Prices are still rising - but not by too much

Consumer prices continue to tick up slightly across the Wasatch Front, but there isn’t a single category is to blame. The Zions Bank Wasatch Front Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.1 percent from August to September on a non-seasonally adjusted basis.

Consumer prices continue to tick up slightly across the Wasatch Front, but there isn’t a single category is to blame. The Zions Bank Wasatch Front Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.1 percent from August to September on a non-seasonally adjusted basis. The index has grown 0.9 percent in the past year, which is below the Federal Reserve’s national inflation target of 2 percent. The national Consumer Price Index increased 0.2 percent from August to September and has grown 1.5 percent over the past year.

The increase in Utah’s overall CPI was driven by price increases in several categories. Housing and education and communication prices increased more than any of the other measured sectors, each rising 0.7 percent. Rising rates for telecommunication services and slightly higher tuition at some elementary and high schools drove the increase in the education and communication sector. The increase in housing prices was driven primarily by rising apartment rental rates. The housing index includes prices for furniture, bedding, appliances and maintenance, in addition to rates for hotels, motels and apartment rent. Prices in the housing sector as a whole have increased 2.5 percent since this time last year. Specifically, prices for homes have fared even better, rising 7.7 percent in the past year compared to a national increase of 6.2 percent.

“Slower-than-optimal inflation is always a concern,” said Scott Anderson, Zions Bank president and CEO. “But steady price increases across a broad range of products and services signals relative stability, a welcome respite after several months of volatility in particularly large sectors such as transportation.”

Transportation prices remained fairly steady after several months of volatility. Lower rates for airfares and vehicle rentals were offset by higher prices for public transit and cab fares.

The price of Brent Crude Oil, the international benchmark for oil prices, remained relatively steady in the month of September as well. Last week, futures registered at about $52 per barrel compared to $38 per barrel at the beginning of the year and $53 per barrel at their peak in early June. Seasonal declines in gas prices stalled this month largely due to disruptions on the Colonial Pipeline, refinery maintenance and market reactions to OPEC’s production agreement. Gas prices in Utah are currently higher than the national average of $2.24 per gallon, averaging $2.34 per gallon last week. Since this time last year, transportation prices have declined 1.0 percent in Utah and 1.1 percent in the U.S.

Medical care prices also saw increases, rising 0.5 percent in September as prices for hospital and other medical care services increased. Utah has remained relatively insulated from rising medical care prices, which have increased 4.9 percent nationally but only 0.7 percent in Utah since this time last year.

Prices for other goods and services increased 0.2 percent, as prices for hygiene products increased, offsetting lower prices for cosmetic products. Prices for the utilities sector increased 0.5 percent in September as sewer rates, water rates and propane rose in price. Combined, these two categories account for almost 8 percent of the average Utahn’s expenditures, resulting in a moderate impact on the overall CPI in spite of only minor price increases.

Recreation prices fell more than any other sector in September, declining 3.1 percent. Lower recreation prices stemmed primarily from lower subscription rates for cable and satellite television. Clothing prices also decreased 1.2 percent from August to September as prices for apparel, jewelry and watches declined.

Food-at-home prices decreased 0.7 percent in September as prices for a variety of fruits and produce decreased. Meanwhile, prices for away-from-home food increased 0.1 percent as prices for fast food and snacks rose slightly.