Rising Prices: Consumer Inflation by Category from 2000 to 2025

Headline inflation has fallen to about 2.7%, while overall prices are roughly 25% higher than in 2020; health care and housing have risen substantially more since 2000.

Affordability is a prominent concern in the United States as consumer prices have climbed over recent decades. Headline inflation has eased to around 2.7%, yet prices are about 25% higher than in 2020. Some categories of spending have increased far faster than the overall rate, particularly health care, housing and higher education. The figures discussed are drawn from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the referenced graphic. Key figures: - Headline inflation is about 2.7% and overall prices are roughly 25% higher than in 2020. - Hospital services have increased about 275% since 2000. - College tuition and fees have risen about 196% since 2000. - Housing costs rose about 111% since 2000 compared with a roughly 92% increase for all U.S. items. Summary: Essential services such as health care, housing and higher education have grown considerably faster than the overall inflation rate, contributing to ongoing affordability concerns. Undetermined at this time.