Consumer prices edged down 0.1% in June, the Labor Department said in its monthly Consumer Price Index report. The CPI is the key reading of inflation at the consumer level. Lower gasoline prices were a major contributing factor.

"Similarly to April and May, a decline in the energy index caused the seasonally adjusted all items decrease in June," the Labor Department stated. "The index for energy decreased 2.9 percent in June, the same decline as in May, with a decline in the gasoline index accounting for most of the decrease. This more than offset an increase in the index for all items less food and energy, while the food index was unchanged for the second month in a row."

Core consumer prices, which exclude the more volatile food and energy costs, rose 0.2% last month.

Inflation over the past 12 months increased 1.1%. The core inflation rate advanced 0.9% over the last year.

Website Site Updates

The buying power of the U.S. dollar can be compared between any dates from 1913 to 2010, as the US Inflation Calculator has been updated with June’s data. The following 2010 inflation rate and data pages were also updated:

• Historic Consumer Index Data
• 2010 Inflation Rates
• Historical Inflation Rates
• Rate of Inflation, Annual Averages

For a more detailed report of consumer prices, read US Annual Inflation at 1.1%.

Consumer prices edged down 0.1% in April, the Labor Department said Wednesday in its monthly Consumer Price Index report. The CPI is the government’s key inflation barometer, measuring inflation at the consumer level. Many forecasters were expecting a 0.1% increase. Last month’s decline was led by falling energy prices.

"The index for energy decreased 1.4 percent in April and accounted for the seasonally adjusted decline in the all items index. The indexes for gasoline and natural gas both decreased significantly, outweighing increases in the indexes for fuel oil and electricity," the Consumer Price Index Summary report stated.

Core prices, which strips out volatile food and energy items, remained unchanged last month.

Inflation over the past 12 months increased 2.2%. The core inflation rate rose 0.9% over the last year — the smallest annual gain since January 1966.

The U.S. Inflation Calculator is updated, and the buying power of the U.S. dollar can be compared between any dates from 1913 to 2010. Additionally, the following 2010 inflation rate and data pages were also updated:

• Historic CPI Data (1913 – 2010)
• Current Inflation Rates (2000 – 2010)
• Historical Inflation Rates (1914 – 2010)
• Rate of Inflation, Annual Averages

For a more detailed report of consumer prices in April, read U.S. Inflation Rises 2.2% for the Year.

Annual inflation rose 2.3%, according to the Labor Department’s Consumer Price Index, or CPI. The CPI is the government’s key inflation barometer, measuring inflation at the consumer level. March increases were greatly driven by fresh fruit and vegetables costs, with consumer prices edging up 0.1% for the month compared to a flat reading in February.

"The seasonally adjusted increase was mostly due to an increase in the fresh fruits and vegetables index, which rose 4.6 percent in March and accounted for over 60 percent of the all items increase," the Consumer Price Index Summary report stated.

Stripping out volatile food and energy prices, the core CPI was unchanged last month after rising 0.1% in February. The core CPI rose 1.1% from a year earlier versus the 1.3% reading noted in the 12 months ending in February.

The U.S. Inflation Calculator is updated, and the buying power of the U.S. dollar can be compared between any dates from 1913 to 2010. Additionally, the following 2010 inflation rate and data pages were updated:

• Historic CPI Data (1913 – 2010)
• Current Inflation Rates (2000 – 2010)
• Historical Inflation Rates (1914 – 2010)
• Rate of Inflation, Annual Averages

For a more in depth analysis of March consumer prices, to include price increases and decreases by item, read Consumer Prices Rise 0.1% in March.

While consumer prices were flat in February, the annual inflation rate climbed 2.1%, according to the Consumer Price Index, or CPI data. The CPI is the government’s key inflation barometer, measuring inflation at the consumer level.

By comparison, prices advanced 0.2% back in January — for the fifth straight time, and 12-month inflation ending for the month was at 2.6%.

"Inflation is certainly no imminent threat to the U.S. economy," David Resler, chief economist at Nomura Securities International Inc. in New York, said on Bloomberg. Resler correctly anticipated prices would stand pat.

The core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 0.1% in February after a decline of 0.1% in January. The core rate is up 1.3% in the past year.

With the second set of CPI data released for the year, the U.S. Inflation Calculator is updated, and the buying power of the U.S. dollar can be compared between any dates from 1913 to 2010. Additionally, the following 2010 inflation rate and data pages were updated:

• Historic CPI Data (1913 – 2010)
• Current Inflation Rates (2000 – 2010)
• Historical Inflation Rates (1914 – 2010)
• Rate of Inflation, Annual Averages

A more in depth analysis of February consumer prices, to include price increases and decreases by item, may be read at U.S. Inflation Rises at 2.1% Annual Rate.

Consumer prices edged up 0.2% for the month and annual inflation rose 2.6%, according to the Consumer Price Index, or CPI, data released by the Labor Department on Friday. The same December readings came in at 0.2% (revised upward from 0.1%) and 2.7%, respectively.

The CPI is the government’s key inflation barometer, measuring inflation at the consumer level. January’s increase marks the fifth straight month of 0.2% gains. Most analysts were expecting a rise of 0.3%. Either inflation level is tame.

"The broader picture remains one of subdued inflation, and this gives the Fed ample reason to stay on the sidelines until at least very late in the year," Aaron Smith, a senior economist at Moody’s Economy.com in West Chester, Pennsylvania, was quoted on Bloomberg.

Excluding volatile food and energy prices, the core CPI surprisingly fell 0.1% in January versus a 0.1% gain in December, a number analysts were again expecting. The core 12-month reading is up 1.6%.

With the first batch of 2010 CPI figures now available for the year, the US Inflation Calculator is updated, and the buying power of the U.S. dollar can now be compared between any dates from 1913 to 2010. Additionally, the following inflation rate and data pages:

• Historic CPI Data (1913 – 2010)
• US Inflation Rates (2000 – 2010)
• Historical Inflation Rates (1914 – 2010)
• Rate of Inflation, Annual Averages

A more in depth analysis of January consumer prices may be read at U.S. Inflation Rises 2.6%.

American consumer prices inched 0.1% higher last month. That drove the inflation rate up 2.7% in 2009 from a year ago, according to the Consumer Price Index, or CPI data provided by the Labor Department on Friday. The CPI is the government’s key inflation barometer.

The modest increase in December, which was 0.1% lower than many forecasts, compares to a 0.4% pickup in November. The aforementioned 2.7% annual inflation rate compares to 0.1% inflation in 2008. Higher gasoline prices account for much of the difference.

"The larger increase was primarily due to the energy index, which rose 18.2 percent during 2009 after falling 21.3 percent in 2008. The energy upturn was caused by the gasoline index, which rose 53.5 percent in 2009 after declining 43.1 percent in 2008," the Labor Department’s report states.

Excluding volatile food and energy costs, the core CPI rose 1.8% in the past 12 months versus the 1.7% rise reported in the prior month. 2009’s increase matched 2008. The core CPI in December was also up 0.1%

The US Inflation Calculator is updated with the latest government information, as are the following inflation rate and data pages:

• Historic CPI Data
• US Inflation Rates
• Historical Inflation Rates
• Annual Averages for Rate of Inflation

Additionally, the CPI Release Schedule was updated to reflect 2010 dates for upcoming government reports.

As a note regarding this site’s Inflation Calculator that is located on the home page, current calculations allow comparisons of the buying power of the US dollar between the years 1913 to 2009. When the next CPI data released is made available on Feb. 19, which reports on January consumer prices, the calculator will be updated to also compare prices to 2010.

The Labor Department’s Consumer Price Index, or "CPI" for short, climbed 0.4% last month following a 0.3% pick up in October. The increase is inline with most expectations. Leading consumer prices higher were energy costs which jumped 4.1%. Energy prices have risen for four consecutive months. Food prices rose only slightly.

Removing food and energy costs, the core CPI remained unchanged after a gain of 0.2% in October. The flat reading is a stark contrast to the 10 straight prior increases. Many economists were forecasting a rise of 0.1%.

On an annual basis, inflation rose by 1.8% as compared to the 0.2% drop in the prior 12 months reported in October.

"Over the last 12 months the index increased 1.8 percent before seasonal adjustment, the first positive 12-month change since February 2009," states the government’s report.

Core prices increased 1.7% over the past 12 months, matching the annual gain in October.

The US Inflation Calculator is updated with the latest government information, as are the following inflation rate and data pages:

• Historic CPI Data
• American Inflation Rates
• Historical US Inflation Rates
• Annual Averages for Rate of Inflation

For more detailed information on November consumer prices, read U.S. Inflation Jumps 1.8% in Past 12 Months.

Consumer prices rose 0.3% in October after a 0.2% increase in September, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released by the Labor Department. The increase is 0.1% higher than many economists had forecasted. The good news for consumers is that prices are down 0.2% from a year earlier.

"I don’t see anything in the report that suggests there’s any real inflation flare-up," Joseph LaVorgna, chief U.S. economist at Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. in New York, said on Bloomberg. "The Fed is comfortably on hold."

In October, energy prices climbed 1.5% while food prices advanced 0.1%. Prices for new cars rose 1.6%, the biggest increase in 28 years.

The US Inflation Calculator is updated with the latest government information, as are the following inflation rate and data pages:

• Historic (1913-2009) CPI Data
• US Inflation Rates
• Historical US Inflation Rates
• Annual Averages for Rate of Inflation

For more detailed information on October prices, read Consumer Prices Rise 0.3% in October.

Consumer prices rose slightly at 0.2% following a 0.4% increase in August, according to Consumer Price Index data released by the Labor Department. Prices were held in check by falling food costs and moderating energy bills.

"Inflation remains muted," Jennifer Lee, an economist at BMO Capital Markets in Toronto, was quoted on Bloomberg. "There is still much excess capacity to absorb, retailers are still fighting for their share of consumers’ shrinking wallets."

Annual inflation is down 1.3% after the 1.5% reading in August. It was the seventh consecutive monthly decline.

The Inflation Calculator is updated with the newest government information, as are the following inflation rate and data pages:

1913-2009 CPI Data

Inflation Rates

Historical Inflation Rates

Annual Averages for Rate of Inflation

For more detailed information on September consumer prices, read US Consumer Prices Edge Higher in September, 12-Month Inflation Down 1.3%.

The Consumer Price Index, which is the government’s most closely watched barometer for measuring inflation at the consumer level, rose 0.4% in August. The increase was "driven by a 9.1 percent rise in the gasoline index," according to the monthly released CPI report from the Labor Department.

"Oil is becoming the bane of our existence again, but other cost pressures remain reasonably well restrained," Joel Naroff, president of Naroff Economic Advisors was noted on Forbes.com.

Compared to the same period a year ago, consumer prices fell 1.5% — due largely again to gasoline prices — they were higher in August compared to the previous month but sharply lower than the levels seen last summer.

The US Inflation Calculator is updated with the newest government information, as are the following inflation rate and data pages:

1913-2009 CPI Data

Inflation Rates

Historical Inflation Rates

Annual Averages for Rate of Inflation

For an in depth look at August consumer prices, read Annual US inflation Down 1.5%.