PROVIDENCE – The consumer price index in the Northeast increased 2.1% year over year in March, slower than the national rate of 2.6% in that time, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Tuesday.
Price growth in the region and nationally was offset by a decline in apparel costs and was largely driven by an increase in energy prices.
Year-over-year price growth rates in the Northeast in March:
- Food and beverage costs in the region increased 3.2% year over year, slower than the national rate of 3.4%.
- Housing costs rose 1.8% year over year, slower than the 2.1% rise nationally.
- Apparel costs declined 2.6% year over year, faster than the national decline of 2.5%.
- Transportation costs increased 4.8% year over year, slower than the national rise of 5.8%.
- Medical care costs in the region increased 0.5% year over year, slower than a 1.8% rise nationally.
- Recreation costs in the Northeast increased 0.3% year over year, slower than the national increase of 1.1%.
- Education and communication costs increased 1.7% year over year, faster than the national rise of 1.5% in that time.
- Other goods and services costs increased 2.1% in the Northeast year over year, slower than a 2.4% rise nationally.
- Energy costs in the region increased 9.9% year over year, slower than the national rise of 13.2%.
