September 2023 Consumer Price Index

Historical release narrative reproduced from the official public-domain source. Statistical tables, standard technical appendices, administrative material and attendance rosters are omitted; formatting is adapted for reading. Figures retain the release's historical context and may have been revised. Consult the linked source for the complete document.

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.4 percent in September on a seasonally adjusted basis, after increasing 0.6 percent in August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.7 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The index for shelter was the largest contributor to the monthly all items increase, accounting for over half of the increase. An increase in the gasoline index was also a major contributor to the all items monthly rise. While the major energy component indexes were mixed in September, the energy index rose 1.5 percent over the month. The food index increased 0.2 percent in September, as it did in the previous two months. The index for food at home increased 0.1 percent over the month while the index for food away from home rose 0.4 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3 percent in September, the same increase as in August. Indexes which increased in September include rent, owners' equivalent rent, lodging away from home, motor vehicle insurance, recreation, personal care, and new vehicles. The indexes for used cars and trucks and for apparel were among those that decreased over the month.

The all items index increased 3.7 percent for the 12 months ending September, the same increase as the 12 months ending in August. The all items less food and energy index rose 4.1 percent over the last 12 months. The energy index decreased 0.5 percent for the 12 months ending September, and the food index increased 3.7 percent over the last year.

Food

The food index rose 0.2 percent in September, as it did in the previous two months. The index for food at home increased 0.1 percent over the month, after rising 0.2 percent in August. Three of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased over the month. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 0.5 percent in September as the index for pork increased 1.6 percent. The index for other food at home increased 0.3 percent over the month and the index for dairy and related products rose 0.1 percent.

The index for cereals and bakery products decreased 0.4 percent in September, the first decline in that index since June 2021. The fruits and vegetables index was unchanged over the month, as was the nonalcoholic beverages index.

The food away from home index rose 0.4 percent in September. The index for limited service meals and the index for full service meals each increased 0.4 percent.

The food at home index rose 2.4 percent over the last 12 months. The index for cereals and bakery products rose 4.8 percent over the 12 months ending in September. The dairy and related products index decreased 0.2 percent over the year. The remaining major grocery store food groups posted increases ranging from 0.2 percent (meat, poultry, fish, and eggs) to 4.2 percent (other food at home).

The index for food away from home rose 6.0 percent over the last year. The index for limited service meals rose 6.4 percent over the last 12 months, and the index for full service meals rose 5.1 percent over the same period.

Energy

The energy index rose 1.5 percent in September after increasing 5.6 percent in August. The gasoline index increased 2.1 percent in September, following a 10.6-percent increase in the previous month. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices rose 0.6 percent in September.)

The index for electricity rose 1.3 percent in September, after increasing 0.2 percent in August. The index for fuel oil also rose in September, increasing 8.5 percent. The natural gas index decreased 1.9 percent over the month, following a 0.1-percent increase in August.

Despite the September monthly increases, the energy index fell 0.5 percent over the past 12 months, with its components mixed. The natural gas index fell 19.9 percent, and the fuel oil index fell 5.1 percent over the span. The gasoline index increased 3.0 percent over the last 12 months, while the index for electricity rose 2.6 percent over the last year.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3 percent in September, as it did in August. The shelter index increased 0.6 percent in September, after rising 0.3 percent the previous month. The index for rent rose 0.5 percent in September, and the index for owners' equivalent rent increased 0.6 percent over the month. The lodging away from home index increased 3.7 percent in September, ending a string of 3 consecutive monthly decreases.

The shelter index was the largest factor in the monthly increase in the index for all items less food and energy. Among the other indexes that rose in September was the index for motor vehicle insurance, which increased 1.3 percent after rising 2.4 percent the preceding month. The indexes for recreation, personal care, new vehicles, and household furnishings and operations also increased in September.

The medical care index rose 0.2 percent in September, as it did in August. The index for hospital services increased 1.5 percent over the month, and the index for physicians' services was unchanged. The prescription drugs index fell 0.7 percent in September.

The index for used cars and trucks fell 2.5 percent in September, after decreasing 1.2 percent in August. The apparel index declined 0.8 percent over the month, and the communication index was unchanged.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 4.1 percent over the past 12 months. The shelter index increased 7.2 percent over the last year, accounting for over 70 percent of the total increase in all items less food and energy. Other indexes with notable increases over the last year include motor vehicle insurance (+18.9 percent), recreation (+3.9 percent), personal care (+6.1 percent), and new vehicles (+2.5 percent).

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 3.7 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 307.789 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 3.6 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 302.257 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 3.7 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index increased 0.2 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the past 10 to 12 months are subject to revision.

Seeking Feedback on News Release Format Changes

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is implementing a substantial change to the format of our news releases over the next few years. Our objective is to improve readability, accessibility, and consistency while maintaining our high standard of accuracy. Changes include easy-to-read bullets and interactive charts. News release tables will be published with the release in Excel format only.

The Consumer Price Index news release prototype is currently available for feedback on the Redesigned News Releases beta webpage at www.bls.gov/beta/redesigned-news-releases.htm.