Midwest consumer prices drop for 9th straight month

The Midwest Consumer Price Index ticked down 0.8 percent in September, representing the ninth straight month of year-to-year decreases.

The Midwest CPI landed at 225.18 last month, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics news release.

The CPI – which reflects 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 $225.18 last month. The index is not seasonally adjusted, and items are weighted based on their spending significance in certain areas, according to the BLS.

The September decrease was largely attributable to a 19.2 percent drop in the energy index, according to the release.

In that index, motor fuel prices fell 29.8 percent, piped utility gas service moved down 18.1 percent and electricity costs were largely unchanged.

A 1.4 percent advance in the food index was led by a 3 percent increase in costs for food away from home. Price for food at home rose 0.4 percent, according to the release.

In the category for all other items, the index increased 1.3 percent. Higher costs were recorded for shelter, at 2.3 percent, and medical care services, at 2.2 percent.