Rising prices for food, fuel, medical care and even housing helped drive retail prices up 3.4 percent in the Pittsburgh area in the second half of last year, according to the government's calculations.

The only area where consumers paid less for what they got was in the recreation category that includes admissions to shows as well as sports equipment, pets and pet products, and televisions. Between the second half of 2006 and the second half of last year, that index fell 2.6 percent.

But the overall trend was inflationary, reported the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, which checks in with stores, doctors' offices and other establishments on a regular basis. The bureau releases Pittsburgh data on a semiannual basis.

Food prices were up whether people were eating at home or going out. The combination sent the food and beverage index up 5.4 percent, the largest 12-month increase since early 1990.

Gasoline prices zoomed 16.2 percent over the year, helping push the overall transportation index up 5.4 percent. The bureau noted that rapid movements were typical with gas prices. Since 2000, there have been surges of almost 40 percent and later, almost 30 percent.

Gas prices also were reflected in the energy index, which includes household fuels. That rose 13.4 percent.

Medical care prices rose 4 percent from the second half of 2006 to the second half of 2007, while the index tracking college tuition, postage, telephone services and computer prices rose 3.7 percent.

A market basket of goods and services that averaged $100 in the early 1980s would have cost Pittsburgh-area residents $203.30 in the second half of 2007.

The bureau defines the region as Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties.