KANSAS CITY, Kans. — Prices in the Midwest Region, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), increased 0.4 percent in November, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported.
Food
Food prices increased 0.5 percent for the month of November. Prices for food at home were unchanged, and prices for food away from home increased 1.2 percent for the same period.
Over the year, food prices advanced 7.1 percent. Prices for food at home rose 7.1 percent since a year ago, and prices for food away from home advanced 7.2 percent.
Energy
The energy index rose 0.8 percent over the month. The increase was mainly due to higher prices for gasoline (2.1 percent). Prices for natural gas service decreased 0.7 percent, and prices for electricity declined 0.8 percent for the same period.
Energy prices jumped 36.7 percent over the year, largely due to higher prices for gasoline (62.9 percent). Prices paid for natural gas service jumped 35.3 percent, and prices for electricity rose 3.6 percent during the past year.
All items less food and energy
The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.4 percent in November. Higher prices for new and used motor vehicles (2.0 percent) and shelter (0.4 percent) were partially offset by lower prices for apparel (-2.7 percent) and education and communication (-0.3 percent).
Over the year, the index for all items less food and energy increased 5.0 percent. Components contributing to the increase included new and used motor vehicles (17.2 percent), shelter (4.5 percent), and household furnishings and operations (7.6 percent).
Over the last 12 months, the CPI-U increased 7.3 percent. Food prices advanced 7.1 percent due to increases in both the food at home index and the food away from home index. Energy prices jumped 36.7 percent, largely the result of an increase in the price of gasoline. The index for all items less food and energy increased 5.0 percent over the year.