Midwest CPI unchanged in August, up 1.2% year-to-year

The Midwest Consumer Price Index registered little month-to-month movement in August, but moved 1.2 percent higher than the same month of 2012.

The index rose 0.1 percent in August to 223.05 from July, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics news release.

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 $223.05 last month. The index is not seasonally adjusted, and items are weighted based on their spending significance in certain areas.

The year-to-year increase was led by a 2.3 percent bump in the energy index. Within that index, fuel prices led the way, with a 5.2 percent increase, the release said.

The food index rose 1.2 percent, led by a 1.9 percent bump in food away from home; while the other items category increased 1.7 percent, led by a 3.4 percent rise in the cost of medical care services.

The Midwest region comprises 12 states, including Missouri, Iowa and Kansas.