Inflation United States 2024

Average inflation: 3.0%

Current Inflation

Inflation is high at 3.0%, well above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in March at 3.5%. The lowest inflation was in September at 2.4%.

Highest month
March: 3.5%
Lowest month
September: 2.4%
Difference
1.1 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Miscellaneous goods and services with an average of 8.3%. The lowest price increase was in Transport with an average of -3.1%.

Highest increase
Miscellaneous goods and services: 8.3%
Lowest increase
Transport: -3.1%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 1.2% lower than the 5-year average of 4.2%.

5-year average
4.2%
10-year average
2.9%
All-time high (2022)
8%
All-time low (2009)
-0.3%

Trend

Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2023, inflation has fallen by +1.1 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
-1.1 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
January: -3.3 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 1.0% above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.

Purchasing Power

At this inflation rate, purchasing power noticeably decreases. Without a salary increase, you can buy less with the same money.

What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €103.00 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2024

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
1.2%
-1.8vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
4.5%
+1.5vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
1.0%
-2.0vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
5.1%
+2.1vs avg.
More details →
Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
-0.6%
-3.6vs avg.
More details →
Health
3.5%
+0.5vs avg.
More details →
Transport
-3.1%
-6.1vs avg.
More details →
Communication
-1.4%
-4.4vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
0.8%
-2.2vs avg.
More details →
Education
3.2%
+0.2vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
3.9%
+0.9vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
8.3%
+5.3vs avg.
More details →

Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2023
January 3.1% -3.3
February 3.2% -2.8
March 3.5% -1.5
April 3.4% -1.5
May 3.3% -0.7
June 3.0% 0.0
July 2.9% -0.3
August 2.5% -1.2
September 2.4% -1.3
October 2.6% -0.6
November 2.7% -0.4
December 2.9% -0.5
Average 3.0%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.

See also