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BLS 09-24 FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported consumer prices in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton area increased 1.0 percent for the two months ending February 2009. Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden said that the increase in the all items index was mainly due to higher prices for transportation. From February 2008 to February 2009, overall prices advanced 1.4 percent and the all items less food and energy index rose 2.7 percent. Local Consumer Price Index (CPI) data are not seasonally adjusted.

The transportation index rose 2.5 percent during the past two months, primarily due to an 18.9 percent jump in gasoline prices. Over the year, the transportation index declined 7.0 percent and gasoline prices dropped 31.2 percent.

The housing index rose 0.5 percent for the two months ending February 2009, and compared to a year ago, was 3.8 percent higher. Shelter, the primary component of housing, increased 0.9 percent over the past two months and was up 4.7 percent over the past year. Within the shelter category, the rent of primary residence index was unchanged from December to February, yet rose 5.5 percent over the year. The owners equivalent rent of primary residence increased 0.5 percent since December and advanced 6.5 percent since February 2008. Shelter also includes lodging away from home, an unpublished subcategory. Household energy, another component of housing, decreased 1.0 percent during the past two months, but was 1.8 percent higher over the past 12 months. Within the household energy index, prices for both electricity and utility (piped) gas services declined 0.4 percent over the past two months. Compared to February 2008, prices for electricity moved down 0.4 percent, while prices for utility (piped) gas service rose 15.0 percent. Prices for household furnishings and operations decreased 2.5 percent over the past two months and 2.8 percent over the past year.

The food and beverages index increased 0.7 percent from December to February and 5.3 percent over the year. Grocery prices, as measured by the food at home index, moved up 0.8 percent over the past two months and were 7.3 percent higher than a year ago. Food away from home prices rose 0.4 percent from December to February and advanced 3.4 percent for the latest 12-month period.

Medical care prices increased 1.9 percent for the two months ending in February, but declined 0.2 percent over the year.

Apparel prices increased 6.9 percent for the latest two-month period, but were 2.3 percent lower over the past year.

Among the remaining major expenditure categories, prices for education and communication edged up 0.1 percent, but prices for recreation moved down 0.8 percent for the latest two-month period. Over the past year, education and communication prices advanced 4.1 percent and recreation prices rose 0.9 percent. The other goods and services index decreased 1.5 percent from December to February, but rose 1.0 percent over the latest 12-month period.

The All Items, Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area measured 224.737 (1982-84=100). This means a market basket of goods and services that cost $100.00 in 1982-84 would have cost $224.74 in February 2009.

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Last Modified Date: March 18, 2009