U.S. Consumer Prices Rose 0.4% in October After September’s Faster Gain

U.S. consumer prices rose again in October, though at a slower pace than in September, as shelter, food and energy all moved higher.

On Tuesday, November 10, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 0.4% on a seasonally adjusted basis in October, after a 0.6% rise in September. Shelter prices rose 0.3% and accounted for more than 30% of the monthly increase in the overall index, the agency said.

Food prices accelerated in October. The overall food index rose 0.5% after no change in September. Grocery prices, measured by the food-at-home index, increased 0.4%, while the food-away-from-home index rose 0.5%.

Within groceries, price moves were uneven. The index for other food at home climbed 0.7%, helped by a 1.0% rise in snacks. Meats, poultry, fish and eggs increased 0.5%, with beef up 0.9%. Fruits and vegetables rose 0.6%, and dairy and related products also increased 0.6%. By contrast, nonalcoholic beverages fell 0.3% after rising 0.9% in September. Cereals and bakery products were unchanged.

Detailed CPI data also showed a split within alcoholic drinks sold for home consumption. Prices for distilled spirits fell 0.9% from September, while beer prices edged up 0.1%. The broader alcoholic beverages index was little changed in October. For brewers, distillers, distributors and retailers, that divergence may offer a useful signal on how price pressure is shifting across categories and could shape pricing and margin decisions if the pattern continues.

Restaurant prices kept rising. The index for full-service meals increased 0.7% in October, and limited-service meals rose 0.4%. Those increases add to cost pressure for consumers eating out and are also relevant for beverage suppliers that depend on on-premise sales channels.

Energy prices rose 0.7% in October, following a 5.2% jump in September. Gasoline increased 1.0% on a seasonally adjusted basis after a 9.1% gain a month earlier. Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices fell 0.7% in October. Electricity prices rose 0.9%, while utility gas service declined 0.8%.

Excluding food and energy, the so-called core index rose 0.3% in October, the same pace as in August and September. Several categories posted increases, including recreation, medical care, motor vehicle insurance, household furnishings and operations, and education. Used cars and trucks fell 1.2%, and communication prices slipped 0.1%.

Shelter remained one of the main sources of monthly inflation pressure. Owners’ equivalent rent increased 0.3%, rent rose 0.2%, and lodging away from home advanced 0.6% after a 2.0% increase in September.

Medical care prices rose 0.3% in October after a 0.1% increase in September. Hospital services climbed 0.8%, physicians’ services rose 0.4%, and prescription drugs increased 0.3%.

The report also showed continued increases in transportation-related costs. Motor vehicle insurance rose 0.7%, and transportation services increased 0.8%. New vehicle prices were up 0.2%.

On an unadjusted basis, the CPI-U reached 337.511, with the index rising 0.2% over the month. The CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers increased 0.1% before seasonal adjustment, to 331.147.

Year-over-year comparisons were incomplete in the October release because the agency did not collect survey data in October 2025 during a lapse in appropriations. BLS said it could not publish 12-month changes for October 2026 for series that lack October 2025 data. One of the exceptions reported in the release was gasoline, which was up 37.4% from a year earlier on an unadjusted basis.

The CPI report covers spending patterns for more than 90% of the U.S. population and is based on prices collected from about 6,000 housing units and about 22,000 retail establishments in 75 urban areas. BLS said the next CPI report, covering November 2026, is scheduled for Thursday, December 10.