Midwest CPI records slight April bump

The Midwest Consumer Price Index reached 226.21 in April, a 0.3 percent increase compared to 225.49 in March, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released yesterday.

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 $226.21 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.

Higher motor fuel, food and shelter costs led the monthly CPI increase in the Midwest, according to a news release.

Overall, the energy index rose 0.5 percent following a 6 percent increase in March. Motor fuel prices rose 1.7 percent month-to-month and electricity prices were up 1.9 percent, figures offset by a 2.4 percent decrease in costs for piped utility gas services.

Within the food index - which rose 0.4 percent overall - costs for food at home rose 0.5 percent and costs for food away from home increased by 0.4 percent, according to the BLS.

Lending to the 0.3 percent increase in all other items was a 0.2 percent bump in shelter costs, 0.7 percent increase for apparel and 0.3 percent jump in education and communication services.

The Midwest CPI rose 1.9 percent in April compared to the same month of 2013, according to the release.