KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the Midwest Region advanced 0.4 percent in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has reported. The all items less food and energy index increased 0.5 percent, led by rising prices for shelter. The index for food increased 0.3 percent, while the energy index declined 0.4 percent over the same period. (Data in this report are not seasonally adjusted. Accordingly, month-to-month changes may reflect seasonal influences.)
The Midwest Region all items CPI-U advanced 2.4 percent for the 12 months ending in January. The index for all items less food and energy increased 2.7 percent, and food prices were up 2.1 percent over the year. Energy prices fell 0.3 percent, led by declining prices for gasoline.
Food
Food prices rose 0.3 percent for the month of January. Prices for food at home (grocery store purchases) advanced 0.3 percent, and prices for food away from home (restaurant, cafeteria, and vending purchases) increased 0.2 percent for the same period. Within the food at home category, prices for dairy and related products (+2.7 percent) and other food at home (+0.6 percent) led increases. The index for fruits and vegetables led declines, falling 1.6 percent over the month.
The index for food advanced 2.1 percent over the year. The index for food away from home increased 3.8 percent, and the food at home index rose 1.0 percent, with higher prices in 5 of the 6 major grocery store food groups. Prices for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs led the rise, advancing 3.8 percent over the year.
Energy
The energy index declined 0.4 percent over the month, largely due to lower prices for gasoline (-2.6 percent). The indexes for natural gas service and electricity increased 1.9 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively, partially offsetting the decline.
From January 2025 to January 2026, energy prices fell 0.3 percent, due a decline in gasoline prices (-11.2 percent). Prices for electricity advanced 8.1 percent, and prices for natural gas service rose 13.5 percent over the same period.
All items less food and energy
The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.5 percent in January. Among the index’s components, prices were higher for owners’ equivalent rent of residences (+0.4 percent), public transportation, apparel (+2.7 percent), and education and communication (+0.9 percent). In contrast, prices were lower for used cars and trucks (-2.9 percent).
The index for all items less food and energy increased 2.7 percent over the year. Components contributing to the increase included owners’ equivalent rent of residences (+4.1 percent), medical care services (+3.5 percent), and recreation (+4.2 percent). In contrast, prices were lower for used cars and trucks (-1.9 percent).
The February 2026 Consumer Price Index for the Midwest Region is scheduled to be released on March 11, 2026.