For Release: Thursday, March 10, 2022
22-236-DAL
SOUTHWEST INFORMATION OFFICE: Dallas, Texas
Technical information:
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Consumer Price Index, Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land – February 2022
Area prices were up 2.1 percent over the past two months, up 7.8 percent from a year ago
Prices in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land area, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All
Urban Consumers (CPI-U), advanced 2.1 percent for the two months ending in February 2022, the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Michael Hirniak noted that this was the
largest bi-monthly increase since April 2011. The food index rose 2.1 percent, while the energy index rose 2.7
percent in January and February. The all items less food and energy index rose 2.0 percent over the past two
months. Among the indexes within the all items less food and energy category, prices were higher for shelter
and recreation. (Data in this report are not seasonally adjusted. Accordingly, bi-monthly changes may reflect
seasonal influences.)
Over the last 12 months, the CPI-U rose 7.8 percent, the largest rise since August 1982. (See chart 1.) The
index for all items less food and energy rose 6.5 percent over the year. Energy prices jumped 24.5 percent,
while food prices increased 6.8 percent. (See table 1.)
2
Food
Food prices increased 2.1 percent for the two months ending in February. Prices for food at home (groceries)
advanced 3.1 percent, partly driven by a rise in cereals and bakery products. Prices for food away from home
(restaurant, cafeteria, and vending purchases) increased 1.1 percent for the same period.
During the 12 months ending in February 2022, food prices increased 6.8 percent, the largest rise since
October 2008. Prices for food at home advanced 8.4 percent, partly due to a rise in meats, poultry, fish, and
eggs. Prices for food away from home rose 5.3 percent since a year ago.
Energy
The energy in