The Inflation Index
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), 1982–84 = 100, seasonally adjusted
Last updated: · Data through July 2026
The seasonally adjusted CPI-U was 332.813 in July 2026 — 31% above its 2019 chart baseline.
Then
2019
254
Now
2026
333
Change
2019–2026
+31%
↑ Rising
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
Historical Datakeepingupwithinflation.com
| Year | Index | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 237.02 | — |
| 2016 | 240.01 | +1.3% |
| 2017 | 245.12 | +2.1% |
| 2018 | 251.11 | +2.4% |
| 2019 | 254.41 | +1.3% |
| 2020 | 257.56 | +1.2% |
| 2021 | 266.24 | +3.4% |
| 2022 | 288.35 | +8.3% |
| 2023 | 302.41 | +4.9% |
| 2024 | 312.15 | +3.2% |
| 2025 | 320.23 | +2.6% |
| 2026 | 332.81 | +3.9% |
Analysis
The Inflation Index is the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), the most widely cited measure of U.S. inflation. The BLS sets the index to 100 for the 1982–84 period; on this chart the 2019 baseline is 254.41 and the latest reading is 332.813 in July 2026 — about a 31% cumulative increase.
That climb captures the full sweep of post-2019 inflation: the pandemic supply shocks, the 2022 surge (when CPI rose 8% over the year), and renewed energy pressure in 2026. Year-over-year CPI was about 3.4% in July. A softer monthly reading does not undo the cumulative increase in the price level.
CPI-U covers a broad basket of goods and services — housing, food, energy, healthcare, transportation, and more — weighted by typical consumer spending. Values through 2025 on this chart are January snapshots; 2026 is the latest available month, July. Compare this index with individual categories (rent, eggs, gas) to see what is rising faster or slower than overall inflation.