The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell area increased by 0.1 percent from June to August, according to a report released by 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 rose by 0.4 percent during the same 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 for Atlanta rose by 1.7 percent as of August. The index for all items less food and energy increased by 1.9 percent, while the food index was up 3.5 percent over twelve months. In contrast, the energy index fell by 2.3 percent during this time.
From June to August, prices for food away from home—such as restaurant and cafeteria purchases—increased by 1.9 percent, and grocery store purchases were up 0.8 percent in the same period. Four out of six major grocery store food groups saw price increases, including meats, poultry, fish, and eggs (+2.3 percent), as well as nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials (+3.3 percent).
Year-over-year data show that prices for food away from home rose 6.9 percent and those for food at home climbed 1.2 percent since last August; meats, poultry, fish, and eggs increased by 7.3 percent in that span.
Energy costs rose slightly between June and August with gasoline prices up just 0.2 percent; however, over twelve months gasoline prices dropped by 9.5 percent.
Among indexes excluding food and energy, apparel (-4.6%), medical care (-1.1%), and recreation (-1.3%) saw declines over two months ending in August; owners’ equivalent rent (+0.5%) and education/communication (+1.6%) recorded increases.
Looking at longer-term changes for items less food and energy: shelter costs grew by 2.3% over twelve months; owners’ equivalent rent was up by 3%; household furnishings/operations jumped eight percent; apparel fell seven-and-a-half-percent compared to last year.
The next release of Consumer Price Index data is scheduled for October 15, with local Atlanta area data set to be published on November 13.
The Consumer Price Index measures average price changes paid over time in a fixed basket of goods/services (source). Local area indexes such as Atlanta’s are published every two months but have smaller sample sizes than national or regional indexes—making them more volatile—and are not seasonally adjusted (more information).
The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metropolitan statistical area covers several counties in Georgia including Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett among others.
Further technical details about methodology can be found in national CPI releases or through BLS resources online.
