Consumer prices up 3.4 over the year in July 2026

Over the 12 months ended July 2026, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 3.4 percent, after rising 3.5 percent for the year ending in June. Prices for energy increased 14.7 percent, while food prices increased 3.0 percent. Prices for items other than food and energy rose 2.5 percent over the year.

The 14.7-percent increase in energy prices over the past 12 months was due in large part to prices for gasoline rising 24.6 percent over the same period. Prices for natural gas increased 4.3 percent and prices for electricity rose 4.2 percent.

Within the food category, consumer prices for food away from home rose 3.4 percent. Prices for food at home rose 2.7 percent. Prices for lettuce decreased in July 2026, but over the 12-month period prices for fresh vegetables overall increased 6.3 percent, and lettuce prices were up 7.5 percent.

In the all items less food and energy category, prices for services less energy services were up 3.0 percent, including a 3.2-percent increase in prices for shelter. Prices for commodities less food and energy commodities increased 0.8 percent. In this category, apparel prices were up 3.9 percent over the year. Consumers paid lower prices for used cars and trucks (−1.9 percent) and medical care commodities (−2.7 percent) in July 2026 compared with a year earlier.

These data are from the Consumer Price Index program and are not seasonally adjusted. To learn more, see "Consumer Price Index — July 2026." Also see more charts of consumer prices data.