The Cost of Living

The Times monthly survey of the cost of goods and services commonly purchased by Southern California residents found several changes in December, including a continued increase in the price of broccoli and drops in the prices of potatoes and navel oranges. The Times surveys the same five Southland markets at the end of each month to compile a snapshot of consumer prices in area grocery stores.

Marketbasket The cost of 15 grocery items (broken out below) was highest in November, in part because of ash whitefly produced damage. Dec. $35.96 Highlight: The holiday season reared its head in December, causing a sharp increase--14%--in the price of eggs, while chicken prices dropped 23%. A spokesman for the Pacific Egg & Poultry Assn. in Modesto noted that during the holiday baking season, eggs are a necessary ingredient for cakes and cookies, and markets take the opportunity to raise their prices. At the same time, he said, chicken takes a back seat to turkey. Broccoli prices continued to increase because of a drop in supply caused by the winter season and the ash whitefly. The biggest change, however, was in the price of navel oranges, which dropped 40% as the harvest continues.

Nov. Dec. % Chg. Groceries Chicken (per lb., best of fryer cut up) $1.85 $1.42 -23% 13-oz. can of coffee $2.29* $2.28* ** 1 dz. eggs (grade AA large) $1.83 $2.09 +14% 24 oz. wheat bread $2.03 $2.03 unchg. 1 lb. pinto beans $0.54 $0.51 -6% 10-lb. bag of potatoes $1.35* $1.44* +7% Navel oranges (per lb.) $0.93 $0.56* -40% 1 gal. homogenized milk $2.55 $2.55 unchg. 1 lb. broccoli (fresh) $0.81 $1.04 +30% 8-oz. package of chocolate candy $1.79 $1.79 unchg. Six-pack beer (12-oz. cans) $4.25 $4.34 +2% 1 doz. corn tortillas $0.45 $0.41 -9% 10-lb. bag dry dog food $6.57 $6.45 -2% Super-concentrated detergent (30-load) $7.51 $7.58 +1% Toilet tissue (4-roll package) $1.42 $1.38* -3% Eating out Fast-food cheeseburger $0.89 $0.91 +2% Other goods and services 1 gal gas. (unleaded self-serve) $1.055 $1.064 +1% 3-pack, boys Size 12 cotton briefs $3.96 $3.96 unchg. Dry cleaning, man’s two-piece suit $7.34 $7.34 unchg. Professional drain cleaning $44.56 $44.56 unchg. Manicure 7.60 $7.60 unchg.

* Includes at least one sale price. ** Less than 1% change. *** Out of season.