Dec. Northeast CPI rise below U.S., despite gain in energy, piped gas

Chris Bergenheim

01/11/2019

THE NORTHEAST CPI rose 1.7 percent year over year in December. Among the products that saw significant increases was piped utility gas, which rose in price 4.7 percent over the year. By comparison, motor fuel in the Northeast declined 0.5 percent in price over the year. / BLOOMBERG NEWS FILE PHOTO/VINCENT MUNDY

PROVIDENCE – The consumer price index in the Northeast increased 1.7 percent year over year in December, compared with 1.9 percent in the average U.S. city, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Friday.

The largest percentage increase in the Northeast was in the price of piped utility gas service, for which the CPI increased 4.7 percent year over year. In the average U.S. city, services increased 2.3 percent.

The CPI for motor fuel in the Northeast declined 0.5 percent year over year, a slower decline than the 1.9 percent U.S. city average.

Energy costs in the Northeast increased 1.1 percent year over year, compared with a 0.3 percent decline in the average U.S. city.

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Housing CPI increased 2.6 percent in the Northeast compared with a 3 percent average U.S. city increase.

Medical care in the average U.S. city and the Northeast increased 2 percent year over year.

Chris Bergeheim is the PBN web editor. Email him at Bergenheim@PBN.com.