Consumer Prices Rose 0.6% in March

Washington, DC, April 13, 2021-The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.6% in March on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.4% in February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. 

The March one-month increase was the largest rise since a 0.6% increase in August 2012. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.6% before seasonal adjustment.

The gasoline index continued to increase, rising 9.1% in March and accounting for nearly half of the seasonally adjusted increase in the all items index. The natural gas index also rose, contributing to a 5.0% increase in the energy index over the month. The food index rose 0.1% in March, with the food at home index and the food away from home index both also rising 0.1%. 

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3% in March. The shelter index increased in March as did the motor vehicle insurance index, the recreation index, and the household furnishings and operations index. Indexes which decreased over the month include apparel and education.