he AIER Everyday Price Index (EPI) rose 0.33 percent in August 2026, reversing two consecutive monthly declines and registering its ninth-largest monthly advance of the past two years. The EPI is now up 5.49 percent year to date and 5.59 percent from August 2025, underscoring the continuing affordability pressure facing households despite the declines recorded in June and July. Beneath the headline increase, price movements were comparatively balanced: 13 EPI categories became more expensive in August, ten declined, and one was unchanged.

The three largest increases among the EPI components were recreational reading materials, up 2.92 percent; motor fuel, up 2.74 percent; and purchase, subscription, and rental of video, up 0.97 percent. The largest declines occurred in nonprescription drugs, down 1.17 percent; internet services and electronic information providers, down 0.70 percent; and admissions to movies, theaters, and concerts, down 0.63 percent. Because of its comparatively large weight, motor fuel was the principal driver of the overall August increase.

AIER Everyday Price Index vs. US Consumer Price Index (NSA, 1987 = 100)

(Source: Bloomberg Finance, LP)

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics released its August 2026 Consumer Price Index report on September 11, 2026. Headline CPI rose 0.4 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis, accelerating from 0.1 percent in July. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.3 percent after increasing 0.2 percent in July. The unadjusted headline index advanced 0.3 percent to 334.980. 

Both the EPI and headline CPI moved higher in August, but the composition of their increases differed. Our in-house EPI puts greater emphasis on goods and services consumers buy most frequently.