Here’s how much more food, energy and housing costs as inflation affects California
Higher interest rates are coming, probably this week. Food prices will keep going up. Gasoline prices aren’t going to fall anytime soon.
But what, exactly, does that mean to you?
Using data compiled by the federal government, which regularly surveys thousands of establishments in California, as well as private sources, we try to break down how prices have climbed, and may continue to climb.
The prices compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics are collected monthly throughout the nation. Employees survey roughly 6,000 housing units and 22,000 retailers. They can get their data from personal visits, phone calls or checking the Internet.
Other agencies have similar methods of compiling data.
The price increases
All data is nationwide averages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics unless specified otherwise.
Bananas. 64 cents a pound last month, 59 cents a year ago.
Beef. Ground chuck. Last month, $5.12 a pound. Year ago, $4.63.
Eggs. Dozen Grade A large eggs, $3.12 last month, $1.71 a year ago.
Whole fresh chicken. Per pound, last month, $1.88. Year ago, $1.47.
Tomatoes. Field grown, per pound. Last month, $1.89. Year ago, $1.86.
Milk: From the U. S. Department of Agriculture, survey of Sacramento average of three major Sacramento food and convenience stores.
One gallon of whole milk, $4.65 last month, $4.38 in January.
One gallon of 2% milk, $4.65 last month, $4.25 in January.
Mortgage rates. From the California Association of Realtors.
Thirty-year fixed rate, $300,000 loan, good credit. Average mortgage rate last week was 6.02%. Monthly payment $1,803.
Year ago, average rate was 2.86% Monthly payment was $1,242.
Used cars. From the BLS. Up 7.8% over the year ending in August. A used car or truck costing $20,465 last month averaged $18,936 a year ago.
Gasoline. According to AAA. A gallon of regular in Sacramento Monday, $5.42. A year ago, $4.39.
Electricity. From the BLS. Per kilowatt hour. Last month, 16.7 cents. Year ago, 14.4 cents
Natural gas. From the BLS. Per therm, or measurement of heat. Last month, $1.69 per therm. Year ago, $1.27.
This story was originally published September 20, 2022 at 10:02 AM with the headline "Here’s how much more food, energy and housing costs as inflation affects California."
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