Annual Inflation Held Steady at 2.7% in December

Washington, DC, January 13, 2026--The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. 

Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.7% before seasonal adjustment.

The index for shelter rose 0.4% in December and was the largest factor in the all items monthly increase. The food index increased 0.7% over the month as did the food at home index and the food away from home index. 

The index for energy rose 0.3% in December.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2% in December. Indexes that increased over the month include recreation, airline fares, medical care, apparel, personal care, and education. The indexes for communication, used cars and trucks, and household furnishings and operations were among the major indexes that decreased in December.

The all-items index rose 2.7% for the 12 months ending December, the same increase as over the 12 months ending November. The all-items less food and energy index rose 2.6% over the last 12 months. The energy index increased 2.3% for the 12 months ending December. The food index increased 3.1% over the last year.