US consumer prices rise 0.4% in October as food costs climb again
The consumer price index rose more slowly than in September. The 2025 partial government shutdown prevented calculation of October’s overall annual inflation rate.
US consumer prices rose 0.4% in October from the previous month, after increasing 0.6% in September, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on November 10. The seasonally adjusted figure shows a slower monthly rise, although prices continued to increase.
Food prices rose 0.5% during the month. Within that category, food at home rose 0.4% and food away from home 0.5%. Energy increased 0.7%, following a 5.2% rise in September.
The index excluding food and energy, known as core inflation, rose 0.3% for the month, the same pace as in August and September. Shelter increased 0.3% and accounted for more than 30% of the monthly increase in the overall index, the agency said.
Why the annual comparison is missing
The report has an unusual limitation. During the partial federal government shutdown in October 2025, the data needed to calculate most indexes for that month were not collected. The bureau therefore could not publish a 12-month change for the overall October 2026 index or many of its series.
The missing rate does not mean prices stopped changing over the year. It means the official comparison base for that calculation is unavailable. Some components retain annual figures, but they cannot replace the overall index.
Food and services in detail
Among foods consumed at home, fruit and vegetable prices and dairy prices each rose 0.6% in October. The meat, poultry, fish and eggs group increased 0.5%, while nonalcoholic beverages fell 0.3%.
Gasoline rose 1% in the seasonally adjusted series; before seasonal adjustment, its index declined 0.7%. These are different measurements for the same period. Electricity rose 0.9% in the adjusted series and piped natural gas fell 0.8%.
Outside food and energy, medical care services increased 0.3% and motor vehicle insurance 0.7%. Used cars and trucks, by contrast, became 1.2% cheaper. These changes are national averages: each household’s experience depends on what it buys and where it lives.
The figures were released before the Federal Reserve’s next monetary policy meeting. The central bank considers prices alongside employment and other indicators; one monthly reading alone does not determine its interest-rate decision.
