NY-area consumer prices rose 1.1% in October

Prices in the metropolitan area increased slightly last month because of higher housing costs.

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday that its consumer price index for the 31-county region that includes Long Island was up 1.1 percent in October compared with a year ago.

The index gain was the smallest, year over year, since July 2012.

In October, grocery prices climbed 1.1 percent compared with a year earlier, while the cost of gasoline fell 11 percent.

Residential rents and medical care costs each rose 3.1 percent in the 12-month period. Cothing was up 0.6 percent and recreation, 0.5 percent.

But the increase in the overall price index "was primarily attributable to higher prices for shelter," said Martin Kohli, the bureau's chief regional economist.