The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell area rose 0.1 percent from June to August, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee stated that “the food index advanced 1.2 percent over the two-month span.” The energy index increased by 0.4 percent during this period, while the index for all items excluding food and energy declined by 0.1 percent.
Over the past year, the all items CPI-U in Atlanta increased by 1.7 percent as of August. The index for all items less food and energy grew by 1.9 percent, while the food index rose by 3.5 percent over the same period. In contrast, the energy index dropped by 2.3 percent in the last year.
Breaking down recent changes, from June to August, prices for food away from home climbed 1.9 percent and those for food at home went up by 0.8 percent. Notable increases were seen in meats, poultry, fish, and eggs (+2.3 percent), as well as nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials (+3.3 percent). Over twelve months, prices for food away from home increased by 6.9 percent and meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose by 7.3 percent.
Energy costs showed a modest rise of 0.4 percent over two months but fell overall during the past year due largely to a drop in gasoline prices of 9.5 percent since last August.
Indexes within all items less food and energy saw declines in apparel (-4.6 percent), medical care (-1.1 percent), and recreation (-1.3 percent) over two months ending in August; however, owners’ equivalent rent increased by 0.5 percent and education and communication rose by 1.6 percent during that time frame.
Year-over-year data showed shelter costs rising by 2.3 percent with owners’ equivalent rent up by 3 percent; household furnishings and operations posted an increase of eight percent compared to last year while apparel prices dropped by 7.5 percent.
The next release of CPI data for September is scheduled for October 15 at 8:30 a.m., with October’s figures set to be published on November 13 at the same time.
The Consumer Price Index tracks average price changes over time using a fixed basket of goods and services; regional indexes like Atlanta’s are published every two months with more limited detail than national averages due to smaller sample sizes which can result in greater volatility in local results (https://www.bls.gov/cpi/). Local indexes do not compare price levels between cities but measure changes since their base periods within each area.
For additional historical data or technical information about methodology or sampling error related to these statistics, readers are directed to BLS resources such as Chart 1 or Table 1 included with this release or consult national technical notes or methods handbooks available through BLS channels.
