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, November 12, 2020
20-2121-SAN
WESTERN INFORMATION OFFICE: San Francisco, Calif.
Technical information:
(415) 625-2270 BLSinfoSF@bls.gov www.bls.gov/regions/west
Media contact:
(415) 625-2270
Consumer Price Index, Phoenix area – October 2020
Area prices were up 0.3 percent over the past two months, up 0.7 percent from a year ago
Prices in the Phoenix area, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U),
increased 0.3 percent for the two months ending in October 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported
today. Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Richard Holden noted that the October increase was
influenced by higher prices for shelter and food. (Data in this report are not seasonally adjusted. Accordingly,
bi-monthly changes may reflect seasonal influences.)
Over the last 12 months, the CPI-U increased 0.7 percent. The index for all items less food and energy
increased 1.4 percent over the year. Food prices rose 3.1 percent. Energy prices fell 10.8 percent, largely the
result of a decrease in the price of gasoline. (See table 1.)
Food
Food prices rose 1.1 percent for the two months ending in October. (See table 1.) Prices for food away from
home increased 1.9 percent, and prices for food at home inched up 0.2 percent for the same period.
Over the year, food prices rose 3.1 percent. Prices for food away from home rose 3.8 percent. Prices for food
at home rose 2.8 percent since a year ago, led by higher prices for dairy and related products (11.7 percent).
Energy
The energy index decreased 2.4 percent for the two months ending in October. The decrease was mainly due to
lower prices for electricity (-2.8 percent). Prices for gasoline declined 2.3 percent, but prices for natural gas
service advanced 1.2 percent for the same period.
Energy prices fell 10.8 percent over the year, largely due to lower prices for gasoline (-22.8 percent). Prices for
natural gas service declined 0.9 percent, while prices paid for electricity were unchanged during