United States Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) and Inflation Rate: US city average in July 2016 (Seas Adj.)

Updated on March 23, 2026.

According to data from the US BLS, in July 2016, the United States Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U): US city average was 240.101 (seasonally adjusted) and the 12-month percent change (inflation rate) was 0.9%. The Watches item had the highest 12-month percent change or inflation rate (7.8%), followed by Motor vehicle insurance (6.3%), and Educational books and supplies (5.0%).

The chart below shows the top 10 items with the highest 12-month percent change or inflation rate. The table below contains the CPI-U and inflation rate for many items.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the change in prices paid by consumers for goods and services. The CPI of all urban consumers (CPI-U) reflects the spending patterns of all urban consumers which represents about 93 percent of the total US population. The CPI-U is based on the expenditures of almost all residents of urban or metropolitan areas, including professionals, the self-employed, the poor, the unemployed, and retired people, as well as urban wage earners and clerical workers.

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Top Items with High 12-Month Percent Change of US CPI-U: US city average in July 2016 (Seas Adj.)
Watches
Motor vehicle insurance
Educational books and supplies
Admissions
Hospital and related services
Cable and satellite television serv...
Jewelry
Miscellaneous personal services
Boys' apparel
Rent of primary residence
Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) and Inflation Rate: US city average of Different Items in July 2016 (Seas Adj.)
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Item CPI-U 12-month % change (Inflation Rate)
All items 240.101 0.9
Energy 189.046 -10.7
All items less food 238.924 1.0
All items less food and shelter 217.612 -0.5
All items less food, shelter, and energy 225.223 1.4
All items less food, shelter, energy, and used cars and trucks 230.151 1.6
All items less food and energy 247.829 2.2
All items less shelter 223.825 -0.3
All items less medical care 229.334 0.6
All items less energy 247.115 1.9
Apparel less footwear 119.196 0.6
Apparel 125.881 0.2
Men's and boys' apparel 119.919 0.9
Women's and girls' apparel 111.194 0.2
Commodities 178.87 -2.5
Energy commodities 189.868 -19.4
Commodities less food 148.221 -4.1
Commodities less food and beverages 144.974 -4.4
Commodities less food and energy commodities 145.175 -0.7
Commodities less food, energy, and used cars and trucks 146.036 -0.4
Durables 107.099 -2.0
Education and communication 139.16 0.8
Education 247.732 2.8
Communication 79.21 -0.8
Information and information processing 75.38 -0.8
Education and communication commodities 79.714 -4.0
Education and communication services 111.085 1.3
Food and beverages 247.406 0.3
Food 247.658 0.2
Food at home 238.38 -1.6
Cereals and bakery products 272.772 -0.7
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs 246.197 -5.8
Meats, poultry, and fish 248.537 -3.7
Meats 251.052 -4.9
Fruits and vegetables 294.509 1.3
Fresh fruits and vegetables 338.838 1.9
Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials 167.3 -0.6
Other food at home 209.661 0.2
Alcoholic beverages 242.651 1.3
Other goods and services 423.439 2.0
Personal care 224.563 1.7
Other goods 108.558 1.0
Housing 244.224 2.5
Shelter 288.524 3.3
Fuels and utilities 229.517 0.0
Household energy 191.805 -1.1
Household furnishings and operations 121.474 -0.9
Household furnishings and supplies 91.579 -1.9
Medical care 464.439 3.9
Medical care commodities 366.784 3.3
Medical care services 495.805 4.1
Nondurables 214.318 -2.7
Domestically produced farm food 246.356 -1.9
Nondurables less food 186.393 -5.4
Nondurables less food and beverages 182.936 -5.9
Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel 222.967 -7.7
Nondurables less food and apparel 223.58 -6.9
Recreation 117.295 1.0
Recreation commodities 85.494 -3.4
Recreation services 115.796 3.3
Services 300.499 2.9
Utilities and public transportation 216.278 0.7
Rent of shelter 300.625 3.3
Other services 347.014 2.2
Transportation services 300.422 3.0
Services less rent of shelter 323.427 2.4
Services less medical care services 285.643 2.8
Services less energy services 310.99 3.1
Transportation 194.654 -4.7
Private transportation 189.269 -4.9
Transportation commodities less motor fuel 105.673 -1.2
Men's apparel 123.031 0.2
Men's suits, sport coats, and outerwear 112.507 -1.8
Men's underwear, nightwear, swimwear and accessories 153.882 0.5
Men's shirts and sweaters 79.882 4.9
Men's pants and shorts 119.479 -3.1
Boys' apparel 105.717 3.8
Women's apparel 115.596 1.2
Women's outerwear 110.834 2.7
Women's dresses 121.14 -1.7
Women's suits and separates 82.177 0.5
Women's underwear, nightwear, swimwear and accessories 107.402 2.2
Girls' apparel 90.942 -4.9
Footwear 135.181 -1.3
Men's footwear 136.548 -1.1
Boys' and girls' footwear 151.567 0.0
Women's footwear 125.789 -2.6
Infants' and toddlers' apparel 115.974 -3.1
Jewelry and watches 169.064 4.9
Watches 133.882 7.8
Jewelry 174.063 4.0
Educational books and supplies 678.015 5.0
Tuition, other school fees, and childcare 708.778 2.6
College tuition and fees 808.288 2.7
Elementary and high school tuition and fees 776.713 3.2
Day care and preschool 283.214 2.4
Technical and business school tuition and fees 237.733 1.4
Postage and delivery services 175.076 0.2
Postage 275.658 0.4
Delivery services 277.989 -2.6
Information technology, hardware and services 7.784 -2.9
Computers, peripherals, and smart home assistants 44.205 -7.3
Internet services and electronic information providers 77.278 0.1
Telephone hardware, calculators, and other consumer information items 21.205 -11.5
Information technology commodities 59.636 -7.7
Cereals and cereal products 231.809 -0.8
Flour and prepared flour mixes 241.97 -0.5
Breakfast cereal 229.139 -0.7
Rice, pasta, cornmeal 239.359 -1.8
Bakery products 295.836 -0.8
Bread 178.547 -0.3
Fresh biscuits, rolls, muffins 175.735 -1.0
Cakes, cupcakes, and cookies 278.926 -0.4
Other bakery products 263.732 -1.8
Beef and veal 298.516 -8.0
Uncooked ground beef 266.073 -10.2
Uncooked beef roasts 227.712 -6.4
Uncooked beef steaks 202.03 -6.6
Pork 211.102 -2.1
Bacon, breakfast sausage, and related products 155.179 1.6
Ham 203.706 -3.2
Pork chops 196.443 -2.1
Other pork including roasts, steaks, and ribs 128.167 -6.4
Other meats 223.586 -1.9
Poultry 230.537 -3.2
Chicken 147.017 -3.4
Other uncooked poultry including turkey 155.163 -2.1
Fish and seafood 285.342 0.3
Fresh fish and seafood 177.092 4.1
Processed fish and seafood 142.337 -3.8
Eggs 216.426 -29.0
Dairy and related products 216.112 -3.1
Milk 138.071 -7.1
Cheese and related products 226.619 -3.2
Ice cream and related products 220.02 0.9
Other dairy and related products 146.602 -0.6
Fresh fruits 357.012 2.8
Apples 353.241 9.7
Bananas 198.458 -0.4
Citrus fruits 241.106 3.2
Other fresh fruits 117.276 2.1
Fresh vegetables 318.533 1.0
Potatoes 328.488 0.8
Lettuce 284.513 -2.8
Tomatoes 320.366 -1.0
Other fresh vegetables 324.709 2.8
Processed fruits and vegetables 158.362 -0.5
Canned fruits and vegetables 162.333 -1.3
Frozen fruits and vegetables 149.125 1.1
Other processed fruits and vegetables including dried 162.449 -0.9
Juices and nonalcoholic drinks 128.836 0.1
Carbonated drinks 162.185 0.9
Nonfrozen noncarbonated juices and drinks 117.388 -0.3
Beverage materials including coffee and tea 117.913 -2.3
Coffee 198.417 -4.1
Other beverage materials including tea 128.159 0.6
Sugar and sweets 215.47 -0.7
Sugar and sugar substitutes 186.778 -2.6
Candy and chewing gum 145.185 -0.1
Other sweets 152.645 -0.6
Fats and oils 225.418 0.3
Butter and margarine 201.91 3.3
Salad dressing 130.965 0.7
Other fats and oils including peanut butter 155.681 -2.1
Other foods 224.346 0.3
Soups 242.401 0.8
Frozen and freeze dried prepared foods 168.551 -1.4
Snacks 252.335 0.6
Spices, seasonings, condiments, sauces 239.655 1.3
Other miscellaneous foods 131.853 0.1
Food away from home 263.051 2.8
Full service meals and snacks 163.364 2.3
Food at employee sites and schools 169.344 9.4
Other food away from home 182.889 1.0
Alcoholic beverages at home 198.958 0.9
Beer, ale, and other malt beverages at home 219.147 1.7
Distilled spirits at home 192.982 0.4
Wine at home 168.14 0.0
Alcoholic beverages away from home 336.754 1.8
Tobacco and smoking products 962.63 3.2
Cigarettes 393.168 3.2
Personal care products 162.878 0.3
Miscellaneous personal services 415.087 4.0
Legal services 339.14 5.0
Funeral expenses 319.693 2.1
Laundry and dry cleaning services 161.149 3.3
Financial services 332.23 4.6
Miscellaneous personal goods 77.717 -4.4
Rent of primary residence 297.192 3.8
Lodging away from home 156.779 1.8
Housing at school, excluding board 523.617 2.8
Other lodging away from home including hotels and motels 322.222 0.7
Owners' equivalent rent of residences 295.753 3.2
Owners' equivalent rent of primary residence 295.715 3.2
Fuel oil and other fuels 230.473 -10.2
Fuel oil 212.482 -18.0
Propane, kerosene, and firewood 303.43 0.6
Energy services 196.697 -0.6
Electricity 207.015 -0.8
Utility (piped) gas service 163.007 0.0
Water and sewer and trash collection services 221.53 3.5
Water and sewerage maintenance 513.569 4.1
Garbage and trash collection 438.607 1.7
Window and floor coverings and other linens 59.944 -1.9
Window coverings 68.554 1.3
Other linens 46.665 -3.9
Furniture and bedding 111.511 -3.0
Other furniture 69.876 -6.6
Appliances 76.873 -2.7
Major appliances 82.58 -5.5
Other appliances 67.009 -1.4
Other household equipment and furnishings 56.646 -3.9
Indoor plants and flowers 124.208 -2.7
Nonelectric cookware and tableware 88.65 -2.4
Tools, hardware, outdoor equipment and supplies 90.238 -0.8
Tools, hardware and supplies 98.511 -1.3
Outdoor equipment and supplies 86.307 -0.5
Housekeeping supplies 186.171 -0.3
Household cleaning products 119.998 0.8
Miscellaneous household products 116.996 -1.6
Moving, storage, freight expense 160.696 12.3
Professional services 372.506 2.8
Physicians' services 380.083 3.5
Dental services 463.867 2.4
Eyeglasses and eye care 187.274 1.9
Services by other medical professionals 232.469 1.8
Hospital and related services 793.904 4.5
Hospital services 302.696 4.7
Nursing homes and adult day services 214.154 3.6
Medicinal drugs 119.96 3.5
Prescription drugs 503.134 4.8
Nonprescription drugs 96.297 -1.6
Video and audio 101.537 2.1
Televisions 2.674 -20.5
Cable and satellite television service 441.679 4.5
Other video equipment 10.366 -1.9
Audio equipment 34.42 -3.9
Video and audio products 53.859 -11.8
Video and audio services 118.214 4.4
Pets, pet products and services 169.5 1.6
Pets and pet products 197.731 0.3
Pet services including veterinary 234.491 3.6
Sporting goods 113.239 -1.4
Sports vehicles including bicycles 147.166 -2.9
Sports equipment 84.002 -0.8
Photography 75.568 0.4
Photographic equipment and supplies 54.295 -1.9
Other recreational goods 43.743 -7.1
Toys 40.778 -8.8
Sewing machines, fabric and supplies 92.934 -4.8
Music instruments and accessories 101.886 1.3
Other recreation services 160.652 2.1
Club membership for shopping clubs, fraternal, or other organizations, or participant sports fees 132.198 -0.3
Admissions 369.887 4.8
Fees for lessons or instructions 292.555 1.9
Recreational reading materials 237.076 -1.6
New and used motor vehicles 100.279 -0.9
New vehicles 147.303 -0.1
Used cars and trucks 143.27 -3.9
Leased cars and trucks 85.51 2.7
Car and truck rental 133.539 3.2
Motor fuel 186.408 -19.9
Gasoline (all types) 185.486 -20.0
Other motor fuels 172.035 -15.4
Motor vehicle parts and equipment 142.932 -0.6
Tires 124.423 -1.4
Motor vehicle maintenance and repair 276.058 1.8
Motor vehicle repair 171.853 1.9
Motor vehicle insurance 490.851 6.3
Parking and other fees 199.156 2.5
Public transportation 265.061 -1.8
Airline fares 280.88 -4.5
Other intercity transportation 158.278 3.2
Cookies 264.155 -2.1
Crackers, bread, and cracker products 303.788 -2.0
Frozen and refrigerated bakery products, pies, tarts, turnovers 266.83 -1.9
Bacon and related products 284.692 5.0
Breakfast sausage and related products 143.442 -2.9
Ham, excluding canned 227.605 -3.1
Frankfurters 220.23 -4.8
Lunchmeats 145.622 -0.9
Fresh whole chicken 249.136 -2.1
Fresh and frozen chicken parts 216.744 -3.8
Shelf stable fish and seafood 197.001 -2.9
Frozen fish and seafood 300.06 -5.6
Fresh whole milk 198.759 -7.2
Fresh milk other than whole 141.713 -7.2
Butter 234.357 2.9
Oranges, including tangerines 480.591 -0.4
Canned fruits 158.012 0.0
Frozen vegetables 203.224 0.7
Canned vegetables 169.802 -2.1
Margarine 297.713 3.3
Roasted coffee 206.867 -3.9
Salt and other seasonings and spices 151.036 2.7
Olives, pickles, relishes 142.032 3.0
Sauces and gravies 136.709 -0.3
Other condiments 279.017 2.8
Prepared salads 123.639 1.9
Whiskey at home 207.282 0.4
Distilled spirits, excluding whiskey, at home 186.009 0.3
Distilled spirits away from home 182.861 2.9
Laundry equipment 92.413 -6.0
Stationery, stationery supplies, gift wrap 148.53 -1.4
New cars 143.445 -0.7
New cars and trucks 102.061 -0.2
New trucks 156.435 0.4
Gasoline, unleaded regular 181.747 -20.5
Gasoline, unleaded midgrade 201.528 -17.9
Gasoline, unleaded premium 198.323 -16.3
Parking fees and tolls 222.41 3.1
Intercity train fare 114.742 -1.6
Ship fare 67.195 8.7
Inpatient hospital services 299.3 5.3
Outpatient hospital services 670.815 3.0
Toys, games, hobbies and playground equipment 49.494 -7.1
Photographic equipment 22.185 -2.5
Pet food 152.388 1.3
Purchase of pets, pet supplies, accessories 113.095 -0.5
Admission to movies, theaters, and concerts 174.501 3.4
Admission to sporting events 219.448 5.8
Pet services 185.331 2.2
Veterinarian services 245.326 3.7
Tax return preparation and other accounting fees 228.381 5.2