The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area declined by 0.2 percent from June to August, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee stated that “the index for all items less food and energy fell 0.3 percent over the two-month period.” The report noted that the energy index remained unchanged during this time, while the food index saw a slight increase of 0.1 percent.
Over the past year, the CPI-U for all items in Miami rose by 2.5 percent through August. The index for all items excluding food and energy increased by 2.4 percent during this period, while the food index climbed 4.8 percent and the energy index edged up by 0.2 percent.
Within grocery store purchases, prices rose in four out of six major categories from June to August, with nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials increasing by 4.0 percent and dairy products rising by 3.1 percent; however, fruit and vegetable prices dropped by 3.8 percent over those two months.
Looking at longer-term trends, four out of six major grocery store food group indexes increased over the past year, including other food at home (up 11.8 percent) and meats, poultry, fish, and eggs (up 7.1 percent). Food away from home costs advanced by 5.0 percent over twelve months.
Energy prices were stable between June and August but showed a modest annual rise of 0.2 percent as of August; gasoline prices specifically decreased by 9.1 percent compared to last year.
The category covering all items except food and energy dropped by 0.3 percent between June and August, with notable declines seen in household furnishings (-5.9%), apparel (-5.4%), other goods and services (-2.5%), and medical care (-0.6%). Conversely, shelter costs rose slightly (up 0.4%) during this time frame; alcoholic beverages saw a significant increase (+13.3%), as did education and communication (+1.4%).
For annual figures on shelter-related expenses: both owners’ equivalent rent and rent indices grew about three percent each since last August.
The next release of Consumer Price Index data for September is scheduled for October 15, with another update covering October set for November 13.
The CPI measures average price changes over time based on a fixed basket of goods and services; local-area indexes like Miami’s are published every two months but tend to be more volatile than national averages due to smaller sample sizes and lack of seasonal adjustment factors.
Miami’s local CPI does not compare price levels between cities but tracks changes within its own region since its base period.
More information about data history or methodology can be found via BLS resources or technical documentation online.
