Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Education and Communication in South
Monthly
CUUR0300SAE • Economic Data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)
Latest Value
141.16
Year-over-Year Change
-0.72%
Date Range
12/1/1997 - 7/1/2025
Summary
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) is a key measure of inflation in the United States. It tracks the changes in the prices of a basket of consumer goods and services, providing insights into the cost of living for urban consumers.
Analysis & Context
This economic indicator provides valuable insights into current market conditions and economic trends. The data is updated regularly by the Federal Reserve and represents one of the most reliable sources for economic analysis.
Understanding this metric helps economists, policymakers, and investors make informed decisions about economic conditions and future trends. The interactive chart above allows you to explore historical patterns and identify key trends over time.
About This Dataset
The CPI-U is a widely-used economic indicator that measures the average change in prices paid by urban consumers for a representative basket of goods and services. It is a crucial metric for understanding the purchasing power of the U.S. dollar and informing monetary policy decisions.
Methodology
The Bureau of Labor Statistics collects data on prices from around 23,000 retail and service establishments each month to calculate the CPI-U.
Historical Context
The CPI-U is a closely watched statistic that influences interest rates, cost-of-living adjustments, and other economic policies.
Key Facts
- The CPI-U is based on prices of food, clothing, shelter, and fuels, as well as other goods and services that people buy for day-to-day living.
- The CPI-U is a major factor in determining cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security, federal employee salaries, and other government benefits.
- The Federal Reserve closely monitors the CPI-U as a gauge of inflationary pressures when setting monetary policy.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: The CPI-U measures the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a representative basket of consumer goods and services.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: The CPI-U is a crucial indicator of inflation that influences cost-of-living adjustments, monetary policy decisions, and consumer purchasing power.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The Bureau of Labor Statistics collects price data from around 23,000 retail and service establishments each month to calculate the CPI-U.
Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?
A: The CPI-U is a key input for the Federal Reserve in setting monetary policy, and it also informs cost-of-living adjustments for government programs and benefits.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The CPI-U is published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a typical release lag of about two weeks after the end of the reference month.
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Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: New Cars in South
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Citation
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items (CUUR0300SAE), retrieved from FRED.