Why were prices rising in May 2026?

As of May 2026, the Basket Index for a US family of 4 sits at 139.4 — meaning the cost of a standard household basket has risen 7.3% versus a year ago and is up 1.51% from the previous month.

Most of the move comes from gasoline (regular unleaded), electricity (residential), rent of primary residence and ground beef (100% beef). Together these items account for roughly 87% of the year-over-year basket cost change.

Offsetting the increases: eggs (grade a, large) (-57.2%), bread (white loaf) (-4.3%), chicken (whole, fresh) (-1.1%) are cheaper than a year ago.

Inflation is rarely caused by one thing. Energy prices feed into food production and shipping; rent moves with housing supply and interest rates; and grocery prices respond to supply shocks, weather, and demand patterns. Basket Index does not claim causality — it tracks the prices households actually face, and lets you see which categories are pulling the basket up.

• Gasoline (Regular Unleaded): +42.2% YoY, ~65% of basket move.
• Electricity (Residential): +8.3% YoY, ~9% of basket move.
• Rent of Primary Residence: +3.1% YoY, ~7% of basket move.