Consumers in the metropolitan Atlanta area continued to experience larger than national increases in their costs for food at home in November, according to new information released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Costs for shelter and gasoline in the Atlanta area moved similarly to comparative indexes nationwide.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes a full list of
changes in consumer prices for all urban consumers in the Atlanta-Sandy
Springs-Roswell, Ga., area, not seasonally adjusted, (CPI-U Atlanta) for
even-numbered months and publishes a partial list including changes in consumer
prices for food at home, shelter, and gasoline in odd-numbered months (January,
March, May, July, September, and November).
Food at home
In November, costs for food rose 0.9% in the Atlanta area. The
increase comes after there was no recorded increase in food costs in October. Over
the 12 months ending in November, food at home costs rose 15.0%. For the nation,
food at home costs were unchanged over the month and increased 12.0% for the 12
months ending in November.
Shelter
Costs for shelter in the Atlanta area rose 0.5% in November
after increasing 0.7% the prior month. Over the past year, shelter costs have
increased 12.9%. Nationally, shelter costs rose 0.6% in November and had risen
7.1% over the past year.
The CPI index for shelter includes costs incurred by both
homeowners and renters and also includes costs for lodging away from home and
tenants’ and household insurance.
Gasoline
Gasoline prices declined for the fifth consecutive month, dropping
3.2% in November. For the year, gasoline prices have declined 3.7%. Consumers
in the Atlanta area continue to benefit from a suspension of the state’s motor
fuel tax, which will continue at least into January according to the State of
Georgia.
Nationwide, gasoline costs dropped 3.6% over the month and
have risen 10.1% over the past 12 months.
