CPI Report Reveals Inflation Continues To Worsen Month To Month

I regret to inform you that inflation has risen again, but if you’ve filled up your gas tank or bought groceries in recent weeks, you probably already know it. 

The Labor Department’s latest report shows the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.7% compared to the same time last year. Costs rose 0.6% from August to September, the largest increase in five months, on top of the 0.4% rise the month before. 

One of the most drastic markers of inflation is gas prices, which rose 9.1% from August to September. While I became accustomed to high gas prices when I lived in Los Angeles, seeing gas over $5 at several gas stations in Tempe, Arizona, drove home how bad things have gotten because of the protracted conflict in Iran. 

According to The New York Times, food prices have increased 2.5% in the last year, and airfare has jumped 22% from last year. Despite growing backlash and concerns about AI, data centers have continued to proliferate across the country, driving computer and technology prices up 28.4% over the last year. The CPI report has caused stocks in the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq markets to fall on Wednesday. 

“The report was worse than expected,” Bill Adams, chief U.S. economist at Fifth Third Bank, said in a note to clients. “Price increases were widespread …. Consumer demand seems to be holding up better than the downbeat consumer surveys would suggest, helping businesses maintain pricing power.”

I don’t necessarily know if consumer demand is holding up, but I do know people have to buy food and gas. We’re all spending more on what we need, but getting less. Any time I go to the grocery store, I feel like I’m spending anywhere between $40 and $80 bucks, and I’m not even grabbing that many things. 

The report comes only weeks before the midterm election, as Republicans grow increasingly doubtful of their chances of maintaining control of the House and possibly even the Senate. This new report only adds to their woes as the cost-of-living crisis tops voters’ minds. 

It doesn’t help that under President Donald Trump’s leadership, the Republican Party has only worsened the affordability crisis. Insurance provided through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has become significantly more expensive because Republicans allowed tax subsidies to expire. Millions of people have lost access to SNAP benefits due to changes made in the GOP’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” These changes haven’t gone unnoticed by voters: a recent Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 78% of Americans blame the current Trump administration’s policies for inflation outpacing their earnings, including 57% of Republicans who support Donald Trump.

I truly, truly hope that the midterms make Republicans realize that no amount of redistricting can help them when they’re actively making life worse for Americans across the board. 

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