The Consumer Price Index report for July, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Wednesday, Aug. 12, showed anticipated headline inflation up 0.1% to 3.4% for all items, after falling 0.4% in June.
The index for shelter rose 0.1%, accounting for roughly two-thirds of the monthly all items increase. The
index for food also increased 0.1% over the month, as the index for food away from home increased 0.3 percent.
In contrast, the energy index declined 1.5% in July. The index for motor vehicle insurance was among the major indexes that decreased in July.
The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2% after being unchanged in June. Indexes that increased
over the month include:
● Medical care
● Airline fares
● Communication
● Education
● Recreation
Year Over Year
- The All Items index rose 3.4% for the 12 months ending July after rising 3.5% for the 12 months ending
June - The All Items index less the Food and Energy index rose 2.5% over the year, following a 2.6% increase over
the 12 months ending June - The Energy Index increased 14.7% for the 12 months ending July
- The Food Index increased 3.0% over the last year
Food Index
The food index rose 0.1% in July, after rising 0.2% in June. The index for food at home decreased 0.1%
over the month. Three of the six major grocery store food group indexes decreased in July.
The meats, poultry, fish, and eggs index decreased 0.7% over the month as the pork index declined 1.5%. The index for fruits and vegetables decreased 0.1 percent in July as the index for lettuce fell 16.4%. The dairy and related products index decreased 0.1% over the month. The index for other food at home was unchanged in July.
In contrast, the nonalcoholic beverages index rose 0.9% in July after falling 1.5% in June. The index for
cereals and bakery products increased 0.2% over the month.
The food away from home index rose 0.3% in July. The index for limited service meals rose 0.4%, and the
index for full service meals rose 0.2% over the month.
The index for food at home rose 2.7% over the 12 months ending in July. The fruits and vegetables index rose 5.1% over the last 12 months. The index for other food at home increased 2.5%, and the index for nonalcoholic
beverages rose 4.1% over the year. The meats, poultry, fish, and eggs index increased 1.9% over the 12
months ending in July, and the cereals and bakery products index rose 2.7% over the same period. In contrast, the
index for dairy and related products fell 0.5% over the year.
The food away from home index rose 3.4% over the last year. The index for full service meals rose 3.4%,
and the index for limited service meals rose 3.3% over the 12 months ending in July.
Energy
The index for energy decreased 1.5% in July, after falling 5.7% in June. The gasoline index decreased 2.9%
over the month. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices decreased 2.1 percent in July.) Conversely, the
index for natural gas increased 0.7% in July, and the index for electricity rose 0.1%.
The index for energy increased 14.7% over the past 12 months due in large part to the index for gasoline rising
24.6% over the same period. The natural gas index increased 4.3% over the 12 months ending in July, and
the electricity% rose 4.2%.
All Items Less Food and Energy
The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2% in July after being unchanged in June. The shelter index
increased 0.1% over the month, as it did in June. The index for owners’ equivalent rent rose 0.3% in July
as did the index for rent. The lodging away from home index fell 2.8% over the month.
The medical care index increased 0.4% in July after falling 0.1% in June. The index for hospital services
increased 0.5% over the month, and the index for physicians’ services increased 0.2%. Conversely, the
prescription drugs index decreased 0.8% in July.
The index for airline fares increased 2.2% over the month after rising 0.2% in June. The communication
index rose 0.6% in July, and the education index increased 0.5%. The index for recreation increased 0.2% in July, and the index for used cars and trucks rose 0.4%. The indexes for new vehicles, household
furnishings and operations, and apparel also increased over the month.
The motor vehicle insurance index declined 0.3% in July after falling 2.0% in June. The index for personal
care was unchanged in July.
The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.5% over the past 12 months. The shelter index increased 3.2% over the last year. Other indexes with notable increases over the last year include:
$ Airline fares (+25.5 percent)
$ Medical care (+1.7 percent)
$ Recreation (+2.6 percent)
$ Household furnishings and operations (+2.2 percent)
All Items By Category, 12-Month Change
The Consumer Price Index news release for August 2026 is scheduled to be published on Friday, Sept. 11 at
8:30 a.m. (ET).
| Category | 12-month percent change, Jul 2026 |
|---|---|
| All items | 3.4% |
| Food | 3.0% |
| Food at home | 2.7% |
| Cereals and bakery products | 2.7% |
| Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs | 1.9% |
| Dairy and related products | -0.5% |
| Fruits and vegetables | 5.1% |
| Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials | 4.1% |
| Other food at home | 2.5% |
| Food away from home | 3.4% |
| Full service meals and snacks | 3.4% |
| Limited service meals and snacks | 3.3% |
| Energy | 14.7% |
| Energy commodities | 24.7% |
| Fuel oil | 39.1% |
| Gasoline (all types) | 24.6% |
| Energy services | 4.3% |
| Electricity | 4.2% |
| Natural gas (piped) | 4.3% |
| All items less food and energy | 2.5% |
| Commodities less food and energy commodities | 0.8% |
| Apparel | 3.9% |
| New vehicles | 0.5% |
| Used cars and trucks | -1.9% |
| Medical care commodities | -2.7% |
| Alcoholic beverages | 2.1% |
| Tobacco and smoking products | 6.7% |
| Services less energy services | 3.0% |
| Shelter | 3.2% |
| Rent of primary residence | 2.9% |
| Owners’ equivalent rent of residences | 3.2% |
| Medical care services | 2.7% |
| Physicians’ services | 2.4% |
| Hospital services | 5.2% |
| Transportation services | 2.9% |
| Motor vehicle maintenance and repair | 6.6% |
| Motor vehicle insurance | -4.5% |
| Airline fare | 25.5% |