Consumer prices in the Northeast region rose 0.2 percent in July, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) showed that prices for all items excluding food and energy also increased by 0.2 percent during the month.
Food prices saw a 0.4 percent increase over the month, with both food at home and food away from home contributing to this rise. Within the food at home category, price increases were noted for spices, seasonings, condiments, sauces, and carbonated drinks.
Energy prices fell by 0.2 percent in July. The electricity index dropped by 1.2 percent and utility (piped) gas service prices decreased by 0.7 percent, while gasoline prices edged up by 0.3 percent.
Over the past year ending in July, the all items CPI-U advanced 3.2 percent in the Northeast region. Prices for all items less food and energy increased by 3.4 percent over the same period. Food prices rose 2.7 percent annually; within this category, food away from home was up 3.9 percent and food at home increased by 1.9 percent—driven largely by a 5.6-percent rise in meats, poultry, fish, and eggs.
The energy index increased by 1.1 percent from July 2024 to July 2025 despite gasoline declining by 10.8 percent over the year; however, utility (piped) gas service jumped by 21.6 percent and electricity rose by 9.0 percent.
Shelter costs contributed to a monthly increase of 0.3 percent within all items less food and energy; owners’ equivalent rent of residences also went up by 0.3 percent during July.
Year-over-year data showed shelter costs rising by 4.5 percent as measured through owners’ equivalent rent of residences index—a key driver among components outside of food and energy categories—as well as increases in education and communication (up 2.5 percent) and medical care (up 2.0 percent).
“The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change in prices over time in a fixed market basket of goods and services,” according to information provided in the release.
The report notes that “the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast region is published monthly” but includes fewer components than national-level indexes due to its regional focus.
The next update on consumer prices for August is scheduled for release on September 11, 2025.
The Northeast region covered in this report includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
For further details or historical data series on CPI changes—including monthly breakdowns—readers are directed to BLS data query tools accessible via links provided with official releases.
