According to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Anchorage rose 2.5% annnualized in the first half of 2012. Anchorage is the only "urban" community in Alaska that is tracked for these national statistics which come out twice a year. It measures the price of a consistent “basket of goods” over time that comprises a typical households spending. Therefore, expenses for housing are weighted the highest as percentage of the average person’s income, followed by energy and food.
The 2.5% increase over the last 12 months is nearly identical to Anchorage's 10 year average inflation rate of 2.6%. Average prices have not shown much volitility during the decade reaching a high of 4.6% and a low of 1.2%.
Over the twelve month period since June of 2011, the largest price increases in Anchorage were seen in apparel (+4.6%), food (+4.4%), medical care (+4.3%), energy (+4.1%), and housing (+2.5%). Price declines were measured in two major categories. Recreation fell (-1.4%) and education and communications was (-0.5%) lower.
Nationwide, inflation has been low, increasing only 1.4% between June of 2011 and July of 2012. The largest increases have been in medical care (+4.4%), food (+2.3%), housing (+2.1%), and transportation (+1.6%). This is offset somewhat by a 5% decline in the cost of energy. On a nationwide average, gasoline prices are 5.5% lower and utilities are 12.7% lower than the prior 12 month period.
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