October Midwest CPI registers at 220.38

The October Midwest Consumer Price Index for all urban consumer registered at 220.38, a 2.2 percent increase compared to same month a year ago.

Month-to-month, the Midwest CPI decreased 0.3 percent, the largest decline in a year, 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 $220.38 last month. The index is not seasonally adjusted, and items are weighted based on their spending importance in certain areas.

Compared to October 2011, last month's energy costs rose 4.1 percent, led by a 9.3 percent increase in motor fuel prices and a 1.5 percent rise in energy costs. Offsetting the increases was a 9.1 percent decline in the energy costs for piped utility gas service, the release said.

October food prices rose 1.6 percent overall compared to the same month last year. Costs for food away from home and food at home both increased, by 3 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively.

The index for all other items was up 2 percent in October. Leading the advance was a 2.1 percent rise in shelter costs, a 4.3 percent increase in medical care costs and a 2.6 percent bump for recreation, the release said.