The Midwest Consumer Price Index rose 0.2 percent in April compared to the month before, according to information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The April CPI level of 218 was 2.7 percent higher than the level in April 2009.
The biggest factor in the increase was transportation costs, which increased 1.3 percent for the month, led by a 4.2 percent increase in prices for motor fuel. Energy prices overall were up 1.2 percent, with the higher motor fuel costs offset by lower costs for household fuels.
Overall housing costs were down 0.1 percent for the month, while food costs increased 0.1 percent.
Transportation costs increased 1 percent for the month and 12.8 percent from last year, while the medical care cost index rose 0.1 percent for the month and 3.6 percent compared to April 2009.
The Consumer Price Index compares current costs of a selected basket of items to the cost of the same items in the base years of 1982–1984. Items that cost $100 in the base year, for example, now cost $218.[[In-content Ad]]