Tacoma-area consumer prices up 1.1 percent over the past 2 months

Consumer prices in the Tacoma-Seattle area rose 1.1 percent in March and April, the second consecutive two-month period to indicate the possibility of inflation.

Not since June of last year have bimonthly consumer prices risen by more than 1 percent, and the latest figure released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics represents the third-highest bimonthly increase since February 2011.

Detailing Tuesday’s report, the bureau said the cost of groceries rose 0.3 percent since February while the cost of food eaten away from home saw a 1.4 percent increase and is up 3.8 percent over the year.

Alcoholic beverages rose just 0.1 percent over two months, but the one-year price is up 3.3 percent.

The cost of housing rose 1.0 percent and marked a 4.9 percent hike over the past 12 months. The cost of domestic electricity rose 2.4 percent and is up 7.3 percent on the year. The bimonthly price of apparel sewed a 5.4 percent increase for the two months and is up 1.7 percent over the previous year. Domestic natural gas marked a 0.2 percent increase but continues to post an annual decline of 13 percent.

Gasoline continued its volatile ways, ending the bimonthly period up 11.7 percent while still showing a 13.2 percent decline over the year. The cost of medical care fell 0.9 percent for the two months while the cost or recreation rose 1.1 percent.

This story was originally published May 17, 2016 at 5:16 PM with the headline "Tacoma-area consumer prices up 1.1 percent over the past 2 months."