The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the West Region rose 0.3% from June to August and 3.2% over the past year.
According to the BLS, the West Region CPI-U increased by 3.2 percent for the year ending in August 2025. Excluding food and energy, the index was up 3.4 percent. Food prices also gained 3.4 percent year over year, while energy prices increased by 0.9 percent. Month to month, the all-items index rose by 0.3 percent, reflecting modest price increases in August.
The BLS indicated that the food index increased by 0.1 percent in August. Grocery store prices showed no change, while food away from home rose by 0.2 percent. Over 12 months, grocery store food rose by 2.9 percent, with higher costs in five of six major categories such as meats, poultry, fish, and eggs (+4.4 percent), and fruits and vegetables (+2.9 percent). Dairy and related products declined (-1.9 percent). Food away from home increased by 4.0 percent.
Energy costs rose by 0.3 percent in August, with gasoline up by 0.3 percent, electricity up by 0.2 percent, and natural gas service up by 0.1 percent according to the BLS report on annual changes; natural gas climbed by 6.6 percent and electricity by 2.1 percent, while gasoline dropped by 1.2 percent.
The index for all items less food and energy gained by 0.3 percent in August and increased by 3.4 percent over the year as said by BLS findings; apparel (+2.7 percent) and education/communication (+1.1 percent) rose during the month, while recreation (-0.4 percent) and medical care (-0.1 percent) fell.
The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics is part of the U.S Department of Labor and serves as a primary agency for labor economics and statistics within the federal government framework according to their statement; it collects analyzes publishes data on employment wages prices productivity working conditions support decision-making public businesses researchers government organizations operates statistical research programs maintains data integrity confidentiality standards provides resources through its website including charts tables publications news releases engages survey respondents advisory committees support work provide information U.S economy workforce.
