The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell area rose by 0.1 percent from June to August, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee stated that the food index increased 1.2 percent during this period, while the energy index saw a 0.4 percent rise. The index for all items excluding food and energy decreased by 0.1 percent over the same two months.
Over the past year, the all items CPI-U in Atlanta advanced 1.7 percent as of August. The index for all items less food and energy went up by 1.9 percent, and the food index climbed 3.5 percent in that time frame. Meanwhile, the energy index declined by 2.3 percent over the last twelve months.
From June to August, prices for food away from home rose 1.9 percent, and food at home increased by 0.8 percent. Among grocery store categories, meats, poultry, fish, and eggs saw a price increase of 2.3 percent; nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials were up by 3.3 percent.
Year-over-year figures show that food away from home prices grew by 6.9 percent, while prices for food at home rose by 1.2 percent since last August. Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs experienced a notable annual increase of 7.3 percent.
Energy prices overall increased slightly—by 0.4 percent—from June to August; gasoline prices edged up by 0.2 percent in this period but fell sharply over the year with a decline of 9.5 percent.
The report also noted declines in several indexes from June to August: apparel dropped by 4.6 percent, medical care fell by 1.1 percent, and recreation decreased by 1.3 percent during these two months.
On an annual basis, shelter costs rose by 2.3 percent; owners’ equivalent rent was up by 3 percent; household furnishings and operations showed an increase of eight percent over twelve months; apparel prices fell by 7.5 percent compared to last year.
The next release of CPI data for September is scheduled for October 15 at 8:30 a.m., with October’s data set to be published on November 13 at the same time.
According to information provided with the release, local-area CPI indexes are more volatile than national or regional figures due to smaller sample sizes and lack of seasonal adjustment; they measure changes in average prices within each area rather than differences between cities.
The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell Core Based Statistical Area covers numerous counties across Georgia including Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Clayton, Cherokee and others.
For further technical details about methodology or historical data series on price changes in Atlanta or other areas covered under CPI reporting programs nationally or regionally—including direct access via BLS query tools—readers are directed to consult resources such as Table 1 in this release or reference materials like the Handbook of Methods.
