Cost of living has gone up 3.4% in the last year

NPR | By Scott Horsley

Published September 11, 2026 at 8:45 PM EDT

A new report shows the cost of living in August was up 3.4% from a year ago. Investors think stubborn inflation makes it more likely that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates next week.

Scott Horsley

Scott Horsley is NPR's Chief Economics Correspondent.

See stories by Scott Horsley

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

Yemen's Houthis say they now control land that overlooks a key shipping route

Aya Batrawy

Yemen's Houthis have overrun Saudi-backed forces to consolidate control along a Red Sea shipping strait.
Ethics watchdogs await RFK Jr.'s financial report

Sydney Lupkin

Health Secretary RFK Jr.'s annual financial disclosure is late. When it posts, the public could learn how much he has earned from a vaccine-related lawsuit against Merck, which RFK now regulates.
What it takes to make a new — branded — tomato

Kenny Malone, Daniel Pashman

Why is the grocery store produce aisle filling up with branded fruits and vegetables, like honeycrisp apples and cuties oranges? We watch the effort to make one new — branded — tomato.
NPR News

The other side of 9/11: Afghans reckon with America's long shadow

D. Parvaz

It's been nearly 25 years since the start of the U.S- led invasion of Afghanistan. NPR returns to Kabul to see how Afghans, now back under Taliban rule, are coping with the legacy of that 20 year war.
Rubio visits new right wing governments in Latin America

Michele Kelemen

The shift to the right in Latin America is reshaping the U.S. approach to drug trafficking — a shift on display this week as Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to three South American countries.