KANSAS CITY – The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the Midwest region decreased 0.1 percent in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has reported.
Energy prices fell 2.1 percent, led by declining gasoline prices. The index for all items less food and energy remained unchanged in December, while the index for food rose 0.2 percent.
The Midwest all items CPI-U advanced 2.7 percent for the 12 months ending in December. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.7 percent over the year, and food prices increased 2.6 percent. Energy prices also advanced 2.7 percent
Food
Food prices increased 0.2 percent in December. The index for food away from home (restaurant, cafeteria, and vending purchases) increased 0.5 percent, while the index for food at home (grocery store purchases) was unchanged for the month of December. Within the index for food at home, the indexes for fruits and vegetables (+1.4 percent), and cereals and bakery products (+0.7 percent) led increases. The indexes for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs (-0.9 percent) as well as dairy and related products (-1.2 percent) led declines.
Food prices advanced 2.6 percent over the year. The index for food away from home increased 4.0 percent, and the index for food at home rose 1.8 percent, with higher prices in 4 of the 6 major grocery store food groups. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs led the rise, advancing 4.7 percent over the year.
Energy
The energy index fell 2.1 percent over the month, largely due to lower prices for gasoline (-7.0 percent). Prices paid for electricity (-0.8 percent) also declined over the month, while the index for natural gas service rose 7.1 percent, partially offsetting the decline.
From December 2024 to December 2025, the energy index increased 2.7 percent. The indexes for electricity and natural gas service both increased by 11.4 percent. The index for gasoline declined 6.7 percent over the 12-month period.
All items less food and energy
The index for all items less food and energy was unchanged in December. Prices were higher for recreation (+1.1 percent), medical care services (+0.5 percent), and owners’ equivalent rent of residences (+0.2 percent). In contrast, prices were lower for education and communication (-1.0 percent), used cars and trucks (-1.5 percent), and lodging away from home.
The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.7 percent over the year. Components contributing to the increase included owners’ equivalent rent of residences (+4.1 percent), recreation (+4.4 percent), and medical care services (+3.3 percent).