Midwest CPI rises 1 percent year-to-year

The Midwest Consumer Price Index rose 1 percent year-to-year to land at 223.25 in September, according to a news release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The CPI - which shows price changes for energy, food and all other items - is measured in comparison to a base period of 1982-84. A typical market basket of goods and services that cost $100 in 1982-84 cost $223.25 last month. The index is not seasonally adjusted, and items are weighted based on their spending significance in certain areas. The Midwest region comprises 12 states, including Missouri, Iowa and Kansas.

The year-to-year increase was led by a 1.7 percent bump in the category measuring all other items other than food and energy. Within the index, shelter costs rose 2.1 percent, leading the advance, according to the release.

The food index in the Midwest rose 1.1 percent last month compared to September 2012, due to higher restaurant prices, which jumped 1.9 percent, and higher prices for food at home, up 0.7 percent.

Offsetting the increases was a 4.2 percent decrease in energy costs compared to the same time last year. Motor fuel prices dropped 8.2 percent during the last 12 months, representing the largest year-to-year decrease since October 2009. However, costs for piped utility gas service rose 4.7 percent, and electricity went up 0.4 percent, the release said.

Compared to August of this year, the September index registered little movement, with a 0.1 percent increase.[[In-content Ad]]