Cost of Living, Prices

A Note about the Call Numbers:

• Consumer Price Index (CPI Detailed Report)
  Gov. Doc. L 2.38/3:date (1964-date)
  http://www.bls.gov/cpi/
  
  This publication contains indexes of consumer prices and per cent changes in selected large cities and for the U.S. average, including both Commodities and services.
  The four most recent editions are in the BST periodical shelves. Paper issues are in the government documents stacks. Ask the library staff to help you.
  
  
• Producer Prices and Price Indexes
  [formerly Wholesale Price Index] (1964-date)
  Gov. Doc. L 2.61:date (1964-date)
  http://www.bls.gov/ppi/
  
  This is a monthly publication that measures average changes in prices received in primary markets in the U.S.

Check the appropriate statistical tables in the following titles:

• Economic Indicators
  http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionGPO.action?collectionCode=ECONI
  monthly (1948-date)
  
  
• Monthly Labor Review
  http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/mlrhome.htm
  monthly (1915-date)
  
  
• Survey of Current Business
  http://www.bea.gov/scb/index.htm
  monthly (1921-date)
  
  
• Federal Reserve Bulletin
  http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/bulletin/default.htm
  monthly (1915-date)

Retrospective information can be obtained from the following sources:

• Statistical Abstract of the United States
  MAIN DeskR 311.3973 Uni (yr) (1879-date)
  http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab
  
  This is a compilation of statistics on all facets of American life, collected by both governmental and non-governmental agencies. References are given with each table, citing the original source of the information. There is a detailed subject index.
  
  
• Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1790
  Gov. Docs. Ready Reference Shelves (ask librarian for assistance)
  C 3.134/2:H 62/789-970
  
  also available online at:
• Volume 1
  http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS55561
• Volume 2
  http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS55811
  (All files are available in PDF format. You will need Adobe Reader installed on your computer to view PDF files.)
  
  This supplement to Statistical Abstract includes comparative historical statistics for the United States.
  
  p. 185-190 for wholesale prices
  p. 191-196 for cost of living/retail trade
  

Last Updated: 2/6/2012

A Note About the Call Numbers:

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