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metropolitan area, metropolitan division or micropolitan area in the United States. C2ER has adopted the new metro and micro area definitions announced by the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on June 6, 2003. Data users who opt to use suburban places as surrogates for central cities should be aware that living cost differences can exist within large metropolitan areas. This caution is particularly important where there are substantial differences in housing costs and /or utility rates. AVERAGE PRICES: The average price reported for each item in this survey is shown for each place that has participated in at least two of the three previous pricing periods. Places are listed alphabetically within state, without respect to metropolitan or micropolitan status. After the final state listing, this section presents the median, average, standard deviation, and range for each item. DATA REQUESTS: Please use our website at www.coli.org. OTHER QUESTIONS: Please direct all questions ex- cept data requests to C2ER at the mailing address shown on the previous page, voice 703 - 522 -4980, fax 480 - 393 -5098, or www.c2er.org ( "Contact Us "). SUBSCRIPTIONS: This quarterly report is available by subscription for US$165 per year. Subscriptions begin with the current issue unless the subscriber specifies otherwise. Single copies of current or back reports may be purchased for $82.50 each. Electronic subscriptions are available for $250 for four quarters.Combined print /electronic subscriptions are available for $295 per year. Order forms are available from the C2ER Subscription Office (voice 703 - 522 -4980, fax 480 - 393 -5098, or www.c2er.org). Please call or e -mail info @c2er.org about international orders. Fax and Internet orders may be placed with VISA, MasterCard, or American Express account number; mail orders may use any of those options plus check (payable to "C2ER ") or government purchase order in U.S. currency. If you have questions about your subscription, con- tact the C2ER Subscription Office (703 - 522 - 4980). COPYRIGHT POLICY: Each issue of the ACCRA Cost of Living Index is copyrighted. Printing, trans- ferring into computer - readable format, or otherwise reproducing an entire Index report or any part thereof for sale is expressly prohibited unless written per- mission is obtained from C2ER. News media, how- ever, are permitted to use Index data in editorial form in both paper copy and on the Internet, and are per- mitted to reproduce tables in part to illustrate text, provided appropriate credit is given to C2ER. They are granted no other reproduction rights. Participants may post on their Internet sites index data (but not average prices) for their area, for any areas over 2 million population, and for no more than five other areas. Other Internet posting of any ACCRA Cost of Living Index data without written per- mission from C2ER is prohibited. Any questions about copyright policy or reproduction rights should be addressed to the C2ER Subscription Office. C2ER: C2ER is a nonprofit professional organization comprising research staff of chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and agencies, and related organizations throughout the United States and Canada. In its dedication to improving business information through research, C2ER developed the ACCRA Cost of Living Index to meet the need for a measure of living cost differentials among urban areas. Originally titled Inter -City Cost of Living Indicators Project, the ACCRA Cost of Living Index has been published quarterly since 1968. The ACCRA Cost of Living Index is based on nearly 100,000 data points gathered primarily by C2ER members located in 400 cities. For more information about participating in this project or joining C2ER, please visit www.c2er.org or call 703 - 522 -4980. HOW TO USE THE ACCRA COST OF LIVING INDEX Assume that City A has a composite index of 98.3 and City B has a composite index of 128.5. If you live in City A and are contemplating a job offer in City B, how much of an increase in your after -taxes income is needed to maintain your present lifestyle? 100 *[(City B — City A) /City A] = 100 *[(128.5- 98.3)/98.3] = 100 *(.3072) = 30.72 %, or about a 31% increase Conversely, if you are considering a move from City B to City A, how much of a cut in after -taxes income can you sustain without reducing your present lifestyle? 100 *[(City A — City B) /City b] = 100 *[(98.3 — 128.5)/128.5] = 100 *( - .2350) = - 23.5 %, or about a 24% reduction 1 -1 Page 511