Consumer Price Index for All Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: All Items Less Shelter in U.S. City Average

CWSR0000SA0L2 • Economic Data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)

Latest Value

284.53

Year-over-Year Change

1.88%

Date Range

1/1/1947 - 6/1/2025

Summary

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: All Items Less Shelter in U.S. City Average tracks changes in the prices of consumer goods and services, excluding shelter costs, which are important for understanding broader inflationary pressures.

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

This CPI measure excludes the volatile shelter component, providing a narrower gauge of underlying inflation trends that is closely watched by economists and policymakers. It is used to assess the effectiveness of monetary policy and inform decisions about interest rates and other economic interventions.

Methodology

The data is collected through surveys of retail prices paid by urban consumers and calculated using a formula that accounts for changes in spending patterns.

Historical Context

The CPI Less Shelter trend is a key economic indicator referenced by the Federal Reserve, Congress, and private sector analysts when evaluating the state of the U.S. economy.

Key Facts

  • The CPI Less Shelter reached a high of 7.0% in 2022, indicating rapid underlying inflation.
  • This metric excludes the volatile shelter component, which makes up over 30% of the overall CPI.
  • The Federal Reserve closely monitors the CPI Less Shelter when setting monetary policy to control inflation.

FAQs

Q: What does this economic trend measure?

A: The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: All Items Less Shelter in U.S. City Average measures changes in the prices of consumer goods and services, excluding the volatile shelter component.

Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?

A: This narrower inflation measure is closely watched by economists and policymakers as it provides insight into underlying price pressures, without the distortion of shelter costs, helping to guide decisions on monetary policy and other economic interventions.

Q: How is this data collected or calculated?

A: The data is collected through surveys of retail prices paid by urban consumers and calculated using a formula that accounts for changes in spending patterns.

Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?

A: The CPI Less Shelter is referenced by the Federal Reserve, Congress, and private sector analysts when evaluating the state of the U.S. economy and informing decisions about interest rates and other economic policies.

Q: Are there update delays or limitations?

A: The CPI Less Shelter data is published monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a typical release lag of around two weeks.

Related Trends

Citation

U.S. Federal Reserve, Consumer Price Index for All Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: All Items Less Shelter in U.S. City Average (CWSR0000SA0L2), retrieved from FRED.