Core CPI inflation, 12-month change, United States
Core CPI inflation, 12-month change was 2.56% in September 2026, up 0.12 pp from August 2026 and down 0.45 pp from a year earlier. The figure is published by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in CPI. The series starts in January 2007 and has 236 observations. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- On the previous reading (August 2026): up 0.12 pp, to 2.56%
- On a year earlier (September 2025): down 0.45 pp
- Against the five-year average of 4.12%: below
Sparklines: the last ten years; the amber dot marks the reading in the tile. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. EconoMonitor is not affiliated with or endorsed by BLS.
Overview
Over the last five years the series ranged from 2.45% (August 2026) to 6.63% (September 2022). Since January 2007 the full range is 0.61% (October 2010) to 6.63% (September 2022).
Key facts
| Reading | Period | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Latest | September 2026 | 2.56% |
| Previous | August 2026 | 2.45% |
| A year earlier | September 2025 | 3.02% |
| Five-year high | September 2022 | 6.63% |
| Five-year low | August 2026 | 2.45% |
| First observation | January 2007 | 2.67% |
Unit: percent. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. EconoMonitor is not affiliated with or endorsed by BLS.
How has it moved since January 2007?
Full history
- Core CPI inflation, 12-month change 2.6%
Last five years
- Core CPI inflation, 12-month change 2.6%
Latest readings
| Period | Value | Change from previous |
|---|---|---|
| August 2025 | 3.11% | +0.05 pp |
| September 2025 | 3.02% | -0.09 pp |
| November 2025 | 2.63% | -0.39 pp |
| December 2025 | 2.64% | +0.01 pp |
| January 2026 | 2.50% | -0.14 pp |
| February 2026 | 2.46% | -0.05 pp |
| March 2026 | 2.60% | +0.14 pp |
| April 2026 | 2.75% | +0.16 pp |
| May 2026 | 2.85% | +0.10 pp |
| June 2026 | 2.59% | -0.26 pp |
| July 2026 | 2.48% | -0.12 pp |
| August 2026 | 2.45% | -0.03 pp |
| September 2026 | 2.56% | +0.12 pp |
How does the latest reading compare?
The latest reading of 2.56% in September 2026 is below its five-year average of 4.12% and below its ten-year average of 3.12%. It is higher than 74% of all 236 readings since January 2007. The rise in September 2026 ended a run in the other direction or a flat reading. Over the last 12 readings, from September 2025 to September 2026, it averaged 2.63%, with a high of 3.02% in September 2025 and a low of 2.45% in August 2026. In the last ten years the largest rise from one reading to the next was in April 2021, to 2.96% from 1.65% in March 2021, and the largest fall was in April 2020, to 1.43% from 2.09% in March 2020.
Among the last 8 complete years, the average was highest in 2022, at 6.15%, and lowest in 2020, at 1.70%.
Year by year
| Year | Average | Low | High | Last reading | Readings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2.58% | 2.45% | 2.85% | 2.56% September 2026 | 9 |
| 2025 | 2.92% | 2.63% | 3.26% | 2.64% December 2025 | 11 |
| 2024 | 3.44% | 3.17% | 3.86% | 3.24% December 2024 | 12 |
| 2023 | 4.79% | 3.93% | 5.59% | 3.93% December 2023 | 12 |
| 2022 | 6.15% | 5.71% | 6.63% | 5.71% December 2022 | 12 |
| 2021 | 3.57% | 1.28% | 5.45% | 5.45% December 2021 | 12 |
| 2020 | 1.70% | 1.19% | 2.36% | 1.62% December 2020 | 12 |
| 2019 | 2.19% | 1.99% | 2.39% | 2.26% December 2019 | 12 |
| 2018 | 2.14% | 1.82% | 2.35% | 2.18% December 2018 | 12 |
| 2017 | 1.85% | 1.68% | 2.27% | 1.78% December 2017 | 12 |
Averages, lows and highs are calculated by EconoMonitor from the published readings. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. EconoMonitor is not affiliated with or endorsed by BLS.
How is it measured?
Percent change in core CPI-U (not seasonally adjusted) from the same month a year earlier.
Core CPI inflation, 12-month change is published monthly by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in its CPI release. It is measured in percent and is not seasonally adjusted. EconoMonitor holds all 236 readings since January 2007, keeps earlier values when the publisher revises them, and compares each release with the downloaded file before it is shown. Formula: (us_core_cpi_nsa / us_core_cpi_nsa 12 months earlier - 1) x 100.
Related measures on this site: CPI inflation, 12-month change was 3.74% in September 2026.
- Formula: (us_core_cpi_nsa / us_core_cpi_nsa 12 months earlier - 1) x 100.
- Frequency: monthly; seasonal adjustment: NSA.
- Unit: percent.
- Release: CPI, published by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Source series code: .
- Methodology: how EconoMonitor stores and checks this series.
Questions and sources
What is the latest reading of Core CPI inflation, 12-month change?
2.56% in September 2026, as published by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How often is it updated?
Monthly, with each CPI release. EconoMonitor reloads the series after each release and keeps earlier values when the publisher revises them.
Where can I check it?
At the publisher: Bureau of Labor Statistics Public Data API v1, series code .
Definitions of the other measures quoted on this page: CPI inflation, 12-month change (US).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. EconoMonitor is not affiliated with or endorsed by BLS. Checks for this release: Check A passed, Check B passed.
Data and analysis only, not financial advice. Data publishers do not endorse EconoMonitor. See the disclaimer and methodology.