23 Price Hikes, Ranked: September 2021

Related: 23 Price Changes in August 2021, Ranked

The consumer price index for September rose by 5.4% over the past 12 months and by 0.4% from August, according to data released Thursday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The CPI measures a "market basket" of consumer spending, which includes what individuals pay for goods and services, such as food bought at grocery stores, restaurant meals, clothes, energy, vehicles, rent and car repairs. BLS reported that indexes for food and shelter together contributed more than half of the monthly all-items seasonally adjusted increase. The food index rose by 0.9% in September, with food at home increasing by 1.2%. The energy index was up 1.3%, with the gasoline index rising by 1.2%. The index for all items less food and energy rose by 0.2%. To measure these price changes, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts regular household surveys for the BLS. The Consumer Expenditures Surveys aim to provide the public with information "on the complete range of consumers' expenditures and incomes," according to the BLS. To find out which specific items and spending categories had the greatest 12-month price increase in the latest CPI survey results, see the gallery above.