U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics13-325-SAN
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Prices in the greater San Diego area, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), edged up 0.3 percent in the second half of 2012, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (See table A.) Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden noted that the six-month increase was influenced by higher prices for shelter and recreation. (Data in this report are not seasonally adjusted. Accordingly, month-to-month changes may reflect seasonal influences.)
Over the past 12 months, the CPI-U rose 1.5 percent. (See chart 1.) Energy prices increased 2.0 percent, mainly due to an increase in the price of gasoline. The index for all items less food and energy increased 1.9 percent over the year.
Food
Food prices decreased 0.3 percent in the second half of 2012. (See table 1.) Prices for food at home declined 1.1 percent for the past six months. Prices for food away from home rose 0.8 percent for the same period.
For the year ending in the second half of 2012, food prices rose 0.4 percent. Prices for food at home decreased 1.0 percent during the past 12 months, but prices for food away from home increased 2.6 percent.
Energy
The energy index declined 0.6 percent since the first half of 2012. This decrease was mainly due to lower prices for gasoline (-2.8 percent).
Energy prices increased 2.0 percent over the year, strongly influenced by a 5.2 percent rise in gasoline prices. In contrast, natural gas prices fell 13.6 percent and electricity prices were down 3.6 percent over the year.
