12 March 2024
KANSAS (KSNT) – Kansans paid more for housing, apparel, transportation, recreation, commodities, services, energy and more in the month of January, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics keeps track of the price of goods and services in the market. On Tuesday, the BLS released its consumer price index (CPI) for Feb. 2024. The CPI measures the change in prices paid by consumers for good and services.
Since Feb. 2023, the average price of all items increased 2.8% with a 0.6% change since January 2024. The energy sector saw the largest price increases in January with unleaded gasoline rising 8.3%. The energy sector as a whole saw prices increase by 4%, according to the BLS.
Following energy, apparel saw the next highest price change at 3.1% from Jan. 2024. The cost of apparel has increased a total of 6.3% since December 2023.
On the other end, medical care saw the largest price decreases with medical care and medical care services decreasing 0.8% and 0.9% respectively.
Data provided courtesy of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Largest price increases
CategoryPrice changeGasoline, unleaded regular8.3%Gasoline (all types)8%Motor fuel7.8%Gasoline, unleaded midgrade6.8%Gasoline, unleaded premium5.9%Data provided courtesy of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Largest price decreases
CategoryPrice ChangeFruits and vegetables-0.2%Household furnishings and operations-0.3%Other food at home-0.4%Medical care-0.8%Medical care services-0.9%Data provided courtesy of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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