Americans plagued by rising prices the past three years got another promising sign on Thursday as inflation registered the lowest annual reading since February 2021.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI), a broad measure of the price of everyday goods, including groceries, gasoline, and rent, rose 0.2% in September over the previous month, slightly higher than economists’ expectations. Prices rose 2.4% compared to a year ago — also a notch above predictions.
Here’s what the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest inflation numbers mean for your household:
Restaurant meals surge, along with some groceries
The cost of eating out isn’t easing up. The “food away from home” index rose nearly 4% annually as overall food inflation inched up just 2.3%. Even vending machine snacks were 3.8% higher than a year ago.
Overall grocery prices are easing up. The grocery index ticked up 1.3% annually and was 0.4% higher compared to a month earlier.
Some items posting the largest cooldowns were coffee, ham, potatoes, rice, and apples.
But a few foods remain stubbornly high. Egg prices are nearly 40% higher than a year ago due to a bird flu outbreak that has wiped out more than 100 million poultry birds.
Frozen juices and drinks jumped more than 15% year over year, and beef products keep getting pricier. Ground beef rose 4.7% from a year ago, steaks were up nearly 2%, and roasts surged 6%. According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, that translated to an average of $7.58 per pound for uncooked beef roasts.
Inflation cools on household items, used cars, and more
The sting of surging prices should feel like less of a bite on several common purchases. Of note:
The price of used cars, notoriously steep during the pandemic, slowed more than 5% compared to a year ago. Car and truck rentals were down almost 7% compared to 2023.
Various household goods showed cooldowns. Furniture, major appliances, and even everyday items like dishes and tableware all posted significantly slower price growth compared to September 2023.
Auto insurance keeps surging while gas prices drop
The price of auto insurance was up 16.3% since last September, a pain felt nationwide. The monthly index ticked up 1.2%.
Three consecutive years of underwriting losses mean insurers have paid out more in claims and expenses than they took in through the premiums we pay — leading to the steep hikes felt today.
Owning a car has generally become pricier. Motor vehicle maintenance and repair costs increased 4.9% year over year. Meanwhile, parking fees and tolls were more than 4% higher than in September 2023.
But there was good news at the gas pump.
The gasoline index fell 4.1% on a monthly basis and was 15.3% lower than a year ago. As of Oct. 10, the national average for gasoline was $3.21 per gallon, nearly $0.50 cheaper than ago, according to AAA data.
Senior care, other health costs continue to rise
Though inflation is easing overall, costs borne largely by seniors have been slower to cool.
Home healthcare for elderly or disabled family members was more than 8.7% higher than a year ago, the BLS found.
Hospital and related services were nearly 5% higher than a year ago. Meanwhile, prescription drug costs grew by 2.2% while over-the-counter medications were up 0.7% annually, though both indexes were slightly lower compared to August.
What’s next
The new reading marks the third straight month that headline inflation was under 3%. But because the index came in hotter than anticipated, investors are betting heavily on a modest quarter-point interest rate cut when the Fed meets next month.
