U.S. consumer price inflation accelerated in May 2026, with the year-on-year Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising to 4.2%, up from 3.8% recorded in April 2026. The latest data, updated on 10 June 2026, point to renewed price pressures after a period of relatively slower inflation.
The figures are based on a year-over-year comparison, meaning May 2026 prices are measured against those of May 2025, while April’s reading compared prices to April 2025. The move from 3.8% to 4.2% suggests that inflationary momentum strengthened heading into late spring, potentially complicating the policy outlook for U.S. economic authorities and investors who had been watching for signs of sustained disinflation.