Inflation accelerated last month, highlighting affordability issues before election

Consumer prices rose 3.6% in September compared with a year earlier, up from 3.4% in August

Monthly prices climbed 0.5% in September, up from 0.3% in August, the highest figure since May

Core inflation (excluding energy and food) rose 3.1% year-over-year in September, up from 3% in August

Core prices rose 0.3% month-over-month in September, the same as August

Before the Iran war: U.S. oil prices were less than $70 a barrel · 2024: Trump campaigned on reducing prices, including gas below $2 a gallon · August: Annual inflation was 3.4%; monthly inflation was 0.3%; core inflation was 3% · September: Annual inflation rose to 3.6%; monthly inflation rose to 0.5%; core inflation rose to 3.1% · Thursday: Commerce Department released the September inflation data · Less than a week away: Midterm elections focused on affordability concerns

3.6% Annual inflation, September · 3.4% Annual inflation, August · 0.5% Monthly inflation, September · $100+ Oil price per barrel · $4.25 Average gas price per gallon