[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 149 (Thursday, August 4, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44978-44989]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15098]



  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 149 / Thursday, August 4, 2005 / 
Notices  

[[Page 44978]]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT


2002 and 2003 Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowance Survey 
Report: Revised Shelter Analyses

AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice publishes revised shelter (rent) analyses relating 
to the ``2002 Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowance Survey Report: 
Caribbean and Washington, DC, Areas'' and the ``2003 Nonforeign Area 
Cost-of-Living Allowance Survey Report: Alaska and Washington, DC, 
Areas.'' The Federal Government uses the results of surveys such as 
these to set cost-of-living allowance (COLA) rates for General 
Schedule, U.S. Postal Service, and certain other Federal employees in 
Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and 
the U.S. Virgin Islands. This notice explains the revised shelter 
analyses adopted by the Office of Personnel Management based on 
additional research undertaken after the publication of these two 
reports.

DATES: Comments on this report must be received on or before October 3, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Send or deliver comments to Donald J. Winstead, Deputy 
Associate Director for Pay and Performance Policy, Strategic Human 
Resources Policy Division, Office of Personnel Management, Room 7H31, 
1900 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20415-8200; fax: (202) 606-4264; or 
e-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald L. Paquin, (202) 606-2838; fax: 
(202) 606-4264; or e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 591.229 of title 5, Code of Federal 
Regulations, requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to 
publish nonforeign area cost-of-living allowance (COLA) survey summary 
reports in the Federal Register. On February 9, 2004, OPM published the 
``2002 Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowance Survey Report: 
Caribbean and Washington, DC, Areas'' at 69 FR 6020. On March 12, 2004, 
OPM published the ``2003 Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowance 
Survey Report: Alaska and Washington, DC, Areas'' at 69 FR 12002. Since 
publishing the results of these surveys, OPM has adopted a new 
methodology for calculating rent indexes. This notice describes the new 
methodology, the effect on the rent indexes, and the effect on the 
final indexes.

New Shelter (Rental) Analyses

    OPM developed a new methodology for analyzing rental prices in 
consultation with the Survey Implementation Committee (SIC) and 
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The SIC and the TAC were 
established pursuant to the settlement of Caraballo, et al. v. United 
States, No. 1997-0027 (D.V.I.), August 17, 2000. The SIC advises and 
assists OPM in the implementation of the new COLA methodology to which 
the parties agreed. The SIC consists of five plaintiffs' 
representatives from the COLA areas and two OPM representatives. The 
TAC consists of three economists who have expertise in living-cost 
measurement. The TAC performs research for and advises the SIC.
    As described in the 2002 and 2003 survey reports, OPM hired a 
contractor, the Center of International and Interarea Comparisons 
(CIIC), to analyze the housing data and estimate relative rental rates 
and rental indexes. CIIC is well-known for its work in international 
price comparisons, and one of its co-directors of research is a member 
of the TAC. CIIC consulted closely with the TAC and the SIC in 
analyzing the rental survey results.
    As noted in both the 2002 and 2003 survey reports, the TAC 
recommended that OPM review the issue of which rental equation to use 
and how to choose among equations as additional rental data become 
available. OPM agreed to do this. As OPM acquired more rental data and 
more experience analyzing these data, it became apparent that the 
hedonic regressions (a form of multiple linear regression) used in the 
2002 and 2003 analyses could be improved.
    Therefore, in consultation with the SIC and TAC, OPM recomputed the 
rent indexes for the 2002 Caribbean and 2003 Alaska surveys. Table 1 
below shows the new rent indexes. Appendix 1 shows the regression 
equation in SAS code and the regression results for the 2002 Caribbean 
survey. (SAS is a proprietary statistical analysis computer software 
package.) Appendix 2 shows the regression equation in SAS code and the 
regression results for the 2003 Alaska survey.

                         Table 1.--Rent Indexes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Previous     New rent
                     Area                        rent index     index
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puerto Rico...................................        65.52        70.89
St. Croix, USVI...............................        67.50        71.71
St. Thomas/St. John, USVI.....................        84.22        88.63
Anchorage, Alaska.............................        86.06        89.99
Fairbanks, Alaska.............................        78.84        79.96
Juneau, Alaska................................        92.91        91.68
Washington, DC, Area..........................      *100.00     *100.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* By definition, the index of the base area is always 100.00.

New COLA Indexes

    Once OPM computed new rent indexes, it became necessary to compute 
new final overall COLA indexes because these indexes would have changed 
compared with those OPM published with the 2002 and 2003 survey 
reports. Table 2 shows the new final indexes. Appendix 3 shows the 
derivation of the Caribbean final indexes. Appendix 4 shows the 
derivation of the Alaska final indexes.

[[Page 44979]]



                   Table 2.--Final Living-Cost Indexes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Previous    New final
                     Area                       final index     index
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puerto Rico...................................       103.60       105.10
U.S. Virgin Islands...........................       121.44       122.84
Anchorage, Alaska.............................       112.63       113.79
Fairbanks, Alaska.............................       115.26       115.61
Juneau, Alaska................................       118.34       118.03
Rest of the State of Alaska...................       134.80       136.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Office of Personnel Management.
Linda M. Springer,
Director.

Appendix 1--2002 Caribbean Survey Hedonic Rental Data Equations and 
Results

data temp; set opm.dcprvi;
survey--area = `XX';
location = substr(compnumber,1,1);
if location = `A' then survey--area = `SC';
if location = `B' then survey--area = `ST';
if location = `C' then survey--area = `PR';
if location = `D' then survey--area = `DC';
*Q1 yrbuilt;
age = 2002 - yrbuilt;
agesq = age*age;
if age < 0 then delete;
if age >= 200 then delete;
sqsqspace = sqfootage*sqfootage;
baths = fullbaths + halfbaths*.5 + threeqtrbaths*.75;
Extrnl--Cond = 0;
if extrcond = `A' then Extrnl--Cond = 1; *(Good);
Neighbor--Cond = 0;
if neighcond = `A' then Neighbor--Cond = 1; *(Desirable);
hasgarage = 0;
if garage in (`A' `B' `C') then hasgarage = 1; *(Yes);
Dup--Apartment = 0;
if unittype in (`B' `C' `E' `F' `H') then Dup--Apartment = 1;
*(Duplex, Triplex, Walkup, In-home, or other apartmnt);
Highrise = 0;
if unittype = `G' then Highrise = 1; *(high rise apartment);
Detached--Town = 0;
*if unittype in (`A' `D') then Detached--Town = 1; *(Detached, 
Townhouse, Row House);
*omitting the above makes it the base condition;
SqftXDup--Apartment = 0;
if unittype in (`B' `C' `E' `F' `H') then SqftXDup--Apartment = 
sqfootage;
SqftXHighrise = 0;
if unittype = `G' then SqftXHighrise = sqfootage;
SqftXDetached--Town = 0;
if unittype in (`A' `D') then SqftXDetached--Town = sqfootage;
sqfootagesq = sqfootage* sqfootage;
hasclothesdryer = 0;
if cldryer = `Y' then hasclothesdryer = 1;
hasdishwasher = 0;
if dishwasher = `Y' then hasdishwasher = 1;
hasmicrowave = 0;
if microwave = `Y' then hasmicrowave = 1;
hassecurity = 0;
if gated = `Y' or accessctl = `Y' or guards = `Y' or alarms = `Y' 
then hassecurity = 1;
ExceptionalView = 0;
If excview = `Y' then ExceptionalView = 1;
St--Croix = 0;
if survey--area = `SC' then St--Croix = 1;
St--Thomas = 0;
if survey--area = `ST' then St--Thomas = 1;
Puerto--Rico = 0;
if survey--area = `PR' then Puerto--Rico = 1;
Wash--DC = 0;
*** if survey--area = `WA' then Wash--DC = 1--Omitting this makes DC 
the base area;
lrent = log(rent);
PROC REG DATA = temp;
MODEL lrent = SqftXDup--Apartment SqftXHighrise SqftXDetached--Town
    sqfootagesq age agesq baths bedrooms Dup--Apartment Highrise
    Neighbor--Cond hasclothesdryer hasdishwasher hasmicrowave
    Extrnl--Cond hassecurity ExceptionalView
    St--Croix St--Thomas Puerto--Rico;
TITLE `2002 Caribbean Rental Data--Revised Rental Analyses Federal 
Register Model';
RUN;

  2002 Caribbean Rental Data--Revised Rental Analyses Federal Register
                                  Model
       [The REG procedure model: MODEL1 dependent variable: lrent]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Observations Read.....................................    1599
Number of Observations Used.....................................    1599
------------------------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Analysis of variance
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Sum of
                       Source                           DF      squares    Mean square    F Value       Pr > F
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model...............................................      20    345.01809     17.25090       388.32       <.0001
Error...............................................    1578     70.10212      0.04442
                                                     ---------------------
Corrected Total.....................................    1598    415.12021
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Root MSE....................    0.21077  R-Square............     0.8311
Dependent Mean..............    7.03692  Adj R-Sq............     0.8290
Coeff Var...................    2.99522
------------------------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Parameter  estimates
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Parameter       Standard                    Pr >
                    Variable                       DF       estimate         error       t Value   [bond]t[bond]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intercept......................................       1     6.16053      0.07083            86.97       <.0001
SqftXDup--Apartment............................       1     0.00084714   0.00006631         12.78       <.0001
SqftXHighrise..................................       1     0.00067673   0.00007716          8.77       <.0001
SqftXDetached--Town............................       1     0.00061692   0.00008334          7.40       <.0001

[[Page 44980]]

 
sqfootagesq....................................       1    -1.12749E-7   2.245397E-8        -5.02       <.0001
age............................................       1    -0.00276      0.00067933         -4.06       <.0001
agesq..........................................       1     0.00005451   0.00000734          7.43       <.0001
baths..........................................       1     0.08207      0.01164             7.05       <.0001
BEDROOMS.......................................       1     0.05114      0.01034             4.94       <.0001
Dup--Apartment.................................       1    -0.27875      0.05458            -5.11       <.0001
Highrise.......................................       1    -0.15790      0.06883            -2.29       0.0219
Neighbor--Cond.................................       1     0.18967      0.01468            12.92       <.0001
hasclothesdryer................................       1     0.06615      0.01406             4.70       <.0001
hasdishwasher..................................       1     0.06214      0.01718             3.62       0.0003
hasmicrowave...................................       1     0.07894      0.01478             5.34       <.0001
Extrnl--Cond...................................       1     0.09525      0.01483             6.42       <.0001
hassecurity....................................       1     0.08359      0.01276             6.55       <.0001
ExceptionalView................................       1     0.08695      0.02043             4.26       <.0001
St--Croix......................................       1    -0.34634      0.02769           -12.51       <.0001
St--Thomas.....................................       1    -0.13415      0.02694            -4.98       <.0001
Puerto--Rico...................................       1    -0.35453      0.02086           -16.99       <.0001
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Appendix 2--2003 Alaska Survey Hedonic Rental Data Equations and 
Results

data temp; set OPM.ak--dc--2003--w--census;
survey--area = `XX';
location = substr(compnumber,1,1);
if location = `A' then survey--area = `JU';
if location = `B' then survey--area = `FB';
if location = `C' then survey--area = `AN';
if location = `D' then survey--area = `DC';
*Q1 yrbuilt;
age = 2003-yrbuilt;
agesq = age*age;
sqsqspace = sqfootage*sqfootage;
baths = fullbaths + halfbaths*.5 + threeqtrbaths*.75;
Neighbor--Cond = 0;
if neighcond = `A' then Neighbor--Cond = 1; *(Desirable);
hasgarage = 0;
if garage in (`A' `B' `C') then hasgarage = 1; *(Yes);
Dup--Triplex = 0;
if unittype in (`B' `C') then Dup--Triplex = 1; *(Duplex or 
Triplex);
Non--Highrise = 0;
if unittype in (`E' `F' `H') then Non--Highrise = 1; *(Walkup, In-
home, or other apartmnt);
Highrise = 0;
if unittype = `G' then Highrise = 1; *(high rise apartment);
Detached--Town = 0;
*if unittype in (`A' `D') then Detached--Town = 1; *(Detached, 
Townhouse, Row House);
*omitting the above makes it the base condition;
SqftXDup--Triplex = 0;
if unittype in (`B' `C') then SqftXDup--Triplex = sqfootage;
SqftXNon--Highrise = 0;
if unittype in (`E' `F' `H') then SqftXNon--Highrise = sqfootage;
SqftXHighrise = 0;
if unittype = `G' then SqftXHighrise = sqfootage;
SqftXDetached--Town = 0;
if unittype in (`A' `D') then SqftXDetached--Town = sqfootage;
hasclothesdryer = 0;
if cldryer = `Y' then hasclothesdryer = 1;
hasfireplace = 0;
if fireplace =`Y' then hasfireplace = 1;
medianincomesq = medianincome*medianincome;
Anchorage = 0;
if survey--area = `AN' then Anchorage = 1;
Fairbanks = 0;
if survey--area = `FB' then Fairbanks = 1;
Juneau = 0;
if survey--area = `JU' then Juneau = 1;
Wash--DC = 0;
*** if survey--area = `WA' then Wash--DC = 1--Omitting this makes DC 
the base area; lrent = log(rent);
PROC REG DATA = temp;
    MODEL lrent = SqftXDup--Triplex SqftXNon--Highrise
SqftXHighrise SqftXDetached--Town
    age agesq baths bedrooms Dup--Triplex Non--Highrise Highrise 
Neighbor--Cond hasgarage hasclothesdryer
    hasfireplace medianincome medianincomesq PctallBA--
PctSchoolAge
    Anchorage Fairbanks Juneau;
TITLE `2003 Alaskan Rental Data--Revised Rental Analyses Federal 
Register Model';
RUN;

2003 Alaskan Rental Data--Revised Rental Analyses Federal Register Model
       The REG procedure model: MODEL1 dependent variable: lrent]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Observations Read.....................................    1679
Number of Observations Used.....................................    1679
------------------------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Analysis of variance
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Sum of
                       Source                           DF      squares    Mean square    F Value       Pr > F
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model...............................................      22    216.72733      9.85124       393.42       <.0001
Error...............................................    1656     41.46655      0.02504
                                                     ---------------------
Corrected Total.....................................    1678    258.19388
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Root MSE........................................    0.15824   R-Square...............................     0.8394
Dependent Mean..................................    7.06679   Adj R-Sq...............................     0.8373
Coeff Var.......................................    2.23922
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 44981]]


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         Pr >
                     Variable                        DF       Parameter       Standard     t Value   [verbarlm]t
                                                              estimate         error                  [verbarrm]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intercept........................................       1     6.78428      0.04463           152.01      <.0001
SqftXDup--Triplex................................       1     0.00012656   0.00003471          3.65      0.0003
SqftXNon--Highrise...............................       1     0.00026632   0.00003630          7.34      <.0001
SqftXHighrise....................................       1     0.00022895   0.00004467          5.13      <.0001
SqftXDetached--Town..............................       1     0.00008622   0.00001571          5.49      <.0001
age..............................................       1    -0.00426      0.00067976         -6.27      <.0001
agesq............................................       1     0.00005692   0.00000816          6.97      <.0001
baths............................................       1     0.02324      0.00582             3.99      <.0001
BEDROOMS.........................................       1     0.12778      0.00743            17.19      <.0001
Dup--Triplex.....................................       1    -0.08525      0.04928            -1.73      0.0839
Non--Highrise....................................       1    -0.31060      0.03842            -8.09      <.0001
Highrise.........................................       1    -0.17676      0.04867            -3.63      0.0003
Neighbor--Cond...................................       1     0.25807      0.03958             6.52      <.0001
hasgarage........................................       1     0.11484      0.01101            10.44      <.0001
hasclothesdryer..................................       1     0.05904      0.00883             6.69      <.0001
hasfireplace.....................................       1     0.05504      0.01017             5.41      <.0001
MedianIncome.....................................       1    -0.00000242   8.194014E-7        -2.96      0.0031
medianincomesq...................................       1     2.2724E-11   4.80424E-12         4.73      <.0001
PCTAllBA--.......................................       1     0.39214      0.04673             8.39      <.0001
PctSchoolAge.....................................       1    -0.71293      0.11164            -6.39      <.0001
Anchorage........................................       1    -0.11428      0.01195            -9.56      <.0001
Fairbanks........................................       1    -0.22871      0.01345           -17.01      <.0001
Juneau...........................................       1    -0.09632      0.01719            -5.60      <.0001
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                    Appendix 3.--2002 Final Living-Cost Results for the Caribbean Cola Areas
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         MEG        PEG
     Major expenditure group  (MEG)        Primary expenditure group    weight     weight   PEG index  MEG index
                                                     (PEG)            (percent)  (percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   PUERTO RICO
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Food.................................  ..........................      13.16  .........  .........     101.85
                                          Cereals and bakery               0.98       7.45     105.91  .........
                                           products.
                                          Meats, poultry, fish, and        1.47      11.16      99.40  .........
                                           eggs.
                                          Dairy products............       0.65       4.94     124.86  .........
                                          Fruits and vegetables.....       0.73       5.56     107.05  .........
                                          Processed Foods...........       1.54      11.68     106.42  .........
                                          Other food at home........       0.42       3.16      92.62  .........
                                          Nonalcoholic beverages....       0.49       3.74     133.21  .........
                                          Food away from home.......       5.93      45.04      91.91  .........
                                          Alcoholic beverages.......       0.96       7.28     123.96  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
2. Shelter and Utilities................  ..........................      31.30  .........  .........      85.20
                                          Shelter...................      28.07      89.67      71.88  .........
                                          Energy Utilities..........       2.65       8.46     236.07  .........
                                          Water and other public           0.59       1.87      41.54  .........
                                           services.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
3. Household Furnishings and Supplies...  ..........................       6.06  .........  .........      98.84
                                          Household operations......       1.36      22.51      64.95  .........
                                          Housekeeping supplies.....       1.06      17.53     113.20  .........
                                          Textiles and Area Rugs....       0.25       4.16      93.40  .........
                                          Furniture.................       1.05      17.39      95.70  .........
                                          Major appliances..........       0.37       6.03     116.32  .........
                                          Small appliances, misc.          0.21       3.46     108.32  .........
                                           housewares.
                                          Miscellaneous household          1.75      28.91     114.40  .........
                                           equipment.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
4. Apparel and services.................  ..........................       4.00  .........  .........     112.80
                                          Men and boys..............       0.75      18.69     107.05  .........
                                          Women and girls...........       1.67      41.66     114.32  .........
                                          Children under 2..........       0.18       4.55     103.86  .........
                                          Footwear..................       0.70      17.48      88.96  .........
                                          Other apparel products and       0.71      17.63     141.24  .........
                                           services.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
5. Transportation.......................  ..........................      16.93  .........  .........     107.51
                                          Motor Vehicle Costs.......       9.09      53.67     109.17  .........
                                          Gasoline and motor oil....       2.71      16.02      84.24  .........
                                          Maintenance and repairs...       1.81      10.72      94.31  .........
                                          Vehicle insurance.........       1.73      10.24     122.13  .........
                                          Public transportation.....       1.58       9.35     136.92  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
6. Medical..............................  ..........................       4.44  .........  .........      73.31

[[Page 44982]]

 
                                          Health insurance..........       2.08      46.97      59.73  .........
                                          Medical services..........       1.43      32.31      72.76  .........
                                          Drugs and medical Supplies       0.92      20.72     104.93  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
7. Recreation...........................  ..........................       6.23  .........  .........     102.99
                                          Fees and admissions.......       1.46      23.38      95.96  .........
                                          Television, radios, sound        0.77      12.38     115.85  .........
                                           equipment.
                                          Pets, toys, & playground         1.15      18.48      98.43  .........
                                           equipment.
                                          Other entertainment              0.97      15.57     106.71  .........
                                           supplies, etc..
                                          Personal care products....       0.69      11.10      98.89  .........
                                          Personal care services....       0.70      11.29     105.17  .........
                                          Reading...................       0.49       7.80     109.76  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
8. Education and Communication..........  ..........................       4.09  .........     132.89  .........
                                          Education.................       0.21       5.06     216.35  .........
                                          Communications............       3.24      79.32     132.97  .........
                                          Computers and Computer           0.64      15.62     105.41  .........
                                           Services.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
9. Miscellaneous........................  ..........................      13.79  .........  .........     103.10
                                          Tobacco products, etc.....       0.48       3.51      87.91  .........
                                          Miscellaneous.............       2.09      15.12     123.28  .........
                                          Personal insurance and          11.22      81.37     100.00  .........
                                           pensions.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
Overall Price Index.....................   MEG Total................     100.00  .........  .........      98.10
Plus Adjustment Factor..................  ..........................  .........  .........  .........       7.00
Index Plus Adjustment Factor............  ..........................  .........  .........  .........     105.10
-----------------------------------------
                                         ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Food.................................  ..........................      13.16  .........  .........     116.05
                                          Cereals and bakery               0.98       7.45     129.89  .........
                                           products.
                                          Meats, poultry, fish, and        1.47      11.16     129.25  .........
                                           eggs.
                                          Dairy products............       0.65       4.94     155.69  .........
                                          Fruits and vegetables.....       0.73       5.56     108.80  .........
                                          Processed foods...........       1.54      11.68     128.02  .........
                                          Other food at home........       0.42       3.16     108.01  .........
                                          Nonalcoholic beverages....       0.49       3.74     132.85  .........
                                          Food away from home.......       5.93      45.04     105.82  .........
                                          Alcoholic beverages.......       0.96       7.28      99.25  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
2. Shelter and Utilities................  31.30.....................  .........  .........  .........     100.75
                                          Shelter...................      28.07      89.67      75.16  .........
                                          Energy utilities..........       2.65       8.46     343.31  .........
                                          Water and other public           0.59       1.87     230.60  .........
                                           services.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
3. Household Furnishings and Supplies...  ..........................       6.06  .........  .........     126.20
                                          Household operations......       1.36      22.51      58.68  .........
                                          Housekeeping supplies.....       1.06      17.53     138.03  .........
                                          Textiles and area rugs....       0.25       4.16      98.61  .........
                                          Furniture.................       1.05      17.39     141.31  .........
                                          Major appliances..........       0.37       6.03     127.13  .........
                                          Small appliances, misc.          0.21       3.46     101.87  .........
                                           housewares.
                                          Miscellaneous household          1.75      28.91     169.19  .........
                                           equipment.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
4. Apparel and Services.................  ..........................       4.00  .........  .........     102.52
                                          Men and boys..............       0.75      18.69     115.94  .........
                                          Women and girls...........       1.67      41.66      98.51  .........
                                          Children under 2..........       0.18       4.55      83.57  .........
                                          Footwear..................       0.70      17.48      97.20  .........
                                          Other apparel products and       0.71      17.63     107.95  .........
                                           services.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
5. Transportation.......................  ..........................      16.93  .........  .........     111.02
                                          Motor vehicle costs.......       9.09      53.67     112.02  .........
                                          Gasoline and motor oil....       2.71      16.02      73.46  .........
                                          Maintenance and repairs...       1.81      10.72      88.94  .........
                                          Vehicle insurance.........       1.73      10.24     119.53  .........
                                          Public transportation.....       1.58       9.35     185.59  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
6. Medical..............................  ..........................       4.44  .........  .........     102.17
                                          Health insurance..........       2.08      46.97     110.99  .........

[[Page 44983]]

 
                                          Medical services..........       1.43      32.31      83.05  .........
                                          Drugs and medical supplies       0.92      20.72     111.99  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........  .........     100.00  .........
7. Recreation...........................  ..........................       6.23  .........  .........     107.72
                                          Fees and admissions.......       1.46      23.38      85.81  .........
                                          Television, radios, sound        0.77      12.38      94.05  .........
                                           equipment.
                                          Pets, toys & playground          1.15      18.48     124.46  .........
                                           equipment.
                                          Other entertainment              0.97      15.57     118.42  .........
                                           supplies, etc.
                                          Personal care products....       0.69      11.10     120.92  .........
                                          Personal care services....       0.70      11.29     107.77  .........
                                          Reading...................       0.49       7.80     115.28  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
8. Education and Communication..........  ..........................       4.09  .........  .........     173.59
                                          Education.................       0.21       5.06     268.97  .........
                                          Communications............       3.24      79.32     180.93  .........
                                          Computers and computer           0.64      15.62     105.41  .........
                                           services.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
9. Miscellaneous........................  ..........................      13.79  .........  .........     105.08
                                          Tobacco products, etc.....       0.48       3.51      52.54  .........
                                          Miscellaneous.............       2.09      15.12     144.64  .........
                                          Personal insurance and          11.22      81.37     100.00  .........
                                           pensions.
                                           PEG Total................  .........  .........  .........  .........
-----------------------------------------
                                         ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Food.................................  ..........................     13.16%  .........  .........     118.86
                                          Cereals and bakery               0.98       7.45     135.94  .........
                                           products.
                                          Meats, poultry, fish, and        1.47      11.16     133.18  .........
                                           eggs.
                                          Dairy products............       0.65       4.94     161.42  .........
                                          Fruits and vegetables.....       0.73       5.56     120.34  .........
                                          Processed foods...........       1.54      11.68     139.00  .........
                                          Other food at home........       0.42       3.16     115.51  .........
                                          Nonalcoholic beverages....       0.49       3.74     139.29  .........
                                          Food away from home.......       5.93      45.04     104.61  .........
                                          Alcoholic beverages.......       0.96       7.28      96.20  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
2. Shelter and Utilities................  ..........................      31.30  .........  .........     116.23
                                          Shelter...................      28.07      89.67      92.42  .........
                                          Energy utilities..........       2.65       8.46     343.31  .........
                                          Water and other public           0.59       1.87     230.60  .........
                                           services.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
3. Household Furnishings and Supplies...  ..........................       6.06  .........  .........     126.12
                                          Household operations......       1.36      22.51      63.82  .........
                                          Housekeeping supplies.....       1.06      17.53     137.67  .........
                                          Textiles and area rugs....       0.25       4.16     117.63  .........
                                          Furniture.................       1.05      17.39     141.31  .........
                                          Major appliances..........       0.37       6.03     121.04  .........
                                          Small appliances, misc.          0.21       3.46     102.41  .........
                                           housewares.
                                          Miscellaneous household          1.75      28.91     163.62  .........
                                           equipment.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
4. Apparel and Services.................  ..........................       4.00  .........  .........     101.14
                                          Men and boys..............       0.75      18.69     102.33  .........
                                          Women and girls...........       1.67      41.66      97.41  .........
                                          Children under 2..........       0.18       4.55      83.57  .........
                                          Footwear..................       0.70      17.48      99.03  .........
                                          Other apparel products and       0.71      17.63     115.33  .........
                                           services.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
5. Transportation.......................  ..........................      16.93  .........  .........     119.49
                                          Motor vehicle costs.......       9.09      53.67     111.91  .........
                                          Gasoline and motor oil....       2.71      16.02     122.52  .........
                                          Maintenance and repairs...       1.81      10.72      80.37  .........
                                          Vehicle insurance.........       1.73      10.24     119.53  .........
                                          Public transportation.....       1.58       9.35     202.62  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
6. Medical..............................  ..........................       4.44  .........  .........     114.18
                                          Health insurance..........       2.08      46.97     110.99  .........
                                          Medical services..........       1.43      32.31     121.45  .........
                                          Drugs and medical supplies       0.92      20.72     110.08  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
7. Recreation...........................  ..........................       6.23  .........  .........     106.38

[[Page 44984]]

 
                                          Fees and admissions.......       1.46      23.38      58.55  .........
                                          Television, radios, sound        0.77      12.38     104.26  .........
                                           equipment.
                                          Pets, toys & playground          1.15      18.48     132.35  .........
                                           equipment.
                                          Other entertainment              0.97      15.57     130.73  .........
                                           supplies, etc.
                                          Personal care products....       0.69      11.10     113.14  .........
                                          Personal care services....       0.70      11.29     116.88  .........
                                          Reading...................       0.49       7.80     118.17  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
8. Education and Communication..........  ..........................       4.09  .........  .........     168.47
                                          Education.................       0.21       5.06     188.50  .........
                                          Communications............       3.24      79.32     179.61  .........
                                          Computers and computer           0.64      15.62     105.41  .........
                                           services.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
9. Miscellaneous........................  ..........................      13.79  .........  .........     102.87
                                          Tobacco products, etc.....       0.48       3.51      60.63  .........
                                          Miscellaneous.............       2.09      15.12     128.10  .........
                                          Personal insurance and          11.22      81.37     100.00  .........
                                           pensions.
                                           PEG Total................  .........  .........  .........  .........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                    Appendix 3.--2002 Final Living-Cost Results for the Caribbean Cola Areas
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               St.
                                                                                 St. Croix   Thomas/      U.S.
        Major expenditure group  (MEG)         Primary expenditure group  (PEG)    index     St. John    Virgin
                                                                                 (percent)   indexes     Island
                                                                                            (percent)  wtd index
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employment Weights...........................  ................................       44.0       56.0  .........
1. Food......................................  ................................     116.05     118.86     117.62
                                               Cereals and bakery products.....     129.89     135.94     133.28
                                               Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs..     129.25     133.18     131.45
                                               Dairy products..................     155.69     161.42     158.90
                                               Fruits and vegetables...........     108.80     120.34     115.26
                                               Processed foods.................     128.02     139.00     134.17
                                               Other food at home..............     108.01     115.51     112.21
                                               Nonalcoholic beverages..........     132.85     139.29     136.45
                                               Food away from home.............     105.82     104.61     105.14
                                               Alcoholic beverages.............      99.25      96.20      97.54
2. Shelter and Utilities.....................  ................................     100.75     116.23     109.42
                                               Shelter.........................      75.16      92.42      84.82
                                               Energy utilities................     343.31     343.31     343.31
                                               Water and other public services.     230.60     230.60     230.60
3. Household Furnishings and Supplies........  ................................     126.20     126.12     126.15
                                               Household operations............      58.68      63.82      61.56
                                               Housekeeping supplies...........     138.03     137.67     137.83
                                               Textiles and area rugs..........      98.61     117.63     109.26
                                               Furniture.......................     141.31     141.31     141.31
                                               Major appliances................     127.13     121.04     123.72
                                               Small appliances, misc.              101.87     102.41     102.17
                                                housewares.
                                               Miscellaneous household              169.19     163.62     166.07
                                                equipment.
4. Apparel and Services......................  ................................     102.52     101.14     101.75
                                               Men and boys....................     115.94     102.33     108.32
                                               Women and girls.................      98.51      97.41      97.89
                                               Children under 2................      83.57      83.57      83.57
                                               Footwear........................      97.20      99.03      98.23
                                               Other apparel products and           107.95     115.33     112.08
                                                services.
5. Transportation............................  ................................     111.02     119.49     115.76
                                               Motor vehicle costs.............     112.02     111.91     111.96
                                               Gasoline and motor oil..........      73.46     122.52     100.93
                                               Maintenance and repairs.........      88.94      80.37      84.14
                                               Vehicle insurance...............     119.53     119.53     119.53
                                               Public transportation...........     185.59     202.62     195.13
6. Medical...................................  ................................     102.17     114.18     108.90
                                               Health insurance................     110.99     110.99     110.99
                                               Medical services................      83.05     121.45     104.56
                                               Drugs and medical supplies......     111.99     110.08     110.92
7. Recreation................................  ................................     107.72     106.38     106.97
                                               Fees and admissions.............      85.81      58.55      70.55

[[Page 44985]]

 
                                               Television, radios, sound             94.05     104.26      99.77
                                                equipment.
                                               Pets, toys & playground              124.46     132.35     128.88
                                                equipment.
                                               Other entertainment supplies,        118.42     130.73     125.31
                                                etc.
                                               Personal care products..........     120.92     113.14     116.56
                                               Personal care services..........     107.77     116.88     112.87
                                               Reading.........................     115.28     118.17     116.90
8. Education and Communication...............  ................................     173.59     168.47     170.72
                                               Education.......................     268.97     188.50     223.91
                                               Communications..................     180.93     179.61     180.19
                                               Computers and computer services.     105.41     105.41     105.41
9. Miscellaneous.............................  ................................     105.08     102.87     103.84
                                               Tobacco products, etc...........      52.54      60.63      57.07
                                               Miscellaneous...................     144.64     128.10     135.38
                                               Personal insurance and pensions.     100.00     100.00     100.00
Overall Price Index..........................  ................................  .........  .........     113.84
Plus Adjustment Factor.......................  ................................  .........  .........       9.00
Preliminary COLA Rate........................  ................................  .........  .........     122.84
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                      Appendix 4.--2003 Final Living-Cost Results for the Alaska Cola Areas
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          MEG       PEG
     Major expenditure group  (MEG)        Primary expenditure group    weight     weight   PEG index  MEG index
                                                     (PEG)            (percent)  (percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Food.................................  ..........................      12.30  .........  .........     114.58
                                          Cereals and bakery               0.93       7.60     117.91  .........
                                           products.
                                          Meats, poultry, fish, and        1.40      11.40     108.37  .........
                                           eggs.
                                          Dairy products............       0.64       5.24     127.58  .........
                                          Fruits and vegetables.....       0.71       5.79     169.90  .........
                                          Processed foods...........       1.48      12.04     113.79  .........
                                          Other food at home........       0.37       3.05     115.41  .........
                                          Nonalcoholic beverages....       0.47       3.85     142.08  .........
                                          Food away from home.......       5.41      44.02     104.21  .........
                                          Alcoholic beverages.......       0.86       7.01     116.68  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
2. Shelter and Utilities................  ..........................      33.18  .........  .........     102.42
                                          Shelter...................      29.44      88.74      90.65  .........
                                          Energy utilities..........       3.05       9.20     212.43  .........
                                          Water and other public           0.68       2.06     118.15  .........
                                           services.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
3. Household Furnishings and Supplies...  ..........................       6.07  .........  .........     105.32
                                          Household operations......       1.53      25.20     102.92  .........
                                          Housekeeping supplies.....       1.05      17.31     103.97  .........
                                          Textiles and area rugs....       0.29       4.76     102.25  .........
                                          Furniture.................       1.15      18.94     104.57  .........
                                          Major appliances..........       0.38       6.24     110.38  .........
                                          Small appliances, misc.          0.20       3.24     114.16  .........
                                           housewares.
                                          Misc. household equipment.       1.47      24.30     107.47  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
4. Apparel and Services.................  ..........................       4.01  .........  .........     109.63
                                          Men and boys..............       0.90      22.43     118.23  .........
                                          Women and girls...........       1.58      39.55     112.12  .........
                                          Children under 2..........       0.18       4.60      90.70  .........
                                          Footwear..................       0.67      16.75      98.83  .........
                                          Other apparel products and       0.67      16.68     108.24  .........
                                           services.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
5. Transportation.......................  ..........................      16.35  .........  .........     112.30
                                          Motor vehicle costs.......       8.57      52.43     102.17  .........
                                          Gasoline and motor oil....       2.87      17.58     107.36  .........
                                          Maintenance and repairs...       1.69      10.32     101.97  .........
                                          Vehicle insurance.........       1.79      10.92     135.96  .........
                                          Public transportation.....       1.43       8.76     165.59  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
6. Medical..............................  ..........................       4.75  .........  .........     111.51
                                          Health insurance..........       2.28      47.95     113.65  .........
                                          Medical services..........       1.55      32.53     118.98  .........

[[Page 44986]]

 
                                          Drugs and medical supplies       0.93      19.52      93.78  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
7. Recreation...........................  ..........................       7.02  .........  .........      97.64
                                          Fees and admissions.......       1.46      20.77      92.96  .........
                                          Television, radios, sound        0.73      10.36     100.15  .........
                                           equipment.
                                          Pets, toys, & playground         1.04      14.84     104.07  .........
                                           equipment.
                                          Other entertainment              2.02      28.81     101.48  .........
                                           supplies, etc..
                                          Personal care products....       0.82      11.62      86.00  .........
                                          Personal care services....       0.56       7.90      88.08  .........
                                          Reading...................       0.40       5.70     110.95  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
8. Education and Communication..........  ..........................       4.05  .........  .........     100.37
                                          Education.................       0.18       4.42      29.67  .........
                                          Communications............       3.37      83.30     104.60  .........
                                          Computers and computer           0.50      12.29      97.09  .........
                                           services.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
9. Miscellaneous........................  ..........................      12.28  .........  .........     108.78
                                          Tobacco products, etc.....       0.46       3.75     108.17  .........
                                          Miscellaneous.............       1.83      14.89     156.88  .........
                                          Personal insurance and           9.99      81.35     100.00  .........
                                           pensions.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
Overall Price Index.....................   MEG Total................     100.00  .........  .........     106.79
Plus Adjustment Factor..................  ..........................  .........  .........  .........       7.00
Index Plus Adjustment Factor............  ..........................  .........  .........  .........     113.79
-----------------------------------------
                                                FAIRBANKS, ALASKA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Food.................................  ..........................      12.30  .........  .........     116.25
                                          Cereals and bakery               0.93       7.60     124.89  .........
                                           products.
                                          Meats, poultry, fish, and        1.40      11.40     111.48  .........
                                           eggs.
                                          Dairy products............       0.64       5.24     115.91  .........
                                          Fruits and vegetables.....       0.71       5.79     169.40  .........
                                          Processed foods...........       1.48      12.04     120.63  .........
                                          Other food at home........       0.37       3.05     114.36  .........
                                          Nonalcoholic beverages....       0.47       3.85     152.88  .........
                                          Food away from home.......       5.41      44.02     103.08  .........
                                          Alcoholic beverages.......       0.86       7.01     126.87  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
2. Shelter and Utilities................  ..........................      33.18  .........  .........      99.91
                                          Shelter...................      29.44      88.74      80.87  .........
                                          Energy utilities..........       3.05       9.20     270.97  .........
                                          Water and other public           0.68       2.06     155.96  .........
                                           services.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
3. Household Furnishings and Supplies...  ..........................       6.07  .........  .........     109.56
                                          Household operations......       1.53      25.20      99.74  .........
                                          Housekeeping supplies.....       1.05      17.31     115.45  .........
                                          Textiles and area rugs....       0.29       4.76     103.65  .........
                                          Furniture.................       1.15      18.94     104.57  .........
                                          Major appliances..........       0.38       6.24     126.17  .........
                                          Small appliances, misc.          0.20       3.24     125.61  .........
                                           housewares.
                                          Misc. household equipment.       1.47      24.30     114.19  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
4. Apparel and Services.................  ..........................       4.01  .........  .........     106.64
                                          Men and boys..............       0.90      22.43     103.68  .........
                                          Women and girls...........       1.58      39.55     104.53  .........
                                          Children under 2..........       0.18       4.60      89.89  .........
                                          Footwear..................       0.67      16.75      93.82  .........
                                          Other apparel products and       0.67      16.68     133.11  .........
                                           services.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
5. Transportation.......................  ..........................      16.35  .........  .........     112.50
                                          Motor vehicle costs.......       8.57      52.43     101.33  .........
                                          Gasoline and motor oil....       2.87      17.58     106.31  .........
                                          Maintenance and repairs...       1.69      10.32      95.57  .........
                                          Vehicle insurance.........       1.79      10.92     130.80  .........
                                          Public transportation.....       1.43       8.76     188.94  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
6. Medical..............................  ..........................       4.75  .........  .........     112.34
                                          Health insurance..........       2.28      47.95     111.83  .........
                                          Medical services..........       1.55      32.53     123.13  .........
                                          Drugs and medical supplies       0.93      19.52      95.63  .........

[[Page 44987]]

 
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
7. Recreation...........................  ..........................       7.02  .........  .........      97.66
                                          Fees and admissions.......       1.46      20.77      92.48  .........
                                          Television, radios, sound        0.73      10.36      99.46  .........
                                           equipment.
                                          Pets, toys, & playground         1.04      14.84     108.08  .........
                                           equipment.
                                          Other entertainment              2.02      28.81     106.80  .........
                                           supplies etc..
                                          Personal care products....       0.82      11.62      83.46  .........
                                          Personal care services....       0.56       7.90      60.47  .........
                                          Reading...................       0.40       5.70     120.53  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
8. Education and Communication..........  ..........................       4.05  .........  .........     101.90
                                          Education.................       0.18       4.42      13.84  .........
                                          Communications............       3.37      83.30     107.28  .........
                                          Computers and computer           0.50      12.29      97.09  .........
                                           services.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
9. Miscellaneous........................  ..........................      12.28  .........  .........     110.23
                                          Tobacco products, etc.....       0.46       3.75     107.12  .........
                                          Miscellaneous.............       1.83      14.89     166.87  .........
                                          Personal insurance and           9.99      81.35     100.00  .........
                                           pensions.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
Overall Price Index.....................   MEG Total................     100.00  .........  .........     106.61
Plus Adjustment Factor..................  ..........................  .........  .........  .........       9.00
Index Plus Adjustment Factor............  ..........................  .........  .........  .........     115.61
-----------------------------------------
                                                 JUNEAU, ALASKA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Food.................................  ..........................      12.30  .........  .........     121.13
                                          Cereals and bakery               0.93       7.60     122.40  .........
                                           products.
                                          Meats, poultry, fish, and        1.40      11.40     116.44  .........
                                           eggs.
                                          Dairy products............       0.64       5.24     129.04  .........
                                          Fruits and vegetables.....       0.71       5.79     168.34  .........
                                          Processed foods...........       1.48      12.04     119.04  .........
                                          Other food at home........       0.37       3.05     118.10  .........
                                          Nonalcoholic beverages....       0.47       3.85     171.62  .........
                                          Food away from home.......       5.41      44.02     112.67  .........
                                          Alcoholic beverages.......       0.86       7.01     112.77  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
2. Shelter and Utilities................  ..........................      33.18  .........  .........     105.77
                                          Shelter...................      29.44      88.74      92.06  .........
                                          Energy utilities..........       3.05       9.20     236.45  .........
                                          Water and other public           0.68       2.06     112.61  .........
                                           services.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
3. Household Furnishings and Supplies...  ..........................       6.07  .........  .........     111.16
                                          Household operations......       1.53      25.20     104.07  .........
                                          Housekeeping supplies.....       1.05      17.31     118.21  .........
                                          Textiles and area rugs....       0.29       4.76     108.66  .........
                                          Furniture.................       1.15      18.94     108.67  .........
                                          Major appliances..........       0.38       6.24     121.35  .........
                                          Small appliances, misc.          0.20       3.24     104.19  .........
                                           housewares.
                                          Misc. household equipment.       1.47      24.30     114.25  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
4. Apparel and Services.................  ..........................       4.01  .........  .........     105.13
                                          Men and boys..............       0.90      22.43     111.43  .........
                                          Women and girls...........       1.58      39.55     100.69  .........
                                          Children under 2..........       0.18       4.60      88.83  .........
                                          Footwear..................       0.67      16.75     106.39  .........
                                          Other apparel products and       0.67      16.68     110.38  .........
                                           services.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
Transportation..........................  ..........................      16.35  .........  .........     107.08
                                          Motor vehicle costs.......       8.57      52.43      98.27  .........
                                          Gasoline and motor oil....       2.87      17.58     115.15  .........
                                          Maintenance and repairs...       1.69      10.32      99.87  .........
                                          Vehicle insurance.........       1.79      10.92      92.71  .........
                                          Public transportation.....       1.43       8.76     170.09  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
6. Medical..............................  ..........................       4.75  .........  .........     113.18
                                          Health insurance..........       2.28      47.95     111.91  .........
                                          Medical services..........       1.55      32.53     123.47  .........
                                          Drugs and medical supplies       0.93      19.52      99.14  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........

[[Page 44988]]

 
7. Recreation...........................  ..........................       7.02  .........  .........     109.42
                                          Fees and admissions.......       1.46      20.77      99.88  .........
                                          Television, radios, sound        0.73      10.36     105.97  .........
                                           equipment.
                                          Pets, toys, & playground         1.04      14.84     107.48  .........
                                           equipment.
                                          Other entertainment              2.02      28.81     112.91  .........
                                           supplies, etc..
                                          Personal care products....       0.82      11.62     111.96  .........
                                          Personal care services....       0.56       7.90      83.02  .........
                                          Reading...................       0.40       5.70     169.37  .........
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
8. Education and Communication..........  ..........................       4.05  .........  .........     103.58
                                          Education.................       0.18       4.42      22.50  .........
                                          Communications............       3.37      83.30     108.24  .........
                                          Computers and computer           0.50      12.29     101.15  .........
                                           services.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
9. Miscellaneous........................  ..........................      12.28  .........  .........     108.45
                                          Tobacco products, etc.....       0.46       3.75     119.60  .........
                                          Miscellaneous.............       1.83      14.89     151.80  .........
                                          Personal insurance and           9.99      81.35     100.00  .........
                                           pensions.
                                           PEG Total................  .........     100.00  .........  .........
Overall Price Index.....................   MEG Total................     100.00  .........  .........     109.03
Plus Adjustment Factor..................  ..........................  .........  .........  .........       9.00
Index Plus Adjustment Factor............  ..........................  .........  .........  .........     118.03
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Anchorage results                                               Relative to                        Kodiak relative to
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                               Anchorage           DC
                                                Primary expenditure group       MEG        PEG      DC  PEG             --------------------------------
       Major expenditure group (MEG)                      (PEG)                weight     weight     index    MEG indes     PEG        MEG
                                                                             (percent)  (percent)                          index*     index*   MEG index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         REST OF THE STATE OF ALASKA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Food....................................  ..............................      12.26  .........  .........     114.58  .........     145.69     166.94
                                             Cereals and bakery products...       0.93       7.60     117.91  .........  .........  .........  .........
                                             Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs       1.40      11.40     108.37  .........  .........  .........  .........
                                             Dairy products................       0.64       5.24     127.58  .........  .........  .........  .........
                                             Fruits and vegetables.........       0.71       5.79     169.90  .........  .........  .........  .........
                                             Processed foods...............       1.48      12.04     113.79  .........  .........  .........  .........
                                             Other food at home............       0.37       3.05     115.41  .........  .........  .........  .........
                                             Nonalcoholic beverages........       0.47       3.85     142.08  .........  .........  .........  .........
                                             Food away from home...........       5.40      44.02     104.21  .........  .........  .........  .........
                                             Alcoholic beverages...........       0.86       7.01     116.68  .........  .........  .........  .........
                                              PEG Total....................  .........     100.00  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........
2. Shelter and Utilities...................  ..............................      33.38  .........  .........     102.42  .........     105.04     107.58
                                             Shelter.......................      29.66      88.85      90.65  .........     105.67  .........  .........
                                             Energy utilities..............       3.04       9.11     212.43  .........     100.00  .........  .........
                                             Water and other public               0.68       2.04     118.15  .........     100.00  .........  .........
                                              services.
                                              PEG Total....................  .........    100.00%  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........
3. Household Furnishings and Supplies......  ..............................       6.05  .........  .........     105.32  .........     134.18     141.32
                                             Household operations..........       1.52      25.20     102.92  .........     100.00  .........  .........
                                             Housekeeping supplies.........       1.05      17.31     103.97  .........     145.69  .........  .........
 Textiles and area rugs                      0.29..........................       4.76     102.25  .........     145.69  .........  .........  .........
 Furniture                                   1.15..........................      18.94     104.57  .........     145.69  .........  .........  .........
 Major appliances                            0.38..........................       6.24     110.38  .........     145.69  .........  .........  .........
 Small appliances, misc. housewares          0.20..........................       3.24     114.16  .........     145.69  .........  .........  .........
 Misc. household equipment                   1.47..........................      24.30     107.47  .........     145.69  .........  .........  .........
                                              PEG Total....................  .........     100.00  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........
4. Apparel and Services....................  ..............................       3.99  .........  .........     109.63  .........     145.69     159.73
                                             Men and boys..................       0.90      22.43     118.23  .........  .........  .........  .........
                                             Women and girls...............       1.58      39.55     112.12  .........  .........  .........  .........
                                             Children under 2..............       0.18       4.60      90.70  .........  .........  .........  .........
                                             Footwear......................       0.67      16.75      98.83  .........  .........  .........  .........
                                             Other apparel products and           0.67      16.68     108.24  .........  .........  .........  .........
                                              services.

[[Page 44989]]

 
                                              PEG Total....................  .........     100.00  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........
5. Transportation..........................  ..............................      16.31  .........  .........     112.30  .........     125.94     141.44
                                             Motor vehicle costs...........       8.56      52.47     102.17  .........     145.69  .........  .........
                                             Gasoline and motor oil........       2.86      17.56     107.36  .........     111.19  .........  .........
                                             Maintenance and repairs.......       1.68      10.31     101.97  .........     100.00  .........  .........
                                             Vehicle insurance.............       1.78      10.91     135.96  .........     100.00  .........  .........
                                             Public transportation.........       1.43       8.75     165.59  .........     100.00  .........  .........
                                              PEG Total....................  .........     100.00  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........
6. Medical.................................  ..............................       4.74  .........  .........     111.51  .........     108.92     121.45
                                             Health insurance..............       2.27      47.95     113.65  .........     100.00  .........  .........
                                             Medical services..............       1.54      32.53     118.98  .........     100.00  .........  .........
                                             Drugs and medical supplies....       0.92      19.52      93.78  .........     145.69  .........  .........
                                              PEG Total....................  .........     100.00  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........
7. Recreation..............................  ..............................       7.00  .........  .........      97.64  .........     132.59     129.46
                                             Fees and admissions...........       1.45      20.77      92.96  .........     100.00  .........  .........
                                             Television, radios, etc.......       0.73      10.36     100.15  .........     145.69  .........  .........
                                             Pets, toys, & playground             1.04      14.84     104.07  .........     145.69  .........  .........
                                              equipment.
                                             Other entertainment supplies,        2.02      28.81     101.48  .........     145.69  .........  .........
                                              etc..
                                             Personal care products........       0.81      11.62      86.00  .........     145.69  .........  .........
                                             Personal care services........       0.55       7.90      88.08  .........     100.00  .........  .........
                                             Reading.......................       0.40       5.70     110.95  .........     145.69  .........  .........
                                              PEG Total....................  .........     100.00  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........
8. Education and Communication.............  ..............................       4.04  .........  .........     100.37  .........     105.62     106.01
                                             Education.....................       0.18       4.42      29.67  .........     100.00  .........  .........
                                             Communications................       3.36      83.29     104.60  .........     100.00  .........  .........
                                             Computers and computer               0.50      12.29      97.09  .........     145.69  .........  .........
                                              services.
                                              PEG Total....................  .........     100.00  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........
9. Miscellaneous...........................  ..............................      12.23  .........  .........     108.78  .........     101.71     110.64
                                             Tobacco products, etc.........       0.46       3.75     108.17  .........     145.69  .........  .........
                                             Miscellaneous.................       1.82      14.89     156.88  .........     100.00  .........  .........
                                             Personal insurance and               9.95      81.36     100.00  .........     100.00  .........  .........
                                              pensions.
                                              PEG Total....................  .........     100.00  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........
Overall Price Index........................   MEG Total....................     100.00  .........  .........     106.79  .........  .........     127.00
Plus Adjustment Factor.....................  ..............................  .........  .........  .........       7.00  .........  .........       9.00
Index Plus Adjustment Factor...............  ..............................  .........  .........  .........     113.79  .........  .........    136.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Except for rental data and indexes set at 100, all data area from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, March 2003. Rental data are from Alaska
  Department of Labor and Workforce Development, 2002. Indexes set to 100 assume costs in Kodiak are equal to those in Anchorage.

[FR Doc. 05-15098 Filed 8-3-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-39-P