I'm not incorrect...core CPI (the most oft cited measure by the Fed and its cheerleaders in the financial media) specifically excludes food and energy prices
As for how to track housing costs...I'm not a statistician but if the purpose of the CPI is to measure the living costs incurred by the average household...why limit the cost of housing criteria to rental prices? All things being equal, as the cost of buying a house goes up...the rents landlords can charge should go down.
Ummm...they mention both rates. And they don't try to hide it, it's even on their website.
As for how to track housing costs...I'm not a statistician but if the purpose of the CPI is to measure the living costs incurred by the average household...why limit the cost of housing criteria to rental prices?
I own a house and have a mortgage. Prices of houses in my area double. Does my mortgage double? No.