Tame inflation in Tampa

Despite the flood of easy money and a more buoyant economy, inflation remains surprisingly tame on the Gulf Coast.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes inflation data for major cities, including twice a year for Tampa. On Aug. 15, the bureau says the consumer price index in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area rose just 1.8% from the first half of 2012 to the first half of 2013.

Components that declined in that period included motor fuel (-0.2%), electricity (-3.6%) and food (-0.3%). The index excluding food and energy rose 2.7%, higher but still relatively subdued.

Some of the index components that rose in that period in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area were medical care (4.7%), recreation (4.2%) and shelter (3%).