Inflation Decreases Geographically, Varies by Commodity

The Consumer Price Index is used to calculate inflation, or the change in price of a basket of goods and services, as it impacts consumers; whereas, the Producer Price Index measures changes in selling prices, thereby expressing price changes from the perspective of the seller who produces a particular commodity.

A slide presentation updated with October 2014 data shows the Midwest inflation rate decreased in both urban metros and non-metro urban areas from September to October.

The Producer Price Index data shows that prices in the United States have increased from October 2013 to October 2014 for aircraft (2.1 percent), natural gas (11.8 percent), and slaughter livestock (21.3 percent). During that same time period, crude petroleum decreased 22.3 percent, sorghum prices decreased 23.4 percent and wheat decreased 12.7 percent. 

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Learn more about the CPI.

Learn more about the PPI.