Consumer prices in the 13 westernmost states increased 2.2 percent from September 2003 through September 2004. This compared to a 2.0 percent increase for the year ending August 2004. Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden said the September index rose 0.4 percent for the month, following a 0.1 percent gain from July to August. Housing prices, and to a lesser extent transportation and apparel prices, dominated the monthly advance in the index. The all items less food and energy index rose 1.9 percent over the year. Regional area Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) data are not seasonally adjusted.

Housing, which makes up nearly 44 percent of the West CPI-U index, increased 0.4 percent over the month. This equaled the change for each of the past two months. Since September 2003, the housing index increased 2.4 percent, the highest annual change since an equivalent increase in October 2002. Shelter, the primary component of housing, increased 0.4 percent over the month and 2.7 percent over the year. Household fuels and utilities decreased 0.4 percent, the first decline in five months, but remained 3.1 percent higher over the year. Since August 2004, prices for utility (piped) gas service decreased 2.6 percent, while prices for electricity advanced 0.2 percent. Household furnishings and operations prices increased 0.3 percent in September, but inched down 0.1 percent over the year.

The monthly transportation index represented roughly half of housing's effect on the overall index. Transportation prices advanced 0.5 percent for the month and on an annual basis increased 1.5 percent. Since August 2004, used cars and trucks prices increased 2.0 percent and gasoline prices measured 0.9 percent higher.

Apparel represents less than four percent of the West Region CPI-U, yet in September contributed nearly as large an effect as transportation. For the month, apparel prices rose 2.2 percent and increased 1.2 percent for the year.

Three of the remaining eight major expenditure categories also rose in September. The education and communication index advanced 1.3 percent, recreation prices increased 0.2 percent, and other goods and services measured 0.3 percent higher. Over the year, the three indexes advanced 2.8, 0.5, and 1.9 percent, respectively.

Food and beverages prices showed no change from August to September. Over the year, prices were up 3.0 percent. Grocery prices, as represented by food at home index, declined 0.3 percent over the month, while the food away from home index increased 0.3 percent. Over the year, the grocery and food away from home indexes advanced 2.7 and 3.6 percent, respectively. Alcoholic beverages advanced 0.6 percent over the month and increased 2.1 percent over the year.

Medical care prices also did not change in September. Nevertheless, an annual increase of 3.6 percent was the highest advance of all major expenditure categories. Medical care services edged down 0.1 percent, while prices for medical care commodities moved 0.3 percent higher.

The All Items Consumer Price Index for All Consumers (CPI-U) for the West stands at 193.8 (1982-84=100) for September. This means a market basket of goods and services that cost $100.00 in 1982-84 would have cost $193.80 in September 2004.