The US core inflation rate, excluding volatile food and fuel costs, rose to 2.6% in September 2026 from a five-year low of 2.4% in August and slightly above the expected 2.5%. The heavyweight shelter index increased 3.2% over the last year. Other indexes with notable increases over the last year include airline fares (+22.4 percent), recreation (+2.8 percent), medical care (+1.5 percent), and education (+3.8 percent). On a monthly basis, core CPI rose by 0.3 in September, the same pace as August, and above market expectations of a 0.2% increase.