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

CWSR0000SACL1 • Economic Data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)

Latest Value

183.76

Year-over-Year Change

-1.00%

Date Range

1/1/1956 - 6/1/2025

Summary

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: Commodities Less Food in U.S. City Average tracks changes in the prices of consumer goods excluding food, providing a key measure of underlying 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 index measures the price changes over time for a fixed basket of consumer goods and services, excluding food. It is a widely-used indicator of core inflation and is closely monitored by the Federal Reserve and other policymakers to assess economic conditions.

Methodology

The data is collected through surveys of prices paid by consumers in urban areas across the United States.

Historical Context

The CPI-W Commodities Less Food index is a critical input for monetary policy decisions and serves as a benchmark for adjusting government program payments and private-sector contracts.

Key Facts

  • The index excludes food and energy prices to better reflect underlying inflation trends.
  • It is one of the Federal Reserve's preferred measures of inflation when setting monetary policy.
  • The CPI-W Commodities Less Food index has increased by an average of 2.3% annually over the past decade.

FAQs

Q: What does this economic trend measure?

A: This index measures changes in the prices of consumer goods and services, excluding food, in order to provide a better gauge of underlying inflationary pressures in the economy.

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

A: The CPI-W Commodities Less Food index is a critical indicator used by the Federal Reserve and other policymakers to assess the state of the economy and inform monetary policy decisions.

Q: How is this data collected or calculated?

A: The data is collected through surveys of prices paid by consumers in urban areas across the United States.

Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?

A: The CPI-W Commodities Less Food index serves as a benchmark for adjusting government program payments and private-sector contracts, in addition to being a key input for Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions.

Q: Are there update delays or limitations?

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

Related Trends

Citation

U.S. Federal Reserve, Consumer Price Index for All Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: Commodities Less Food in U.S. City Average (CWSR0000SACL1), retrieved from FRED.