Consumer prices in the South region rose slightly in July, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased by 0.1 percent over the month.
The report showed that prices for all items excluding food and energy also went up by 0.1 percent during July. Food prices climbed 0.3 percent, while energy costs edged up 0.1 percent.
Over the past year, the overall CPI-U for the South increased by 2.3 percent, matching the annual rate reported for June. The index for all items less food and energy saw a 2.8 percent rise over the same period, while food prices also increased by 2.8 percent year-over-year. Energy prices declined by 3.4 percent over the last twelve months.
In July, both grocery store purchases and dining out registered a 0.3 percent increase from June. Within grocery categories, five out of six major groups recorded price increases, with meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rising by 1.0 percent.
For the year ending in July, eating out became more expensive with a 3.9 percent increase in prices for food away from home; at-home food costs rose by 2.0 percent as most grocery categories experienced price gains.
Energy sector data indicated that natural gas prices were up 0.5 percent in July, but electricity and gasoline remained unchanged month-to-month. Over twelve months, gasoline dropped sharply by 11.6 percent even as electricity rose by 5.2 percent and natural gas surged by 10.5 percent.
Shelter costs were up by 0.2 percent in July due in part to a 0.3-percent increase in owners’ equivalent rent; used cars and trucks saw notable price growth at +0.8 percent while apparel fell -1.8 percent during the month.
Annually, shelter expenses increased by 3.4 percent with owners’ equivalent rent up by 3.8 percent.
The next Consumer Price Index release covering August is scheduled for September 11, 2025.
“The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change in prices over time in a fixed market basket of goods and services,” according to information provided in this release from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The CPI for the South region is published monthly and includes data from Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
More details about regional indexes can be found through BLS data query tools or via Table 1 under historical data on their website.
For further background on methodology or technical notes related to national CPI figures see resources like the national CPI news release or the Handbook of Methods.
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