent for the year and by 1.0 percent for the past six months. Prices for the shelter component of housing advanced 2.9 percent and the fuels and utilities component rose 10.1 percent for the year. During the past six months costs for shelter increased 0.6 percent and costs for fuels and utilities increased 7.4 percent. Within fuels and utilities index, (utility) piped gas service prices increased 11.3 percent for the year, but fell 8.6 percent for the past six months. Electricity prices increased 9.6 percent for the year and rose by 13.6 percent for the past six months.

Food and beverage prices rose by 5.0 percent in 2008. In the past year, prices paid for food at home increased 7.6 percent, and prices for food away from home increased 3.0 percent. For the past six months, the overall food and beverages index rose 2.1 percent. Food at home prices were up 3.5 percent over the past six months and food away from home prices increased 1.0 percent. Alcoholic beverages prices rose 2.7 percent since the second half of 2007 and increased 1.5 percent over the past six months.

Transportation prices increased 1.4 percent during the past year, but declined 4.4 percent since the first half of 2008. Annual gasoline prices rose 6.4 percent over the past year. In the past six months, gasoline prices have declined 10.8 percent.

Apparel prices fell 1.6 percent over the year and by 3.7 percent over the past six months. Prices for recreation increased 4.2 percent since the second half of 2007 and by 0.3 percent over the past six months.

Education and communication prices advanced 0.7 percent during the past year, but fell by 1.0 percent during the past six months. Other goods and services rose 4.7 percent on an annual basis and increased by 1.4 percent since six months ago.

The San Diego area's Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) advanced to 242.185 (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 $242.19 during the last six months of 2008.

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Last Modified Date: February 20, 2009