February 2026 Consumer Price Index

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The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in February, after rising 0.2 percent in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.4 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The index for shelter rose 0.2 percent in February and was the largest factor in the all items monthly increase. The food index increased 0.4 percent over the month as did the food at home index, while the food away from home index rose 0.3 percent. The index for energy also increased in February, rising 0.6 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent in February. Indexes that increased over the month include medical care, apparel, household furnishings and operations, airline fares, and education. Conversely, the indexes for communication, used cars and trucks, motor vehicle insurance, and personal care were among the major indexes that decreased in February.

The all items index rose 2.4 percent for the 12 months ending February, the same increase as reported for the 12 months ending January. The all items less food and energy index rose 2.5 percent over the year, also the same increase as reported for the 12 months ending in January. The energy index increased 0.5 percent for the 12 months ending February. The food index increased 3.1 percent over the last year.

Food

The index for food rose 0.4 percent in February as did the index for food at home. Both indexes also increased 0.2 percent in January. Three of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased in February. The index for other food at home rose 0.8 percent in February, as the index for candy and chewing gum rose 3.7 percent. The fruits and vegetables index increased 1.4 percent over the month, and the nonalcoholic beverages index rose 0.8 percent.

In contrast, the index for dairy and related products decreased 0.6 percent in February, with the index for cheese declining 1.2 percent. The cereals and bakery products index declined 0.2 percent over the month, after increasing 1.2 percent in January. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs was unchanged in February with its components mixed.

The food away from home index rose 0.3 percent in February. The index for limited service meals and the index for full service meals also each rose 0.3 percent over the month.

The food at home index rose 2.4 percent over the 12 months ending in February. The index for other food at home rose 3.3 percent over the last 12 months. The nonalcoholic beverages index increased 5.6 percent over the same period and the fruits and vegetables index rose 2.7 percent. The index for cereals and bakery products increased 2.7 percent over the 12 months ending in February. Despite a 42.1 percent drop in the eggs index, the meats, poultry, fish, and eggs index rose 0.4 percent over the year and the dairy and related products index increased 0.1 percent over the same period.

The food away from home index rose 3.9 percent over the last year. The index for full service meals rose 4.6 percent and the index for limited service meals rose 3.2 percent over the same period.

Energy

The index for energy increased 0.6 percent in February, after falling 1.5 percent in January. The gasoline index increased 0.8 percent over the month. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices increased 3.3 percent in February.) The index for natural gas rose 3.1 percent in February. Conversely, the electricity index decreased 0.7 percent over the same period.

The index for energy increased 0.5 percent over the past 12 months. The electricity index increased 4.8 percent over the last 12 months and the natural gas index rose 10.9 percent. In contrast, the index for gasoline fell 5.6 percent over this span.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent in February, following a 0.3-percent increase in January. The shelter index increased 0.2 percent over the month as did the owners' equivalent rent index. The index for rent increased 0.1 percent in February, the smallest 1-month increase in that index since January 2021. The lodging away from home index rose 1.0 percent over the month.

The medical care index increased 0.5 percent in February, after rising 0.3 percent in January. The index for hospital services increased 0.6 percent over the month and the index for physicians' services rose 0.3 percent. Conversely, the prescription drugs index decreased 0.2 percent in February.

The index for apparel increased 1.3 percent over the month, after rising 0.3 percent in January. The household furnishings and operations index rose 0.3 percent in February and the airline fares index rose 1.4 percent. The index for education rose 0.2 percent over the month. The new vehicles index was unchanged in February.

The communication index declined 0.5 percent in February and the used cars and trucks index decreased 0.4 percent over the month. The index for motor vehicle insurance decreased 0.3 in February and the index for personal care fell 0.2 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.5 percent over the past 12 months. The shelter index increased 3.0 percent over the last year. Other indexes with notable increases over the last year include medical care (+3.4 percent), household furnishings and operations (+3.9 percent), recreation (+2.3 percent), and personal care (+4.5 percent).

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 2.4 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 326.785 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.5 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 2.2 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 319.422 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.5 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 2.2 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index increased 0.5 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the past 10 to 12 months are subject to revision.