The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor is the principal Federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy.
For Release: Thursday, March 10, 2022
22-249-KAN
MOUNTAIN-PLAINS INFORMATION OFFICE: Kansas City, Mo.
Technical information:
(816) 285-7000 BLSInfoKansasCity@bls.gov www.bls.gov/regions/mountain-plains
Media contact:
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Consumer Price Index, St. Louis – February 2022
Area prices were up 1.1 percent over the past two months, up 8.2 percent from a year ago
Prices in the St. Louis area, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U),
advanced 1.1 percent for the two months ending in February 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
reported today. Regional Commissioner Michael Hirniak noted that the food index increased 3.2 percent, and
the energy index advanced 2.9 percent in January and February. The all items less food and energy index rose
0.6 percent over the past two months. Among the indexes within the all items less food and energy category,
prices were higher for owners’ equivalent rent of residences and new and used motor vehicles. (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 8.2 percent. The index for all items less food and energy advanced 6.3
percent over the year. Energy prices jumped 26.7 percent, while food prices increased 10.7 percent. (See chart
1 and table 1.)
2
Food
Food prices increased 3.2 percent for the two months ending in February 2022. Prices for food away from
home (which includes restaurant, cafeteria, and vending purchases) increased 4.1 percent, while prices for
food at home advanced 2.6 percent for the same period.
During the 12 months ending in February 2022, food prices rose 10.7 percent. Prices for food away from home
jumped 15.5 percent over the year. Prices for food at home advanced 7.4 percent during the period.
Energy
The energy index advanced 2.9 percent in January and February. The increase was mainly due to higher prices
for gasoline (+7.0 percent), but prices for natural gas also contributed (+0.6 percent). Part