Prices continue up but it's not gasoline's fault

It’s airfares and car prices — not gasoline costs — that drove the cost of living up along the Wasatch Front in June. The Zions Bank Wasatch Front Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.6 percent from May to June on a non-seasonally adjusted basis.

It’s airfares and car prices — not gasoline costs — that drove the cost of living up along the Wasatch Front in June. The Zions Bank Wasatch Front Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.6 percent from May to June on a non-seasonally adjusted basis. The index has risen 0.7 percent since this time last year while the national Consumer Price Index increased 0.3 percent from May to June and increased 1.0 percent over the past year.

Transportation prices were the primary driver of the rise in Utah’s June CPI, rising 3.1 percent from the month before as airfare rates and vehicle prices rose. 

The price of Brent Crude Oil, the international benchmark for oil prices and driver of gas prices, increased from January through May, but has since receded slightly. Currently, futures register at about $48 per barrel compared to $38 per barrel at the year’s open and $53 per barrel at their peak in early June. Falling crude prices are contributing to lower gasoline prices, which have fallen to their lowest mark for this time of year since 2004. Gas prices in Utah were still higher than the national average of $2.22 per gallon last week at $2.33 per gallon.

“The pace of inflation has slowed in the wake of a strengthening dollar,” said Scott Anderson, Zions Bank president and CEO. “While U.S. exports may slow, consumers can expect savings across a broad range of both domestic and international goods.”

Education and communication prices increased 1.5 percent from May to June as phone and Internet rates increased. Prices for other goods and services increased 1.1 percent in June as prices for personal care products and laundry increased. Combined, these two categories account for 10 percent of the average Utahn’s consumption, resulting in a moderate impact on the overall CPI.

Prices for food away from home remained mostly unchanged from May to June, but have increased 4.9 percent since this time last year. Food away from home prices have been pushed higher as labor costs rise and as restaurants continue to make larger investments in technology and innovation.

Meanwhile, food at home prices rose 0.5 percent in June, but have decreased 0.8 percent since this time last year. Food at home prices have remained steady as low oil prices have resulted in lower-than-usual distribution costs for grocery chains. Additionally, ample agricultural supply and a strong U.S. dollar has resulted in savings for Utah consumers at grocery stores.

Medical care prices increased 0.3 percent in June as medical care services prices rose slightly. Medical care prices in Utah have declined 4.7 percent since this time last year, compared to a national increase of 3.6 percent, highlighting the efficiency of Utah’s health systems. Utilities prices remained mostly unchanged in June as rates for water, electricity and gas all held firm following increases in recent months.

No single sector’s prices declined by more than half a percent in June. Recreation prices saw the greatest declines, falling a modest 0.5 percent in June as prices for audio equipment and pet products fell.

Housing prices decreased 0.2 percent from May to June as hotel and motel rates decreased. In spite of this slight decline, prices in the housing sector have increased 4.9 percent since this time last year and are expected to continue to rise through 2016.

Accounting for 36.3 percent of the average Utahn’s consumption, changes in housing prices have a significant impact on the overall CPI.

Analysis and data collection for the Zions Bank CPI and the Zions Bank Consumer Attitude Index are provided by the Cicero Group, a market research firm based in Salt Lake City.