Price changes by category: food, rent, gas, cars and more
Which prices have risen most? Pick one of 37 spending categories, from groceries, restaurant meals and rent to gasoline, electricity, used cars, airline fares, tuition and medical care, and any two months since January 2000 to see how much its prices changed, the average yearly rate and how that compares with prices overall. You can also rank every category over any period. Data run to September 2026.
Updated 4 November 2026. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). Overall inflation each month: US inflation tracker. Key figures: US inflation statistics. What a past dollar is worth today: US inflation calculator. What a dozen eggs or a gallon of gas actually cost: US average prices since 1980.
Food at home (groceries): prices rose 32.4% from January 2020 to September 2026 (index 243.110 to 321.758), an average rise of 4.3% a year. What cost $100 in January 2020 cost $132.35 in September 2026. Prices overall (all items) rose 30.6% over the same months, so the change in this category was 1.8 percentage points higher than the change in prices overall. It ranks 20th of the 37 categories with figures for both months (1st = the largest price rise).
Rank every category over any period
From September 2025 to September 2026, prices rose most for Gasoline (all types) (+34.2%); Airline fares (+22.4%); and Energy (+20.4%). The lowest changes were for Medical care commodities (medicines and supplies) (−3.3%); Used cars and trucks (−1.5%); and Information technology commodities (computers, phones and software) (−1.1%). Prices overall (all items) rose 3.7%; 13 of the 37 categories rose more than that and 4 got cheaper.
Full ranking: 1. Gasoline (all types) (+34.2%) · 2. Airline fares (+22.4%) · 3. Energy (+20.4%) · 4. Transportation (+7.9%) · 5. Coffee (+7.1%) · 6. Tobacco and smoking products (+6.4%) · 7. Motor vehicle maintenance and repair (+5.8%) · 8. Utility (piped) gas service (+5.0%) · 9. Water, sewer and trash collection (+4.8%) · 10. Electricity (+4.4%) · 10. Lodging away from home (hotels and motels) (+4.4%) · 12. Nonalcoholic beverages (+3.8%) · 12. Tuition, other school fees and childcare (+3.8%) · 14. Fruits and vegetables (+3.7%) · 15. Food away from home (restaurants and takeout) (+3.5%) · 16. Apparel (+3.4%) · 17. Housing (+3.3%) · 17. Owners' equivalent rent of residences (+3.3%) · 19. Shelter (+3.2%) · 19. Telephone services (+3.2%) · 21. Rent of primary residence (+2.8%) · 21. Recreation (+2.8%) · 23. All items less food and energy (+2.6%) · 24. Food (+2.5%) · 24. Medical care services (+2.5%) · 26. Cereals and bakery products (+2.1%) · 26. Personal care products (+2.1%) · 28. Food at home (groceries) (+1.8%) · 29. Household furnishings and operations (+1.6%) · 30. Medical care (+1.5%) · 31. Alcoholic beverages (+1.4%) · 32. New vehicles (+0.6%) · 33. Meats, poultry, fish and eggs (+0.3%) · 34. Dairy and related products (−0.7%) · 35. Information technology commodities (computers, phones and software) (−1.1%) · 36. Used cars and trucks (−1.5%) · 37. Medical care commodities (medicines and supplies) (−3.3%).
Key figures
- In the 12 months to September 2026, prices overall (all items) rose 3.7%. The biggest rises among the 37 categories were for Gasoline (all types) (+34.2%); Airline fares (+22.4%); and Energy (+20.4%); the lowest changes were for Medical care commodities (medicines and supplies) (−3.3%); Used cars and trucks (−1.5%); and Information technology commodities (computers, phones and software) (−1.1%). #
- Since January 2020, prices overall have risen 30.6%. The biggest rises were for Gasoline (all types) (+68.8%); Energy (+60.3%); and Coffee (+56.6%); the lowest changes were for Information technology commodities (computers, phones and software) (−8.9%); Medical care commodities (medicines and supplies) (+4.3%); and Telephone services (+6.3%). #
- Since January 2000, prices overall have risen 99.6%: what cost $100 then cost $199.61 in September 2026. The biggest rises were for Tobacco and smoking products (+375.0%); Gasoline (all types) (+242.4%); and Water, sewer and trash collection (+218.8%). 2 categories are cheaper than in January 2000: Information technology commodities (computers, phones and software) (−76.0%); and Telephone services (−4.7%). #
- Since January 2020, grocery prices (food at home) have risen 32.4% and restaurant and takeout prices (food away from home) 37.9%. In the 12 months to September 2026 the changes were +1.8% and +3.5%. #
- Rent of primary residence has risen 33.3% since January 2020 (prices overall: 30.6%) and +2.8% in the 12 months to September 2026 (prices overall: +3.7%). #
- The largest 12-month price rise in any category since January 2001 was +59.9% for Gasoline (all types), in the 12 months to June 2022. The largest 12-month fall was −43.1% for Gasoline (all types), in the 12 months to December 2008. #
Price changes in 38 CPI categories
Changes in each category's consumer price index up to September 2026, with the highest and lowest 12-month changes since January 2001. Each row has its own link, for example #cat-rent or #cat-gasoline.
| Category | Index, September 2026 | 12 months | Since Jan 2020 | Since Jan 2000 | Average a year since 2000 | Highest 12-month change | Lowest 12-month change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 336.940 | +3.7% | +30.6% | +99.6% | +2.6% | +9.1% (June 2022) | −2.1% (July 2009) |
| All items less food and energy | 339.287 | +2.6% | +27.5% | +89.8% | +2.4% | +6.6% (September 2022) | +0.6% (October 2010) |
| Food | 350.905 | +2.5% | +34.4% | +111.3% | +2.8% | +11.4% (August 2022) | −0.7% (November 2009) |
| Food at home (groceries) | 321.758 | +1.8% | +32.4% | +93.5% | +2.5% | +13.5% (August 2022) | −2.9% (November 2009) |
| Food away from home (restaurants and takeout) | 398.783 | +3.5% | +37.9% | +138.5% | +3.3% | +8.8% (March 2023) | +1.1% (April 2010) |
| Cereals and bakery products | 369.585 | +2.1% | +33.9% | +99.1% | +2.6% | +16.4% (August 2022) | −1.5% (January 2010) |
| Meats, poultry, fish and eggs | 350.696 | +0.3% | +38.7% | +133.5% | +3.2% | +14.3% (April 2022) | −6.5% (August 2016) |
| Dairy and related products | 269.630 | −0.7% | +20.9% | +68.1% | +2.0% | +16.4% (November 2022) | −10.4% (August 2009) |
| Fruits and vegetables | 371.317 | +3.7% | +23.1% | +78.2% | +2.2% | +12.0% (August 2008) | −6.4% (September 2009) |
| Nonalcoholic beverages | 240.041 | +3.8% | +39.3% | +75.1% | +2.1% | +13.8% (July 2022) | −2.0% (April 2014) |
| Coffee | 299.101 | +7.1% | +56.6% | +90.5% | +2.4% | +20.9% (August 2025) | −7.9% (February 2014) |
| Alcoholic beverages | 301.738 | +1.4% | +19.0% | +75.0% | +2.1% | +5.8% (December 2022) | +0.4% (November 2015) |
| Energy | 341.573 | +20.4% | +60.3% | +203.6% | +4.3% | +41.6% (June 2022) | −28.1% (July 2009) |
| Gasoline (all types) | 383.182 | +34.2% | +68.8% | +242.4% | +4.7% | +59.9% (June 2022) | −43.1% (December 2008) |
| Electricity | 309.852 | +4.4% | +46.1% | +151.9% | +3.5% | +15.8% (August 2022) | −3.9% (July 2002) |
| Utility (piped) gas service | 264.250 | +5.0% | +51.6% | +125.3% | +3.1% | +59.3% (January 2001) | −36.2% (July 2009) |
| Water, sewer and trash collection | 335.364 | +4.8% | +34.8% | +218.8% | +4.4% | +6.9% (October 2008) | +2.2% (December 2019) |
| Housing | 361.392 | +3.3% | +34.1% | +117.7% | +3.0% | +8.2% (January 2023) | −0.7% (July 2009) |
| Shelter | 432.092 | +3.2% | +33.8% | +127.3% | +3.1% | +8.2% (March 2023) | −0.7% (April 2010) |
| Rent of primary residence | 450.402 | +2.8% | +33.3% | +148.7% | +3.5% | +8.8% (February 2023) | −0.1% (May 2010) |
| Owners' equivalent rent of residences | 445.381 | +3.3% | +34.3% | +127.0% | +3.1% | +8.1% (April 2023) | −0.3% (May 2010) |
| Lodging away from home (hotels and motels) | 195.407 | +4.4% | +27.3% | +75.6% | +2.1% | +25.1% (February 2022) | −15.2% (May 2020) |
| Household furnishings and operations | 156.418 | +1.6% | +26.0% | +23.2% | +0.8% | +10.1% (March 2022) | −3.1% (June 2010) |
| Apparel | 140.043 | +3.4% | +15.9% | +10.4% | +0.4% | +6.8% (March 2022) | −7.9% (May 2020) |
| Transportation | 295.862 | +7.9% | +42.0% | +99.5% | +2.6% | +22.6% (March 2022) | −14.3% (May 2009) |
| New vehicles | 179.859 | +0.6% | +22.1% | +25.5% | +0.9% | +13.2% (April 2022) | −3.2% (December 2008) |
| Used cars and trucks | 184.395 | −1.5% | +35.5% | +19.8% | +0.7% | +45.2% (June 2021) | −13.6% (February 2023) |
| Motor vehicle maintenance and repair | 468.491 | +5.8% | +56.1% | +168.3% | +3.8% | +14.2% (January 2023) | +1.1% (September 2012) |
| Airline fares | 315.948 | +22.4% | +23.8% | +42.4% | +1.3% | +42.9% (September 2022) | −28.8% (May 2020) |
| Medical care | 593.651 | +1.5% | +15.9% | +132.3% | +3.2% | +6.0% (September 2022) | −1.4% (September 2023) |
| Medical care services | 655.370 | +2.5% | +18.6% | +152.0% | +3.5% | +6.5% (September 2022) | −2.6% (September 2023) |
| Medical care commodities (medicines and supplies) | 402.832 | −3.3% | +4.3% | +71.3% | +2.0% | +5.2% (September 2016) | −3.3% (September 2026) |
| Recreation | 145.854 | +2.8% | +19.6% | +42.6% | +1.3% | +5.1% (December 2022) | −1.3% (September 2010) |
| Tuition, other school fees and childcare | 938.353 | +3.8% | +21.4% | +195.7% | +4.1% | +7.5% (January 2004) | +0.8% (March 2021) |
| Telephone services | 96.201 | +3.2% | +6.3% | −4.7% | −0.2% | +5.0% (August 2020) | −9.0% (June 2017) |
| Information technology commodities (computers, phones and software) | 99.946 | −1.1% | −8.9% | −76.0% | −5.2% | +2.8% (September 2021) | −18.9% (September 2001) |
| Tobacco and smoking products | 112.108 | +6.4% | +55.3% | +375.0% | +6.0% | +30.3% (November 2009) | −3.3% (September 2003) |
| Personal care products | 185.629 | +2.1% | +16.4% | +21.5% | +0.7% | +7.5% (December 2022) | −1.7% (May 2010) |
Worked example
Used car prices jumped during the pandemic. Here is the change from January 2020 to the latest month: Used cars and trucks: prices rose 35.5% from January 2020 to September 2026 (index 136.064 to 184.395), an average rise of 4.7% a year. What cost $100 in January 2020 cost $135.52 in September 2026. Prices overall (all items) rose 30.6% over the same months, so the change in this category was 4.9 percentage points higher than the change in prices overall. It ranks 12th of the 37 categories with figures for both months (1st = the largest price rise).
Download the data
- Monthly CPI-U index for all 38 categories since January 2000 (CSV): one column per category, blank where BLS published no value.
- Price changes by category (CSV): the table above with BLS series IDs, 12-month, since-2020 and since-2000 changes, average yearly rates and the highest and lowest 12-month changes.
BLS data are in the public domain; the files are free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 with credit to ClarionBrief and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, linking to this page.
Cite or link to this tool
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How the figures are calculated
Each category is a BLS consumer price index for all urban consumers (CPI-U), US city average, before seasonal adjustment. A change between two months is the ratio of the index values for those months, rounded to one decimal place; the average yearly rate is the compound rate over the months between them. "Prices overall" is the all-items index, the headline CPI. The ranking covers the 37 categories other than all items, and some categories overlap: food includes groceries and restaurants, housing includes shelter, energy includes gasoline and electricity, and so on. Indexes measure price changes for the same goods and services over time, adjusted for changes in quality, so they are not average prices.
No values were published for October 2025, when BLS stopped collecting prices during the federal government shutdown, except for a few categories such as gasoline and vehicles. Figures are updated daily and change when BLS publishes a new month; BLS revises seasonal factors but not these unadjusted indexes. Calculations are by ClarionBrief and can differ from other sources by a rounding difference.