PROVIDENCE – Inflation in the Northeast region over the 12 months through April was slower than across the United States. The consumer price index for all items in April increased 1.9 percent year over year in the Northeast (which is New England plus New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania), a slower increase than the national average increase of 2.2 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday.
Changes of note:
- Medical care costs increased 1.9 percent year over year in the Northeast, short of the 3 percent increase recorded across the U.S.
- Energy prices increased 8.9 percent in the region, slower than the national 9.3 percent increase. Energy services, which includes utility piped gas and electricity, saw a year-over-year price increase of 2.9 percent in the region, whereas the nation had to cope with a 4.4 percent price increase.
- The price of gasoline increased 15 percent over the year in the Northeast, a larger gain than the 14.3 percent recorded across the nation.
- Housing costs grew 2.5 percent in the Northeast over the 12-month period, compared with a 3.2 percent increase across the country.
- For those looking to celebrate the Boston Celtics advance in the NBA playoffs, there was good news. Alcoholic beverages increased in price 0.3 percent in the region, compared with a 1.3 percent nationwide.
- The Electricity price index year over year did not change in the Northeast according to the U.S. BLS while nationally the price of electricity increased year over year 2.4 percent.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
