County Consumer Price Index Climbs

The consumer price index in San Diego County went up by 2.3 percent in the first six months of 2011, rising 3.4 percent over the past year, according to federal Bureau of Labor Statistics data released Thursday.

Higher gas prices and more expensive food contributed to the increase, Regional BLS Commissioner Richard Holden said.

Energy costs have gone up 17.8 percent, according to the data. Without the energy and food cost hikes, and prices have only gone up in the San Diego region 1.8 percent.

BLS figures show that regional inflation numbers are at their highest since 2008.

Through the first six months of this year, clothing costs are up 4.4 percent, education and communication went up 1.9 percent and recreation increased 1.3 percent.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is based on the prices of food, clothing, shelter, fuels, transportation fares, charges for doctors' and dentists' services, drugs and other goods and services that people buy for everyday living, according to the BLS.

Prices are collected in 87 urban areas across the country each month from about 4,000 housing units and about 25,000 retail establishments—department stores, supermarkets, hospitals, filling stations and other types of stores and service establishments. All taxes directly associated with the purchase and use of items are included in the index.

City News Service contributed to this report.