Inflation by Category (2019–2026)
See inflation broken down by category in 2026. Compare price changes for groceries, rent, gas, insurance, dining, healthcare, and more since 2019.
Not all inflation is created equal. While the overall CPI has risen about 28% since 2019, individual categories tell very different stories — from eggs up 84% to chicken wings down 28%. Here's the breakdown. Dive deeper into Grocery Price Changes, Gas Prices by State, Rent by State, and Wages vs Inflation.
The Inflation Index: 2015–2026
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), 1982–84 = 100, seasonally adjusted
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (FRED CPIAUCSL)keepingupwithinflation.com
Then (2019)
254
Now (2026)
327
Change
+28%
CPI Inflation Rate: 2015–2026
Year-over-year percent change in CPI-U — the number quoted in headlines
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (FRED CPIAUCSL, YoY % change)keepingupwithinflation.com
Then (2019)
1.8%
Now (2026)
2.4%
Change
+0.6 pts
The Egg Index: 2015–2026
Average price per dozen, Grade A Large Eggs (U.S. City Average)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (FRED series APU0000708111)keepingupwithinflation.com
Then (2019)
$1.40
Now (2026)
$2.58
Change
+84%
The Ground Beef Index: 2015–2026
Average retail price per pound, 100% ground beef (U.S. City Average)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (FRED series APU0000703112)keepingupwithinflation.com
Then (2017)
$3.77/lb
Now (2026)
$6.75/lb
Change
+79%
The Gas Pump Index: 2015–2025
U.S. regular unleaded gasoline, annual average price per gallon
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)keepingupwithinflation.com
Then (2020)
$2.19/gal
Now (2025)
$3.22/gal
Change
+47%
The Rent Index: 2015–2026
U.S. typical market rent (Zillow ZORI, all homes + multifamily, smoothed)
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI), All Homes Plus Multifamilykeepingupwithinflation.com
Then (2019)
$1,340/mo
Now (2026)
$1,895/mo
Change
+41%
The Electricity Index: 2015–2026
Average price per kilowatt-hour, residential (U.S. City Average)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (FRED series APU000072610)keepingupwithinflation.com
Then (2019)
13.0¢/kWh
Now (2026)
19.2¢/kWh
Change
+48%
The Auto Insurance Index: 2015–2025
Average annual full-coverage auto insurance premium (U.S.)
Source: Insurance Information Institute, Insurify, The Zebrakeepingupwithinflation.com
Then (2019)
$1,630/yr
Now (2025)
$2,150/yr
Change
+32%
The Restaurant Index: 2015–2025
Approx. cost of a meal per person (U.S. city avg), from BLS CPI Food Away from Home
Source: BLS Consumer Price Index: Food Away from Home (CUSR0000SEFV)keepingupwithinflation.com
Then (2015)
$12.00
Now (2025)
$18.10
Change
+51%
The Wages Index: 2015–2025
Average hourly earnings, total private sector (U.S., seasonally adjusted)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics (CES0500000003)keepingupwithinflation.com
Then (2019)
$28.00/hr
Now (2025)
$35.80/hr
Change
+28%
Biggest Price Increases Since 2019
Eggs (+84%), ground beef (+79%), restaurant meals (+51%), electricity (+48%), gas (+47%), rent (+41%), auto insurance (+32%), and used cars (+30%) have all outpaced overall inflation.
Categories That Have Fallen or Held Steady
Chicken wings (-28%) are actually cheaper than pre-pandemic. Apple Music (+10%) and some electronics have seen modest or below-inflation increases.
The Cumulative Effect
While the inflation rate has cooled from its 2022 peak, prices have NOT come down. A 2-3% annual rate still means prices keep rising — just more slowly. The total price level is permanently higher.