What is the Consumer Price Index (CPI)?

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. Indexes are available for the U.S. and various geographic areas. Average price data for select utility, automotive fuel, and food items are also available.

When will the consumer price index be released in Boston?

The September 2023 Consumer Price Index for the Boston area is scheduled to be released on October 12, 2023. The Consumer Price Index for Boston is published bi-monthly. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change in prices over time in a fixed market basket of goods and services.

What is a CPI basket?

The U.S. CPI basket includes a 33.3% weighting for shelter costs derived mostly from rents and owners' equivalent. CPI calculations factor in consumer substitution of items rising in price with alternatives and filter out price increases reflecting product improvements.

What is the CPI for all urban consumers (CPI-U)?

The CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) reflects the spending patterns of the approximately 93% of U.S. population living in areas where the BLS collects price data. It is the basis of the headlines about the rate of change in consumer prices, or the inflation rate.