September 2026 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 0.6 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 3.7 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The index for gasoline rose 9.1 percent in September, accounting for over half of the monthly all items increase. The energy index increased 5.2 percent over the month following a 2.1-percent increase in August. The shelter index rose 0.4 percent in September after rising 0.3 percent in August. The index for food was unchanged in September, as the index for food away from home increased 0.2 percent and the index for food at home fell 0.1 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3 percent in September, as it did in August. Indexes that increased over the month include recreation, used cars and trucks, education, airline fares, medical care, and apparel. Conversely, the index for communication was among the small number of major indexes that decreased in September.

The all items index rose 3.7 percent for the 12 months ending September, a larger increase than the 3.4-percent increase reported for the 12 months ending in August. The all items less food and energy index rose 2.6 percent over the year, following a 2.4-percent increase over the 12 months ending August. The energy index increased 20.4 percent for the 12 months ending September. The food index increased 2.5 percent over the last year.

Food

The food index was unchanged in September after rising 0.1 percent in each of the preceding 2 months. The index for food at home decreased 0.1 percent over the month. Three of the six major grocery store food group indexes decreased in September, while the other three indexes increased. The meats, poultry, fish, and eggs index decreased 0.5 percent over the month, as the beef index fell 1.0 percent. The index for other food at home decreased 0.2 percent in September. The dairy and related products index decreased 0.9 percent over the month, as the milk index declined 2.0 percent.

In contrast, the nonalcoholic beverages index increased 0.9 percent in September, as the carbonated drinks index rose 1.5 percent. The index for fruits and vegetables rose 0.5 percent over the month, and the index for cereals and bakery products increased 0.1 percent.

The food away from home index rose 0.2 percent in September. The index for full service meals rose 0.3 percent, and the index for limited service meals increased 0.2 over the month.

The food at home index rose 1.8 percent over the 12 months ending in September. The index for fruits and vegetables increased 3.7 percent, and the index for other food at home rose 1.8 percent over the year. The nonalcoholic beverages index increased 3.8 percent over the 12 months ending in September, and the cereals and bakery products index rose 2.1 percent over the same period. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs increased 0.3 percent over the last 12 months. In contrast, the dairy and related products index fell 0.7 percent over the year.

The food away from home index rose 3.5 percent over the last year. The index for full service meals rose 3.8 percent, and the index for limited service meals rose 3.2 percent over the 12 months ending in September.

Energy

The index for energy increased 5.2 percent in September after rising 2.1 percent in August. The gasoline index increased 9.1 percent over the month. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices increased 6.5 percent in September.) The index for electricity rose 0.2 percent over the month. In contrast, the natural gas index decreased 0.3 percent in September.

The index for energy increased 20.4 percent over the past 12 months due in large part to the index for gasoline rising 34.2 percent over the same period. The natural gas index increased 5.0 percent over the 12 months ending in September, and the electricity index rose 4.4 percent.

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 0.4 percent over the month after rising 0.3 percent in August. The index for owners' equivalent rent rose 0.3 percent in September, and the index for rent increased 0.2 percent. The lodging away from home index rose 2.0 percent in September after rising 2.4 percent the previous month.

The index for recreation increased 0.5 percent over the month after being unchanged in August. The used cars and trucks index rose 0.7 percent in September, and the education index increased 0.6 percent. The index for airline fares increased 1.2 percent in September, and the index for apparel rose 0.3 percent. The new vehicles index, the personal care index, and the motor vehicle insurance index also increased over the month.

The medical care index increased 0.1 percent in September after falling 0.2 percent in August. The index for hospital services rose 0.7 percent over the month. In contrast, the prescription drugs index declined 1.2 percent in September. The index for physicians' services was unchanged over the month.

The communication index declined 0.2 percent in September after rising 2.3 percent in August. The index for household furnishings and operations was unchanged over the month.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.6 percent over the past 12 months. The shelter index increased 3.2 percent over the last year. Other indexes with notable increases over the last year include airline fares (+22.4 percent), recreation (+2.8 percent), medical care (+1.5 percent), and education (+3.8 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 336.940 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index rose 0.6 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 3.9 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 330.654 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.7 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 3.5 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.

The Consumer Price Index news release for October 2026 is scheduled to be published on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. (ET).