Cost of living increase for Chicago
August 14, 2008 7:15 AM Subscribe
What was the cost of living increase from 2007 to 2008 for Chicago, Illinois.
I am going to pitch for a cost of living raise and am looking for some sort of data to show the cost of living increase from 2007 to 2008 for Chicago. The bigger the percentage the better of course, but I do need data to back it up.
I have had no success with google. Please point me in the right direction.
Thanks!
I am going to pitch for a cost of living raise and am looking for some sort of data to show the cost of living increase from 2007 to 2008 for Chicago. The bigger the percentage the better of course, but I do need data to back it up.
I have had no success with google. Please point me in the right direction.
Thanks!
Response by poster: I've seen that figure but was unable to substantiate it. I saw data that the NYC COLI was 8.6%. I know Chicago is cheaper but I am surprised that the adjustment was that much less.
posted by Ponderance at 7:31 AM on August 14, 2008
posted by Ponderance at 7:31 AM on August 14, 2008
Best answer: Yeh, the good folks over at The US Dept of Labour can help.
I selected All Urban Consumers (Current Series) (Consumer Price Index - CPI) , then performed the following steps ( -> means I selected) :
1) Select an area -> 'Chicago'
2) Select one of more items -> 'All items'
3) Select seasonal adjustment -> 'Not seasonally Adjusted' (only possible option for this data set)
4) Get Data
In the main browser window you'll see (I'm abbreviating since the entire table won't render well and I'm not a web person so if anyone can MeMail me to tell me how to do this, I'd appreciate it) something like
to Jul 2008 - baseline value 217.459
Seems to indicate an increase of some 9.05% or so across the term.
Caveats:
The web site and data is another example of your tax dollars at work! Great stuff.
posted by Mutant at 8:01 AM on August 14, 2008 [5 favorites]
I selected All Urban Consumers (Current Series) (Consumer Price Index - CPI) , then performed the following steps ( -> means I selected) :
1) Select an area -> 'Chicago'
2) Select one of more items -> 'All items'
3) Select seasonal adjustment -> 'Not seasonally Adjusted' (only possible option for this data set)
4) Get Data
In the main browser window you'll see (I'm abbreviating since the entire table won't render well and I'm not a web person so if anyone can MeMail me to tell me how to do this, I'd appreciate it) something like
2007 199.401 200.630 202.483 ... 2008 208.757 209.526 211.542 ...But looking from Jan 2007 - baseline value 199.401
to Jul 2008 - baseline value 217.459
Seems to indicate an increase of some 9.05% or so across the term.
Caveats:
- This ignores all side questions regarding the composition of the basket of goods and services selected for these reporting periods
- This ignores the impact of hedonic adjustments Sidenote: This Metafilter FPP has a very good explanation of hedonic adjustments by the guy who wrote the code currently in use today.
- Before face to face discussions, I'd throughly research this site and carefully select a set of goods and services that is more representative of your true lifestyle.
- Keep in mind many companies will source this COLA data from external services that provide blended rates; your counter is their one-size-fits-all data doesn't fit you, your unique lifestyle and, of course, the exceptional value-add you bring to your employers business.
- Be prepared to counter their blended numbers with specific data detailing how inflation has impacted you e.g. fuel, etc. Have the hard data to hand for each of the components you select
- Have an idea of what numbers you'd like to walk away from your discussion with, and pitch higher; let them knock you down a little, then you've created a win-win situation
- Enjoy negotiation! Far too many people get all fussed and worried about it. Approach it as nothing more than another boring business meeting, albeit one that might have a positive, monetary payoff for yourself
The web site and data is another example of your tax dollars at work! Great stuff.
posted by Mutant at 8:01 AM on August 14, 2008 [5 favorites]
The cost of living increase for civilian employees of the federal government in the Chicago area was 3.65% (source). Probably not as big as you're looking for, sorry!
posted by iminurmefi at 8:05 AM on August 14, 2008
posted by iminurmefi at 8:05 AM on August 14, 2008
Mutant has it. The BLS site has the best info regarding CPI inflation.
posted by desjardins at 8:59 AM on August 14, 2008
posted by desjardins at 8:59 AM on August 14, 2008
So pitch the actual-- somewhere around 9%, and hope for the government-employee amount-- somewhere around 4%. Good luck! I will live vicariously through you, as I will never in a million years get a raise, as I work for a small nonprofit.
posted by nax at 9:17 AM on August 14, 2008
posted by nax at 9:17 AM on August 14, 2008
Response by poster: I too work for a small non-profit, so we'll see, Thanks! I'll post a follow up.
posted by Ponderance at 10:09 AM on August 14, 2008
posted by Ponderance at 10:09 AM on August 14, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by twiggy at 7:28 AM on August 14, 2008