Consumer prices in the South region increased slightly in July, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.1 percent during the month.
The index for all items less food and energy also recorded a 0.1 percent increase over the month. Food prices saw a higher monthly rise at 0.3 percent, while energy prices edged up by 0.1 percent.
Over the past year, consumer prices in the South climbed 2.3 percent, matching the annual rate reported for June. The index for all items excluding food and energy was up 2.8 percent from July last year, while food costs also increased by 2.8 percent during that period. Energy prices fell by 3.4 percent over the same timeframe.
Within food categories, both grocery store purchases and eating out registered a monthly increase of 0.3 percent in July. Five of six major grocery store food group indexes posted gains, with meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rising by 1.0 percent.
For the year ending in July, restaurant and cafeteria prices rose faster than grocery store costs—up 3.9 percent compared to a 2.0-percent increase for groceries.
Energy price changes were mixed: natural gas rose by 0.5 percent over the month but electricity and gasoline remained unchanged in July.
Looking at yearly figures within energy components, gasoline dropped sharply—down 11.6 percent—while electricity increased by 5.2 percent and natural gas surged by 10.5 percent.
The shelter index was up by 0.2 percent on a monthly basis; owners’ equivalent rent contributed with a rise of 0.3 percent in July.
Used cars and trucks saw an uptick of 0.8 percent during the month, while apparel prices declined by 1.8 percent.
On an annual basis, shelter costs went up by 3.4 percent and owners’ equivalent rent advanced by 3.8 percent.
The next release of regional CPI data is scheduled for September 11, when August figures will be published at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm.
The CPI measures average price changes over time using a fixed basket of goods and services; regional indexes like those for the South are published each month as part of this national program (https://www.bls.gov/cpi/). The South region includes Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.