Las Vegas Sun

November 9, 2009

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Transportation costs drive index higher

Thursday, Aug. 19, 1999 | 10:07 a.m.

A 2.3 percent increase in transportation costs, most of it attributable to higher gasoline prices, drove up the cost of living in Las Vegas in July.

First Security Bank's monthly Cost of Living Report says the cost of goods and services in Las Vegas increased 0.4 percent for the month. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said the cost of living was up 0.3 percent nationally and transportation costs were up 0.9 percent for the period.

In Las Vegas, restaurant food costs were up 0.9 percent in July and the cost of housing increased by 0.1 percent. Clothing costs were down 0.2 percent. Six other categories -- health care, food at home, utilities, recreation, education and other goods and services -- stayed the same in July.

First Security chief economist Kelly Matthews said transportation costs in Las Vegas over the past six months rose 8.7 percent compared with the same period a year earlier. He said the midsummer increase in transportation costs can be attributed to typical demands on gasoline due to summer travel and reduced oil supplies by producers.

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