Consumer Prices Up 2.8% in February, Driven by Shelter Inflation

Washington, DC, March 12, 2025-The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis in February, after rising 0.5% in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. 

Over the last 12 months, the all-items index increased 2.8% before seasonal adjustment.

The index for shelter rose 0.3% in February, accounting for nearly half of the monthly all-items increase.

The shelter increase was partially offset by a 4.0% decrease in the index for airline fares and a 1.0% decline in the index for gasoline. Despite the decrease in the gasoline index, the energy index rose 0.2% over the month as the indexes for electricity and natural gas increased. The index for food also increased in February, rising 0.2% as the index for food away from home increased 0.4%. The food at home index was unchanged over the month.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2% in February, following a 0.4% increase in January. Indexes that increased over the month include medical care, used cars and trucks, household furnishings and operations, recreation, apparel, and personal care. The indexes for airline fares and new vehicles were among the few major indexes that decreased in February.

The all-items index rose 2.8% for the 12 months ending February, after rising 3.0% over the 12 months ending January. The all items less food and energy index rose 3.1% over the last 12 months. 

The energy index decreased 0.2% for the 12 months ending February. The food index increased 2.6% over the last year.