September 2025 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) increased 0.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in September, after rising 0.4 percent in August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.0 percent before seasonal adjustment. Note that September CPI data collection was completed before the lapse in appropriations.

The index for gasoline rose 4.1 percent in September and was the largest factor in the all items monthly increase, as the index for energy rose 1.5 percent over the month. The food index increased 0.2 percent over the month as the food at home index rose 0.3 percent and the food away from home index increased 0.1 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent in September, after rising 0.3 percent in each of the 2 preceding months. Indexes that increased over the month include shelter, airline fares, recreation, household furnishings and operations, and apparel. The indexes for motor vehicle insurance, used cars and trucks, and communication were among the few major indexes that decreased in September.

The all items index rose 3.0 percent for the 12 months ending September, after rising 2.9 percent over the 12 months ending August. The all items less food and energy index also rose 3.0 percent over the last 12 months. The energy index increased 2.8 percent for the 12 months ending September. The food index increased 3.1 percent over the last year.

Food

The index for food rose 0.2 percent in September, after rising 0.5 percent in August. The food at home index increased 0.3 percent over the month. Four of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased in September. The index for other food at home rose 0.5 percent over the month after rising 0.1 percent in August. The cereals and bakery products index and the nonalcoholic beverages index both increased 0.7 percent in September. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 0.3 percent over the month following a 1.0-percent increase in August.

The dairy and related products index declined 0.5 percent in September as the cheese and related products index decreased 0.7 percent. The index for fruits and vegetables was unchanged over the month.

The food away from home index rose 0.1 percent in September. The index for limited service meals rose 0.2 percent over the month while the index for full service meals was unchanged.

The index for food at home rose 2.7 percent over the 12 months ending in September, as it did over the 12 months ending in August. The meats, poultry, fish, and eggs index rose 5.2 percent over the last 12 months. The index for nonalcoholic beverages increased 5.3 percent over the same period and the index for other food at home rose 1.9 percent. The cereals and bakery products index increased 1.6 percent over the 12 months ending in September. The index for fruits and vegetables rose 1.3 percent and the index for dairy and related products increased 0.7 percent over the same period.

The food away from home index rose 3.7 percent over the last year. The index for full service meals rose 4.2 percent and the index for limited service meals rose 3.2 percent over the same period.

Energy

The index for energy increased 1.5 percent in September, after rising 0.7 percent in August. The gasoline index increased 4.1 percent over the month. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices increased 1.1 percent in September.) The index for electricity decreased 0.5 percent over the month and the index for natural gas decreased 1.2 percent over the same period.

The index for energy increased 2.8 percent over the past 12 months. The electricity index increased 5.1 percent over the 12 months ending in September and the natural gas index rose 11.7 percent. In contrast, the index for gasoline fell 0.5 percent over this 12-month span.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent in September, after rising 0.3 percent in each of the preceding 2 months. The shelter index increased 0.2 percent over the month. The index for owners' equivalent rent rose 0.1 percent in September, the smallest 1-month increase in that index since January 2021. The rent index increased 0.2 percent over the month. The index for lodging away from home rose 1.3 percent in September.

The index for airline fares increased 2.7 percent over the month, after rising 5.9 percent in August. The recreation index rose 0.4 percent in September as did the household furnishings and operations index. The index for apparel rose 0.7 percent over the month and the index for personal care increased 0.4 percent. The new vehicles index rose 0.2 percent in September.

The motor vehicle insurance index declined 0.4 percent in September, after being unchanged in August. The index for used cars and trucks also decreased 0.4 percent over the month and the index for communication declined 0.2 percent.

The medical care index increased 0.2 percent over the month, after declining 0.2 percent in August. The index for hospital services increased 0.3 percent over the month, as did the index for prescription drugs. The dental services index decreased 0.6 percent in September and the physicians' services index declined 0.1 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 3.0 percent over the past 12 months. The shelter index increased 3.6 percent over the last year. Other indexes with notable increases over the last year include medical care (+3.3 percent), household furnishings and operations (+4.1 percent), recreation (+3.0 percent), and used cars and trucks (+5.1 percent).

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 3.0 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 324.800 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.3 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 2.9 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 318.139 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.3 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 2.9 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index increased 0.3 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the past 10 to 12 months are subject to revision.

BLS staff availability on October 24, 2025

Due to the lapse in appropriations, BLS press office staff will be available to answer questions about September 2025 CPI data only until noon (ET) today, October 24, 2025. The press office can be reached at PressOffice@bls.gov.

The Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026 is announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Visit www.ssa.gov for more information.

Changes to the health insurance index

With the next release of CPI data, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will remove long-term care (LTC) insurance from the health insurance index. Changes in the market for LTC insurance have made it out of scope and ineligible for pricing in the CPI market basket.